charleshaas69: June 2012

Saturday, 30 June 2012

HIV - If you hate it then you should have put a ring on it.

The International Partnership for Microbicides recently announced the start of a trial designed to see if a vaginal ring containing the antiviral drug dapivirine could be effective in preventing heterosexual transmission of HIV. The ring, which would be inserted once a month and left in place, would work on a similar theory to other types of pre-exposure prophylaxis. The difference would be that, instead of getting systemic exposure to a drug, the highest doses would be found vaginally - where the medication is most needed.

What's the advantage of using a ring over taking a pill? Well, since there's no data yet on how much of the drug ends up in the bloodstream, there's no way to say if it will improve the potential for side effects. However, there is still one obvious, and extremely important, benefit. Unlike a PreP pill - which would need to be taken either daily or before sex, the vaginal ring could just be put in once a month and forgotten about. Just like the contraceptive ring it's adapted from, this makes it much less likely for a woman to forget to use her protection, and it should consequently make it far more effective. One of the earlier studies of PreP in women found the major reason it was ineffective was that women were forgetting to take their drugs.

I definitely look forward to seeing the results of the study. Delivering antivirals through a long-lasting vaginal ring is a great idea, and I'm thrilled that it's being explored.

Source: http://std.about.com/b/2012/06/25/hiv-if-you-hate-it-then-you-should-have-put-a-ring-on-it.htm

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Parent attitudes, family dynamics and adolescent drinking: qualitative study of the Australian parenting guidelines for adolescent alcohol use

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Background: Parents play a critical role in their children's introduction to alcohol. A range of parenting factors have been associated with the progression to risky drinking among adolescents, and have recently formed the basis of the Australian 'Parenting Guidelines for Adolescent Alcohol Use' designed to help parents delay or reduce their adolescents' alcohol use. Methods: This study aimed to explore the experiences and attitudes of parents of adolescents to gain insight into: (1) the extent to which the behaviours of parents follow the recommendations made in the guidelines; and (2) approaches to reduce hazardous drinking among adolescents. Thirty-two telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted with parents, and the content of discussions was examined using thematic analysis. Results: Parents used approaches they thought would minimise harm and promote healthy development in their children. The guidelines address key areas of concern for parents but their adherence to these approaches is low in certain areas. Many parents provided some alcohol to their adolescents and often cited the social norm of drinking among their adolescents' peers as a source of pressure to supply. Conclusions: Further dissemination of the guidelines may be the first step in a public health strategy, but it is likely that parents will require support to effectively adopt the recommendations. Understanding the influences on parents' beliefs about their children's drinking and the functions of social networks in the creation of behavioural norms relating to alcohol consumption and supply may be necessary to address adolescent risky drinking.

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Source: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/491

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Superb Advice To Help Manage Your Diabetic issues

All forms of diabetes is a severe illness which can cause many essential overall health difficulties as well as lead to death or even effectively managed. Information is energy, and studying just as much as you may about diabetes mellitus can help you to effectively deal with your illness, making it possible to reside a cheerful regular daily life. The following write-up provides numerous very helpful tips on diabetes mellitus.

For those who have diabetes mellitus, you ought to incorporate some carbohydrates in what you eat. Reduced-carb diet plans will not be generally best for individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus because they often prevent against obtaining enough necessary nutrient elements, including dietary fiber. For those who have enough sugars in what you eat, you will additionally have plenty of power.

The “glycemic directory” number for a food shows how probable your meals are to effect blood sugar levels as a result of ingredients. Remember, the lower the GI number, the more effective for a diabetic person!

Pregnant women ought to continue to be in touch with their medical professional to assist in very early detection or protection against gestational diabetes mellitus. Unless you get before this disorder, you happen to be taking a chance on the two the fitness of you and your youngster. It is possible to acquire prescription medications that may not hurt the baby plus your medical professional will help you put in place a diet.

It is possible to lose fat and combat against your diabetes mellitus by getting a run. Try using the neighborhood school’s rainforest health and fitness center right after several hours to accomplish chin ups. Or, you should use typical products in the home as weights to raise.

You are going to keep your daily life is going to be much easier to manage in the event you keep prepared. For example, keep the blood glucose levels meter plus your insulin in close proximity to each other and make use of them as well daily if necessary. Make tests a program and get it done as well and in the same manner therefore you never ever miss a step.

A lower blood sugar impulse could realistically trigger substantial blood glucose levels readings, so do not be way too involved. There may be two factors behind this. 1, your body could be discharging bodily hormones in response to reduced glucose levels. Two, you could be consuming too much in response to the reduced looking at. When this occurs, attempt decreasing your regular meal by 50 % and verify your glucose levels a thirty minutes later on.

The diabetic person is at great necessity of understanding what is needed for their body’s overall health, and the way to decrease injury from diabetes mellitus. We offer some sound advice on this page which will help people with diabetes and those that assist care for them.

Source: http://coldscorex.com/superb-advice-to-help-manage-your-diabetic-issues/

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Friday, 29 June 2012

Pictures of Fatty, Sugary Foods May Spur Cravings

WEDNESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- Looking at pictures of hamburgers, cupcakes and other high-calorie edibles can trigger cravings for fattening foods, especially if you're drinking something sweet at the time, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Southern California found that drinking a sugary beverage while viewing these foods activates appetite and reward centers in the brain, which could play a role in obesity.

"Studies have shown that advertisements featuring food make us think of eating, but our research looked at how the brain responds to food cues and how that increases hunger and desire for certain foods," said the study's principal investigator, Kathleen Page, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the university's Keck School of Medicine, in a university news release.

"This stimulation of the brain's reward areas may contribute to overeating and obesity, and has important public health implications," said Page.

In conducting the study, the researchers measured the brain responses of 13 obese, Hispanic females, aged 15 to 25 years, as they looked at both high-calorie and low-calorie foods.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the women's brains were scanned twice as they viewed images of foods such as hamburgers, cookies, cakes, fruits and vegetables.

After seeing all of the images, they were asked to rate their hunger as well as their desire for sweet or savory foods.

Halfway through the scans, the women drank 50 grams of glucose, which is similar to drinking a can of sugary soda. In a separate instance, they drank 50 grams of fructose. Glucose and fructose are found in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

"We hypothesized that the reward areas in the women's brains would be activated when they were looking at high-calorie foods, and that did happen," said Page. "What we didn't expect was that consuming the glucose and fructose would increase their hunger and desire for savory foods."

The researchers pointed out that fructose resulted in more intense cravings and hunger among the women than glucose.

"Our bodies are made to eat food and store energy, and in prehistoric days, it behooved us to eat a lot of high-calorie foods because we didn't know when the next meal was coming," Page said.

"But now we have much more access to food, and this research indicates added sweeteners might be affecting our desire for it," she added in the news release.

The researchers said they limited the study to Hispanic women because research has indicated women are more sensitive to food cues, and the Hispanic community has a high incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

More studies are needed to explore whether these cravings are due to obesity or genetics, the authors noted.

The study was presented Tuesday at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Houston. Data and conclusions of research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

-- Mary Elizabeth Dallas

SOURCE: University of Southern California, news release, June 26, 2012

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=DailyHealth&a=159735

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Question of the Week: Barbells vs. Dumbbells

The science behind fitness and health is wild, crazy and ever changing. One minute a study supports a particular claim, then next it's the worst thing you could humanly do to or for yourself. Sometimes you'll even find the same questions looming around the industry with mixed reviews, perspectives and findings. In efforts to calm the maddess, each week here at MensFitness.com we'll scour the Internet, tap into forums and ask our friends on Facebook and Twitter about what question in fitness we can get some firm answers to.

This week, we take a look at the industry's to explain the benefits of barbell and dumbbell training.

Q: What are the major differences between training with barbells vs. dumbbells?

A: Like most fitness-oriented apparatuses, both barbell and dumbbell training have their advantages. What any gym-goer should consider is what they are trying to achieve with their training. Dumbbells are great for beginners for many reasons, chief amongst them being the safety aspect. Benching and squatting with a barbell can be risky, accidents and injuries can happen if the athlete isn’t strong enough or has poor form. Dumbbells are also great for single-limb training. Strength imbalances can be worked on with single-limb dumbbell training.

However, dumbbell training has it’s pitfalls as well. Dumbbells only go up to a certain weight, therefore serious strength training should be conducted with barbells as they allow for much more added load to lifts. Squatting, one of the most important exercises, is best executed with a barbell because of the even load across the spine. Furthermore, barbells are best used for developing dynamic power lifts like the clean or press, because they require the entire body to move as one coordinated unit. The barbell forces the user to generate and use power.

Source: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/question-of-the-week-barbells-vs-dumbbells

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South Africa: Gauteng Warns Counsellors to Return to Work

The Gauteng Health Department has warned protesting HIV counsellors and home-based care-givers that there will be consequences if they don't return to work immediately. But it also admits it might not be able to pay them on time if they do.

Gauteng HIV counsellors and home-based care-givers are on strike as they have not been paid for up to four months. The Chief Director of the HIV/AIDS programme in the provincial health department, Nomsa Mmope, warned this week that the department will impose a "no work, no pay" principle if they don't return to work.

"The principle of "no work, no pay" applies. But we don't want to go there. We just would like to appeal to them to go back to work", Mmope said.

The protesting workers have responded by saying that they are not in a position to return to their posts because they cannot afford it.

"At the end of the day they expect each and every person to be at work. How can we manage to go to work without any payment? Honestly, we are parents we are bread-winners When you leave at home, people are expecting you children are expecting you to bring bread at home. Unfortunately, at the end of the day you come home without anything. Enough is enough! We can't go on like this", says Lucky Mokone, a member of a task team that represents the 6000-plus protesting AIDS counsellors and home-based carers in the province.

Mokone says every year around this time they battle to get their R1 500 monthly stipends from the Gauteng Health Department. This is due to the department delaying new payments to non-governmental organisations that contract the services of counsellors and care-givers.

"They call it a dry season, whereby at the end of the financial year - that will be as from April, May, June - people won't get paid. Sometimes, it goes furthermore than that. You'll find almost six months people are not paid. There is no payment that has been made to any of the NGOs", Mokone says.

The Health Department has confirmed that it hasn't paid any NGOs to provide counselling and home-based care services.

"We have not contracted any organisation to work with us for this current financial year, which obviously begins in April and May. So, if we haven't contracted any NGOs, we therefore, cannot talk about not having paid anyone", according to Mmope.

But Mmope's statement then begs an answer to this question: Is it fair of the Gauteng Health Department to demand that these people return to work if they have not been contracted to do the work? She further went on to give the provincial health department's view of why this situation has occurred.

"The counsellors staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to the Department of Health, to say that they no longer want to work under the NGOs. They want to work independently or alternatively be absorbed into the departmental structure. We were about to sign the contracts of the NGOs that we were going to contract for this financial year. Then we were stopped by this protest action by the counsellors", she said.

Counsellors and home-based carers have cited concerns of exploitation and lack of recognition for their contribution to the health service as reasons for wanting to be formally absorbed into the Health Department. In some provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, home-based carers are formally part of the public health sector work-force. But the Gauteng Health Department says it cannot afford to absorb the 6 000-plus people into the system in this current financial year, especially given its financial woes.

Meanwhile, Mmope urges counsellors and care-givers to return to work, even though she can't say when they will start getting paid.

"Care-givers and lay counsellors, we value your work. We know the importance of your services. Please go back to work. For the work that you've done, you will be paid", she says.

When asked: 'If they start work tomorrow, for example, are they guaranteed payment at the end of the month'?

Mmope replied: "You are putting me in a very difficult position I'd like to say, let me go and follow this matter up because it's now not in my hands. It's somewhere else. I can do the follow-up and try and request them to speed the process such that, at least, by the end of the month they are paid for the whole three months. But, yes, they will be paid. But I can't say (at) the end of the month".

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201206290060.html

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Uganda: HIV Prevalence Rate Increases

Uganda's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has shot up from 6.4% in 2005 to 7.3% as of September last year, a new report by the ministry of health has revealed.

According to the 2011 Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey (UAIS) report released today at the media center in Kampala, the percentage increase is higher among women than men.

The prevalence rate has increased from 7.5% to 8.3% among women compared to 5-6.1% among men.

Over 130,000 new HIV infections are recorded in the country each year.

Releasing the report, health minister Christine Ondoa attributed the trend to promiscuity, where more people are having multiple sex partners.

However, it was also noted that more HIV infected Ugandans now live longer thanks to ARVs and this number feeds into the new infections to increase the prevalence rate.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201206281088.html

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Thursday, 28 June 2012

Namibia: Four Mobile Vans for Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health and Social Services has acquired four mobile vans with the assistance of the United States Centre for Disease Control.

The vans were handed over in the capital yesterday and will be integrated into the ministry's Primary Health Care (PHC) outreach services programme.

The vans, which cost N$1,4 million each, will be dispatched to the Ohangwena, Caprivi, Karas and Kunene regions. Another six mobile vans will be acquired at a later stage. The mobile vans will help the ministry to reach communities residing in remote areas of the country and will, amongst other things, provide HIV testing and counselling services, health education and antenatal services.

In a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Norbert Vorster at the handing-over, the health minister said Namibia has made significant progress to ensure increased coverage of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services in the country.

He added that to date, a cumulative total of 293 public health facilities rolled out rapid HIV testing delivery points, which translates to coverage of 88 percent.

The health minister noted that the uptake of clients has dramatically increased over the past five years, with the total number of clients who received HCT and received their results during the period April 2011 to March 2012, standing at 305 432. This represents a nine per cent achievement above the country's target of 280 000.

"Although the uptake of HCT services shows marked increases, the data also indicates that HCT remains low, particularly for men in both urban and rural communities and couples," Kamwi noted.

The low levels of testing amongst these groups, he explained, poses significant challenges for Namibia's HIV prevention and care and treatment programmes.

According to the health minister, financial challenges coupled with geographic limitations are some of the major obstacles to accessing HCT services.

Inadequate HCT facilities, particularly mobile and door-to-door testing, have been identified as some of the major gaps in the 2010/11 to 2015/16 National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS.

"Given the vast distances and the sparse distribution of people in Namibia, mobile services are critical in providing access to HIV counselling and testing services," Kamwi said, adding that the ministry has realised the need for additional innovative and varied approaches to continue scaling up HCT services.

He further announced that in addition to the provision of HCT services at fixed ministry of health facilities, New Start Centres and various other workplace programmes, the ministry along with the Development AID for People to People will soon pilot the home-based testing approach in the Kavango and Oshana regions. - Nampa

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201206280667.html

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Unintentional injury mortality in India, 2005: Nationally representative mortality survey of 1.1 million homes

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Background: Unintentional injuries are an important cause of death in India. However, no reliable nationally representative estimates of unintentional injury deaths are available. Thus, we examined unintentional injury deaths in a nationally representative mortality survey. Methods: Trained field staff interviewed a living relative of those who had died during 2001-03. The verbal autopsy reports were sent to two of the130 trained physicians, who independently assigned an ICD-10 code to each death. Discrepancies were resolved through reconciliation and adjudication. Proportionate cause specific mortality was used to produce national unintentional injury mortality estimates based on United Nations population and death estimates. Results: In 2005, unintentional injury caused 648 000 deaths (7% of all deaths; 58/100 000 population). Unintentional injury mortality rates were higher among males than females, and in rural versus urban areas. Road traffic injuries (185 000 deaths; 29% of all unintentional injury deaths), falls (160 000 deaths, 25%) and drowning (73 000 deaths, 11%) were the three leading causes of unintentional injury mortality, with fire-related injury causing 5% of these deaths. The highest unintentional mortality rates were in those aged 70 years or older (410/100 000). Conclusions: These direct estimates of unintentional injury deaths in India (0.6 million) are lower than WHO indirect estimates (0.8 million), but double the estimates which rely on police reports (0.3 million). Importantly, they revise upward the mortality due to falls, particularly in the elderly, and revise downward mortality due to fires. Ongoing monitoring of injury mortality will enable development of evidence based injury prevention programs.

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Source: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/487

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Factors associated with dental and medical care attendance in UK resident Yemeni khat chewers: a cross sectional study

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Background: The chewing of khat leaf with tobacco smoking amongst Yemenis, Somalis and Ethiopians is reported to impact oral and general health. The health status and particularly dental and medical care attendance of UK-khat chewers has not received attention. This study aimed to explore health status and dental and medical attendance and its associated factors in UK permanently resident Yemeni khat chewers. Methods: A cross- sectional study with a purposively selected sample of 204 khat chewers was conducted. Data were collected through face to face interviews. Data analysis included descriptive, Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions. Results: The mean age for this study sample was 44.84 (SD = +/-19.70) years and 35 % were employed. Forty five percent reported symptomatic medical attendance for self reported health conditions in the last two weeks whilst 44 % had symptomatic dental attendance. Higher khat chewing dependency levels associated positively with both symptomatic dental and medical attendance (p = 0.004, OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.04-1.25; p = 0.003; OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.05-1.29, respectively). Higher social participation levels associated negatively with symptomatic dental attendance (p = 0.034, OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.96-0.99) whilst increase in age and self-reported health conditions associated positively with symptomatic medical attendance (p = 0.030, OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.01-1.06; p = 0.001, OR = 4.51, 95%CI = 2.02-10.08, respectively). Conclusions: In this study of khat chewers, a significant proportion reported symptomatic dental and medical attendance. Demographic, psychosocial and self reported general health conditions were associated significantly with dental and medical attendance.

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Source: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/486

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Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Simple Lifestyle May Limit Exposure to Chemicals

Mennonite Community Study Suggests Link Between Simple Life, Lower BPA Levels

By Denise Mann
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

June 26, 2012 -- Concerned about exposure to the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and other potentially harmful chemicals in the environment?

You may be able to reduce your risks by leading a simpler life in the fashion of the Old Order Mennonite (OOM) community.

The Old Order Mennonites are a Christian group who eat mostly fresh, unprocessed foods; farm without pesticides; and rarely use personal care products. The OOM community is known to have low rates of obesity, diabetes, and infertility.

In a small study, 10 pregnant women from the OOM community had significantly lower levels of BPA and phthalate (pronounced thal-ate) metabolites in their urine than pregnant women in the general U.S. population.

Researchers analyzed urine samples from the 10 pregnant OOM women for the presence and levels of BPA and nine phthalate metabolites. These results were compared to those of pregnant women who participated in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Although the researchers also gathered information on OOM participants' product use, lifestyle, and household environment within a 48-hour period prior to collection, they did not have similar data to compare for the NHANES.

BPA is a chemical used in the manufacturing of many metal food and beverage cans. It is also in napkins, toilet paper, tickets, food wrappers, newspapers, and receipts. Phthalates are found in cosmetics, scented candles, and plastics. These chemicals are considered endocrine disruptors, which means they affect hormones in the body.

But at least one expert tells WebMD that although this study showed higher levels of chemicals in some pregnant women, it doesn't prove that these chemicals have done any harm.

The new findings appear Neurotoxicology.

Follow in the OOM Community's Footsteps

"If you are concerned or afraid, you really can control your risk by limiting exposure to BPA and phthalates," says researcher Shanna H. Swan, PhD. She is a professor of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Swan suggests that you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals by:

Eating unprocessed foods
Choosing organic foods wherever possible
Avoiding canned foods (unless they are packaged in BPA-free cans)
Minimizing your use of personal care products and cosmetics that contain these chemicals
Choosing chemical-free cleaning products and personal care products

"You can eat like a Mennonite even if you don't grow your own food," she says.

According to Swan, pregnant women should be most concerned about their level of exposure to these chemicals. "This is the period of the most rapid development and when sensitivity is the greatest."

Members of the Mennonite community do not typically travel by cars or trucks. Instead, they get from place to place by horse and buggy, walking, or by bicycle. Half of the pregnant OOM participants had been in a car or truck within the two days before urine collection. These individuals had higher levels of the chemicals than their counterparts who did not travel by car or truck before collection, the study shows.

"These people are back to nature and that is why their health is so good," says Joyce L. Wade, a certified nurse midwife in the OOM community. She is based in Middlesex, N.Y. "The more we can get back to nature, the healthier we can be."

Debate About Chemicals Continues

Yes, members of the OOM community may well lead healthier lifestyles, but the new findings add nothing to the debate about health risks associated with any chemicals, says Gilbert Ross, MD. He is the executive director and medical director of the American Council on Science and Health, a New York City-based consumer education-public health organization.

"The OOM community has population-wide behavioral and lifestyle parameters that result in a lower exposure to certain ubiquitous environmental chemicals and substances. These include fragrances and certain food preparation items, and compounds from motor vehicle emissions," he says in an email.

But "these well-known facts add nothing whatsoever to the controversy fomented by anti-chemical activists and advocates."

The new study does not document any risks associated with exposure, he says. "The insinuation that somehow the lower exposures of this group due to their simple and vigorous lifestyle are somehow responsible for the allegedly lower rates of certain illnesses and conditions, such as diabetes, is not science. It is speculation."

SOURCES: Shanna H, Swan, PhD, professor, preventive medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York City.Gibert Ross, MD, executive director and medical director, American Council on Science and Health, New York City.Joyce L. Wade, certified nurse midwife, Middlesex, N.Y.Martina, C. Neurotoxicology, 2012, study received ahead of print.

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=DailyHealth&a=159655

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Fruits And Veggies Linked With Smoking Cessation

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 26 Jun 2012 - 13:00 PDT

According to a new study, published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research and conducted by researchers at the University of Buffalo, eating fruits and veggies may curb the urge to smoke, making it easier to kick the habit and keep it away.

The study, which is the first longitudinal study to analyze the link between smoking cessation and consumption of fruits and veggies, involved 1,000 smokers from around the U.S who were aged 25 and older. The researchers conducted a survey using an over-the-phone method, and did a follow-up interview with the volunteers 14 months after the original study to find out if the smokers had remained strong in their quest to quit smoking.

Gary A. Giovino, chair of the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at the University of Buffalo commented:

"Other studies have taken a snapshot approach, asking smokers and nonsmokers about their diets. We knew from our previous work that people who were abstinent from cigaretts for less than six months consumed more fruits and vegetables than those who still smoked. What we didn't know was whether recent quitters increased their fruit and vegetable consumption or if smokers who ate more fruits and vegetables were more likely to quit."

The outcome of the study showed that the people who ate the most fruit and veggies had a 3-fold increased chance of not smoking, when questioned at follow up, than the people who ate the least amount of fruits and veggies. There were no altered results when factors, such as sex, education, income, race, or age were taken into account.

High and regular fruit and veggie consumption will help you give up smoking

Other results of the study showed that those who ate the most fruits and veggies:

did not smoke their first cigarette until later in the day
smoked fewer cigarettes throughout the day
had lower scores on a nicotine dependence test

The report indicates that smokers may have reduced their smoking because it is likely that the fruits and vegetables made them feel full.

Jeffery P. Haibach, explains:

"We have may identified a new tool that can help people quit smoking. Granted, this is just an observational study, but improving one's diet may facilitate quitting.
It is also possible that fruits and vegetables give people more of a feeling of satiety or fullness so they feel less of a need to smoke since smokers sometimes confuse hunger with an urge to smoke."

The study also claims that fruits and veggies do not make the taste of tobacco better, unlike some foods, such as caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meat, which some smokers have said make cigarettes taste more appealing.

Haibach added: "It's possible that an improved diet could be an important item to add to the list of measures to help smokers quit. We certainly need to continue efforts to encourage people to wuit and help them succeed, including proven approaches like quitlines, policies such as tobacco-tax increases and smoke-free laws, and effective media campaigns."

Giovino conlcluded: "Nineteen percent of Americans still smoke cigaretts, but most of them want to quit."

The authors note that more research needs to be done in order to reveal if the outcome of this study will continue to prove true, and if so, what actually makes the fruits and veggies help the smokers quit.

Written By Christine Kearney
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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Simple Lifestyle May Limit Exposure to Chemicals

Mennonite Community Study Suggests Link Between Simple Life, Lower BPA Levels

By Denise Mann
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

June 26, 2012 -- Concerned about exposure to the controversial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and other potentially harmful chemicals in the environment?

You may be able to reduce your risks by leading a simpler life in the fashion of the Old Order Mennonite (OOM) community.

But at least one expert tells WebMD that although this study showed higher levels of chemicals in some pregnant women, it doesn't prove that these chemicals have done any harm.

The new findings appear Neurotoxicology.

Follow in the OOM Community's Footsteps

Swan suggests that you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals by:

Eating unprocessed foods
Choosing organic foods wherever possible
Avoiding canned foods (unless they are packaged in BPA-free cans)
Minimizing your use of personal care products and cosmetics that contain these chemicals
Choosing chemical-free cleaning products and personal care products

"You can eat like a Mennonite even if you don't grow your own food," she says.

According to Swan, pregnant women should be most concerned about their level of exposure to these chemicals. "This is the period of the most rapid development and when sensitivity is the greatest."

Debate About Chemicals Continues

But "these well-known facts add nothing whatsoever to the controversy fomented by anti-chemical activists and advocates."

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/guide.asp?s=rss&k=DailyHealth&a=159655

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Workout Finisher: Explosive Plyometrics

Explosive power and speed is an athlete's best friend when it's game time. Increased force coupled with quickness and speed is one deadly and intimidating athletic combination. In addition to improving your performance for sports, plyometrics will also help with major lifts like the squat and deadlift. So, if you're not where you want to be, it's time to incorporate plyometric training into your routine.

Warning: Plyometrics can be very tough on the knees and joints, so listen to your body, stretch after your workout and don’t overdo it.

Plyometric Box Jump Finisher

A1. Box Jumps

1 - 6 reps
Rest 60 Seconds

A2. Box Jumps

2 - 20 reps
Rest 120 Seconds

Repeat this set 4 times

Add this finisher to the end of a workout 1-3 times a week.

Tips:

Box Jumps 1:
Start from a stand still position on the ground. Squat down, then explode up to a box (or bench).
a) Land soft on the top of the box.
b) Let yourself down easily as to avoid stress on the knee and lower back.
c) Push yourself. Increase the height of the bench you use every couple of weeks.

Box Jumps 2:
Starting on top of a bench that is 16-32 inches high. Drop down to the ground, then explode back up onto the bench, spending as little time on the ground as possible.
a) Don't let your heels touch the ground.
b) Make sure you regain your balance on the top of the bench before you descend to the ground.

Source: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/workout-finisher-explosive-plyometrics

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Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Train Like an Olympic Sprinter

Since we were kids, the fictious lives of superheros made us wonder what it would be like to have their powers. Even now we see them on the silver screen being bigger, stronger and faster than the average human. Today's athletes have evolved so much that they seem to actually possess these super-human qualities. If you ever wondered what it would be like to train for superhero strength and ability, take a look at the life of an Olympic Sprinter.

These athletes are the total package of strength, power, speed and explosiveness wrapped up into a lean mean running machine. But what does it really take to compete on the national stage when all you see on TV are sub 10-second races?

The trade off:

1. The Olympics are every four years.

2. The average really competitive sprinter trains about 20 hours a week for just seconds of a race.

3. They only take 30 athletes for each event that qualify for the trials and only the top three from there make the team.

Still like those odds? Then let's put some surefire elements together to get you on your way!

The Sprinter's Strength-Building Routine >>

Source: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/train-like-an-olympic-sprinter

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Africa: Global Partners Prep for Aids 2012 Conference in Washington

Washington — The United States and its international partners are preparing to meet in July for the AIDS 2012 conference in Washington, where global leaders will work together toward the goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS worldwide.

"Hope is taking the place of despair," U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric Goosby said June 25 in a briefing at the Brookings Institution, a policy research organization in Washington.

He said tremendous support from the United States, its partner countries and multilateral organizations is "truly putting countries in a stronger position to ensure we can reach the goal we are all committed to: achieving an AIDS-free generation and creating a stronger and more secure world."

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched in 2003 by then-President George W. Bush, is the largest response mounted by one country against a single disease on record. Goosby said the program has been successful in providing HIV prevention, treatment and care for people around the world since its start.

"PEPFAR's job is to bring science to the table and pursue dialogue toward responses that are country-owned, science-based and human rights-sensitive," he said.

Through the program, the United States has directly supported lifesaving anti-retroviral treatment for nearly 4 million people worldwide as of September 2011.

"That's up from 1.7 million people in 2008, showing continued, rapid expansion even during these tight budget times," Goosby said.

He said PEPFAR also allowed for HIV testing and counseling for more than 40 million people in 2011 alone, including more than 9 million pregnant women. The program supported drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission for more than 660,000 of those women who tested positive for HIV, allowing approximately 200,000 infants to be born HIV-free.

"These results aren't just numbers -- they are lives saved," Goosby said, adding that each life saved strengthens families and communities around the world.

He said that just 10 years ago, AIDS was killing off a generation and reversing health gains around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the massive volume of dying patients and had little or no access to lifesaving anti-retroviral treatment.

"AIDS threatened the very foundations of society," Goosby said. "It wiped [out] people in the prime of their lives when they should have been caring for their families. It created millions of orphans unable to attend school without the support provided by their parents."

Additionally, he said, the disease stalled economic development, leaving countries stuck in the cycle of poverty.

"That, in turn, created societal instability, leading the United Nations Security Council to identify AIDS as a security issue in 2001," Goosby said. It was then that resources to address the disease began to be mobilized.

"Today, AIDS is no longer a certain death sentence in sub-Saharan Africa," he said. "By adopting a targeted approach to address one of the most complicated diseases and global health issues in modern history, and then taking it to scale with urgency and commitment in resource-challenged settings, the United States has challenged conventional wisdom on what is really possible."

Commending PEPFAR's results-oriented approach, Goosby said the program has strengthened national health systems so they can more effectively meet the needs of all their people, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative.

"Clinics and hospitals that are no longer overwhelmed with dealing with AIDS now have the capacity to address other health issues," he said. "Beyond that, we have rebuilt hospitals and clinics, increased the quality and numbers of trained health care workers, put in patient information systems, put in quality control laboratories and strengthened our commodity procurement and distribution systems."

The ambassador said this focused investment has enabled access to basic health care often where little or none existed before.

"PEPFAR has proved that we can take a situation with little hope and turn it around," he said. "It challenges all of us to raise the bar for what our global programs are expected to achieve."

Goosby said the July 22-27 AIDS conference will focus on continuing global cooperation in the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

He called on leaders to address using PEPFAR infrastructure to help countries face new and changing health challenges. The ambassador also asked conference participants to take a new look at the importance of country ownership. Additionally, Goosby spoke about the importance of continuing a robust multilateral response to HIV/AIDS through organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the World Health Organization and the United Nations disease program (UNAIDS).

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201206260855.html

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Freestanding midwifery units versus obstetric units: does the effect of place of birth differ with level of social disadvantage?

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Background: Social inequity in perinatal and maternal health is a well-documented health problem even in countries with a high level of social equality. We aimed to study whether the effect of birthplace on perinatal and maternal morbidity, birth interventions and use of pain relief among low risk women intending to give birth in two freestanding midwifery units (FMU) versus two obstetric units in Denmark differed by level of social disadvantage Methods: The study was designed as a cohort study with a matched control group. It included 839 low-risk women intending to give birth in an FMU, who were prospectively and individually matched on nine selected obstetric/socio-economic factors to 839 low-risk women intending OU birth. Educational level was chosen as a proxy for social position. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: Women intending to give birth in an FMU had a significantly higher likelihood of uncomplicated, spontaneous birth with good outcomes for mother and infant compared to women intending to give birth in an OU. The likelihood of intact perineum, use of upright position for birth and water birth was also higher. No difference was found in perinatal morbidity or third/fourth degree tears, while birth interventions including caesarean section and epidural analgesia were significantly less frequent among women intending to give birth in an FMU.In our sample of healthy low-risk women with spontaneous onset of labour at term after an uncomplicated pregnancy, the positive results of intending to give birth in an FMU as compared to an OU were found to hold for both women with post-secondary education and the potentially vulnerable group of FMU women without post-secondary education.In all cases, women without post-secondary education intending to give birth in an FMU had comparable and, in some respects, more favourable outcomes when compared to women with the same level of education intending to give birth in an OU.In this sample of low-risk women, we found that the effect of intended place on birth outcomes did not differ with women's level of education. Conclusion: FMU care appears to offer important benefits for birthing women with no additional risk to the infant. Both for women with and without post-secondary education, intending to give birth in an FMU significantly increased the likelihood of a spontaneous, uncomplicated birth with good outcomes for mother and infant compared to women intending to give birth in an OU. All women should be provided with adequate information about different care models and supported in making an informed decision about the place of birth.

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Source: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/478

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Burden of road traffic injuries and related risk factors in low and middle-income Pacific island countries and territories: a systematic review of the scientific literature (TRIP 5)

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Background: In Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs), the burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs) and their attendant risks are considered significant but are poorly quantified. As with other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), understanding the epidemiology of RTIs in PICTs is critical to informing sustainable research and policy initiatives aimed at reducing this burden. Methods: We undertook a systematic review and critical appraisal of the relevant epidemiological literature between January 1980 and December 2010, using key search strings for incidence and aetiological studies focussing on RTIs in low and middle-income PICTs. Results: Nineteen studies were identified. The majority were descriptive and were unable to provide population-based estimates of the burden of road crash injury or reliable information on the risk factors using well-designed aetiological research methods. All studies were published more than 10 years ago, and all but three reported on data from Papua New Guinea (PNG), thereby limiting the generalisability of findings to the current status in the region. The PNG studies suggested that RTIs were more frequent among young males, with head injuries the most common cause of death or hospital admission. Two thirds of fatalities occurred at the crash site or soon after admission. Most road crash victims were passengers or pedestrians. Factors postulated to influence the risk of RTIs were travel in open-back utility vehicles, utility vehicle overcrowding, and alcohol. Conclusions: This review suggests that, despite increasing awareness of the importance of addressing road safety among stakeholders in PICTs, RTI has not been a research priority and there is little relevant current evidence from PICTs to inform policy. Robust epidemiological research that can assess the magnitude and key determinants of RTIs in PICTs is essential to determine context-specific road safety initiatives that are relevant and affordable.

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Source: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/479

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Monday, 25 June 2012

Uganda: HIV Saliva Testing Kits Not Yet in Uganda

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States approved a home HIV saliva testing kit weeks ago. According to the Uganda AIDS information centre, the kits have not yet arrived in the country.

Statistics from Uganda AIDS Commission and the Ministry of Health state that, more than 2 million Ugandans are living with HIV, yet over 70% of these do not know they carry the virus.

OraQuick Advance kit allows users to quickly test and know their HIV status in the comfort of their homes, without the need of a health worker or laboratory.

One swabs along the gums or cheeks then places it into a liquid in the testing device. After 15-20 minutes, an indicator lights up if the test detects the presence of HIV-1 or HIV-2 antibodies.

The HIV home test kits are USAID and FDA approved with a 99,8 % sensitivity and accuracy rate.

Other such convenient HIV testing kits include; iCare HIV 1 & 2 rapid test kit, OraSure.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201206251125.html

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Stopping Syphilis

When a pregnant woman is infected with syphilis, it can put her fetus at risk. Although infant deaths from syphilis are rare in the U.S., worldwide, congenital syphilis kills more than half a million neonates every year.

In order to reduce the impact of congenital syphilis, it is important to screen pregnant women. However, most standard syphilis tests require resources that may not always be affordable or available in a low income setting. That's why, in the most recent issue of PLOS Medicine, a group of scientists investigated whether point-of-care tests for syphilis could effectively detect syphilis in six low- and middle- income countries around the world. These tests are affordable, fast, easy to use, and require no special equipment.

The researchers found that it was easy to teach local health workers to use the tests. Furthermore, once point-of-care tests became available, the number of pregnant women screened for syphilis skyrocketed. In Uganda, more than 90 percent of women were screened for syphilis after the tests were introduced. Before they were available, less than 2 percent of women had been screened. Even more importantly, the immediate availability of test results also made it easier to treat women for syphilis. Almost every woman who tested positive received appropriate medication.

Of course, none of that would matter if the governments involved weren't willing to implement testing on a wider scale. That's why the best news from the study was that the point-of-care tests were so easy to use, and so useful, that every single country that participated in the study added them to their prenatal testing repertoire.

Source: http://std.about.com/b/2012/06/22/stopping-syphilis.htm

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A Few Tips on Treating Dog Allergies

More often than not, our pets can experience some of the same problems that we do. One such example is that dogs can also suffer from allergies. Fortunately, there are numerous ways for dog allergies treatment so it is more of a matter of finding out exactly what the cause for the allergic reaction is.

Dogs, like people, show allergic symptoms when the immune system recognizes a certain substance as dangerous. These substances are present in everyday life and most dogs are not affected by them. However, a dog with allergies will have a reaction to the substance whenever it inhales, ingests or comes into contact with the substance. The manner in which it affects the dog depends on the allergen itself.

There are many things that a dog can have an allergic reaction to but a few examples are pollen, fleas, mold spores, dust, cleaning products, insecticidal shampoos, certain food ingredients, as well as many others.

Any dog can become susceptible to an allergen at any point of its life. There are, however, some specific breeds of dogs that are more likely to develop allergies such as terriers, setters, retrievers and flat-faced breeds.

Some ways that you can determine if your dog has allergies is if the dog has itchy skin (manifested by excessive scratching), excessive sneezing, runny eyes, diarrhea and vomiting. The dog should be taken to be checked by a veterinarian if any of these symptoms become present. The veterinarian will advise the best treatment once a series of tests have been performed to accurately determine what is causing the allergies.

Each allergen has its own specific type of treatment. Fleas are commonly a cause for allergies and can be remedied with flea control programs and products. Bathing the dog once a week relieves the itching sensation and also removes environmental allergens such as pollen. It is advised that you consult a veterinarian on what type of shampoo to use for bathing the dog as the wrong type of shampoo can possibly worsen the allergies. Cleaning the dog’s bedding and vacuuming areas of the house where dust accumulates is an effective way of treating dust allergies. A more difficult form of treatment is needed if the dog develops a food allergy. A veterinarian will put the dog on a special diet until the allergies have stopped manifesting. The allergen is identified when the dog is reintroduced to its old foods.

There are also a variety of allergy injections, medications and supplements that can either prevent or help treat allergies. These should only be administered to the dog with instructions by a veterinarian.

Most dog allergies treatments are simple and don’t require much more special attention to the dog. The only important step is determining with the help a veterinarian what the allergen is that is causing the reaction so a treatment can be advised.

I’m a dog health guru who specializes in dog skin allergies treatment.

Source: http://coldscorex.com/a-few-tips-on-treating-dog-allergies/

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Sunday, 24 June 2012

Superb Advice To Help Manage Your Diabetic issues

Source: http://coldscorex.com/superb-advice-to-help-manage-your-diabetic-issues/

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A Few Tips on Treating Dog Allergies

I’m a dog health guru who specializes in dog skin allergies treatment.

Source: http://coldscorex.com/a-few-tips-on-treating-dog-allergies/

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