Daily Health Tips: Trusted Medical Information, Health Tips and Advices

Bone Health: Not only Calcium, these 5 Ways also make your Bones Strong

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 09:21:00 +0000

Bone is the most important part of our body because it gives our body the right shape. The stronger they are, the more healthy you will be. It is said that if you do not include the proper nutrients in your diet, then your bones become weak due to the lack of nutrients. Apart from this, too many problems related to the bone are coming from working on computers, so we are going to tell you some tips to strengthen the bones, through which you can easily strengthen your bones.

Quit Smoking

When you smoke cigarettes on a continuous basis, your body does not easily make a new healthy bone tissue. The more the cigarette you smoke, the conditions will get worse for you. Smoking bones are more prone to breaking down easily, as well as it take more time to get repair. But if you leave the cigarette then you can reduce the risk and improve the health of your bones, although it may take several years.

More salt is harmful

The more salt you eat, the more calcium will come out of your body, it means salt is not beneficial for your bones at all. Excessive amount of salt found in certain foods such as breads, cheese, chips and cold cuts. Do not stop having the salt completely but set your goal to have less than 2,300 milligrams of salt a day.

Do not watch TV continuously

It's OK to enjoy your favorite show. But keeping the eyes on the TV screen sitting on your couch for hours can prove to be harmful for you. When this habit is created then you do not move much from your couch and your bones become weak. Exercise works to strengthen them. It is important for your physical structure to lift your legs and your paws, which will give strength to your bones and muscles.

Do not drink more flavored drinks

Excessive cola flavored soda can damage your bones. Although more research is needed, some studies have linked bone loss to both caffeine and phosphorus found in these fluids. Other experts say that selecting a soda instead of milk and other drinks, which contains calcium, can harm you. Even you lose Calcium if you are drinking too much coffee or tea.

Cycle for several kilometers

When you paddle your bicycle for hours on weekends, not only your heart and lungs gets strong even your bones also gets strong. If you are a cyclist then raise a little weight on it and do it continuously. You can also do activities like tennis, hiking, dancing and swimming.

Put the garlic piece in the ear before sleeping, the benefit will shock you

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 11:28:00 +0000

Typically, the garlic ingested to increase the test in food which is very beneficial for the health. It is also eaten, as well as its oil is used in troubleshooting of many problems. Garlic oil is used in many problems related to ear or nose. This thing usually we all know. But Garlic is beneficial in many other things besides this. There are also many advantages by keeping the cut bud of Garlic in the ear. So let's know, about those benefits.

Helps in Reducing High fever

Many times a very high fever causes due to viral or other reason. In spite of taking medicines, there is no comfort. In such a situation, if you try to sleep with a piece of Garlic on the mouth of the ear, you will see that in a short time, fierce fall in fever.

Immediate prevention of ear problem

People who have pain in their ear, or problems with water or pus. Garlic is a very useful thing for them. For this, cut the Garlic before sleeping at night and place it on the ear. By doing so, the pain inside the ear will disappear in a little while and gradually the problem will be solved.

The bandage that will heal the wound and dissolve in the skin

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 11:10:00 +0000

Scientists have developed antibacterial bandage that prevents skin from transmitting with rapid repair. It can be used for a long time and once it is applied it does not need to be replaced. It is biodegradable, which gradually gets in its skin. It is compiled by Moscow's National University of Science and Technology and Czech Republic's Brno University of Technology.

Dressing not to be repeated

The number of bacteria decreases sharply in 48 hours from the bandage

Researcher Elizaveta says that the bandage is made from Polycaprolactone Nanofiber. Gentamicin is present in its fiber. This bandage gradually gets mixed in the skin. The number of bacteria decreases rapidly within 48 hours of use.

Researchers say that antiseptic is usually used when the wound occurs, which also eliminates the spread of bacterial infections and also eliminates the bacteria that benefit the body. Patients suffer pain when the wound is repeated in the dressing.

2. Bandage can be used in swelling

During the research, the effect of the bandage on e-coli bacteria was seen. Use of the bandage is effective in bone-associated swelling such as osteoporosis along with wound healing. Research Materials and Design has been published in Academic Magazine.

78 types of bacteria found on the note can give TB, Ulcer, and Stomach Disorders: report

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 13:11:00 +0000

New Delhi. The notes kept in your pocket can make you sick. Note can give diseases like TB, Ulcer, Stomach disease. How accurate is this thing? This question has been asked by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the country's leading business organization 'CAT'. Quoting a 'CAT' research report, it has demanded a probe. CAT says that the correct picture should be brought to the fore by examining such claims, and the correct picture should be brought out. If the claims are correct then measures should be taken to prevent diseases.

What's in the report?

According to reports, currency notes pass through the hands of thousands of people. These include people with severe diseases. In this way the currency comes in contact with thousands of types of germs. It always keeps the risk of spreading diseases. CAT has also sent a copy of this letter to Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda and Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. Cat believes that besides the government, the Medical Council of India and the Indian Medical Association should also come forward. CAT National President BC Bhartia said, if research reports are correct, currency notes are dangerous not only for businessmen but also for the general consumer.

78 types of bacteria have been found on Notes: CSIR

In the research of the institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), working under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) 78 types of bacteria that have spread diseases in currency notes have been found. In most of the notes, bacteria that spread other diseases like TB, TB and ulcer have been found. In many countries of Japan and Europe, arrangements have been made to release notes from bacteria through machines.

Brain fever germs on notes: IJCMS

The International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences (IJCMAS) had researched currency notes in Tamil Nadu Tirunelveli Medical College in 2016. Of the 120 notes which were researched, 86.4% of the notes were infected with bacteria. These notes were taken from doctors, banks, markets, meat businessmen, students and housewives. In the notes taken from doctors, urine related, respiratory problems, septicemia, skin infections, brain fever etc. have been found.

Why we Eat More in Winter & How we Avoid Gaining Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:02:00 +0000

According to studies, people do eat more during the winter months, and there are a few potential factors that may contribute to this increased hunger. Most people would agree that winter is the season for rich, hearty foods. Heavy, carb-laden dishes, sugary treats and creamy sauces are all staples of the cold weather diet. Many people also report being hungrier in winter, with stronger cravings and an increased urge to snack. Is this winter appetite all in our heads, or is there a reason why we may want to eat more in cold weather and what can we do to avoid overdoing it?

The human body functions at an optimum temperature of 98.6 deg. Fahrenheit or 37 deg. Celsius. In winters the surrounding temperature is much lower than that, as a result of which our body, esp our limbs get very cold.
The blood in our body has the function of providing nutrients and heat to the body. The body has its own mechanism to warm itself up when it senses that it's getting cold, i.e shivering, which is a muscle activity. All muscle activities require blood, hence, shivering increases blood flow.
What happens when you eat is that the nutrients go into the bloodstream through which they provide energy to the various parts of the body (as the breakdown of food into smaller particles and then much smaller nutrients releases energy). So when you are warm, it means that your body has enough nutrient-rich blood. And when you are cold, the body thinks that you don't have enough nutrient-rich blood, so you should eat.

How do I avoid gaining weight?

1. Have a Healthy Snack.
Eat a high-protein, high-fiber snack between meals -- like some peanut butter on a whole wheat cracker, or low-fat cheese on a slice of wheat bread. Healthy snacking will fuel your body's heat mechanism, helping keep you warmer. The warmer we remain in cold weather, the less we crave carbs.

2. Make a Winter Activity Plan.
Even if it's already mid-winter take a pen to paper and list all the things you did in spring and summer, then write a corresponding list of winter activities you could do. Not only does exercise burn calories, it also affects brain chemicals linked to appetite, so it can help control how much you eat.

3. Create Low-Calorie Comforts.
If you know you're going to crave those wintry comfort foods, find lower-cal ways to do it. Mac and cheese made with low-fat cheese, steamy pizza with veggies and a whole wheat crust, a bowl of vegetable soup, cocoa with non-fat milk -- be creative in cutting calories while keeping the comfort.

4. Get a Daily Dose of Light.
If you think your food cravings may be related to shorter days, try to spend at least some time outdoors in sunlight every day. If that's not possible, talk to your doctor about light therapy -- a way of increasing serotonin levels through exposure to artificial light.

5. Keep a Lid on Seasonal Goodies.
That's not just a figure of speech. Keep rich treats left over from the holidays out of direct eye view. If someone has brought you goodies as a gift, say thanks, without sampling.

6. Give Out a Lot of Hugs.
If it's comfort you're seeking, hugging is a great way to fill you up without filling you out, the experts say. Instead of turning to comfort food, hug your kids, your spouse, your dog, or cat -- or visit an orphanage or senior center, where hugging is at a premium!

Hot Coconut Water- Effective on Cancer Cells

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 04:15:00 +0000

Hot coconut water can save you a lifetime

Look at it again, then tell others,
Spread love out!

Hot coconut ~ only kill cancer cells!

Cut 2 to 3 thin coconut flakes in a cup, add hot water, it will become "alkaline water", drink every day, it is good for anyone.

Hot Coconut water releases an anti-cancer substance, which is the latest advance in the effective treatment of cancer in the medical field.

Hot coconut juice has an effect on cysts and tumors. Proven to remedy all types of cancer.

This type of treatment with coconut extract only destroys malignant cells, it does not affect healthy cells.

In addition, the amino acid and coconut polyphenol in coconut juice can regulate high blood pressure, effectively prevent deep vein thrombosis, adjust blood circulation and reduce blood clots.

Which Has More Calories: Brown Sugar or White Sugar?

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 08:35:00 +0000

Most of the sugar consumed around the world is refined sugar derived from sugar cane. Sugar extracted from sugar cane can be white or brown.

What Makes Brown Sugar Brown?

Sugar is brown due to the addition of molasses at time of processing or may be brown in the first phase of processing prior the refining process take place

Calories In Brown Sugar

Brown sugar containing molasses has a high water content than white sugar. The calories of brown sugar per gram is 3.73.

Calories In White Sugar

White sugar has a low water content than brown sugar and it contains 3.96 calories per gram.

One Teaspoon Of White Sugar

The granule size of white sugar is very uniform in size. Using a standard measuring teaspoon, one teaspoon contain about 4 grams of sugar and about 16 calories.

One Teaspoon of Brown Sugar

The granule size of brown sugar is tend to be a little in size. The additional water content from the molasses makes it possible to pack the sugar into a teaspoon or other measuring device. Depending on how hard the sugar is packed means varying calorie content per teaspoon. The harder the sugar is packed, the greater the calorie content. Gram for gram, white sugar has more calories, but measure for measure, brown sugar may have more calories.

Managing Stress

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:32:00 +0000

Stress basics

Stress is a normal psychological and physical reaction to the demands of life. A small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well. But multiple challenges daily, such as sitting in traffic, meeting deadlines and paying bills, can push you beyond your ability to cope.
Your brain comes hard-wired with an alarm system for your protection. When your brain perceives a threat, it signals your body to release a burst of hormones that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. This "fight-or-flight" response fuels you to deal with the threat.
Once the threat is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state. Unfortunately, the nonstop complications of modern life mean that some people's alarm systems rarely shut off.
Stress management gives you a range of tools to reset your alarm system. It can help your mind and body adapt (resilience). Without it, your body might always be on high alert. Over time, chronic stress can lead to serious health problems.
Don't wait until stress damages your health, relationships or quality of life. Start practicing stress management techniques today.

Stress relief

The pace and challenges of modern life make stress management necessary for everyone.
To monitor your stress, first identify your triggers. What makes you feel angry, tense, worried or irritable? Do you often get headaches or an upset stomach with no medical cause?
Some stressors, such as job pressures, relationship problems or financial concerns, are easy to identify. But daily hassles and demands, such as waiting in a long line or being late to a meeting, also contribute to your stress level.
Even essentially positive events, such as getting married or buying a house, can be stressful. Any change to your life can cause stress.
Once you've identified your stress triggers, think about strategies for dealing with them. Identifying what you can control is a good starting point. For example, if stress keeps you up at night, the solution may be as easy as removing the TV and computer from your bedroom and letting your mind wind down before bed.
Other times, such as when stress is based on high demands at work or a loved one's illness, you might be able to change only your reaction.
Don't feel like you have to figure it out on your own. Seek help and support from family and friends, whether you need someone to listen to you, help with child care or a ride to work when your car's in the shop.
Many people benefit from practices such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, meditation or being in nature. Set aside time for yourself. Get a massage, soak in a bubble bath, dance, listen to music, watch a comedy — whatever helps you relax.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you manage stress. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Make a conscious effort to spend less time in front of a screen — television, tablet, computer and phone — and more time relaxing.
Stress won't disappear from your life. And stress management needs to be ongoing. But by paying attention to what causes your stress and practicing ways to relax, you can counter some of the bad effects of stress and increase your ability to cope with challenges.

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation techniques are an essential part of stress management. Because of your busy life, relaxation might be low on your priority list. Don't shortchange yourself. Everyone needs to relax and recharge to repair the toll stress takes on your mind and body.
Almost everyone can benefit from relaxation techniques, which can help slow your breathing and focus your attention. Common relaxation techniques include meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, tai chi and yoga. More-active ways of achieving relaxation include walking outdoors or participating in sports.
It doesn't matter which relaxation technique you choose. Select a technique that works for you and practice it regularly.

10 Tips To Get Taller

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 13:55:00 +0000

1. Eat Right:

What we eat matters a lot. The nutrition derived from food is the foundation to every good thing that takes place in our body, including an increase in height. A balanced diet is a sure way to pep up the growth-inducing hormones in your body and to replenish all your lost cells.
These are some of the vitamins and minerals found in food that are sure shot height-boosters:

Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamin B1
Zinc
Phosphorus

2. Be Sure To Break The Fast:

Many are victims of the belief that skipping out on breakfast helps you get slimmer. You will be hard put to find that there’s nothing farther from the truth. Making sure that you have a healthy breakfast every morning, goes a long way in increasing your body’s metabolism that in turn increases your height.

3. Exercise:
Simple exercises that stretch your muscles are vital for an increase in height. This is another appropriate way that helps to grow taller naturally after puberty. Hanging from an overhead bar, standing on your toes, skipping and yoga are necessary inclusions in your daily regime, for those extra inches of height.
Getting adequate sleep is an absolute necessity for an increase in height. This is because the growth hormone that is responsible for height growth is produced in the body during our sleep. 8 to 10 hours of sleep makes sure all the tissues are regenerated and rejuvenated so that you could be at your best the next day.

5. Get Sporty:
Have you noticed how tall those basketball players and swimmers normally are? The credit goes to the sport they are engaged in. Apart from these, baseball, martial arts, tennis, badminton and cycling are some sporting activities that can make you taller.

6. Kick out the Glutton in You:
If you are one to gorge on whatever is kept in front of you at a meal, please don’t! Over-eating slows the digestion process, so it is pretty difficult for your body to assimilate the required nutrients in an effective way. This presents a hurdle to your height growth. Taking 6 smaller meals instead of 3, does the trick.

7. Drink More:
A minimum of 8 glasses of water every day flushes out all the toxins from your body, thus resulting in a more active metabolism.

8. Watch Your Posture:
Slouching suppresses your height by pressurizing the spinal cord. Maintaining a straight posture with your head and spine aligned, contributes a lot towards increasing your height.

9. Maintain Your BMI:
Keeping your weight in check contributes to a good increase in growth. Obesity brings upon adverse effects to our body as a whole, and is a sure hindrance to achieving the height you dream of.

10. Stay Away From the ‘Bad Stuff’:
Smoking and drinking cause a lot of harm to your body apart from stunting your growth. It is necessary to avoid indulging in such habits if you want to lead a healthy life, with a taller height and a cleaner body. Here is another way to grow taller after puberty.

6 Symptoms Should Never Be Ignore

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 08:45:00 +0000

It can be hard sometimes to figure out whether you really need to go in and see the doctor. Most of us probably know that if you have chest pain or sudden weakness, dizziness, or vision changes, you need to get to the emergency room ASAP. But how do you distinguish signs and symptoms that could be just a normal part of aging versus a condition which might be much more serious? Delaying treatment could, in many cases, have a significant impact on your health and wellness.
Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of patients that waited too long – often because they didn’t think what they were experiencing was a big deal. Here are 6 symptoms that you should not ignore:

1. Unexpected weight loss. You read that correctly. If you are losing weight, and not trying to do so, it needs to be investigated, especially as the weight loss gets to be 10 or 15 pounds. We typically gain weight as we get older, so unintentional weight loss could be a sign of a serious problem. Cancer can often present as weight loss, as well as thyroid disease, celiac disease, and infections like HIV or hepatitis C.

2. Moles that change color. Never ever ignore a mole that changes in color, shape, or size. Be sure to get a skin check of your entire body from a dermatologist every year. Skin cancer is the most common cancer, and part of the reason might be that people don’t get screened frequently enough to catch potentially cancerous spots before they cause trouble. Do not make the mistake of assuming every spot is just a freckle.

3. Excessive sleep. I realize that many people will say sleeping too much is a problem they wish they had! But if you are sleeping more than 9 hours a day, it could be a sign of depression, chronic inflammation, or even multiple sclerosis. If you are often always tired, sleeping during the day, and overweight, excessive sleep might be part of a condition called narcolepsy.

4. Persistent cough. If you have a cough that lasts more than 2 months, you need to have it checked out. A persistent cough is not only annoying, but it may also be a sign from your body that something isn’t right – perhaps asthma or even acid reflux disease.

5. Abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant. Tummy aches are common, but belly pain that is in a specific location – especially the lower right quadrant – needs to be examined if it lasts for more than a couple days or is intense in nature. Appendicitis classically presents as pain around the belly button, but it can also just feel like a worsening gnawing pain on the right side of your belly. Don’t ignore it, thinking it’s just indigestion or a virus

6. Chronic pain. You are probably wondering what’s considered “chronic.” Doctors are taught that daily pain that lasts more than 12 weeks is considered chronic. It is not normal – at any age – to have pain every day that significantly limits your activity. The aches and pains of aging should not be causing a major limitation on the way you live your life. The cause of chronic pain always needs to be determined, but you have to go see the doctor to help figure it out. We have learned a great deal about the biological and neurological mechanisms of pain over the last decade. There are new therapies both medical and non-medical that can help relieve pain. So please don’t needlessly suffer.
Our bodies are great communicators, often telling us what is wrong if only we listened more closely. So when you feel something just isn’t right, get it checked out.

Sinus Problems: Home Remedies and Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Allinone) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 08:51:00 +0000

Are you among the 37 million Americans who have sinus problems each year? If so, there's a lot you can do at home that can make a difference. Even better, many of these things are simple and inexpensive.
First, it's crucial to figure out why you have sinus problems, allergies are a fairly common reason for sinus problems.
The kinds that affect the nose include hay fever and indoor allergies.
A dry nose leads to more sinus problems, nasal dryness leads to congestion, thickened mucus, and worsened sinusitis.
Whatever the trigger, you can pick and choose from these five tips, or try all of them.

1. Keep Your Cool

When the heat is on, the inside of your nose gets dry, mucus isn't cleared as well as usual, which makes sinus problems more likely.
We can't recommend a specific indoor temperature range as ideal, but we offers this guide: "You are better off wearing a sweater and keeping it cooler than cranking it up so you are comfortable wearing only a T-shirt."
Let your nose guide your indoor temperature range. "If you are not waking up with nosebleeds or congestion, that is probably a good temperature range.”.

2. Humidify Your Air

Keep your home from becoming too dry or too humid. "Dust mites love greater than 50% humidity," If you're allergic to those, that's bad news for your sinuses.
Too much humidity indoors can also encourage the growth of mold, which may also set off sinus problems for some people.

Experts have different views on the value of room humidifiers for creating a sinus-friendly home.
"A room humidifier never makes a difference. “There is too much air to humidify."
But using humidifiers in the bedroom beginning in October through March or April can make a difference in keeping sinus problems at bay.
Vaporizers can keep you more comfortable if you're in the midst of a sinus problem. But you need to have it close by. "It doesn't do any good to have a vaporizer on the other side of the room." You’ll need to clean the machine daily so bacteria don’t grow in them.
Breathe the mist coming from vaporizers, but be careful if there’s steam. ''Most vaporizers don't produce any steam, just a mist. "But those vaporizers that do make steam and certainly steam from a tea kettle or pot on the stove must be used with caution." Steam can burn you, so don't come into contact with it.

3. Ventilate Your Home

An energy-efficient house has a drawback. "You seal up a house to make it more energy efficient, and you end up with stale air that aggravates sinus problems.
The solution: "Opening up the house on a warmer day to clear the air is a good thing, just don’t do it if the pollen count is high.
The value of having air ducts on your heating and cooling system cleaned is another area of debate among experts, it's a waste of time and money. Some patients told him they got sicker after cleaning the ducts, probably due to aggravating airborne dust. If the air smells dusty or moldy, it might be worth a try. It's also a good idea to change your air conditioner filters on a regular basis.

4. Be Water-Wise

Drink “at least a quart a day." Most of that should be plain water, he adds.
"The more the better." Drink enough H2O every day so their pee is generally clear.
Salt-water nasal rinses for your nose can help, too. You can buy a kit or mix up your own at home. The recipe: Mix about 16 ounces (1 pint) of lukewarm distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Some people add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to take the sting out of the salt. Use a bulb syringe to flush your nasal cavities and clean out mucus and debris.
Neti pots are another option. It looks like a tea pot with a long spout. To use it, you’ll mix about a pint of lukewarm distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water with a teaspoon of salt. Next, tilt your head over a sink at an angle of about 45 degrees. Place the pot's spout into your top nostril and gently pour the solution in.
The salt water will flow through your nasal cavity, into the other nostril, and perhaps into your throat. Blow your nose to get out any water, then repeat the steps on the other nostril.
Clean your neti pot regularly.

5. Avoid Household Irritants

Cigarette smoke, cleaning products, hairspray, and other materials that give off fumes can all make your sinus problems worse.
"Anything that has a strong odor of fumes can be a problem, especially if you are susceptible." Ask family members to quit smoking.
If you're sensitive to pet dander, bathe or clean your pets weekly, and as much as you might want to let your pet snuggle up at night, it’s best for you to not do that.

Healthy Sleep Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 10:32:00 +0000

Stick to a sleep schedule of the same bedtime and wake up time, even on the weekends. This helps to regulate your body's clock and could help you fall asleep and stay asleep for the night.
Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual. A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep.
If you have trouble sleeping, avoid naps, especially in the afternoon. Power napping may help you get through the day, but if you find that you can't fall asleep at bedtime, eliminating even short catnaps may help.
Exercise daily. Vigorous exercise is best, but even light exercise is better than no activity. Exercise at any time of day, but not at the expense of your sleep.
Evaluate your room. Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep. Your bedroom should be cool – between 60 and 67 degrees. Your bedroom should also be free from any noise that can disturb your sleep. Finally, your bedroom should be free from any light. Check your room for noises or other distractions. This includes a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise" machines, humidifiers, fans and other devices.
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows. Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The one you have been using for years may have exceeded its life expectancy – about 9 or 10 years for most good quality mattresses. Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up
Use bright light to help manage your circadian rhythms. Avoid bright light in the evening and expose yourself to sunlight in the morning. This will keep your circadian rhythms in check.
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and heavy meals in the evening. Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine can disrupt sleep. Eating big or spicy meals can cause discomfort from indigestion that can make it hard to sleep. If you can, avoid eating large meals for two to three hours before bedtime. Try a light snack 45 minutes before bed if you’re still hungry.
Wind down. Your body needs time to shift into sleep mode, so spend the last hour before bed doing a calming activity such as reading. For some people, using an electronic device such as a laptop can make it hard to fall asleep, because the particular type of light emanating from the screens of these devices is activating to the brain. If you have trouble sleeping, avoid electronics before bed or in the middle of the night.
If you can't sleep, go into another room and do something relaxing until you feel tired. It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment. Use your bed only for sleep and sex to strengthen the association between bed and sleep. If you associate a particular activity or item with anxiety about sleeping, omit it from your bedtime routine.
If you’re still having trouble sleeping, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor or to find a sleep professional. You may also benefit from recording your sleep in a Sleep Diary to help you better evaluate common patterns or issues you may see with your sleep or sleeping habits

Do You Burn More Fat Running on the Treadmill or Outside?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Organizations like the American Heart Association suggest that all adults get at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week, or about 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. One of the primary ways that many people achieve this goal is through running, which provides a high-calorie burn that can contribute to fat loss. When running you have two different choices, indoor and outdoor. However, the amount of fat you can burn with each running option is based more on intensity level rather than location.

Calorie Deficit

In order to burn fat, you need to create a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit occurs when you burn more calories than you consume. When this happens, your body is forced to turn to other sources for energy, typically starting with the fat stored in your adipose tissue. In relation to running, how much fat you burn depends on the intensity of your exercise, with more intense exercise being associated with greater potential fat burning.

Incline

One factor that determines whether you burn more calories on a treadmill versus outside is incline. The steeper the incline, the harder your muscles have to work to propel you up the hill. As such, if the setting of your treadmill is at a higher setting than the natural incline of your running route outdoors --- and in both cases you are running the same speed --- you are going to burn more calories on the treadmill. If the outdoor incline is greater, you will burn more calories outdoors.

Speed

Speed can also affect whether you burn more calories running outdoors or on a treadmill. Like increasing your incline, increasing your speed also burns more calories and help you create a greater calorie deficit. However, on a treadmill, maintaining a constant speed is more achievable since you can set the treadmill belt to move at the speed of your choice, while running outside can cause variances in your speed throughout the route.

Handles

Using the machine's handles can cause you to burn fewer calories on a treadmill. Many people use treadmill handles for balance and support. However, when you don't hold on to the handles, you engage your core muscles more for balance, resulting in a slight increase in calorie burn. Not holding onto the handles also allows you to swing your arms or hold them up close to your side in a running position, which also slightly increases your calorie burn.

Top 7 Secrets To Boost Your Brain Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:44:00 +0000

1. Playing games and solving puzzles:

Any activity that requires us to use the brain to find solutions to problems have been proven to be a great way of sparking creativity. This does not only me

an classic games such as chess and sudoku puzzles but also video games that include puzzle solving.

2. Develop your concentration abilities.

Learn a meditation technique and build your ability to remain focused like a laser. Smart people can concentrate for longer periods of time than dummies!

3. Think positively.

This sounds like a right old chestnut, doesn’t it? But thinking positively enables you to access your higher thinking abilities. When you are positive and feeling good your mind functions smoothly. Ask yourself emotion-leading questions like, “What am I grateful for right now?” and “Who do I love and who loves me?”

4. Go for variety:

Why do you always order the same dish when you go out to a restaurant? People like routine. We feel comfortable doing things we know how to do, and tend to avoid new things or things we dont know. This creates stagnation in our brain however and to overcome this laziness of the mind we need to challenge it with variety. I am not saying you have to go and try grilled cockroaches right away, but I do encourage you to try that other dish on the menu that you never tried out.

5. Practice image streaming.

Another super technique courtesy of mind maestro Win Wenger. Image streaming is a process of describing aloud what’s going on in your stream of consciousness. It is incredibly powerful. I repeat. Image streaming is an incredibly powerful process to improve your brain power in dramatic, life changing ways.

6. Supplement your diet with Omega-3 oils.

Your brain laps this stuff up! Get good quality fish-oil capsules.

7. Learn to mind-map.

Mind-mapping is a great technique invented by Tony Buzan. It helps you think and remember better. You will find it an incredibly valuable and easy skill to learn.

Smallest Organs of the body

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:37:00 +0000

What is the smallest organ that is part of the gross anatomy of the human body?

10. Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid-b

ase balance, and regulation of blood pressure. They serve the body as a natural filter of the blood, and remove wastes which are diverted to the urinary bladder. The kidney is approximately 11–14 cm in length, 6 cm wide and 4 cm thick.

9. Spleen
The spleen is an organ with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In healthy adult humans, it is approximately 11 centimetres (4.3 in) in length. It usually weighs between 150 grams (5.3 oz) and 200 grams (7.1 oz) and lies beneath the 9th to the 12th thoracic ribs.

8. Cerebellum
The cerebellum ( little brain) is an organ located on the back of the (big) brain that plays an important role in motor control. It is also involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and probably in some emotional functions such as regulating fear and pleasure responses. It has been estimated that its dimensions are 6 cm × 5 cm × 10 cm.

7. Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus is known as the ‘brain behind the endocrine system’. The automatic nervous system is governed by it. Located near the pituitary gland at the basal part of the skull, it also controls pituitary secretions. All the automatically adjusted factors such as body temperature, blood pressure, cardiovascular system and abdominal visceral regulation are controlled by the hypothalamus. As we grow older, hypothalamus requires support to maintain optimum level of performance. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus results in depression or abnormal responses to stress. It also leads to disturbances in the brain.

6. Gallbladder
The gallbladder (cholecyst, gall bladder) is the second smallest organ that aids digestion and stores bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated. The gallbladder is a hollow system that sits just beneath the liver. In adults, the gallbladder measures approximately 8 cm in length and 4 cm in diameter when fully distended.

5. Testicle
In healthy adult human males, average testicular volume is 18 cm³ per testis, with normal size ranging from 12 cm³ to 30 cm³. The average testicle size after puberty measures up to around 2 inches long, 0.8 inches in breadth, and 1.2 inches in height (5 x 2 x 3 cm).

4. Eye
The vertical measure of the eye is about 24 mm among adults, at birth about 16–17 mm (about 0.65 inch). The eyeball grows rapidly, increasing to 22.5–23 mm (approx. 0.89 in) by the age of three years. From then to age 13, the eye attains its full size. The volume is 6.5 ml (0.4 cu. in.) and the weight is 7.5 g (0.25 oz.)

3. Pituitary gland
Pituitary gland, or hypophysis, is an endocrine gland about the size of a pea and weighing 0.5 g (0.02 oz.), in humans. It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural fold (diaphragma sellae). The pituitary is functionally connected to the hypothalamus by the median eminence via a small tube called the infundibular stem (Pituitary Stalk). The pituitary fossa, in which the pituitary gland sits, is situated in the sphenoid bone in the middle cranial fossa at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland secretes nine hormones that regulate homeostasis.

2. Parathyroid gland
Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands in the neck that produce parathyroid hormone. Humans usually have four parathyroid glands, which are usually located on the rear surface of the thyroid gland, or, in rare cases, within the thyroid gland itself or in the chest. Parathyroid glands control the amount of calcium in the blood and within the bones. They are about the size of a grain of rice and usually weigh between 25mg and 40mg in humans.

1. Pineal Gland
The pineal gland (also called the pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis or the “third eye”) is the smallest endocrine gland in the human body. It produces the serotonin derivative melatonin, a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns and seasonal functions. Its shape resembles a tiny pine cone (hence its name), and it is located near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two rounded thalamic bodies join.

Top 10 Brain Damaging Habits

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 13:21:00 +0000

1. No Breakfast

People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating

It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leadingto a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking

It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar Consumption

Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution

The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decreasein brain efficiency.

6 . Sleep Deprivation

Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head Covered

While Sleeping Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working Your Brain During Illness

Working hard or studying with sickness may leadto a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in Stimulating Thoughts

Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10. Talking Rarely

Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

6 Surprising Eye Health Myths

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:24:00 +0000

Parents ever tell you that eating carrots would save you from wearing glasses? Or that sitting too close to the TV could make you go blind? Their advice may sound rather mixed to you as an adult. But what exactlyis good or bad for your eyes? Read on to find out whether any of the offbeat stuff you've heard is truly legitimate or the stuff of urban eye-health legends.

Myth: Eating carrots will improve your vision.
The truth: No studies to date show that your eyesight will get sharper just by eating more carrots. Carrots do, however, contain vitamin A -- a nutrient your eyes need to function properly -- so a deficiency would be bad news for your eyes. Keep the rabbit food on the menu. Just don't bother with vitamin A supplements, because your body doesn't need a ton of the stuff, and getting more than you need of the supplement form can be harmful to your health.

Myth: Working on a computer is bad for your eyes.
The truth: Computer eyestrain has less to do with computers and more to do with the way you work on them. Most of us forget to blink and take breaks as often as we should while working or reading, so all that time spent staring at the screen can make eyes tired and dry. It might even give you a headache. But it won't damage your eyes, especially if you treat your eyes right while working.

Myth: Reading in dim light damages your eyes.
The truth: Reading or doing crossword puzzles in lower light won't hurt your eyes, but it is very likely to tire them out. That's the extent of the damage. Still, you should try to make things easier on your eyes and work in adequate lighting as much as possible.

Myth: If you wear glasses or contacts, your eyes will become dependent on them, and your vision will get worse.
The truth: Wearing glasses or contact lenses doesn't weaken your eyesight. It's things like aging, injury, disease, or genetic factors that make vision worse -- not using vision correction.

Myth: Sitting too close to the TV is bad for your eyes.
The truth: Just like when you stare at your computer screen too long, you might get a headache from sitting too close to your TV. But there is no proof that the close distance is damaging. Still, needing to sit closer to the TV might be a sign of nearsightedness, so you may need to have your vision checked.

Myth: Wearing the wrong eyeglasses is bad for your eyes.
The truth: Wearing the wrong prescription (like someone else's glasses) or not wearing glasses at all won't harm your eyes. But only wearing your correct prescription will give you optimal vision -- and who wouldn't want that?

8 Ways to Beat Bad Breath

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:11:00 +0000

No one likes to have (or smell) bad breath. Fortunately, it's simple to prevent. A foul smell coming from your mouth is usually caused by bacteria, so keeping your teeth (and tongue) clean and eating certain foods will do the trick.

Follow these simple tips for better breath.

1. Stay On Top Of Your Teeth

Your first and easiest line of defense is good oral care. Cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease can all be underlying causes of odor, says Sally Cram, DDS, a Washington DC based periodontist and a consumer advocate for the American Dental Association. Brush twice a day and floss at least once daily to remove the plaque and bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and under your gumline. And be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning.

2. Clean Your Tongue

The fleshy surface of the tongue is a prime breeding ground for harmful bacteria and accounts for a large percentage of halitosis cases; but most people neglect this crucial area when brushing. To dislodge the offending build-up take a regular soft bristle toothbrush and make a few gentle strokes down the tongue from back to front once a day, says Cram. Depending on the anatomy of your tongue--some people have a lot of grooves -you might want to invest in a tongue scraper for more effective cleaning. Check with your dentist for the best option based on your needs.

3. Go Sugar-Free

Reaching for mints and gum can help mask that dragon breath but if you're using sugary brands you're actually adding to the problem. Bacteria in your mouth tend to ferment sugar, which leads to those very unpleasant odors, says Cram. So stick with sugar-free solutions. And while you're at it, cutting down on sugar in the rest of your diet can go a long way in snuffing out those icky smells.

4. Wet Your Whistle

Your saliva contains vital protective enzymes that help kill bad bacteria, so a dry mouth can be contributing to your smelly situation. Staying hydrated will help stimulate the salivary glands and keep your mouth properly moisturized. If you're guzzling the optimal 8 glasses of H2O a day and you're still desert-dry, check for these additional issues:

Are you on any medications? Dry mouth is often a side effect of certain meds like antihistamines for chronic allergies, antidepressants and antianxieties, or blood pressure pills. Ask your dentist if she can recommend products like mouthwash and toothpaste made especially for dryness or salivary substitutes that help lubricate the tissues in your mouth and take the place of missing saliva.

Are you extremely dry first thing in the morning? It could be a sign that you are breathing with your mouth open all night due to problems like sleep apnea, a bad bite, or sinusitis. Check with your doctor. Clearing up some of these issues can quickly put that bad breath to rest.

5. Pass the Bread

A low-carb, high protein diet may be the cause of that killer bad breath according to an analysis by the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. The key to these diets is a fat-burning state known as ketosis when your body burns stored fats to use as fuel instead of the missing carbs. As the fat burns, chemicals called ketones accumulate in the body and are released in your breath. Since this is a metabolic problem originating in your stomach and not your mouth there's not much you can do other than modifying your diet.

6. Take a Tea Break

Drinking tea can do more than soothe your soul, according to findings presented at an annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. It can also help that halitosis. The research out of the University of Illinois at Chicago shows that polyphenols, chemical components found in black and green tea, can prevent the growth of the bacteria responsible for bad breath as well as the bacteria's production of putrid smelling compounds. So try a cup of Lemon Zinger and zap out those funky fumes!

7. Spice It Up

Cardamom, a sweet exotic spice often found in Indian cooking, has been known to contain antibacterial properties and has been used for ages as a natural breath freshener. The cardamom plant is high in a compound called cineole, a potent antiseptic that kills bacteria and alleviates bad breath. Chew on a few cardamom seeds as an alternative to mints and gum or try fennel seeds, another herbal remedy also known to work on bad breath.

8. Get a Physical

If you've been on top of your dental care, have tried all of the above and your breath could still peel the paint from the walls, it's time to ring up the doc. Chronic nasty breath can be a symptom of a variety of other underlying medical issues such as diabetes, severe sinus infections, post-nasal drip, GI disorders, or liver and kidney problems.

Bike Safety Tips for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:45:00 +0000

Spring has sprung and the number of bicycles out on the streets is amazing. It's great to see families out for rides together and children getting exercise. However, it is disheartening to see the low level of bike safety that many of these families are practicing while they ride.

Here are some tips to bear in mind for keeping your whole family safe while riding bikes.

Make your child wear a helmet on every bike ride. I can't tell you how many people only make their child wear a helmet on "long" bike rides, or say "Well, she only rides in the driveway." The helmet protects the child's head if she falls, and falls can happen just as easily on your driveway as in any other place. Falls happen anywhere and everywhere, and the concrete is always just as inflexible.

Wear a helmet yourself. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. I see families coasting along all the time where the children are wearing helmets but the parents are not. I've seen some horrible head injuries in adults from bicycle trauma, and I assure you that our adult heads are not any safer from injury if we fall. Be a role model and be safe.

Make sure all your helmets are specifically designed for bicycling. Football helmets don't count. Baseball batting helmets don't count. And if your child does fall, always inspect his helmet for cracks. Never use a cracked helmet, and it's probably wise never to buy a used helmet unless you know its history.

Make sure your child's bike is appropriately sized. Bikes that are too big can be dangerous. When your child is sitting on the seat and grasping the handlebars, he or she should be able to place the balls of the feet on the ground.

Teach your child the "rules of the road." Ride with the flow of traffic, use hand signals for turns and stops, and obey traffic signals and signs. And if, say, you've gotten into the habit of coasting through stop signs, break that habit before your kids pick it up.

Keep an eye on their bike-riding abilities and skills. If, for example, your child cannot perform the hand signals while riding the bike, he or she should not be riding in the street yet.

Don't let your child ride a bike at night, at dawn, or at dusk. It's just too hard for motorists to see them. Serious cyclists use a lot of special equipment if they ride in the dark. Most kids don't have this type of equipment and most parents probably don't want to pay for it. Reflectors on the child’s bike are always a good idea for daytime but are not sufficient for nighttime riding.

Riding bikes together is a great family activity, but please remember to be safe andbe a good role model!

13 Dangerous Baby Products to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:51:00 +0000

When you’re shopping for kid stuff, you might assume that everything for sale in those baby stores is safe. The products are made for children, after all—and they must be government-regulated, right? Not necessarily.

Some widely sold baby products have been associated with injuries and even deaths. In fact, 40 percent of all recalls last year were for kids’ products. So before you buy anything (or accept hand-me-downs), check our guide to learn which products are hazardous and find out what the safe alternatives are.

Drop-side cribs

Unsafe bedding

1. Drop-side cribs. 2. Bumpers. 3. Sleep positioners. 4. Blankets and pillows.

Why they’re dangerous: The moveable drop side can drop, suffocating or strangling a baby. The cribs were associated with at least 32 deaths since 2000, plus hundreds of other reported incidents, before they were banned by the CPSC in 2011 (before that, millions were recalled).

What to use instead: A new crib with fixed sides and a simple design (infants can strangle if clothing gets caught on fancy embellishments). Tough crib standards went into effect with the drop-side ban, so look for a model made after June 2011. If you already own a crib that has a drop side, you can immobilize it with included hardware or call the manufacturer and ask for a kit. But don’t use any crib more than 10 years old because there have been many other safety improvements in the past decade.

Bumpers

Why they’re dangerous: Bumpers are designed to keep a baby from hitting her head on crib slats. But they’re a suffocation hazard and may be linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A study in The Journal of Pediatrics found that 27 children from 1 month to 2 years old died from suffocating or strangling related to bumpers between 1985 and 2005. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents not use crib bumpers, including so-called breathable models.

What to use instead: Nothing. Our safety experts recommend a bare crib with just a fitted sheet. (See “Sleep positioners” and “Blankets and pillows,” below.)

Sleep positioners

Why they’re dangerous: These are used to keep a baby from rolling onto her stomach, or to elevate her head and back to avoid acid reflux. But babies can suffocate if they put their faces against a sleep positioner or if they slip free and roll into crib bedding. The CPSC cites 13 deaths over the past 13 years. Along with the Food and Drug Administration, the CPSC has called for a ban on antireflux wedges, but the products are still available.

What to use instead: The AAP recommends that infants be placed on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. If your baby has reflux or congestion, talk to your pediatrician.

Blankets and pillows

Why they’re dangerous: A baby can become tangled in a blanket and suffocate, or be smothered by a pillow. Most of the 92 deaths in bassinets, cradles, and play yards reported between 2006 and 2008 were from suffocating with pillows or extra bedding. Adult bedding can smother little ones, too, and children have died when parents have rolled onto them in a “family bed,” so our experts don’t recommend co-sleeping with children.

What to use instead: Keep your baby comfortable in her bare crib by dressing her in a sleep sack or footed pajamas. If you receive a cute blanket as a gift, hang it on a wall or use it for tummy time.

Crib tents

Why they’re dangerous: The dome-shaped or drape-style tents are intended to keep a baby from climbing out of cribs and play yards. But babies can get wrapped up in the fabric and strangle.

What to use instead: If your little one is climbing out of her crib, it is time for a toddler bed, which looks like a regular bed but uses a crib mattress.

Bedside sleepers

Why they’re dangerous: Also called co-sleepers, these allow infants to sleep near their mother for nursing, but the CPSC hasn’t established safety regulations for them. Also, the AAP didn’t add them to its list of recommended places for a baby to sleep, and our safety experts don’t recommend them, or co-sleeping in general, due to the risk of suffocation. And again, children have died from sleeping parents rolling onto them.

What to use instead: A full-sized crib with fixed sides.

Changing tables with fewer than four sides

Why they’re dangerous: A child could fall to the floor. The CPSC estimates that in 2009 about 4,500 children younger than age 5 were injured in incidents related to changing tables.

What to use instead: The latest voluntary safety standards require any changing table with a flat surface to have barriers on all four sides. A safety strap for securing your baby is a bonus. Another safe option is to use a changing pad on the floor. Additional safety tips: Always stand to your baby’s side when you change her, always keep one hand on her, and never step away. At age 2, kids are probably too big for changing tables.

Unsecured furniture

Why it’s dangerous: Toppling furniture can kill a child in an instant. Between 2000 and 2008, the CPSC received reports of almost 200 child deaths related to furniture tip-overs, almost all of them (93 percent) involving children 5 and younger. Another 16,000 kids 5 and younger were treated in emergency rooms because they were injured by falling furniture, TVs, or other appliances, according to the CPSC’s most recent data.

What to use instead: No, you don’t have to buy new furniture; simply secure yours to the wall with straps. Just be sure to install them properly (screw fasteners into studs or wood framing inside the walls). You can buy antitip straps or brackets starting around $7 at home-improvement retailers.

Sling carriers

Why they’re dangerous: Carrying your baby in front of your body keeps her close, but over the past 20 years, there have been at least 14 deaths associated with sling-type front baby carriers. There have also been dozens of injuries, including skull fractures, head injuries, and contusions and abrasions. Most occurred when the child fell out of the sling. Recalls of specific models in recent years (some because of death or serious injury) have prompted ASTM International to develop a new standard for slings, one that we feel is not stringent enough. The CPSC has also documented a risk of death from “positional asphyxia,” or suffocation, particularly in infants younger than 4 months. The risk is that a small infant’s head could bend forward or her face could press against the adult’s body, both of which can block the baby’s airway and cause suffocation.

What to use instead: Strollers, handheld baby carriers or car seats, and some strap-on carriers. Soft front-carriers and backpack carriers are covered by safety standards developed by ASTM International; we think those standards are adequate. Safety tip: Practice using any carrier before putting the baby in.

Walkers

Why they’re dangerous: They can help a baby stand and walk before she can do it on her own. But walkers also allow your baby to scoot into danger and maybe even fall down stairs. The CPSC estimates that 4,000 children younger than 5 suffered injuries related to baby walkers, jumpers, and stationary exercisers in 2010 (the government agency does not separate those items in its data), and four deaths between 2006 and 2008. The AAP urges parents not to use baby walkers and has recommended that the U.S. government ban them. (They’re now prohibited in Canada.) Even walkers that meet existing safety criteria are not safe. For example, rubber friction “safety” strips, meant to function as a brake to stop the walker if its front wheels go over the edge of a step, do not always work and might wear out or come loose.

What to use instead: A stationary or “walk around” activity center, which lets your child stand or move safely in a circle on a secure base.

Infant bath seats

Why they’re dangerous: They’re designed to help a child sit upright in a bathtub but they give parents a false sense of security. Bath seats can tip over and babies can fall into the water and drown. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 174 deaths and 300 incidents between 1983 and 2009. Many involved babies who were left unattended. In 2010 the CPSC issued a new federal safety standard for the seats, strengthening the voluntary standard developed by the industry experts at ASTM International. But we still don’t recommend them.

What to use instead: A hard plastic baby bathtub. Never leave your baby unattended or turn your back. Keep one hand on the baby at all times.

Bumbo seats

Why they’re dangerous: These cute and colorful chairs are used to help younger babies sit upright, but infants can fall from Bumbo baby seats by arching, leaning, or rocking themselves, the CPSC warned in a November 2011 safety alert. The alert cited at least 45 incidents involving infants falling out of seats that were placed on tables, countertops, or adult-sized chairs. Of them, 17 babies younger than 1 year wound up with skull fractures from their falls.

What to use instead: A bouncer seat or stationary activity center. Never place on a table, counter, or bed with your child in it. The seat could tip over.

Tooth Care for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:45:00 +0000

My daughter's kindergarten class went on a field trip to a dentist's office recently. We go to the dentist regularly, so I admit that at first I thought the trip was a waste of time. However, the trip did end up impressing on me that many children today have little or no regular dental care, and that a refresher on basic dental care is always a good thing.

Things You Can Do to Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy

In the first year of life, start brushing baby's teeth as soon as the first ones appear (usually at around 6 to 7 months of age). Make it fun by letting your baby hold the toothbrush, but also establish the pattern early where you always have a turn brushing the teeth too. The idea here to gradually get across is that tooth brushing is a must, not a choice.
Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle. If you do, make sure it only has plain water in it, because milk contains sugar that will sit on the teeth overnight and can cause cavities.
Limit juices and sodas. And have kids rinse out with water after they drink these beverages.
Get children in the habit early of brushing their teeth twice a day: morning, and then right before bed in the evening.
After the nighttime brushing, don't allow kids to drink anything except water--or make them brush again.
Use toothpaste without fluoride before age 2 years. After 2 years of age, put just a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on the brush.
Get your child to the dentist for his or her first visit by age 3 years. Your pediatrician or word of mouth amongst friends is the best way to find a good dentist.
Be aware that susceptibility to cavities can be hereditary. If either parent had a lot of cavities as a child, get your child to the dentist closer to 1 or 2 years of age.
Know that sticky foods like gummi bears and raisins are the type of snack that's hardest on the teeth. Such foods get wedged between teeth and stay stuck down there, increasing cavity risk.
If your child chews gum, offer sugar-free brands only.
Continue to help your child brush their teeth until they are 7 years old--or longer, as my 8-year-old's tooth-brushing skills demonstrate to me every night!
Before teaching your children how to brush, first be sure that you know the latest and best tooth-brushing practices yourself. Recommendations about tooth-brushing techniques tend to evolve and change over the years, as dentists learn more.
Start to encourage flossing at an early age, especially if your child has teeth that are close together and touch. Some of the handheld flossing devices now on the market make it easy for you and fun for your child to start practicing flossing together.
Talk to your pediatrician about whether fluoride supplementation is recommended for children in your community.
And, as always, be a good role model for your child. Brush and floss in front of them and take them along occasionally when you visit your own dentist.

What to Reject when You're Expecting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:42:00 +0000

Despite a health-care system that outspends those in the rest of the world, infants and mothers fare worse in the U.S. than in many other industrialized nations. The infant mortality rate in Canada is 25 percent lower than it is in the U.S.; the Japanese rate, more than 60 percent lower. According to the World Health Organization, America ranks behind 41 other countries in preventing mothers from dying during childbirth. In fact, the rate of maternal deaths in the U.S. has risen over the past decade, and the number of premature and low-birth-weight babies is higher now than it was in the 1980s and 1990s.

Why are we doing so badly? Partly because mothers tend to be less healthy than in the past, “which contributes to a higher-risk pregnancy,” says Diane Ashton, M.D., deputy medical director of the March of Dimes.

But another key reason appears to be a health-care system that has developed into a highly profitable labor-and-delivery machine, operating according to its own timetable rather than the less predictable schedule of mothers and babies. Childbirth is the leading reason for hospital admission, and the system is set up to make the most of the opportunity. Keeping things chugging along are technological interventions that can be lifesaving in some situations but also interfere with healthy, natural processes and increase risk when used inappropriately.

10 Overused Procedures

Of course, the idea is not to reject all interventions. The course of childbirth is not something that anyone can completely control. In some situations, inducing labor or doing a C-section is the safest option. And complications are the exception, not the norm. But when they’re not medically necessary, the interventions listed below are associated with poorer outcomes for moms and babies.

1. A C-section with a low-risk first birth

While C-sections are generally quite safe, “the safest method for both mom and baby is an uncomplicated vaginal birth,” says Catherine Spong, M.D., chief of the pregnancy and perinatology branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The best way to reduce the number of C-sections overall is to decrease the number of them among low-risk women delivering their first child. That’s because having an initial C-section “sets the stage for a woman’s entire reproductive life,” says Elliott Main, M.D., chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the California Pacific Medical Center and director of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative. “In this country, if your first birth is a C-section, there’s a 95 percent chance all subsequent births will be as well,” he says.

A C-section is major surgery. So it’s no surprise that as rates for the procedure go down, so do the numbers for several complications, especially infection or pain at the site of the incision. Rare but potentially life-threatening complications include severe bleeding, blood clots, and bowel obstruction. A C-section can also complicate future pregnancies, increasing the risk of problems with the placenta, ectopic pregnancies (those that occur outside the uterus), or a rupture of the uterine scar. And the risks increase with each additional cesarean birth.

Babies born by C-section can be accidentally injured or cut during the procedure and are more likely to have breathing problems. They are also less likely to breast-feed, perhaps because of the challenges of starting in a post-surgical setting.

In some situations, such as when the mother is bleeding heavily or the baby’s oxygen supply is compromised, surgical delivery is absolutely necessary. But women can maximize their chances of avoiding an unnecessary cesarean by finding a caregiver and birthing environment that supports vaginal birth.

When choosing a practitioner and hospital or birthing center, ask about C-section rates, particularly rates for low-risk women having their first child. The target rate for that population should be around 15 percent, according to the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). Although it can be difficult to find a hospital with a C-section rate that low, you might be able find one that meets the more modest goal of about 24 percent, which was set by the government’s Healthy People 2020 initiative.

2. An automatic second C-section

Just because your first baby was delivered by C-section doesn’t mean your second has to be, too. In fact, most women who have had a C-section with a "low-transverse incision" on the uterus are good candidates for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), according to ACOG. (Note that a "bikini scar" on the skin does not indicate the type of uterine scar.) About three quarters of such women who attempt a VBAC are able to deliver vaginally.

Yet the percentage of VBACs has declined sharply since the mid-1990s, particularly after ACOG said in 1999 that they should be considered only if hospitals had staff “immediately available” to do emergency C-sections if necessary. And some obstetricians don’t do VBACs because they lack hospital support or training or because their malpractice insurance won’t provide coverage. So women seeking a VBAC delivery might have trouble finding a supportive practitioner and hospital.

“It’s tragic, really,” Main says. “In many parts of the country, the option has all but disappeared.”

In response, ACOG recently relaxed its guidelines. For example, it makes clear that while it’s preferable for staff to be at the ready, hospitals can make do with a clear plan for dealing with uterine ruptures and assembling an emergency team quickly. Experts we spoke with say it’s too early to tell if the move will lead to a change in clinical practice.

Although some women turn to home births as an alternative, our experts say that isn’t a good idea in this situation. “The risk of uterine rupture is low,” Main says, “but if it happens, it can be catastrophic.”

Instead, if you had a C-section, find out whether your obstetrician and hospital are willing to try a VBAC. Let them know that you understand that you your baby will be monitored continuously during labor, and ask what the hospital would do if an emergency C-section became necessary.

3. An elective early delivery

A full-term pregnancy goes to at least 39 weeks, but during the past two decades many doctors have come to think they can deliver babies sooner than Mother Nature intended. Between 1990 and 2007, births at 37 and 38 weeks increased 45 percent, according to the March of Dimes. At the same time, full-term births dropped by 26 percent.

Because nearly all late preterm babies survive and eventually thrive, many doctors see no harm in moving up a delivery date to fit a schedule. “Although we knew 39 weeks or later was the optimal time for delivery, until recently there wasn’t a good evidence showing that a lot of maturation took place after 37 weeks,” says Ashton of the March of Dimes, who terms research from the last five years “eye opening.”

Late preterm babies “may look like full term babies,” she says, “but they are different in important ways.”

It turns out that carrying an infant to term has health benefits for both moms and babies. Research shows that babies born at 39 weeks or later have lower rates of breathing problems and are less likely to need neonatal intensive care. Full-term babies may also be less likely to be affected by cerebral palsy or jaundice, have fewer feeding problems, and have a higher rate of survival in their first year. Some research even suggests that full-term infants benefit from cognitive and learning advantages that continue through adolescence.

Perhaps because late preterm infants have more problems, mothers are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression. In addition, the procedures required to intentionally deliver a baby early—either an induced labor or a C-section—also carry a higher risk of complications than a full-term vaginal delivery. “There is just much more chance of things going wrong if you interrupt the normal course of pregnancy,” Spong says.

Of course, some babies arrive sooner than expected and complications during pregnancy, such as skyrocketing blood pressure in the mother, can make early delivery the safest option. But hastening the conclusion of an otherwise healthy pregnancy—even by a couple of days—is never a good idea.

The rate of early deliveries varies widely among hospitals, as demonstrated in the table below of all six hospitals in Utah that report that data to Leapfrog Group. It shows the percentage of early deliveries in each hospital that were done without medical reason. See the rates of planned early deliveries for the hosptials in your state on Leapfrog's website.

4. Inducing labor without a medical reason

The percentage of births resulting from artificially induced labor more than doubled from 1990 to 2008. “In many ways the system has become centered on convenience rather than evidence-based care,” says Sakala of the Childbirth Connection. She points out that it’s no coincidence that more babies are born on Tuesdays than any other day of the week. “The births are scheduled so that parents and providers can all be home by the weekend.”

But whether artificially induced or spontaneous, labor is labor, right? “Absolutely not,” says Debra Bingham Dr.PH., R.N., vice president of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. She points out that women who go into labor naturally can usually spend the early portion at home, moving around as they feel most comfortable. An induced labor takes place in a hospital, where a woman will be hooked up to at least one intravenous line and an electronic fetal monitor. In addition, most hospitals don’t allow eating or drinking once induction begins.

"An induced labor may also occur prior to a woman's body or baby being ready," Bingham says. "This means labor may take longer and that the woman is two to three times more likely to give birth surgically." In addition, induced labor frequently leads to further interventions—including epidurals for pain relief, deliveries with the use of forceps or vacuums, and C-sections—that carry risks of their own. For example, a 2011 study found that women who had labor induced without a recognized indication were 67 percent more likely to have a C-section, and their babies were 64 percent more likely to wind up in a neonatal intensive care unit, compared with women allowed to go into labor on their own.

Induction is justified when there’s a medical reason, such as when a woman’s membranes rupture, or her “water breaks,” and labor doesn’t start immediately, or when she’s a week or more past her due date.

5. Ultrasounds after 24 weeks

Unless there is a specific condition your provider is tracking, you don’t need an ultrasound after 24 weeks. Although some practitioners use ultrasounds after this point to estimate fetal size or due date, it’s not a good idea because the margin of error increases significantly as the pregnancy progresses. And the procedure doesn’t provide any additional information leading to better outcomes for either mother or baby, according to a 2009 review of eight trials involving 27,024 women. In fact, the practice was linked to a slightly higher C-section rate.

6. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring

Continuous monitoring, during which you’re hooked up to monitor to record your baby’s heartbeat throughout labor, restricts your movement and increases the chance of a cesarean and delivery with forceps. In addition, it doesn’t reduce the risk of cerebral palsy or death for the baby, research suggests. The alternative is to monitor the baby at regular intervals using an electronic fetal monitor, a handheld ultrasound device, or a special stethoscope. Continuous electronic monitoring is recommended if you’re given oxytocin to strengthen labor, you’ve had an epidural, or you’re attempting a VBAC.

7. Early epidurals

An epidural places anesthesia directly into the spinal canal, so that you remain awake but don’t feel pain below the administration point. But the longer an epidural is in place, the more medication accumulates and the less likely you will be able to feel to push. Epidurals can also slow labor. By delaying administration and using effective labor support strategies, you might be able to get past a tough spot and progress to the point you no longer feel it’s needed. If you do have an epidural, ask the anesthesiologist about a lighter block. “Ideally, a woman should still be able to move her legs and lift her buttocks,” Main says.

8. Routinely rupturing the amniotic membranes

Doctors sometimes rupture the amniotic membranes or “break the waters,” supposedly to strengthen contractions and shorten labor. But the practice doesn’t have that affect and may increase the risk of C-sections, according to a 2009 review of 15 trials involving 5,583 women. In addition, artificially rupturing amniotic membranes can cause rare but serious complications, including problems with the umbilical cord or the baby’s heart rate.

9. Routine episiotomies

Practitioners sometimes make a surgical cut just before delivery to enlarge the opening of the vagina. That can be necessary in the case of a delivery that requires help from forceps or a vacuum, or if the baby is descending too quickly for the tissues to stretch. But in other cases, routine episiotomies don’t help and are associated with several significant problems, including more damage to the perineal area and a longer healing period, according to a 2009 review involving more than 5,000 women.

10. Sending your newborn to the nursery

If your baby has a problem that needs special monitoring, then sending him or her to a nursery or even an intensive care unit is essential. But in other cases, allowing healthy infants and mothers to stay together promotes bonding and breast-feeding. Moms get just as much sleep, research shows, and they learn to respond to the feeding cues of their babies. Allowing mothers and babies to stay together is one of the criteria hospitals must meet to be certified as “baby friendly” by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Top Ten Tips for a Healthy, Glowing Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Many of us are skin conscious. We often want our skin to look young and healthy and we really do something just to protect our skin from whatever possible harms there may be in our environment. Well, our skin is our largest organ performing several functions. It primarily protects us against the invasion of foreign substances and it serves as the transfer point for the release of toxins from our bodies, thus our skin is just worthy of protection and care.

Now, if you found yourself coveting the gorgeous skin of fashion models and celebrities in most of today’s magazines, here are some tips that will help you on for a beautiful skin.

Tip #1: Drink Water

It is often said that the simplest way to clear and supple skin that is no longer dry is to drink plenty of water. Water has long been considered as the most effective natural treatment or an almost free treatment for any skin condition because of its being alkaline, with pH 7.3. It prevents dehydration which is capable of producing sebum or oil from the sebaceous glands. Your skin needs water in order for it to function best, thus doctors and nutritionists recommend that a daily intake of between 6 to 8 glasses of water per day is highly needed.

Tip #2: Watch Your Diet

Nutrition plays a vital role in skin health too. Specific foods such as those acidic foods and dairy products are said to be potent in causing an allergic reaction in some people. Also, one of the widely debated topics in the area of nutrition today is chocolates. Some say that chocolate does affect the condition of the skin, while others say it doesn’t. Whatever the result may be, the best recommendation is just to follow a nutritious diet that has a number of fresh fruits and green-leafy veggies, as well as fiber.

Tip #3: Consider Exfoliants

Many experts say that exfoliating your skin is another great way to attain a beautiful skin. So, try to invest in a good body exfoliant or “loofah”, as it is commonly called, as it is capable of eliminating the dead skin cells from your body. Accordingly, this should be done once or twice a week so to free the skin to breathe. What’s more, exfoliants help to prevent ingrown hair from developing.

However, it is necessary to avoid using any body exfoliant on the skin on the face. The main reason for this precaution is that the facial tissue is more sensitive and finer than those tissues of the body.

Today, there is a myriad of exfoliating sponges in the market, as well as a number of really good exfoliant gels that are especially formulated for the skin on the face. Nevertheless, one of the necessary things to note is that those people with skin affected by acne should not apply exfoliating gels or sponges, as these may aggravate the acne infection. Try to consider those exfoliating products for acne prone skin in the form of a skin peeling treatment instead. These products are now commonly offered my most salons anywhere in the world. And, perhaps what is best to consider is to consult a skin specialist before undertaking any form of skin peel.

Tip #4: Consider a Healthy Routine for Facial Care

When it comes to facial skin care, getting into a healthy beauty routine is not bad. Most of the doctors today highly recommend that you cleanse, moisturize and tone your skin twice every day. When cleaning, never fail to remember cleaning the area on the neck, including your face. Apply a moisturizer or neck cream after.

Before going to bed at night, always remember to remove all make up. Clean your skin before you sleep, no matter how tired you may feel. It was found out that during the night, the skin goes through a process of elimination and cannot breathe properly if it is clogged with make up. And, you may also find out that sleeping with your make up on will cause your skin to “break out” with spots on it.

When it comes to shaving for men, some men may experience shaving rashes. For many, these rashes lower their self-esteem, but this is actually not a big problem to think about. There are a lot ways to avoid rashes. Perhaps one of the best is to make sure that when shaving, the razor strokes are following the direction of hair growth. That’s simply it!

Also, scarring on the face can sometimes be unsightly. To heal a scar, it is recommended that you use jasmine or neroli essential oils diluted in carrier oil. This is deemed effective for elimination facial scars, and it even works on stretch marks too as well. However, if you noticed that the scar or stretch mark has gone silver or white in color, note that it cannot be removed anymore. And, if it is pinkish or red in color, there is a great possibility that it can be healed.

When it comes to bruises, there are arnica creams and ointments out there that are useful in healing bruises. It is also interesting to know that one way of dealing with bruises fast and effectively is to use Vicks Vaporub on the affected area.

Tip #5: Heal Your Feet

When it comes to skin care, the feet are often neglected. So, if care you found no time for a professional pedicure, try to fill a football or basin with warm water and add your favorite essential oil. Soak your feet for about fifteen minutes. Then, dry them and apply a rough skin remover onto them. Rinse this off and dry you feet well. And, if you consider pedicure, simply add some body cream to your feet for an easy and quick fix pedicure.

Tip #6: Tie Your Fringe Out of Your Face

For many people, trying their fringes out of their faces for a few hours each day is somehow necessary. The support for this claim is the belief that it will prevent spots from forming on the forehead, especially if you are prone to oily hair. It is noted that sometimes, these oily deposits on the hair can be transferred to the skin which eventually causes the skin to develop acne or any disorder.

Tip #7: Avoid Too Much Exposure to the Sun

One of the most common precautions when it comes to skin care is avoiding too much exposure to the sun. As you may know, over exposure to sunlight causes sunburn. So, while current sunblocks only block out the UVB rays and still let in harmful UVA rays, it is still wise to cover up before venturing into the hands of Apollo. If possible, use a wide brimmed hat while tending your garden to keep the sun from your face.

Tip #8: Exercise

Aside from considering a healthy diet, exercising your body also helps keep your skin healthy. Note that a proper exercise does not only keep the body fit by regulating the oxygen; it also improves the glow of the skin as well.

Tip #9: Take Enough Rest

One common problem that face people is stress; the one which is not normal. It was found out that when a person is stressed, the adrenal cortex converts adrenal androgens to the hormone testosterone in male and female, which in turn results in overactive sebaceous glands. These adrenal androgens are released causing a double amount of testosterone, causing the face to be oily, while other areas of the body are still dry from dehydration. So, taking proper rest that includes 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep daily is the best way to rejuvenate the skin.

Tip #10: Other Helpful Tips for Skin Care

There are a lot of home remedies for skin care. One of the most commonly suggested is blending the egg white and honey well and then apply them on the face. Experts believe that this makes your skin smooth and helps to reduce wrinkles.

Also, you should try blending turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. This specifically removes the tan and assists in reducing the growth of facial hair. When it is already applied on the face, scrub it off with a good face scrub and then wash with cold water. Not the extremely cold water. You can even keep it overnight.

Some experts also recommend blending oatmeal along with curds and tomato juice for facial care. This is often kept for 20 minutes and washed off with cold water. This is also potent for removing the tan and keeping the skin light.

Did you know that cucumber juice is an excellent astringent for a beautiful, smooth skin? Yes it is. Applying cucumber juice on the face helps tighten the skin pores. However, it is necessary to wash it off after 15 minutes for better result.

Another great tip for skin conscious is to apply Vaseline over the entire body after a shower. Then, shower again after one hour and repeat this twice a month. This also improves the condition of the skin.

Finally, you can use glycolic acid (mild peel) and trichloracetic acid (medium peel solutions. As found out, these peels are safe and not overly aggressive. They do not necessitate time off from work or social activities, and these peels smoothen, soften and freshen the skin.

Always note that your skin reflects your health. It is your body’s canvas and one of its valuable assets. So, for good skin care, start developing healthy habits that generally protect your valued possession, which the skin, from the outer and inner forces. Your daily habits mean everything as it is the only skin you’ll ever get.

New Drugs Unleash Immune System to Attack Tumors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Lung, Skin, Kidney Tumors Shrink in Early-Stage Trials

Two experimental drugs that recharge the body's immune system to seek out and attack tumors are showing promise for the treatment of certain advanced lung, skin, and kidney cancers.

The drugs disable a molecular shield that tumors put up to block attacks from the immune system. In early-stage studies, the drugs shrank tumors in some people with certain types of lung, skin, and kidney cancers who had not been helped by other treatments.

Researcher Julie Brahmer, MD, associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, tells WebMD that she is optimistic because "in some patients, tumors did not grow back even after treatment was stopped."

"These patients had been through several types of therapy and were very ill," she says.

It's too soon to say whether the drugs will extend lives and whether they are safe in the long run. A larger, longer study is planned to test that.

But the early studies suggest the drugs work at least as well as chemotherapydrugs currently in use, and possibly with fewer side effects, Brahmer says.

The research was presented here at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and published online by the New England Journal of Medicine. Both drugs are made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, which helped fund the work.

Immune Drugs: How They Work

One of the new drugs blocks a protein called programmed death-1 (PD-1) that sits on the surface of immune cells. The other drug blocks a protein called programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) that is on the surface of cancer cells. When PD-1 and PD-L1 join together, they form a biochemical shield that protects tumor cells from the immune system.

"We showed that blocking either of these proteins works to get tumor shrinkage," Brahmer says.

The PD-1-blocking drug was tested in about 250 patients with various advanced cancers who had not responded to standard therapies. Tumors shrank by 50% or more in 14 of 76 (18%) non-small-cell lung cancer patients, 26 of 94 (28%) patients with the potentially deadly skin cancer melanoma, and nine of 33 (27%) kidney cancer patients.

However, people in the study with prostate and colon cancer were not helped by the drug.

About 14% of patients experienced serious side effects that often required hospitalization, and three patients (1%) died from inflammation of the lung. Brahmer says that the researchers are learning how to better identify and treat people at risk for serious side effects.

Moreover, "compared with chemotherapy, which is the mainstay for most of our patients, there were fewer side effects -- no hair loss, no serious nausea and vomiting, and they were not as prone to infections," Brahmer says. Other less severe side effects included fatigue, itching, and rash.

The PD-1 blocker also appears to have fewer side effects and greater anti-tumor activity than Yervoy, a different type of immune-system drug approved last year for the treatment of melanoma, says Antoni Ribas, MD. Ribas, a melanoma specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, wrote an editorial accompanying the study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The lung cancer results have doctors most -- albeit still cautiously -- enthused.

"This level of response in patients with advanced lung cancer, which is typically not responsive to immune-based therapies, was unexpected and notable," Brahmer says.

If the early results pan out, "this will be a game-changer for the treatment of lung cancer," says Louis Weiner, MD, director of Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C.

The study "really validates the importance of manipulating the immune response to eliminate cancer cells," he tells WebMD.

Although there have been some successes with immune-based therapies for melanoma and kidney cancer, this is the first time that lung cancer patients have been helped, says Weiner.

Immune Therapy Field Expanding

The anti-PD-L1 therapy was tested in about 200 patients. Tumors shrank in five of 49 (10%) non-small-cell lung cancer patients, nine of 52 (17%) melanoma patients, and two of 17 (12%) kidney cancer patients.

Nine percent of patients developed serious side effects, but none died from the treatment.

It's rare for such early-stage studies to be published in a major medical journal. Asked why she thought this research merited publication, Brahmer says, "Taken together, the studies show this pathway is important in cancer. We were able to block it in two different ways and get consistent results."

The researchers are now working to find molecular indicators that may help predict which patients are likely to be helped by the treatment and which will not.

Weiner says that the field of immunotherapy is expanding. Other companies are also developing PD-1 inhibitors. A number of companies are also working on cancer vaccines that retrain the immune system to attack tumors.

If the new drugs work and prove safe in later-stage studies, the hope is that combining them together, or with other anti-cancer agents, will further boost their effectiveness

Missing Teeth, Cavities Common in U.S.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Ethnicity, Income Are Significant Factors in Getting Proper Dental Care, CDC Says

There are fewer cavities in the United States today than there were two decades ago, the CDC reports, but not every population group has shown the same amount of improvement.

According to new estimates released today, at least 1 in 5 Americans has one or more untreated cavities, and the poorer you are, the more likely you are to be one of the untreated 20%, at least among adults.

Non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-Americans accounted for a large number of those not receiving care for their cavities, also known as dental caries. More than 60% of African-Americans had lost at least one tooth, compared to just under 50% of whites and Mexican-Americans.

"Dental caries both untreated and treated and tooth loss are key indicators of oral health and are used to monitor oral health status in the United States and internationally," the authors write.

The National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the CDC, prepared the report using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 2005 to 2008. The annual survey involves a random sampling of about 5,000 Americans. Here are the report's key findings:

Oral Health by Age

20% of children aged 5 to 11 and 13% of teens between the ages of 12 and 19 had at least one untreated cavity.
25% of adults between the ages of 20 and 44 had at least one untreated cavity.
20% of adults over 65 had at least one untreated cavity.
39% of children and 52% of teens had a dental restoration, such as a filling or root canal.
Restoration rates were nearly 90% for adults over 65.

Oral Health by Ethnicity and Poverty Level

34% of non-Hispanic blacks and 31% of Mexican-Americans had untreated cavities compared to 18% of whites.
Adults between 20 and 64 were more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities if they were living in poverty (42% vs. 17%).
25% of children and teens living in poverty had untreated cavities.
Among adults, nearly 90% of whites had had dental restoration, compared to 68% of Mexican-Americans and 73% of non-Hispanic blacks.
Children and teens living in poorer households were much less likely to have sealants than children and teens in higher-income families (20%-22% vs. 32%).
60% of adults in households living in poverty had lost at least one permanent tooth. 32% of non-Hispanic blacks over 65 had lost all their teeth, compared to 22% of whites and 16% of Mexican-Americans.