Archive for the ‘HEALTH’ Category

Newer Entries »

Search for H1N1 Vaccine in Progress

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

As the spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus shows no signs of slowing down, researchers worldwide are expediting efforts to develop a vaccine to contain the fatal disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that since the outbreak, nearly 10,000 people in over 40 countries have suffered from the virus, claiming 79 lives.

Manufacturing the new vaccine has become significant because experts have found that the regular flu vaccine does not render immunity against the new flu. There are setbacks, however. Health officials who attended WHO’s annual meeting are doubtful about the possibility of developing a vaccine sooner because of difficulty in producing lab-grown swine flu virus, which is the source of “seed stock” needed to develop a new vaccine. They estimate that production will take approximately four to six months, starting at the end of May 2009.

Researchers in South Korea hope to ease this difficulty however, reporting that they have managed to develop a genetically modified version of a live virus that will lead to the development of a new vaccine against H1N1.

According to Professor Seo Sang-heui of the Chungnam National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, although what they developed is a “candidate strain” that has to undergo additional testing, he is optimistic that it will lead to positive results. The university has already sent eight vials of the candidate strain to the US Center for Disease and Control (CDCC) for testing.

Britain has also reported some progress in producing a European prototype of the H1N1 vaccine. Its Health Protection Agency has successfully undergone sequencing of the virus’ genetic code – a crucial step in understanding the nature and characteristics of the virus prior to vaccine development.

At present, the H1N1 threat level remains “imminent” at phase five. Debates rage on whether or not to elevate the threat to the highest pandemic level six. Several governments are weary of the unnecessary global panic and confusion this might cause, saying the virus has not turned out as fatal as feared.

Tags:
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Alli Helps You Lose Weight Through Sensible Dieting, Not Quick Fixes

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

In a recent article published by the site WebMD, the new over-the-counter diet pill alli is given a very detailed profile. The profile reveals a revolutionary take on the role pills role in one’s weight loss program.

The approach many people have towards weight loss medication is that it should work as a quick-fix, making weight loss rapid and effortless. The end result of these unrealistic expectations is an equally rapid return of the weight, or damage to one’s health.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) decided to take a fresh approach to dieting pills with the introduction of alli. Alli is the rebranding of a pre-existing fat-blocker known as Xenical. In fact, it’s the same drug, but at half the strength.

But GSK has envisioned a far more ambitious program for alli. Alli isn’t just a drug; it’s a comprehensive and holistic weight loss program. It must be accompanied by a change in lifestyle. Alli is being sold with the book Are You Losing It? Losing Weight Without Losing Your Mind, along with other weight loss literature and online support groups.

GlaxoSmithKline has gone all out with its marketing campaign, with information-packed websites, online journals of actual alli users, and a media blitz to inform the public of the true nature of alli.

Alli sets modest goals within a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen. For example, if you take alli and faithfully follow its program, you’ll lose 50% more weight than if you did not take alli. The thrust of the alli program is this: you must eat healthy and exercise regularly to lose weight. All alli does is make this weight loss more efficient.

Dr. Gary Foster, director of the Center of Obesity Research and Education, echoes this simple fact. “[Alli] is an exciting new tool and widely available, but to think this is the only thing or some magic quick fix is wrong,” he says. “For the same amount of effort , you get 50% more weight loss. It makes it easier, not effortless,” he told WebMD.

Dr. George Blackburn, director for the Center for the Study of Nutrition, agrees: “Alli is an add-on. You have to have a good lifestyle with diet and exercise.”

GlaxoSmithKline has strongly emphasized alli’s role in weight loss, stressing that alli is “not a miracle pill or a quick fix.” GSK recommends that a person using alli should have a diet consisting of one-third of the calories coming from fat, one-third coming from protein, and the final third coming from carbohydrates.

It is crucial to understand that alli is a fat-blocker, NOT an appetite suppressant.. Alli works by preventing the gastrointestinal tract from absorbing fat.

The fat has to go somewhere, which leads to the side effects of alli, which were the same for Xenical. The side effects of alli can include gas with oily discharge and loose and oily stools. But believe it or not, these admittedly unpleasant side effects can act as a signal that your diet is not low enough in fat.

The alli side effects can let the dieter know they need to modify their eating habits. Dr. Foster puts it this way: “If you think a Quarter Pounder with cheese is low fat compared with Big Mac, you will get some feedback.” A diet high in fat will likely trigger the side effects of alli. Conversely, if you’re not eating enough fat, alli won’t be able to block any fat.

Dr. Arthur Frank, the medical director of the George Washington University Weight Management Program, sums up the use of alli: “You really have to pay attention. There are drugs that you can use and be totally passive about, such as blood pressure or cholesterol medications, but you can’t do that with Alli.”

“You have to be careless to use Alli incorrectly,” Dr. Frank adds, “but some people are careless,” he says. “If you are reasonably careful, it should be reasonably effective.”

Article Source: All About Alli, the Weight Loss Pill (WebMD.com)

More information about alli:

Tags: , ,
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

How to Save Money on Health Plans

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Since the world is suffering from recession, most people think that health plans serve only as dead weight on anyone’s budget. However, investing in them is important as they could save one from unexpected health problems and the consequent financial crises that are sure to follow.

There are, however, several points one should know in order to save money on health plans.

• Shop around first and take note that there are different types of health insurance. Knowing what the advantages, disadvantages, and possible costs of each can help one understand what sort of insurance is suited.
• Join discount clubs, for example Careington International (careington.com), AmeriPlan (ameriplanusa.com), or HealthInsurance.com’s dental-discount cards. Joining one of these will bestow one up to a 60% discount. One will just pay a monthly membership fee that ranges from about $12 to $30.
• Always get regular check-ups as these help doctors detect health problems early and would potentially save one from expensive medications. Often, people wait until a problem becomes severe or intolerable before seeking medical attention. Failing to treat a medical condition in its early stages will prove to be a more expensive path.
• Read bills carefully as they might contain discrepancies. Something as simple as an incorrect billing code could prompt one’s insurance to pay less than expected or even reject the claim. Familiarize the benefits booklet carefully, too. If there is an error, send a certified letter to the insurer and make a follow-up.
• Seek discounts as retailers offer great deals and these will surely help one’s budgets to be still on track.
• Prefer generic medicines. They are cheaper and more often than not, are as good as brand names.

Acquiring a health plan is necessary nowadays. Whether married or not, health should be on top of one’s priority. Getting a health plan is essential and the steps mentioned above can be of great help especially in today’s unpredictable environment.

Tags:
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Choosing the Right Psychiatrist

Friday, March 27th, 2009

A psychiatrist is a doctor with the certification for treating mental disorders. This doctor is trained in psychotherapy and diagnostic evaluation. As part of the assessment of the patient, the psychiatrist conducts physical examination, prescribes psychiatric medication, and interprets and order laboratory tests and electroencephalograms. That said, it is very crucial for a patient to find the right one.

One should choose his psychiatrist wisely since getting the services of one involves a lot of personal issues and information. A patient is required to be honest in sharing personal feelings, experiences and thoughts. The education of and the seminars attended by the psychiatrist should also be considered. A good psychiatrist has the right credentials for treating a patient.

The psychiatrist and the patient should easily develop a unique relationship that is based on trust, commitment and mutual respect.

A good psychiatrist must:

• be sensitive to his patient’s fears.
• accept a patient for who he/she is without bias or judgment.
• exert every effort to listen to the patient with an open mind.
• see a patient as a person and not as a collection of symptoms.
• use a balanced approach in considering treatment alternatives.
• allocate enough time to address all concerns.

The doctor should be able to understand that emotional symptoms can create an impact on all aspects of a patient’s life, from behavior to thoughts. He must understand that emotional balance is needed in order to have satisfying relationships with others. At times, emotional symptoms will allow one to act in contrast to their usual behavior hence affecting a person’s spiritual stand as well. Since everybody is unique, doctors should be open-minded and versatile enough to consider personality and biological factors, genetic influences, as well as the society where a person lives.

To learn more about psychiatry, visit the American Psychiatric Association.

Laura Schlessinger has written many books on self-improvement and mental well being.

Dr. Laura has many fan clubs, including the We Love Dr. Laura site.

Tags:
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Diabetes is on the Rise: Why is Diabetes Becoming More Common?

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Diabetes is a widespread disease caused by a body with an inadequate production or usage of insulin which later results in excessive amounts of glucose in the blood and urine. It could cause complications like infection and gangrene of the limbs and even blindness. There are various types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes and Prediabetes.

In the U.S alone, there are 23.6 million people (7.8% of the total population) suffering from this disease while 5.7 million are undiagnosed. In 2007 reports, about 1.6 million new cases were diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older. American Indian, African American, Hispanic and Alaska Native adults are twice as likely to acquire diabetes.

Diabetes is common because people tend to have an unhealthy lifestyle. Studies show that a lifestyle change could alter or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Those with prediabetes should exercise at least four hours per week. This could reduce at least 58% of the risk to acquire type 2.

There are other causes of diabetes, namely: hereditary, infections caused by viruses, obesity, stress, high carbohydrate diet, increased cholesterol level, excessive intake of oil and sugar, nutritional deficiency, overeating, high blood pressure and tension.

One must have his blood sugar checked if he or she experiences common symptoms of the disease. These are: frequent urination, increased thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections (gum, skin, vagina and bladder) and of course, if injuries tend to heal quite slowly.

If people would only be careful with their health, diabetes can be prevented. For those who already have it, blood glucose control will lower the risk of kidney, eye and nerve disease manifestations by about 40%. Constant monitoring of blood pressure levels also reduces the risk for stroke and other heart diseases among individuals with diabetes. Lastly, detecting and medicating diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can minimize the possibility of blindness by about 50%-60%.

Additional Resources on Diabetes:

Overview of Diabetes from National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

The Centers for Disease Control have extensive resources on diabetes diagnosis and prevention.

Tags:
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Stress Associated With Heart Problems

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Stress is inevitable in everyday life but you should learn how to manage stress especially since it is found to be associated with several health problems. In fact, several studies have been conducted linking stress to cardiac problems.

A new study published in March 2009 on the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported a connection between sudden cardiac arrest and mental stress, the former being the major culprit in over 400,000 deaths each year. The research demonstrates that anger and stress trigger electrical charges in the heart, predicting future arrhythmias in patients.

Arrhythmia is a medical term for a group of conditions wherein the heart produces an abnormal electrical activity. As a result, the heartbeat may be too slow or too fast, and the condition may be regular or irregular. Some arrhythmias are critical in that they cause cardiac arrest and sudden death while others are inclined to cause embolus or stroke. Some may also cause aggravating symptoms like palpitations.

Researchers examined 62 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, which are devices used to monitor heart rhythms, and produce painful shocks whenever they respond to dangerous rhythms.

According to Dr. Charles Raison, psychiatrist and director of Mind/Body Institute at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, studies have shown that most patients were angry prior to experiencing the heart attack.

Another research published in 2008 looks into the effect of work stress on the cardiovascular system. The study demonstrated that work stress could lead to coronary heart disease (CHD). The study conducted in London showed that the risk of CHD had an average of 68% more for people subjected to work stress compared to those who reported the absence of work stress. The finding also linked work stress to the biological mechanisms underlying CHD, including the autonomic nervous system and the neuroendocrine function, both of which affect the signals to the heart that may lead to cardiac instability.

Tags: ,
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Human Antibodies to Combat Against Bird Flu

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Researchers and scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have reported the discovery of human antibodies that could protect against H5N1 bird flu and other strains of influenza A viruses like the seasonal influenza viruses and the past pandemic influenza viruses. Scientists hope that this discovery could lead to the development of lifesaving treatments that would set off flu vaccines in case of bird flu outbreaks.

Over 180 people worldwide have been killed by the H5N1 bird flu virus since 2003. H5N1 is a strain of avian influenza virus. In 2004, H5N1 caused an outbreak that swept over some Asian countries, affecting millions of chickens and other birds. A few cases of humans infected with the H5N1 virus have also been reported. They became seriously ill and some have even died.

In an issue published on the Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, researchers reported that the antibodies neutralized numerous types of influenza A virus, like the H5N1 bird flu virus, in tests done on mice. The human immune system produces proteins called antibodies to attach to invaders such as bacteria and viruses and then neutralize them. In this study, the researchers isolated the antibodies in the immune system proteins from 57 volunteers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The study was done in association with Harvard Medical School in Boston.

According to Robert Liddington of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, they were surprised to discover that the antibodies neutralized other influenza viruses such as the seasonal H1N1 flu virus. Seasonal influenza occurs annually, causing mild to severe illness. In fact, seasonal influenza has caused over 250,000 deaths around the world each year. Yearly vaccination is the best protection against this kind of illness although they are not always as effective since the vaccine must be annually updated.

Article Source: Reuters, Harvard Science, BBC.

Tags: , ,
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Feed the Children, NutraCea, and FedEx Fight Hunger in Brazil

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

In some of the poorest villages outside Sao Paulo, Brazil, three big names in the industry — namely NutraCea, FedEx and Feed the Children — helped in providing food to families. Around 57,000 children and families were able to take part of this program.

NutraCea concentrates on the processing and distribution of stabilized rice bran and other proprietary, rice bran-based ingredients and formulations. It has developed intellectual properties to produce an array of whole food nutrition products, delivery systems, and proprietary product formulations.

FedEx Corporation offers businesses and clients worldwide with a wide array of transportation, business, and e-commerce services. It provides integrated business applications through operating companies that are managed collaboratively and competing collectively, under the respected FedEx banner. Known as one of the world’s best employers, FedEx motivates its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain focused on the needs of their customers and communities, safety, and the highest ethical and professional standards.

Feed the Children, founded in 1979 by Larry and Frances Jones, is labeled as one of the largest global charities in the U.S. based on private, non-government support. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Feed the Children is an international not-for-profit relief entity that provides medicine, clothing, food, and other necessities to families, individuals, and children who lack these bare essentials due to war, famine, natural disasters, or poverty.

The three big names joined forces in order to provide food for the poor Brazilian families. As a shipping company, FedEx did the shipping from NutraCea’s Sacramento warehouse to Sao Paulo while Feed the Children distributed the meals to families through five feeding centers located throughout the city of Sao Paulo, the fourth largest city in the world with more than 21 million people. Each of the feeding centers was situated in or near a severely impoverished area.

Music Evangelism Project and Feed the Children team up to fight hunger.

Make a donation to Feed the Children.

Facebook profile for Feed the Children.

Tags: , ,
Posted in HEALTH | Comments Off

Newer Entries »