Posts for 'Health' Category

Swine flu is the first flu pandemic of the 21st century, but what do we really know about it? And what is likely to happen next in the ongoing drama of Pandemic H1N1? IN MID-MARCH, news broke that a new strain of flu virus similar to one seen in pigs was infecting humans in Mexico.

By mid-April, confirmed cases started popping up in the US and, slowly but surely, the virus crept around the world. Then eventually, after much speculation, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared a flu pandemic on June 11th. It was the first to be classified as such in 41 years, by which point around 70 countries (including Ireland) had reported new cases of the virus and the infection was spreading within communities.

As the story bubbled along, the new bug brought with it many problems – not only illness, but also media hype over its potentially catastrophic impact and even consternation as to what to call it. The term “Mexican flu” was unpopular in its country of origin for obvious reasons, and the pork industry was keen to lose the tag of “swine flu”.

Read the complete story

Indonesia recorded 19 people newly infected by A/H1N1 influenza virus, putting the total cases to 362in the country, Health Ministry said in a statement here on Sunday night. Six of the 19 persons, two foreigners and 17 Indonesian citizens, had historical journey to Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands and Singapore, director general of disease control and environmental health of the ministry Tjandra Yoga Aditama said in the statement.

"So far, the cumulative of the cases in Indonesia is 362," he said, adding that all the 19 people were being treated at hospitals. The disease has spread to nearly a half of total 33 province in the country, the ministry said. According to the World Heath Organization, more than 700 people died of the A/H1N1 influenza virus. It also reported that the virus spread nearly all countries in the world.

NEW ORLEANSThe connection between the body, mind and spirit has been the subject of conventional scientific inquiry for some 20 years. The notion that psychosocial and societal considerations have a role in maintaining health and preventing disease became crystallized as a result of the experiences of a layman, Norman Cousins.

In the 1970s, Cousins, then a writer and magazine editor of the popular Saturday Review, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. He theorized that if stress could worsen his condition, as some evidence suggested at the time, then positive emotions could improve his health. As a result, he prescribed himself, with the approval of his doctor, a regimen of humorous videos and shows like Candid Camera.

Ultimately, the disease went into remission and Cousins wrote a paper that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and a book about his experience, Anatomy of an Illness: A Patient's Perspective, which was published in 1979. The book became a best seller and led to the investigation of a new field, known then as whole-person care or integrative medicine and now, lifestyle medicine.

Read the complete story

The women who gathered at Beulah Grove Community Center shifted between flinching and laughter as Deanna Brown Thomas invited them to share their concerns and questions about HIV and AIDS. "It's a life or death thing," Mrs. Brown Thomas said Tuesday. "It has no respect to race, age, gender or political party. You have to protect yourself and be informed about it."

East Central Health District, The Top Ladies of Distinction Inc. and Beulah Grove sponsored Girl 2 Girl: Women Like Us, an event celebrating National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. HIV is the leading cause of death for black women in the United States between the ages of 25 and 34, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Read the complete story

Minnesota native Anthony Thein didn’t hesitate back in 1967 when doctors asked him to donate a kidney to his ailing brother. “If you think it might help somebody survive, you say, ‘Yes, of course,’ ” Thein says.But kidney transplants from living donors were still uncommon in the late 1960s, and the operation carried risks for both parties. Doctors didn’t know whether living with just one kidney could entail long-term medical repercussions.

“Yeah, we really did something crazy 42 years ago,” Thein says today.Perhaps not. Researchers report in the Jan. 29 New England Journal of Medicine that people who donate a kidney have about the same probability of survival over several decades as people in the general population. And donors seem to have adequate kidney function and even less risk of severe kidney disease than occurs in the general public, , nephrologist Hassan Ibrahim of the University of Minnesota and his colleagues report.

Read the complete story

VENTURA, CA - DNA Health Institute will be hosting two health seminars during the month of October. The events will be held at the company's training facility at 4562 Westinghouse Street in Ventura on the last two Thursday's of the month. Each seminar is expected to last two hours and is free and open to the public.seminars will be held on Thursdays at 6 p.m., starting October 23rd. The first seminar will be an Acne Clinic with free skin analysis and mini facials.

The October 30th seminar called “Detox - Myth or Health?” explains theories of cellular detoxification. During the clinic, attendees will find out if they are ideal candidates for a detoxification program.Seating is limited and anyone interested should contact Patricia Coash at Those who attend the seminars will learn valuable information about healthy skin care. We'll have both a homeopathic doctor and a chiropractor available to talk about diet and nutrition and healthy skin care. We'll even have a chance for attendees to ask questions of our experts,

Read the complete story

When it comes to ticking biological clocks, it's women that first spring to mind. Sure, advancements in science have made it possible for women to conceive beyond age 40, but not without increased risks and concerns. But now, it seems men too may have reason to worry about their own reproductive window of opportunity.

Stephanie Belloc, a researcher for the Eylau Centre for Assisted Reproduction in Paris, discovered that age is an important factor in the quality of men's sperm. The research team issued a news release in which they reported to have "found that the age of the father was important in pregnancy rates - men over 40 had a negative effect. And, perhaps, more surprisingly, miscarriage rates incrased where the father was over 40."

Read the complete story

With a former Hollywood action star and Mr. Universe as its governor, it makes sense the California has become the first state to ban trans fats from its restaurants.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that bans restaurants in the state from using virtually all trans fats, which are found in most margarines and oils.

In a statement to the press, Schwarzenegger said, “Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California.” Tony Mendoza, a Democrat out of Artesia, introduced the bill, which will outlaw cooking with the artificial trans fats in restaurants by January 1, 2010.

Read the complete story

Family planning groups and at least one member of Congress objected on Tuesday to a Bush administration memo that defines several widely used contraception methods as abortion and protects the right of medical providers to refuse to offer them.The proposal would cut off federal funds to hospitals and states that attempt to compel medical providers to offer legal abortion and contraception services to women.

The proposal circulated to media defines abortion broadly to include many types of contraception, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices.Health and Human Services officials declined to confirm the proposal, but noted their responsibility to protect against discrimination of doctors and pharmacists who object to abortion or birth control on religious or moral grounds.

Read the complete story

Healthcare products and services provider Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH: News, Chart, Quote ) Tuesday revealed the decision to consolidate its operations into two major operating segments to reduce costs and focus on segment needs. As part of the restructuring, the company will eliminate 600 jobs worldwide, incurring about $63 million in charges, to be recorded in fiscal 2009. Cardinal also reiterated its earnings outlook for 2008.

The Healthcare Supply Chain Services segment will distribute pharmaceuticals and medical products to retail pharmacies, hospitals, physician offices, surgery centers and alternate care facilities. The Clinical and Medical Products segment will produce medication infusion and dispensing products, respiratory equipment, surgical instruments and technologies for preventing medication errors.

Read the complete story