[NEWS]Commenting on figures released on Tuesday on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Scotland, Dr Charles Saunders, chairman of the BMA's Scottish Consultants Committee, said:
"Today's figures show that in Scotland the number of STIs diagnosed continues to rise, with almost a quarter of all acute STI diagnoses being in those aged less than 20. This demonstrates the need for improving the education of young people to help prevent the further spread of these infections.
"It is clear from government statistics that children are becoming sexually active at a younger age so it is imperative that we do more to inform young people of the risks of contracting STIs and educate them on how to prevent them. The BMA firmly believes that children should start sex and relationship education at primary school so that they gain the confidence to delay becoming sexually active and when they do decide to have sex, that they do it for the right reasons and take the necessary precautions."
BMA Scotland believes that in order to meet increasing patient need much more must be done to improve sexual health services, particularly for young people. Dr Saunders added:
"The increased incidence of STIs flags up the importance of education and prevention but also brings with it challenges for the NHS in treating these patients. Sexual health services need adequate and sustained funding to enable them to plan and deliver comprehensive services as locally as possible.
"Improving sexual health services is an essential part of disease prevention. Failure to treat infections promptly means that untreated patients who remain sexually active can continue to spread STIs. Ensuring that people have access to the right help at the right time is crucial." Thank you for reading :)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Blood Pressure Can Be Lowered By Reducing Salt Intake
Adults who use less salt in their diet can experience a slight reduction in their blood pressure in the medium term. However, whether in the long term this can also reduce the risk of late complications in people with sustained high blood pressure, otherwise known as essential hypertension, and whether in the long term their anti-hypertensive medication can be reduced remains unresolved. This is the conclusion of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) in its final report published in the form of a rapid report on 20 July 2009.
This rapid report is part of a package commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), in which the benefit of various non-drug treatment strategies for high blood pressure are to be assessed. Stress management and more physical activity are also included, as well as giving up smoking and cutting down alcohol consumption. IQWiG has already completed a report on the effect of weight reduction on blood pressure.
Assessment was based on secondary literature
IQWiG's benefit assessments are generally based on systematic searches and analysis of clinical trials, in other words, primary literature. However, this rapid report was prepared on the basis of secondary literature. In principle, this can be done - and is included in IQWiG's General Methods - if current, high quality systematic reviews are already available on a given topic. This was the case with reducing salt intake in hypertension, as IQWiG's preliminary search revealed.
IQWiG searched for systematic reviews (these basically provide an analysis of studies in summary) that compared the following patients with hypertension: an intervention group, which was to follow a low-salt diet over a long period, versus a control group, which either did not have this target or whose salt reduction was not so great as in the intervention group. The minimum duration of the studies had to be 4 weeks. In order not to overlook any current and potentially relevant studies, IQWiG also conducted an update search of recently published primary studies.
IQWiG was able to include in its assessment 7 reviews, in which the results of between 520 and 3391 participants from a total of 62 randomized controlled trials were analysed together.
No conclusions on cardiovascular disease or mortality possible
IQWiG found that no conclusions on late complications could be drawn from the available data. The reason for this is that none of the studies had the primary goal of investigating the effects of a low-salt diet on cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality. Moreover, most of the studies were only of a few months' duration and had low numbers of participants, which meant that possible differences in late complications might not have been detected with certainty.
Uncertainty whether the reduction in blood pressure is sustainable
However, the investigations consistently show that a reduction in salt intake can assist in lowering blood pressure: over a period of up to one year, there was a mean drop of 3.6 to 8 mmHg in systolic values and a mean drop of approximately 2 to 3 mmHg in diastolic values. This applied primarily to patients who did not take any additional anti-hypertensive drugs.
The sustainability of this effect, however, remains unclear. The authors of at least one review report that the observed advantage disappears when the analysis is restricted to studies of a longer duration (at least 6 months).
None of the reviews solely considered patients who were simultaneously taking anti-hypertensive drugs or separately analysed data for participants on concomitant medication. The additional blood pressure-lowering effect of a low-salt diet in these patients is therefore uncertain.
Basically, it is still not known whether people with essential hypertension can reduce their drug dosage through less salt intake.
Report preparation procedure
Rapid reports are intended to offer timely information on a current topic. They are not designed for G-BA guideline decisions. In order to guarantee a shorter delivery time, the report preparation procedure differs primarily in two ways from that of the other reports: working documents, report plans or preliminary reports are not published, nor is there a submission of comments procedure. Furthermore, the assessment is generally based on information already published, i.e. IQWiG is not concerned with obtaining unpublished study data from drug manufacturers, for example.
The report was produced in collaboration with external experts. A preliminary version was reviewed by a further independent research group and the final version was despatched to the G-BA on 22 June 2009. Thank you for reading :)
This rapid report is part of a package commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), in which the benefit of various non-drug treatment strategies for high blood pressure are to be assessed. Stress management and more physical activity are also included, as well as giving up smoking and cutting down alcohol consumption. IQWiG has already completed a report on the effect of weight reduction on blood pressure.
Assessment was based on secondary literature
IQWiG's benefit assessments are generally based on systematic searches and analysis of clinical trials, in other words, primary literature. However, this rapid report was prepared on the basis of secondary literature. In principle, this can be done - and is included in IQWiG's General Methods - if current, high quality systematic reviews are already available on a given topic. This was the case with reducing salt intake in hypertension, as IQWiG's preliminary search revealed.
IQWiG searched for systematic reviews (these basically provide an analysis of studies in summary) that compared the following patients with hypertension: an intervention group, which was to follow a low-salt diet over a long period, versus a control group, which either did not have this target or whose salt reduction was not so great as in the intervention group. The minimum duration of the studies had to be 4 weeks. In order not to overlook any current and potentially relevant studies, IQWiG also conducted an update search of recently published primary studies.
IQWiG was able to include in its assessment 7 reviews, in which the results of between 520 and 3391 participants from a total of 62 randomized controlled trials were analysed together.
No conclusions on cardiovascular disease or mortality possible
IQWiG found that no conclusions on late complications could be drawn from the available data. The reason for this is that none of the studies had the primary goal of investigating the effects of a low-salt diet on cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality. Moreover, most of the studies were only of a few months' duration and had low numbers of participants, which meant that possible differences in late complications might not have been detected with certainty.
Uncertainty whether the reduction in blood pressure is sustainable
However, the investigations consistently show that a reduction in salt intake can assist in lowering blood pressure: over a period of up to one year, there was a mean drop of 3.6 to 8 mmHg in systolic values and a mean drop of approximately 2 to 3 mmHg in diastolic values. This applied primarily to patients who did not take any additional anti-hypertensive drugs.
The sustainability of this effect, however, remains unclear. The authors of at least one review report that the observed advantage disappears when the analysis is restricted to studies of a longer duration (at least 6 months).
None of the reviews solely considered patients who were simultaneously taking anti-hypertensive drugs or separately analysed data for participants on concomitant medication. The additional blood pressure-lowering effect of a low-salt diet in these patients is therefore uncertain.
Basically, it is still not known whether people with essential hypertension can reduce their drug dosage through less salt intake.
Report preparation procedure
Rapid reports are intended to offer timely information on a current topic. They are not designed for G-BA guideline decisions. In order to guarantee a shorter delivery time, the report preparation procedure differs primarily in two ways from that of the other reports: working documents, report plans or preliminary reports are not published, nor is there a submission of comments procedure. Furthermore, the assessment is generally based on information already published, i.e. IQWiG is not concerned with obtaining unpublished study data from drug manufacturers, for example.
The report was produced in collaboration with external experts. A preliminary version was reviewed by a further independent research group and the final version was despatched to the G-BA on 22 June 2009. Thank you for reading :)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Simian Virus 40 (SV40)
SV40 (simian virus) is the 40th virus identified by scientists studying monkeys. It has recently been identified in human mesothelioma cells. SV40 may work together (synergistically) with asbestos to cause mesothelioma. Polio vaccines administered to more than 90 million Americans during 1955 - 1961 were contaminated with SV40. During this time period polio vaccines were developed using monkeys to create the antibodies to protect people from polio. Both the Salk vaccine (administered by inoculation) and Sabin vaccine (administered orally) were contaminated with SV40 until at least the early 1960s. Researchers and vaccine manufacturers were aware of the SV40 contamination but did not take steps to remove the virus from the vaccines. However the implications of these facts are not totally understood and further research will be needed to clarify the link between malignant mesothelioma and a viral etiology.
Who Is At Risk of Asbestos Exposure?
Nearly everyone is exposed to asbestos fibers at some time during his or her life. Anyone who has been exposed to airborne asbestos fibers is at risk to develop asbestos related diseases. Although it is known that the risk to workers increases with heavier exposure and longer exposure time, investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals who had only brief exposures.
Most cases of mesothelioma are found in males. This is associated with the fact that mostly males have worked in the occupations that deal with asbestos containing products.
Persons working in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades are likely to have exposed to asbestos. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may have been exposed to asbestos dust.
Workers' families may inhale asbestos fibers brought into the home on the shoes, clothing, skin, and hair of workers. People who live or work near asbestos-related operations might inhale asbestos fibers that have been released into the air by the operations.
The amount of asbestos to which someone is exposed will vary, according to:
- the concentration of fibers in the air;
- the duration of exposure;
- the person's breathing rate; and,
- weather conditions
Today's workers are less likely to be at risk than workers in the past because of improved work practices, increased awareness of the potential harm of asbestos, and government regulations.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are three types of malignant mesothelioma, differentiated by their cell types and appearance under the microscope (their histology). These are:
* epithelial type
* sarcomatous type
* mixed epithelial and sarcomatous type
Cell types are determined by taking a biopsy specimen from the tumor. The most common kind of malignant mesothelioma appears to be the epithelial type (half the cases in one series), then mixed (in about one-third of cases) and sarcomatous. Within the tumor, there may be great variation in cell types, however. Some experts say that the more biopsy specimens taken, the greater the likelihood of calling the tumor "mixed type".
The epithelial type of malignant mesothelioma may be hard to distinguish from a type of lung cancer, and the sarcomatous form may resemble other sarcomatous-type cancers. However, special laboratory techniques can be used to confirm the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, which may be important for litigation purposes.
There is some evidence that the epithelial type of malignant mesothelioma is associated with a better outcome.
* epithelial type
* sarcomatous type
* mixed epithelial and sarcomatous type
Cell types are determined by taking a biopsy specimen from the tumor. The most common kind of malignant mesothelioma appears to be the epithelial type (half the cases in one series), then mixed (in about one-third of cases) and sarcomatous. Within the tumor, there may be great variation in cell types, however. Some experts say that the more biopsy specimens taken, the greater the likelihood of calling the tumor "mixed type".
The epithelial type of malignant mesothelioma may be hard to distinguish from a type of lung cancer, and the sarcomatous form may resemble other sarcomatous-type cancers. However, special laboratory techniques can be used to confirm the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma, which may be important for litigation purposes.
There is some evidence that the epithelial type of malignant mesothelioma is associated with a better outcome.
Few Mesothelioma Facts & FAQs
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside of the ribs (pleura), or around the abdominal organs (peritoneum).
What does asbestos have to do with mesothelioma?
The only known cause of mesothelioma in the U.S. is previous exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos manufacturers knew about the hazards of asbestos seventy years ago - but they kept this knowledge to themselves. The first warnings to workers exposed to asbestos were given in the mid-1960s, and they were terribly inadequate. Even today, workers are not always told they are working around asbestos and are at risk for asbestos disease.
What can someone with mesothelioma do?
- Seek out the best and most up-to-date information.
- Seek out the best medical care.
- Early screening for mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Stay in close contact with your doctor.
- Consider whether or not you want to bring a lawsuit because of this asbestos-related injury.
- Remember that resources are available to you through community and medical support groups, asbestos victims' organizations, your place of worship, as well as your family and friends.
Monday, July 27, 2009
First Swine Flu Deaths Announced In Israel And Saudi Arabia
[NEWS] On Monday, the Health Ministries of Israel and Saudi Arabia reported their countries' first deaths from H1N1 swine influenza.
The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed that a 35-year old man, Shimon Azran, was infected with the novel H1N1 virus when he died, but did not confirm whether the virus had caused his death, reported Israel's daily newspaper Haaretz. Azran was admitted to hospital in Eilat after experiencing symptoms of pneumonia. Tests performed after his death confirmed the presence of H1N1 in his body.
The Saudi Arabian Health Ministry said that a 30-year old male Saudi citizen died of swine flu on Saturday, according to Arab media group Al Bawaba. The man was admitted to hospital with symptoms that included coughing, high fever, and difficulty breathing. He was given Tamiflu but his condition got worse.
These two deaths bring the total of deaths to swine flu in the Middle East to three. The first reported death in the region was of a 25-year old woman who died in Egypt after returning from a pilgrimage to Umrah in Saudi Arabia. She died in hospital on 18 July after testing positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus, said the Egyptian Health Ministry. Her symptoms on admission were "rheumatic fever, lack of oxygen in the blood and a stroke" said a MENA news agency report.
According to Israel's health ministry, there have now been more than 1,300 confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu in Israel.
A two-year old from Bnei Brak who died on Sunday after being hospitalized with symptoms of pneumonia has since been confirmed as not being infected with H1N1. This followed news of two new cases of swine flu in Israel last Wednesday, a 50-year old man and a 13-year old girl, both of whom are in hospital.
Meanwhile four other swine flu patients in hospital in Israel, including a female tourist from Sweden, and a mother who has recently given birth, are said to be improving.
Saudi Arabia has reported 294 confirmed cases of swine flu, more than any other Arab country.
Health ministers are planning to ban children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses from this year's annual Haj pilgrimage. At least 2 million people attended the last event, which this year falls in November.
On 16 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it would stop issuing updates on pandemic H1N1 cases and deaths around the world because the virus was so widespread, and in fact had spread in 6 weeks as widely as previous pandemics had spread in 6 months.
The global agency also said on the 24th of July that many countries where the virus has spread widely have moved to testing only samples of people who are ill, and have moved from counting individual cases to watching trends.
But the WHO said it would still report on swine flu cases and deaths in newly affected countries.
-- WHO
The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed that a 35-year old man, Shimon Azran, was infected with the novel H1N1 virus when he died, but did not confirm whether the virus had caused his death, reported Israel's daily newspaper Haaretz. Azran was admitted to hospital in Eilat after experiencing symptoms of pneumonia. Tests performed after his death confirmed the presence of H1N1 in his body.
The Saudi Arabian Health Ministry said that a 30-year old male Saudi citizen died of swine flu on Saturday, according to Arab media group Al Bawaba. The man was admitted to hospital with symptoms that included coughing, high fever, and difficulty breathing. He was given Tamiflu but his condition got worse.
These two deaths bring the total of deaths to swine flu in the Middle East to three. The first reported death in the region was of a 25-year old woman who died in Egypt after returning from a pilgrimage to Umrah in Saudi Arabia. She died in hospital on 18 July after testing positive for the H1N1 swine flu virus, said the Egyptian Health Ministry. Her symptoms on admission were "rheumatic fever, lack of oxygen in the blood and a stroke" said a MENA news agency report.
According to Israel's health ministry, there have now been more than 1,300 confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu in Israel.
A two-year old from Bnei Brak who died on Sunday after being hospitalized with symptoms of pneumonia has since been confirmed as not being infected with H1N1. This followed news of two new cases of swine flu in Israel last Wednesday, a 50-year old man and a 13-year old girl, both of whom are in hospital.
Meanwhile four other swine flu patients in hospital in Israel, including a female tourist from Sweden, and a mother who has recently given birth, are said to be improving.
Saudi Arabia has reported 294 confirmed cases of swine flu, more than any other Arab country.
Health ministers are planning to ban children, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses from this year's annual Haj pilgrimage. At least 2 million people attended the last event, which this year falls in November.
On 16 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it would stop issuing updates on pandemic H1N1 cases and deaths around the world because the virus was so widespread, and in fact had spread in 6 weeks as widely as previous pandemics had spread in 6 months.
The global agency also said on the 24th of July that many countries where the virus has spread widely have moved to testing only samples of people who are ill, and have moved from counting individual cases to watching trends.
But the WHO said it would still report on swine flu cases and deaths in newly affected countries.
-- WHO
Saturday, July 25, 2009
[News] WHO Stops Tracking H1N1 Cases
"In a move that caught many public health experts by surprise, the WHO quietly announced Thursday that it would stop tracking swine flu cases and deaths around the world," the New York Times reports. According to the newspaper, the announcement "perplexed some experts, and even baffled a WHO spokesman, Gregory Hartl," who "earlier in the day … had confirmed Argentina, with 137 swine flu deaths since June, had surpassed Mexico, where the epidemic began in February, as the country with second largest number of swine flu deaths." While the last WHO updated indicated nearly 95,000 people worldwide had been infected with H1N1, "[m]any epidemiologists have pointed out that, in reality, millions of people have had swine flu, usually in a mild form, so the numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases were actually meaningless" while tests "overwhelmed national laboratories," according to the New York Times (McNeil, 7/16).
The WHO has asked countries who have yet to confirm cases of H1N1 (swine flu) to report their first cases to the organization and advises countries to watch for unexpected clusters of severe or fatal cases of H1N1 or "unexpected, unusual or notable changes in patterns of transmission" (WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 3, 7/16).
Obama Releases $1.8B To Prepare U.S. For H1N1
President Obama on Thursday released $1.825 billion for emergency use to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. to prepare for H1N1, Reuters reports. The money - that comes "from $7.65 billion Congress already appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for the swine flu pandemic" - "will go to buy vaccine ingredients, to help health officials plan immunization campaigns and to help get the vaccines approved at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Obama said in a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi," the news service writes (7/16).
U.S. Vaccine Maker Not Taking More H1N1 Vaccine Orders, Potential 'Scramble' Over Vaccines 'Brewing'
"While at least 50 governments have placed orders or are negotiating with drug companies for supplies of flu vaccine against the fast spreading H1N1 strain, the lone U.S.-based maker [Baxter International] has already taken on as much as it can handle," Reuters writes. Chris Bona, a spokesman for Baxter International "said [Thursday] the company has agreed to allocate a portion of its commercial production to the WHO to address global public health issues," the news service writes (Berkrot, 7/16).
Representatives of the drug makers Novartis and Baxter International who are in the process of developing an H1N1 vaccine on Thursday spoke out about the problems they are having "yielding a large amount of active ingredient," which could push back the H1N1 vaccine delivery, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the newspaper, "The WHO is attempting to tweak the virus into a new copy that might yield more vaccine" (Whalen, 7/16).
"An ugly scramble is brewing over the swine flu vaccine - and when it becomes available, Britain, the United States and other nations could find that the contracts they signed with pharmaceutical companies are easily broken," the AP/Google.com reports. "Experts warn that during a global epidemic, which the world is in now, governments may be under tremendous pressure to protect their own citizens first before allowing companies to ship doses of vaccine out of the country," which "does not bode well for many countries, including the United States, which makes only 20 percent of the flu vaccines it uses, or Britain, where all of its flu vaccines are produced abroad," the news service writes.
The news service notes, "[a]bout 70 percent of the world's flu vaccines are made in Europe, and only a handful of countries are self-sufficient in vaccines," with the U.S. having "limited flu vaccine facilities," adding that "[i]f swine flu turns deadlier in the winter, the main flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, countries will likely be clamoring for" available vaccines. The article compares several countries plans for mass vaccination campaigns to the country location of the vaccine manufacturers that will produce the H1N1 vaccine (Cheng, 7/16).
The AFP/Google.com reports on how a spike in the numbers of H1N1-related deaths in Britain, has led the governments of Britain, Portugal and France to announce massive H1N1 vaccine orders even though WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has noted the vaccine will not be available for months. The country orders include: 132 million doses from Britain, a 94 million dose order from France and 6 million dose order from Portugal. "Neither [Portugal or France] has reported a death from swine flu," according to the news service (7/16).
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on Thursday criticized wealthy nations of blocking developing countries from receiving H1N1 vaccines by booking up production capacity, the Mail Online reports (7/17).
The WHO has asked countries who have yet to confirm cases of H1N1 (swine flu) to report their first cases to the organization and advises countries to watch for unexpected clusters of severe or fatal cases of H1N1 or "unexpected, unusual or notable changes in patterns of transmission" (WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 3, 7/16).
Obama Releases $1.8B To Prepare U.S. For H1N1
President Obama on Thursday released $1.825 billion for emergency use to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. to prepare for H1N1, Reuters reports. The money - that comes "from $7.65 billion Congress already appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for the swine flu pandemic" - "will go to buy vaccine ingredients, to help health officials plan immunization campaigns and to help get the vaccines approved at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Obama said in a letter to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi," the news service writes (7/16).
U.S. Vaccine Maker Not Taking More H1N1 Vaccine Orders, Potential 'Scramble' Over Vaccines 'Brewing'
"While at least 50 governments have placed orders or are negotiating with drug companies for supplies of flu vaccine against the fast spreading H1N1 strain, the lone U.S.-based maker [Baxter International] has already taken on as much as it can handle," Reuters writes. Chris Bona, a spokesman for Baxter International "said [Thursday] the company has agreed to allocate a portion of its commercial production to the WHO to address global public health issues," the news service writes (Berkrot, 7/16).
Representatives of the drug makers Novartis and Baxter International who are in the process of developing an H1N1 vaccine on Thursday spoke out about the problems they are having "yielding a large amount of active ingredient," which could push back the H1N1 vaccine delivery, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the newspaper, "The WHO is attempting to tweak the virus into a new copy that might yield more vaccine" (Whalen, 7/16).
"An ugly scramble is brewing over the swine flu vaccine - and when it becomes available, Britain, the United States and other nations could find that the contracts they signed with pharmaceutical companies are easily broken," the AP/Google.com reports. "Experts warn that during a global epidemic, which the world is in now, governments may be under tremendous pressure to protect their own citizens first before allowing companies to ship doses of vaccine out of the country," which "does not bode well for many countries, including the United States, which makes only 20 percent of the flu vaccines it uses, or Britain, where all of its flu vaccines are produced abroad," the news service writes.
The news service notes, "[a]bout 70 percent of the world's flu vaccines are made in Europe, and only a handful of countries are self-sufficient in vaccines," with the U.S. having "limited flu vaccine facilities," adding that "[i]f swine flu turns deadlier in the winter, the main flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, countries will likely be clamoring for" available vaccines. The article compares several countries plans for mass vaccination campaigns to the country location of the vaccine manufacturers that will produce the H1N1 vaccine (Cheng, 7/16).
The AFP/Google.com reports on how a spike in the numbers of H1N1-related deaths in Britain, has led the governments of Britain, Portugal and France to announce massive H1N1 vaccine orders even though WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has noted the vaccine will not be available for months. The country orders include: 132 million doses from Britain, a 94 million dose order from France and 6 million dose order from Portugal. "Neither [Portugal or France] has reported a death from swine flu," according to the news service (7/16).
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan on Thursday criticized wealthy nations of blocking developing countries from receiving H1N1 vaccines by booking up production capacity, the Mail Online reports (7/17).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Kick-Start Your Workout
One you'll do! When I want quick results, I do interval training. Research shows that vigorous bouts of aerobic exercise followed by easier ones, or mixing cardio intervals with strength training (as I do here), burns tons more calories in less time than if you were to work out at a steady intensity.
Intervals supercharge your metabolism, so you burn calories all day long. And constantly switching from one move to the next keeps things interesting.
The following program combines kicks, jumps, and squats. It really works your hips, thighs, and buns, so you tone and trim inches at the same time.
Your Toning Program
Beginner: Do 30 seconds of each of the five exercises; repeat the entire sequence four times for a total of 10 minutes.
Advanced: Do 1 minute of each exercise; repeat the entire sequence four times for a 20-minute fat-blasting routine.
Do three to five times a week.
1. Front Kicks
Stand with your feet apart, left foot in front, and hands in loose fists in front of your chin, palms facing each other.
Keeping your abs tight, lean your weight into your left leg. Lift your right knee to waist height, and kick your lower leg straight out in front of you as high as is comfortable. (It's a quick but controlled movement.) Keep your left (standing) leg slightly bent. Immediately bring your right leg back down. Do 5 to 10 kicks, then switch to your left leg.
2. Travel Squats
Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Step your left foot out to the side. As you land, sit back, bending at your knees and hips. Don't let your knees move forward over your toes. Raise your arms in front of you as you sit back.
Squeeze your butt, and press through your heels to stand back up. As you do, step your right foot in to meet your left foot. Then step your left foot out to the side as you squat once again. Do 3 or 4 squats to the left, then go to the right.
3. Do jumping jacks
4. March in place, or jog
5. Side Kicks
Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width and your left foot turned out about 45 degrees. Hold your hands in loose fists in front of your chin, or rest your left hand on a chair for balance. Lean to the left, and cock your right hip up. For a printer-friendly version of all steps click below.
Lift your right knee. Then, without lowering it, kick your lower leg out to the side. Keep your abdominals tight, your left (standing) leg slightly bent, and your right foot flexed. Concentrate on kicking through your heel. Bend the knee back in, and bring your leg down. Do 5 to 10 kicks with your right leg, then switch to your left. Start low, gradually working up to higher, faster kicks.
Intervals supercharge your metabolism, so you burn calories all day long. And constantly switching from one move to the next keeps things interesting.
The following program combines kicks, jumps, and squats. It really works your hips, thighs, and buns, so you tone and trim inches at the same time.
Your Toning Program
Beginner: Do 30 seconds of each of the five exercises; repeat the entire sequence four times for a total of 10 minutes.
Advanced: Do 1 minute of each exercise; repeat the entire sequence four times for a 20-minute fat-blasting routine.
Do three to five times a week.
1. Front Kicks
Stand with your feet apart, left foot in front, and hands in loose fists in front of your chin, palms facing each other.
Keeping your abs tight, lean your weight into your left leg. Lift your right knee to waist height, and kick your lower leg straight out in front of you as high as is comfortable. (It's a quick but controlled movement.) Keep your left (standing) leg slightly bent. Immediately bring your right leg back down. Do 5 to 10 kicks, then switch to your left leg.
2. Travel Squats
Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Step your left foot out to the side. As you land, sit back, bending at your knees and hips. Don't let your knees move forward over your toes. Raise your arms in front of you as you sit back.
Squeeze your butt, and press through your heels to stand back up. As you do, step your right foot in to meet your left foot. Then step your left foot out to the side as you squat once again. Do 3 or 4 squats to the left, then go to the right.
3. Do jumping jacks
4. March in place, or jog
5. Side Kicks
Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width and your left foot turned out about 45 degrees. Hold your hands in loose fists in front of your chin, or rest your left hand on a chair for balance. Lean to the left, and cock your right hip up. For a printer-friendly version of all steps click below.
Lift your right knee. Then, without lowering it, kick your lower leg out to the side. Keep your abdominals tight, your left (standing) leg slightly bent, and your right foot flexed. Concentrate on kicking through your heel. Bend the knee back in, and bring your leg down. Do 5 to 10 kicks with your right leg, then switch to your left. Start low, gradually working up to higher, faster kicks.
[NEWS] US To Start Human Trials Of H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine In August
The United States will start human trials of an experimental vaccine for preventing the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in August; the first study will involve 1,000 volunteer adults and children in 10 centres throughout the country.
The announcement was made yesterday by the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development, one of 8 of a nationwide network of Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Units (VTEUs) that will start recruiting volunteers and testing the vaccine in August.
The VTEU network, which will evaluate the safety of the vaccine and measure its ability to stimulate immune responses to the H1N1 virus, is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This step is the first toward the US government's goal to have a safe and effective vaccine available to the public before the flu season starts in the fall.
The US government has declared the H1N1 flu outbreak a public health emergency, following the World Health Organization's declaration last month that the virus spread was now a global pandemic.
Experts anticipate that the virus will cause significant illness during the US flu season this fall and winter, including hospitalizations and deaths.
Dr Karen L Kotloff, who is a lead investigator at the VTEU, and also professor of pediatrics, and a researcher in the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, told the press that:
"Vaccines have always been a vital tool for controlling influenza. The results of these studies will help to guide the optimal use of the H1N1 vaccines in the US and elsewhere in the world."
The idea of VTEUs is not new: the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has been an NIAID centre for more than 30 years.
Dr E Albert Reece, dean of the School, who is also Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, and the John Z and Akiko K Bowers Distinguished Professor at the School of Medicine, said they were very pleased to lead the effort to stop the H1N1 pandemic before the start of the 2009 flu season.
"Our VTEU is now one of just eight in the country, and it is the only one in the mid-Atlantic region," said Reece.
The trial vaccine will first be tested on healthy adults and elderly volunteers. If they show good tolerance to the vaccine, it will then be tested on children. The researchers anticipate enrolling as many as 200 adults, 200 seniors and 600 children on the trial.
The trial will also test two strengths of the vaccine and evaluate which of them offers the best protection against the H1N1 swine flu.
All the volunteers will receive two doses of vaccine three weeks apart, and also give blood samples each time so the researchers can compare the response after one dose with the response after two doses. The volunteers will be asked to keep a log of how they feel and any symptoms they experience.
The researchers will continue to keep an eye on the volunteers for another two months, and check them after four and six months.
Kotloff told CNN:
"The purpose of these trials is always to make sure they are safe."
"But even after six weeks, if things look good, we're pretty sure the vaccine will work," she added.
Kotloff said in a press statement that because young people have not experienced a flu virus like this one before, she and her colleagues expect that the response may be different in different age groups.
"Learning the responses of different age groups of people to the vaccine will not only tell us the best way to use the vaccine in an individual, but we also learn ways to use the vaccine supply most efficiently to protect the greatest number of people," added Kotloff.
"Older adults might have some immunity to the new H1N1 virus as a result of being exposed to similar flu viruses in the past. As a result, older adults might need fewer doses or a lower strength of the vaccine than younger individuals," she explained.
Further trials will look at how the vaccine works when combined with the seasonal flu vaccine, and whether adding an adjuvant to boost the immune response helps the vaccine remain effective at lower doses.
The other 7 VTEU sites are: Baylor College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Emory University, Saint Louis University, Seattle Group Health Cooperative, the University of Iowa, and Vanderbilt University.
The Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and Duke University Medical Center are also expected to join the VTEU network.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for CSL Ltd, a biopharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, Australia, told CNN that they were planning to start the first human trials of a swine flu vaccine on Wednesday, with 240 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 64, who will also receive two shots, three weeks apart, and give blood samples so researchers can evaulate their immune response.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
What Are Bed Bugs? How To Kill Bed Bugs
Bed bugs, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae) are small wingless insects that feed by hematophagy - exclusively on the blood of warm blooded-animals. As we are warm-blooded animals we are ideal hosts for them. Over millions of years bed bugs have evolved as nest parasites - inhabiting the nests of birds and the roosts of bats. Some of them have learnt to adapt to the human environment and live in our nests, i.e. our homes, and more specifically, our beds. Newborns, called hatchlings or nymphs, are tiny, about the size of a poppy seed, while adults grow to about ¼ of an inch long. Their shape is oval and flattened. Both nymphs, eggs and adults are visible to the naked eye.
They are called bed bugs because of their preferred habitat in human homes: sofas, bed mattresses and other soft furnishings.
Bed bugs are seen as a growing problem within all types of dwellings, including private homes, dormitories, cruise ships, army barracks, and shelters.
When seen close up they may have a white, light tan to a deep brown or burnt orange color. Just after molting most of them are plain white. When they have had their feed a dark red or black blob may be observed within their body. They will instinctively seek shelter in dark cracks and crevices when disturbed.
How dangerous are bed bugs to humans?
Most bed bugs feed on their hosts while they are asleep. The host supplies them with blood in a painless way, never knowing it is happening. While feeding they inject a small amount of saliva into the host's skin. The more they feed on one particular host, say a human, over a period of several weeks, the more sensitized that human becomes to their saliva. Until eventually the host develops a mild to intense allergic response.
People who have become sensitive to bed bug bites - their saliva - have lesions similar to mosquito or flea bites. Most humans will think they have been bitten by some insect, such as a mosquito, and never realize who the true culprit was.
Articles about skin conditions/diseases
what is ringworm? What is body ringworm? What is scalp ringworm?
What is psoriasis? What causes psoriasis?
What is eczema? What causes eczema?
What are skin tags? What causes skin tags?
What are pimples? How to get rid of pimples
What are blackheads? How to get rid of blackheads
What are warts? What causes warts?
What are genital warts? What causes genital warts?
What is dandruff? What causes dandruff?
What is acne? What causes acne?
What is nail fungal infection? What causes nail fungal infection?
What is skin cancer? What is melanoma?
The common bed bug, (Cimex lectularius) has adapted well to human environments. It is generally found in temperate climates. Cimex hemiterus is more common in tropical regions, and has mainly poultry and bats as its host. Leptocimex boueti, found mainly in South America and West Africa feeds chiefly on humans and bats. Haematosiphon inodora, of North America, feeds primarily on poultry.
How do bed bugs feed?
The most active time for a bed bug is about one hour before sunrise - the peak time for feeding. However, they will try to feed at any time of day or night if they are hungry enough, and if the opportunity is there. They prefer nighttime and hate sunlight.
They will reach their host either by crawling straight towards them, or climbing a wall and then across the ceiling until they feel a heat wave - when they jump down onto their host. The bug is attracted to the host by both its warmth and the presence of C02 (carbon dioxide).
It pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. One tube injects saliva which contains anesthetics, so that the host feels nothing, and anticoagulants, so that the blood flows out freely. The other tube sucks the blood in.
Feeding takes about five minutes, after which the bug returns to its hiding place. Bites are not noticeable by the host until at least a few minutes or some hours afterwards. Hosts, for example humans, will be aware of a bite after scratching it. Often bites may not be noticeable for several days.
Bed bugs will feed every five to ten days. They can, however, last for several months without feeding. If there is no food around they can become dormant for over a year. A well fed bed bug has a lifespan of about six to nine months.
How do bed bugs reproduce?
Bed bugs reproduce by traumatic insemination, also known as hypodermic insemination. The males have hypodermic genitalia which pierce the females anywhere on their abomen and ejaculate sperm into the body cavity. The sperm diffuse through the insides and reach the ovaries, resulting in fertilization.
The female bed bug lays approximately 5 eggs in one day and about 500 during her lifetime. Eggs are about 1 mm long and are visible to the naked eye. They have a milky-white tinge.
The eggs take about two weeks to hatch. The nymphs (baby bed bugs) start feeding as soon as they hatch, and pass through five molting stages before reaching maturity. During each molting stage they need to feed once. It takes about five weeks to reach maturity at a room-temperature environment.
Bed bugs can only reproduce when they have reached maturity.
How do bed bugs get into your house?
Bed bugs may get into a new home as stowaways when luggage, furniture and bedding is moved into a new home - especially in the case of second-hand furniture. Perhaps we should be careful when purchasing second hand furniture at knock-down prices - a careful visual inspection should result in detecting them, if any are present.
Even vacant and seemingly clean homes may have bed bugs in them - they can survive for many months without any food. They can also move from apartment to apartment through hollows in walls and holes and tubes that wires and pipes go through.
A bat or bird that flies into a home could introduce bed bugs, and some other bugs as well.
How do I know if I have bed bugs in my house?
The biggest sign of bed bugs is people complaining of bites that occurred while they were asleep. If this happens you should examine the bedrooms for bed bugs and signs of bed bug activity. Look carefully into the creases in the bed linen, and seams and tufts of mattresses and box springs for bugs or eggs. The eggs will look like tiny pale poppy seeds.
Signs of bed bug activity may exist beneath loose areas of wallpaper near beds, in the corner of desks and dressers, in laundry, and in drawers.
Look out for dark brown or reddish fecal spots (bed bug droppings, excrement). If an area is very infested you may sense a coriander-like odor. The excrement is a liquid that looks either light brown or black that can either bead up or be absorbed by the material around it.
Dogs can be trained to sniff out live bed bugs or past infestations. A dog's sense of smell is so acute that it can pick up the scent of a single bed bug.
What happens when I get bitten?
When you are bitten a raised red bump of flat welt (also called a papule or a wheal) will appear, often accompanied by very intense itching. The anesthetic contained in the bed bugs saliva causes an allergic reaction which results in the red bumps. They look very similar to mosquito bites, but last a lot longer. Signs and symptoms of bug bites will only affect the surface of the skin.
Bites can sometimes take up to nine days to become visible. Unlike flea bites, bed bug bites do not usually have a red dot in the center.
Bed bugs, like fleas, tend to bite in rows. There are likely to be two or three bites all in a row. This is probably because the bed bug is disturbed while feeding, and then comes back about half an inch further down for its next bite; or perhaps it had been trying to find a good vein, and needed several attempts.
About 50% of people who are bitten show no symptoms at all and do not know it happened. This makes it more difficult to prevent or identify potential infestations. Some individuals, however, may become ill and nauseous. It is possible get skin infections and scars from scratching the bites.
When people know they have an infestation of bed bugs in their house they tend to become alarmed. Research, however, indicates that bed bugs do not transmit disease, even though they do bite and take blood. Infections will occur as a result of scratching, and not from a pathogen passed on from the bug.
Very rarely, some people may have an anaphylactic reaction to bed bug bites. It is possible to have an asthmatic reaction when they shed skin as they grow and die; but cases are very rare.
Treatment of bed bug bites
Most bites resolve within one to two weeks. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, and include:
* Applying a topical cream, such as cortisone to relieve itching.
* Avoid scratching as this can cause infection.
* If infection does occur an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
* If there is a severe allergic reaction oral corticosteroids may be prescribed.
* Antihistamines may also help relieve allergic reactions.
As soon as the symptoms are treated it will be necessary deal with the infestation (see below Controlling infestations of bed bugs)
Do bed bugs transmit disease?
Although they look very much like the kind of insect that would transmit disease, like mosquitoes, there are no records anywhere of disease transmission cause by bed bugs - even from sick host to healthy host.
A study carried out by scientists at the Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA, that reviewed the available evidence on bed bugs found that while they are highly resistant to various ways of getting rid of them, they seem to be more of a nuisance than a serious health problem, but the possibility that they could one day serve as a vehicle for disease has not been well researched.
Scientists say there may be as many as 40 pathogens that could potentially live inside a bed bug or around its mouth area. However, tests have concluded that bed bugs are highly unlikely to carry disease from host to host.
Researchers have concluded that they are much less hazardous to human health than fleas, or other common insects. Nevertheless, these are well formulated opinions, rather than the results of conclusive studies. Some say hepatitis B or Chagas disease could not be discarded as possibilities if the setting were right.
As mentioned before, the biggest risk for humans comes from secondary bacterial infection, which in this case would be as a result of scratching the skin. Scratching, if it breaks the skin, allows bacteria to penetrate - but the bacteria would not have been from the bed bug.
Although they are not known to carry diseases, bed bugs can affect the quality of life of a person who has been bitten, causing distress, discomfort, embarrassment and unsettled sleep.
Controlling infestations of bed bugs
Since they can hide in so many places, they are not easy to eradicate. Unless you have a lot of time at your disposal, and limitless patience, it is advisable to get a professional in pest control. Experts know where to look for them, as well as how to get rid of them.
You can help the pest control professional by removing excess clutter form your house. If your stuff is strewn about rooms the bed bugs will have many extra places to hide, making inspection and eradication that much more difficult.
Some pest control companies may ask you to move furniture away from walls and mattresses and box springs stood on edge before they come in, while others prefer everything to be left where it is so that they can check before moving them themselves.
If you live in an apartment or a house that adjoins another one, it may be necessary to inspect adjoining dwellings to. Bed bugs can easily disperse throughout a building.
The following procedures are advised:
* Bedding and garments which are prone to infestation need to be bagged and laundered at 120 F minimum, because these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Or….
* Place these items in the clothes drier. Set it to high heat for ten to twenty minutes. "Dry-clean only" clothes may be placed in the drier as long as they are completely dry beforehand and are set at moderate heat (less than 160 F). It is possible to send your stuff off to be dry-cleaned - this will kill the bugs; but you may be passing your problem onto the dry-cleaning establishment. When the dry-cleaners open your bags and sort them the little bugs may get away and infest their new home.
* For things that cannot be treated by washing or placing in the drier, wrap them in plastic and place them outdoors in a very hot and sunny location for at least 24 hours. For best results pack each bag loosely. The aim is for an internal temperature of at least 120 F.
* Freezing may also work, but may take several days. It may be an option during winter months when finding hot and sunny locations may not be possible.
* Do not try to kill them off by ramping up the heating in your house - it won't work. Some pest control companies have special heaters for this.
* Although thorough vacuuming may not catch every single bug and egg, it will help get rid of some of the infestation before treatment with insecticides. When vacuuming make sure you include cracks and crevices. Dislodging eggs is extremely difficult - scraping as you vacuum along infested areas, such as fabric folds of beds and sofas and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets, is more effective. When you have finished make sure you place the vacuum cleaner contents in a sealed bag.
* You may find it is best to throw some infested items away. A pest control professional will help advise you. Make sure you bag these items carefully before moving them.
* Insecticides are a crucial part of getting rid of bed bugs. Do not use baits for ants and cockroaches, they will not work with bed bugs. A good pest control professional will treat all areas where bugs are found, as well as areas bugs tend to like. Depending on the size of your home and the severity of the infestation, this may take several hours. Follow-up visits may also be necessary.
* If you have recently got rid of bats or birds in and around your home it is possible that the bed bugs that fed on them may have switched to human hosts. Bat and bird nesting sites must be treated too.
Scientists at Ohio State University have determined that combining bed bugs' own chemical signals with a common insect control agent makes that treatment more effective at killing the bugs.
Encasing your bed
You could encase both the mattress and box spring in a proactive cover, as some people do for allergy relief. Some pest control firms sell them, as do a number of retail outlets.
As soon as you have encased it and zipped it shut, any bug trapped inside will eventually die - as long as you do not unzip it. Some people keep their new beds encased as it prevents the bugs from getting into the mattress and crevices and makes it easier to keep the surface clean and bug free. It is important to remember that encasements do not stop bugs from crawling onto them. Thank you for reading :)
They are called bed bugs because of their preferred habitat in human homes: sofas, bed mattresses and other soft furnishings.
Bed bugs are seen as a growing problem within all types of dwellings, including private homes, dormitories, cruise ships, army barracks, and shelters.
When seen close up they may have a white, light tan to a deep brown or burnt orange color. Just after molting most of them are plain white. When they have had their feed a dark red or black blob may be observed within their body. They will instinctively seek shelter in dark cracks and crevices when disturbed.
How dangerous are bed bugs to humans?
Most bed bugs feed on their hosts while they are asleep. The host supplies them with blood in a painless way, never knowing it is happening. While feeding they inject a small amount of saliva into the host's skin. The more they feed on one particular host, say a human, over a period of several weeks, the more sensitized that human becomes to their saliva. Until eventually the host develops a mild to intense allergic response.
People who have become sensitive to bed bug bites - their saliva - have lesions similar to mosquito or flea bites. Most humans will think they have been bitten by some insect, such as a mosquito, and never realize who the true culprit was.
Articles about skin conditions/diseases
what is ringworm? What is body ringworm? What is scalp ringworm?
What is psoriasis? What causes psoriasis?
What is eczema? What causes eczema?
What are skin tags? What causes skin tags?
What are pimples? How to get rid of pimples
What are blackheads? How to get rid of blackheads
What are warts? What causes warts?
What are genital warts? What causes genital warts?
What is dandruff? What causes dandruff?
What is acne? What causes acne?
What is nail fungal infection? What causes nail fungal infection?
What is skin cancer? What is melanoma?
The common bed bug, (Cimex lectularius) has adapted well to human environments. It is generally found in temperate climates. Cimex hemiterus is more common in tropical regions, and has mainly poultry and bats as its host. Leptocimex boueti, found mainly in South America and West Africa feeds chiefly on humans and bats. Haematosiphon inodora, of North America, feeds primarily on poultry.
How do bed bugs feed?
The most active time for a bed bug is about one hour before sunrise - the peak time for feeding. However, they will try to feed at any time of day or night if they are hungry enough, and if the opportunity is there. They prefer nighttime and hate sunlight.
They will reach their host either by crawling straight towards them, or climbing a wall and then across the ceiling until they feel a heat wave - when they jump down onto their host. The bug is attracted to the host by both its warmth and the presence of C02 (carbon dioxide).
It pierces the skin of its host with two hollow tubes. One tube injects saliva which contains anesthetics, so that the host feels nothing, and anticoagulants, so that the blood flows out freely. The other tube sucks the blood in.
Feeding takes about five minutes, after which the bug returns to its hiding place. Bites are not noticeable by the host until at least a few minutes or some hours afterwards. Hosts, for example humans, will be aware of a bite after scratching it. Often bites may not be noticeable for several days.
Bed bugs will feed every five to ten days. They can, however, last for several months without feeding. If there is no food around they can become dormant for over a year. A well fed bed bug has a lifespan of about six to nine months.
How do bed bugs reproduce?
Bed bugs reproduce by traumatic insemination, also known as hypodermic insemination. The males have hypodermic genitalia which pierce the females anywhere on their abomen and ejaculate sperm into the body cavity. The sperm diffuse through the insides and reach the ovaries, resulting in fertilization.
The female bed bug lays approximately 5 eggs in one day and about 500 during her lifetime. Eggs are about 1 mm long and are visible to the naked eye. They have a milky-white tinge.
The eggs take about two weeks to hatch. The nymphs (baby bed bugs) start feeding as soon as they hatch, and pass through five molting stages before reaching maturity. During each molting stage they need to feed once. It takes about five weeks to reach maturity at a room-temperature environment.
Bed bugs can only reproduce when they have reached maturity.
How do bed bugs get into your house?
Bed bugs may get into a new home as stowaways when luggage, furniture and bedding is moved into a new home - especially in the case of second-hand furniture. Perhaps we should be careful when purchasing second hand furniture at knock-down prices - a careful visual inspection should result in detecting them, if any are present.
Even vacant and seemingly clean homes may have bed bugs in them - they can survive for many months without any food. They can also move from apartment to apartment through hollows in walls and holes and tubes that wires and pipes go through.
A bat or bird that flies into a home could introduce bed bugs, and some other bugs as well.
How do I know if I have bed bugs in my house?
The biggest sign of bed bugs is people complaining of bites that occurred while they were asleep. If this happens you should examine the bedrooms for bed bugs and signs of bed bug activity. Look carefully into the creases in the bed linen, and seams and tufts of mattresses and box springs for bugs or eggs. The eggs will look like tiny pale poppy seeds.
Signs of bed bug activity may exist beneath loose areas of wallpaper near beds, in the corner of desks and dressers, in laundry, and in drawers.
Look out for dark brown or reddish fecal spots (bed bug droppings, excrement). If an area is very infested you may sense a coriander-like odor. The excrement is a liquid that looks either light brown or black that can either bead up or be absorbed by the material around it.
Dogs can be trained to sniff out live bed bugs or past infestations. A dog's sense of smell is so acute that it can pick up the scent of a single bed bug.
What happens when I get bitten?
When you are bitten a raised red bump of flat welt (also called a papule or a wheal) will appear, often accompanied by very intense itching. The anesthetic contained in the bed bugs saliva causes an allergic reaction which results in the red bumps. They look very similar to mosquito bites, but last a lot longer. Signs and symptoms of bug bites will only affect the surface of the skin.
Bites can sometimes take up to nine days to become visible. Unlike flea bites, bed bug bites do not usually have a red dot in the center.
Bed bugs, like fleas, tend to bite in rows. There are likely to be two or three bites all in a row. This is probably because the bed bug is disturbed while feeding, and then comes back about half an inch further down for its next bite; or perhaps it had been trying to find a good vein, and needed several attempts.
About 50% of people who are bitten show no symptoms at all and do not know it happened. This makes it more difficult to prevent or identify potential infestations. Some individuals, however, may become ill and nauseous. It is possible get skin infections and scars from scratching the bites.
When people know they have an infestation of bed bugs in their house they tend to become alarmed. Research, however, indicates that bed bugs do not transmit disease, even though they do bite and take blood. Infections will occur as a result of scratching, and not from a pathogen passed on from the bug.
Very rarely, some people may have an anaphylactic reaction to bed bug bites. It is possible to have an asthmatic reaction when they shed skin as they grow and die; but cases are very rare.
Treatment of bed bug bites
Most bites resolve within one to two weeks. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, and include:
* Applying a topical cream, such as cortisone to relieve itching.
* Avoid scratching as this can cause infection.
* If infection does occur an oral antibiotic may be prescribed.
* If there is a severe allergic reaction oral corticosteroids may be prescribed.
* Antihistamines may also help relieve allergic reactions.
As soon as the symptoms are treated it will be necessary deal with the infestation (see below Controlling infestations of bed bugs)
Do bed bugs transmit disease?
Although they look very much like the kind of insect that would transmit disease, like mosquitoes, there are no records anywhere of disease transmission cause by bed bugs - even from sick host to healthy host.
A study carried out by scientists at the Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA, that reviewed the available evidence on bed bugs found that while they are highly resistant to various ways of getting rid of them, they seem to be more of a nuisance than a serious health problem, but the possibility that they could one day serve as a vehicle for disease has not been well researched.
Scientists say there may be as many as 40 pathogens that could potentially live inside a bed bug or around its mouth area. However, tests have concluded that bed bugs are highly unlikely to carry disease from host to host.
Researchers have concluded that they are much less hazardous to human health than fleas, or other common insects. Nevertheless, these are well formulated opinions, rather than the results of conclusive studies. Some say hepatitis B or Chagas disease could not be discarded as possibilities if the setting were right.
As mentioned before, the biggest risk for humans comes from secondary bacterial infection, which in this case would be as a result of scratching the skin. Scratching, if it breaks the skin, allows bacteria to penetrate - but the bacteria would not have been from the bed bug.
Although they are not known to carry diseases, bed bugs can affect the quality of life of a person who has been bitten, causing distress, discomfort, embarrassment and unsettled sleep.
Controlling infestations of bed bugs
Since they can hide in so many places, they are not easy to eradicate. Unless you have a lot of time at your disposal, and limitless patience, it is advisable to get a professional in pest control. Experts know where to look for them, as well as how to get rid of them.
You can help the pest control professional by removing excess clutter form your house. If your stuff is strewn about rooms the bed bugs will have many extra places to hide, making inspection and eradication that much more difficult.
Some pest control companies may ask you to move furniture away from walls and mattresses and box springs stood on edge before they come in, while others prefer everything to be left where it is so that they can check before moving them themselves.
If you live in an apartment or a house that adjoins another one, it may be necessary to inspect adjoining dwellings to. Bed bugs can easily disperse throughout a building.
The following procedures are advised:
* Bedding and garments which are prone to infestation need to be bagged and laundered at 120 F minimum, because these items cannot be treated with insecticides. Or….
* Place these items in the clothes drier. Set it to high heat for ten to twenty minutes. "Dry-clean only" clothes may be placed in the drier as long as they are completely dry beforehand and are set at moderate heat (less than 160 F). It is possible to send your stuff off to be dry-cleaned - this will kill the bugs; but you may be passing your problem onto the dry-cleaning establishment. When the dry-cleaners open your bags and sort them the little bugs may get away and infest their new home.
* For things that cannot be treated by washing or placing in the drier, wrap them in plastic and place them outdoors in a very hot and sunny location for at least 24 hours. For best results pack each bag loosely. The aim is for an internal temperature of at least 120 F.
* Freezing may also work, but may take several days. It may be an option during winter months when finding hot and sunny locations may not be possible.
* Do not try to kill them off by ramping up the heating in your house - it won't work. Some pest control companies have special heaters for this.
* Although thorough vacuuming may not catch every single bug and egg, it will help get rid of some of the infestation before treatment with insecticides. When vacuuming make sure you include cracks and crevices. Dislodging eggs is extremely difficult - scraping as you vacuum along infested areas, such as fabric folds of beds and sofas and the perimeter edge of wall-to-wall carpets, is more effective. When you have finished make sure you place the vacuum cleaner contents in a sealed bag.
* You may find it is best to throw some infested items away. A pest control professional will help advise you. Make sure you bag these items carefully before moving them.
* Insecticides are a crucial part of getting rid of bed bugs. Do not use baits for ants and cockroaches, they will not work with bed bugs. A good pest control professional will treat all areas where bugs are found, as well as areas bugs tend to like. Depending on the size of your home and the severity of the infestation, this may take several hours. Follow-up visits may also be necessary.
* If you have recently got rid of bats or birds in and around your home it is possible that the bed bugs that fed on them may have switched to human hosts. Bat and bird nesting sites must be treated too.
Scientists at Ohio State University have determined that combining bed bugs' own chemical signals with a common insect control agent makes that treatment more effective at killing the bugs.
Encasing your bed
You could encase both the mattress and box spring in a proactive cover, as some people do for allergy relief. Some pest control firms sell them, as do a number of retail outlets.
As soon as you have encased it and zipped it shut, any bug trapped inside will eventually die - as long as you do not unzip it. Some people keep their new beds encased as it prevents the bugs from getting into the mattress and crevices and makes it easier to keep the surface clean and bug free. It is important to remember that encasements do not stop bugs from crawling onto them. Thank you for reading :)
Monday, July 20, 2009
What Is Hair Loss (Alopecia)? What Is Baldness?
The word alopecia refers to any type of hair loss, thinning hair or baldness in any hairy region of the body. Baldness tends to be a more specific term among lay people, as it usually refers to hair loss on the scalp - however, it can mean hair loss in any part of the body. Alopecia areata means "hair loss in areas". In the majority of cases hair loss is a normal process of aging, and not a disease. Because it is not seen as life-threatening to doctors it is often disregarded. This is unfortunate because hair loss can cause serious distress in some people, with some far reaching psychological effects. In some cases hair loss may be a consequence of some medical treatment, especially cancer treatment drugs - when the hair loss is generally temporary.
There are several types of alopecia, below is a list of the main types:
Alopecia areata - hair loss occurring in patches anywhere on the body. Hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, generally from the scalp. As it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially during its early phase, it is sometimes referred to as "spot baldness". A small proportion of alopecia areata cases spread to the whole scalp, or even the entire body. Approximately 0.1% to 0.2% of all humans are affected. It occurs in both men and women, but more commonly among women.
Most people who develop alopecia areata are apparently healthy and have no skin problems. When it does occur, it tends to start during the late teenage years, early childhood, or early adulthood. However, it can strike at any age.
Alopecia areata is not contagious. It is more commonly found among people who have close family member who have/had it. People who have a close relative with some kind of autoimmune disease are more likely to develop alopecia areata. That is why most experts believe it is an autoimmune disease - a disease where the body attacks good parts of the body as if they were foreign undesirable objects, such as some bacteria or viruses; in this case the body is attacking its own hair follicles. Studies indicate that T cell lymphocytes cluster around attacked follicles, causing inflammation and hair loss. Scientists say something, combined with hereditary factors, trigger the condition - we do not know what that something is, although some suspect it may be emotional stress or a pathogen. A pathogen is a disease-producing agent, e.g. a virus, bacterium or other microorganism. A study found that there is a close relationship between infection outbreaks on teeth and the presence of alopecia areata.
Symptoms usually appear as small, soft, bald patches. They may be of various shapes, but are generally round or oval. The scalp and beard are the most commonly affected areas; but can occur in any hairy part of the body. The patient may feel tingling, or even some slight pain in affected areas. Some parts of the body may experience hair re-growth while others will not. It can go into remission for long or short periods, and even forever (gets better and never comes back).
When the hair falls out on the scalp it tends to do so over a short period, and more so on one side than the other.
People with this type of alopecia also have "exclamation point hairs" - hairs that become narrower along the length of the strand closer to the base.
Alopecia totalis - total hair loss of the scalp. This could happen rapidly, or from progression of alopecia areata. Experts are not sure what causes it, but know that it is an autoimmune disorder. Although many believe mental stress is a contributory factor, a sizeable number of people with alopecia totalis lead relatively stress-free lives.
This type of alopecia may be an intermediary condition between Alopecia areata and Alopecia Universalis (total body hair loss). It usually emerges as a fairly sudden total scalp hair loss, or more gradual. When it is gradual it tends to be a development from alopecia areata.
The majority of sufferers are either children or young adults under 40. However alopecia totalis can affect people of any age. The patient's nails may also become ridged, pitted or brittle in appearance.
Alopecia universalis - all hair is lost throughout the body. It generally involves rapid loss of hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes. Experts consider it to be the most severe form of alopecia areata. It affects approximately 1 in every 100,000 people in North America and Western Europe. It is an autoimmune condition.
Alopecia barbae - loss of facial hear. Barbae comes from Latin and refers to the bearded area of the face. It does, in fact, affect both men and women. However, it is of more interest to men as only men are generally bothered by it.
Alopecia mucinosa - also referred to as follicular mucinosis. It is an inflammatory condition of both the hair follicle and sebaceous glands (pilosebaceous unit) which can result in scarring as well as non-scarring hair loss. Severity of scarring indicates how advanced the disease is. There is mucin around hair follicles when examined under the microscope. Mucins appear like stringy, clear or whitish gunk in the skin, and are made up mostly of hyaluronic acid - this is a normal component of the ground substance surrounding collagen of the dermis (part of the skin).
Alopecia mucinosa generally affects the face, neck, and scalp, but can affect any part of the body.
Alopecia mucinosa can be one of three types: 1. Primary and acute disorder - this affects children and teenagers (Pinkus type). 2. Primary and chronic disorder - this occurs in people over 40. 3. Secondary disorder - this is associated with benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) skin disease.
Experts are not sure why it occurs, but it is seen as an autoimmune disease. Early signs include raised spots (follicular papules) which appear in reddened plaques or patches, about 2.5 centimeters in diameter, but they can be bigger. Some patients may start with one or more lesions, while others may have a single lesion that develops to multiple lesions over several weeks or months. The affected follicles will commonly result in hair loss.
If treated early enough it is reversible - hair will grow back. In more severe cases hair will not grow back, even after the disease has cleared up.
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) - this is also known as male pattern baldness. The hair gradually thins out, to an almost transparent state. It can affect both men and women. Experts say this type of alopecia is most likely to be hereditary - the person can inherit from either the mother or the father. Androgens means hormones. This type of alopecia is the type most lay people refer to when talking about balding.
Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline, and/or hair loss on the top of the head.
The person has a genetically determined sensitivity to the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Experts believe DHT shortens the growth phase (anagen phase) of the hair cycle, causing miniaturization of the follicles, resulting in finer hair. DHT production is regulated by 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme. DHT exists in several tissues of the body, including the scalp.
About 50% of men are affected by this type of hair loss at some time in their lives. Men of Chinese or Japanese ancestry are less likely to be affected.
A Chinese study found that men who smoked were more prone to age-related hair loss.
A study identified two genetic variants in Caucasians that together produce an astounding sevenfold increase in the risk of male pattern baldness.
Adrogenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss) - this is also known as female pattern baldness. Women have a higher risk of female pattern baldness when they undergo hormonal changes during the menopause. The hair on the head is thinner, while facial hair may be coarser. Although new hair is not produced, the follicles are still alive. This suggests that hair regrowth is possible.
Generally, female pattern baldness is different from male pattern baldness. The woman will experience hair thinning all over the head, but will not usually lose her frontal hairline (it will not recede). Loss of hair on the crown may be moderate, but his hardly ever progresses to total or near baldness. Women can lose hair for other reasons than female pattern baldness:
* Teologen effluvium (temporary shedding of hair)
* The hair may breaks after styling treatments, or the twisting and pulling of hair
* Alopecia areata
* Some skin diseases
* Iron deficiency
* Hormonal problems
* Underactive thyroid
* Vitamin deficiency
Traction alopecia - this refers to hair loss as a result of too much pulling or tension on the hair shafts - usually the result of some hair styles. This type of alopecia is more commonly found among women. If the traction alopecia is prolonged the person's hair, where lost, may never come back.
Very tight ponytails, braids, or pigtails may cause traction alopecia if the person frequently uses them. Toy dogs whose owners use barrettes to keep hair out of their faces may also develop this type of alopecia.
Anagen effluvium - generally brought on by the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer. Hair loss starts off as patchy, and then becomes total. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, as soon as the treatment is stopped the hair comes back within about six or so months. Some other medications can also cause hair loss. Compulsive hair pulling can also cause this type of hair loss, as well as poisoning from toxic plants, and some other diseases.
Anagen effluvium is caused by sudden, profound disturbances to the matrix cells of the hair follicles.
Telogen effluvium - more than normal amounts of hair fall out. It is characterized by excessive and early entry of hairs into the telogen phase (resting phase). This is a temporary condition - the hair comes back. It is thought to be caused by marked emotional or physiological stressful events that may result in an alteration of the normal hair cycle. The events may include childbirth, chronic illness, major surgery, anemia, crash diets, severe emotional disorders, or drugs.
What are the treatments for alopecia?
If the hair loss is caused by an infection or a condition, treating that infection/condition may prevent further hair loss, and in many cases re-growth will occur.
Male-pattern baldness treatment
* Finasteride - this works by preventing the hormone testosterone converting to the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which causes hair follicles to shrink. Finasteride effectively brings back normal hair size (from being very fine hair). According the National Health Service, UK, two-thirds of males who are given finasteride experience some hair regrowth. However, even among the other third who experience no regrowth, most stop becoming balder. The effects of finasteride are not evident for at least four months. If the patient stops taking finasteride the balding process will resume. About 1 in every 50 men who take finasteride experiences a loss of libido (sex drive).
* Minoxidil - this is available as a lotion. The person rubs it into the scalp on a daily basis. In the UK, and most other countries it is available over-the-counter (no prescription needed). About 15% of men who use it experience hair regrowth, while half of all men notice that the balding process stops. For about 32% of all men, minoxidil has no effect at all. It is only after four months of daily applications that those who do benefit from minoxidil notice it. If treatment is stopped the balding process will resume. Side effects are uncommon.
* Laser phototherapy - a controlled clinical trial proved the clinical efficacy and safety of a laser phototherapy device for treating hereditary hair loss, according to an article.
* Dermabrasion gel - scientists have found a way to make the skin of laboratory mice give have fully working hair follicles complete with new hair by using a protein that stimulates follicle generating genes in skin cells under wound conditions.
Female-pattern baldness treatment
The only effective medication for women with female-pattern baldness is minoxidil. About 20% to 25% of UK women who take it experience hair regrowth, while the majority finds the treatment stops or slows the loss of hair. Other treatments include hair transplants, wigs, hair weaving, changes in hairstyle, plastic surgery (scalp reduction).
Alopecia areata treatment
There is no current reliable, safe, effective, long term treatment for alopecia areata, a study showed. Fortunately, about 80% of cases resolve themselves after a year without treatment and hair grows back. Therefore, watchful waiting may be the best initial strategy. If it does not resolve itself, some treatments are possible:
* Steroid injections - effective when the patient has small patches. A steroid solution is injected straight into the scalp, several times. The steroid stops the immune system from attacking hair follicles. After about four weeks this treatment may stimulate regrowth. Treatment might be repeated every few months. With some patients alopecia returns some time after treatment is stopped, while with others the regrowth is permanent.
* Topical steroids (creams and ointments) and steroid tablets - although these medications are widely prescribed for alopecia areata treatment, their long-term benefits are not clear. It seems there is a chance hair will regrow. Side effects become more common the longer the patient takes the steroid tablets or creams/ointments; they may include diabetes and stomach ulcers. Some patients experience itching, and sometimes hair growth in other areas.
* Minoxidil - applied in lotion form to the scalp every day, this treatment can stimulate hair growth. Benefits, if they do appear, do so after about two or three months. In the UK they are not recommended for people under the age of 16.
* Immunotherapy - this is the most effective treatment for total hair loss. DPCP (diphencyprone) is applied to the bald skin. The patient applies the chemical solution once a week, and the dosage is stronger each time. The DPCP generally causes an allergic reaction and the patient will develop mild dermatitis (mild eczema). Hair starts to regrow after about three months among patients who respond. Some patients may have a severe skin reaction. This can be dealt with by reducing the rate of dosage increase. A very small percentage of patients may develop vitiligo (patchy colored skin). Most patients find that hair continues falling out after treatment is stopped.
* Dithranol cream - this treatment is much less popular than immunotherapy because it is less effective and there is a greater risk of causing a skin reaction and itchiness. It can also stain the scalp and hair.
* UV light treatment - the patient is given about two to three sessions of light therapy each week. This is usually done in a hospital. After about 12 months patients may see some good results. It is not very popular as response rates are not so good.
* Tattooing the eyebrows - this is known as dermatography.
* Alternative therapies - alternative therapists commonly offer aromatherapy, massage, or acupuncture for alopecia treatment. Not enough studies exist to determine how effective these treatments are. Thank you for reading :)
There are several types of alopecia, below is a list of the main types:
Alopecia areata - hair loss occurring in patches anywhere on the body. Hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, generally from the scalp. As it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially during its early phase, it is sometimes referred to as "spot baldness". A small proportion of alopecia areata cases spread to the whole scalp, or even the entire body. Approximately 0.1% to 0.2% of all humans are affected. It occurs in both men and women, but more commonly among women.
Most people who develop alopecia areata are apparently healthy and have no skin problems. When it does occur, it tends to start during the late teenage years, early childhood, or early adulthood. However, it can strike at any age.
Alopecia areata is not contagious. It is more commonly found among people who have close family member who have/had it. People who have a close relative with some kind of autoimmune disease are more likely to develop alopecia areata. That is why most experts believe it is an autoimmune disease - a disease where the body attacks good parts of the body as if they were foreign undesirable objects, such as some bacteria or viruses; in this case the body is attacking its own hair follicles. Studies indicate that T cell lymphocytes cluster around attacked follicles, causing inflammation and hair loss. Scientists say something, combined with hereditary factors, trigger the condition - we do not know what that something is, although some suspect it may be emotional stress or a pathogen. A pathogen is a disease-producing agent, e.g. a virus, bacterium or other microorganism. A study found that there is a close relationship between infection outbreaks on teeth and the presence of alopecia areata.
Symptoms usually appear as small, soft, bald patches. They may be of various shapes, but are generally round or oval. The scalp and beard are the most commonly affected areas; but can occur in any hairy part of the body. The patient may feel tingling, or even some slight pain in affected areas. Some parts of the body may experience hair re-growth while others will not. It can go into remission for long or short periods, and even forever (gets better and never comes back).
When the hair falls out on the scalp it tends to do so over a short period, and more so on one side than the other.
People with this type of alopecia also have "exclamation point hairs" - hairs that become narrower along the length of the strand closer to the base.
Alopecia totalis - total hair loss of the scalp. This could happen rapidly, or from progression of alopecia areata. Experts are not sure what causes it, but know that it is an autoimmune disorder. Although many believe mental stress is a contributory factor, a sizeable number of people with alopecia totalis lead relatively stress-free lives.
This type of alopecia may be an intermediary condition between Alopecia areata and Alopecia Universalis (total body hair loss). It usually emerges as a fairly sudden total scalp hair loss, or more gradual. When it is gradual it tends to be a development from alopecia areata.
The majority of sufferers are either children or young adults under 40. However alopecia totalis can affect people of any age. The patient's nails may also become ridged, pitted or brittle in appearance.
Alopecia universalis - all hair is lost throughout the body. It generally involves rapid loss of hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes. Experts consider it to be the most severe form of alopecia areata. It affects approximately 1 in every 100,000 people in North America and Western Europe. It is an autoimmune condition.
Alopecia barbae - loss of facial hear. Barbae comes from Latin and refers to the bearded area of the face. It does, in fact, affect both men and women. However, it is of more interest to men as only men are generally bothered by it.
Alopecia mucinosa - also referred to as follicular mucinosis. It is an inflammatory condition of both the hair follicle and sebaceous glands (pilosebaceous unit) which can result in scarring as well as non-scarring hair loss. Severity of scarring indicates how advanced the disease is. There is mucin around hair follicles when examined under the microscope. Mucins appear like stringy, clear or whitish gunk in the skin, and are made up mostly of hyaluronic acid - this is a normal component of the ground substance surrounding collagen of the dermis (part of the skin).
Alopecia mucinosa generally affects the face, neck, and scalp, but can affect any part of the body.
Alopecia mucinosa can be one of three types: 1. Primary and acute disorder - this affects children and teenagers (Pinkus type). 2. Primary and chronic disorder - this occurs in people over 40. 3. Secondary disorder - this is associated with benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) skin disease.
Experts are not sure why it occurs, but it is seen as an autoimmune disease. Early signs include raised spots (follicular papules) which appear in reddened plaques or patches, about 2.5 centimeters in diameter, but they can be bigger. Some patients may start with one or more lesions, while others may have a single lesion that develops to multiple lesions over several weeks or months. The affected follicles will commonly result in hair loss.
If treated early enough it is reversible - hair will grow back. In more severe cases hair will not grow back, even after the disease has cleared up.
Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) - this is also known as male pattern baldness. The hair gradually thins out, to an almost transparent state. It can affect both men and women. Experts say this type of alopecia is most likely to be hereditary - the person can inherit from either the mother or the father. Androgens means hormones. This type of alopecia is the type most lay people refer to when talking about balding.
Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline, and/or hair loss on the top of the head.
The person has a genetically determined sensitivity to the effects of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Experts believe DHT shortens the growth phase (anagen phase) of the hair cycle, causing miniaturization of the follicles, resulting in finer hair. DHT production is regulated by 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme. DHT exists in several tissues of the body, including the scalp.
About 50% of men are affected by this type of hair loss at some time in their lives. Men of Chinese or Japanese ancestry are less likely to be affected.
A Chinese study found that men who smoked were more prone to age-related hair loss.
A study identified two genetic variants in Caucasians that together produce an astounding sevenfold increase in the risk of male pattern baldness.
Adrogenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss) - this is also known as female pattern baldness. Women have a higher risk of female pattern baldness when they undergo hormonal changes during the menopause. The hair on the head is thinner, while facial hair may be coarser. Although new hair is not produced, the follicles are still alive. This suggests that hair regrowth is possible.
Generally, female pattern baldness is different from male pattern baldness. The woman will experience hair thinning all over the head, but will not usually lose her frontal hairline (it will not recede). Loss of hair on the crown may be moderate, but his hardly ever progresses to total or near baldness. Women can lose hair for other reasons than female pattern baldness:
* Teologen effluvium (temporary shedding of hair)
* The hair may breaks after styling treatments, or the twisting and pulling of hair
* Alopecia areata
* Some skin diseases
* Iron deficiency
* Hormonal problems
* Underactive thyroid
* Vitamin deficiency
Traction alopecia - this refers to hair loss as a result of too much pulling or tension on the hair shafts - usually the result of some hair styles. This type of alopecia is more commonly found among women. If the traction alopecia is prolonged the person's hair, where lost, may never come back.
Very tight ponytails, braids, or pigtails may cause traction alopecia if the person frequently uses them. Toy dogs whose owners use barrettes to keep hair out of their faces may also develop this type of alopecia.
Anagen effluvium - generally brought on by the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer. Hair loss starts off as patchy, and then becomes total. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, as soon as the treatment is stopped the hair comes back within about six or so months. Some other medications can also cause hair loss. Compulsive hair pulling can also cause this type of hair loss, as well as poisoning from toxic plants, and some other diseases.
Anagen effluvium is caused by sudden, profound disturbances to the matrix cells of the hair follicles.
Telogen effluvium - more than normal amounts of hair fall out. It is characterized by excessive and early entry of hairs into the telogen phase (resting phase). This is a temporary condition - the hair comes back. It is thought to be caused by marked emotional or physiological stressful events that may result in an alteration of the normal hair cycle. The events may include childbirth, chronic illness, major surgery, anemia, crash diets, severe emotional disorders, or drugs.
What are the treatments for alopecia?
If the hair loss is caused by an infection or a condition, treating that infection/condition may prevent further hair loss, and in many cases re-growth will occur.
Male-pattern baldness treatment
* Finasteride - this works by preventing the hormone testosterone converting to the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which causes hair follicles to shrink. Finasteride effectively brings back normal hair size (from being very fine hair). According the National Health Service, UK, two-thirds of males who are given finasteride experience some hair regrowth. However, even among the other third who experience no regrowth, most stop becoming balder. The effects of finasteride are not evident for at least four months. If the patient stops taking finasteride the balding process will resume. About 1 in every 50 men who take finasteride experiences a loss of libido (sex drive).
* Minoxidil - this is available as a lotion. The person rubs it into the scalp on a daily basis. In the UK, and most other countries it is available over-the-counter (no prescription needed). About 15% of men who use it experience hair regrowth, while half of all men notice that the balding process stops. For about 32% of all men, minoxidil has no effect at all. It is only after four months of daily applications that those who do benefit from minoxidil notice it. If treatment is stopped the balding process will resume. Side effects are uncommon.
* Laser phototherapy - a controlled clinical trial proved the clinical efficacy and safety of a laser phototherapy device for treating hereditary hair loss, according to an article.
* Dermabrasion gel - scientists have found a way to make the skin of laboratory mice give have fully working hair follicles complete with new hair by using a protein that stimulates follicle generating genes in skin cells under wound conditions.
Female-pattern baldness treatment
The only effective medication for women with female-pattern baldness is minoxidil. About 20% to 25% of UK women who take it experience hair regrowth, while the majority finds the treatment stops or slows the loss of hair. Other treatments include hair transplants, wigs, hair weaving, changes in hairstyle, plastic surgery (scalp reduction).
Alopecia areata treatment
There is no current reliable, safe, effective, long term treatment for alopecia areata, a study showed. Fortunately, about 80% of cases resolve themselves after a year without treatment and hair grows back. Therefore, watchful waiting may be the best initial strategy. If it does not resolve itself, some treatments are possible:
* Steroid injections - effective when the patient has small patches. A steroid solution is injected straight into the scalp, several times. The steroid stops the immune system from attacking hair follicles. After about four weeks this treatment may stimulate regrowth. Treatment might be repeated every few months. With some patients alopecia returns some time after treatment is stopped, while with others the regrowth is permanent.
* Topical steroids (creams and ointments) and steroid tablets - although these medications are widely prescribed for alopecia areata treatment, their long-term benefits are not clear. It seems there is a chance hair will regrow. Side effects become more common the longer the patient takes the steroid tablets or creams/ointments; they may include diabetes and stomach ulcers. Some patients experience itching, and sometimes hair growth in other areas.
* Minoxidil - applied in lotion form to the scalp every day, this treatment can stimulate hair growth. Benefits, if they do appear, do so after about two or three months. In the UK they are not recommended for people under the age of 16.
* Immunotherapy - this is the most effective treatment for total hair loss. DPCP (diphencyprone) is applied to the bald skin. The patient applies the chemical solution once a week, and the dosage is stronger each time. The DPCP generally causes an allergic reaction and the patient will develop mild dermatitis (mild eczema). Hair starts to regrow after about three months among patients who respond. Some patients may have a severe skin reaction. This can be dealt with by reducing the rate of dosage increase. A very small percentage of patients may develop vitiligo (patchy colored skin). Most patients find that hair continues falling out after treatment is stopped.
* Dithranol cream - this treatment is much less popular than immunotherapy because it is less effective and there is a greater risk of causing a skin reaction and itchiness. It can also stain the scalp and hair.
* UV light treatment - the patient is given about two to three sessions of light therapy each week. This is usually done in a hospital. After about 12 months patients may see some good results. It is not very popular as response rates are not so good.
* Tattooing the eyebrows - this is known as dermatography.
* Alternative therapies - alternative therapists commonly offer aromatherapy, massage, or acupuncture for alopecia treatment. Not enough studies exist to determine how effective these treatments are. Thank you for reading :)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?
Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream). Tumors can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.
More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when two things occur:
- a cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymph systems, destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion
- that cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis.
When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a serious condition that is very difficult to treat.
In 2007, cancer claimed the lives of about 7.6 million people in the world. Physicians and researchers who specialize in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer are called oncologists.
Cancer is ultimately the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Normal cells in the body follow an orderly path of growth, division, and death. Programmed cell death is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form. Unlike regular cells, cancer cells do not experience programmatic death and instead continue to grow and divide. This leads to a mass of abnormal cells that grows out of control.
What is cancer? - Video
A short, 3D, animated introduction to cancer. This was originally created by BioDigital Systems and used in the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon.
Genes - the DNA type
Cells can experience uncontrolled growth if there are damages or mutations to DNA, and therefore, damage to the genes involved in cell division. Four key types of gene are responsible for the cell division process: oncogenes tell cells when to divide, tumor suppressor genes tell cells when not to divide, suicide genes control apoptosis and tell the cell to kill itself if something goes wrong, and DNA-repair genes instruct a cell to repair damaged DNA.
Cancer occurs when a cell's gene mutations make the cell unable to correct DNA damage and unable to commit suicide. Similarly, cancer is a result of mutations that inhibit oncogene and tumor suppressor gene function, leading to uncontrollable cell growth.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are a class of substances that are directly responsible for damaging DNA, promoting or aiding cancer. Tobacco, asbestos, arsenic, radiation such as gamma and x-rays, the sun, and compounds in car exhaust fumes are all examples of carcinogens. When our bodies are exposed to carcinogens, free radicals are formed that try to steal electrons from other molecules in the body. Theses free radicals damage cells and affect their ability to function normally.
Genes - the family type
Cancer can be the result of a genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. It is possible to be born with certain genetic mutations or a fault in a gene that makes one statistically more likely to develop cancer later in life.
What are the symptoms of cancer?
Cancer symptoms are quite varied and depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread, and how big the tumor is. Some cancers can be felt or seen through the skin - a lump on the breast or testicle can be an indicator of cancer in those locations. Skin cancer (melanoma) is often noted by a change in a wart or mole on the skin. Some oral cancers present white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue.
Other cancers have symptoms that are less physically apparent. Some brain tumors tend to present symptoms early in the disease as they affect important cognitive functions. Pancreas cancers are usually too small to cause symptoms until they cause pain by pushing against nearby nerves or interfere with liver function to cause a yellowing of the skin and eyes called jaundice. Symptoms also can be created as a tumor grows and pushes against organs and blood vessels. For example, colon cancers lead to symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and changes in stool size. Bladder or prostate cancers cause changes in bladder function such as more frequent or infrequent urination.
As cancer cells use the body's energy and interfere with normal hormone function, it is possible to present symptoms such as fever, fatigue, excessive sweating, anemia, and unexplained weight loss. However, these symptoms are common in several other maladies as well. For example, coughing and hoarseness can point to lung or throat cancer as well as several other conditions.
When cancer spreads, or metastasizes, additional symptoms can present themselves in the newly affected area. Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes are common and likely to be present early. If cancer spreads to the brain, patients may experience vertigo, headaches, or seizures. Spreading to the lungs may cause coughing and shortness of breath. In addition, the liver may become enlarged and cause jaundice and bones can become painful, brittle, and break easily. Symptoms of metastasis ultimately depend on the location to which the cancer has spread.
How is cancer classified?
There are five broad groups that are used to classify cancer.
1. Carcinomas are characterized by cells that cover internal and external parts of the body such as lung, breast, and colon cancer.
2. Sarcomas are characterized by cells that are located in bone, cartilage, fat, connective tissue, muscle, and other supportive tissues.
3. Lymphomas are cancers that begin in the lymph nodes and immune system tissues.
4. Leukemias are cancers that begin in the bone marrow and often accumulate in the bloodstream.
5. Adenomas are cancers that arise in the thyroid, the pituitary gland, the adrenal gland, and other glandular tissues.
Cancers are often referred to by terms that contain a prefix related to the cell type in which the cancer originated and a suffix such as -sarcoma, -carcinoma, or just -oma. Common prefixes include:
* Adeno- = gland
* Chondro- = cartilage
* Erythro- = red blood cell
* Hemangio- = blood vessels
* Hepato- = liver
* Lipo- = fat
* Lympho- = white blood cell
* Melano- = pigment cell
* Myelo- = bone marrow
* Myo- = muscle
* Osteo- = bone
* Uro- = bladder
* Retino- = eye
* Neuro- = brain
How is cancer treated?
Cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer (how much it has spread), age, health status, and additional personal characteristics. There is no single treatment for cancer, and patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. Treatments usually fall into one of the following categories: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, or gene therapy.
How to eat to prevent cancer - Video
Thank you for reading :)
Diabetes Wounds Healed With Oxygen Under Pressure
For every 30 seconds a person somewhere in the world loses a lower limb to amputation due to diabetic foot disease.
In Australia about 275 people develop diabetes type-2 every day, and so the work of a team of mathematicians at QUT holds hope for the healing of these debilitating wounds that plague people with diabetes.
A QUT-led team of international researchers from the Institute of Health and Biomedical innovation at Kelvin Grove has modelled the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is the intermittent exposure of the body to pure oxygen under pressure, to heal the chronic wounds that lead to the need for amputation.
QUT mathematician Jennifer Flegg said a small cut on the foot of a diabetic could have catastrophic effects because their wounds did not heal the same way as normal wounds because of many factors including reduced blood flow.
"The investigation showed that HBOT applied intermittently under pressure to a diabetic wound speeds up its healing," Mrs Flegg said.
"Our modelling showed firstly that only HBOT, and not oxygen applied with no extra pressure, stimulates healing of these chronic wounds.
"We also found that HBOT must be continued until the wound has completely healed in order for it to be effective.
"However, we found that individual wounds need to be treated differently.
"Each patient has different healing capacities with HBOT and so our modelling shows that there should be a research focus on individual treatment protocols in order to optimize the outcome for each patient."
An article on these findings by Mrs Flegg, Professor Ian Turner and Emeritus Professor Sean McElwain from QUT and Professor Helen Byrne from the Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology at the University of Nottingham will be published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS): Computational Biology, the top-ranked journal in the field of mathematical and computational biology.
It is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focusing on research of exceptional significance that furthers our understanding of living systems through the application of computational methods.
In Australia about 275 people develop diabetes type-2 every day, and so the work of a team of mathematicians at QUT holds hope for the healing of these debilitating wounds that plague people with diabetes.
A QUT-led team of international researchers from the Institute of Health and Biomedical innovation at Kelvin Grove has modelled the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is the intermittent exposure of the body to pure oxygen under pressure, to heal the chronic wounds that lead to the need for amputation.
QUT mathematician Jennifer Flegg said a small cut on the foot of a diabetic could have catastrophic effects because their wounds did not heal the same way as normal wounds because of many factors including reduced blood flow.
"The investigation showed that HBOT applied intermittently under pressure to a diabetic wound speeds up its healing," Mrs Flegg said.
"Our modelling showed firstly that only HBOT, and not oxygen applied with no extra pressure, stimulates healing of these chronic wounds.
"We also found that HBOT must be continued until the wound has completely healed in order for it to be effective.
"However, we found that individual wounds need to be treated differently.
"Each patient has different healing capacities with HBOT and so our modelling shows that there should be a research focus on individual treatment protocols in order to optimize the outcome for each patient."
An article on these findings by Mrs Flegg, Professor Ian Turner and Emeritus Professor Sean McElwain from QUT and Professor Helen Byrne from the Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology at the University of Nottingham will be published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS): Computational Biology, the top-ranked journal in the field of mathematical and computational biology.
It is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focusing on research of exceptional significance that furthers our understanding of living systems through the application of computational methods.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Laser Teeth Whitening - Simple Way For a Brighter Smile
These days, everyone wants to look good, and everyone is after quick results. The desire to look good varies from being thin to having a nice tan. So the desire of people to have white and sparkling teeth isn’t an exception anymore. People are in search of immediate and painless results. Thanks to the advancement in medical technology, laser teeth whitening has provided the means through which people can have bright and white teeth without any hassle and pain.
Laser teeth-whitening is specially designed for those who do not want to wait for months in order to have white and bright teeth. The whole process takes about an hour and your teeth start looking eight to ten shades lighter than your previous ones. Some patients who have large amount of stains due to smoking or medication might require more than one session of laser teeth whitening.
As with the cost of other laser treatments, this one is no exception. Normally the cost of one laser teeth whitening session ranges from $500 - $1000 and sometimes even more if multiple treatments are required. If you cannot afford laser teeth whitening you can opt for cheap teeth-whitening kits which are available for $100 or so. However, the whitening gel used in such kits isn’t of top quality and you don’t get the desired results. Luckily some dentists offer financing options which allows the patient to make use of this technique. Some dentists even offer first time discount or weekend discounts which can be of a great help. So if you are ready to research a little, you may be able to find a solution regarding how to finance this technique.
Laser teeth-whitening might disrupt your budget plans to a huge extent; however you get white and bright teeth in only one or two sessions. So you have to decide whether the cost of laser teeth whitening is worth the excellent results or if you would rather prefer cheap teeth whitening kits which don’t provide the desired and immediate results you need.
It’s pretty obvious that if you can afford laser teeth whitening you must go for it. It will save you plenty of time and the results are quick. Having white teeth gives you a lot of confidence and you tend to smile more. In today’s image-conscious world, it is necessary that you have white and bright teeth.
Laser teeth-whitening is specially designed for those who do not want to wait for months in order to have white and bright teeth. The whole process takes about an hour and your teeth start looking eight to ten shades lighter than your previous ones. Some patients who have large amount of stains due to smoking or medication might require more than one session of laser teeth whitening.
As with the cost of other laser treatments, this one is no exception. Normally the cost of one laser teeth whitening session ranges from $500 - $1000 and sometimes even more if multiple treatments are required. If you cannot afford laser teeth whitening you can opt for cheap teeth-whitening kits which are available for $100 or so. However, the whitening gel used in such kits isn’t of top quality and you don’t get the desired results. Luckily some dentists offer financing options which allows the patient to make use of this technique. Some dentists even offer first time discount or weekend discounts which can be of a great help. So if you are ready to research a little, you may be able to find a solution regarding how to finance this technique.
Laser teeth-whitening might disrupt your budget plans to a huge extent; however you get white and bright teeth in only one or two sessions. So you have to decide whether the cost of laser teeth whitening is worth the excellent results or if you would rather prefer cheap teeth whitening kits which don’t provide the desired and immediate results you need.It’s pretty obvious that if you can afford laser teeth whitening you must go for it. It will save you plenty of time and the results are quick. Having white teeth gives you a lot of confidence and you tend to smile more. In today’s image-conscious world, it is necessary that you have white and bright teeth.
Getting familiar with teeth whitening
Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, is a common procedure in general dentistry, but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. It is generally accepted that white teeth are an attractive feature of a smile. The bleaching procedure is ideal for patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and healthy gums, but it is not recommended or will be less successful when other problems are involved, like gum diseases or fillings.
As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker. This darkening is due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel (the hardest substance in your body) becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. And because white teeth are subconsciously associated with youth, the bleaching procedures have become very popular in the past decade. Teeth whitening methods used in cosmetic dentistry are definitely excellent, non-invasive techniques to whiten your smile.
Almost anyone whose permanent teeth have come in can qualify for whitening his teeth. There are many whitening procedures to consider starting with the whitening toothpastes and bleaching kits that anyone can afford, and continuing with sophisticated methods in cosmetic dentistry like laser bleaching procedures and expensive in-office whitening sessions.
Cosmetic dentistry uses two main methods for teeth whitening. The first one involves applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent for a short period of time, which is the so-called "office bleach" or "power bleaching". The alternative method involves using a thin mouth guard or strip to hold a low concentration of oxidizing agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days. This is known as "take-home" or "over-the-counter bleaching".
As a relatively new procedure in cosmetic dentistry, "laser bleaching" is a variation of the above in-office power bleaching method. The difference is that "laser bleaching" uses an argon laser to activate the bleaching agent instead of the usual light source used in traditional in-office procedures. Very good aesthetics can be obtained by using veneers, which are thin layers of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. They are an option for closing gaps or disguising discolored teeth that did not respond well to whitening procedures.
If you decide that cosmetic dentistry is the right choice for both yourself and your family, remember that you should ask your dentist which whitening technique is best for you, and also try not to expect overnight miracles. Teeth that are yellow respond best to bleaching. Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums and they may want to investigate other options, like veneers or bonding with their dentist. Cavities need to be treated before teeth are whitened. Also, teeth whitening will not work on exposed tooth roots, receding gums, crowns or veneers.
As for the risks, teeth whitening is unlikely to cause serious side effects, although some people's teeth may become more sensitive temporarily. Time has proven that the bleaching methods used in cosmetic dentistry are both safe and effective. Nevertheless improving the mouth appearance should not take place if the patient is a pregnant woman because the effect of the whitening materials on the development of the fetus is not known, and it is recommended to postpone the whitening procedure until after delivery.
Over time, exposure to foods, drinks (especially coffee, tea, colas and red wine) and tobacco will gradually darken your newly whitened teeth. But there are steps you can take to maintain them. For instance you should use whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing; remember to rush or rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing beverages or foods. Use a straw to drink beverages that stain, such as coffee, tea, colas and red wine. Also you should check whether you need a touch up. Depending upon the teeth whitening method you used, you may need a touch up in six months or after a year or two. If you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, you may need a touch up more often.
Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic service provided by cosmetic dentistry and you should not be afraid to give it a try. Don?t forget to ask your dentist for more information about your available options as well as other procedures that could really improve both your look and your life in general!
Teeth Whitening Tips : Whitening Teeth & Hydrogen Peroxide
As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker. This darkening is due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel (the hardest substance in your body) becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. And because white teeth are subconsciously associated with youth, the bleaching procedures have become very popular in the past decade. Teeth whitening methods used in cosmetic dentistry are definitely excellent, non-invasive techniques to whiten your smile.
Almost anyone whose permanent teeth have come in can qualify for whitening his teeth. There are many whitening procedures to consider starting with the whitening toothpastes and bleaching kits that anyone can afford, and continuing with sophisticated methods in cosmetic dentistry like laser bleaching procedures and expensive in-office whitening sessions.
Cosmetic dentistry uses two main methods for teeth whitening. The first one involves applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent for a short period of time, which is the so-called "office bleach" or "power bleaching". The alternative method involves using a thin mouth guard or strip to hold a low concentration of oxidizing agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days. This is known as "take-home" or "over-the-counter bleaching".
As a relatively new procedure in cosmetic dentistry, "laser bleaching" is a variation of the above in-office power bleaching method. The difference is that "laser bleaching" uses an argon laser to activate the bleaching agent instead of the usual light source used in traditional in-office procedures. Very good aesthetics can be obtained by using veneers, which are thin layers of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. They are an option for closing gaps or disguising discolored teeth that did not respond well to whitening procedures.
If you decide that cosmetic dentistry is the right choice for both yourself and your family, remember that you should ask your dentist which whitening technique is best for you, and also try not to expect overnight miracles. Teeth that are yellow respond best to bleaching. Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums and they may want to investigate other options, like veneers or bonding with their dentist. Cavities need to be treated before teeth are whitened. Also, teeth whitening will not work on exposed tooth roots, receding gums, crowns or veneers.
As for the risks, teeth whitening is unlikely to cause serious side effects, although some people's teeth may become more sensitive temporarily. Time has proven that the bleaching methods used in cosmetic dentistry are both safe and effective. Nevertheless improving the mouth appearance should not take place if the patient is a pregnant woman because the effect of the whitening materials on the development of the fetus is not known, and it is recommended to postpone the whitening procedure until after delivery.
Over time, exposure to foods, drinks (especially coffee, tea, colas and red wine) and tobacco will gradually darken your newly whitened teeth. But there are steps you can take to maintain them. For instance you should use whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing; remember to rush or rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing beverages or foods. Use a straw to drink beverages that stain, such as coffee, tea, colas and red wine. Also you should check whether you need a touch up. Depending upon the teeth whitening method you used, you may need a touch up in six months or after a year or two. If you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, you may need a touch up more often.
Teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic service provided by cosmetic dentistry and you should not be afraid to give it a try. Don?t forget to ask your dentist for more information about your available options as well as other procedures that could really improve both your look and your life in general!
Teeth Whitening Tips : Whitening Teeth & Hydrogen Peroxide
How to Get a Good Looking Body
It is often possible to get very near to that amazing body you always have dreamt of. However, it can cost a lot of effort and time to get all the way to the goal. Still you can achieve a lot with less time and cost, as long as you are persistent in your endeavors. Here are some advices to get a better looking body:
You should first plan how you will look. You must decide which body parts you want to be muscular and have round curvatures, and which parts you want to keep slim and gracious.
Most persons will probably feel most well with a balanced body shape: Muscular in the area under the shoulders, strong breast muscles, strong muscles around the shoulders, moderately muscular arms, slim around the mid, firm but not too great belly muscles, round and muscular buttocks, muscular thighs and strong calves.
Other persons will prefer a more v-shaped figure with more muscle mass on the top, and somewhat less at the bottom.
You must also decide if you want changes in you posture, and define these changes. By consistent training you can greatly improve your posture. Your plan must however be realistic. You skeleton sets some limitations of shape and size you cannot surpass.
You must also decide if you want to loose body fat or perhaps gain some fat on your body. You must decide how important it is for you to get a better general condition and gain general wellness, and decide if these goals are more important than improvement in body appearance.
Then you must make a plan for your training, your diet and otherwise for your lifestyle.
The training should contain exercises to gain muscle mass and strength, exercises for your general condition and exercises to get a flexible and agile body. Improvement of posture will result from the combination of stronger muscles and flexibility training.
A repetitive three day's plan with training 45 minutes to one hour each day will give you great results, if the plan is consistently adhered to:
In day one you perform exercises to gain muscular mass and muscular strength, like weight lifting or analogous training methods. You should train all your muscles, but those body parts where you have planned to get must muscles, should be exercised the most.
If you have posture problems, curvatures or bendings in body parts caused by weak muscles or bad habits, these can often be helped for by strengthening the muscles that flex the body parts in the opposite direction. If however, the bending is due to scoliosis or some other disease under progression, the problem need professional treatment.
In day two you do exercises that enhance your general condition, like jogging, swimming, playing ball, and cycling. Choose something that you find funny, and you can also vary between different activities. It is also good to invite some friends to exercise together with you on this day.
In day three you do no hard activities, but stretch out and do exercises to improve your body's flexibility in all natural directions. Yoga exercises are very good to enhance your flexibility and improve your general health. It is also advisable to set out some time for meditation in day three.
The diet is important for achieving and maintaining a good body shape. You must eat 3-5 good meals each day, but do not over-eat.
You need enough proteins. Every meal must have some protein-rich food sources, like: Fish, seafood, lean meat, lean cheese, foul or mushrooms. Also nuts, almonds and sunflower seeds contain protein. These are good food sources, but because of the content of fat, you should not consume too much of them. Eggs are a good protein source, but eat it in moderate amounts to avoid getting too much cholesterol.
In each meal you need some fat from natural sources and you need some carbohydrates. You should however control your consume of fat and sugar. You must not add very much fat or sugar to your food, and you must not eat too much of food with a high content of fat and sugar.
Also vary between different natural fat sources to get all the essential fatty acids you need: Fat fish, nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, olive oil, rape oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, marine oils, nut oils and sunflower oil. Do not use only soy oil or corn oil as many people do. Neither use much butter. Do not consume chemically altered fat.
As sources of carbohydrates use mostly full corn bread or cereals, peas, lenses or beans, but also add some sweet fruit.
In order to get enough fiber, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, every meal must have some fruit or vegetables in a natural condition. Supplements of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and special nutrients can be of help.
A training program as depicted combined with a good diet, will often make you loose fat over time. However, if you are heavily over-weight, a more specific slimming regime can be necessary. Thank you :)
You should first plan how you will look. You must decide which body parts you want to be muscular and have round curvatures, and which parts you want to keep slim and gracious.
Most persons will probably feel most well with a balanced body shape: Muscular in the area under the shoulders, strong breast muscles, strong muscles around the shoulders, moderately muscular arms, slim around the mid, firm but not too great belly muscles, round and muscular buttocks, muscular thighs and strong calves.
Other persons will prefer a more v-shaped figure with more muscle mass on the top, and somewhat less at the bottom.
You must also decide if you want changes in you posture, and define these changes. By consistent training you can greatly improve your posture. Your plan must however be realistic. You skeleton sets some limitations of shape and size you cannot surpass.
You must also decide if you want to loose body fat or perhaps gain some fat on your body. You must decide how important it is for you to get a better general condition and gain general wellness, and decide if these goals are more important than improvement in body appearance.
Then you must make a plan for your training, your diet and otherwise for your lifestyle.
The training should contain exercises to gain muscle mass and strength, exercises for your general condition and exercises to get a flexible and agile body. Improvement of posture will result from the combination of stronger muscles and flexibility training.
A repetitive three day's plan with training 45 minutes to one hour each day will give you great results, if the plan is consistently adhered to:
In day one you perform exercises to gain muscular mass and muscular strength, like weight lifting or analogous training methods. You should train all your muscles, but those body parts where you have planned to get must muscles, should be exercised the most.
If you have posture problems, curvatures or bendings in body parts caused by weak muscles or bad habits, these can often be helped for by strengthening the muscles that flex the body parts in the opposite direction. If however, the bending is due to scoliosis or some other disease under progression, the problem need professional treatment.
In day two you do exercises that enhance your general condition, like jogging, swimming, playing ball, and cycling. Choose something that you find funny, and you can also vary between different activities. It is also good to invite some friends to exercise together with you on this day.
In day three you do no hard activities, but stretch out and do exercises to improve your body's flexibility in all natural directions. Yoga exercises are very good to enhance your flexibility and improve your general health. It is also advisable to set out some time for meditation in day three.
The diet is important for achieving and maintaining a good body shape. You must eat 3-5 good meals each day, but do not over-eat.
You need enough proteins. Every meal must have some protein-rich food sources, like: Fish, seafood, lean meat, lean cheese, foul or mushrooms. Also nuts, almonds and sunflower seeds contain protein. These are good food sources, but because of the content of fat, you should not consume too much of them. Eggs are a good protein source, but eat it in moderate amounts to avoid getting too much cholesterol.
In each meal you need some fat from natural sources and you need some carbohydrates. You should however control your consume of fat and sugar. You must not add very much fat or sugar to your food, and you must not eat too much of food with a high content of fat and sugar.
Also vary between different natural fat sources to get all the essential fatty acids you need: Fat fish, nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, olive oil, rape oil, canola oil, flaxseed oil, marine oils, nut oils and sunflower oil. Do not use only soy oil or corn oil as many people do. Neither use much butter. Do not consume chemically altered fat.
As sources of carbohydrates use mostly full corn bread or cereals, peas, lenses or beans, but also add some sweet fruit.
In order to get enough fiber, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, every meal must have some fruit or vegetables in a natural condition. Supplements of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and special nutrients can be of help.
A training program as depicted combined with a good diet, will often make you loose fat over time. However, if you are heavily over-weight, a more specific slimming regime can be necessary. Thank you :)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What Is Cholesterol?
The Truth About Cholesterol
I am going to let you in on something shocking. Cholesterol is not the major culprit in heart disease. I know this may be hard to believe after all we have heard about the dangers of high cholesterol from our doctors, and the media. But the truth is, it is not the cholesterol levels themselves or the cholesterol containing foods that are the culprits in heart disease, it is those foods and any other thing that causes inflammation in your body that is the major cause of heart disease (as well as diabetes and high blood pressure).
So what is cholesterol and why do we need it?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes. Cholesterol also aids in the manufacture of bile (which helps digest fats), and is also important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D and of the various steroid hormones (which include cortisol and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and the sex hormones progesterone, the various estrogens, testosterone, and derivatives ).
So how could something so good be so bad?
Cholesterol has been wrongly accused because upon inspection of the arteries of someone at risk for a heart attack, levels of cholesterol and plaque build up are very high. Cholesterol is actually being transported to tissues as part of an inflammatory response that is there to repair damage. It will only lodge itself onto the artery and cause plaque if the artery has become damaged. Inflammation in the artery is what causes this damage. In fact, it is now known that the coronary disease that causes heart attacks is now considered to be
caused mostly from chronic inflammation.
To blame cholesterol for heart attacks would be the equivalent of blaming increased police security in a high crime area. It was not the police that caused the crime, they were just placed there in response to the crimes.
So a more important question to ask ourselves, is how do we decrease the amount of inflammation in our bodies so that cholesterol will not bind to our arteries?
We must decrease all of those things that we do that cause inflammation and increase things that decrease inflammation. First and foremost we must stay away from foods that cause inflammation in our bodies. Any food that causes a fast rise in blood insulin levels will quickly cause inflammation in the body. These foods are sugar, white breads, most dairy products and almost all packaged and processed foods. What does this leave you with? Fresh, wholesome foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean animal proteins, nuts, and lots and lots of water. Also, taking in lots of omega-3 rich foods will dramatically decrease inflammation in the body (salmon, organic eggs, walnuts and sardines).
What about your cholesterol medication?
Some may be thinking, it is just easier to take a pill and not have to change what I am eating. But you may want to think twice considering the side effects of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs). The most common side effects reported are fatigued, headaches, nausea and the most common of them all, severe muscular pains and muscular degeneration. If you remember that cholesterol is essential for the formation of cell membranes, taking a drug that is drastically lowering cholesterol may be causing membrane damage in neural and muscle tissue. Most people on statins complain of neck, back or leg pain.
Millions of Americans are now on cholesterol lowering drugs, but the number of people suffering from heart attacks and heart disease is only increasing. Let’s take a personal responsibility for our health and truly get to the root of the problem. Managing your diet and staying away from those foods that are causing an inflammatory response in your body is your first step to decreasing your chance of heart disease and heart attacks.
Cholesterol Facts You Might Not Know
I am going to let you in on something shocking. Cholesterol is not the major culprit in heart disease. I know this may be hard to believe after all we have heard about the dangers of high cholesterol from our doctors, and the media. But the truth is, it is not the cholesterol levels themselves or the cholesterol containing foods that are the culprits in heart disease, it is those foods and any other thing that causes inflammation in your body that is the major cause of heart disease (as well as diabetes and high blood pressure).
So what is cholesterol and why do we need it?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. It's an important part of a healthy body because it's used to form cell membranes. Cholesterol also aids in the manufacture of bile (which helps digest fats), and is also important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D and of the various steroid hormones (which include cortisol and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and the sex hormones progesterone, the various estrogens, testosterone, and derivatives ).
So how could something so good be so bad?
Cholesterol has been wrongly accused because upon inspection of the arteries of someone at risk for a heart attack, levels of cholesterol and plaque build up are very high. Cholesterol is actually being transported to tissues as part of an inflammatory response that is there to repair damage. It will only lodge itself onto the artery and cause plaque if the artery has become damaged. Inflammation in the artery is what causes this damage. In fact, it is now known that the coronary disease that causes heart attacks is now considered to be
caused mostly from chronic inflammation.
To blame cholesterol for heart attacks would be the equivalent of blaming increased police security in a high crime area. It was not the police that caused the crime, they were just placed there in response to the crimes.
So a more important question to ask ourselves, is how do we decrease the amount of inflammation in our bodies so that cholesterol will not bind to our arteries?
We must decrease all of those things that we do that cause inflammation and increase things that decrease inflammation. First and foremost we must stay away from foods that cause inflammation in our bodies. Any food that causes a fast rise in blood insulin levels will quickly cause inflammation in the body. These foods are sugar, white breads, most dairy products and almost all packaged and processed foods. What does this leave you with? Fresh, wholesome foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean animal proteins, nuts, and lots and lots of water. Also, taking in lots of omega-3 rich foods will dramatically decrease inflammation in the body (salmon, organic eggs, walnuts and sardines).
What about your cholesterol medication?
Some may be thinking, it is just easier to take a pill and not have to change what I am eating. But you may want to think twice considering the side effects of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs). The most common side effects reported are fatigued, headaches, nausea and the most common of them all, severe muscular pains and muscular degeneration. If you remember that cholesterol is essential for the formation of cell membranes, taking a drug that is drastically lowering cholesterol may be causing membrane damage in neural and muscle tissue. Most people on statins complain of neck, back or leg pain.
Millions of Americans are now on cholesterol lowering drugs, but the number of people suffering from heart attacks and heart disease is only increasing. Let’s take a personal responsibility for our health and truly get to the root of the problem. Managing your diet and staying away from those foods that are causing an inflammatory response in your body is your first step to decreasing your chance of heart disease and heart attacks.
Cholesterol Facts You Might Not Know
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
H1N1 Pandemic Flu Virus More Virulent Than Previously Thought
Researchers from the US and Japan studying the new H1N1 pandemic flu virus suggest that it is more virulent than previously thought. They found the virus seizes hold in cells deep inside the lungs, leading to pneumonia and in more severe cases, death, whereas seasonal flu viruses only infect cells in the upper respiratory tract.
University of Wisconsin-Madison virologist and leading authority on influenza, Dr Yoshihiro Kawaoka led the international team of researchers in a detailed investigation of the pandemic H1N1 virus and its pathogenic properties and wrote about their findings in a fast-track report published online on 13 July in the journal Nature.
The researchers wrote that the spread of the new strain of influenza A virus that the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on 11 June is probably due to the fact there are many humans with little or no pre-existing immunity.
Kawaoka, a professor of pathobiological sciences at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and a professor at the University of Tokyo, said this virus was misunderstood in that many people were under the impression it was like seasonal influenza, but this study shows that is not the case:
"There is clear evidence the virus is different than seasonal influenza," said Kawaoka.
The ability to infect deep inside the lungs is similar to that of other pandemic viruses, including the 1918 strain that killed tens of millions of people around the world, said the researchers.
It also bears other similarities to the 1918 strain in that people born before 1918 have antibodies that protect against today's pandemic strain.
Kawaoka said it is also possible that the virus could evolve new properties.
For the study, the researchers infected mice, ferrets and non-human primates with pandemic H1N1 and seasonal flu from samples obtained from human patients in California, Wisconsin, the Netherlands and Japan.
They found that the pandemic flu strain replicated much more efficiently in the respiratory system than the seasonal flu. It also caused severe lesions in the lungs, closely resembling the damage caused by other pandemic strains.
Kawaoke said:
"The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs."
Also, using specific-pathogen-free miniature pigs, the researchers found that the virus spread in pigs without showing any clinical symptoms.
The team were also able to assess the immune response of different people to the new virus. They found that those who had been exposed to the 1918 strain (all now in advanced old age) had antibodies that neutralized the novel pandemic H1N1 virus.
"The people who have high antibody titers are the people born before 1918," said Kawaoke.
But, although the discovery that the new H1N1 strain is potentially more dangerous than previously reported is a matter for concern, Kawaoke said the good thing was that it does respond to existing and experimental antivirals and these provide a potentially effective first line of defence against the virus.
From a public health point of view, a first line of defence is important because it slows down the spread of a virus for a few months while a vaccine is being mass produced.
There are three approved antivirals on the market and the team tested two of them and also two experimental ones that are not yet approved. They tested the drugs on mice and found that:
"The existing and experimental drugs work well in animal models, suggesting they will work in humans," said Kawaoka.
The research was sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Thank you.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What Is Swine Flu? How Is Swine Flu Treated?
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a disease of pigs. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by one of many Influenza A viruses. Approximately 1% to 4% of pigs that get swine flu die from it. It is spread among pigs by direct and indirect contact, aerosols, and from pigs that are infected but do not have symptoms. In many parts of the world pigs are vaccinated against swine flu.
Most commonly, swine flu is of the H1N1 influenza subtype. However, they can sometimes come from the other types, such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2.
The current outbreak of swine flu that has infected humans is of the H1N1 type - this type is not as dangerous as some others.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) can also infect pigs
Avian flu and human seasonal flu viruses can infect pigs, as well as swine influenza. The H3N2 influenza virus subtype, a virulent one, is thought to have come from pigs - it went on to infect humans.
It is possible for pigs to be infected with more than one flu virus subtype simultaneously. When this happens the genes of the viruses have the opportunity to mingle. When different flu subtypes mix they can create a new virus which contains the genes from several sources - a reassortant virus.
Although swine influenza tends to just infect pigs, they can, and sometimes do, jump the species barrier and infect humans.
What is the risk for human health?
Outbreaks of human infection from a virus which came from pigs (swine influenza) do happen and are sometimes reported. Symptoms will generally be similar to seasonal human influenzas - this can range from mild or no symptoms at all, to severe and possibly fatal pneumonia.
As swine flu symptoms are similar to typical human seasonal flu symptoms, and other upper respiratory tract infections, detection of swine flu in humans often does not happen, and when it does it is usually purely by chance through seasonal influenza surveillance. If symptoms are mild it is extremely unlikely that any connection to swine influenza is found - even if it is there. In other words, unless the doctors and experts are specifically looking for swine flu, it is rarely detected. Because of this, we really do not know what the true human infection rate is.
Examples of known swine flu infecting humans
Since the World Health Organization's (WHO's) implementation of IHR (2005) in 2007, they have been notified of swine influenza cases from the USA and Spain.
In March/April 2009 human cases of influenza A swine fever (H1N1) were first reported in California and Texas. Later other states also reported cases. A significant number of human cases during the same period have also been reported in Mexico - starting just in Mexico City, but now throughout various parts of the country. More cases are being reported in Canada, Europe, and New Zealand - mainly from people who have been in Mexico.
How does a human catch swine influenza?
* From contact with infected pigs (most common way)
* From contact with infected humans (much less common way)
In cases when humans have infected other humans close contact was necessary with the infected person, and they nearly always occurred in closed groups of people.
Can I eat pork meat and pork products?
If the pork meat and pork food products have been handled properly transmission of swine influenza to humans is not possible. Cooking pork meats to a temperature of 70C (160F) kills the virus. So the answer is YES, pork meat and pork food products are safe to eat.
Where have pigs been infected?
As swine influenza infection among pigs is not an internationally notifiable disease we cannot be completely sure. Swine influenza infection among pigs is known to be endemic in the USA. Outbreaks have also occurred in other parts of North America, South American, Europe, Africa, China, Japan, and other parts of Asia.
Is there a pandemic risk?
People who are not in close contact with pigs generally have no immunity to the swine influenza viruses - they are less likely to be able to prevent a virus infection. If the virus infects enough people in a given area, the risk of an influenza pandemic is significantly greater. Experts say it is very hard to predict what impact a flu pandemic caused by a swine influenza virus would have on the global human population. This would depend on how virulent the virus is, what existing immunity among humans there already is, plus several other factors.
Do we have a specific swine flu vaccine?
No - not for humans.
Will current human flu vaccines help protect people from swine influenza infection?
We really don't know. Influenza viruses are adapting and changing all the time. If a vaccine was made, it would have to be specifically for a current strain that is circulating for it to be effective. The WHO says it needs access to as many viruses as possible so that it can isolate the most appropriate candidate vaccine.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine influenza in humans?
They are similar to those of regular flu, and include:
* Body aches
* Chills
* Cough
* Diarrhea (less common)
* Headache
* Sore throat
* Temperature (fever)
* Tiredness (fatigue)
* Vomiting (less common)
What medications are there?
There are some drugs around that can effectively treat swine flu infection in humans - and many types of flu infections in humans. There are two main types:
* adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine)
* inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir)
Most previous swine influenza human cases recovered completely without the need for medical attention.
What can I do to protect myself?
* Wash your hands regularly with soap
* Try to stay healthy
* Get plenty of sleep
* Do plenty of exercise
* Try to manage your stress
* Drink plenty of liquids
* Eat a well balanced diet
* Refrain from touching surfaces which may have the virus
* Do not get close to people who are sick
* Stay away from crowded areas if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area
If I am infected, how can I stop others from becoming infected?
* Limit your contact with other people
* Do not go to work or school
* When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose.
* Put your used tissues in a waste basket
* Wash your hands and face regularly
* Keep all surfaces you have touched clean
* Follow your doctor's instructions
What is Swine Flu - Video
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division has produced a video all about swine flu.
This video includes information on the signs and symptoms of swine flu, how swine flu is transmitted, what medicines are available to treat it and steps that people can take to help protect themselves from it. There are also some tips on what to do if you become ill with swine flu.
Most commonly, swine flu is of the H1N1 influenza subtype. However, they can sometimes come from the other types, such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2.
The current outbreak of swine flu that has infected humans is of the H1N1 type - this type is not as dangerous as some others.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) can also infect pigs
Avian flu and human seasonal flu viruses can infect pigs, as well as swine influenza. The H3N2 influenza virus subtype, a virulent one, is thought to have come from pigs - it went on to infect humans.
It is possible for pigs to be infected with more than one flu virus subtype simultaneously. When this happens the genes of the viruses have the opportunity to mingle. When different flu subtypes mix they can create a new virus which contains the genes from several sources - a reassortant virus.
Although swine influenza tends to just infect pigs, they can, and sometimes do, jump the species barrier and infect humans.
What is the risk for human health?
Outbreaks of human infection from a virus which came from pigs (swine influenza) do happen and are sometimes reported. Symptoms will generally be similar to seasonal human influenzas - this can range from mild or no symptoms at all, to severe and possibly fatal pneumonia.
As swine flu symptoms are similar to typical human seasonal flu symptoms, and other upper respiratory tract infections, detection of swine flu in humans often does not happen, and when it does it is usually purely by chance through seasonal influenza surveillance. If symptoms are mild it is extremely unlikely that any connection to swine influenza is found - even if it is there. In other words, unless the doctors and experts are specifically looking for swine flu, it is rarely detected. Because of this, we really do not know what the true human infection rate is.
Examples of known swine flu infecting humans
Since the World Health Organization's (WHO's) implementation of IHR (2005) in 2007, they have been notified of swine influenza cases from the USA and Spain.
In March/April 2009 human cases of influenza A swine fever (H1N1) were first reported in California and Texas. Later other states also reported cases. A significant number of human cases during the same period have also been reported in Mexico - starting just in Mexico City, but now throughout various parts of the country. More cases are being reported in Canada, Europe, and New Zealand - mainly from people who have been in Mexico.
How does a human catch swine influenza?
* From contact with infected pigs (most common way)
* From contact with infected humans (much less common way)
In cases when humans have infected other humans close contact was necessary with the infected person, and they nearly always occurred in closed groups of people.
Can I eat pork meat and pork products?
If the pork meat and pork food products have been handled properly transmission of swine influenza to humans is not possible. Cooking pork meats to a temperature of 70C (160F) kills the virus. So the answer is YES, pork meat and pork food products are safe to eat.
Where have pigs been infected?
As swine influenza infection among pigs is not an internationally notifiable disease we cannot be completely sure. Swine influenza infection among pigs is known to be endemic in the USA. Outbreaks have also occurred in other parts of North America, South American, Europe, Africa, China, Japan, and other parts of Asia.
Is there a pandemic risk?
People who are not in close contact with pigs generally have no immunity to the swine influenza viruses - they are less likely to be able to prevent a virus infection. If the virus infects enough people in a given area, the risk of an influenza pandemic is significantly greater. Experts say it is very hard to predict what impact a flu pandemic caused by a swine influenza virus would have on the global human population. This would depend on how virulent the virus is, what existing immunity among humans there already is, plus several other factors.
Do we have a specific swine flu vaccine?
No - not for humans.
Will current human flu vaccines help protect people from swine influenza infection?
We really don't know. Influenza viruses are adapting and changing all the time. If a vaccine was made, it would have to be specifically for a current strain that is circulating for it to be effective. The WHO says it needs access to as many viruses as possible so that it can isolate the most appropriate candidate vaccine.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine influenza in humans?
They are similar to those of regular flu, and include:
* Body aches
* Chills
* Cough
* Diarrhea (less common)
* Headache
* Sore throat
* Temperature (fever)
* Tiredness (fatigue)
* Vomiting (less common)
What medications are there?
There are some drugs around that can effectively treat swine flu infection in humans - and many types of flu infections in humans. There are two main types:
* adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine)
* inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir)
Most previous swine influenza human cases recovered completely without the need for medical attention.
What can I do to protect myself?
* Wash your hands regularly with soap
* Try to stay healthy
* Get plenty of sleep
* Do plenty of exercise
* Try to manage your stress
* Drink plenty of liquids
* Eat a well balanced diet
* Refrain from touching surfaces which may have the virus
* Do not get close to people who are sick
* Stay away from crowded areas if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area
If I am infected, how can I stop others from becoming infected?
* Limit your contact with other people
* Do not go to work or school
* When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose.
* Put your used tissues in a waste basket
* Wash your hands and face regularly
* Keep all surfaces you have touched clean
* Follow your doctor's instructions
What is Swine Flu - Video
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division has produced a video all about swine flu.
This video includes information on the signs and symptoms of swine flu, how swine flu is transmitted, what medicines are available to treat it and steps that people can take to help protect themselves from it. There are also some tips on what to do if you become ill with swine flu.
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