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According to a press release from PR group Bell Pottinger, investigators from rheumatology units at Dundee and Edinburgh universities conducted the study. RA patients were recruited over the said period and randomly assigned to two treatment groups: Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil 10g/day, or a control group provided with a dummy pill. The results showed that nearly 40% of those taking the cod liver oil daily were able to reduce their anti-inflammatory intake by over 30%. Most importantly, the release said, the study showed that the reduction in intake of anti-inflammatory drugs in those taking the cod liver oil supplements was not associated with any worsening of pain or disease activity. In commenting on the study, principal investigator Professor Jill Belch, at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School Dundee said the study "reinforces previous research that has shown cod liver oil, and its high content of Omega-3 essential fatty acids, to have significant anti-inflammatory properties in patients." Meanwhile, Ailsa Bosworth, CEO and Founder of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society said people with RA still rely heavily on anti-inflammatories "even though the safety of these drugs is under scrutiny. It's in this context that this new research provides some promising new evidence that cod liver oil may reduce the need" for them. Bosworth said the group looks forward to more research in this area, "which will hopefully show more clinical breakthroughs and provide more good news" for RA patients.
This was the observation made by Health Minister Jerry Narace at the opening of the national nursing symposium yesterday on "Issues Affecting Nursing Practice and the Quality of Care in Trinidad and Tobago" at the Crowne Plaza hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. He identified nursing shortages as one of the most critical areas affecting the health sector on a local and international scale. Some of the major health institutions are operating with only 50 per cent of the nursing workforce required for the effective delivery of quality care, Narace said. "In fact, a January 2007 analysis of the care-giving personnel in our hospitals has revealed that the establishment for registered nurses in our institutions is 2,426, a combined figure of 382 registered mental health nurses and 2,044 general nurses," said Narace. "However, the situation then showed a complement of 1,669 registered nurses, a gap of 375 or 18 per cent and 199 registered mental nurses, a gap of 48 per cent." Narace cited a report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which showed that the Caribbean was the eighth largest supplier of nurses to the United Kingdom between 2001 and 2002. Trinidad and Tobago had the highest number of first-time applicants, the report stated. To supplement the nursing force, the government has had to recruit doctors and nurses from as far away as the Philippines, Nigeria and Cuba, Narace said. But he noted recruitment and training will have to be ongoing to fill the void caused by a shortage of medical professionals. He said Government has injected $100 million for studies at the graduate, post-graduate and diploma levels at local as well as regional and international institutions. He added that government has approached the University of the West Indies and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (Costatt) to increase the number of places for training those who want to enter the nursing profession.
Determining what type of headache a person suffers from is the first step to finding appropriate treatment. According to a recent survey by the National Headache Foundation (NHF), 73% of headache sufferers reported experiencing more than one type of headache. For this majority, it is essential to determine headache type in order to develop a specific treatment regimen. While migraine was the most common and well-known type of headache in the survey, with 60% of respondents claiming it as a type they suffer from, it is important to get a diagnosis by a healthcare professional to determine what type of headache you actually have. Seventy-three percent of NHF survey respondents reported taking initiative to determine their headache type and learn more about their condition. Of this group, 57% took matters into their own hands and conducted personal research via the Internet and reading healthcare magazines. Of the 86% of respondents who consulted a healthcare professional on this issue, 59% were successful in gaining a diagnosis of a specific headache type. "Educating yourself on different types of headache is important, said Lisa Mannix, M.D., Board Member, National Headache Foundation and practicing physician. "However, it is best to make an appointment with your healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis and to establish the appropriate treatment plan." Healthcare professionals can educate the 41% of survey respondents who reported not knowing that medication and non-medication treatment options are available for headache symptoms. Thirty-eight percent of respondents use the simplest non-medication treatment available to alleviate their headaches: sleep. Massage is another example of a non-traditional treatment option used by 16% of the survey participants. Healthcare professionals may also recommend medication treatments such as the over-the-counter pain relievers used by 48% of respondents or prescription medications used by 15% of the respondents. Additional NHF Survey Results: * After Migraine headaches (60%), the next most common type among respondents was Tension-type headaches with 37% * 28% of the survey participants suffer from Chronic Daily headache * 23% of respondents reported suffering from Sinus headaches The 21% of survey respondents who reported not knowing what type of headache they suffer from represent headache sufferers nationwide who could benefit from prevention and treatment options that come from determining their headache type. The following list of characteristics of common headaches can help keep you keep track of your symptoms which you can share with your healthcare professional. Characteristics of Common Headaches: Migraine headache is characterized by any or all of the following symptoms: pulsating or throbbing pain typically on one side of the head, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and visual disturbances. The attacks may last four to 72 hours. Tension-type headache is the most common form of headache with symptoms of dull, aching, and non-pulsating pain that affect both sides of the head and can vary in frequency and severity. Chronic Daily Headache is often characterized by a headache that occurs more than 15 days a month for a period of at least three months. Sinus headache symptoms may include tenderness over the sinus, a deep dull ache exaggerated by head movements or straining accompanied by nasal discharge, ear sensation or fullness, and facial swelling. NHF Suggestions to Determining Your Headache Type: * Keep a headache diary. Identifying patterns among headache triggers, timing, duration and pain level and location offers useful information to share with your healthcare professional to help determine the headache type you are dealing with. * Educate yourself about headache. Specific headache resources are available on the NHF Web site (www.headaches.org) to educate sufferers on possible headache types, symptoms, and potential treatment options. * Educate yourself about treatment options; both medication and non-medication. Treatments can have varying results from patient to patient so it is important that a sufferer understands how each option may work for them on an individual basis. * See your healthcare professional. Make an appointment to specifically discuss your headaches with your healthcare professional.
Professor Errol "Mickey" Walrond, who authored the report on Legal, Ethical And Socio-Economic Issues Relevant To HIV/AIDS in Barbados , published four years ago, was responding to a news story in yesterday's WEEKEND NATION . In yesterday's article, the National HIV/AIDS Commission said it would be seeking the support of Minister of Family, Youth, Sport, and the Environment Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo, in bringing to Cabinet proposals to eliminate the current anomaly between the age of consent (16 years old), and the age at which young people can seek medical services (18) on their own. "Like governments in the past, they may be timid to act until there is a public consensus," stressed the professor. "In effect, what we are now saying is that it is legally okay for 16-year-olds who have reached the age of consent to engage in sex, drive dangerous cars, and get a job if they are not seeking higher education. "But we are also saying that these same teenagers cannot seek medical attention of any kind whether it is treatment for a sore throat, a cut, a stomach ache or HIV testing and counselling without a parent or guardian's consent until they reach the age of 18," lamented the now retired Senior Consultant in Surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). HIV/AIDS Commission director Alies Jordan has, in the past, pointed out that in a number of cases, such teenagers cannot, due to a variety of circumstances, go to their parents or guardians for consent. Such circumstances may include a teenager having to leave home because of sexual abuse in the home itself. "The recommended legislative change is just one aspect of an important package of measures which would be necessary for those in the health sector to deal with persons with HIV/AIDS," indicated Walrond. In an interview yesterday with the SATURDAY SUN , the professor also voiced his disappointment regarding "four years of silence" by both the commission and the previous Owen Arthur administration in seeking to implement some of the recommendations in the report. "There have been four years of silence by the previous administration and the P rime Minister's Office in particular and under whose umbrella the HIV/AIDS Commission falls, regarding the confidential report which was commissioned by former Attorney-General Mia Mottley Mottley," stressed the professor. "I have had absolutely no feedback on the report from the former Attorney-General who commissioned the report; absolutely none," insisted Walrond. "However, I am optimistic that with the delayed advocacy of the commission that the good sense of the Barbadian public will eventually prevail in getting this legislation passed," he said.
Ms. Lynette Philips who is a recent recipient the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in honour of her services to health care is a registered nurse and midwife and holds a Diploma in Health Care and Management Services in addition to a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She grew up in Georgetown before migrating to the United Kingdom (U.K) in 1968 at the age of 16. "Nursing was never an expectation of mineI always wanted to be a teacher because most of my family were in that profession but I enjoyed every moment of it," she recalled. "I always come back to Guyana since I have family living here and I want to give back to Guyana what I took out," she said. Phillips explained that this initiative to carry out this venture came about last year when she met with three nurses from Guyana at the High Commission Office in London, who had completed a programme there. She pointed out that one of the nurses suggested that there is need for assisting the nurses in Guyana and felt that links with the Royal College of Nursing in England will be a good start. She posited that offering her support can help to make a difference and provide the opportunity to learn new ways of working. Ms. Phillips said she met representatives of the Guyana Nursing Association to find out what their objectives and needs were with the aim of creating links with the Royal College of Nursing, being a member herself. She noted that one of the key areas that needs further development is the training of nurses, but noted that nurses in Guyana are very skilled and the procedures they undergo are more complex. "I want to try and get other persons who have the skills and time to volunteer to help improve the services here," Phillips underscored. This will benefit the country by having an injection of different expertise in order to support and enable nurses to remain here as well as having more access to skilled nurses who will be provided the opportunity to have health related issues being dealt with more speedily, she offered. According to Phillips, she works closely with the staff of the Royal College of Nursing and this collaboration will enable the creation of links between the Guyana Nursing Association and that body. She plans to recruit persons who are equipped with skills and may want to volunteer to help the nursing services here. The independent management consultant hopes to have a clearer understanding of the nursing system and identify areas that need assistance. Another area to explore, she also noted is how we can have an exchange of nurses. Dr Ramsaran presented her with a copy of the curriculum for the training of professional nurses in Guyana with the hope that the diaspora will respond and try to help further strengthen the nursing system in the country. He expressed his hope that this gesture opens up the possibilities to further strengthen what already exists here, noting that local nursing trainers are doing a very good job, but need additional assistance. He noted with new hospitals to be opened in Lethem and Mabaruma and four new diagnostic centres, we need more staff. The minister disclosed that 250 nurses were enlisted last year to train and "we need to help the trainers with any form of support and hope she can be able to seek persons who can help us." We already have other connections with other organizations in the UK and we look forward to strengthen these relationships, he emphasised.
According to the report, 'Unite for Children:Unite Against AIDS', the three Caribbean countries will meet the 2010 goal of offering the appropriate services to 80 per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women to ensure PMTCT. Overall, the report indicated that the number of HIV infected children under 15 years in Latin America and the Caribbean receiving antiretroviral treatment is on the increase, moving from 10,674 in 2005 to 16,949 in 2006. The sad news though, is that in keeping with global HIV/AIDS statistics, after Eastern and Southern Africa, the Caribbean has the greatest number of children under 15 living with HIV. "Important gains have been made in addressing treatment needs for children and in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV," said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot. "However, much more needs to be done to prevent HIV amongst young people and adolescent if we are to make a major change in the direction of the epidemic."
The Long Island-based Nature's Remedies has been carrying on a Caribbean tradition of using Nature's goodness to ensure a healthier lifestyle for years. In 2005, following on the tradition of her father, Kathy Ann Gallant, opened the company formally to serve the requests of thousands of Caribbean Nationals, around the world for alternative options to treating and coping with many ailments including diabetes, heart problem, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fibroids, asthma, constipation, cancer, without the use of chemicals. `Our natural products consists of safe herbs such as aloe vera, bee pollen, dandelion root, Echinacea, fennel seed, ginger root, among numerous others,` says Gallant` `Just as your grandmother used in curing most of your ailment as a kid.` Currently, Nature's Remedies is recommending cleansers, for the spring season `Just like you usually do Spring cleaning, cleansing your body is also important, and can help not only to cure digestive and intestinal ailment but also weight loss,` commented Gallant. `Mrs. Catherine Nunez lost 52 lbs in 6 weeks from our weight loss program. We strongly believe in the philosophy, `let nature be your doctor,` and ''Your best wealth is your health.` Nature's Remedies parent company, Mother's Nature Vegetarian Restaurant and Bar is located in Trinidad and specializes in over 100 different natural juices, and natural cuisine. ''Going green is not just about saving the environment but healing and keeping our bodies healthy,'' added Gallant. For more information on Nature's Remedies and it numerous other products. Call 1-516-796-3435 in the U.S.A. and 1-868-623-3778 in Trinidad.
The measure, a bipartisan compromise backed by the White House and passed by a vote of 308 to 116, calls for $50 billion in funding for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs over the next five years. It marks a big hike from the $15 billion authorized over the first five years of the initiative. Bush had initially proposed doubling the program to $30 billion. The Democratic-led House boosted it to $50 billion. A similar bill is heading toward passage in the Democratic-led Senate. The initiative aims to prevent infection by the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS, treat people already infected and care for children left as orphans by AIDS. "There is a moral imperative to combat this epidemic," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat. The White House said the current program is supporting life-saving treatment for 1.45 million people. The program launched by Bush in 2003 provides support programs and drugs in 15 countries, 12 in Africa plus Vietnam, Guyana and Haiti. The new bill would add 14 more countries in the Caribbean basin, and an amendment approved by the House would add three more African countries. Bill opponents said it was simply too expensive, and that there were pressing needs at home that need to be addressed. The bill would discard a current requirement criticized by some Democrats and AIDS activists that a third of all HIV prevention funds be spent on sexual abstinence education. It instead calls for "balanced funding" for abstinence, fidelity and condom programs. There are 33 million people worldwide infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, with two-thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa, according to U.N. estimates. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, said the bill would save millions of lives around the world and help maintain stability in a key region of the world. "The program that we are authorizing today ... is now recognized as perhaps the most successful foreign assistance program of the United States of America since the Marshall Plan," Ros-Lehtinen said, referring to the costly U.S. plan to rebuild Europe after World War II. Bush sees his efforts against AIDS and malaria as foreign policy successes in a presidency dominated by the unpopular war in Iraq. During a trip to Africa in February, Bush was given a hero's welcome in part for U.S. AIDS and malaria programs. The White House calls the anti-AIDS initiative the largest commitment ever by any nation for an international health initiative dedicated to a single disease. New Jersey Democratic Rep. Donald Payne said the initiative will go down as Bush's single most important achievement. But opponents said it costs too much. "It is terrible that millions of Africans are suffering AIDS. But we cannot afford such totally irrational generosity. This is benevolence gone wild," said California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. "We can't take care of our own veterans when they come home from the war. We can't take care of our elderly. We have people who can't take care of their own health needs and are at risk of losing their homes," Rohrabacher added. "We have big hearts. But we need to use our brains."
Colorectal cancer, cancer of the colon and/or rectum, may begin as polyps--grapelike growths on the lining of the colon and rectum--which can turn cancerous. The risk of getting the disease increases with age and the condition is more prevalent in men over 50 than in women. People with a personal or family history of colon polyps, colon, ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer or a personal history of inflammatory diseases of the colon (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease) are at greater risk. Being inactive or overweight, eating a diet of high fat foods, and smoking may also increase the risk. In its early stages, colorectal cancer usually produces no symptoms. However, there may be some initial warning signs, such as abdominal discomfort or bloating, blood in the stool, and/or persistent diarrhea or constipation. Early detection is critical, and you should talk to your doctor about these recommended screening tests: * Colonoscopy, the most important preventive measure, every ten years * Flexible sigmoidoscopy or double contrast barium enema, every five years * Fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test, every year The American Cancer Society provides detailed information about these tests, as well as guidelines for the early detection of colon and rectal cancer. Important preventive steps you can take include improving your diet. Though the reasons are not entirely known, eating a low fat, fiber-rich diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, cereals, beans, and maybe even foods with curry, can help lower your risk of this disease. Exercise is also important and may help boost survival and prevent reoccurrence for people who have been treated for colorectal cancer.
The new pharmaceutical, named Neupogen, will help patients needing an increase of their body defence after taking different cancer treatments. Neupogen will now join another two pharmaceuticals with similar function, which have proven effective in other research studies in Holguin, said doctor Zaimar Rodriguez, coordinator of clinical tests in the province. The new product was developed in research centers located in Havana city; it is part of efforts and investment by the Cuban government to find efficient treatments against cancer, which is the second cause of death in Cuba. Rodríguez underscored the work done by the medical personnel in Holguin, particularly at the Vladimir Ilich Lenin General Hospital, where most vaccines and other anti-cancer products are usually tested in the eastern province. At present, nearly 40 clinical tests are underway in Holguin, including the HR3 Monoclonal Antibody, with favourable results for patients suffering from head, neck and prostate carcinoma. Nearly 1,000 patients in Holguin have been benefited with clinical tests undertaken since 1993. Cuba started these procedures in the early 1990´s. Several Cuban pharmaceuticals are being administered in Malaysia, India, China, the US, Germany and other European countries.
About 90% of poisonings occur in the home. "Common household products can be dangerous to children," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Health Commissioner for New York City. "Make sure you keep cleaners, medicines, and cosmetics out of the reach of children and locked in cabinets, whenever possible. If your child is exposed to something potentially toxic, call 212-POISONS right away for help."
Poisoning Prevention What You Should Do to Keep Your Family Safe Most poisonings are preventable. Parents and caregivers should take the following steps to poison proof their homes. · Identify the things inside and outside your home that are poisons. · Keep poisons out of children's reach and use cabinet safety locks. · Keep products in their original containers and make sure bottles are labeled. · Use child-resistant containers. Be sure they are closed. · Never keep non-food items with food. · Install carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping areas. · Keep plants up high and out of reach. · Post the Poison Control Center number on all telephones and be sure that babysitters and family members know where the number is posted. Poisoning in Kids - How to Know and What To Do Some signs of a poisoning are: · an open container nearby · pills, berries, etc. in the mouth · strange odor on the breath · burns around the mouth · upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or unconsciousness If you think that a poisoning has occurred, call the Poison Control Center at 212-POISONS (764-7667). Be ready to answer these questions: · Your name and the name of the victim · The telephone number you are calling from · The name and amount of substance involved · The age and weight of the victim · How long ago the poisoning happened · The victim's symptoms All calls are kept confidential. Do not stick your finger down the person's throat to make the person vomit or give anything by mouth unless told to do so by the Poison Control Center or a doctor. If the patient is unconscious, convulsing, or having trouble breathing, call 911 right away.
The three-year project, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, will work with local leaders, health providers, and community members to increase their involvement in anti-stigma activities, increase the uptake of HIV-related health and support services, and decrease the stigma that people living with HIV face. The project also aims to reach over two million people with communication messages. HIV-related stigma is a key barrier to HIV prevention, treatment and care. In Haiti, people who are HIV positive (or suspected of being positive) are routinely denied access to medical services and social support. They face human rights violations, abandonment by friends, family and neighbours, violence, and loss of livelihoods. "Haiti has the highest HIV prevalence rate in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Anamaria Bejar, the Alliance's head of the Latin America and Caribbean team. "It is also the poorest country in the region, with an extremely fragile economy, chronic political unrest and very limited infrastructure. Haiti's population relies heavily on interpersonal relationships for daily survival, so social isolation and exclusion from HIV-related stigma and discrimination has a devastating effect." The project aims to benefit more than 10,000 people living with HIV in the three project areas of Port-au-Prince, Cap Hatien, and Jacmel, along with over 47,000 of their relatives, and 500 community leaders. Over two million people will be reached with communication messages. The Alliance, in partnership with POZ (Promoteurs Objectif Zerosida, a Haitian non-governmental organisation), will train 100 local leaders from the three project areas to become "anti-discrimination champion leaders". These leaders will develop local plans and conflict resolution strategies for reporting stigma and discrimination. They will also monitor a telephone helpline for people to report discrimination that will be set up with the project - meeting monthly to create a community watchdog system that will be sustainable after the project. Other project activities will include: - work to improve the friendliness of HIV-related health services; - working with people living with HIV to identify stigma and discrimination; - leadership training for people living with HIV; and - a communication campaign, including billboards, flyers, and radio announcements. To ensure ownership and sustainability of the project, three local associations of people living with HIV will actively participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of all project activities.
This was the finding on Wednesday during a symposium organised by the government's Ministry of Social Development as the Ministry continued efforts in commemorating International Women's Day 2008 under its national theme: "Investing in Women and Girls". The event was also held in Port of Spain for the Ministry's female staff to be better equipped in dealing with persons infected with the disease. Social Development Minister Dr. Emry Borwne who delivered the feature address spoke directly to women on the critical issue of HIV and AIDS and its challenges for the local healthcare sector. A call was then made for greater sensitivity to be displayed on the part of social and healthcare workers as they treat with persons living with the disease. " If we are to win the battle against the spread of HIV we must all start today to show more compassion for those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS including our women and our men. HIV can no longer be regarded as an automatic death sentence", Browne told the audience. "National statistics also account for about 45 percent of new HIV infections and over 70 percent of new infections in the 15 to 24-years age group. Ladies these should be very alarming facts", he added. Lack of knowledge, gender inequality, inability to access healthcare, poverty in some areas, violence against women and girls, biological reasons and stigma and discrimination continue to be key factor that are among the challenges facing healthcare workers as they battle with the disease which to-date has not gotten any foolproof cure. During the symposium it was revealed that currently in Trinidad and Tobago there are some 20,000 persons living with HIV and AIDS. Government and the Social Development Ministry in Trinidad and Tobago, along with other stakeholders have made great strides in educating persons about HIV and AIDS but experts say more could still be done for greater impact on reducing the spread.
The government-supported Veterans Affairs study included 15,660 participants and is the largest known to assess the link between fitness and mortality. "It is important to emphasize that it takes relatively moderate levels of physical activity - like brisk walking - to attain the associated health benefits. Certainly, one does not need to be a marathon runner. This is the message that we need to convey to the public," said Peter Kokkinos, Ph.D., lead author of the study and director of the Exercise Testing and Research Lab in the cardiology department at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Professor Kokkinos and colleagues investigated exercise capacity as an independent predictor of overall mortality for African-American men (6,749) and Caucasian men (8,911) and also examined whether racial differences in exercise capacity influence the risk of death. Veterans were tested by a standardized treadmill test to assess exercise capacity between May 1983 and December 2006 at Veterans Affairs medical centers in Washington, D.C., and Palo Alto, Calif. The men were encouraged to exercise until fatigued unless they developed symptoms or other indicators of ischemia. These individuals were then followed for an average of 7.5 years and death rates were recorded. Researchers classified the subjects into fitness categories based on their treadmill performance, expressed as peak metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved. Technically, a MET is equivalent to oxygen consumption of 3.5 milliliters per kilograms of body weight per minute. One MET represents the amount of oxygen the person uses at rest. Anything above one MET represents work. The higher the MET level achieved, the more fit the individual. Based on this concept, the researchers divided the participants into four categories: 3,170 men were "low fit," achieving less than 5 METs; 5,153 men were "moderately fit," achieving 5 to 7 METs; 5,075 were "highly fit," achieving 7.1 to 10 METs; and 2,261 were "very highly fit," achieving more than 10 METs. The study found that "highly fit" men had half the risk of death compared to "low fit" men. Men who achieved "very highly fit" levels had a 70 percent lower risk of death compared to those in the "low fit" category. For every 1-MET increase in exercise capacity (fitness), the risk for death from all causes was 13 percent for both African Americans and Caucasians. Kokkinos said, "These findings are important for several reasons: First, we were able to quantify the health benefits per unit increase in exercise capacity. Second, this is the first study to provide information on physical activity and mortality in African Americans, information lacking until now. Keep in mind that death rates in African Americans are much higher when compared with Caucasians, in part because race and income negatively influence access to healthcare." "The Veterans Affairs' health system is unique in that it ensures equal access to care regardless of a patient's financial status," he added. "Thus, it provides us with a unique opportunity to assess the impact of exercise or physical activity on death without the influence of healthcare differences." According to Kokkinos, most middle-age and older individuals can attain fitness levels with a brisk walk, 30 minutes per day, five to six days each week. "I do not advocate that everyone can start with 30 minutes of physical activity. In fact, 30 minutes may be too much for some people. If this is the case, split the routine into 10-15 minutes in the morning and another 10-15 minutes in the evening. The benefits will be similar if the exercise volume accumulated is similar," he said "Our findings show that the risk of death is cut in half with an exercise capacity that can easily be achieved by a brisk walk of about 30 minutes per session 5-6 days per week," he added. "Physicians should encourage individuals to initiate and maintain a physically active lifestyle, which is likely to improve fitness and lower the risk of death. Individuals should also discuss exercise with their physician before embarking on an exercise program." Co-authors are: Jonathan Myers, Ph.D.; John Peter Kokkinos; Andreas Pittaras, M.D.; Puneet Narayan, M.D.; Athanasios Manolis, M.D.; Pamela Karasik, M.D.; Michael Greenberg, M.D.; Vasilios Papademetriou, M.D.; and Steven Singh, M.D.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors including elevated waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the factors increases a person's risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. But it's not just meat that adds inches to the waist, increases blood pressure and lowers HDL - "it's fried foods as well," said Lyn M. Steffen, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., co-author of the study and an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota. Dairy products, by contrast, appeared to offer some protection against metabolic syndrome. Steffen said that, "Fried foods are typically synonymous with commonly eaten fast foods, so I think it is safe to say that these findings support a link between fast-food consumption and an increase in metabolic risk factors." The findings emerged from an analysis of dietary intake by 9,514 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. ARIC is a collaborative study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Unlike other researchers who have investigated relationships between nutrients and cardiovascular risk, "we specifically studied food intake. When making recommendations about dietary intake it is easier to do so using the framework of real foods eaten by real people," Steffen said. Researchers assessed food intake using a 66-item food frequency questionnaire. From those responses, they categorized people by their dietary preferences into a Western-pattern diet or a prudent-pattern diet. In general, the Western-pattern diet was heavy on refined grains, processed meat, fried foods, red meat, eggs and soda, and light on fish, fruit, vegetables and whole grain products. Prudent diet eating patterns, by contrast, favored cruciferous vegetables (e.g., cabbage, radish and broccoli), carotenoid vegetables (e.g., carrots, pumpkins, red pepper, cabbage, broccoli and spinach), fruit, fish and seafood, poultry and whole grains, along with low-fat dairy. Researchers also assessed associations with individual food items: fried foods, sweetened beverages (regular soda and fruit drinks), diet soda, nuts and coffee. After nine years of follow-up, 3,782 (nearly 40 percent) of the participants had three or more of the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. At baseline, participants were 45 to 64 years old - ages at which many people gain weight. Steffen said that weight gain over the years of follow-up might explain some of the cases of metabolic syndrome. But "after adjusting for demographic factors, smoking, physical activity and energy intake, consumption of a 'Western' dietary pattern was adversely associated with metabolic syndrome," she said. "One surprising finding was while it didn't increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, there was no evidence of a beneficial effect of consuming a prudent diet either. I had expected to find a beneficial effect because we have seen that in other studies." When Steffen and colleagues analyzed the results by specific foods, they found that meat, fried foods and diet soda were all significantly associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, but consumption of dairy products was beneficial. The study did not address the mechanisms involved in the increased risk of metabolic syndrome seen with certain foods, but Steffen speculated that "it may be a fatty acid mechanism since saturated fats are a common link and certainly overweight and obesity are contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome." She also said more research on the relationship between diet soda and its association to metabolic syndrome is needed. The fact that 60.5 percent of the ARIC population had metabolic syndrome at the start of the study or developed it during nine years of follow-up is troubling, researchers said. Steffen said the study's results are clear: Too much meat, fried foods and diet soda, do not add up to a healthy life. American Heart Association dietary guidelines for healthy Americans age 2 and older include: Limit saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium in the diet. Minimize the intake of food and beverages with added sugars. Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole-grain foods. Select fat-free and low-fat dairy. Eat fish at least twice per week. Emphasize physical activity and weight control. Avoid use of and exposure to tobacco products. Achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Co-authors are Pamela L. Lutsey, M.P.H., and June Stevens, Ph.D., M.S., R.D.
Endometrial cells line the inside of the uterus and respond to the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Each month, the hormone estrogen signals the endometrial cells to build up the lining of the uterus to prepare to support a fertilized egg. If no egg implants, the lining stops growing and menstruation begins. In most women, a small amount of blood and endometrial cells flow back through the fallopian tubes and into the abdomen during menstruation. Endometrial cells can also travel through blood and lymph vessels. Endometriosis occurs if the endometrial cells attach to other places such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, rectum, intestines, bladder, ureters, and the surface of the uterus. The endometrial cells outside the uterus may bleed before and during menstruation and may allow scar tissue to develop. Women with endometriosis may experience pain during sex, bowel movements, or urination; before or during menstruation; or may have menstrual bleeding that occurs more than once a month. However, some women will have no symptoms and may first be diagnosed when they have trouble getting pregnant. Endometriosis can sometimes be detected by performing a pelvic examination. This also helps to rule out other causes of pelvic pain. Other times, the diagnosis can only be made by surgery. Laparascopy is the most common surgical procedure used. A lighted scope is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen and allows your doctor to view your pelvic organs. If endometriosis is found during the procedure, it can often be removed at the time of the exam. Endometriosis can also be treated with medication. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain. Hormonal medi-cations, such as birth control pills, may be prescribed to control the menstrual cycle and reduce endometriosis by regulating levels of estrogen or progesterone. Other hormonal methods may be used, but they may be associated with an increased risk of side effects, such as hot flashes, loss of bone density, bloating, headaches, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sexual problems, and weight gain. Surgery to remove excess endometrial cells and scar tissue may be necessary in severe cases. While surgery and treatment may help on a short-term basis, about half of women who have surgery will experience symptoms again within a year. Endometriosis is an ongoing problem, though many women's symptoms improve after menopause. For more information, the ACOG Patient Education Pamphlet "Endometriosis" is available in English and Spanish at www.acog.org/publications/patient_education.
"We know these materials can increase awareness and knowledge about breast cancer among young urban women and teach them valuable skills that they can put into practice. Furthermore, they can take life-saving information home to their mothers, aunts and grandmothers to encourage them to get screened for breast cancer," said Carolyn Aldigé, Prevent Cancer Foundation president and founder. Nationally, the breast cancer mortality rate for African American women is 34.4 per 100,000, according to 2007 estimates. In comparison, the rate is 25.4 per 100,000 for white women. Recent statistics show that African American women are much less likely to survive five years, primarily due to later detection of the disease which leads to a more advanced stage upon diagnosis. One Face of Breast Cancer: Cheryl Holmes described herself as "happy and accomplished," before breast cancer entered her life. Diagnosed at age 35 with Stage 1 breast cancer, Cheryl is a supporter of Project Early Awareness and suggests that self awareness and technology go together in detecting cancer, be it a mammogram, ultrasound or MRI. "I discovered my lump," she said, explaining that the discovery has encouraged her to live a more purposeful life, spend more time with friends and family and pursue her life's goals. During three dozen radiation treatments, she faced many questions and misconceptions. Cheryl decided to be very open with everyone and encouraged others to examine their breasts for lumps and stay aware of their bodies. "I want women of all ages to know that if they detect a lump, they should be courageous and tell their medical professional that they'd like careful examination." Early Education is Key: Video and Facilitator's Guide: The "Breast Health Education for Young Women" video and facilitator's guide are designed for use with high school girls and may be integrated into school curricula or used by youth group and community center health educators. Video: The 14-minute educational video includes facts about breast cancer, a demonstration of a breast self-exam, an overview of mammography, treatment options and survivor stories. The video is available in DVD and VHS formats and may be ordered for the cost of shipping and handling at www.preventcancer.org.
and infants' health by bettering social conditions, improving access to prenatal care, promoting breastfeeding, and making healthy eating easier. Lee is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health on a national initiative called A Healthy Baby Begins with You. "I am thrilled to be a part of this national dialogue to end preventable infant mortality in this country," said Lee. "We have been complacent for too long about the number of African-American women who have experienced the death of their children from sudden infant death syndrome, premature birth and low birth weight. It's also extremely important that I'm here in Brooklyn, given the strong ties that unite my husband and me to this community. If we can help across the country, we can certainly help here at home." Poverty and race are the most influential factors in infant deaths, partly because they affect women's chances of staying healthy themselves. Illness and death are more common in babies whose mothers smoke, use alcohol or drugs, or are obese, have diabetes, or have high blood pressure before or during pregnancy. Data from the New York City Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System suggest that all of these risk factors are common among NYC women - especially black and Latina women. Citywide, some 40% of the women who gave birth in 2004 and 2005 were overweight or obese before they became pregnant, and one in 10 developed diabetes during pregnancy - a condition known as gestational diabetes. These problems are even more common in low-income neighborhoods, and children are dying as a result. Brooklyn's infant mortality rate was on par with the city average last year. But low-income Central Brooklyn neighborhoods, along with eastern Jamaica in Queens, have had higher infant death rates than any other NYC neighborhood over the past three years. A complete list of infant mortality by neighborhood is available online at www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/stats/stats-mch.shtml. Like income, race and ethnicity strongly affect a child's chances of survival in New York City. In 2006, Black and Puerto Rican babies died at more than twice the rate of Whites and Asian-Pacific Islanders. While the reasons are not well understood, poverty cannot explain the entire disparity. Some studies suggest that the stress of living with racial discrimination may have health consequences for certain minorities, even in the absence of poverty. "Infant death rates remain highest in black communities - a telling sign of how race and poverty are at play," said Dr. Mary T. Bassett, Deputy Commissioner of the Health Department's Bureau of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. "There is no single solution to reducing infant deaths and disparities in infant mortality. In addition to our targeted efforts for women and infants, we need to reduce poverty and discrimination, and improve access to quality health care and healthy food before, during, and after pregnancy." Leaders today also discussed the importance of breast feeding, which helps women's bodies recover from pregnancy and labor and helps babies stay healthy and strong. The Health Department's Brooklyn District Public Health Office kicked off its campaign to promote supportive environments for breast feeding. Working with local businesses and organizations, the Health Department is aiming to make Brooklyn a breast-feeding friendly borough. "Community ownership of maternal and child health issues is essential to ensuring we have healthy mothers and babies," said Yvonne Graham, assistant to the Brooklyn Borough President. "These issues have been at the heart of the Caribbean Women's Health Association mission since its inception. I am proud to stand here today with the city, our faith-based leaders, and the women of Brooklyn to speak up and to work together to reduce the stigma around breastfeeding - one important step in improving Brooklyn moms and babies' health." "The March of Dimes is working to assure that all babies have an equal opportunity for a healthy start in life," said Dr. Diane Ashton, the organization's deputy medical director. "To achieve this goal, we need help to spread the word, to educate, and to call for resources and programs that can make a difference for the health of our black communities and for the nation as a whole." What Women Can Do To Stay Healthy and Have a Healthy Baby * Plan your pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies are more likely to result in low birth weight, infant death, and poor development. * Have a regular doctor or health care provider to help you stay healthy before you become pregnant. * If you smoke or use alcohol or drugs, get help to stop. * Maintain a healthy weight and eat a healthy diet. * Keep chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure under control. * Get help if you are depressed, overly stressed, or abused. * Take folic acid (in most multi-vitamins), which helps prevent serious birth defects. * Breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding lowers the risk of acquiring infectious diseases that put a new baby at risk of death. Breastfeeding also lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To find out about free or low cost health care services, including family planning, call 311 and ask for the Women's Healthline. While working to improve everyone's access to healthy food and physical activity, the Health Department is also taking direct steps to reduce infant mortality and address its disparate impact. These efforts, bolstered by improvements in medical care, are making a difference. Over the past decade, the infant mortality rate has decreased by 25% among black New Yorkers. Teen pregnancy rates have declined by 18% since 2000, indicating steady progress in improving the health of black mothers and babies. New York City's efforts include: * Expanding the Nurse-Family Partnership, with the aim of serving more than 2,000 families by the end of 2008. NFP is a nurse home-visiting program for low-income, first-time mothers. Nurses interact regularly with women from the time they are pregnant through their child's second birthday to help them take the steps needed to keep themselves and their babies healthy, and to help break the cycle of poverty many families face. * Offering a single home visit to all families with new babies in parts of Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Through this Newborn Home Visiting Program, Health Department workers assess the safety of the home environment, educate new parents about breastfeeding and safe sleep, and help families gain access to medical care and social services. * Promoting breastfeeding through the Breastfeeding Initiative. Most recently, the Health Department and the Health and Hospitals Corporation launched a comprehensive breastfeeding-promotion program to encourage breastfeeding and eliminate formula giveaways in public hospitals. * Providing portable cribs and safe-sleep education to families served by the NFP and the Newborn Home Visiting Program through the New York City Safe Sleep Initiative. * Working with 40 community-based organizations, with funding from the City Council, to reduce infant mortality through health education workshops, outreach, referral services, case management, peer education and other activities. * Working with health care providers, including school-based health centers through our Healthy Teens Initiative, to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services for teens, starting in the South Bronx, and expanding throughout New York City over the next three years.
1. Know your blood pressure numbers and take measures to control high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke and heart disease. 2. Control high cholesterol. Get regular blood tests to check your cholesterol levels and talk to your doctor about treatments if you have high cholesterol. 3. Eat a healthy diet low in saturated and trans fats and with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids may also be beneficial. Dark chocolate may have heart-health benefits as well. 4. If you're a smoker, quit. Smoking is a leading factor in contributing to heart disease and many other health problems. GHI wants to help you live a tobacco-free life. Visit Your Guide to Stop Smoking for more information. 5. Get plenty of exercise, especially aerobic exercise, which has many cardiovascular benefits. Consult a doctor before beginning an exercise program. 6. Reduce your stress. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person's life. 7. Certain emotional factors, such as being depressed or feeling angry, may negatively affect the heart. Positive emotions and laughing are good for your heart. 8. An often overlooked area is the relationship between the health of your gums and teeth and your heart. Studies show there may be a link between periodontal disease and heart disease risk. Take good care of your teeth and gums with brushing, flossing, and regular dental appointments. The heart is an amazing, strong muscle. By leading a healthy lifestyle you can help keep it in great condition.
According to the website of the Brazilian Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the medicines are Erythropoyetin, for the control of kidney failure, and Alpha Interferon, for patients with infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis. The cooperation agreement that allowed this transference of technology is the result of a visit by specialists from Fiocruz to the Caribbean island in August 2003. On that occasion, they identified Cuban products, processes and technologies that the Brazilian nation wants to have access to. Brazil, which during a first stage packed the medicines imported from Cuba and then began to carry out quality control tests, will now begin to produce the active pharmaceutical ingredient. Local production will lower costs in one third and it will allow more people to receive these medicines free of charge. The medicines will be produced by the state laboratory Biomanguinhos, which will acquire the necessary equipment and will train personnel in operations of quality control and guarantee in all the stages of the process.
Additional highlights of the online survey include: * 40% of respondents reported a decrease in sexual activity due to sex-associated headaches * 42% of respondents reported sex-associated headaches typically lasting more than an hour * 32% of respondents describe their sex-associated headaches as developing after sexual activity and being worse when standing up than laying down * 39% of respondents admit to having lied about skipping sex because of a headache Despite these problems, only 13% of headache sufferers have spoken with a healthcare provider about sex-associated headaches. "Some sufferers may be embarrassed or reluctant to talk to their healthcare providers about this problem," says Suzanne Simons, Executive Director of the NHF. "Those afflicted by sex-associated headaches do not have to let their relationships suffer needlessly when so many treatment options are available." Notably, 68% of respondents reported a sympathetic response from their partners when deferring sex because of a headache. "Most sex-associated headaches will not require treatment," says Dr. Seymour Diamond, Executive Chairman of the NHF. "However if persistent and severe, medical consultation should be sought. Beta-blockers or indomethacin are usually prescribed as preventive treatments." Head Off A Headache in the Bedroom: * Beat the headache to the punch. Try taking a pain reliever beforehand to ease headaches that occur during or after sex. * Ease into it. A massage can relax tense head or neck muscles and lessen the chance of a headache interrupting later. * Get help. Discuss your headaches with your partner or healthcare provider. ABOUT MIGRAINES Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraine, which is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55. Seventy to eighty percent of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus or tension-type headache. ABOUT THE NATIONAL HEADACHE FOUNDATION The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization which exists to enhance the healthcare of headache sufferers. It is a source of help to sufferers' families, physicians who treat headache sufferers, allied healthcare professionals and to the public. The NHF accomplishes its mission by providing educational and informational resources, supporting headache research and advocating for the understanding of headache as a legitimate neurobiological disease. For more information on headache causes and treatments, visit www.headaches.org or call 1-888-NHF-5552 (M-F. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).
A hospital group from Spain's Canary Islands will be building a state-of-the-art private hospital in Rose Hall, St James, to cater primarily for the growing tourism market. Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesús Silva, disclosed this during an interview, with The Gleaner , while on a tour of the Gran Bahía Principe hotel - another major Spanish Investment - in Runaway Bay, St Ann. Silva said the investors plan to start with a 50-bed hospital and then expand to 100 beds or more. The facility will be opened to locals in need of the specialised treatment available, The Gleaner has learnt. Top-rated Jamaican practitioners Ambassador Silva also said efforts were being made to have the hospital run by top-rated Jamaican practitioners who have excelled in their fields overseas. Elaborating on the project, he said, "The company is telling me that they are thinking of starting to work on the approval by the middle of this year and they hope to start breaking ground by the end of the year." Describing the purchase as a very important investment in health tourism, Ambassador Silva said it would give visitors, especially those in the high-end market, greater confidence in choosing a Jamaican vacation due to the availability of specialised health care. It is also understood that members of the hospital group decided to invest in the industry after an exploratory mission last September. The Spanish ambassador said his country viewed Jamaican investments as lucrative. "I think probably and I hope that we will see more investment coming very soon," he said.
Of this amount, $35 million will help to subsidise the cost overrun, which includes building materials and labour costs, while the remaining $70 million has been secured for furnishing and equipping the building. A release from NCU said the nursing school, which is named in honour of Lee Chin's mother, is being built on a 21,000-square foot area of the NCU property, opposite the university's main campus in Mandeville, Manchester. This latest contribution comes after Lee Chin's initial donation of $142 million toward the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. Commitment This most recent commitment was made at a special meeting of Lee Chin and NCU President, Dr Herbert Thompson, held to discuss the progress of construction on the nursing school which began in May last year. The nursing school, which will officially open on August 10, will accommodate approximately 800 nursing students; this represents a 100 per cent increase over current NCU enrollment of nursing students. Lee Chin has indicated that his choice to invest specifically in a nursing school was driven by the world renowned reputation of Jamaican nurses who are celebrated both locally and overseas. He said that, as a prudent investor, he is expecting a good return on this social investment as he has recognised the exportability of Jamaica's nurses, who are able to work abroad and send remittances back to Jamaica. More countries using Cuban vaccine against meningitis Published
on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Email To Friend Print Version Dr Concepcion Campa Huergo, director of the Carlos J. Finlay Pharmaceutical Institute, said the medicine called Va-Mengoc-BC is the only one of its type in the world used to counteract the effects of all forms of brain and spinal cord meningitis, a highly deadly disease that develops in the form of rashes. Campa Huergo discussed the impact of the vaccine with close to 900 experts from several countries at a conference that ends Wenesday, January 23, and is celebrating the 122nd Anniversary of the Calixto Garcia University Hospital. In 1991 in Cuba, the vaccine was included in the national program for the immunisation of three-and-a-half-month-old infants, with a second dose given at five-and-a-half months. Thanks to this action, meningitis was eradicated in the country and has been kept under control since. In addition, the doctor explained, the first human vaccine against leptospyrosis (Weil's Disease) was developed in Cuba with the collaboration of the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute. Produced at a high quality in Cuba, the vaccine leads to an immune response that last longer than preceding vaccines obtained in other countries. Scientists at other important biological research centres spoke at the event about the most recent biotechnological achievements in their respective facilities.
Yale researchers report that people with the lowest blood levels of vitamin E have about 60 percent greater odds of a decline in physical function when compared to people with the highest levels of vitamin E. "Low plasma levels of vitamin E are associated with subsequent decline in physical function," said the study's lead author, Benedetta Bartali, a nutritionist and a Brown-Coxe postdoctoral fellow at Yale University's School of Medicine. "As an antioxidant, vitamin E may prevent or reduce the propagation of free radicals in our body, and this may help to reduce muscle or DNA damage and the development, for example, of atherosclerosis and other pathologic conditions," Bartali said, although she added that this study wasn't designed to identify the reasons why vitamin E might be helpful. Results of the study are published in the Jan. 23 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association . In the past, it was believed that vitamin E could help prevent serious illness, such as heart disease or Alzheimer's. However, more current research found that excess levels of vitamin E, rather than being helpful, could actually be harmful. For that reason, it's recommended that people don't take more than 400 I.U.'s [International Units] of vitamin E daily. And the recommended daily dose is significantly lower than that -- 15 milligrams or 22.5 I.U.'s daily for anyone over the age of 15, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Because poor nutrition has been associated with physical decline in older people, Bartali and her colleagues randomly selected almost 700 adults over age 65 from an ongoing longitudinal study in Tuscany, Italy. They reviewed blood tests to ascertain vitamin levels and reviewed data from physical function exams completed at the start of the study and at the three-year follow-up. After adjusting the data to account for other factors that could contribute to physical decline, such as smoking or a lack of physical activity, the researchers found two factors were significantly associated with a greater chance of experiencing physical decline -- age and low levels of vitamin E. Levels of B vitamins, vitamin D and iron didn't increase the odds of physical decline, according to the study. Being older than 81 years increased the odds of physical decline by 84 percent, and low levels of vitamin E in people between the ages of 70 and 80 increased the odds of physical decline by 60 percent, according to the study. "Because only one person in our study used vitamin E supplements, our results suggest that an appropriate dietary intake of vitamin E may help to reduce the decline in physical function among older persons. Whether the use of vitamin E supplements would yield similar beneficial effects is unknown," Bartali said. Dr. Kanwardeep Singh, a geriatric specialist at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, said that while this is a very well-done study, it's difficult to "take the effect of age out of what we are trying to identify." For now, he said, "I would not recommend vitamin E supplements. My recommendations would be based on a good nutritious diet, with adequate caloric intake and adequate exercise. These will take you far beyond vitamin E supplements" in maintaining physical function. More information To learn more about vitamin E, including what foods it's found in, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine .
Camphor, alconfor in Spanish, is a common ingredient in many products used for colds, pest control, to ward off illness, or as air freshener. Camphor is sold in cubes (picture in attached version), or as a balm or ointment. Camphor cubes and tablets are not approved by the FDA for use as cough or cold medicine. Camphor products that are not labeled with ingredients and do not have manufacturer information should not be used; they are unsafe and illegal. Legal camphor products, such as some chest rubs used to relieve congestion, should only be used as directed on the label. Camphor products are sold in botanicas, pharmacies, discount stores, among other types of New York City stores. "Camphor products can be very dangerous for children," said Nancy Clark, Assistant Commissioner for Environmental Disease Prevention. "Be sure to keep these products away from them. Swallowing camphor or applying it in large amounts to a child can cause seizures. If you think your child may have been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS." The main symptoms of camphor poisoning in children include stomachache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, agitation, and seizures. Symptoms may occur very quickly after exposure -- as early as 5 to 20 minutes. Advice for parents and caregivers * Do not use any product without an ingredient label, manufacturers name and address - these products are illegal and unsafe. * Keep all camphor products out of the reach of children. o Do not scatter camphor products around the house or use them in humidfiers. o Do not attach them to your child as a bracelet or hang them near your child. * Do not use camphor for pest control. Use only safer pest control products such as boric acid, gels and baits for cockroaches, and glue traps or bait in enclosed tamper-proof containers for rodents. For stores that sell products that contain camphor * Do not sell over-the-counter medications containing camphor unless approved by the FDA and properly labeled. * Do not sell camphor-containing products such as pesticides unless approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and properly labeled. The Health Department will be working with distributors and storeowners to remove any illegal camphor products from store shelves. The Health Department is also alerting city healthcare providers about the link between camphor and seizures in children. If your child has eaten any products containing camphor, call the Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at (212)-POISONS (764-7667); Spanish-speaking callers, call (212)-VENENOS (836-3667).
Poliapatita, the name given to the product, will be used for large bone implants - unlike coralina, a product developed previously at the CNIC that has been applied in short bone. This biomaterial was among the leading products developed at the CNIC in 2007, read an article in the Trabajadores online newspaper. Also in 2007, the center received health agency approval for the natural product Dalpremix, a cholesterol reducer that is also effective in the treatment of ischemia. The center also conducted clinical studies last year on policosanol, a nutritional supplement --better known as PPG-- that is used to lower LDL cholesterol and to help prevent atherosclerosis. A considerable impact is expected to be made by a project initiated last year; it examined blood samples to detect helicobacter pylori, the main agent responsible for gastric ulcers.
"Influenza is here, but it is not too late to protect yourself and your family," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Health Commissioner for New York City. "Influenza can be deadly for older people and young children. New Yorkers should call their doctor about getting a flu shot today or call 311 to find out where to get a free shot. For those who get influenza, covering your cough and staying home if you have a fever will help prevent the spread of illness." Not only does the flu shot reduce your risk of hospitalization and death from influenza, but it protects family members. Elderly people who are exposed to sick caretakers are much more likely to die during flu season. That is why it is so critical that the infirm, the very young, the elderly and all those around them get vaccinated. Everyone who wants to reduce the risk of influenza should get a shot this year - vaccine is in good supply. It is especially important that the following groups get flu shots because they are at especially high risk of complications and death: * Adults age 50 and over - especially those over 65 * Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years * People with chronic medical conditions * Health care workers * Pregnant women Influenza Facts * Influenza can be dangerous at any age. It is a leading cause of death among people 65 and older and kills thousands of New Yorkers every year. * You cannot get influenza from a flu shot. * The flu shot is very safe and highly effective in preventing influenza. * Influenza is not a cold. It is much more severe, appearing suddenly and lasting a week or longer. Symptoms include cough, fever, and body aches. To prevent the spread of influenza: * Cover your cough or sneeze - and dispose of the tissue afterward. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve. * Wash your hands after you cough or sneeze with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. * If you get the flu, stay home from work or school to protect others. Influenza outbreaks have occurred as late as May in New York City. New Yorkers interested in getting a flu shot can call their doctors or 311 for clinic locations, or use the vaccine locator online at: https://a816-health12ssl.nyc.gov/dohroot/prjFlp/. Lack of vitamin D may increase heart disease risk New York City, Jan. 8 - The same vitamin D deficiency that can result in weak bones now has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Framingham Heart Study researchers report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. "Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, above and beyond established cardiovascular risk factors," said Thomas J. Wang, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. "The higher risk associated with vitamin D deficiency was particularly evident among individuals with high blood pressure." In a study of 1,739 offspring from Framingham Heart Study participants (average age 59, all Caucasian), researchers found that those with blood levels of vitamin D below15 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) had twice the risk of a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, heart failure or stroke in the next five years compared to those with higher levels of vitamin D. When researchers adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, the risk remained significant with a 62 percent higher risk of a cardiovascular event in participants with low levels of vitamin D compared to those with higher levels. Researchers observed the highest rate of cardiovascular disease events in subset analyses dividing 688 participants according to high blood pressure status. After researchers adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, participants with hypertension and a vitamin D deficiency had about 2 times the risk of having a cardiovascular disease event in five years. Researchers also found an increase in cardiovascular risk with each level of vitamin D deficiency. "We found that people with low vitamin D levels had a higher rate of cardiovascular events over the five-year follow-up period," Wang said. "These results are intriguing and suggestive but need to be followed up with further study." Study participants had no prior cardiovascular disease and were tested for vitamin D status and then followed for an average of 5.4 years. The participants attended the offspring examinations between 1996 and 2001. Researchers obtained medical history, physical examinations and laboratory assessments of vascular risk factors. They also obtained medical records related to cardiovascular disease. Overall, 28 percent of individuals had levels of vitamin D below15 ng/mL and 9 percent had levels below10 ng/mL. Although levels above 30 ng/mL are considered optimal for bone metabolism, only 10 percent of the study sample had levels in this range, researchers said. During follow-up: · 120 participants developed a first cardiovascular event including fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease; · 28 participants had fatal or nonfatal cerebrovascular events such as nonhemorrhagic stroke; · 19 participants were diagnosed with heart failure; and · 8 had occurrences of claudication, fatigue in the legs during activity. "Low levels of vitamin D are highly prevalent in the United States, especially in areas without much sunshine," Wang said. "Twenty to 30 percent of the population in many areas has moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency." Most of this is attributed to lack of sun exposure, pigmented skin that prevents penetration of the sun's rays and inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D enriched foods, researchers said. "A growing body of evidence suggests that low levels of vitamin D may adversely affect the cardiovascular system," Wang said. "Vitamin D receptors have a broad tissue distribution that includes vascular smooth muscle and endothelium, the inner lining of the body's vessels. Our data raise the possibility that treating vitamin D deficiency, via supplementation or lifestyle measures, could reduce cardiovascular risk. "What hasn't been proven yet is that vitamin D deficiency actually causes increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This would require a large randomized trial to show whether correcting the vitamin D deficiency would result in a reduction in cardiovascular risk." Therfore, Wang doesn't recommend physicians check for vitamin D deficiency or that those with a known vitamin D deficiency be treated to prevent heart disease at this time. During the past decade, researchers have studied several other vitamins that initially showed promise in reducing heart disease. But the vitamins didn't reduce heart disease in subsequent large randomized trials. "On the flip side, just because other vitamins haven't succeeded doesn't preclude the possibility of finding vitamins that might prevent cardiovascular disease," Wang said. "This is always an area of great interest. Vitamins are easy to administer and in general have few toxic effects." The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people get adequate nutrients by eating a variety of foods in moderation, rather than by taking supplements. Food sources of vitamin D include milk, salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals. Vitamin or mineral supplements aren't a substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and dietary cholesterol. This dietary approach has been shown to reduce coronary heart disease risk in healthy people and those with coronary disease.
One's diet should be loaded with peas, beans, grain products, lavish amounts of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates (yams, sweet potatoes, brown rice), modest levels of protein, low-fat dairy products and minimal saturated fats. Saturated fats These include fats from animals, which increase cholesterol and build up fatty plaque on the blood vessels around the heart. Similarly, plaque also builds up in tiny vessels in the penis, limiting free-flowing circulation and the ability to respond to messages from sex drive. Vitamin E It is believed that a good supply of this vitamin from oils, nuts, seeds and green vegetables can boost a man's sex drive. Drinking and smoking To quote Shakespeare, alcoholic beverages "provoke the desire, but take away the performance". Excessive alcohol consumption can have a devastating effect on masculinity. Smoking also saps sexual vitality. Nicotine, from smoking incessantly constricts the penis and causes the formation of plaque in the blood vessels of the penis. Think zinc! Zinc makes healthy sperm and is found in animal foods, seafood, especially oysters, meat, poultry, liver, eggs, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Be active! Exercise stimulates mood-elevating brain chemicals, endorphins, to help reduce fatigue and depression, common causes of sexual complaints. Iron-deficiency anaemia may be responsible for fatigue, so one's diet should be rich in iron-loaded foods like legumes, green, leafy vegetables and dried fruit. Editor's Note: Heather Little-White, Ph.D., is a Jamaican food, nutrition and lifestyle consultant.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the man is responsible in about 60 per cent of infertile couples. In Jamaica, doctors think the statistics are similar, with the male factor responsible in about 50 per cent of cases. Worldwide, it is believed that the male sperm count has decreased by 50 per cent over the past 50 years. "It (marijuana) definitely has an effect. There are no studies to confirm it but it is associated," says professor of reproductive medicine at the University of the West Indies, Joseph Frederick. Findings in the US Professor Frederick's thoughts are backed by other findings in the United States. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that while studies on how marijuana affects male fertility are inconclusive, smoking does in fact lower sperm count and reduces motility. It also increases abnormalities in sperm shape and function that can lower fertility. Burn out A 2003 study by researchers at the University of Buffalo in the United States also found that frequent marijuana smokers produced less seminal fluid, a lower total sperm count and their sperm behaved abnormally. According to the study led by Dr. Lani Burkman, the active compound in marijuana, tertahydrocannabinol (THC), causes sperm to swim too fast too early therefore causing it to burn out before it could attach itself to an egg. Professor Frederick, who is also director of the Advanced Fertility and Research Management Unit, adds that herbicides, which often find their way into water sources, "tend to have more oestrogen (a female hormone) and that tends to have an effect on males." He says oestrogen can be obtained from several sources including from steroids that are given to poultry to accelerate their growth. Medical therapist Dr. Anthony Vendryes says these chemicals act like female hormones in the body. "They are called endocrine disrupters and are a major cause of male infertility," he states. Other lifestyle illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension, also affect sperm production in men, as well as injuries to the testicles and the wearing of close fitting underwear or pants. The latter tends to affect the temperature at which sperms are produced. Professor Frederick posits that certain viruses might also be affecting men. He theorises that the human Papilloma virus (HPV) for instance, which causes cervical cancer in women, but is not known to affect men (though they carry the virus), might be affecting male fertility and might even be causing early prostate cancer. There are some 200 subtypes of the HPV. "Up to now nobody has said anything as to how it affects males. It could be very well that a mutant strain may be affecting males in several ways," he says. The research, however is yet to be done. Knowing that one suffers fertility problems can damage a man's ego, likewise his relationship with his spouse. "In our environment, males tend to put a lot of emphasis on their prowess and when a man finds that he has a problem with his sperm count, he is daunted by the fact that he will go to any limit to get it sorted out," comments Professor Frederick. There are ways to treat male infertility. According to the professor there are different types of fertility problems and each one is treated differently. There are men, for example, who produce no sperm at all when they ejaculate, while others produce a low percentage or average number of sperm that cannot swim. In the case of the latter, an intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be done, where the sperms are introduced 40 hours after the woman has ovulated. Chemical drugs can also be used to increase sperm count, but most cases end up in assisted conception, where the female is stimulated and her eggs harvested. It then goes through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), that is injecting the ovary with sperm for it to be fertilised. After two days the fertilised egg would be placed back into the female for implantation. A study is currently being conducted by the Fertility Management Unit to determine the quality of sperm in Jamaican men.
The title of Knight Bachelor has been conferred on Dr Albert Cecil Graham in the Queen's New Year Honours List, 2008. He will now be referred to as Sir Albert. The distinguished retired medical practitioner, who turns 80 on January 22, said of the honour: "I'm absolutely delighted and honoured by the Queen's gracious honour." He was, however, quick to state that the honour really belonged to the Children's Development Centre (CDC) and PAREDOS, institutions with which he has had a long association. A well-respected doctor, he has contributed much to the Barbadian society. A paediatrician with a special interest in disabilities, a consultant and general practitioner, Sir Albert served at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) since 1959, at one point heading the paediatric unit. He also played a pivotal role in the CDC for over 20 years, and had worked with the Challenor School and Thelma Vaughn Home. He was given an honorary fellowship with the Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health. He retired from the QEH in 1991, and a decade later from the CDC, and his general practice. Sir Albert has been described as someone who looked out for those who were physically and mentally challenged. When the society did not accept them, he was in the forefront fighting for these children for equal rights, justice, and the right to be recognised within the community. (ES) |