Health related information and news from around the world.
Agency A nominated person (the agent) acts on a frail person’s behalf within specified instructions. This is especially seen in the social security system, where a pensioner will nominate someone to collect their benefits from the post office. The agent can only collect the money, and they must then hand it to the person concerned. [...]
Severe colicky pain in either loin with blood tinged urine signifies the presence of a kidney stone. Most kidney stones contain calcium. They occur when calcium crystallizes out of solution because the concentration of urinary calcium is too high. Urinary calcium can be elevated because people drink too much milk or eat too much cheese. [...]
These are congenital defects (defects present at birth). During development of the foetus, there is incomplete closure of the lip or the roof of the mouth, forming an open cleft. Each can occur separately, but they often occur together, sometimes in association with other malformations. Usually only soft tissues are affected, but occasionally bone can [...]
Most premature babies require specialised care, usually within a newborn intensive care nursery, for up to several weeks after birth. The baby is nursed in a humidicrib and, depending on his condition, may require oxygen, intravenous infusion, tube feeding and careful monitoring. If your baby does need intensive care, your doctor will explain exactly what [...]
«I am deathly afraid that he is having an affair. He just doesn’t want that much sex anymore. Is he?» ANSWER: Frequency of and interest in sex is not a symptom. It does not «mean» anything if medical problems are ruled out. It is a means of sharing and expression that stands in and of [...]
Even if you do not plan to change anything else in your diet, for social, business or other reasons, improve the quality of the water you drink. Drink at least 2 or 3 litres of it every day. The latest research indicates, that it is not only the purity of water that is important, but [...]
In the condition known as hiatus hernia, there is reflux of the acid contents of the stomach up into the lower part of the gullet and this may produce indigestion. If this symptom of indigestion is of recent onset then it may be safely treated without further investigation. If it is severe or persistent or [...]
Penicillin was first isolated from a mould by Fleming in 1929 but it was Chaim and the Australian, Florey, who first brought it into clinical use in 1940. Originally, penicillin had to be given by injection but now derivatives are available which can be taken by mouth. This drug is bacteriocidal and has such a [...]
Live yoghurt contains ‘friendly’ bacteria which form lactic acid in milk, suppressing the growth of harmful bacteria. Some of the bacteria which are used to make yoghurt are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The bacteria in many yoghurts are still alive, but are kept dormant by refrigeration. However yoghurts which have been pasteurised [...]
While petting frogs is a harmless childhood activity, handling toads can be dangerous, the New England Journal of Medicine (314:1517) reports, since the skin of some types of toad secretes a poison which, when conveyed to the mouth, causes drooling, convulsive seizures, and serious disturbances of the heart rhythm. The Colorado River toad is the [...]
Emergency symptoms: Apply emergency treatment immediately. Important: A child with heatstroke who does not revive within minutes after treatment is in danger and requires immediate emergency care. Symptoms: feeling that lungs and muscles are «on fire», dry mouth, breathing difficulty, dizziness, nausea blurred vision, hot, dry skin, high fever, absence of sweating. Emergency treatment 1. [...]
For the past 50 years or so, we’ve been killing ourselves with a silent bang. It’s a little-known fact that suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in this country and the fifth leading cause among men ages 25 to 44. There is no simple answer for why men commit suicide, says John L. [...]
Affirmation for Happiness Many of the patients I see, regardless of their symptoms, are unhappy. I give them this happiness affirmation: I really like myself. I am a worthwhile person. I am fantastically happy, and I have great happiness. Affirmation for Serenity We could all use serenity, especially the stress seekers who are always running [...]
Use your heart to determine whether you’re walking rapidly enough. Count your heartbeats by feeling your pulse at your wrist, your temples or on either side of your neck. Count the number of times your heart beats in ten seconds. Multiply that number by six to get your heart rate per minute. The goal is [...]
Nutritional deficiencies can attack your immune system directly, or they can launch a two-stage attack by way of the mind. Lack of nutrients, especially the B vitamins, can lead to such personality changes as depression, irritability, nervousness, anxiety and moodiness. As a group, the B vitamins are especially important for maintaining a positive outlook on [...]
Government and industry claim that there are «safe» levels for various toxins in the body. That idea is patently absurd. Five to 40 years may pass before chemicals and particles you were exposed to at work, home or school are expressed as a disease. To be safe, I say that any amount is too much. [...]
It’s common for doctors to receive a flat monthly fee for every patient under their care. Under this arrangement, known as capitation, the cost of lab tests, procedures and other care comes out of the doctor’s pocket. If the doctor orders an $80 X ray, $80 is deducted from his paycheck. Frequently, HMOs give bonuses [...]
what to look for: Whole wheat is typically the first ingredient, but it could be whole oats, whole rye or millet. typical nutritional data per slice: 90 calories, 1 g fat, 3 g fiber, 180 mg sodium. good brands: Arnold Natural 100% Whole Wheat… Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat…Stroehmann Dutch Country 100% Whole Wheat. important: Some [...]
A «hand-sanding» technique lets doctors remove wrinkles without the high cost of the usual technique (laser resurfacing). Called manual dermasanding, the technique involves injecting the wrinkled area with topical anesthetics. Wrinkles are then buffed away using a sandpaper-like material. Saw palmetto berries are widely recognized for their potential to diminish an enlarged prostate gland, say [...]
Eighty-seven percent of Americans have foot trouble—bunions, corns, calluses, foot odor, etc. Despite their prevalence, however, such problems are not inevitable, most can be prevented via a simple five-step foot-pamperinc regimen… • Soak your feet at the end of each day. Use lukewarm water along with Dr. Scholl’s Soap ‘n Soak Instant Foot Bath or [...]
Up to 12 million Americans are allergic to one or more foods—and most aren’t aware of it. Food allergies can stimulate activity of mast cells, immune cells that produce hay fever symptoms, such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, etc. self-test: In the morning, take your pulse for one minute on an empty stomach. Then eat [...]
According to a recent study, the most effective way for many older women to ward off osteoporosis may be with hormone replacement therapy. Scientists at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, Australia, investigated the effectiveness of three different approaches to retarding bone loss in 120 postmenopausal women whose average age was 56. The methods investigated [...]
According to a recent scientific study, shaving with an electric razor may double a man’s chance of contracting leukemia. The study, conducted at Battelle Memorial Institute’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Washington found that men who used electric razors for 2 1/2 minutes a day were more than twice as likely to contract leukemia than [...]
While the most effective long-term way to deal with stress is to uncover and treat its cause(s), experts say it is also helpful to simply treat the symptoms. Being able to alleviate the symptoms of stress can allow you to improve your chances of relaxing long enough to understand and deal with its cause(s). One [...]
The US Department of Agriculture has recently revised its recommended daily food intake. These new recommendations include more fruits and vegetables. Here are these new recommendations. 1. Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta— 6-11 servings 2. Fruit Group — 2-4 servings 3. Vegetable Group — 3-5 servings 4. Milk, Yogurt, and Cheese — 2-3 servings 5. [...]
Here are eight tips on how you can enjoy many of your favorite fast foods, while cutting back on fat and sodium: 1) Avoid sauce. Have your hamburger, fish, or chicken sandwich without mayonnaise, tartar or other «special» sauces. 2) Eliminate cheese. The varieties of cheese commonly used by fast-food restaurants on burgers and chicken [...]