September 2009

Americans overlooking health benefits at open enrollment

(ARA) - Americans have been hearing more about health care and health insurance these days than ever. But, when it comes to understanding their own health benefits, many may be missing opportunities to take advantage of their options and even save money throughout the year. This is especially true at open enrollment - typically the only chance for millions of Americans who receive benefits through an employer to make changes to their health benefits plans for the coming year.

A recent survey from Plan for Your Health, the health benefits public education program from Aetna and the Financial Planning Association, found that less than 20 percent of insured adults surveyed consider themselves very knowledgeable about their health benefits plan. With the majority more concerned about their finances now compared to five years ago, and millions of Americans faced with making annual health benefits decisions during open enrollment, this is alarming.

It is important that consumers make smart, financially-savvy health benefits decisions at open enrollment and throughout the year. The decisions they make at open enrollment can have a big impact on their health and finances.

"Making health benefits choices during open enrollment can be confusing, especially as people cope with the current economic situation," says Dr. Wendy Richards, family physician and national medical director for Aetna. "However, consumers who do a little homework up front are in a better position to choose a plan that will help them stay fit and healthy, manage any chronic health conditions that may impact their family, and even save money in the long run."

Plan for Your Health's updated free consumer guide, Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies, makes it easier. The guide has tips on everything from how to navigate health benefits after a layoff, to how to take advantage of money-saving opportunities in today's economy, to how to use online resources like Personal Health Records.

"Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies is a great resource to help consumers understand their options so they can make the best decision for their individual situation," says Richards. The free guide is available as a digital download at www.PlanforYourHealth.com or as a hard copy that can be requested on the site.

Easy-to-understand health benefits information is crucial in today's tough economy. Yet more insured women ages 24 to 44 (the main household decision makers) say they are spending less time researching available plans this year than they reported five years ago in a similar survey. In 2004, 30 percent spent less than one hour reviewing the available plans before settling on one. In 2009, this has jumped to half of women.

"People really should arguably be spending more time reviewing their options at open enrollment this year in light of the uncertain economy," says Tracey Baker, certified financial planner and former chair of the Financial Planning Association's National Capital Area. "Open enrollment is a fantastic opportunity for consumers to evaluate their health benefits plan and make choices that are best for their health and wallet. They need to take advantage of it."

SOURCE: osceolaiowa

Diverse fish reduce coral disease

Members of the butterflyfish family may carry coral disease

Coral reefs where lots of different kinds of fish swim are healthier than overfished ones, scientists have shown.

Researchers showed a reduced incidence of coral disease in areas of the Philippines where fishing is banned, compared with neighbouring areas.

They conclude that some types of fish probably carry coral diseases.

Writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) they suggest that when predatory fish are absent, disease-carrying species thrive.

Members of a family called butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae), which are not caught for food, appear the likely culprits in disease transmission.

"People like to eat the big predators such as groupers and a few others," said lead researcher Laurie Raymundo.

"In some cases [on the reefs we studied] these species are not so abundant, and in others they've just gone.

"And the general trend is that where you find more functional diversity, you find fewer butterflyfish," the University of Guam researcher told BBC News.

Coral diseases have inflicted substantial damage in a number of regions in recent years, notably the Caribbean, where naturally abundant species such as elkhorn and staghorn have been almost wiped out in some places.

Abundant evidence

The causes of the six diseases in Dr Raymundo's study are not all known, but are thought to include bacteria and viruses.

The researchers selected seven marine protected areas (MPAs), mostly just a few hectares in size, where fishing has been banned for at least five years, and seven neighbouring areas with the same underlying ecology.

In every case, the fished sites showed a higher incidence of disease - double, in some cases.

The researchers found an unusually high abundance of butterflyfish on heavily diseased reefs; and that butterflyfish numbers fell when there were lots of other types of fish around.

Many butterflyfish species feed on coral, and that is perhaps how they transmit disease.

The researchers subsequently scoured a database on coral conditions on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and found similar patterns.

The relationship between coral disease and other environmental issues is complex.

Disease seems to be exacerbated by pollutants such as sewerage and fertiliser, and may be stimulated by anything that stresses coral, such as the abnormally high water temperatures seen in East Asia during El Nino years.

Australian researchers have argued that protecting the diversity of reef life could provide a partial defence against climate impacts, by keeping corals generally healthy and enhancing their capacity to cope with rising temperatures.

Dr Raymundo's work is making the case for protecting marine life, particularly the big predatory fish beloved of fishermen and fish-eaters, in order to keep reefs healthy - although that might not mean banning fishing entirely from such areas.

"One of the things that came out of this is that if you have a well-managed MPA, it works to keep coral healthier," she said.

"But even on reefs that are fished, if you can maintain diversity you still have that effect on coral health.

"So as long you keep certain species there and can control fishing - don't catch in certain seasons or don't catch fish under a certain size, whatever is appropriate - you might not have to ban it completely."

source: bbcnews

High-heels Linked To Heel And Ankle Pain

New research suggests that the types of shoes women wear, specifically high-heels, pumps and sandals, may cause future hind-foot (heel and ankle) pain. (Credit: iStockphoto)

Women should think twice before buying their next pair of high-heels or pumps, according to researchers at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in a new study of older adults and foot problems.

The researchers found that the types of shoes women wear, specifically high-heels, pumps and sandals, may cause future hind-foot (heel and ankle) pain. Nearly 64 percent of women who reported hind-foot pain regularly wore these types of shoes at some point in their life.

"We found an increased risk of hind-foot pain among women who wore shoes, such as high-heels or pumps, that lack support and sound structure," says lead author Alyssa B. Dufour, a graduate student in the Institute's Musculoskeletal Research Program.

Published in the October issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research, the study is one of the first to examine the association between shoe wear—beyond just high-heel use—and foot pain. The researchers, who analyzed foot-examination data from more than 3,300 men and women in The Framingham Study, say past shoe wear among women is a key factor for hind-foot pain. They found no significant link between foot pain and the types of shoes men wear.

While foot pain is a common complaint in the U.S. adult population—foot and toe symptoms are among the top 20 reasons for physician visits among those 65 to 74 years of age—relatively little is known about the causes of foot pain in older adults. Women are more likely than men to have foot pain; however, it is not known if this is due to a higher prevalence of foot deformities, underlying disease, shoe wear, or other lifestyle choices.

From a list of 11 shoe types, study participants were asked about the one style of shoe they currently wear on a regular basis, what they regularly wore during five age periods in the past, and if they experience pain, aching or stiffness in either foot on most days. Nearly 30 percent of women and 20 percent of men reported generalized foot pain, which is in line with other foot-pain studies. Ms. Dufour's team, however, found a significant association in women who reported hind-foot pain and past shoe wear that included high-heels and pumps.

The shoe types were classified as "poor" (high-heels, pumps, sandals and slippers), "average" (hard- or rubber-soled shoes and work boots), and "good" (athletic and casual sneakers). More than 60 percent of women reported wearing "poor" shoes in the past, compared to only 2 percent of men (13 percent of women said they currently wear "poor" shoes).

When we walk, a significant biomechanical shock is delivered to the foot each time our heel strikes the ground. "Good" shoes, such as sneakers and other athletic footwear, often have soles and other features that soften this shock and protect the foot. The heel and ankle take the brunt of this shock, which may be why women who wear high-heeled shoes often report pain in this part of the foot.

"Young women," says Ms. Dufour, "should make careful choices regarding their shoe types in order to potentially avoid hind-foot pain later in life."

Scientists at the Institute for Aging Research conduct rigorous medical and social studies, leading the way in developing strategies for optimizing individuals' strength, vigor and physical well-being, as well as their cognitive and physical independence, in later life. Hebrew SeniorLife is a 105+-year-old organization committed to maximizing the quality of life of seniors through an integrated network of research and teaching, health care and housing.

Wear Properly Fitting Shoes
Poor fitting shoes can cause a number of foot problems for diabetics and non-diabetics alike. They can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes and other disabling foot problems that are a significant public health risk in the United States. More than 43 million Americans have foot problems, many of which are serious enough to warrant medical attention.

Alyssa B. Dufour, a graduate student in the Musculoskeletal Research Program at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife and the lead author of a recent study on shoe wear and foot pain, suggests the following tips for making sure your shoes fit properly:

Comfort—rather than style or fashion—should rule shoe selection.
Judge shoes by how they fit, not by the size marked on the box; shoe sizes vary by brand and style.
Have both feet measured when you purchase shoes; foot size increases with age.
Fit shoes to your longest foot; most people have one foot that is larger than the other.
Avoid high-heels and shoes with pointed or tapered toes.
Fit shoes at the end of the day when your feet are their longest.
Try on both shoes and walk a few steps to make sure they are comfortable.
When the shoes are on, wiggle your toes to ensure that you can move them freely.

Ms. Dufour says to keep in mind this basic principle: your shoes should conform to the shape of your foot—your feet should never conform to the shape of your shoes.

source: sciencedaily

Skin Care Tips For All Ages Women In Their 20s Through 50s Have All Kinds Of Things They Should Try To Do To Stay Looking Their Best

Every day women are bombarded with images of what advertisers consider the ideal of beauty. Thousands of products -- crèmes, injectibles and even surgery -- are touted as ultimate weapons for anti-aging.

But there is no one-size-fits-all approach as we look at skin care at every age.

Hollie Klem is 23, Samantha Danesi is 36, Irina Constantin is 41 and Deborah Frank is 51.

Though a generation apart, these women all share something in common. At every age there's a specific consideration about skin care and the aging process.

"As skin changes we have to do things differently in order to maintain our best face," said plastic surgeon Dr. Shirley Madhere.

One of Klem's concerns was knowing which products were best for her.

"It's very confusing, actually, to be honest," Klem said.

"Generally in the 20s women and men should be looking at a good moisturizer, and a sunscreen, and believe it or not a Vitamin C serum at the minimum," Dr. Madhere added.

She is correct. To address her concerns now, doctors say it's easier to prevent than treat.

Matthew Schulman is a cosmetic surgeon.

"When people reach their 30s there's that psychological affect that all of a sudden being in your 30s, but from a physical standpoint 30s is when you start to show the skin damage that you did when you were in your teens and 20s," Schulman said.

So a cornerstone of Danesi's regimen has been?

"Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen and lots of sunscreen," she said.

Danesi says she uses a variety of products like peels and collagen boosters. Some of the changes she's seen in her 30s include: "The pigmentation, the unevenness of the pigmentation. I noticed my foundation is going in places I never put it before."

"I think that the biggest complaint for patients in their 30s, are fine lines wrinkles, a deepening of these nasal labial lines. Things they never had before," Dr. Schulman said.

And so Danesi has been getting Botox treatments as part of her approach to anti-aging.

At 41, Constantin hasn't had Botox, but has used under-eye fillers.

"I use products that brighten skin, that lighten the dark patches. I use prescription strength as well as over the counter," Constantin said.

Products, especially retinols, are an essential component of care at every age. The question for many has been what is best to use.

"I think it's important to talk to your doctor about your skin care products because if nothing else comes out of it we're going to save you money," Dr. Schulman said. "They're shocked when I tell them don't spend that money anymore. Try this product. Its half the price and it contains ingredients that have clinical evidence that work."

"I'm not opposed to wrinkles per say. I'm not opposed to a life well lived, but on the other hand you do want to be the best that you can be," Constantin added.

Turning 50 for Frank meant a re-evaluation.

"I can't be in front of the mirror just layering six products -- eyes, neck, forehead, cheeks," Frank said.

She sticks to a simple regimen recommended by her doctor, along with Botox and injectibles to smooth out her complexion.

"For women in their 50s it becomes more important to become interventional when it comes to their beauty regiment," Dr, Madhere said.

"I'm not worried, but I'm hoping that it continues to be delicate for me," Frank added.

As far as product ingredients, doctors agree that over-the-counter and prescription-strength retinols are a key ingredient for a good skin care regimen.

But they should not be used if you're pregnant or nursing. So, as always, consult your doctor.

SOURCE: wcbstv

Mid Life Obesity Reduces Life Span In Women

Boston, MA -- A new study by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) researchers has found that, among a large study population of women who lived until at least age 70, being overweight in mid-life was associated with having more health problems later in life, including multiple chronic diseases, and impaired cognitive function, physical function and mental health.

Women who were lean at age 18 and maintained a healthy weight through mid-life had the best odds of achieving optimal health later in life. It is the first study to show the role adiposity may play in the overall health of women who survive to older ages.

The study appears online on September 30, 2009, and will appear in a later print edition of the British Medical Journal.

The research addresses two of the major trends in the U.S. that will have a major impact on public health. First, Americans are getting older: From 1900 to 2000, the U.S. population aged 75 and older increased 26.4% and by 2040, for the first time in human history, there will be more people aged 65 and older than children less than age 5 in the world. The second challenge is that Americans are getting bigger: Almost two thirds of the U.S. population are overweight and one third are obese. The trends in the U.S. mirror those in other industrialized countries.

"Since body weight is a modifiable factor, the good news is that healthy aging is not purely the consequence of good genes or other factors that one cannot change. If women maintain a healthy weight as adults, they may increase their odds of enjoying a healthy life in their later years," said Qi Sun, a researcher in the HSPH Department of Nutrition.

The researchers, led by Sun and senior author Francine Grodstein, associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at HSPH and in the Department of Medicine at BWH, analyzed data from the BWH-based Nurses' Health Study, which began in 1976. The study population included 17,065 female participants who had survived until at least age 70. Body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), or BMI, and weight gain were measured over time, beginning at mid-life (age 50). Factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle, smoking and diet were controlled for in the study.

The results showed that 1,686 women (9.9%) who lived until at least age 70 reported being free of major chronic diseases, had good cognitive and physical functions and had good mental health. These women were defined as "healthy survivors." The remaining 15,379 women who lived until at least age 70 (90.1%) were defined as "usual survivors." Among these women, 3.3% had chronic diseases but no other health limitations; 59.5% had cognitive, physical or mental health limitations but no diagnosed major diseases; and 37.1% suffered from both chronic diseases and cognitive, physical and mental health limitations.

Women who had increased BMI in 1976, at the beginning of the study (the women's mean age at that time was 50 years), had reduced odds of healthy survival. Obese women (BMI greater than or equal to 30) had 79% lower odds of healthy survival compared with lean women (BMI = 18.5-22.9). The researchers also found that women who were overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 25) at age 18 and gained more than 22 pounds between age 18 and 50 had the worst odds of healthy survival and, for all three BMI categories at age 18, those who gained weight had lower odds of healthy survival compared with women who maintained a stable weight.

There were limitations in the study, including that the study population was primarily white, so the results may not be generalized to all populations.

The study provides new evidence that adiposity at mid-life may lower the odds of women having good overall health as they age and that maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood is important to optimal health as well. "An important aspect of this study is the broad focus on many aspects of health, and not just on whether people get a single disease. Our finding that being overweight at mid-life affects so many aspects of health simultaneously really emphasizes the harms of being overweight," said Grodstein.

source: eurekalert

Most Amazing Facts Men Fear About Sex

Sometimes he’s his own worst enemy. He’s gotten as far as the bedroom, all ready for action, only to hurt his own efforts.

Fraught with any number of sex fears, his lusty libido has been replaced with insecurity and unbearable stress. He’s consumed with doubt and dread instead of desire.

What are these debilitating fears hampering his sex life, and how can he get his head back into the game?

While they typically come off as cool, calm and collected, a number of men can experience sexual fears at any point in his sex career – and with any partner. With his sexuality very much tied into his ego, the results are dire, even when he’s in a loving, supportive relationship. Negative outcomes include:

— Decreased sexual interest and desire;

— Performance anxiety;

— Compromised erectile functioning;

— An inability to enjoy sex.

So what are the sexual concerns consuming him? Here are a few of them...

1. He’s panicking about his size.

Many men fret about the size of their penis. They fear that they won’t measure up to a partner’s satisfaction or that their “Amazonian” proportions will be intimidating.

To get over his size issues, it’s important to remember that, when it comes to a man's member, "some men are showers while others are growers." Males with “smaller” penises tend to become larger when erect than their “larger” counterparts. That is, they grow more in proportion to their original size.

Regardless, sexual satisfaction boils down to what he can do with all of his equipment.

2. He’s worried that he’ll be a lousy lover.

Particularly in new partnerships, where lovers are still getting to know each other, he’s going to spend a lot of time wondering if his lover had an orgasm or if they're satisfied. Sadly, many lovers have trouble talking about their sexual needs, gratification, what’s working and what needs to be done differently.

Checking in with his lover is the best way to guarantee that he’s meeting expectations. Doing so further wins him brownie points since this is interpreted as caring for and having concern for your lover, which are such ego strokes! It also gives him the opportunity to let his own wants and desires be known.

3. He’s fretting that his timing will be off.

Is he going to release too soon? Or is he going to take too long? In either situation, he’s alarmed that he won’t be able to close the curtain for the applause he wants. For men who don’t last as long as they’d like, they’re best off dedicating themselves to a pelvic floor muscle exercise routine. Those experiencing delayed ejaculation should work on examining the physical, emotional, and mental components potentially at play.

4. He’s alarmed that he’ll lose his erection.

Thinking this practically guarantees that it’s going to happen. Men serve themselves best by reminding themselves that this is a perfectly natural occurrence on occasion. It’s dependent upon a number of factors, like stress, fatigue and/or comfort with partner.

Instead of becoming obsessed with the “what if,” lose yourself in the pleasures you’re experiencing all over. Focus on your partner and ways to provide amazing sensations that don’t depend on the penis. The phallus is just one of many players in this game.

5. He won’t find his lover attractive once sober.

This one is easy – don’t drink or keep it to a minimum. If a man needs to be drunk to hook up, he has bigger problems than what his lover looks like the morning after.

6. He might get her pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease.

This one is also easy. To minimize the risk of pregnancy or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease, use a condom consistently and correctly. To avoid the risk entirely, abstain - at least until you’ve had a chance to discuss contraceptives and/or get tested for any infections either of you could be carrying.

7. He’ll come away disappointed.

From not having sex to not living it up like a porn star, not realizing his sexual expectations can leave him defeated. In overcoming most of these, it’s important not to have unrealistic expectations. It’s human for things not to always work out as planned. What we see being depicted in pornography does not accurately depict most sexual interactions between lovers nor your “average” human’s sexual response cycle.

So keep things real. Stay positive. Aim to have the sexual interactions you want and not what others or some fantasy world wants to dictate.

Dr. Yvonne K. Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, "Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots."

source: foxnews

Stay healthy: Listen to Your Body We all know about the typical warning signs of disease.

Lumps in the breast could mean breast cancer. A dark spot on your skin may mean melanoma. That spare tire around your mid-section could put you at risk for heart disease.

But other not so obvious changes in the body could also be signaling something more serious.

After traveling the world with his wife, Les Duncan thought he had a clean bill of health. Then, the unthinkable happened.

"I had an excruciating headache. I was more nauseous than I've ever been in my entire life," Duncan said.

His doctor at the time said nothing was wrong. Les knew better.

"I think the biggest mistake people make is not listening to their body," Duncan said.

Some body signs could be signaling a bigger issue. what does it mean if all of a sudden you go gray? It could mean thyroid disease or a vitamin B-12 deficiency.

What about varicose veins? Varicose veins put you at a higher risk for a potentially-fatal blood clot or deep vein thrombosis. Warning signs of diabetes: bleeding gums, tingling feet or a rash.

After pushing his doctors, Les found out he had a genetic condition that puts him at risk for brain hemorrhaging.

"He was very proactive about things, and he became very knowledgeable about what he had," said Neurosurgeon, Dr. Jonathan White.

Listening to his body may be what saved his life. After his first episode, he noticed putting pressure on one side of his head made him feel better.

"When I began treatment, the doctors told me that lying on the right side of my head probably applied the pressure needed to stop the bleeding and probably save my life," explained Duncan.

A hero to himself, now he can get back to more important things like planning his next trip.

Les says he also craved foods like spinach, broccoli and asparagus.

He found out later those are foods rich in vitamin K, which promote clotting.

source: kcrg

Interesting tips for lazy workers to get going

Once upon a time work was a busy place. You showed up, worked hard, stayed late during your busiest periods and then went home.

Today, many people don't escape work. Before they even arrive at the office, they've already sent a dozen e-mails from their phones and held teleconferences with people all over the country. Once you're actually at work, things are even crazier.

The workplace is different today than it was 10, 20 and 30 years ago, but you should be able to pull back in some areas. You don't need to overextend yourself to the point that you never relax.

Here are some ways you can be a "slacker" at work and benefit from it:

E-mail can wait. No, really, it can. You don't have to answer an e-mail the moment it pops up on your screen. Unless you're waiting for that one message that could make or break your career, you should designate time to check e-mails so that you don't get distracted while doing other tasks. You can even disable the new message icon and noise alert to help with this.

Saying 'no' won't get you fired. If the boss or someone comes to you with a task that's part of your core job duties, by all means accept it. If you're drowning in work, however, telling co-workers that you just can't get to their request right now won't necessarily hurt you. If you tactfully explain that you'd like to help them but you've got too much on your plate shows you care about the quality and promptness of your work.

Don't multitask. The ability to simultaneously talk on the phone, send an e-mail and heat up the meatballs for the monthly potluck is an admirable quality but not necessarily the most beneficial. Multitasking has become the de facto approach to daily operations in many workplaces. The problem is that we often end up doing a little of everything and never making much progress on any one task.

Give yourself a break. Literally, just get away from work for five minutes. Take a walk around the floor or step outside for some fresh air. Without Saturday and Sunday off, you'd probably go a little stir-crazy. Think of brief breaks throughout the day as small-scale versions of weekends. You'll return with a clear head and produce better quality work.

Don't eat lunch at your desk. Eating at your desk can be an occasional necessity, either because you're close to a deadline or you're in a productive zone that you don't want to interrupt. Having your lunch in front of a computer every day, however, doesn't give your eyes or your mind time to relax. You might feel like a slacker if you're the only one taking your sandwich outside for 30 minutes, but your mental health is worth it.

Schedule some "me" time. Go into your calendar and block off a period of time for whatever work you need to do without interruption. Treat that time as if it were an important appointment with your boss and consider it non-negotiable. If someone tries to schedule a meeting with you, tell him or her that you're busy but can try for another time. If possible, book a conference room so you won't be interrupted by a chatty co-worker or a phone call.

source: cnn

Hidden Secret Connected With Cell Phones And Brain Health

Cell phones are used by an estimated 275 million people in the United States and 4 billion worldwide.

A recent review of studies assessed whether there was epidemiologic evidence for an association between long-term cell phone usage and the risk of developing a brain tumor.

In order to be included in the analysis, studies were required to have been published in a peer-reviewed journal, included participants who had used cell phone for 10 or more years, and analyzed the side of the brain tumor relative to the side of the head preferred for cell phone usage. Eleven long-term epidemiologic studies fit the criteria.

The results indicated that using a cell phone for 10 or more years approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same side of the head as that preferred for cell phone use.

Iowa senator Tom Harkin, newly empowered to investigate health matters as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has promised to probe deeply into any potential links between cell phone use and cancer.

Harkin, who took over the committee after the death of Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy, said he was concerned no one has been able to prove cell phones do not cause cancer. A staffer said the senator became concerned by a report from the Environmental Working Group showing that radio wave emissions vary from one cell phone brand and model to another, as well as some reports suggesting there might be a link.

According to Reuters, an estimated 4 billion people worldwide now use cell phones, up from about 3 billion around this time just last year.

Dangers Known for a Decade

Cell phones use radio waves to transmit voice data, and the dangers of consistent exposure to information-carrying radio waves have been known since at least 1998. Yet few have been willing to accept the evidence, and the cellular industry has followed in the footsteps of the tobacco industry, vehemently denying any risks.

It’s worth remembering that the telecommunication industry is even BIGGER than Big Pharma, and they have far more influence than the drug companies.

My belief is that this exponential increase in this type of radiation exposure is far more serious a threat than tobacco ever was.

To get a better understanding of the physics and biological impact of information-carrying radio waves and the electromagnetic fields emitted from your cell phone, please review the article, "If Mobile Phones Were a Type of Food, They Simply Would Not be Licensed."

The first major indication that cell phones might be a health hazard came out of a massive, $28 million research project funded by the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA). To the industry’s surprise and dismay, the results of the study came to the opposite conclusion from the one they were hoping for.

The study's results included findings of:

A nearly 300 percent increase in the incidence of genetic damage when human blood cells were exposed to radiation in the cellular frequency band

A significant increase in cell phone users’ risk of brain tumors at the brain’s outer edge, on whichever side the cell phone was held most often

A 60 percent greater chance of acoustic neuromas, a tumor affecting the nerve that controls hearing, among people who had used cell phones for six years or more

A higher rate of brain cancer deaths among handheld mobile phone users than among car phone users (car phones are mounted on the dashboard rather than held next to your head)

Prior to this, Alfred Gilman and Martin Rodbell had won the Nobel Prize (1994) for their research showing your body's cells communicate with each other by subtle low electromagnetic signals. These signals carry all the vital information that are then translated into biochemical and physiological processes.

The following year, researchers discovered that animals exposed to cell phone radiation suffered double-strand DNA breakage – the type of genetic alterations that can lead to cancer, cell death and mutagenic problems.

Since then, many more scientists confirmed all of the above findings.

The Latest Findings Confirm Long-Held Concerns

The latest meta-analysis looks at the epidemiological evidence of cell phone usage and your risk of developing a brain tumor. In order to be included, the studies had to meet certain criteria:

Publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Inclusion of participants using cell phones for a minimum of 10 years (to include potential latent effects

Incorporation of a "laterality" analysis of long-term users (i.e., analysis of the side of the brain tumor relative to the side of the head preferred for cell phone usage)

Eleven long-term epidemiologic studies were included, which led to the following findings:

“The results indicate that using a cell phone for > or = 10 years approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same ("ipsilateral") side of the head as that preferred for cell phone use.

The data achieve statistical significance for glioma and acoustic neuroma but not for meningioma.

The authors conclude that there is adequate epidemiologic evidence to suggest a link between prolonged cell phone usage and the development of an ipsilateral brain tumor.”

Other Health Hazards Linked to Cell Phone Use

So far, in addition to the widespread concern about brain cancer, scientists have found that information-carrying radio waves transmitted by cell phones and other wireless devices can:

Harm your blood cells and cause cellular changes

Damage your DNA

Cause nerve-cell damage

Accelerate and contribute to onset of autism , and trigger Alzheimer’s disease

Damage your eyes

Cause sleep disruptions, fatigue and headaches

I have been warning of the dangers of cell phones for over a decade now, watching for and reporting on new findings along the way. Fortunately, as the supporting evidence mounts, scientists, medical professionals, and government agencies around the world are starting to caution against cell phone use as well.

Health Authorities and Government Officials Speak Out

Last year, tumor immunologist Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), was one of the authorities who finally elected to speak out publicly about the potential dangers of cell phones. He also spoke to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Domestic Policy about the connection between cell phone use and the increased risk of brain cancer.

Prior to that, Dr. Herberman had served as the co-editor of The BioInitiative Report, published August 31, 2007, by an international working group of scientists, researchers and public health policy professionals.

The report documents serious scientific concerns about the current limits regulating how much radiation is allowable from power lines, cell phones, and many other sources of exposure to radiofrequencies and electromagnetic fields in daily life. They concluded that the existing standards for public safety do not protect your health.

The report also includes studies showing evidence for:

Effects on Gene and Protein Expression (Transcriptomic and Proteomic Research)

Genotoxic Effects – RFR and ELF DNA Damage

Stress Response (Stress Proteins)

Effects on Immune Function

Effects on Neurology and Behavior

Brain Tumors and Acoustic Neuromas

Childhood Cancers (Leukemia)

Magnetic Field Exposure: Melatonin Production; Alzheimer’s Disease; Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Promotion (Melatonin links in laboratory and cell studies)

Disruption by the Modulating Signal

Another noted brain cancer authority who voiced his concerns last year was Australian Dr Vini Gautam Khurana. His paper titled: Mobile Phones and Brain Tumors was the result of reviewing more than 100 sources of recent medical and scientific literature on this topic.

Iowa senator Tom Harkin, now chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has recently vowed to investigate any potential links between cell phone use and cancer, noting that the Senate Health committee does have jurisdiction over both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

On September 14th, he called a hearing of the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to start looking into the many questions surrounding this issue. He also stated he will get the National Institutes of Health (NIH) involved.

"I'm reminded of this nation's experience with cigarettes,” Harkin said.

“Decades passed between the first warnings about smoking tobacco and the final definitive conclusion that cigarettes cause lung cancer."

Protect Yourself and Your Children

Remember, the damage from cell phone exposure will take many years to surface, and there are rarely any initial symptoms, just like smoking and lung cancer.

At this point, you cannot completely avoid wireless radiation from all sources since they’re so pervasive. Getting rid of your cell phone altogether can help protect you. But even if you don’t want to take that step, you can still minimize your exposure and reduce your risks by following these common sense guidelines:

Children Should Never Use Cell Phones: Barring a life-threatening emergency, children should not use a cell phone, or a wireless device of any type. Children are far more vulnerable to cell phone radiation than adults, because of their thinner skull bones.

Reduce Your Cell Phone Use: Turn your cell phone off more often. Reserve it for emergencies or important matters.

Use a Land Line at Home and at Work: Although more and more people are switching to using cell phones as their exclusive phone contact, it is a dangerous trend and you can choose to opt out of the madness.

Reduce or Eliminate Your Use of Other Wireless Devices: You would be wise to cut down your use of these devices. Just as with cell phones, it is important to ask yourself whether or not you really need to use them every single time. If you must use a portable home phone, use the older kind that operates at 900 MHz. They are no safer during calls, but at least they do not broadcast constantly even when no call is being made.

Use Your Cell Phone Only Where Reception is Good: The weaker the reception, the more power your phone must use to transmit, and the more power it uses, the more radiation it emits, and the deeper the dangerous radio waves penetrate into your body. Ideally, you should only use your phone with full bars and good reception. Also seek to avoid carrying your phone on your body as that merely maximizes any potential exposure. Ideally put it in your purse or carrying bag.

Turn Your Cell Phone Off When Not in Use: As long as your cell phone is on, it emits radiation intermittently, even when you are not actually making a call.

Keep Your Cell Phone Away From Your Body When it is On: The most dangerous place to be, in terms of radiation exposure, is within about six inches of the emitting antenna. You do not want any part of your body within that area.

Use Safer Headset Technology: Wired headsets will certainly allow you to keep the cell phone farther away from your body. However, if a wired headset is not well-shielded -- and most of them are not -- the wire itself acts as an antenna attracting ambient information carrying radio waves and transmitting radiation directly to your brain.

Make sure that the wire used to transmit the signal to your ear is shielded.

The best kind of headset to use is a combination shielded wire and air-tube headset. These operate like a stethoscope, transmitting the information to your head as an actual sound wave; although there are wires that still must be shielded, there is no wire that goes all the way up to your head.

source: foodconsumer.org

Pesticides Cause Childhood Brain Cancers Children living with parents who use pesticides around the home are significantly more likely to develop brain cancer than children who are not exposed to such chemicals, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Researchers matched each of 400 fathers and 250 mothers who reported having been exposed to pesticide products -- including insecticide, herbicide and fungicide -- with a non-exposed person of the same sex, age and status. All participants lived in residential areas of Florida, New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania. None of them lived in New York City. All were parents of children who had participated in the Atlantic Coast childhood brain cancer study.

The scientists further evaluated each participant's level of exposure over the two years prior to the birth of their child by means of a phone interview featuring more detailed questions about home or work use of pesticides. Most "exposed" participants were exposed to pesticides through home use -- such as garden or lawn care -- rather than professionally.

The researchers found that children whose parents had been exposed to pesticides were significantly more likely to develop brain cancers, including astrocytomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors. The risk of astrocytoma was especially increased by the use of herbicides.

Among "exposed" fathers, those who wore protective clothing or who washed immediately after pesticide use were significantly less likely to have children who developed brain cancer.

Prior studies have linked prenatal pesticide exposure to brain cancer, and the chemicals have also been linked to cancer in a number of animal studies. Researchers do not know exactly how the chemicals lead to cancer, but many pesticides are known to exhibit mutagenic, hormone mimicking or immune-hampering effects. The developing bodies of fetuses and children are especially susceptible to these effects.

Brain cancer is the second most common childhood cancer, after leukemia.

Sources for this story include: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, naturalnews

Strong Reasons Why You Need to Get a Body Massage

For the next few weeks I have the pleasure of turning over the Monday blog post to one of my Look Great at the Lake Boot Camp clients and my massage therapist, Amanda Mazzocchi. Amanda is the owner of Restore Therapuetic Massage in Eden Prairie, MN.

There are countless health benefits to receiving therapeutic massage, both preventative and curative. Since you, like me, are boot-campers, I will narrow the focus and explain how therapeutic massage can help people who work out regularly and vigorously. I’ve chosen three—all with a common theme of keeping injury from interfering with your fitness results. These will be presented as a three-part series.

Today, I will focus on the fact that massage is very effective in treating overuse syndromes—reducing and preventing injury.

Muscles are built through a process of tearing down and rebuilding stronger than before. When a person is weight training, they are literally creating microscopic tears in a muscle. This is why at the end of a set, they can’t lift any more, and why the next day they feel soreness. The result of this exercise is that the body naturally repairs and rebuilds the muscle, making it stronger than it was before—bodybuilding in a nutshell.

Muscle Fibers Rebuilt Bigger and Stronger

Though this is a natural and very positive occurrence, there are times in any training program where the repair might not be keeping pace with the tearing down. The result: pain from overuse.

Massage is very restorative to muscles in this cycle. Tight and strained muscles have very poor blood flow, and the metabolic waste and lactic acid from the tearing-down process remain in the tissue, causing soreness. Massage greatly increases blood flow, literally flushing out the waste products and bringing in a new blood supply which carries the oxygen and nutrition the muscle needs to help it repair itself.

Massage helps to keep the symptoms from increasing and ultimately creating an overuse injury that would require a period of rest - thus, interfering with fitness results!

Sports Massage is a critical part of any athletic or fitness training program. It is, however, important to distinguish sports and therapeutic massage from a relaxation massage or spa treatment. In order to receive maximum training benefit, the therapist must have an extensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, and injury in order to bring about improvement, rather than simply relaxation.

And, to clear up a common misconception, sports massage doesn’t have to be painful—it has to be specific (i.e. working each muscle from origin to insertion, rather than just rubbing over a body part). While strained muscles can be tender, the client is always “in the driver’s seat” as it relates to pain and pressure. Massage is not a matter of “no pain, no gain”—it is very definitely possible to receive massage that is too deep. You should always feel much better after your massage, not sore! While receiving massage, always feel free to ask your therapist for more or less pressure. Again, finding a knowledgeable and experienced therapist is the key.

Whether with my practice or another source, I strongly encourage you to
experience how effective therapeutic massage can be!

source: chaskaherald

A Good lifestyle heads to a healthy heart

The World Heart Federation (WHF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have joined hands and urged employers and employees around the world to make workplaces healthier.

The World Economic Forum has identified chronic diseases as a major threat in the near future. “Some of the world's leading companies and members of the World Economic Forum have workplace wellness programmes,” avers executive chairman of World Economic Forum, Prof Klaus Schwab.

“Such a programme also makes good business sense because productivity suffers due to chronic diseases. Fall in productivity has been estimated to be four times greater than the cost of disease prevention or treatment," adds Schwab.

It is for this reason that “Work with heart” has been chosen as the theme for the World Heart Day, the last Sunday of September every year.

Not a rich-country’s problem
Heart diseases and strokes are the world’s leading cause of death accounting for more than 17.2 million deaths globally per annum.

There is still common fallacy that heart disease and stroke are rich countries' problems. In India, the risk is more pronounced that in some of the developed countries.

The risk of a fatality due to a cardiovascular disease in India is four times that of Westerners and 20 times that of Japanese. What is really worrisome is that the number of 25- to 30-year-olds succumbing to a heart disease is on the rise.

The precipitating factors
Individuals who get agitated and aggressive or remain non-communicative set off negative psycho-neuro-humoro-viscero-immune chain reactions in the body.

These individuals usually see their work as nerve wracking, tend to overeat, lead an inactive life, are overweight and have a tendency to take to smoking.

This kind of a lifestyle leads to hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, which eventually leads to a coronary heart disease (CAD).

Dr R P S Bhardwaj, ex-head Laxmipat Singhania (LPS) Institute of Cardiology noted, “Lifestyle modification has increased the number of heart patients. With the changing lifestyle, dietary habits have been widely affected, increasing the risk factors for heart diseases.

“These include high blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose level, smoking, inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, overweight, obesity and physical inactivity."

The do’s and don’ts
People have been urged to follow the following tips to prevent heart diseases:

Aavoid tobacco in any form and have control on drinking alcohol

Regular physical activity and health check-ups are a sine qua non

Junk food contains excess fat and salt and has to be avoided

Eight hours of sleep a day is recommended for a healthy heart

People with diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, and all those associated with obesity are more susceptible to heart problems and therefore should be extra cautious

source: themedguru

Simple Health Tips To Tune Up Your Body Sysytem As time passes, our bodies go through a lot of wear and tear and grow old. Registered Dietitian Jayson Hunter reveals three healthy eating guidelines to give your body a tune up. He believes that these healthy eating guidelines can actually improve your overall fitness levels no matter how old you are.

Healthy eating guidelines are just simple yet highly effective everyday tips which you can follow to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Hunter explains, “How many people do you know who want to improve their fitness levels but don’t have the time or the inclination to go the gym or follow a diet? Many, right? Most people don’t realize that following some simple and effective healthy eating guidelines will not only assist you in achieving your fitness goals but improve your overall health as well”. He adds, “To add to that, integrating healthy eating guidelines with your current fitness regime will go a long way in helping you achieve your overall fitness goals”.

Here are three simple healthy eating guidelines to improve your health and lifestyle:

1) Eat more fruits and vegetables – You must eat about 4-5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. They are extremely rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, thereby providing the body with its daily dose of vital nutrients.

2) Water – Drink 8-10 glasses of water everyday. Water will not only keep your body hydrated throughout the day but also improve your overall energy levels. Drinking enough water is one of the most important healthy eating guidelines.

3) Snack less, eat small meals more often – Another important healthy eating guideline is to eat small meals more frequently and reduce the intake of snacks or junk food. Try to eat about 5-6 small meals during the day every 3 hours or so.

source: transworldnews

How to Pack a Healthy Lunchbox For Your Kids

Many parents want to give their children a healthy lunch, but it’s not always so easy. They often don’t know what to buy, don’t have the time to shop for it, and, when they’re trying to get everyone out the door in the morning, sometimes they just flat out run out of time. Even if they do pack a nice lunch, there’s no guarantee that the kids will actually eat it. Kids are, after all, kids. And the school lunches they get aren’t always the healthiest, either. But if one chef has her way, that may soon change.

If they have access to it, it’s as just easy for kids to eat healthy foods as unhealthy ones, and they should learn how to make the right choices for themselves, says Ann Cooper, author of “Lunch Lessons.” And the best place to start is the school cafeteria.

More than 30 million kids in the United States get their lunch in school, and that’s why Cooper, a passionate advocate for children’s health, has her sites set on revamping the nation’s school lunch program.

“Kids can’t think if they’re hungry, and they can’t learn if they’re malnourished,” says Cooper. Nutrition plays a critical role in children’s behavior, school achievements and cognitive development, but many of the meals served are hardly nutritious. “They get high fat, highly processed meals, laden with sugar: hotdogs, fish sticks, chocolate milk, canned fruit in heavy syrup,” she says.

“The USDA doesn’t talk about food, it talks about nutrients. You can add nutrients to make anything fit the numbers. Pop Tarts, chicken nuggets, cereals packed with sugar, they’re still bad,” says Cooper. “They should be talking about food, how much fresh fruit, how many fresh vegetables. We have a policy built around ‘designer’ chicken nuggets rather than real food.”

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three children born in the year 2000 will have diabetes, and 30 percent are overweight. “We spend $174 billion on diabetes each year,” Cooper points out. “We’re going to pay now or pay later with rising health costs and poor health.”

Cooper says that schools can easily switch from processed, high-fat and high-sugar lunches, to meals based on fresh food purchased from local vendors. It may sound pie-in-the-sky, but Cooper has already done it successfully in well-meaning communities like Berkeley, California and Boulder, Colorado, and even New York City’s Harlem neighborhood.

As a caterer, businesswoman, and administrator, Cooper knows that schools need the most cost-efficient and fastest way to feed lots of people. She understands how to pay for it, how to prepare it, how to retrain employees to cook it, and, perhaps most important, how to market it to students. And she gives the information away for free.

With funding from Whole Foods, Cooper has created the “thelunchbox.org,” an on-line “toolbox” for school administrators that includes recipes, resources for sourcing local vendors, cooking technique training videos, and educational tools. It’s everything a school system needs to develop a plan to serve fresh, healthy meals.

In “Lunch Lessons” Cooper offers healthy, practical suggestions for Moms who pack lunches themselves. Recipes like Chicken Pot Pie made by putting the chicken mixture in a thermos and wrapping a biscuit separately, and Chicken Caesar Wraps using leftover chicken breast and romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar salad dressing, rolled in a whole wheat wrap.

Quick and easy sandwich tips on Cooper's website include substituting cashew or almond butter for peanut butter; adding dried cranberries or walnuts to chicken salad; using Boston Bibb lettuce leaves as sandwich wrappers; and filling a pita with salad and packing the dressing on the side.

Ultimately, it’s up to parents to make their own choices when feeding their children, but the information Cooper provides helps them make responsible and well-informed decisions. If schools change what they’re serving, then 30 million children will get at least one healthy and nutritious meal five days a week. Not a bad start to giving our kids a better future.

source: foxnews

Eating right really is good for your brain health

The foods we eat affect the health and functioning of our bodies, and some can affect our moods and mental performance, as well. Our brains are influenced by our diet.

“It's an old wives tale that fish is good for your brain. Well, as with many old wives tales, it does have some truth to it,” says Deidre Douglass, a dietitian with the University of Texas Health Science Center's School of Public Health.

Salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines all contain lots of Omega 3 fatty acids, which keep the brain membrane and other things healthy and working better.

“Choline is another nutrient found to be pivotal in brain health,” Douglass says. “It is a component of fat-like molecules in the brain that are responsible for brain health.”

Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help to prevent damage to cells, including brain cells, she says.

“Getting an adequate amount of all nutrients is important. Carbohydrates, protein and fats are all important to our bodies, as well as vitamins and minerals and fluid. To get all of these, we need a well-balanced diet along with exercise. I know that everything in moderation sounds like a cliché — or an old wives tale — but there is a lot of truth to it.”

BRAIN FOODS

• Salmon: Omega 3 fatty acids improve memory so you can finally remember that tricky calculus equation.

• Egg yolks, liver and peanuts: These contain the B-vitamin choline, which is thought to enhance memory and minimizes fatigue.

• Blueberries: This fruit is laden with antioxidants to protect your brain from degeneration due to ageing. Sounds delicious.

This fruit is laden with antioxidants to protect your brain from degeneration due to ageing. Sounds delicious.

• Dark chocolate: Cocoa flavanols increase blood flow to the brain, increasing alertness and cerebral function. As if you needed a reason to eat chocolate.

• Green tea: It's antioxidant rich and shown to improve learning ability. Drink up.

• Almonds: They're crunchy, nutty and full of phenylalanine, which boosts adrenaline and dopamine so you can pay attention with the added benefit of focus and energy.

Apples and oranges: Good sources of vitamins and antioxidants.

Health and Fitness Tips for First Year Students Now that you are in college, you’ve gotten used to living with others, going to class, and managing your time without parents to nag you. These are key elements of college success, but you may decide to strive for control over other aspects of your life as well. Many people arrive at school and find themselves with no set limits on time, activities, or food, bringing me to my first point: the dreaded “freshman fifteen.”

If you are a careful and attentive eater, you will not face these extra pounds. Many freshmen, though, give in to late night, high-calorie eating and gratefully left their last high school P.E. class far behind. These students are well on their way to unwanted weight gain. If you like how you are right now and do not want to change any of your eating or exercise habits, don’t read any further. I do not want to drastically change any lifestyles that do not welcome healthy tips.

But for the rest of you, first consider the food you eat now that you are away from home. Always remember that your body needs all elements of the food pyramid. Many people who try to lose weight tend to cut out carbohydrates completely, but your body needs those as much as it needs protein and fresh fruits and vegetables. Instead, think about portion control. Fill your plate with equal amounts of each – a carbohydrate, a protein, and a fruit or vegetable. I can guarantee you that every day the dining hall has a variety of offerings at lunch and dinner. Eating a balanced diet is definitely the first step to becoming a more healthy college student. The rules apply for both lunch and dinner, although many people like to eat something lighter like a sandwich or salad for lunch. That’s fine, but you should make sure that you are getting all of those groups into your meal.

Now for the exercise … Always remember that your body naturally burns calories from food, so don’t over-exercise! The benefits of exercising a few times a week are numerous: you look and feel stronger, strengthen your immune system, improve blood flow, prevent many types of diseases, and even increase focus. Cardio workouts in the gym or fitness center (run, bike, elliptical) are popular forms of exercise. Check out how busy the machines are in the LFC at any time of day! Thirty minutes of cardio about three to four times a week is all you need to get all those health benefits listed above. Running or walking outside is also a great option (while the weather is nice) and a good way to get the Vitamin D that you need from the sun.

Also, take advantage of all the opportunities offered by the school! Join an intramural team, attend power hour, or go to fitness classes like yoga or zumba. The school offers lots of opportunities including a variety of classes that help students stay fit and aware of their health. An added benefit is meeting new people and developing new skills.

Just follow these easy tips and the benefits will start rolling in sooner than you think…and you will begin to think that taking responsibility for your own health and fitness is just another step towards independence.

Second wave of swine flu pandemic begins to hit US

Technician Heather Bickley tested samples for H1N1 flu at the Arizona State Health Lab in Phoenix. At least 26 states are now reporting widespread flu activity, federal officials said.

WASHINGTON - After months of warnings and frantic preparations, the second wave of the swine flu pandemic is starting to be felt around the country. Doctors, health clinics, hospitals, and schools are reporting rapidly increasing numbers of patients experiencing flu symptoms.

While most cases so far are mild, and the health care system is handling the load, officials say the number of people seeking treatment for the flu is unprecedented for this time of year.

In Austin, so many parents are rushing their children to Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas with swine flu symptoms that the hospital had to set up tents in the parking lot to cope with the onslaught.

In Memphis, the Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center emergency room got so crowded with feverish, miserable youngsters that it had to do the same thing.

And in Manning, S.C., a private school where an 11-year-old girl died shut down after the number of pupils who were out sick with similar symptoms reached nearly a third of the student body.

“It just kind of snowballed,’’ said Kim Jordan, a teacher at Laurence Manning Academy, which closed Wednesday after Ashlie Pipkin died and the number of ill students hit 287. “We had several teachers out also.’’

“H1N1 is spreading widely throughout the US,’’ said Thomas Frieden, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The CDC reported last week that at least 26 states are now reporting widespread flu activity, up from 21 a week earlier.

Even though some parts of the Southeast that started seeing a surge of cases first now seem to be showing a decline, that could be a temporary reprieve, Frieden said. And other parts of the country are probably just starting to feel the second wave.

“Influenza is perhaps the most unpredictable of all infectious diseases,’’ Frieden said.

The pandemic has prompted scattered school closings around the country in recent weeks, including 42 schools that closed in eight states Friday, affecting more than 16,000 students.

Many colleges and universities have been hit particularly hard, forcing some to open separate dorms for sick students. Ninety-one percent of the 267 colleges and universities being surveyed by the American College Health Association are now reporting cases.

The government is starting an unprecedented system to track possible side effects as mass flu vaccinations begin next month. The idea is to detect any rare but real problems quickly, and explain the inevitable coincidences that are sure to cause some false alarms.

In just a few months, health authorities hope to vaccinate well over half the population against swine flu, which doctors call the 2009 H1N1 strain. No more than 100 million Americans usually get vaccinated against regular winter flu, and never in such a short period.

The last mass inoculations against a different swine flu, in 1976, were marred by reports of a rare paralyzing condition, Guillain-Barré syndrome, a sometimes fatal paralysis. Other possible side effects could potentially include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and miscarriages.

On top of routine vaccine tracking, these government-sponsored monitoring projects are planned:

■ Harvard Medical School scientists are linking large insurance databases that cover up to 50 million people with vaccination registries around the country for real-time checks of whether people see a doctor in the weeks after a flu shot and why. The huge numbers make it possible to quickly compare rates of complaints among the vaccinated and unvaccinated, said the project leader, Dr. Richard Platt, Harvard’s population medicine chief.

■ Johns Hopkins University will direct e-mails to at least 100,000 vaccine recipients to track how they’re feeling, including the smaller complaints that wouldn’t prompt a doctor visit. If anything seems connected, researchers can call to follow up with detailed questions.

■ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing take-home cards that tell vaccine recipients how to report any suspected side effects to the nation’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting system.

“Every day, bad things happen to people. When you vaccinate a lot of people in a short period of time, some of those things are going to happen to some people by chance alone,’’ said Dr. Daniel Salmon, a vaccine safety specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services.

source: boston

Obese kids face severe health problems in the future Obese kids face greater odds of severe health problems in the future-- type 2 diabetes and heart disease, in particular. But they're also dealing with a host of pretty serious issues in the present.

Young bodies awash in the hormones and metabolic burden of excess weight can suffer from conditions that take a significant toll on their quality of life. Chronic disease in the United States, much of it associated with obesity, accounts for 70 percent of deaths and 75 percent of healthcare costs, and the epidemic of childhood obesity is positioning kids to live up to--if not exceed--older generations' track record of chronic ailments. About two thirds of U.S. adults and one fifth of children are overweight or obese.

Research published in July in the journal Health Affairs estimates that medical spending associated with obesity in people over age 18 has risen to nearly 10 percent of total medical spending per year, or $147 billion annually. And findings published earlier this month in Health Affairs online revealed that costs associated with obesity-related hospitalizations in children rose from $125.9 million in 2001 to $237.6 million in 2005 (in 2005 dollars).

The biggies that land an obese kid in the hospital are orthopedic conditions because of compromised bones; asthma, which is associated with or intensified by obesity; and diabetes-related problems like infections, explains Marc Jacobson, a pediatrician who specializes in nutrition, lipids, and weight problems in Great Neck, New York, and also sits on the American Academy of Pediatrics's Obesity Leadership Workgroup. Additionally, being obese can take a big toll on a child's:

--Mental health. Not to be underestimated, experts say, is the emotional impact that being overweight or obese can have on the mental health of a young person. Not being chosen for sports in gym class, being bullied or teased, even being physically abused by peers, not surprisingly, can foster depression and anxiety, leading these kids to miss class.

"School becomes an adverse environment," says Sandra Hassink, who directs the Weight Management Program at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware, and also heads up the AAP's Obesity Leadership Workgroup. As a result, performance in school may suffer.

--Sleep. Another potentially negative effect on school performance is the higher rate of sleep disorders in obese kids. Obstructive sleep apnea, which tracks with carrying excess pounds and results in a less-than-restful night, causes a person to stop breathing, sometimes for a minute or more, snore loudly, and sometimes gag or cough, eventually causing the body to rouse itself. The results "can be confused with ADD ( attention deficit disorder)," says Jacobson. The kids "aren't getting refreshing sleep, they're drowsy during the day, and they're hyperactive." Because there are a myriad of reasons a kid might not be doing well in school, "this one might be overlooked," he adds.

Another pulmonary-related problem associated with obesity is asthma, which seems to be spreading in parallel with the rise in obesity rates, though one cannot be called a cause of the other, says Hassink. Asthma in obese kids is a double-whammy, since carrying around extra pounds itself causes wheezing and shortness of breath.

-- Liver. The body's workhorse organ, the liver, can take a significant hit in obese children. With fatty deposits around and marbled throughout their organs, about 15 to 20 percent of obese children have elevated liver enzymes that reflect an inflammation known as NASH, or nonalcoholic steatohepatits. Inflammation is known to play a significant role in many disease processes from heart disease to diabetes.

NASH can lead to scarring in the liver tissue and loss of critical function. While this condition has been seen in adult populations for some time, explains Hassink, "we already see children who have this process."

-- Bones and joints. Extra pounds put a heavy burden on developing bones and joints. Knees suffer, and obese kids can develop Blount's disease, which is thought to result from pressure on the lower leg that prevents the inner shinbone from developing properly. Often a child will develop bowed legs.

Hip joints suffer, too, and weight may cause the head of the femur in the hip joint to fracture, explains Hassink. The treatment requires a pin or screw to be inserted for support.

--Menstrual cycle. Girls who are obese may get their first period earlier than is typical. Population studies have suggested that such early-onset menstration is a risk factor for breast cancer, Jacobson says. The mean age of onset in the United States, he says, is 12.5 years of age, but "with overweight girls it is significantly earlier--it might be a year or so."

Later on, obese women may develop irregular or stopped periods, more acne, and excessive hair growth as a result of polycystic ovarian syndrome. This, of course, becomes a problem as they grow up and want to have children, Hassink says.

But parents and obese children alike need not feel overwhelmed or powerless. "I've seen many, many kids do very well in managing this problem," says Jacobson. Yes, it takes concerted effort--not only on the part of the child, but also on the part of parents and siblings. A supportive household is essential, as is a real hard look at the family's nutritional and activity habits.

One common struggle occurs in families with one obese or overweight child among others who are picky eaters and skinny. Parents often believe that ice cream, cookies, and sugary beverages are necessary to get the slender kids interested in food.

"That's a fallacy," Jacobson says, since "picky eaters who happen to be slim need the same five servings of fruit and vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy." Another challenge for parents is the busy factor. Meals may not get made ahead of time, which means relying too heavily on the fallback takeout or microwavable dinners. "The literature is pretty good at showing the number of restaurant and takeout meals (a child eats) is pretty well correlated with a child's body mass index," says Jacobson.

Of course, a big part of the problem is that recess during school is not a given like it used to be, and children spend more time riding in cars than riding their bikes. It falls to parents to turn off the television set and move the fun outdoors. One effort worth making: rallying neighborhood parents.

"The average child wants to exercise," Hassink explains. "What gets them there is play with other kids."

Source: Tribune Media Services

HIV/AIDS: Housewives under threat “It does not concern me, it concerns them.” --Them referring to sex workers and drug addicts. This is what most Mauritians generally think.

They are under the impression that they are safe from AIDS, which has turned into a world pandemic within no time. However, the facts are there. The HIV virus is attacking more and more women who are not necessarily sex workers and drug addicts. They are housewives who have non-protected sexual relationships.

Initially, when AIDS was gaining ground in Mauritius, it was found that this was happening because of widespread use of shared needles for injection, among the drug addicts.

However, the trend has reverted. The HIV is getting more feminised and that too among women who least expect to be infected by it. They are usually the housewives. This problem does not escape the attention of the Ministry of Women, Child's Development and Family Welfare.

To sensitise people to the gravity of the situation and to see together what can be done, the Ministry in association with the AIDS Unit of the Ministry of Health, Prévention Information Lutte contre le Sida (PILS) and Dr Idriss Goomany Centre conducted an interactive session on the incidence of HIV/AIDS on women recently.

Present on the occasion, the Minister Indira Seebun revealed that “in contrast to the impression that we had that HIV/AIDS is only for the African countries, there are now many heterosexual couples who are being affected. 48% of patients affected by HIV are women. All this is due to infidelity in couples,” she says. Her Ministry is promoting fidelity, specially among menfolk. Alongside, she reiterated that many men do not want to use condoms. She pursued by saying that if a woman has doubts about her partner, she better protects herself.
“Protecting oneself has got two advantages. Firstly, it limits the risk of the propagation of the disease. Secondly, it also helps in family planning,” she says.

Long time back, people did not know about female contraceptive methods, but now these have become popular throughout the globe and Mauritius is no exception to this new trend, she adds.

Devarajen Chellapermal of the AIDS Unit of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life says that AIDS is no more seen as a deadly disease.

“It has become rather a chronic disease, just like Diabetes,” he says.
However, he emphasises the fact that prevention is better than cure. He explains that women are more at risk than men. During sexual intercourse, very little vaginal fluid can penetrate the urethra, but seminal discharge can verily easily spread to the vaginal walls. Thus, the risk of the woman being infected by the HIV positive male is far higher than the man being infected by the HIV positive female.

Devarajen also explains that many young girls are also infected by the virus because in order to get sexual experiences, they go out with men who are much older than them, usually married, unfaithful men. Besides, the sexual organs of the young girls, still being in the development period puts them more in danger of contracting the disease.

Pregnancy period, delivery time and post-natal period can be dangerous for babies whose mothers are HIV positive.

“The probability that pregnant, HIV positive women infect their babies before, during and after birth, is at 30%,” says Devarajen. He explains that during the third term of pregnancy, when the baby starts moving in the womb of the mother, the latter's blood can get in the umbilical cord. However, the infected women are recipient to anti-retroviral treatment during that same period.

Then, during delivery, the infected
blood of the mother can get into the eyes, nose, mouth for these organs are open. Following the birth of a child, through breastfeeding, the infected mother can pass on the virus to her infant. Nevertheless, this third transmission possibility can be avoided through cesarian (depending on the woman's health), and feeding the child with powder milk instead of mother's milk (the government is providing infected mothers with powder milk for two years following the birth of their baby).

Brigitte Michèle of PILS votes for education and prevention as the means and solution to combat HIV/AIDS. She explains that women are very vulnerable with the practice of sodomy.

“Many women, in order to preserve their virginity until their marriage, resort to sodomy for their sexual satisfaction. This is dangerous. There are veins which can break. Thus, an infected man can very easily transmit the virus to his partner,” she says. Furthermore, when a woman is raped, she is more prone to contract the HIV, than a willing woman.

According to her, young girls must delay their sexual activities. Other advice which she gives are to stop multiple partner practice, women sexual health empowerment, going for HIV tests, among others. She also expounds on the in-depth and intertwined relationship between poverty and prostitution.

Many sex workers do not resist the refusal of their clients to use condom. Still many prostitutes are incited to consume drugs following a sexual intercourse. Other women are sent to sell their bodies, by their partners, to earn money for drugs. These realities but endanger those women. She suggests that sex workers should be registered and obtain a health card which would allow them to follow treatment.

Female condom was high on the agenda. Brigitte explains that it is very useful in cases where the man does not want to make use of condom. Additionally, she can place the condom eight hours before intercourse; it is washable and can therefore be re-used. But, it is not yet accessible in all places and quite expensive, compared to male condom.

Is there a cure for AIDS?
Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure' for AIDS - which makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise wouldn’t. However, there is still no cure for AIDS. The only way to stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent HIV infection.

Anti-retroviral treatment can prolong the time between HIV infection and the onset of AIDS. Modern combination therapy is highly effective and someone with HIV who is taking treatment could live for the rest of their life without developing AIDS.

An AIDS diagnosis does not necessarily equate to a death sentence. Many people can still benefit from starting anti-retroviral therapy even once they have developed an AIDS-defining illness. Better treatment and prevention for opportunistic infections have also helped to improve the quality and length of life for those diagnosed with AIDS.

Real life story
A woman infected by HIV says that she met her future husband twelve years back. The latter told her that he was HIV positive. Still, she agreed to marry him. The following year, they got married. At first, the couple used to take precautions during sexual intercourse. But then, the woman stopped resorting to condoms. She explains that she knew what was awaiting her in terms of the risks she was running. Yet, she remained firm on her decision. Eventually, she got infected too.

“I wanted to share that with my husband. I wanted to know what he was undergoing so that even I could understand and share the same,” she says.

Years later, she still loves her husband as much as she used to before their marriage. When asked if she does not regret having taken the decision of quitting the use of condom, she replied. “No regrets,” she says.

SOURCE: defimedia.info

Guru sets out to heal the world with yoga on Scottish island

Indian yoga guru Swami Ramdev practises yoga on Little Cumbrae off the west coast of Scotland. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images

A tiny, treeless island in the Firth of Clyde has become an unlikely place of pilgrimage , as hundreds of people flocked to see a controversial yoga master who says he wants to heal the planet's population of illness.

The 700 rocky acres of Little Cumbrae, known as Wee Cumbrae to locals, were best known for their birdlife until a millionaire couple bought the uninhabited island in July, planning to turn it into a yoga retreat based around the principles of Swami Ramdev Ji.

The guru, whose followers number tens of millions in his home country of India, attended the official opening of the retreat, dressed in woodblock sandals and flowing orange robes that contrasted sharply with the leaden Scottish skies.

Ramdev has a rock star following in India, having founded a trust in the mid-90s to promote yoga and ayurvedic healing. But he is a controversial figure, attracting criticism over his claims to rid the world of illness, and more recently over comments describing homosexuals as "sick people".

He told the gathering of journalists, bemused locals and pilgrims, 350 of whom had travelled from India, that claims that his breathing techniques could cure cancer and Aids did not come from him but rather from his followers.

"Yoga is the universal and scientific philosophy of self-realisation and healing. Our personal life should also be full of austerity and self-control and a complete sense of denunciation."

Asked if his methods could cure cancer, however, Ramdev was reluctant to answer directly and reverted to his native Hindi

Sam and Sunita Poddar bought the island for £2m in July, after building up a fortune through their Glasgow-based care home business Lambhill Court Ltd. They plan to turn the island into a five-star yoga retreat with doctors trained in ayurvedic medicine, which combines herbs, massage and yoga.

Sunita Poddar, 49, said she started following Ramdev's principles after suffering from health complications that required her to take 14 tablets a day. She said Ramdev's breathing techniques, called Pranayam, enabled her to lose weight and stop taking medication.

One pilgrim, who had flown from his home in India, taken a train from London and then caught a boat in Largs, described Ramdev as "just about as big as the Beatles" in his own country.

Asked what he thought of the island, he said: "It is very strange, the water is so black here."

source: guardian

Relationship Advice: The Shocking State of Marriage Last Tuesday I was on the Today Show with Woman’s Day Magazine Health Editor, Amy Brightfield discussing, marriage and if there really is a happily ever after. Woman’s Day and AOL Living surveyed more than 35,000 women to find out how they feel about their husbands and marriages. The results? Wedded bliss isn’t always so bliss-filled.

The survey said that 72% of these women have considered leaving their husbands.This result is not surprising to me. All marriages have their ups and downs. When you’re in a downtick, feeling disappointed, wounded, or angry, it is normal to think about leaving. It doesn’t mean you need to leave. Or that the marriage is over.

So here's the first bit of relationship advice: There are no perfect husbands. At least after the first 2-3 years! The crazy-in-love infatuation phase fades out after 2-3 years of marriage. Then comes disappointment and fighting—it is all part of marriage. When you feel like leaving, it is time to roll up your sleeves and work on the relationship, practice forgiveness, lovingly ask for what you need, go for a walk-and-talk, on a romantic date. Most importantly, reconnect.

Another interesting survey result is that 79% of these women want sex more often and 52% of them say they have NO sex life…or a dull one at best. Usually it’s the men who feel this way. But now it is less taboo for women to talk about sexual dissatisfaction in their marriage. These days men’s ED issues are plastered all over the television. There are commercials about couples ecstatically overcoming their sexual problems. And women feel they have the right to have a sexually satisfying marriage the way men did in the past.

Only 19% called their sex life satisfying. I believe this is because very often sex falls to the bottom of the To-Do list, after work, errands and especially kid’s activities—because these days families are super child-focused. The answer is to put sex at the top of the To-Do list. Set up a babysitter away from the house and have a romantic, sexy stay-at-home date. Flirt with your husband, imagine you are having an affair with him. Send him sexy text messages during the day.

Also, 41% of married couples say they don’t have a date night. This is alarming!! People do not understand how very important it is to spend time alone as a couple. All the research shows that couple alone time is one of the markers of a happy marriage. 80% of couples divorce because they have lost the sense of connection, the one-on-one friendship that underlies a good marriage.

Another interesting result, 46% of women say that their husbands have changed for the worse since marriage. This result stems in part from a natural process in marriage. As you get to know your partner, sometime the endearing things become the very things that bother you the most. He used to be interested in everything you do when you first met. It was adorable then. Now it’s smothering. The work of marriage it to learn how to lovingly ask for what you need and to help your spouse become a better partner for you while you become a better partner for him.

In spite of all the negativity, 71% of the women surveyed say they expect to be married to their spouses for the rest of their lives. I think this shows that women are very savvy and they know that by working to overcome or work around these problems, they can keep all the benefits and advantages that come with being married.

source: psychologytoday

Mental exercise like meditation can literally change our minds Wearing a 128-channel geodesic sensor net, Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard sits in a soundproof room and prepares for an electroencephalography (EEG) test at the EEG facility in the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ricard is a longtime participant in an ongoing research study led by Richard J. Davidson that monitors a subject's brain waves during various forms of meditation including compassion meditation. Davidson is director of the Waisman Lab for Brain Imaging and Behavior (WLBIB) and the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry.

Richard Davidson, one of the world’s top brain scientists, believes mental exercise, specifically meditation, can literally change our minds.

“Our data shows mental practice can induce long-lasting changes in the brain,” said Davidson, professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

His startling scientific research on the impact of meditation on brain function has implications that go beyond the physical.

Buddhist monks believe mental attributes and positive emotions such as compassion, loving kindness and empathy are skills that can be cultivated.

Science is beginning to back that up.

Davidson started meditating in 1974, when he was a Phd student at Harvard. Back then, meditation was seen as a somewhat faddish eastern import right up there with the dashiki and the Jesus sandal.

“The culture at the time was not so receptive,” Davidson said, “nor were the scientific methods so well-developed.”

It was when he met the Dalai Lama in 1992 that he “decided to come out of the closet with my interest in meditation.”

He became excited about the possibility of applying rigorous scientific study to the practice of meditation.

“I made a commitment to do my best to take the tools we have so well honed in studying fear and anxiety and apply them to kindness and compassion.”

Davidson began an ongoing study of the brains of Buddhist monks, the so-called “Olympians” of meditation, each of whom had accomplished at least 10,000 hours of meditation.

“The work was framed within the research on neuro-plasticity, the understanding that the brain is built to change in response to experience,” Davidson said.

Just as an injured brain can adapt by mapping out new neuron pathways to accomplish tasks, “brain circuits [for] regulation of emotion and attention are malleable by the environment and are potential targets of training,” he said.

Using functional Magnetic Resonance Imagery, Davidson showed that compassion meditation, even in short-term practitioners, induced significant changes in patterns of functional activity in the brain.

“The most important thing is hard-nosed evidence,” Davidson said. “We were able to measure the results through experiments we did.”

Davidson, who has published his findings on meditation in the world’s most prestigious science journals, believes that even the so-called “happiness set-point” of a person’s brain can be altered for the better.

The potential applications include non-pharmacological interventions or supplemental treatment for depression, as well as behavioural and stress-related issues.

Davidson hopes to convince educators to include meditation training as part of core curriculum in Grades K-12.

“It’s very clear that disruptive behaviour, bullying, ADD dramatically affect learning and have led to progressive declines in North American institutes,” he said.

Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, also began meditating while in college and is a proponent of mindfulness, a form of secular meditation.

Goleman said in an interview: “Mindfulness seems to strengthen an array of neurons in the left prefrontal cortex, which inhibits the stress reaction driven by the amygdala, that triggers the cascade of stress hormones in the fight or flight response.”

Regular practice is key. “It’s exactly like building up a muscle. What you begin to notice as you strengthen it is the absence of the negative state.”

By cultivating the mindfulness muscle, Goleman believes we will develop greater emotional intelligence. We can become more self-aware, better at handling distressing emotions, and more empathetic, a combination that creates greater social effectiveness.

“Meditation is both calming and focusing, which are two essential elements for well-being,” Goleman said.

Dr. Adrianne Ross is a Vancouver mindfulness and meditation leader who first turned to the practice when she experienced a serious illness.

She has practiced meditation in different forms for more than 30 years, studied with mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn, and taught the practice for more than a decade.

“The mindfulness program is for people who aren’t sure they’re interested in Buddhism, but want to learn to meditate,” Ross said.

“It helps you to be able to live more fully and more effectively, so you’re causing less harm to yourself and the people around you and you’re happier.”

Mindfulness can be practised while driving, or standing in line at the bank, Ross said, — but it is not a panacea.

“Some people have depression that comes back. Some of us have the chemistry or life experience that make [difficult] thoughts come, but it can help us work with the thoughts,” Ross said.

“Some people have severe illness. It won’t make the illness go away, but helps them live a full life.

Ross has seen patients become happier and more accepting, in spite of difficult circumstances.

It begins with “learning to be with the breath,” Ross said. Bringing focus to the breath and body. You don’t try to eliminate your thoughts, but focus with “loving kindness” and watch your habitual thoughts — the ones that might hijack you emotionally.

“You learn to recognize my mind is really spinning right now, you’re aware of what it’s doing, you’re not lost in what’s happening. Then if your mind is not going in a useful direction you have a choice.”

Davidson, who still meditates regularly, said he doesn’t measure his own brain systematically. He doesn’t have to. “My practice has given me a kind of equanimity and balance,” he said.

“It may be a period of time, but by 2050 I believe mental exercise will be understood as being as important as physical exercise.”

source: vancouversun

The Demo Site

Health Topics

Resources

Blog Directory

Archive

Must Read

Quick Health Tips