VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

What I've learned over the past 17 years: don't believe everything a doctor tells you without at least getting other opinions and making sure you are properly hydrated. It seems too many doctors in too many cases are more interested in prescribing drugs to "treat" a condition than they are in finding and dealing with the root cause.

For those 17 years, my nasal passages would swell shut at random times. I was wrongly diagnosed with an allergy to Juniper, which doesn't even exist around here. There was no pattern to the swelling, whereas a real allergic reaction will take place when a specific trigger is present. I took so many prescription and OTC drugs that did no good unnecessarily for a long time, when it was – in fact – severe dehydration that was the sole cause of the nasal swelling. The drugs, especially the decongestants and antihistamines, only further exacerbated the dehydration.

Now, after almost two years of working to bring my hydration back to normal, the nasal swelling no longer happens. Ever. No drugs. None. Not even decongestants.

I recently went a step further and finally had my deviated septum repaired. My breathing hasn't been this good in decades.

Between the unrelated sinus issues brought about by the deviated septum and the nasal swelling, it had been unbelievably stressful over the years playing Russian Roulette; wondering whether my sound was going to be affected or normal when session time rolled around.

I hope my experience will be helpful to others, and would be most happy to answer any questions.

Does your doctor practice medicine... or does your doctor practice healthcare?
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Lance Blair]

Glad you're feeling better and took control of your health and didn't fall for Big Pharma's bag o' tricks. Hydrating more (sometimes with a pinch of salt) has helped my sinuses (and my kid's too!) Which reminds me - I need some water right now!

Losing some weight a few years ago helped things a lot too - but I didn't start to feel great again until I cut out processed soy and started eating loads of greens! Generally, avoiding processed food period has probably been the most important thing. They put soy and HFCS in nearly everything in the US!

Once again - congratulations, Mike!
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Mike Harrison]

Thank you, Lance!

Yes, the salt: I do 1/4 teaspoon of unrefined sea salt per quart of water (via my Brita filter pitcher). What a remarkable difference the water has made, and it doesn't cost anything or have any potentially nasty side-effects.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Lee Gordon]

[Mike Harrison]

Ha!

I once posted on Facetush a reminder that drugs are chemicals which are foreign to the body and, as such, should be used only when absolutely necessary, and that water (proper hydration) just might alleviate some conditions. That post received a comment from a woman who went ballistic, saying "Water is a chemical, for God's sake! Stop trying to scare people!"

Lady, I said, the idea that some people allow TV commercials to diagnose their conditions is scary. That so few even attempt to educate themselves even more so.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Bruce]

I really like my current GP. I can tell he truly cares about me. But like all Md's, emphasis on the M, he and every GP I can remember only has had drugs as a solution to the problem. Not one of my doctors has ever asked me "what are you eating these days" or "what kind of exercise are you getting?" or given specific advice in those areas. I will tell them about those factors just to round out their image of my health, but they never, ever have asked.

Our health is totally in our hands unless and until natural remedies just don't work. Thank goodness the Internet contains lots a good advice, along with all of the crappy advice you have to identify and ignore, and lots of support from people who have been where you've been and found solutions.


B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Mike Harrison]

I agree, Bruce. I can't remember a doctor from my past who has asked about diet, exercise or whether I was drinking enough water. I'm not saying they're intentionally focused on helping to sell drugs, but it does make them appear perhaps less than well-rounded.

As for searching the internet for healthcare info, I completely dismiss the text of the actual search result links and instead concentrate on the site's domain name, keeping in mind that anyone can buy one that looks impressive. If nothing else is available, I'll visit a site and – before reading anything – I'll look for an "About" page where I can find out the background of whomever is dispensing the information. If there is no "About" page, I'm outta there.

Sites I trust for medical information are http://www.mayoclinic.org/, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ (National Institutes of Health) and any URL ending with .edu (universities). One recommended by my doctor was http://www.aafp.org/home.html (the American Academy of Family Physicians).

Unless we know the background of those dispensing healthcare info, it's all just laypersons' opinions.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Lee Gordon]

[Mike Harrison]

Exactly.

...like the blog post or forum entry on vocal health I read one day a couple of years ago by a VO with good intentions (no question), but who failed to do any research:

"When we swallow, our vocal cords are pulled out of the way."

Really? Where to, exactly?

Wanna help people? Great. But if you haven't done any research to know what you're talking about, SAY NOTHING. That's a bigger help than providing incorrect information.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.