INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Cell phones are easily the greatest distraction in modern society. Research indicates that, on average, people check their cell phones 150 times every day, or every six minutes in a 16 hour day. This cacophony does not promote a peaceful environment.   Simply turn off all nonessential notifications – facebook, twitter, game updates, and email – as your default setting. Make a few scheduled times throughout the day to check all your notifications. Work on your time-management skills. It is not uncommon to have several unfinished projects lined up around the house or work. The list may seem unending — household chores, unanswered mail, balancing the checkbook, hungry pets — but many of these projects can be completed in rather short time if you focus on completing them immediately.   Adopt a “one-minute rule” mentality as most of unfinished chores can be completed in less than two minutes. By completing these projects as quickly as possible, it will remove many of the small, irritable distractions you deal with on a daily basis. Keep a short to-do list to keep your day organized and efficient. By writing your tasks down on a piece of paper, you can let that thought leave your mind. An unclean environment is not pleasant to anybody’s eyes and a large amount of clutter lying around causes stress. Eyes are very attentive and subtly pick up many details of the surrounding area. Clutter does not allow you to focus your thoughts or attention because of all the visual distractions.   Clean your desk, walls, and counters in your home and office of all unnecessary possessions so that you are not easily distracted. The same goes for digital clutter. Dozens of desktop icons, opened programs, games, or instant messaging all compete for attention. Removing these items will help your focus. Or, cancel your cable or satellite subscription. There are fewer time consuming distractions than the television. Indeed, the average person watches between 37-40 hours of television each week.   Cable or satellite television now offers nearly two hundred channels. Think about the amount of time you waste simply surfing through all of these stations and end up watching nothing. If peace in the house is not a strong motivator, think about cost. The average cable package is now more than $100 per month, or $1,200 per year.

SUMMARY: Turn off cell phone notifications. Complete unfinished tasks. Remove clutter. Unplug the television.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For students who struggle to learn or socialize in a traditional school environment, homeschooling is an excellent alternative. As a homeschooler, you will have the luxury of studying within the safe and comfortable confines of your home. You will receive one-on-one instruction and a personalized curriculum. This alternative learning program benefits both the student that requires additional attention and the student that requires more challenging coursework. Virtual learning is increasing in popularity. It is providing students across the world with access to excellent educators, customizable curriculum, and exposure to a diverse student body. This is an excellent option for students that excel in non-traditional academic settings. Taking a course at your local college in place of a high school class is an excellent way to challenge yourself—and it allows you to leave campus! Meet with a high school counselor to discuss the possibility of dual enrolling at your local college. Express that you wish to challenge yourself and that you want to prepare yourself for a successful collegiate career. Very few college courses meet 5 days a week, which means less time in the classroom. Ask your teachers or school counselors if your school offers semester-long internships, service projects, and or placements. Work with the counselor to register for the program. Finding opportunities for hands-on learning will allow you to develop personal and professional skills. Your participation in one of these programs not only looks great on college applications, but it also gets you out of the classroom! Enrolling in a vocational school is an excellent option for students who wish to start their careers immediately after high school or teens who simply prefer hands-on learning. Instead of taking traditional courses, take classes that teach you a set of practical and transferable professional skills. Work with your school counselors to register for courses or transfer to your local vocational school.

SUMMARY: Consider homeschooling. Enroll in an online education program. Dual enroll at your local college. Register for a semester-long service project or placement. Attend a vocational school.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you have Crohn's disease, you are likely to have severe bouts of diarrhea. To control this symptom, which can be both uncomfortable and bad for your health, you should take anti-diarrheal medication whenever symptoms arise.  Talk to your doctor about what anti-diarrheal medication is right for you. Loperamide is a common over-the-counter medication that is often suggested by doctors. If you are having diarrhea, you'll need to be especially cautious about staying hydrated. Serious or ongoing bouts of diarrhea can cause severe dehydration. Anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first medication doctors will suggest if you have common Crohn's disease symptoms. If these medications don't reduce your symptoms enough, your doctor may then suggest an immune system suppressor, which targets your body's immune response instead of the inflammation caused by the immune response.  Common anti-inflammatory medications prescribed for Crohn's disease include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), mesalamine (Asacol, Rowasa), and corticosteroids. Common immune system suppressors prescribed to patients with Crohn's disease include azathioprine (Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purinethol), infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab pegol (Cimzia), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), and natalizumab (Tysabri). Antibiotics like metronidazole can be helpful in treating the symptoms of Crohn's disease. If other treatments fail, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects of taking antibiotics, which can include experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth, gastrointestinal issues, and paresthesia. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend you take other medications.  Your doctor may suggest glucocorticosteroids. These steroids can help reduce inflammation and relieve your symptoms. Once your symptoms are no longer severe, your doctor will likely lower your dosage. Opioids are also a temporary option to help you manage any pain or diarrhea. There are a variety of surgical options available for those with Crohn's disease. If medications have stopped working to control your symptoms, then surgery may be the best option available. Additionally, if you have an acute problem, such as a fistula, fissure, or intestinal obstruction, you may need to have surgery immediately.  Doctors routinely do a resection of the bowels to treat Crohn's disease. This surgery involves removing a piece of the bowel that is diseased and joining back together the healthy portions. It is very common for symptoms to return at some point after surgery. However, it is often necessary to have surgery to treat symptoms even if it is likely that the symptoms will return after several years.

SUMMARY:
Take anti-diarrheal medication. Take anti-inflammatory or immune system suppressing drugs. Take antibiotics. Talk to your doctor about other medications that are available. Consider surgical treatment.