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Guidelines for sites linking to mayoclinic.orgG15 - April 2006 - Pets Not Pills
Intro: Sometimes life just gets to be too much. Millions of people are stressed out from relentless commitments at work or at home. Stress can make you physically ill and it can also cause feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression. But one doctor says that you can ease some of life's troubles by getting a pet -- a dog, cat or even a fish. More from Mayo Clinic.
| Video | Audio |
| Total running time 1:40 | "HI. HI. HI. HOW WAS YOUR DAY? DID YOU GUYS BEHAVE YOURSELVES?" |
| COMING HOME TO THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF JESSE AND BRINKLEY IS A TYPE OF THERAPY FOR MAYO CLINIC DOCTOR EDWARD CREAGAN. | |
| Edward Creagan, M.D. | "YES (KISS) YOU'RE THE BEST." |
| THE GOLDEN RETRIEVERS' WARM WELCOME EASES THE EMOTIONS DR. CREAGAN SOMETIMES FEELS AFTER A DAY OF CARING FOR SERIOUSLY ILL PATIENTS. | |
Edward Creagan, M.D. |
"IN THE CLINIC AS A CANCER DOCTOR I SEE SOME SOUL-SHREDDNG CHALLENGES ... " |
| THE DOGS HELP HIM AND HIS WIFE PEG SMILE. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL. DR. CREAGAN SAYS YOU CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH IN MANY WAYS BY TURNING TO PETS NOT PILLS. | |
Edward Creagan, M.D. |
"THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES IN PEER REVIEWED MEDICAL JOURNALS SHOWING THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE PETS HAVE LOWER BLOOD PRESURE, DO BETTER AFTER HEART ATTACKS, ARE MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, HAVE LESS DEPRESSION ... " |
Standup |
AND ARE HAPPIER THAN PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE PETS. DR. CREAGAN SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE CARING FOR A PET -- A DOG, CAT, BIRD OR EVEN A FISH -- INCREASES THE LEVELS OF CERTAIN CHEMICALS IN YOUR BRAIN. CHEMICALS THAT PROMOTE FEELINGS OF WELL-BEING. |
| Edward Creagan, M.D. | "SUCH AS PHENETHYLAMINE, DOPAMINE, ENDORPHINS - THAT'S THE SO-CALLED RUNNER'S HIGH - OXYTOCIN, PROLAXIN ... " |
| AND IT REDUCES THE STRESS HORMONE CORTISOL. BUT PERHAPS THE BEST PART ABOUT PETS IS EXPLAINED IN A GREETING CARD QUOTE WRITTEN BY A MAN WHO RESCUED A NEGLECTED PUP. | |
Edward Creagan, M.D. |
"I GET TEARY EYED READING THIS: MANY A TIME HE PULLED ME AWAY FROM MY SOLITUDE, MY GREED AND MY ANGER. HE COVERED ME WITH KISSES. DID I SAVE HIM, I WONDERED, OR DID HE SAVE ME?" |
| FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS. | |
Tag: Dr. Creagan realizes that not everyone is able to have a pet. And some people just aren't pet people. But for those who can and do have a pet, he says the benefits are endless. All people need something to love and something to care for. It gives you a sense of purpose.
He also says while pets can improve your quality of life and may improve your health, they are not a substitute for medications needed for medical conditions.
Dr. Creagan is a professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic. He has written and edited several books on health and wellness including "How Not to be My Patient" and the "Mayo Clinic Plan for Healthy Living: How to Find Happiness and Vitality as You Age."
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