Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a disease characterized by the development of malignant cells in the lining of the first and longest portion of the large intestine. These cells have lost the normal control mechanism for growth. It is also termed as colorectal cancer because in time it can affect the rectum too. The rectum is the continuation of the large intestine into the pelvis that...
terminates in the anus.
The Causes and Symptoms
Primarily, there are two causes of colon cancer: the sporadic case and the genetic case. Exposure to the carcinogenic agents in the environment constitutes the sporadic case. It can induce mutation, and in time, it can also turn into a cancer. Specific carcinogens for colon cancer are still unidentified, but they can be narrowed down to the dietary factors of the person. Some of the probable causes of colon cancer include:
1) Diets that are high in fat and alcohol can predispose people to this disease.
2) Age and smoking habits of the person. A person over the age of 50 is more likely to have the disease than those who are under 50. Smoking individuals have risks too.
3) Patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the colon like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis also have increased risks.
4) Genetics like familial cases are also factors that help spread the disease.
Symptoms of colon cancer are related to the release of bowel and wastes of the affected person. They may occur alone or in combination. These symptoms are as follows:
1) Change in the bowel habit of the affected person
2) Blood in the stool
3) Bloating or persistent abdominal distention
4) Constant constipation
5) Feeling of fullness after just having a bowel movement
6) Presence of ribbon stools
7) Persistent and chronic fatigue and anemia
8) Abdominal discomfort
9) Unexplained weight loss, resulting from a systemic disease
10) Nausea and vomiting, which can occur rarely
The Treatments Available
Treatment of the colon cancer first depends on the stage of the cancer. It can be curable when caught at an early stage, but if detected at later stages, when metastases are present, it is less likely to be curable. Up until now, surgery is still the primary treatment of colon cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy or the combination of both may be recommended on the patient, depending on their cancer’s stage and other medical factors. It can also be a challenge to determine how aggressive the treatment for the patient is because this type of cancer primarily affects the elderly; it is rare for young people to develop this disease. Some elderly people are not recommended for chemotherapy after the surgery because it can have ill effects on their health.
These are among the summarized treatments of colon cancer that are practiced today:
1) Surgery in the colon area
2) Chemotherapy
3) Radiation therapy
4) Immunotherapy
5) Vaccine for colon cancer
6) Treatment of liver metastases that can spread to the colon area
7) Support therapies
by: James Pendergraft
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Gestational Diabetes: Treatment with Cinnamon
Approximately 7% of women that carry a pregnancy to term develop Gestational Diabetes during pregnancy. The incidence of Gestational Diabetes doubled from 1992 to 2004. No one understands why this has occurred except that the incidence of obesity increased tremendously during this same period of time. Type II diabetes has a incidence of developing between 15 to...
60 percent 5 to 15 years after patients have had gestational diabetes. The three risk factors that indicate who will develop Type II diabetes are 1) BMI >27, 2) developing gestational diabetes before 24 weeks gestation, and 3) the use of insulin or not during pregnancy.
Sugars not controlled during pregnancy can lead to fetal abnormalities, fetal macrosomia (large fetus), hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), hyperbilirubinemia (elevated bilirubin) which can cause damage to the infant’s brain, and pulmonary ( lung) immaturity. These problems are reduced tremendously when blood sugars are kept under control.
Normally the way sugars are kept under control are diet, exercise, insulin, and glyburide. There are other alternative treatments that show promise and have minimal side effects:
1) Cinnamon
2) Chromium Piccolinate
3) Bitter Melon
4) Cane Sugar
5) Alpha Lipoic Acid
Today we are going to discuss Cinnamon. Cinnamon has been shown to decrease glucose significantly in patients. 1 gm, 2 gms, and 6gms of dried Cinnamon has been shown to decrease the fasting glucose by 18 to 30 percent. It does so by its anti-oxidant effects and increasing the sensitivity of the insulin receptors located in fat and muscle cells. In essence it activates the insulin receptors which allows efficient uptake of glucose into the cells so that it can be stored and metabolized properly.
With Type II diabetes there is an over abundance of insulin floating around and attached to receptors. For some reason the receptor is not sensitive to the insulin in order to allow sugars to be taken into the cells properly. This chronic elevated sugar state leads eventually to severe heart, kidney, peripheral nerve, and eye disease.
Dried Cinnamon has no side effects or teratogenic defects on the fetus in the recommended dosages. When given in extremely high doses in rats, it has been found to cause skeletal and kidney problems including death.
In summary; Cinnamon has been found to decrease fasting glucose significantly dosages ranging from 1 to 6 grams. With the decrease in the incidence of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality due to the significant decrease in maternal sugars, Cinnamon needs further study to determine whether or not it can be used as a first line agent to treat patients with Gestational Diabetes.
by: James Pendergraft
60 percent 5 to 15 years after patients have had gestational diabetes. The three risk factors that indicate who will develop Type II diabetes are 1) BMI >27, 2) developing gestational diabetes before 24 weeks gestation, and 3) the use of insulin or not during pregnancy.
Sugars not controlled during pregnancy can lead to fetal abnormalities, fetal macrosomia (large fetus), hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), hyperbilirubinemia (elevated bilirubin) which can cause damage to the infant’s brain, and pulmonary ( lung) immaturity. These problems are reduced tremendously when blood sugars are kept under control.
Normally the way sugars are kept under control are diet, exercise, insulin, and glyburide. There are other alternative treatments that show promise and have minimal side effects:
1) Cinnamon
2) Chromium Piccolinate
3) Bitter Melon
4) Cane Sugar
5) Alpha Lipoic Acid
Today we are going to discuss Cinnamon. Cinnamon has been shown to decrease glucose significantly in patients. 1 gm, 2 gms, and 6gms of dried Cinnamon has been shown to decrease the fasting glucose by 18 to 30 percent. It does so by its anti-oxidant effects and increasing the sensitivity of the insulin receptors located in fat and muscle cells. In essence it activates the insulin receptors which allows efficient uptake of glucose into the cells so that it can be stored and metabolized properly.
With Type II diabetes there is an over abundance of insulin floating around and attached to receptors. For some reason the receptor is not sensitive to the insulin in order to allow sugars to be taken into the cells properly. This chronic elevated sugar state leads eventually to severe heart, kidney, peripheral nerve, and eye disease.
Dried Cinnamon has no side effects or teratogenic defects on the fetus in the recommended dosages. When given in extremely high doses in rats, it has been found to cause skeletal and kidney problems including death.
In summary; Cinnamon has been found to decrease fasting glucose significantly dosages ranging from 1 to 6 grams. With the decrease in the incidence of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality due to the significant decrease in maternal sugars, Cinnamon needs further study to determine whether or not it can be used as a first line agent to treat patients with Gestational Diabetes.
by: James Pendergraft
Save the Fetus - Kill the Doctor
Dr. George Tiller, age 67, was shot and killed today IN HIS CHURCH in Wichita. Dr. Tiller performs late term abortions and his clinic was the site of many anti-abortion protesters over the years. He was shot in both arm in 1993 and recovered. His clinic has been severely vandalized with protesters cutting through the roof and inflicting water damage. He has been sued and harassed. Now he is
Friday, May 29, 2009
More Documents About the Selling of Seroquel Show How Research Was "Subordinated to Commercial Goals"
We posted earlier this year about how documents produced on discovery and recently unsealed during litigation suggested how AstraZeneca handled clinical research data in the marketing of its atypical anti-psychotic drug Seroquel (quetiapine). A new crop of documents has just been released, providing yet more insights, as reported by the St Petersburg (Florida) Times:
In particular,
This is a reminder how beleaguered we advocates of evidence-based health care (EBHC) have become. The idea of EBHC was that health care decisions for individual patients, and policies for groups of patients ought to be guided by critical review of the best available evidence from clinical research, guided by knowledge of biology and the biopsychosocial context of health, and informed by patients' values and preferences. The idea still makes sense to me, but it only works if physicians, patients and policy-makers have access to an unbiased sample of clinical research studies, so that studies with are not selectively suppressed to support vested interests. Although critical review can account for inevitable trade-offs, compromises, and errors in how studies are designed, implemented, and analyzed, the clinical epidemiological methods it uses are really not designed to root out falsehoods and deliberate deception.
However, the ongoing story of Seroquel, and many other cases discussed on Health Care Renewal suggest that when clinical research is sponsored by those who can profit from the product or service it evaluates, that research is prone to suppression and manipulation. Although I believe there are many honest scientists who work for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, device, health information technology and other health care corporations, it seems they often have to answer to marketers whose only goal is to sell more product.
As long as clinical research is sponsored and run by the people who can profit directly from selling the products and services the research is meant to evaluate, the ideal of evidence-based health care becomes less attainable.
As we have said before, suppression and manipulation of research amounts to post-hoc abuse of research subjects who volunteered their participation believing that it would advance science and health care.
Furthermore, suppression and manipulation of research can deceive physicians into prescribing tests and treatments that will fail to help, or even harm patients, and deceive patients into thinking that they are getting the best possible tests and treatments, when, again what they are getting is ineffective or even harmful.
In my humble opinion, there is an increasingly strong argument that clinical research should not be controlled, and probably should not be done at all by organizations with vested interests in the research producing results favorable to their products.
Behind the scenes at the global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the team in charge of the blockbuster antipsychotic Seroquel had one mission: make the multibillion-dollar seller even bigger.
To that end, internal company documents released Wednesday show how the British drugmaker hid unfavorable study results, promoted unapproved uses and even considered pitching the drug as less likely to lead to suicidal thinking than competitors'.
In particular,
Documents suggest Seroquel studies were repeatedly subordinated to commercial goals.
When a study in 2002 failed to show that Seroquel's sustained release formula was any more effective than a placebo in treating schizophrenia, orders from the top were to keep the results 'in strictest confidence.'
When a scientist in England wanted to study the weight gain in rats on Seroquel, AstraZeneca declined to fund the research, saying 'we could wind up with results that are not clearly advantageous.'
In one discussion, it was suggested that authors of potentially helpful research reports who raised too many questions, slowing publication, should be asked to step down.
A researcher who pressed for results of an unfavorable trial was rebuffed for weeks before being given 'three or four sentences describing high-level results.'
AstraZeneca marketers were jealous of what they saw as competitor Lilly's ability to cast questionable study results in a positive light. 'They (Lilly) are able to spin the same data in many different ways through an effective publications team,' according to a 2003 memo. 'Negative data usually remains well hidden.'
As Seroquel's sales soared, documents reflect an ongoing struggle between the safety and marketing teams over the potentially damaging issue of weight gain. In 2000, the company's scientists said data did not support the marketing claim that Seroquel resulted in only 'limited' weight gain. Close to 23 percent of the people who took the drug gained more than 7 percent.
Despite the safety team's objections, the word 'limited' remained on Seroquel's label for two more years.
This is a reminder how beleaguered we advocates of evidence-based health care (EBHC) have become. The idea of EBHC was that health care decisions for individual patients, and policies for groups of patients ought to be guided by critical review of the best available evidence from clinical research, guided by knowledge of biology and the biopsychosocial context of health, and informed by patients' values and preferences. The idea still makes sense to me, but it only works if physicians, patients and policy-makers have access to an unbiased sample of clinical research studies, so that studies with are not selectively suppressed to support vested interests. Although critical review can account for inevitable trade-offs, compromises, and errors in how studies are designed, implemented, and analyzed, the clinical epidemiological methods it uses are really not designed to root out falsehoods and deliberate deception.
However, the ongoing story of Seroquel, and many other cases discussed on Health Care Renewal suggest that when clinical research is sponsored by those who can profit from the product or service it evaluates, that research is prone to suppression and manipulation. Although I believe there are many honest scientists who work for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, device, health information technology and other health care corporations, it seems they often have to answer to marketers whose only goal is to sell more product.
As long as clinical research is sponsored and run by the people who can profit directly from selling the products and services the research is meant to evaluate, the ideal of evidence-based health care becomes less attainable.
As we have said before, suppression and manipulation of research amounts to post-hoc abuse of research subjects who volunteered their participation believing that it would advance science and health care.
Furthermore, suppression and manipulation of research can deceive physicians into prescribing tests and treatments that will fail to help, or even harm patients, and deceive patients into thinking that they are getting the best possible tests and treatments, when, again what they are getting is ineffective or even harmful.
In my humble opinion, there is an increasingly strong argument that clinical research should not be controlled, and probably should not be done at all by organizations with vested interests in the research producing results favorable to their products.
Sanofi-Aventis Settles
Here is another addition to the parade of multi-million dollar legal settlements by health care corporations. As reported by the AP:
It seems that scarcely a week goes by without a settlement of charges of unethical behavior by some major health care organization. The ongoing parade of such cases ought to inspire some worry about the ethics of the leaders of such organization. Given the current very public discussion of how expensive health care has become, one would think that there would be some discussion of how much of this expense is due to various kinds of deceptive and unethical behavior by some of the biggest, richest, and most powerful health care organizations. But perhaps that would be too upsetting for those who make so much money running these organizations.
As we have said before, most recently here, while human beings authorized or committed the acts that got the organization in trouble, rarely do these people seem to suffer any negative consequences. At most, the organization may pay a fine. In this case, the fine was, in corporate terms, of modest size. However, even a large fine, may come out of dividends or the stock price, dispersing the cost to stock-holders, or out of salaries across the board, dispersing the cost to all employees. Thus, those who got the organization into trouble are unlikely to feel pain from it. Perhaps because of reverence for all organizations related to health care, and fear that the bankruptcy of any health care organization will leave patients in the lurch, prosecutors do not seem inclined to actually prosecute such organizations. The net effect, though, seems to be that dishonest executives of health care organizations can continue to act with impunity.Until bad leadership of health care organizations leads to negative consequences for those practicing it, health care leadership can be expected to continuously degrade.
ADDENDUM (2 June, 2009) - See these comments on the Effect Measure blog.
Drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis has agreed to pay nearly $100 million to settle allegations it cheated Medicaid on the cost of nasal sprays.
The Justice Department said Aventis Pharmaceutical Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, has agreed to pay the government $95.5 million to settle the charges.
The government charged that between 1995 and 2000, Aventis and its corporate predecessors did not offer Medicaid the best prices for the sprays Azmacort, Nasacort and Nasacort AQ.
In reaching the settlement, Sanofi-Aventis U.S. did not admit any wrongdoing. The company, based in Bridgewater, N.J., issued a statement saying it believed the old pricing system was legal.
Under the law, the company was required to tell Medicaid the lowest price that it charged companies for those products, and offer state Medicaid programs rebates based on those prices.
Prosecutors contend that in order to dodge that obligation, Aventis entered into a private deal with the HMO Kaiser Permanente that repackaged Aventis drugs under a new label, allowing them to overcharge Medicaid programs for the same product.
It seems that scarcely a week goes by without a settlement of charges of unethical behavior by some major health care organization. The ongoing parade of such cases ought to inspire some worry about the ethics of the leaders of such organization. Given the current very public discussion of how expensive health care has become, one would think that there would be some discussion of how much of this expense is due to various kinds of deceptive and unethical behavior by some of the biggest, richest, and most powerful health care organizations. But perhaps that would be too upsetting for those who make so much money running these organizations.
As we have said before, most recently here, while human beings authorized or committed the acts that got the organization in trouble, rarely do these people seem to suffer any negative consequences. At most, the organization may pay a fine. In this case, the fine was, in corporate terms, of modest size. However, even a large fine, may come out of dividends or the stock price, dispersing the cost to stock-holders, or out of salaries across the board, dispersing the cost to all employees. Thus, those who got the organization into trouble are unlikely to feel pain from it. Perhaps because of reverence for all organizations related to health care, and fear that the bankruptcy of any health care organization will leave patients in the lurch, prosecutors do not seem inclined to actually prosecute such organizations. The net effect, though, seems to be that dishonest executives of health care organizations can continue to act with impunity.Until bad leadership of health care organizations leads to negative consequences for those practicing it, health care leadership can be expected to continuously degrade.
ADDENDUM (2 June, 2009) - See these comments on the Effect Measure blog.
Canadian Health IT Ripoff ... Is Anyone in the U.S. Paying Attention?
In my Feb. 18, 2009 Wall Street Journal letter to the editor I wrote:
The Toronto Sun article concluded with this:
I reiterate, I hope patients in the U.S. actually get something for the $20+ billion we're about to spend to force health IT down doctors' throats.
-- SS
You observe that the true political goal is socialized medicine facilitated by health care information technology. You note that the public is being deceived, as the rules behind this takeover were stealthily inserted in the stimulus bill.Regarding my fears about waste and about the identity of the true beneficiaries, this in from the Toronto Sun in Canada:
I have a different view on who is deceiving whom. In fact, it is the government that has been deceived by the HIT industry and its pundits. Stated directly, the administration is deluded about the true difficulty of making large-scale health IT work. The beneficiaries will largely be the IT industry and IT management consultants.
For £12.7 billion the U.K., which already has socialized medicine, still does not have a working national HIT system, but instead has a major IT quagmire, some of it caused by U.S. HIT vendors.
HIT (with a few exceptions) is largely a disaster. I'm far more concerned about a mega-expensive IT misadventure than an IT-empowered takeover of medicine.
The stimulus bill, to its credit, recognizes the need for research on improving HIT. However this is a tool to facilitate clinical care, not a cybernetic miracle to revolutionize medicine. The government has bought the IT magic bullet exuberance hook, line and sinker.
I can only hope patients get something worthwhile for the $20 billion.
I stand by my Wall Street Journal letter, to the letter.eHealth making critics sick
Opposition wants 'walking papers' issued to minister, CEO over questionable expenditures
eNough, government critics say.
Opposition parties at Queen's Park are calling for heads to roll after the newest revelations of eye-popping expenditures at eHealth Ontario -- the taxpayer-funded agency established to produce electronic medical records for every citizen in the province.
One consultant with a four-month contract worth $210,600 billed taxpayers for items as small as her $1.57 Tim Hortons tea, her BBQ chicken sub, a $2.98 soup, and her muffins and pops, as well as travel to and from Alberta, and a $2,820-a-month apartment in Toronto.
Even Premier Dalton McGuinty is struggling to understand the spending and has said that he welcomes the results of an ongoing investigation of the agency by the auditor general.
... Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Progressive Conservatives have revealed that eHealth Ontario CEO Sarah Kramer approved nearly $5 million in contracts that weren't put out for a competitive bid.
Sun Media has learned that one consultant charged taxpayers $300 an hour to consult with her husband -- who also had a consulting contract with eHealth Ontario.
Taxpayers paid $7,000 to a consultant to write Kramer's speech to Health Active 2008, and hundreds of dollars more to update her biography.
Even the official spokesman for eHealth was a consultant who charged $1,600 a day to provide communications advice and talk to media, billing $33,200 for 20.75 days work in March alone.
Questions were also raised in the legislature about consultants who billed the Ontario taxpayer to read The New York Times, talk on the subway and watch TV.
On top of that, Kramer received a $114,000 bonus within months of beginning her $380,000-a-year position.
eHealth Ontario and its predecessor agency have spent $146 million on consultants since 2003, despite commitments to reign in billings for outside expertise, and overall agency spending has ballooned to $839 million.
Other provinces are ahead of Ontario in producing records although so far they have spent less money.
... During Question Period, Runciman called on the premier to give Kramer and Caplan their "walking papers."
The Toronto Sun article concluded with this:
NDP MPP France Gelinas also called for heads to roll, saying eHealth Ontario and its predecessor agency have produced next to nothing for more than three-quarters of a billion dollars.
I reiterate, I hope patients in the U.S. actually get something for the $20+ billion we're about to spend to force health IT down doctors' throats.
-- SS
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Cervical spine and neck pain
I saw three patients in one day with neck pain. There is a common phenomena in medicine that things come in "3s" and it certainly happened today. This cool vid shows the bony anatomy but doesn't show the muscles and ligaments, which is usually the cause of the pain. The neck, scalp and shoulders can all be affected and painful muscle spasm is pretty common, leading to headache and shoulder
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Best Countries for Life Expectancy
If you have a choice of where to live to live the longest...choose Japan. The World Health organization has issued stats that show a life expectancy of 83 for living in Japan. Compare that to the lowest life expectancy in Sierra Leone, which is 41 years.The 14 countries that had life expectancies of at least 81 years were: Japan, Australia, Iceland, Italy, San Marino, Andorra (that one is
Artificial Diet For Infants
It should be as like the breast-milk as possible. This is obtained by a mixture of cow's milk, water, and sugar, in the following proportions.
Fresh cow's milk, two thirds; Boiling water, or thin barley water, one third; Loaf sugar, a sufficient quantity to sweeten.
This is the best diet that can be used for the first six months, after which some farinaceous food may be combined.
In early infancy, mothers are...
too much in the habit of giving thick gruel, panada, biscuit-powder, and such matters, thinking that a diet of a lighter kind will not nourish. This is a mistake; for these preparations are much too solid; they overload the stomach, and cause indigestion, flatulence, and griping. These create a necessity for purgative medicines and carminatives, which again weaken digestion, and, by unnatural irritation, perpetuate the evils which render them necessary. Thus many infants are kept in a continual round of repletion, indigestion, and purging, with the administration of cordials and narcotics, who, if their diet were in quantity and quality suited to their digestive powers, would need no aid from physic or physicians.
In preparing this diet, it is highly important to obtain pure milk, not previously skimmed, or mixed with water; and in warm weather just taken from the cow. It should not be mixed with the water or sugar until wanted, and not more made than will be taken by the child at the time, for it must be prepared fresh at every meal. It is best not to heat the milk over the fire, but let the water be in a boiling state when mixed with it, and thus given to the infant tepid or lukewarm.
As the infant advances in age, the proportion of milk may be gradually increased; this is necessary after the second month, when three parts of milk to one of water may be allowed. But there must be no change in the kind of diet if the health of the child is good, and its appearance perceptibly improving. Nothing is more absurd than the notion, that in early life children require a variety of food; only one kind of food is prepared by nature, and it is impossible to transgress this law without marked injury.
There are two ways by the spoon, and by the nursing-bottle. The first ought never to be employed at this period, inasmuch as the power of digestion in infants is very weak, and their food is designed by nature to be taken very slowly into the stomach, being procured from the breast by the act of sucking, in which act a great quantity of saliva is secreted, and being poured into the mouth, mixes with the milk, and is swallowed with it. This process of nature, then, should be emulated as far as possible; and food (for this purpose) should be imbibed by suction from a nursing-bottle: it is thus obtained slowly, and the suction employed secures the mixture of a due quantity of saliva, which has a highly important influence on digestion. Whatever kind of bottle or teat is used, however, it must never be forgotten that cleanliness is absolutely essential to the success of this plan of rearing children.
Te quantity of food to be given at each meal ust be regulated by the age of the child, and its digestive power. A little experience will soon enable a careful and observing mother to determine this point. As the child grows older the quantity of course must be increased.
The chief error in rearing the young is overfeeding; and a most serious one it is; but which may be easily avoided by the parent pursuing a systematic plan with regard to the hours of feeding, and then only yielding to the indications of appetite, and administering the food slowly, in small quantities at a time. This is the only way effectually to prevent indigestion, and bowel complaints, and the irritable condition of the nervous system, so common in infancy, and secure to the infant healthy nutrition, and consequent strength of constitution. As has been well observed, "Nature never intended the infant's stomach to be converted into a receptacle for laxatives, carminatives, antacids, stimulants, and astringents; and when these become necessary, we may rest assured that there is something faulty in our management, however perfect it may seem to ourselves."
The frequency of giving food must be determined, as a general rule, by allowing such an interval between each meal as will insure the digestion of the previous quantity; and this may be fixed at about every three or four hours. If this rule be departed from, and the child receives a fresh supply of food every hour or so, time will not be given for the digestion of the previous quantity, and as a consequence of this process being interrupted, the food passing on into the bowel undigested, will there ferment and become sour, will inevitably produce cholic and purging, and in no way contribute to the nourishment of the child.
The posture of the child when fed:- It is important to attend to this. It must not receive its meals lying; the head should be raised on the nurse's arm, the most natural position, and one in which there will be no danger of the food going the wrong way, as it is called. After each meal the little one should be put into its cot, or repose on its mother's knee, for at least half an hour. This is essential for the process of digestion, as exercise is important at other times for the promotion of health.
As soon as the child has got any teeth, and about this period one or two will make their appearance, solid farinaceous matter boiled in water, beaten through a sieve, and mixed with a small quantity of milk, may be employed. Or tops and bottoms, steeped in hot water, with the addition of fresh milk and loaf sugar to sweeten. And the child may now, for the first time, be fed with a spoon.
When one or two of the large grinding teeth have appeared, the same food may be continued, but need not be passed through a sieve. Beef tea and chicken broth may occasionally be added; and, as an introduction to the use of a more completely animal diet, a portion, now and then, of a soft boiled egg; by and by a small bread pudding, made with one egg in it, may be taken as the dinner meal.
Nothing is more common than for parents during this period to give their children animal food. This is a great error. "To feed an infant with animal food before it has teeth proper for masticating it, shows a total disregard to the plain indications of nature, in withholding such teeth till the system requires their assistance to masticate solid food. And the method of grating and pounding meat, as a substitute for chewing, may be well suited to the toothless octogenarian, whose stomach is capable of digesting it; but the stomach of a young child is not adapted to the digestion of such food, and will be disordered by it.
It cannot reasonably be maintained that a child's mouth without teeth, and that of an adult, furnished with the teeth of carnivorous and graminivorous animals, are designed by the Creator for the same sort of food. If the mastication of solid food, whether animal or vegetable, and a due admixture of saliva, be necessary for digestion, then solid food cannot be proper, when there is no power of mastication. If it is swallowed in large masses it cannot be masticated at all, and will have but a small chance of being digested; and in an undigested state it will prove injurious to the stomach and to the other organs concerned in digestion, by forming unnatural compounds. The practice of giving solid food to a toothless child, is not less absurd, than to expect corn to be ground where there is no apparatus for grinding it. That which would be considered as an evidence of idiotism or insanity in the last instance, is defended and practised in the former. If, on the other hand, to obviate this evil, the solid matter, whether animal or vegetable, be previously broken into small masses, the infant will instantly swallow it, but it will be unmixed with saliva. Yet in every day's observation it will be seen, that children are so fed in their most tender age; and it is not wonderful that present evils are by this means produced, and the foundation laid for future disease."
The diet pointed out, then, is to be continued until the second year. Great care, however, is necessary in its management; for this period of infancy is ushered in by the process of teething, which is commonly connected with more or less of disorder of the system. Any error, therefore, in diet or regimen is now to be most carefully avoided. 'Tis true that the infant, who is of a sound and healthy constitution, in whom, therefore, the powers of life are energetic, and who up to this time has been nursed upon the breast of its parent, and now commences an artificial diet for the first time, disorder is scarcely perceptible, unless from the operation of very efficient causes. Not so, however, with the child who from the first hour of its birth has been nourished upon artificial food. Teething under such circumstances is always attended with more or less of disturbance of the frame, and disease of the most dangerous character but too frequently ensues. It is at this age, too, that all infectious and eruptive fevers are most prevalent; worms often begin to form, and diarrhoea, thrush, rickets, cutaneous eruptions, etc. manifest themselves, and the foundation of strumous disease is originated or developed. A judicious management of diet will prevent some of these complaints, and mitigate the violence of others when they occur.
by: Jamulco Setiawan
Fresh cow's milk, two thirds; Boiling water, or thin barley water, one third; Loaf sugar, a sufficient quantity to sweeten.
This is the best diet that can be used for the first six months, after which some farinaceous food may be combined.
In early infancy, mothers are...
too much in the habit of giving thick gruel, panada, biscuit-powder, and such matters, thinking that a diet of a lighter kind will not nourish. This is a mistake; for these preparations are much too solid; they overload the stomach, and cause indigestion, flatulence, and griping. These create a necessity for purgative medicines and carminatives, which again weaken digestion, and, by unnatural irritation, perpetuate the evils which render them necessary. Thus many infants are kept in a continual round of repletion, indigestion, and purging, with the administration of cordials and narcotics, who, if their diet were in quantity and quality suited to their digestive powers, would need no aid from physic or physicians.
In preparing this diet, it is highly important to obtain pure milk, not previously skimmed, or mixed with water; and in warm weather just taken from the cow. It should not be mixed with the water or sugar until wanted, and not more made than will be taken by the child at the time, for it must be prepared fresh at every meal. It is best not to heat the milk over the fire, but let the water be in a boiling state when mixed with it, and thus given to the infant tepid or lukewarm.
As the infant advances in age, the proportion of milk may be gradually increased; this is necessary after the second month, when three parts of milk to one of water may be allowed. But there must be no change in the kind of diet if the health of the child is good, and its appearance perceptibly improving. Nothing is more absurd than the notion, that in early life children require a variety of food; only one kind of food is prepared by nature, and it is impossible to transgress this law without marked injury.
There are two ways by the spoon, and by the nursing-bottle. The first ought never to be employed at this period, inasmuch as the power of digestion in infants is very weak, and their food is designed by nature to be taken very slowly into the stomach, being procured from the breast by the act of sucking, in which act a great quantity of saliva is secreted, and being poured into the mouth, mixes with the milk, and is swallowed with it. This process of nature, then, should be emulated as far as possible; and food (for this purpose) should be imbibed by suction from a nursing-bottle: it is thus obtained slowly, and the suction employed secures the mixture of a due quantity of saliva, which has a highly important influence on digestion. Whatever kind of bottle or teat is used, however, it must never be forgotten that cleanliness is absolutely essential to the success of this plan of rearing children.
Te quantity of food to be given at each meal ust be regulated by the age of the child, and its digestive power. A little experience will soon enable a careful and observing mother to determine this point. As the child grows older the quantity of course must be increased.
The chief error in rearing the young is overfeeding; and a most serious one it is; but which may be easily avoided by the parent pursuing a systematic plan with regard to the hours of feeding, and then only yielding to the indications of appetite, and administering the food slowly, in small quantities at a time. This is the only way effectually to prevent indigestion, and bowel complaints, and the irritable condition of the nervous system, so common in infancy, and secure to the infant healthy nutrition, and consequent strength of constitution. As has been well observed, "Nature never intended the infant's stomach to be converted into a receptacle for laxatives, carminatives, antacids, stimulants, and astringents; and when these become necessary, we may rest assured that there is something faulty in our management, however perfect it may seem to ourselves."
The frequency of giving food must be determined, as a general rule, by allowing such an interval between each meal as will insure the digestion of the previous quantity; and this may be fixed at about every three or four hours. If this rule be departed from, and the child receives a fresh supply of food every hour or so, time will not be given for the digestion of the previous quantity, and as a consequence of this process being interrupted, the food passing on into the bowel undigested, will there ferment and become sour, will inevitably produce cholic and purging, and in no way contribute to the nourishment of the child.
The posture of the child when fed:- It is important to attend to this. It must not receive its meals lying; the head should be raised on the nurse's arm, the most natural position, and one in which there will be no danger of the food going the wrong way, as it is called. After each meal the little one should be put into its cot, or repose on its mother's knee, for at least half an hour. This is essential for the process of digestion, as exercise is important at other times for the promotion of health.
As soon as the child has got any teeth, and about this period one or two will make their appearance, solid farinaceous matter boiled in water, beaten through a sieve, and mixed with a small quantity of milk, may be employed. Or tops and bottoms, steeped in hot water, with the addition of fresh milk and loaf sugar to sweeten. And the child may now, for the first time, be fed with a spoon.
When one or two of the large grinding teeth have appeared, the same food may be continued, but need not be passed through a sieve. Beef tea and chicken broth may occasionally be added; and, as an introduction to the use of a more completely animal diet, a portion, now and then, of a soft boiled egg; by and by a small bread pudding, made with one egg in it, may be taken as the dinner meal.
Nothing is more common than for parents during this period to give their children animal food. This is a great error. "To feed an infant with animal food before it has teeth proper for masticating it, shows a total disregard to the plain indications of nature, in withholding such teeth till the system requires their assistance to masticate solid food. And the method of grating and pounding meat, as a substitute for chewing, may be well suited to the toothless octogenarian, whose stomach is capable of digesting it; but the stomach of a young child is not adapted to the digestion of such food, and will be disordered by it.
It cannot reasonably be maintained that a child's mouth without teeth, and that of an adult, furnished with the teeth of carnivorous and graminivorous animals, are designed by the Creator for the same sort of food. If the mastication of solid food, whether animal or vegetable, and a due admixture of saliva, be necessary for digestion, then solid food cannot be proper, when there is no power of mastication. If it is swallowed in large masses it cannot be masticated at all, and will have but a small chance of being digested; and in an undigested state it will prove injurious to the stomach and to the other organs concerned in digestion, by forming unnatural compounds. The practice of giving solid food to a toothless child, is not less absurd, than to expect corn to be ground where there is no apparatus for grinding it. That which would be considered as an evidence of idiotism or insanity in the last instance, is defended and practised in the former. If, on the other hand, to obviate this evil, the solid matter, whether animal or vegetable, be previously broken into small masses, the infant will instantly swallow it, but it will be unmixed with saliva. Yet in every day's observation it will be seen, that children are so fed in their most tender age; and it is not wonderful that present evils are by this means produced, and the foundation laid for future disease."
The diet pointed out, then, is to be continued until the second year. Great care, however, is necessary in its management; for this period of infancy is ushered in by the process of teething, which is commonly connected with more or less of disorder of the system. Any error, therefore, in diet or regimen is now to be most carefully avoided. 'Tis true that the infant, who is of a sound and healthy constitution, in whom, therefore, the powers of life are energetic, and who up to this time has been nursed upon the breast of its parent, and now commences an artificial diet for the first time, disorder is scarcely perceptible, unless from the operation of very efficient causes. Not so, however, with the child who from the first hour of its birth has been nourished upon artificial food. Teething under such circumstances is always attended with more or less of disturbance of the frame, and disease of the most dangerous character but too frequently ensues. It is at this age, too, that all infectious and eruptive fevers are most prevalent; worms often begin to form, and diarrhoea, thrush, rickets, cutaneous eruptions, etc. manifest themselves, and the foundation of strumous disease is originated or developed. A judicious management of diet will prevent some of these complaints, and mitigate the violence of others when they occur.
by: Jamulco Setiawan
Immunizations
Immunizations are a necessary evil of childhood. As a mother, it’s heartbreaking to have your one year old begin to cry as soon as you enter the pediatrician’s building out of fear of a shot, but every time you take him to the doctor, but immunizations are the reason the death rate for infectious disease among babies and young children is...
so low today. Following are the immunizations your child should receive, and the approximate ages at which they will receive them.
DTP - (Diptheria, tetanus and pertussis) – Your child will receive this vaccine at around two months of age, four months, six months, 12-18 months and the final dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The pertussis vaccine has a high risk of reaction, those most reactions are mild. However, you should ensure that your child is well at the time of the vaccine, and that you watch them closely for about 72 hours after the vaccine. Your doctor should provide you a complete list of possible reactions, and how to treat them. However, for certain, if your child runs a fever over 104°F or becomes limp or difficult to wake up, seek treatment immediately.
MMR – (Measles, mumps, rubella) – Your child will receive this vaccine between twelve and fifteen months of age, and then again sometime between the ages of 4 and 12 years old. Reactions to this vaccine are common, but mild, and don’t usually occur until about two weeks after the shot, so they are often not recognized as being associated with the vaccine. Some children have a mild rash and low grade fever, often accompanied by swelling of the glands in the neck.
VZV – (Varicella) – You probably didn’t receive this vaccine for chickenpox, but your child will receive it between 12 and 18 months of age. Reactions are few, and usually include just a mild fever.
Hib – (Hemophilus b) – This vaccine prevents a range of infections, including meningitis, caused by the hemophilus influenzae b virus. Your child will receive this vaccine at two, four and six months, and then again between 12 and 15 months. Some doctors offer Hib combined with DTP in one vaccine.
Hepatitis B – Your child probably will receive the first dose of this vaccine at birth, and will get doses again between two and four months and six to 18 months. This vaccine typically causes no reactions.
OPV – This is the polio vaccine, which has been successful at all but eradicating this crippling illness. Your child will receive doses at two and four months, at eighteen months and between four and six years. Children rarely suffer any reaction to this oral vaccine, though it is typically postponed if your child is sick.
Your child’s vaccinations are typically administered at well baby care visits. This is one of the reasons it is so important to regularly attend these appointments. Receiving the right vaccines at the right time is critical to your child’s health.
by: Sarah Veda
so low today. Following are the immunizations your child should receive, and the approximate ages at which they will receive them.
DTP - (Diptheria, tetanus and pertussis) – Your child will receive this vaccine at around two months of age, four months, six months, 12-18 months and the final dose between the ages of 4 and 6 years. The pertussis vaccine has a high risk of reaction, those most reactions are mild. However, you should ensure that your child is well at the time of the vaccine, and that you watch them closely for about 72 hours after the vaccine. Your doctor should provide you a complete list of possible reactions, and how to treat them. However, for certain, if your child runs a fever over 104°F or becomes limp or difficult to wake up, seek treatment immediately.
MMR – (Measles, mumps, rubella) – Your child will receive this vaccine between twelve and fifteen months of age, and then again sometime between the ages of 4 and 12 years old. Reactions to this vaccine are common, but mild, and don’t usually occur until about two weeks after the shot, so they are often not recognized as being associated with the vaccine. Some children have a mild rash and low grade fever, often accompanied by swelling of the glands in the neck.
VZV – (Varicella) – You probably didn’t receive this vaccine for chickenpox, but your child will receive it between 12 and 18 months of age. Reactions are few, and usually include just a mild fever.
Hib – (Hemophilus b) – This vaccine prevents a range of infections, including meningitis, caused by the hemophilus influenzae b virus. Your child will receive this vaccine at two, four and six months, and then again between 12 and 15 months. Some doctors offer Hib combined with DTP in one vaccine.
Hepatitis B – Your child probably will receive the first dose of this vaccine at birth, and will get doses again between two and four months and six to 18 months. This vaccine typically causes no reactions.
OPV – This is the polio vaccine, which has been successful at all but eradicating this crippling illness. Your child will receive doses at two and four months, at eighteen months and between four and six years. Children rarely suffer any reaction to this oral vaccine, though it is typically postponed if your child is sick.
Your child’s vaccinations are typically administered at well baby care visits. This is one of the reasons it is so important to regularly attend these appointments. Receiving the right vaccines at the right time is critical to your child’s health.
by: Sarah Veda
Managing Your Cholesterol - The Best Way To Prevent Hearth Attacks
Cholesterol is one of the most familiar medical words today. Everyone knows “something” about it , but mostly cholesterol is associated in our mind with something “bad” and “unwanted” that happens to old and overweight people.The facts show that about...
20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Actually cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that your body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells , some hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.. It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
In fact our bodies need cholesterol to function normally, but too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. Why ? Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers. Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol–protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are high density or low density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (a process called atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol buildup and blockage of your arteries. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein.
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. It is mostly protein with only a small amount of fat.
Since there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is not only necessary to know your cholesterol level ,it is also important to know your levels of LDL and HDL.
The fact is that there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Your first symptom of high cholesterol could be a heart attack or a stroke. The level of cholesterol can be measured only with a blood test.The results come as three main numbers:
· Total Cholesterol
· LDL
· HDL
The level of LDL should be less than 160.
Total cholesterol should be less than 200.
The level of HDL should be more than 35.
Most Important: Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.
Remember : Regular cholesterol tests are recommended to find out if your cholesterol level is within normal range.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT YOUR LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?
The main cause of high blood cholesterol is eating too much fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meats, milk and other dairy products that are not fat free, butter, and eggs. Some of these foods are also high in cholesterol. Fried fast foods and snack foods often have a lot of fat.
Being overweight and not exercising can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to have cholesterol rich plaques rupture and have heart attacks. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.
Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up. There is also a rare type of inherited high cholesterol that often leads to early heart disease.Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that can also push up cholesterol levels. People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.
So we can make a conclusion that the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.
But , depending on your risk factors, if healthy eating and exercise don't work after about 6 months to 1 year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol level.
Now there are very effective medications called “statins”,such as Lipitor.
The drug works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Each tablet Lipitor includes 20mg Atorvastatin. It is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor has shown the ability to halt, not just slow, the potentially fatal buildup of plaque in clogged arteries. While a handful of drugs now available slow the buildup of new plaque, or atherosclerosis, in coronary arteries, no drug on the market has been proven to both stop new build-up and clear existing plaque.
So if you are loosing the battle with LDL levels , you can visit my site http://www.craforhealth.com/cholesterol.html, dedicated in the effective medical care , to find the proper treatment for your disease.
by: Richard Clement
20 percent of the U.S. population has high blood cholesterol levels.
Actually cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance (lipid) that your body needs for many important functions, such as producing new cells , some hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.. It is present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body, including the brain, nerves, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.
In fact our bodies need cholesterol to function normally, but too much cholesterol can be bad for our health. Why ? Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers. Cholesterol travels through your blood attached to a protein. This cholesterol–protein package is called a lipoprotein. Lipoproteins are high density or low density depending on how much protein there is in relation to fat.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by cholesterol and fat deposits (a process called atherosclerosis) and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary heart disease. If the blood supply to a portion of the heart is completely cut off by total blockage of a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack. This is usually due to a sudden closure from a blood clot forming on top of a previous narrowing. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is called "bad" cholesterol because it can cause cholesterol buildup and blockage of your arteries. LDL is mostly fat with only a small amount of protein.
About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it's passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL is called "good" cholesterol because it helps prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries. It is mostly protein with only a small amount of fat.
Since there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol it is not only necessary to know your cholesterol level ,it is also important to know your levels of LDL and HDL.
The fact is that there are no symptoms of high cholesterol. Your first symptom of high cholesterol could be a heart attack or a stroke. The level of cholesterol can be measured only with a blood test.The results come as three main numbers:
· Total Cholesterol
· LDL
· HDL
The level of LDL should be less than 160.
Total cholesterol should be less than 200.
The level of HDL should be more than 35.
Most Important: Your LDL level is a good indicator of your risk for heart disease. Lowering LDL is the main aim of treatment if you have high cholesterol. In general, the higher your LDL level, the greater your chance of developing heart disease.
Remember : Regular cholesterol tests are recommended to find out if your cholesterol level is within normal range.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT YOUR LDL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS?
The main cause of high blood cholesterol is eating too much fat, especially saturated fat. Saturated fats are found in animal products, such as meats, milk and other dairy products that are not fat free, butter, and eggs. Some of these foods are also high in cholesterol. Fried fast foods and snack foods often have a lot of fat.
Being overweight and not exercising can make your bad cholesterol go up and your good cholesterol go down. Regular physical activity can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It also helps you lose weight. You should try to be physically active for 30 minutes on most, if not all, days.
Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your blood vessels, making them likely to have cholesterol rich plaques rupture and have heart attacks. Smoking may also lower your level of HDL cholesterol by as much as 15 percent.
Also, after women go through menopause, their bad cholesterol levels tend to go up. There is also a rare type of inherited high cholesterol that often leads to early heart disease.Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which means that very high cholesterol levels run in the family.Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that can also push up cholesterol levels. People with high blood triglycerides usually have lower HDL cholesterol and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Progesterone, anabolic steroids and male sex hormones (testosterone) also lower HDL cholesterol levels.
So we can make a conclusion that the main therapy is to change your lifestyle. This includes controlling your weight, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, not smoking and, in some cases, drinking less alcohol.
But , depending on your risk factors, if healthy eating and exercise don't work after about 6 months to 1 year, your doctor may suggest medicine to lower your cholesterol level.
Now there are very effective medications called “statins”,such as Lipitor.
The drug works by helping to clear harmful low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol out of the blood and by limiting the body's ability to form new LDL cholesterol. Each tablet Lipitor includes 20mg Atorvastatin. It is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body. Lipitor has shown the ability to halt, not just slow, the potentially fatal buildup of plaque in clogged arteries. While a handful of drugs now available slow the buildup of new plaque, or atherosclerosis, in coronary arteries, no drug on the market has been proven to both stop new build-up and clear existing plaque.
So if you are loosing the battle with LDL levels , you can visit my site http://www.craforhealth.com/cholesterol.html, dedicated in the effective medical care , to find the proper treatment for your disease.
by: Richard Clement
Harvard's EMR Justification: We Just Have To Do Something?
I think what I termed "irrational exuberance" over health IT is now devolving into just simple irrationality.
I am unfamiliar with the reasoning employed below (in boldface) by the Harvard researcher, Ashish Jha, MD, MPH (who authored the April 2009 EHR usage survey "Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals" in the NEJM).
From "Cash for Computers", HealthLeaders Media, May 11, 2009. First, my opinions:
Then, Jha's:
$20+ billion and penalties upon already squeezed practitioners and hospitals for non-adoption of expensive, experimental technology is a lot of "doing something.", especially at a time when many are medically uninsured or underserved.
I am also not sure about what point critics are "missing." (Note: I am not a critic, but am a gadfly of healthcare IT mis-design, mismanagement and fraud.)
It appears that reasoning at Harvard has dropped to the level of "we should do it, because we have to do something." Good intentions trump outcomes. Not to make a comparison between HIT and other types of medical experimentation, but it's likely the PI's of the Tuskegee Experiment felt the same way.
Ironically, Harvard is home to Medical Informatics pioneers such as Dr. Octo Barnett, coauthor of the National Research Council report warning that approaches to today's HIT are inadequate.
-- SS
I am unfamiliar with the reasoning employed below (in boldface) by the Harvard researcher, Ashish Jha, MD, MPH (who authored the April 2009 EHR usage survey "Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals" in the NEJM).
From "Cash for Computers", HealthLeaders Media, May 11, 2009. First, my opinions:
... "This forced timeline [by 2014] is a very bad thing. I'm concerned it is going to take an experimental technology and turn it into a train wreck," Silverstein [me - ed.] says. "We need a more gradual process where we can learn from mistakes on a small scale to avoid reproducing them on a large scale ... So now, Silverstein says, healthcare providers are caught between their mission to provide quality care and the financial pressure to install an unproven technology that may threaten the mission.
"Health IT, when it's done correctly, can improve healthcare and reduce costs. But health IT when it is not done well has the exact reverse potential," Silverstein says. "It can impair healthcare, decrease quality, and create other adverse effects for patients. That is the missing element in this discussion."
Then, Jha's:
A need to act
Others aren't so pessimistic. Jha [Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, the lead author of the survey, and an associate professor of health policy and management at Harvard] says hospitals will have five years to establish EHR before federal penalties kick in. And because it involves the federal government, Jha says it's more than likely that those deadlines will get pushed back even further [not according to ONC chair and fellow Harvard professor David Blumenthal, who as I noted in this post said HIT timelines were "cemented in law" - ed.]
Jha says critics are "missing the point."
"I'm not suggesting EHR is going to be a panacea, but the one thing that is absolutely true is there is nothing else out there now that has any more political appeal," Jha says. "Everybody agrees, whether you are a conservative, moderate, or liberal, that we have to do something about healthcare. So the one place where we can all come to agreement is we have to do something about electronic records."
$20+ billion and penalties upon already squeezed practitioners and hospitals for non-adoption of expensive, experimental technology is a lot of "doing something.", especially at a time when many are medically uninsured or underserved.
I am also not sure about what point critics are "missing." (Note: I am not a critic, but am a gadfly of healthcare IT mis-design, mismanagement and fraud.)
It appears that reasoning at Harvard has dropped to the level of "we should do it, because we have to do something." Good intentions trump outcomes. Not to make a comparison between HIT and other types of medical experimentation, but it's likely the PI's of the Tuskegee Experiment felt the same way.
Ironically, Harvard is home to Medical Informatics pioneers such as Dr. Octo Barnett, coauthor of the National Research Council report warning that approaches to today's HIT are inadequate.
-- SS
Health IT Failure Never Puts Patients at Risk
At "Dangerous Health IT Mismanagement, Spin Control and the World's Longest Teething Pains" I commented that executives always find that "patient safety is not compromised" when health IT malfunctions.
Here's another hair-raising story from Down Under. Just a wee glitch:
Move along, nothing to see here. Patients were not put at risk. Who needs regulation? It would only stifle innovation.
-- SS
Here's another hair-raising story from Down Under. Just a wee glitch:
Power failure lasting 36 hours cripples hospital care
By Kate Benson
healthcareitaustralia.blogspot.com
DOCTORS at more than 100 hospitals in the state could not access patient records or vital test results for up to 36 hours last weekend after a power failure crippled NSW Health's computerised database.
Some records were lost, X-ray and pathology results could not be accessed and staff were forced to use whiteboards to keep track of emergency patients after the main server shut down at 9am on Saturday because of a faulty circuit-breaker.
Back-up power from the Cumberland Data Centre, which provides computer access to the Greater Western, Greater Southern and Sydney West area health services also failed, plunging some of the busiest hospitals in the state into chaos.
Thousands of patients were affected, with doctors and nurses forced to take notes on paper and go to other parts of the hospital to collect hard copies of results, extending treatment times and adding to the confusion.
Some staff, who did not want to be named, said the weekend was chaotic and a shambles. One surgeon said it was fortunate no lives were lost.
The chief executive of Sydney West Area Health Service, Steven Boyages, said hospital blackouts that lasted more than 30 to 60 minutes were unacceptable, but the Health Minister, John Della Bosca, insisted patients were not put at risk. "At no time was there any threat to patient care or safety," he said yesterday.
The Opposition spokeswoman on health, Jillian Skinner, said the blackout was "a serious failure" with great potential for disaster.
"Hospitals affected not only lost access to patient records, some lost some patient records altogether … and couldn't access X-rays unless they physically went to the X-ray department for a film copy," she said. "John Della Bosca should explain why the patient records system lost power, why back-up systems also failed, and whether patient safety was compromised."
A spokesman for Mr Della Bosca said workers doing routine maintenance at the data centre had triggered the outage. No patients had reported problems connected to the blackout but a full investigation would be launched. "If necessary changes will be implemented to prevent a recurrence," he said.
with Louise Hall
BLACKED OUT
Hospitals at Westmead, Auburn, Blacktown, Nepean, Lithgow, Mount Druitt, Cumberland, Blue Mountains, Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Parkes, Bourke, Albury, Queanbeyan and Goulburn were affected.
Move along, nothing to see here. Patients were not put at risk. Who needs regulation? It would only stifle innovation.
-- SS
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Origins of H1N1 (Swine flu) Virus
The Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in Science that the genes found in the H1N1 (Swine flu) genome have been circulating in the environment for an extended period of time but have now combined in a new way to cause infection. By sequencing full or partial genomes of isolates of the virus found in Mexico and the United States, the researchers found
Bird Flu Vaccines: What is Taking So Long?
With the current development of a vaccine for the H5N1 strain of the Bird Flu Virus still 2 to 3 years away. We don’t have much of a choice but to really be very cautious that the H5N1 strain does not mutate with a human flu virus.
If the outbreak we fear does happen without the vaccines ready yet, all we can
possibly do is just quarantine the geographical area where the virus is rampant. Give them the vaccines that have been developed and prevent them from spreading it further. This will only work if the outbreak is limited geographically. When the outbreak does happen to 10,000 places, we’re in Big S*%T.
The development of a vaccine is so slow because we still use methods dating back 50 years ago. Ironically this is because they still use chicken eggs to develop the vaccines. New methods are on the horizon, instead of using chicken eggs, they may be able to use mammal cells.
Scientist would be storing the mammal cells in large numbers. So that when a flu strain or threat develops, they can just inject it to the cells. The injected cells will then burst and die. The scientist will then harvest the proteins of the influenza and distribute them as vaccines already.
Vaccines made from DNA are really appealing because they could be made and administered quickly. However this kind of vaccine is still being tested on humans. DNA vaccine works by attaching itself to a segment of our DNA. It contains the coded information of the flu virus’ protein.
by: Michael Colucci
If the outbreak we fear does happen without the vaccines ready yet, all we can
possibly do is just quarantine the geographical area where the virus is rampant. Give them the vaccines that have been developed and prevent them from spreading it further. This will only work if the outbreak is limited geographically. When the outbreak does happen to 10,000 places, we’re in Big S*%T.
The development of a vaccine is so slow because we still use methods dating back 50 years ago. Ironically this is because they still use chicken eggs to develop the vaccines. New methods are on the horizon, instead of using chicken eggs, they may be able to use mammal cells.
Scientist would be storing the mammal cells in large numbers. So that when a flu strain or threat develops, they can just inject it to the cells. The injected cells will then burst and die. The scientist will then harvest the proteins of the influenza and distribute them as vaccines already.
Vaccines made from DNA are really appealing because they could be made and administered quickly. However this kind of vaccine is still being tested on humans. DNA vaccine works by attaching itself to a segment of our DNA. It contains the coded information of the flu virus’ protein.
by: Michael Colucci
How Vaccines Work
When an organism gets into your body and causes an infection, your body gathers its defences and fights against them. This is the basic principle of how vaccines work.
Certain cells in your blood make what are called ‘antibodies’, molecules which are designed to attack specific germs and viruses. These attach to
the invaders in your bloodstream and prevent them from invading other cells. Each virus or bacterium has an individual shape, and the antibodies are designed to fit exactly to that shape.
This is how vaccines work to convince your body that the vaccination is a ‘full-blooded’ attack by the offending viruses or bacteria, and stimulate them into action to develop the ‘memory’ or ‘blueprint’ for the antibody in the event of future invasion.
This is all done by your white blood cells. You have two types called B cells and T cells. The B cells manufacture the antibodies while the T cells have two functions. The ‘helper’ T cells help the B cells to make the antibodies while the ‘killer’ T cells kill any cells which have been invaded by the viruses or bacteria, and prevent them from reproducing. . How vaccines work to stimulate this action is to mislead the white cells into believing that your body has been infected.
Your body reacts to kill the invaders in two ways: directly through the antibodies, and indirectly through the T cells destroying any infected cells and preventing reproduction.
Viruses cannot reproduce by themselves: they have to use the host’s cells for this. If the T cells continually kill off any invaded cells, the invaders themselves must eventually be killed off by the antibodies If the virus or bacterium is strong and reproduce too quickly, the host can be overcome before it can produce enough antibodies to kill them off. The pus which occurs during an infection is the mix of dead white blood cells and bacteria/virus cells destroyed by them.
If your body survives the attack, your B cells retain a memory of the structure of the invaders and should the same viruses or bacteria ever return, antibodies can rapidly be produced and the infection killed off before it starts. The stimulation of this memory is exactly how vaccines work.
Vaccines produce the same memory effect without the patient having to suffer the disease. The organisms that cause the disease are either killed or weakened, then introduced into your body. The strength is calculated to be just enough to enable your white cells to manufacture the antibodies. This is how vaccines work to give you protection against future infection without actually making you ill. The strength of the vaccine is designed to allow this. The dead vaccine can also work, but less efficiently, and the effect is not generally as long lasting.
The ‘live’ vaccines produce life-long immunity after only one or two doses, but the ‘dead’, or ‘inactivated’, ones need multiple doses to get the correct effect. Some dead vaccines even need booster doses throughout your life. Examples of these are tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, normally given together every 10 years as the Td vaccine. The measles vaccine is an example of a ‘live’ vaccine’.
Vaccinations do not affect your ability to fight off other infections you have not been immunized against
by: Peter Nisbet
Certain cells in your blood make what are called ‘antibodies’, molecules which are designed to attack specific germs and viruses. These attach to
the invaders in your bloodstream and prevent them from invading other cells. Each virus or bacterium has an individual shape, and the antibodies are designed to fit exactly to that shape.
This is how vaccines work to convince your body that the vaccination is a ‘full-blooded’ attack by the offending viruses or bacteria, and stimulate them into action to develop the ‘memory’ or ‘blueprint’ for the antibody in the event of future invasion.
This is all done by your white blood cells. You have two types called B cells and T cells. The B cells manufacture the antibodies while the T cells have two functions. The ‘helper’ T cells help the B cells to make the antibodies while the ‘killer’ T cells kill any cells which have been invaded by the viruses or bacteria, and prevent them from reproducing. . How vaccines work to stimulate this action is to mislead the white cells into believing that your body has been infected.
Your body reacts to kill the invaders in two ways: directly through the antibodies, and indirectly through the T cells destroying any infected cells and preventing reproduction.
Viruses cannot reproduce by themselves: they have to use the host’s cells for this. If the T cells continually kill off any invaded cells, the invaders themselves must eventually be killed off by the antibodies If the virus or bacterium is strong and reproduce too quickly, the host can be overcome before it can produce enough antibodies to kill them off. The pus which occurs during an infection is the mix of dead white blood cells and bacteria/virus cells destroyed by them.
If your body survives the attack, your B cells retain a memory of the structure of the invaders and should the same viruses or bacteria ever return, antibodies can rapidly be produced and the infection killed off before it starts. The stimulation of this memory is exactly how vaccines work.
Vaccines produce the same memory effect without the patient having to suffer the disease. The organisms that cause the disease are either killed or weakened, then introduced into your body. The strength is calculated to be just enough to enable your white cells to manufacture the antibodies. This is how vaccines work to give you protection against future infection without actually making you ill. The strength of the vaccine is designed to allow this. The dead vaccine can also work, but less efficiently, and the effect is not generally as long lasting.
The ‘live’ vaccines produce life-long immunity after only one or two doses, but the ‘dead’, or ‘inactivated’, ones need multiple doses to get the correct effect. Some dead vaccines even need booster doses throughout your life. Examples of these are tetanus and diphtheria vaccines, normally given together every 10 years as the Td vaccine. The measles vaccine is an example of a ‘live’ vaccine’.
Vaccinations do not affect your ability to fight off other infections you have not been immunized against
by: Peter Nisbet
The FDA Commissioner Divests
Dr Margaret Hamburg, having been confirmed by the US Senate, is the new commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We posted twice about whether her and her family's financial relationships might be relevant to her nomination.
Here we discussed her position on the board of directors of Henry Schein, Inc a medical supply company. My concern was whether someone who had spent years being ultimately responsible for maximizing the profits of a medical supply company would be able to be a fair, and when necessary, tough regulator of the companies that supply Henry Schein with products to sell.
Here we discussed Dr Hamburg's husband's leadership of the hedge fund management company, Renaissance Technologies. My concern was whether someone who is part of a family that had gotten rich from buying and selling stocks and financial instruments, of which a likely substantial but unknown fraction were of health care corporations, would again be able to be a fair, and when necessary tough regulator of some of these same companies.
At the time, it did not seem that anyone else shared these concerns. As far as I could tell, there was no discussion of them in the press, or at Dr Hamburg's confirmation hearings.
However, today the Wall Street Journal reported:
So it appears, in retrospect, that the Government Ethics Office also felt that Dr Hamburg's position on the Henry Schein Inc board constituted a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the Office felt that Dr Hamburg's and Mr Brown's holdings in several hedge funds constituted conflicts of interest. So, in retrospect, it is odd that these financial relationships attracted no attention other than that of Health Care Renewal prior to Dr Hamburg's confirmation by the Senate. I do hope that now, having severed significant relationships and sold financial holdings, Dr Hamburg will prove to be a fair, and tough when necessary regulator of companies that have too often misbehaved.
Here we discussed her position on the board of directors of Henry Schein, Inc a medical supply company. My concern was whether someone who had spent years being ultimately responsible for maximizing the profits of a medical supply company would be able to be a fair, and when necessary, tough regulator of the companies that supply Henry Schein with products to sell.
Here we discussed Dr Hamburg's husband's leadership of the hedge fund management company, Renaissance Technologies. My concern was whether someone who is part of a family that had gotten rich from buying and selling stocks and financial instruments, of which a likely substantial but unknown fraction were of health care corporations, would again be able to be a fair, and when necessary tough regulator of some of these same companies.
At the time, it did not seem that anyone else shared these concerns. As far as I could tell, there was no discussion of them in the press, or at Dr Hamburg's confirmation hearings.
However, today the Wall Street Journal reported:
The new commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration is among the wealthiest Obama administration appointees, with income of at least $10 million in 2008 thanks mostly to her husband, a hedge-fund executive, according to financial disclosure forms.
Margaret Hamburg and her husband, Peter Fitzhugh Brown, must divest themselves of several hedge-fund holdings as well as some of Mr. Brown's inherited drug-company stocks so Dr. Hamburg can take the post as the nation's top food and drug regulator. Mr. Brown is a lieutenant to hedge-fund magnate James Simons
The couple's income in 2008 came from stocks, money-market accounts, trusts and funds including several affiliated with hedge-fund sponsor Renaissance Technologies, where Mr. Brown works.
The couple controls assets worth between $21 million and $40 million, according to disclosure forms Dr. Hamburg gave the White House. The forms don't reveal exact figures, just ranges.
Before her FDA nomination, Dr. Hamburg also served for five years on the board of Henry Schein Inc., a $4 billion firm that distributes medical and dental supplies including vaccines. Her remuneration has been in the form of Schein shares.
She will forfeit $100,000 to $250,000 in restricted stock and more than 11,000 unvested stock options, all of which have a strike price above market value. She will also have to sell vested stock, valued between $250,000 and $500,000.
Mr. Brown, an expert in artificial intelligence, is vice president and director at Renaissance Technologies. The fund company said recently its total assets were about $18 billion. Mr. Simons was the top-paid hedge-fund manager in 2008, receiving $2.5 billion, according to Alpha magazine.
A lengthy review by the Government Ethics Office, which included direct discussions with Renaissance managers, determined that both Dr. Hamburg and her husband will have to get rid of their interest in four Renaissance funds—the Renaissance Institutional Equities Fund, the Renaissance Institutional Futures Fund, Meritage Investors and Topspin Partners.
However, the couple will be allowed to retain their interest in Renaissance's Medallion fund. An administration official said Medallion was exempted because its computerized quantitative model trades rapidly and holds shares only briefly, creating the equivalent of 'a very blind trust.'
Mr. Brown has already sold his stock in Abbott Laboratories and shares in Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co. and Medco Health Solutions Inc., which he inherited from his father.
So it appears, in retrospect, that the Government Ethics Office also felt that Dr Hamburg's position on the Henry Schein Inc board constituted a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the Office felt that Dr Hamburg's and Mr Brown's holdings in several hedge funds constituted conflicts of interest. So, in retrospect, it is odd that these financial relationships attracted no attention other than that of Health Care Renewal prior to Dr Hamburg's confirmation by the Senate. I do hope that now, having severed significant relationships and sold financial holdings, Dr Hamburg will prove to be a fair, and tough when necessary regulator of companies that have too often misbehaved.
What Influenced a Paean to Karen Ignagne?
As the discussion here in the US about health care reform gathers steam, the Washington Post published a rather uncritical profile of one of the prominent participants, Ms Karen Ignagni, CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the trade group for the health insurance/ managed care industry. It included some compliments from Princeton Professor and prominent health care economist Uwe Reinhardt:
What the Washington Post article did not bother to mention was that in addition to being on the Princeton faculty, Professor Reinhardt is a member of the board of directors of Amerigroup, a health insurance company specializing in providing Medicaid and Medicare managed care (see this previous post), and a member of AHIP. Former Amerigroup CEO Jeffrey McWalters was on the board of AHIP. According to Amerigroup's 2009 proxy statement, Professor Reinhardt controls (via ownership or options) 144,558 shares of Amerigroup stock, and received $226,531 in compensation from Amerigroup in 2008.
Perhaps Professor Reinhardt's enthusiasm for Karen Ignagne's performance as CEO of AHIP derived more from his leadership of Amerigroup than a scholarly analysis.
Note also that Professor Reinhardt is a member of the board of directors of Boston Scientific, a medical device company. Furthermore, per proxy statements from the above companies, Professor Reinhardt is on the board of two funds from H&Q Healthcare Investors, and is a Trustee of Duke University and the Duke University Health System.
Professor Reinhardt's leadership roles in US publicly traded corporations are public, but not easily found unless one knows where to look. We had first discussed these relationships on Health Care Renewal in 2006. However, many of the more academically tinged biographies of him publicly available omit his leadership roles in the for-profit world. At the moment, biographies of Professor Reinhardt on the Princeton web-site, and furnished by the Princeton Bioethics Forum, the Commonwealth Fund, and the Henry J Kaiser Foundation did not note these relationships.
This illustrates once more participation in the current health policy debate may be driven by vested interests, rather than ideology, much less dispassionate analysis. Were the participants yo disclose, at least, their financial interests, the debate would become that much clearer. Meanwhile, when listening to the debate, always ask, "cui bono?" (Who benefits?)
Hat tip to the Health Care Blog.
'Whatever AHIP pays her, it's not enough. She's unbelievably effective,' said Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt. 'It's just amazing what she's achieved for them against all odds.'
Ignagni's total compensation, according to AHIP's most recent filing from 2007, was $1.58 million, which includes $700,000 in base salary, $370,000 in deferred compensation and a bonus. Ignagni won't say how many hours a week she works. The number's so high it's embarrassing, she said.
Among successes cited by Reinhardt and others is helping persuade the Bush administration to develop private insurance plans within Medicare that are producing unexpectedly high payments for private insurers.
What the Washington Post article did not bother to mention was that in addition to being on the Princeton faculty, Professor Reinhardt is a member of the board of directors of Amerigroup, a health insurance company specializing in providing Medicaid and Medicare managed care (see this previous post), and a member of AHIP. Former Amerigroup CEO Jeffrey McWalters was on the board of AHIP. According to Amerigroup's 2009 proxy statement, Professor Reinhardt controls (via ownership or options) 144,558 shares of Amerigroup stock, and received $226,531 in compensation from Amerigroup in 2008.
Perhaps Professor Reinhardt's enthusiasm for Karen Ignagne's performance as CEO of AHIP derived more from his leadership of Amerigroup than a scholarly analysis.
Note also that Professor Reinhardt is a member of the board of directors of Boston Scientific, a medical device company. Furthermore, per proxy statements from the above companies, Professor Reinhardt is on the board of two funds from H&Q Healthcare Investors, and is a Trustee of Duke University and the Duke University Health System.
Professor Reinhardt's leadership roles in US publicly traded corporations are public, but not easily found unless one knows where to look. We had first discussed these relationships on Health Care Renewal in 2006. However, many of the more academically tinged biographies of him publicly available omit his leadership roles in the for-profit world. At the moment, biographies of Professor Reinhardt on the Princeton web-site, and furnished by the Princeton Bioethics Forum, the Commonwealth Fund, and the Henry J Kaiser Foundation did not note these relationships.
This illustrates once more participation in the current health policy debate may be driven by vested interests, rather than ideology, much less dispassionate analysis. Were the participants yo disclose, at least, their financial interests, the debate would become that much clearer. Meanwhile, when listening to the debate, always ask, "cui bono?" (Who benefits?)
Hat tip to the Health Care Blog.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Cure Bladder Infection - A UTI Natural Remedy
Did you know that thousands of people will search the internet for the term, 'cure bladder infection'? Many people are avoiding antibiotics at all costs and looking for a UTI natural remedy.
Unfortunately, antibiotics are still doctors' best option for treating this type of infection. However, thousands of people will not find...
success with antibiotics.
If you are tired of repeat visits to the doctor but to no avail, it may be time to cure your bladder infection with an alternative treatment.
Try a UTI Natural Remedy
There are numerous things you can do to boost your immunity and health to naturally fight off an infection. Many experts believe that a well-informed patient is all it will take to cure a urinary tract infection.
Alternative treatments work because the body is typically able to fight off the infection naturally. Research has now found many fruits, vegetables, herbs, supplements, vitamins and remedies that work to flush the bacteria which are causing UTI, E coli.
Here are some simple secrets your doctor may have forgotten to mention.
Cure Bladder Infection with these Secrets
1. Routinely supplement with acidophilus capsules or eat yogurt several times per week. This will supply your urinary tract with 'good' bacteria in your digestive and urinary systems.
2. You should avoid alcohol and coffee until you cure your infection. These drinks are very acidic and can cause more problems.
3. Instead, drink plenty of water. Water can help to naturally flush the bladder and urinary tract. Try to drink at least 10-12 cups of water daily.
4. Make sure your clothes are loose fitting and you are wearing comfortable cotton underwear to avoid irritation and discomfort.
5. Always wipe from front to back.
6. Always urinate right after sexual intercourse. This will flush the 'bad' bacteria from the urinary tract.
7. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice to promote a healthy digestive and urinary system. Cranberry tablets have also been successful with many of our customers.
The Best Step by Step Treatment
Learn a step by step remedy that is guaranteed to work in 12 hours or less! If you are interested in the latest researched UTI Natural Remedy Report, please visit this site now. You will learn why a step by step remedy is all it takes to cure your infection.
by: Joe Barton
Unfortunately, antibiotics are still doctors' best option for treating this type of infection. However, thousands of people will not find...
success with antibiotics.
If you are tired of repeat visits to the doctor but to no avail, it may be time to cure your bladder infection with an alternative treatment.
Try a UTI Natural Remedy
There are numerous things you can do to boost your immunity and health to naturally fight off an infection. Many experts believe that a well-informed patient is all it will take to cure a urinary tract infection.
Alternative treatments work because the body is typically able to fight off the infection naturally. Research has now found many fruits, vegetables, herbs, supplements, vitamins and remedies that work to flush the bacteria which are causing UTI, E coli.
Here are some simple secrets your doctor may have forgotten to mention.
Cure Bladder Infection with these Secrets
1. Routinely supplement with acidophilus capsules or eat yogurt several times per week. This will supply your urinary tract with 'good' bacteria in your digestive and urinary systems.
2. You should avoid alcohol and coffee until you cure your infection. These drinks are very acidic and can cause more problems.
3. Instead, drink plenty of water. Water can help to naturally flush the bladder and urinary tract. Try to drink at least 10-12 cups of water daily.
4. Make sure your clothes are loose fitting and you are wearing comfortable cotton underwear to avoid irritation and discomfort.
5. Always wipe from front to back.
6. Always urinate right after sexual intercourse. This will flush the 'bad' bacteria from the urinary tract.
7. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice to promote a healthy digestive and urinary system. Cranberry tablets have also been successful with many of our customers.
The Best Step by Step Treatment
Learn a step by step remedy that is guaranteed to work in 12 hours or less! If you are interested in the latest researched UTI Natural Remedy Report, please visit this site now. You will learn why a step by step remedy is all it takes to cure your infection.
by: Joe Barton
Stop smoking: Is it really worth it to stop smoking?
You have been thinking that it’s time to quit smoking. But maybe you’ve been thinking that its time to quit smoking ever since you started and you are still smoking. You know that the health benefits of quitting are incredible. Still, you are smoking a cigarette or thinking of smoking one right now. Have you examined your...
reasons for not quitting? Maybe you think you can’t handle the withdrawal symptoms.
Try looking at it this way: Smoking cigarettes is like pointing a gun at your head. The gun won’t go off until ten or twenty years have passed. The thing is that the gun will go off eventually. How many years have you been smoking? Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, forty? However long it’s been, the time to quit smoking is now. Really, it was yesterday, but now will have to do. Put that gun down. Stop embarrassing yourself in public. When nonsmokers see someone smoking, they make judgments about it. Stop giving them a reason to judge you.
Not only is there an increasing social stigma attached to smokers, but the health benefits of quitting are endless. Do it now. Don’t keep putting it off. You know that your body can’t handle smoking without taxing years off of your life. If the financial cost hasn’t caused you to stop smoking, then quit for the sake of the health benefits from quitting.
No one thinks that it is easy to stop smoking, but it is worth it to quit smoking and quit committing slow and painful suicide.
• If you stop smoking, you will also eliminate over four thousand different poisonous chemicals from your body.
• If you quit smoking, you will be able to eat comfortably in any restaurant whether they allow smoking or not. You will also not have to wait for a seat in the smoking section if the state or country you are in allows for smoking in public eateries.
• If you stop smoking, you will be able to save a percentage of your income. You can put the money that you have been spending on smoking into a jar or a savings account. At the end of a year, you will probably have enough money to make a very nice purchase or go on vacation.
• If you quit smoking, you will not repel nonsmokers who see you smoking or smell the smoke on your clothes and skin. Smoking is such a stigmatized habit now that you will surely see a difference in the way that the world interacts with you if you stop smoking.
• If you’ve been smoking for many years, imagine what you have been missing out on in fragrances and foods. Maybe you don’t really know what different spices taste like because your taste buds and sense of smell are overloaded with the many different poisons that are in tobacco products. If you stop smoking, you will find out what fragrances you have been missing out on.
The health benefits of quitting are important. The social and financial benefits are also important. Quitting is important, but it is not easy. You will not only face the psychological struggle when you quit smoking. You will also face some physical challenges. Some of these common physical and psychological challenges are listed below.
• When you stop smoking, you might find yourself feeling depressed.
• When you quit smoking, you might find that you are struggling with insomnia or changes in your sleep patterns.
• You might find that you are cranky, frustrated or irritable when you stop smoking.
• You might find that your appetite is greatly increased, and this could lead to some weight gain when you quit smoking.
If you really think that you cannot handle the physical and psychological challenges, there are various methods that people have found to be very helpful when it was time to quit smoking. Research a bit on the new and powerful methods to stop smoking.
by: Sig Kabai
reasons for not quitting? Maybe you think you can’t handle the withdrawal symptoms.
Try looking at it this way: Smoking cigarettes is like pointing a gun at your head. The gun won’t go off until ten or twenty years have passed. The thing is that the gun will go off eventually. How many years have you been smoking? Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, forty? However long it’s been, the time to quit smoking is now. Really, it was yesterday, but now will have to do. Put that gun down. Stop embarrassing yourself in public. When nonsmokers see someone smoking, they make judgments about it. Stop giving them a reason to judge you.
Not only is there an increasing social stigma attached to smokers, but the health benefits of quitting are endless. Do it now. Don’t keep putting it off. You know that your body can’t handle smoking without taxing years off of your life. If the financial cost hasn’t caused you to stop smoking, then quit for the sake of the health benefits from quitting.
No one thinks that it is easy to stop smoking, but it is worth it to quit smoking and quit committing slow and painful suicide.
• If you stop smoking, you will also eliminate over four thousand different poisonous chemicals from your body.
• If you quit smoking, you will be able to eat comfortably in any restaurant whether they allow smoking or not. You will also not have to wait for a seat in the smoking section if the state or country you are in allows for smoking in public eateries.
• If you stop smoking, you will be able to save a percentage of your income. You can put the money that you have been spending on smoking into a jar or a savings account. At the end of a year, you will probably have enough money to make a very nice purchase or go on vacation.
• If you quit smoking, you will not repel nonsmokers who see you smoking or smell the smoke on your clothes and skin. Smoking is such a stigmatized habit now that you will surely see a difference in the way that the world interacts with you if you stop smoking.
• If you’ve been smoking for many years, imagine what you have been missing out on in fragrances and foods. Maybe you don’t really know what different spices taste like because your taste buds and sense of smell are overloaded with the many different poisons that are in tobacco products. If you stop smoking, you will find out what fragrances you have been missing out on.
The health benefits of quitting are important. The social and financial benefits are also important. Quitting is important, but it is not easy. You will not only face the psychological struggle when you quit smoking. You will also face some physical challenges. Some of these common physical and psychological challenges are listed below.
• When you stop smoking, you might find yourself feeling depressed.
• When you quit smoking, you might find that you are struggling with insomnia or changes in your sleep patterns.
• You might find that you are cranky, frustrated or irritable when you stop smoking.
• You might find that your appetite is greatly increased, and this could lead to some weight gain when you quit smoking.
If you really think that you cannot handle the physical and psychological challenges, there are various methods that people have found to be very helpful when it was time to quit smoking. Research a bit on the new and powerful methods to stop smoking.
by: Sig Kabai
Hypnosis Therapy: How It Could Help You To Stop Smoking
Will you have the willpower to stop smoking through Hypnosis Therapy? So what is in Stop Smoking Therapy all about? If you really decided to finally quit the habit for good but just doesn’t have the willpower, you should seriously consider joining a stop smoking hypnosis...
program. Each smoker should have been warned or alerted by friends, family members, doctors or even by the media about the hazards of smoking. Heart disease, emphysema, and most importantly cancer are just some of the health problems related with long-term smoking. In stop this kind treatment, you could influence or manipulate your subconscious mind into allowing and helping you break the psychological addiction in tobacco and cigarettes.
Additionally, the sooner you will be able to quit your destructive habit, the sooner your health risks would be minimized. What are the benefits of this hypnosis therapy? There are several advantages or benefits of joining a Stop Smoking Program. Hypnosis therapy has some distinct benefits as opposed to many products available in the market to help you to kick off the habit, such as gums and nicotine patches which all of them contain some side effects. On the contrary, hypnosis therapy has some better benefits like: 1.) The therapy uses no drugs. 2.) The treatment focuses more on the positive.
3.) This Hypnosis Therapy additionally increase your confidence. 4.) If the therapy becomes successful, there is a reduction in health risks. 5.) The therapy could be made to suit your personal habits and cigarette triggers. 6.) The therapy has no long-term cost and can be completed quickly. So how does this program work? Every person who smokes has their natural cigarette triggers such as eating, driving or watching TV with subconscious reminders about the positive effects of quitting. Hypnotherapy will help to lessen your cravings and uplift and develop your confidence in your capability to quit. This kind of treatment is duly conducted by a professional hypno-therapist who has been trained to give various suggestions to your subconscious mind.
The use of hypnosis to heal or cure the smoking habit has different results. It really depends on your susceptibility in being hypnotized. Nevertheless, most people believe and agree that the hypnosis therapy let them to quit their habit with absolutely no cravings or withdrawal symptoms. This hypnosis could also be done within the comforts of your own homes by CDs or through other audios. So, where can you find a stop smoking hypnosis program? There are numerous ways to locate this program. Looking for the right therapist to help you kick off the destructive habit is just a matter of personal preferences.
Some therapists could be searched on the phone directory, while some therapists advertise on the Net. Choosing for your therapist on the World Wide Web can be easier and you could choose someone that’s closer to your location for convenience. Most individuals are apprehensive and not comfortable enough when meeting with somebody face-to-face. Not to worry, because there are lots of stop smoking hypnosis programs available in CDs and cassettes.
by: Amy Twain
program. Each smoker should have been warned or alerted by friends, family members, doctors or even by the media about the hazards of smoking. Heart disease, emphysema, and most importantly cancer are just some of the health problems related with long-term smoking. In stop this kind treatment, you could influence or manipulate your subconscious mind into allowing and helping you break the psychological addiction in tobacco and cigarettes.
Additionally, the sooner you will be able to quit your destructive habit, the sooner your health risks would be minimized. What are the benefits of this hypnosis therapy? There are several advantages or benefits of joining a Stop Smoking Program. Hypnosis therapy has some distinct benefits as opposed to many products available in the market to help you to kick off the habit, such as gums and nicotine patches which all of them contain some side effects. On the contrary, hypnosis therapy has some better benefits like: 1.) The therapy uses no drugs. 2.) The treatment focuses more on the positive.
3.) This Hypnosis Therapy additionally increase your confidence. 4.) If the therapy becomes successful, there is a reduction in health risks. 5.) The therapy could be made to suit your personal habits and cigarette triggers. 6.) The therapy has no long-term cost and can be completed quickly. So how does this program work? Every person who smokes has their natural cigarette triggers such as eating, driving or watching TV with subconscious reminders about the positive effects of quitting. Hypnotherapy will help to lessen your cravings and uplift and develop your confidence in your capability to quit. This kind of treatment is duly conducted by a professional hypno-therapist who has been trained to give various suggestions to your subconscious mind.
The use of hypnosis to heal or cure the smoking habit has different results. It really depends on your susceptibility in being hypnotized. Nevertheless, most people believe and agree that the hypnosis therapy let them to quit their habit with absolutely no cravings or withdrawal symptoms. This hypnosis could also be done within the comforts of your own homes by CDs or through other audios. So, where can you find a stop smoking hypnosis program? There are numerous ways to locate this program. Looking for the right therapist to help you kick off the destructive habit is just a matter of personal preferences.
Some therapists could be searched on the phone directory, while some therapists advertise on the Net. Choosing for your therapist on the World Wide Web can be easier and you could choose someone that’s closer to your location for convenience. Most individuals are apprehensive and not comfortable enough when meeting with somebody face-to-face. Not to worry, because there are lots of stop smoking hypnosis programs available in CDs and cassettes.
by: Amy Twain
Micronutrient deficiencies
Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world. As well as affecting a large number of children and women in developing countries, it is the only nutrient deficiency which is also significantly prevalent in industralized countries. The numbers are staggering: 2 billion people – over 30% of the world’s population – are anaemic, many due to iron deficiency, and...
in resource-poor areas, this is frequently exacerbated by infectious diseases. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, hookworm infestation, schistosomiasis, and other infections such as tuberculosis are particularly important factors contributing to the high prevalence of anaemia in some areas.
Iron deficiency affects more people than any other condition, constituting a public health condition of epidemic proportions. More subtle in its manifestations than, for example, protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency exacts its heaviest overall toll in terms of ill-health, premature death and lost earnings.
Iron deficiency and anaemia reduce the work capacity of individuals and entire populations, bringing serious economic consequences and obstacles to national development. Overall, it is the most vulnerable, the poorest and the least educated who are disproportionately affected by iron deficiency, and it is they who stand to gain the most by its reduction.
The response: a three-pronged offensive
Invisible yet ubiquitous in many developing countries, the true toll of iron deficiency and anaemia lies hidden in the statistics of overall death rates, maternal haemorrhage, reduced school performance and lowered productivity. Iron deficiency anaemia affects millions. The health consequences are stealthy but devastating, invisibly eroding the development potential of individuals, societies and national economies. This need not be so. We not only know the causes; we also have solutions that are both inexpensive and effective. Because of their close links, iron deficiency and anaemia should be tackled simultaneously using a multifactorial and multisectorial approach. It should also be tailored to local conditions and take into account anaemia's specific aetiology and the population groups affected.
Iron deficiency anaemia
WHO/NHD
Eliminating iron deficiency anaemia demands truly courageous efforts from governments the world over and the international community. It is time to act.
It need not be so…
WHO has developed a comprehensive package of public health measures addressing all aspects of iron deficiency and anaemia. This package is being implemented in countries with high levels of iron deficiency and anaemia, malaria, helminth infections and schistosomiasis.
Increase iron intake. Dietary diversification including iron-rich foods and enhancement of iron absorption, food fortification and iron supplementation.
Control infection. Immunization and control programmes for malaria, hookworm and schistosomiasis.
Improve nutritional status. Prevention and control of other nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, folate and vitamin A.
Why stop iron deficiency anaemia?
The benefits are substantial. Timely treatment can restore personal health and raise national productivity levels by as much as 20%. To support countries in combating anaemia, WHO has developed guidelines on prevention and control of iron deficiency and anaemia together with a manual for assessing the magnitude of the problem and monitoring interventions.
Because iron deficiency anaemia drains the life and vitality out of development. We have both the means and potential to achieve widespread improvement. We need to apply both energetically.
in resource-poor areas, this is frequently exacerbated by infectious diseases. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, hookworm infestation, schistosomiasis, and other infections such as tuberculosis are particularly important factors contributing to the high prevalence of anaemia in some areas.
Iron deficiency affects more people than any other condition, constituting a public health condition of epidemic proportions. More subtle in its manifestations than, for example, protein-energy malnutrition, iron deficiency exacts its heaviest overall toll in terms of ill-health, premature death and lost earnings.
Iron deficiency and anaemia reduce the work capacity of individuals and entire populations, bringing serious economic consequences and obstacles to national development. Overall, it is the most vulnerable, the poorest and the least educated who are disproportionately affected by iron deficiency, and it is they who stand to gain the most by its reduction.
The response: a three-pronged offensive
Invisible yet ubiquitous in many developing countries, the true toll of iron deficiency and anaemia lies hidden in the statistics of overall death rates, maternal haemorrhage, reduced school performance and lowered productivity. Iron deficiency anaemia affects millions. The health consequences are stealthy but devastating, invisibly eroding the development potential of individuals, societies and national economies. This need not be so. We not only know the causes; we also have solutions that are both inexpensive and effective. Because of their close links, iron deficiency and anaemia should be tackled simultaneously using a multifactorial and multisectorial approach. It should also be tailored to local conditions and take into account anaemia's specific aetiology and the population groups affected.
Iron deficiency anaemia
WHO/NHD
Eliminating iron deficiency anaemia demands truly courageous efforts from governments the world over and the international community. It is time to act.
It need not be so…
WHO has developed a comprehensive package of public health measures addressing all aspects of iron deficiency and anaemia. This package is being implemented in countries with high levels of iron deficiency and anaemia, malaria, helminth infections and schistosomiasis.
Increase iron intake. Dietary diversification including iron-rich foods and enhancement of iron absorption, food fortification and iron supplementation.
Control infection. Immunization and control programmes for malaria, hookworm and schistosomiasis.
Improve nutritional status. Prevention and control of other nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B12, folate and vitamin A.
Why stop iron deficiency anaemia?
The benefits are substantial. Timely treatment can restore personal health and raise national productivity levels by as much as 20%. To support countries in combating anaemia, WHO has developed guidelines on prevention and control of iron deficiency and anaemia together with a manual for assessing the magnitude of the problem and monitoring interventions.
Because iron deficiency anaemia drains the life and vitality out of development. We have both the means and potential to achieve widespread improvement. We need to apply both energetically.
Birth as a Health Hazzard
Two different articles in the New York Times today show the vast difference between women in third world countries and western nations. One article talks about the return of the birth control sponge. The contraceptive sponge was not available for awhile due to bankruptcy of the company but it is now being distributed by Mayer Laboratories (they also make Kimono brand of condoms) and the women
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Avoid And Beat The Avian And Other Influenzas
Are you worried about the possible outbreak of the Avian Flu among humans? You should be! Hopefully, all of publicity about the Bird Flu will prove to be false alarms, but the worst thing any of us could do is to ignore it and hope it goes away, because it may not and one shudders to think about what could happen if it ever mutates to where it can be spread from human to human. Let's take a look at...
what we know so far about the Avian Flu:
First of all, the Avian Flu has not yet mutated and there is no need for panic, but there certainly is plenty of reasons for concern and a need to be vigilant, because the flu could easily mutate to one that is spread by humans - and it is the very nature of viruses to mutate. We should also be mindful of the fact that the world is due for another outbreak of a widespread and dangerous influenza epidemic of the kind that appear to occur on a regular basis about every 30 years.
If the Avian Flu does mutate to a human flu and is even partially as deadly as some predict, the resulting worldwide pandemic could be an epic modern day plague that changes the world as we know it and makes HIV, 9/11, the great Tsunami and the destruction of New Orleans seem mild by comparison - and there would likely be very little the world can do to prevent it. We can only hope that the next big worldwide influenza outbreak does not involve the current Avian Flu, or any other avian flu, because such flu would be a type that humans have not been exposed to and thus have no built in resistance to. Owing to this lack of built in resistance, such an outbreak involving that kind of flu could prove to be uniquely horrific.
In a normal outbreak of influenza, the most vulnerable are usually the elderly, the very young, and those who are already ill or otherwise in a weakened state - in other words, those whose immune systems are not strong enough to successfully ward off and fight illness. While a human version of the Avian Flu is likely to be every bit as deadly or more so for those who are the usual flu victims, unlike the usual varieties of influenza, the Avian Flu would actually be even more deadly for the group that is usually least affected by flu outbreaks: the most robust and healthy among us, the adults in the prime of life. That is because an avian flu like the Avian Flu turns the body's own immune system against itself and a strong immune system can become a deadly instrument of death as it over-reacts to a threat it has never been exposed to and releases a torrent of chemicals to combat the new threat which end up literally filling and eating up the lungs, suffocating what had been a strong and vigorous individual.
Such was exactly the case in a previous outbreak of another avian flu, one very similar to the Avian Flu. The Spanish Flu of 1918-19 was the most deadly epidemic in recorded history, killing 30 to 40 million or more people in one year – more than were killed in any war including Great World War, more than were killed in the 4 terrifying years of the Plague of Black Death (the Bubonic Plague) of 1347-1351, and more than were killed by HIV-AIDS in it’s first 25 years of existence. In the United States it infected 28% of all Americans, caused the deaths of at least 675,000 and in a single year was responsible for a 10 year drop in the life expectancy rate. In 1918, the death rate for influenza and pneumonia for 15 to 35 year olds was 20 times higher than in previous years.
Many authorities fear that if the modern day Avian Flu mutates to one that can be spread by humans, it could be an even more deadly flu than the one in 1918-19. Indeed, where humans have been exposed to infected birds and contracted the Avian Flu so far, the death rate appears to be significantly higher than it was for the deadly Spanish Flu.
The picture becomes truly staggering when you add to the expected high death rate the fact that the world population is now 2 1/2 times greater than it was in 1918-19 and not only is the population much larger, it is also much more concentrated with much more human interaction. And then you have the fact that, unlike the horse and buggy days of 1918-19, modern travel brings humans almost instantly to and from all points of the globe.
In all likelihood, only an immediate worldwide quarantine and shutdown of all travel would have a chance at stopping the spread of a worldwide pandemic, and that is something that is both unachievable and, at this point, unthinkable (although if the pandemic were to turn out to be as dire as some predict, such measures would probably be attempted out of desperation, but would surely prove far too late to stop the spread of the disease). Given the woeful response to the destruction of New Orleans, and the shortage of flu shots caused by the loss of a single facility only last year, perhaps one can more easily understand the estimates of many authorities and scientific figures that forecast staggering death tolls, some as high as 300 million or more worldwide.
The world has largely forgotten the horrible death tolls of the Spanish Flu, as well as the plague-like conditions that led to quarantines, death wagons, corpses lying abandoned in public streets, and breakdowns of social order and lawlessness that broke out in many places around the world. For those of us who would like a reminder, I suggest a trip to an old cemetery and take a look at the tombstones and grave markers for the years 1918-19, see how many there are compared to other years and how many times you will find multiple deaths in the same family for those years. It was a horrible time, now largely forgotten and to a great deal overshadowed by the end of World War I, but it is a lesson for us all if only we will open our eyes and see.
Perhaps the nightmare scenario I have painted is merely the stuff of dreams, and I certainly hope that proves to be the case. But I strongly suggest that we all take steps to prepare for the worst, just in case. Better that than be like the old fellow on the side of Mount Saint Helens who ignored all the warning signs, disbelieved all the scientists and scoffed at the idea of a deadly eruption right up to the point that he was incinerated.
While there may be little the world's governments may be able to do to stop the spread of a truly horrible influenza pandemic, there are things that we all can do to help avoid catching such a flu and to fight it off if we do catch it. Common sense tells us to practice very good hygiene and to avoid exposure to those who are infected. If a vaccine is available, it is probably a better idea to take it than not - even though vaccines are likely to be in short supply, will likely be mere guesswork since the virus has yet to mutate to a form that can be spread by humans and is likely to continue to mutate once it does, and is likely to contain mercury due to the probable use of an agent called thimerosal that is used to sterilize flu vaccines.
Beyond those obvious measures, I have also compiled the following information for anyone who wishes to avoid and combat influenza:
Avoiding the Flu:
The good news is that you can take steps to help you avoid the Bird Flu or any other flu when it comes, and to survive it if you happen to catch it. Included in these steps would be the things that you should do to protect yourself from virtually all diseases and illnesses: get plenty of rest, exercise, quit smoking, eat a nutritious diet, avoid stress and, above all, to make your body's natural first line of defense, your immune system, strong and robust.
Some of the very best immune boosters are:
* Echinacea (Despite the latest study)
* Pau d’arco
* Suma
* Astragalus
* Medicinal mushrooms
* Beta glucans
* Aloe vera
* Alkygycerol
* Lactoferrin
* Bovine colostrums
* Glutathione
* Mangosteen
The next thing you should do is to also take one or more good natural anti-viral agents, ESPECIALLY if the Bird Flu does mutate and begin to spread from human to human, because unlike other illnesses or flues, the Bird Flu will use your own immune system to attack you. This is because we have never been exposed to a strain of flu like the Bird Flu and it is likely that biochemical cascade of immune cells and immune system bio-chemicals such as interferon, interleukin, monokines and cytokines will literally pour into the lungs and eat your lungs up. With the Bird Flu, it is essential to also include good natural anti-viral supplements along with immune boosters - and it is a good idea to do that anyway.
Among the very best natural pathogen destroyers are:
* Garlic
* Olive leaf extract
* Oil of wild mountain oregano
* Grapefruit seed extract
* Colloidal Silver
A third thing to do would be to take regular preventative doses of a natural remedy known as “Oleander Soup”, which can be made at home according to the instructions in the e-book “Cancer’s Natural Enemy” (written by the author of this article).
Oleander extract has been proven in clinical trials, decades of medical practice and literally centuries of use as a folk remedy to be a very strong immune booster and disease and illness preventer. It has also demonstrated strong anti-viral abilities in the way that it attacks and kills cancer cells, as well as it’s effectiveness against hepatitis-C and HIV.
The fourth thing you should do is endeavor to stop the spread of airborne viruses during the flu season:
* Protect yourself from others by gargling daily with 1 drop each of the essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon in a glass of warm water; stir well before each mouthful. Do not swallow.
* Mix a blend of essential oils to use in your diffuser or for use in steam inhalation.
Blend together:
* ravensare - 3 parts
* naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part
* lemon - 1 part
* rosewood - 1 part
* lavender - 1 part
Ravensare and naiouli have antiviral properties, while the other essential oils in the blend act as antiseptics while at the same time providing a wonderful aroma.
Diffuser Application - Add about 50 drops of the above blend to your diffuser at a time.
Fumigate the house with oils to help prevent the spread of flu. Put 2-3 drops on a radiator to evaporate or add 10 drops of essential oils to a small plant spray filled with water. Spray the room frequently.
Hopefully, no serious flu outbreak will take place in your neighborhood, but forearmed is forewarned. Take the simple measures outlined above and your chances of beating the flu and perhaps avoiding it all together are much improved.
Live long, live healthy, live happy!
by: Tony Isaacs
what we know so far about the Avian Flu:
First of all, the Avian Flu has not yet mutated and there is no need for panic, but there certainly is plenty of reasons for concern and a need to be vigilant, because the flu could easily mutate to one that is spread by humans - and it is the very nature of viruses to mutate. We should also be mindful of the fact that the world is due for another outbreak of a widespread and dangerous influenza epidemic of the kind that appear to occur on a regular basis about every 30 years.
If the Avian Flu does mutate to a human flu and is even partially as deadly as some predict, the resulting worldwide pandemic could be an epic modern day plague that changes the world as we know it and makes HIV, 9/11, the great Tsunami and the destruction of New Orleans seem mild by comparison - and there would likely be very little the world can do to prevent it. We can only hope that the next big worldwide influenza outbreak does not involve the current Avian Flu, or any other avian flu, because such flu would be a type that humans have not been exposed to and thus have no built in resistance to. Owing to this lack of built in resistance, such an outbreak involving that kind of flu could prove to be uniquely horrific.
In a normal outbreak of influenza, the most vulnerable are usually the elderly, the very young, and those who are already ill or otherwise in a weakened state - in other words, those whose immune systems are not strong enough to successfully ward off and fight illness. While a human version of the Avian Flu is likely to be every bit as deadly or more so for those who are the usual flu victims, unlike the usual varieties of influenza, the Avian Flu would actually be even more deadly for the group that is usually least affected by flu outbreaks: the most robust and healthy among us, the adults in the prime of life. That is because an avian flu like the Avian Flu turns the body's own immune system against itself and a strong immune system can become a deadly instrument of death as it over-reacts to a threat it has never been exposed to and releases a torrent of chemicals to combat the new threat which end up literally filling and eating up the lungs, suffocating what had been a strong and vigorous individual.
Such was exactly the case in a previous outbreak of another avian flu, one very similar to the Avian Flu. The Spanish Flu of 1918-19 was the most deadly epidemic in recorded history, killing 30 to 40 million or more people in one year – more than were killed in any war including Great World War, more than were killed in the 4 terrifying years of the Plague of Black Death (the Bubonic Plague) of 1347-1351, and more than were killed by HIV-AIDS in it’s first 25 years of existence. In the United States it infected 28% of all Americans, caused the deaths of at least 675,000 and in a single year was responsible for a 10 year drop in the life expectancy rate. In 1918, the death rate for influenza and pneumonia for 15 to 35 year olds was 20 times higher than in previous years.
Many authorities fear that if the modern day Avian Flu mutates to one that can be spread by humans, it could be an even more deadly flu than the one in 1918-19. Indeed, where humans have been exposed to infected birds and contracted the Avian Flu so far, the death rate appears to be significantly higher than it was for the deadly Spanish Flu.
The picture becomes truly staggering when you add to the expected high death rate the fact that the world population is now 2 1/2 times greater than it was in 1918-19 and not only is the population much larger, it is also much more concentrated with much more human interaction. And then you have the fact that, unlike the horse and buggy days of 1918-19, modern travel brings humans almost instantly to and from all points of the globe.
In all likelihood, only an immediate worldwide quarantine and shutdown of all travel would have a chance at stopping the spread of a worldwide pandemic, and that is something that is both unachievable and, at this point, unthinkable (although if the pandemic were to turn out to be as dire as some predict, such measures would probably be attempted out of desperation, but would surely prove far too late to stop the spread of the disease). Given the woeful response to the destruction of New Orleans, and the shortage of flu shots caused by the loss of a single facility only last year, perhaps one can more easily understand the estimates of many authorities and scientific figures that forecast staggering death tolls, some as high as 300 million or more worldwide.
The world has largely forgotten the horrible death tolls of the Spanish Flu, as well as the plague-like conditions that led to quarantines, death wagons, corpses lying abandoned in public streets, and breakdowns of social order and lawlessness that broke out in many places around the world. For those of us who would like a reminder, I suggest a trip to an old cemetery and take a look at the tombstones and grave markers for the years 1918-19, see how many there are compared to other years and how many times you will find multiple deaths in the same family for those years. It was a horrible time, now largely forgotten and to a great deal overshadowed by the end of World War I, but it is a lesson for us all if only we will open our eyes and see.
Perhaps the nightmare scenario I have painted is merely the stuff of dreams, and I certainly hope that proves to be the case. But I strongly suggest that we all take steps to prepare for the worst, just in case. Better that than be like the old fellow on the side of Mount Saint Helens who ignored all the warning signs, disbelieved all the scientists and scoffed at the idea of a deadly eruption right up to the point that he was incinerated.
While there may be little the world's governments may be able to do to stop the spread of a truly horrible influenza pandemic, there are things that we all can do to help avoid catching such a flu and to fight it off if we do catch it. Common sense tells us to practice very good hygiene and to avoid exposure to those who are infected. If a vaccine is available, it is probably a better idea to take it than not - even though vaccines are likely to be in short supply, will likely be mere guesswork since the virus has yet to mutate to a form that can be spread by humans and is likely to continue to mutate once it does, and is likely to contain mercury due to the probable use of an agent called thimerosal that is used to sterilize flu vaccines.
Beyond those obvious measures, I have also compiled the following information for anyone who wishes to avoid and combat influenza:
Avoiding the Flu:
The good news is that you can take steps to help you avoid the Bird Flu or any other flu when it comes, and to survive it if you happen to catch it. Included in these steps would be the things that you should do to protect yourself from virtually all diseases and illnesses: get plenty of rest, exercise, quit smoking, eat a nutritious diet, avoid stress and, above all, to make your body's natural first line of defense, your immune system, strong and robust.
Some of the very best immune boosters are:
* Echinacea (Despite the latest study)
* Pau d’arco
* Suma
* Astragalus
* Medicinal mushrooms
* Beta glucans
* Aloe vera
* Alkygycerol
* Lactoferrin
* Bovine colostrums
* Glutathione
* Mangosteen
The next thing you should do is to also take one or more good natural anti-viral agents, ESPECIALLY if the Bird Flu does mutate and begin to spread from human to human, because unlike other illnesses or flues, the Bird Flu will use your own immune system to attack you. This is because we have never been exposed to a strain of flu like the Bird Flu and it is likely that biochemical cascade of immune cells and immune system bio-chemicals such as interferon, interleukin, monokines and cytokines will literally pour into the lungs and eat your lungs up. With the Bird Flu, it is essential to also include good natural anti-viral supplements along with immune boosters - and it is a good idea to do that anyway.
Among the very best natural pathogen destroyers are:
* Garlic
* Olive leaf extract
* Oil of wild mountain oregano
* Grapefruit seed extract
* Colloidal Silver
A third thing to do would be to take regular preventative doses of a natural remedy known as “Oleander Soup”, which can be made at home according to the instructions in the e-book “Cancer’s Natural Enemy” (written by the author of this article).
Oleander extract has been proven in clinical trials, decades of medical practice and literally centuries of use as a folk remedy to be a very strong immune booster and disease and illness preventer. It has also demonstrated strong anti-viral abilities in the way that it attacks and kills cancer cells, as well as it’s effectiveness against hepatitis-C and HIV.
The fourth thing you should do is endeavor to stop the spread of airborne viruses during the flu season:
* Protect yourself from others by gargling daily with 1 drop each of the essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon in a glass of warm water; stir well before each mouthful. Do not swallow.
* Mix a blend of essential oils to use in your diffuser or for use in steam inhalation.
Blend together:
* ravensare - 3 parts
* naiouli or eucalyptus - 1 part
* lemon - 1 part
* rosewood - 1 part
* lavender - 1 part
Ravensare and naiouli have antiviral properties, while the other essential oils in the blend act as antiseptics while at the same time providing a wonderful aroma.
Diffuser Application - Add about 50 drops of the above blend to your diffuser at a time.
Fumigate the house with oils to help prevent the spread of flu. Put 2-3 drops on a radiator to evaporate or add 10 drops of essential oils to a small plant spray filled with water. Spray the room frequently.
Hopefully, no serious flu outbreak will take place in your neighborhood, but forearmed is forewarned. Take the simple measures outlined above and your chances of beating the flu and perhaps avoiding it all together are much improved.
Live long, live healthy, live happy!
by: Tony Isaacs
Malaria Prevention - Five Ways To Avoid Catching It On Safari
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa where safari trips are still possible which means you will need to take malaria prevention precautions to protect yourself against catching
the disease when you travel there.
There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday.
1. Malaria Tablets
It's important to consult your GP when deciding on the brand of malaria tablets for your trip because they affect everyone differently and your medical history might play a role in the choice.
There are three types of tablets that are still considered to provide adequate malaria prevention (up to 98%) even though there is no drug that is 100% effective and some of them may have mild side effects - Malarone, Larium and Doxycycline.
Paludrine and Chloroquine are less than 60% effective because the disease has built up a resistance to these drugs over the years.
2. Safari Clothing
Mosquito's become much more active at dusk and during the night and early morning so you need to make sure that you cover up any exposed skin with the right clothing when you are outside.
It is often still very warm during the evenings but resist the temptation to stay in t-shirt and short trousers and rather cover up with long trousers, a long sleeve shirt and socks to protect your ankles against bites. They can't bite you through material.
Remember that malaria prevention is much better than cure.
3. Mosquito repellent
make sure that you apply mosquito repellent to any areas that your clothing doesn't cover particularly your hands and your neck.
Repellents that contain DEET are very good for keeping the mosquito's away but remember to re-apply periodically because the effect diminishes over time.
4. Mosquito Nets
Most safari companies do have mosquito nets installed in the accommodation they provide for their guests so make sure you check with them first if you are planning on buying one for your trip.
But not all accommodation in Africa has them and if you are going to be spending time before or after your safari it might be a good idea to have one handy.
Make sure that you purchase Permethrin treated nets as that stop the mosquitoes from biting through the material, protects against damaged or poorly erected netting and decreases the amount of insects in the room.
5. Malaria Free Safaris
The most effective way to avoid catching malaria is of course to stay away from the areas in which it occurs and there are some safari areas in South Africa which are malaria free and still provide an authentic safari experience with the big five animals available for viewing.
Madikwe, Shamwari, Pilansberg and Addo Elephant Park are examples of some fantastic game reserves that are completely malaria free making all the other malaria prevention measures unnecessary.
by: Bruce Whittaker
the disease when you travel there.
There are five things you can do to avoid catching malaria on a safari holiday.
1. Malaria Tablets
It's important to consult your GP when deciding on the brand of malaria tablets for your trip because they affect everyone differently and your medical history might play a role in the choice.
There are three types of tablets that are still considered to provide adequate malaria prevention (up to 98%) even though there is no drug that is 100% effective and some of them may have mild side effects - Malarone, Larium and Doxycycline.
Paludrine and Chloroquine are less than 60% effective because the disease has built up a resistance to these drugs over the years.
2. Safari Clothing
Mosquito's become much more active at dusk and during the night and early morning so you need to make sure that you cover up any exposed skin with the right clothing when you are outside.
It is often still very warm during the evenings but resist the temptation to stay in t-shirt and short trousers and rather cover up with long trousers, a long sleeve shirt and socks to protect your ankles against bites. They can't bite you through material.
Remember that malaria prevention is much better than cure.
3. Mosquito repellent
make sure that you apply mosquito repellent to any areas that your clothing doesn't cover particularly your hands and your neck.
Repellents that contain DEET are very good for keeping the mosquito's away but remember to re-apply periodically because the effect diminishes over time.
4. Mosquito Nets
Most safari companies do have mosquito nets installed in the accommodation they provide for their guests so make sure you check with them first if you are planning on buying one for your trip.
But not all accommodation in Africa has them and if you are going to be spending time before or after your safari it might be a good idea to have one handy.
Make sure that you purchase Permethrin treated nets as that stop the mosquitoes from biting through the material, protects against damaged or poorly erected netting and decreases the amount of insects in the room.
5. Malaria Free Safaris
The most effective way to avoid catching malaria is of course to stay away from the areas in which it occurs and there are some safari areas in South Africa which are malaria free and still provide an authentic safari experience with the big five animals available for viewing.
Madikwe, Shamwari, Pilansberg and Addo Elephant Park are examples of some fantastic game reserves that are completely malaria free making all the other malaria prevention measures unnecessary.
by: Bruce Whittaker
Sex During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
When a pregnant woman is dealing with nausea, vomiting and fatigue, morning sickness, and weight gain, it seems that the last thing that she would think about is sex. There are many women who are active when...
they are pregnant. But they think that engaging in a sexual activity might be bad for the baby’s health. Is it really safe to have sex when you are pregnant?
Whether this would bring good news or not, having sex during pregnancy is safe for women who have uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancies.
Normal Pregnancy Allows for Sexual Activity
If you are not sure that you are fit for such an activity, consult a doctor or a midwife. The sexual desires of a woman tend to fluctuate when she is pregnant, but the activity can become awkward and uncomfortable since the body shape of a woman changes considerably.
Always remember that staying intimate doesn’t meant hat you have to engage in sex. Closeness and pleasure can be provided by kissing, touching, cuddling, and manual stimulation. These activities are low risk, and they could not add up to the problems of your pregnancy..
You just have to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy and fit.
Some Risks and Tips
You should also know that a pregnant woman who engages in sex is not a hundred percent safe. There are risks that are associated with the activity, and here are some things to consider:
1) Never engage in practices where your partner blows in the birth canal. It can cause blockage of the blood vessel, which is potentially fatal for the baby and for the mother as well.
2) Never have sex with a partner if you do not know his sexual and health history. This is a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, which is very serious on the baby’s part. You are not only putting your life at risk but also the life of the unborn child.
3) Don’t engage in sex if the doctor doesn’t allow you to. This might end up in early labor, potential miscarriage, bleeding, cramping, amniotic fluid leaking from birth canal, cervix problems, and a condition called placenta previa.
4) You might also consider engaging in different sex positions while you are having sex. The traditional man-on-top and spooning position is very uncomfortable for a pregnant woman. It is also important to know that a pregnant woman should not lie flat on her back because the uterus might compress the major blood vessels. This can cause pelvic pressure, intense pain, dizziness, and other uncomfortable and dangerous situations.
Having sex while you are pregnant does not have a direct effect on the baby because it is fully protected by the amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus. Aside from these, there’s a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard the baby against infection. It is good to know that the penis does not come into contact with the fetus during sex.
by: James Pendergraft
they are pregnant. But they think that engaging in a sexual activity might be bad for the baby’s health. Is it really safe to have sex when you are pregnant?
Whether this would bring good news or not, having sex during pregnancy is safe for women who have uncomplicated and low-risk pregnancies.
Normal Pregnancy Allows for Sexual Activity
If you are not sure that you are fit for such an activity, consult a doctor or a midwife. The sexual desires of a woman tend to fluctuate when she is pregnant, but the activity can become awkward and uncomfortable since the body shape of a woman changes considerably.
Always remember that staying intimate doesn’t meant hat you have to engage in sex. Closeness and pleasure can be provided by kissing, touching, cuddling, and manual stimulation. These activities are low risk, and they could not add up to the problems of your pregnancy..
You just have to make sure that your pregnancy is healthy and fit.
Some Risks and Tips
You should also know that a pregnant woman who engages in sex is not a hundred percent safe. There are risks that are associated with the activity, and here are some things to consider:
1) Never engage in practices where your partner blows in the birth canal. It can cause blockage of the blood vessel, which is potentially fatal for the baby and for the mother as well.
2) Never have sex with a partner if you do not know his sexual and health history. This is a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, which is very serious on the baby’s part. You are not only putting your life at risk but also the life of the unborn child.
3) Don’t engage in sex if the doctor doesn’t allow you to. This might end up in early labor, potential miscarriage, bleeding, cramping, amniotic fluid leaking from birth canal, cervix problems, and a condition called placenta previa.
4) You might also consider engaging in different sex positions while you are having sex. The traditional man-on-top and spooning position is very uncomfortable for a pregnant woman. It is also important to know that a pregnant woman should not lie flat on her back because the uterus might compress the major blood vessels. This can cause pelvic pressure, intense pain, dizziness, and other uncomfortable and dangerous situations.
Having sex while you are pregnant does not have a direct effect on the baby because it is fully protected by the amniotic sac and the strong muscles of the uterus. Aside from these, there’s a thick mucus plug that seals the cervix and helps guard the baby against infection. It is good to know that the penis does not come into contact with the fetus during sex.
by: James Pendergraft
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