Prevention and Diseases (H1N1 Flu, Swine Flu)
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Prevention and Diseases
General Information
NEWS:
2 Easiest Ways to Catch Swine Flu
2009 H1N1 Vaccine: Will One Dose Be Enough?
4 Healthy Habits That Cut Disease Risk “Never smoked • Exercised at least 3.5 hours per week • Maintained a body mass index (BMI) under 30 • Followed a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads, and limited in meats Most of the people in the study had at least one healthy habit; only 9% said they followed all four. “
6 Daily Habits That May Make You Sick
88% of H1N1 Swine Flu Deaths Are People Under Age 65, Reversing Seasonal Trend
9 Things in Your Home That Are Making You Sick
A Good Night's Sleep Protects Against Parasites “By comparing reported information about mammalian sleep, immune system parameters, and parasitism the authors show that evolutionary increases in mammalian sleep durations are strongly associated with the number of circulating immune cells. Mammalian species that sleep for longer periods also have substantially reduced levels of parasitic infection. According to Preston, "We suggest that sleep fuels the immune system. While awake, animals must be ready to meet multiple demands on a limited energy supply, including the need to search for food, acquire mates, and provide parental care. When asleep, animals largely avoid these costly activities, and can thus allocate resources to the body's natural defenses." This research may yet have implications for human health. Preston warns, "Given the declines in human sleep durations that have occurred over the past few decades, there is a clear need for studies that further clarify the immunological significance of sleep."”
Age of Flu Victims Has Big Implications “The swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus that burst into public consciousness a month ago is starting to behave like a mixture of its infamous, pandemic-causing predecessors. It seems to have a predilection for young adults, as did its notorious ancestor, the 1918 Spanish influenza. Many of the young victims who have become deathly ill turned out to have other medical problems -- a phenomenon first clearly seen with the 1957 Asian flu. H1N1 is spreading easily in North America but sputtering in Europe, just as Hong Kong flu did in 1968. And as in the mini-pandemic of Russian flu in 1977, some people appear to have a degree of immunity. Exactly how swine flu fits into the pantheon of flu pandemics will not be known for a while. It will take months -- and many more victims -- for its full personality and behavior to emerge. But one thing is clear: This is a lot more than just seasonal flu out of season.”
American future lifespans greatly exaggerated? “First, if people of a given society are to live to 100, on average, smoking rates need to first drop to zero percent. Few smokers live to age 80 let alone 100. Currently about 20 percent of Americans smoke; worldwide the rate in wealthy countries is 20 to 40 percent. So scratch them off the list. Smokers won't get close to 100 unless there are miracle cures for lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and myriad other diseases associated with smoking. Next, obesity and diabetes rates need to drop back to their natural lows, around zero percent. There are no obese centenarians. Currently, two-thirds of Americans are overweight and half of these folks are obese. These rates are predicted to climb, not fall. More than 24 million Americans, or 8 percent of the population, are diabetic, and nearly 60 million are pre-diabetic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While many of these people may live to a respectful old age, none will be living to 100. Diabetes ravages the body, weakening blood vessels and leading to heart disease and sundry vascular diseases.”
Antiviral Drugs Should Be Used Cautiously to Fight Flu, U.S. Says “Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza, which are effective in treating the H1N1 swine flu, should be taken only by people hospitalized with the flu or those at high risk for complications from the disease, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. Those at risk include people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, as well as the very young, the elderly, and pregnant women, officials said. Because the H1N1 swine flu remains mild for the vast majority of people who get it, most people won't need these medications at all, according to new guidelines for antiviral drug use issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu
CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu “We do expect there to be an increase in influenza that occurs this fall, perhaps earlier than what we see with seasonal influenza. In particular, we think there may be challenges when people return to schools and our communities get back into the sort of the regular times with lots of kids congregated together. As you heard last week from the Secretary at the Influenza Summit, we're in an active stage of preparing ourselves with the government, working with the private sector, and we also want individuals and families to be planning and preparing. But we need to remember that influenza is unpredictable, including the new strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus, and we don't know the extent of the challenges that we'll face in the weeks and months ahead. “
CDC connects H1N1, severe bacterial infections “The illnesses are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a microbe often carried in the nose and throat. While often benign, the bacterium can cause bloodstream infections, fatal pneumonia and meningitis.”
CDC Issues H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
CDC Telebriefing on Investigation of Human Cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) (June 26, 2009)
CDC: H1N1 Flu Numbers Represent a "Very Great Underestimate" “"The virus is continuing to spread.... Fortunately, the severity of illness that we are seeing at this point doesn't look as terrible as a category 5 pandemic...but influenza virus is unpredictable," she said. "It can change over time."”
Chemicals in Marijuana Smoke May Harm DNA “The smoke from cannabis, the plant from which marijuana is derived, contains compounds that can damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer just like tobacco smoke, says a new study from the United Kingdom. In laboratory tests, Rajinder Singh from the University of Leicester and colleagues found certain carcinogens in cannabis smoke in amounts 50 percent greater than those found in tobacco smoke. They noted that light cannabis use could possibly prove to be even more damaging because cannabis smokers usually inhale more deeply than cigarette smokers. "The smoking of three to four cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day," the researchers noted in a news release from the university. “
Cut back, way back, on sugar, says heart group
D Gets An A “Still, the study authors said clinical trials must confirm their results before vitamin D is recommended to prevent colds and flu. Foods that contain vitamin D include milk, salmon, sardines, shrimp and eggs. But "10 minutes in the sun would far surpass your intake of vitamin D" compared with diet choices, Ginde said. It's nearly impossible for people living north of Atlanta to get enough vitamin D through sunlight year-round because of Earth's tilt. In the winter, northern dwellers should take supplements, and in the summer, some scientists recommend 20 minutes of sun per day -- without sunscreen. “
Daily Bathroom Showers May Deliver Face Full Of Pathogens, Says Study
Daily Drinking Rather Than Binge Drinking Is Biggest Risk Factor In Serious Liver Disease, New Study Finds “The study, published in the journal Addiction this week, concludes that increases in UK liver deaths are a result of daily or near daily heavy drinking, not episodic or binge drinking, and this regular drinking pattern is often discernable at an early age. It also recommends that several alcohol-free days a week is a healthier drinking pattern.”
Dangerous staph germs found at West Coast beaches “People should not avoid beaches or be afraid to enjoy them, scientists say. "It's probably prudent to shower when you come out" to lower the risk of bacteria staying on the skin, said Dr. Lance Peterson, a microbiologist at NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Ill. "Make sure you get all the sand off," and cover any open cuts or scrapes before playing in the sand, Roberts added. Digging in the sand or being buried in it seems to raise the risk of infection, she said.”
Dangers may be lurking in home’s cabinets
Defending Against Disease With an Anti-Inflammation Lifestyle
Diet High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Prevent A Leading Cause Of Blindness Among Elderly “A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids has been found to protect against a variety of diseases including atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Retrospective studies have suggested that diets high in fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids may also contribute to protection against AMD. A group led by Dr. Chi-Chao Chan at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, MD examined the direct effect of omega-3 fatty acids on a mouse model of AMD. A diet with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in slower lesion progression, with improvement in some lesions. These mice had lower levels of inflammatory molecules and higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules, which may explain this protective effect.”
Do 3 meals a day keep fungi away? "Our study makes the argument that our warm temperatures may have evolved to protect us against fungal diseases," said Dr. Casadevall. "And being warm-blooded and therefore largely resistant to fungal infections may help explain the dominance of mammals after the age of dinosaurs." There are roughly 1.5 million fungal species. Of these, only a few hundred are pathogenic to mammals. Fungal infections in people are often the result of an impaired immune function. By contrast, an estimated 270,000 fungal species are pathogenic to plants and 50,000 species infect insects. Frogs and other amphibians are prone to fungal pathogens, one of which, chytridiomycosis, is currently raging through frogs worldwide. Fungi are also important in the decomposition of plants. In their study, the researchers investigated how 4,082 different fungal strains from the Utrecht collection grew in temperatures ranging from chilly – 4o C or 39o F – to desert hot – 45o C or 113o F. They found that nearly all of them grew well in temperatures up to 30o C. Beyond that, though, the number of successful species declined by 6 percent for every one degree centigrade increase. Most could not grow at mammalian temperatures. Those that did well in hotter conditions were often from warm-blooded sources.”
Drinkers at Risk for Infection
Elderly People With Influenza and Dementia More Likely to Die
Experts: Chances Low of Swine Flu Outbreak Becoming a Pandemic “"We have a lot more tools to combat a pandemic of flu viruses today than we have ever had before," said Dr. Tomas Aragon, who heads the UC Berkeley center for infectious diseases and emergency readiness. Besides the relatively new influenza anti-viral drug called Tamiflu, which is known to be effective against this version of swine flu, Aragon noted, scientists are now able to determine the specific genetic subtype of a flu virus involved in an outbreak, which helps them develop highly specific vaccines. There are also many new antiviral drugs available to fight the virus, as well as antibiotics to combat secondary infections. Tamiflu and another anti-viral drug called Relenza are now stockpiled by the government and are being released as needed, Aragon said. By raising the pandemic alert level on swine flu from phase 3 to 4 Monday, the World Health Organization confirmed that the disease was now spreading through human-to-human contact and that community-level outbreaks outside of Mexico had been found. “
Face Protection Effective In Preventing The Spread Of Influenza, Study Suggests “A new article in the journal Risk Analysis assessed various ways in which aerosol transmission of the flu, a central mode of diffusion which involves breathing droplets in the air, can be reduced. Results show that face protection is a key infection control measure for influenza and can thus affect how people should try to protect themselves from the swine flu.”
From Rats To Humans: Around Thirty Europeans Infected With Cowpox Virus By Their Pet Rats “This is the first time that transmission of this type of virus, cowpox, from pet rats to humans has been described. This new disease underlines the risks of zoonoses (animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans) linked to the adoption of new types of pet.”
Fruits, Leafy Greens Are Good for the Eyes
Go green for your health and the planet’s “We live in a chemical stew. The average woman uses 12 different personal care products containing 168 different chemicals, according to a 2004 survey of more than 2,300 people by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) — and very few of the items have been tested for safety. When you hang a new shower curtain, you may inhale 108 chemicals over the course of a month, depending on the type of curtain you choose — and many are known to be risky. And if you take a swig of water, you could be sipping chemicals that leach from your plastic grab-and-go bottle, some of which are believed to mimic or interfere with your hormones. “
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
H1N1 Critical Illness Mostly Affects Young Patients and Is Often Fatal “Among critically ill patients, overall 28-day mortality was 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.5% – 20.7%), and shock and nonpulmonary acute organ dysfunction were common (sequential organ failure assessment mean score 6.8 ± 3.6 on day 1). At 90 days, overall mortality was 17.3% (95% CI, 12.0% – 24.0%; n = 29). At ICU admission, all patients were severely hypoxemic (mean ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood [PaO2] to fraction of inspired oxygen [FIO2] of 147 ± 128 mm Hg). Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 2 – 7 days) and from hospitalization to ICU admission was 1 day (IQR, 0 – 2 days). Most critically ill patients received neuraminidase inhibitors (n = 152 [90.5%]) and mechanical ventilation (n = 136 [81.0%]). Median duration of ventilation was 12 days (IQR, 6 – 20 days) and of ICU stay was 12 days (IQR, 5 – 20 days). Some patients also required lung rescue therapies, including neuromuscular blockade in 28% of patients, inhaled nitric oxide in 13.7%, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in 11.9%, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 4.2%, and prone positioning ventilation in 3.0%. "Critical illness due to 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Canada occurred rapidly after hospital admission, often in young adults, and was associated with severe hypoxemia, multisystem organ failure, a requirement for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and the frequent use of rescue therapies," the study authors write. "Our data suggest that severe disease and mortality in the current outbreak is concentrated in relatively healthy adolescents and adults between the ages of 10 and 60 years, a pattern reminiscent of the W-shaped curve previously seen only during the 1918 H1N1 Spanish pandemic." “
H1N1 Deaths Among Youths Rise as Epidemic Spreads “While most of the children who have died have had other health problems that made them particularly vulnerable, such as asthma, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, 20 to 30 percent were otherwise healthy, Schuchat said. Between 46 and 88 children died from the seasonal flu in each of the past four years, so the fact that so many have already succumbed is disturbing, Schuchat said. "It's only the beginning of October," she said, noting that the flu season usually starts much later and runs through May. "We saw a peak of deaths, you know, starting April, May, June. It started to level off this summer. Now it's starting to shoot up again." In addition to the two deaths in Maryland, three were reported in Tennessee, seven in Texas and one each in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Since the pandemic began, at least 3,873 Americans have died from complications associated with the flu, primarily the H1N1 virus, including at least 28 pregnant women. “
H1N1 Flu Safety and Ingredients Discussion:
Squalene-based adjuvants in vaccines (WHO)
Summary of: WHO Virtual Consultation on the Safety of Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccines
Thimerosal, squalene and Guillain-Barré: Expert answers to your seasonal and H1N1 flu questions
Blogs:
http://remixxworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/h1n1-swine-flu-trial-vaccine-contains.html
http://knowthelies.com/?q=node/4324
From Novartis Vaccines (Pharmaceutical Company):
MF59-adjuvanted vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza prophylaxis.
---------------------------------------------H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) (CDC – USA) April 30, 2009
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) – CDC May 10, 2009
H1N1 pandemic spreading too fast to count: WHO (July 16, 2009)
Influenza A(H1N1) – WHO update 24 May 10, 2009
Influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 4 to 5 (WHO) April 30, 2009
Health officials prepare for swine flu 'pandemic' “A new swine flu strain that has killed as many as 68 people and sickened more than 1,000 across Mexico has “pandemic potential,” the World Health Organization chief said Saturday, and it may be too late to contain the sudden outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stepped up surveillance across the United States. "We are worried," said the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.”
High IQ Linked To Reduced Risk Of Death “"People with higher IQ test scores tend to be less likely to smoke or drink alcohol heavily, they eat better diets, and they are more physically active. So they have a range of better behaviours that may partly explain their lower mortality risk," says Dr Batty.”
How Cranberry Products Prevent Urinary Tract Infections “Chemicals present in cranberries—and not the acidity of cranberry juice, as previously thought—prevent infection-causing bacteria from attaching to the cells that line the urinary tract, as documented in a report published in Journal of Medicinal Food. … Adhesion of E. coli bacteria to cells lining the urinary tract is the first step in the development of a UTI. Chemicals found in cranberry products called proanthocyanidins (PACs) prevent E. coli, which is the cause of about 85% of UTIs and 90% of cases of acute pyelonephritis, from adhering to these urinary tract epithelial cells by affecting the surface properties of the bacteria. … "Cranberries, one of only three species of fruits native to North America, has a long history of medicinal food use. Native Americans used the fruit for the treatment of bladder and kidney ailments hundreds of years ago. … “ “
How Manuka Honey Helps Fight Infection
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
Individuals Who Apply Pesticides Are Found To Have Double The Risk Of Blood Disorder “"As several million Americans use pesticides, it's important that the risks of developing MGUS from the use of pesticides is known," added senior study author and NCI investigator Michael Alavanja, DrPH.”
Is Your Excessive Sweating Caused by a Medical Problem?
Keep working 'to avoid dementia'
Killing Flu Germs: What Works? “But before you douse all your possessions with bleach, there’s one thing you should know: Experts say that you really don’t need to bother. “Honestly, if you’re trying to prevent the flu, there’s just not evidence that spraying everything with disinfectant is going to make any difference,” says Christine Hay, MD, assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Why is that? “Outside of the body, the flu is a really wimpy virus,” Hays says. Other flu experts agree. “There may be some transmission of flu through things like tabletops and doorknobs, but it plays a very minimal role,” says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine in Nashville. … There have been studies of how long significant amounts of flu germs can survive on surfaces. Estimates range from a few minutes up to 24 hours, depending on the type of surface. (It lives longest on hard surfaces.) While 24 hours seems like a long time, experts downplay the significance. “I’ve looked at the data, and there just isn’t good evidence that environmental surfaces have a significant role in the transmission of the virus,” says Trish M. Perl, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. Instead, the flu seems to depend more on direct transmission from an infected person. … If you’ve got the urge to clean away flu germs, the best place to start is with your hands. “Covering your mouth and washing your hands are the two most important ways to stop the spread of the flu,” Perl tells WebMD. What should you wash with? You might assume that antibacterial soap would be preferable, but that’s the not the case. First of all, flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Second, any type of soap will do. “Time and thoroughness are what matters when it comes to washing your hands,” says Schaffner. “Not the type of soap.” It’s the scrubbing that counts. You’re not killing the virus with soap so much as dislodging it from your skin and sending it down the sink drain. The CDC recommends that you wash your hands for the length of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, about 15 to 20 seconds. Schaffner says that while 30 seconds would be ideal, he admits that this isn’t always possible. … the three most important things you can do to keep flu germs out of your life. • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer. • Cover your mouth when you cough, preferably with something other than your hand. • Get the flu vaccine every year. “
Lack of sleep 'raises cold risk' “The less an individual slept, the more likely they were to develop a cold. The quality of sleep also appeared to be important. Volunteers who spent less than 92% of their time in bed asleep were five-and-a-half times more likely to become ill than those who were asleep for at least 98% of their time in bed. The researchers believe that lack of quality sleep disturbs regulation of key chemicals produced by the immune system to fight infection. Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at the University of Cardiff, said sleep and the immune system were closely linked. He said: "The immune system may control the sleep-wake pattern and lack of sleep or sleep disturbance may depress the immune response to infection. “
Lung cancers 'to drop by fifth' “Researchers said measures such as the smoking ban meant the number of smokers would continue to fall. But they warned the ageing population meant the number living with the disease could actually increase. Lung cancer mostly strikes older age groups due to the delay between smoking and the onset of the disease. “
Meta-Analysis Supports Heart-Health Benefits From a Mediterranean Diet “Strong evidence supports the protective effect of a Mediterranean diet on risk of CHD, and overall diet pattern appears more important than individual foods [1]. These findings, from a review of close to 200 studies, are published in the April 13, 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. "We found strong evidence that a 'Western' diet--which is high in processed meats, red meats, butter, eggs, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products--is associated with an increased risk of CAD, so we could say [to patients]: 'You should consume less of those types of foods and gravitate more toward a "prudent" diet or a Mediterranean diet, which are both high in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish,' " senior author Dr Sonia Anand (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON) told heartwire. Although this message is not really new, what is new is the way that this review assessed the strength of the evidence, she noted. The study also found strong evidence of increased CHD risk from consuming trans-fatty acids and foods with a high glycemic index such as white potatoes, sugar, white rice, and white bread. … Concurring with the study authors, he noted: "Overall, the dietary pattern is what needs to be emphasized. It's not a matter of good foods and bad foods. It's what the overall quality of the diet is. The Western pattern is high in saturated fat, trans-fat, and cholesterol, whereas a Mediterranean diet and 'prudent' diet include more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and there is more fish consumption."”
Mexico Swine Flu Epidemic Worries World “Mexico's deadly swine flu outbreak is caused by the same virus identified in the U.S., says CDC Acting Director Richard Besser, MD. The CDC is analyzing 14 virus samples sent from Mexico. Seven of them, the CDC learned today, are very similar to the unusual swine flu strain isolated from U.S. patients. … Alarmingly, the flu outbreak in Mexico is striking healthy young people -- a pattern that would be expected if a flu virus new to humans emerged. "Because these cases are not happening in the very old or the very young, which happens with seasonal influenza, this is an unusual event and a cause for heightened concern," Hartl said in a CBC interview.“
New Supplement May Help Slow Sight Loss In Elderly “As the macula of the eye is very rich in antioxidants the researchers wanted to see if a supplement called CARMA (Caroteneoids and Co-antioxidants in Age-related Maculopathy) containing the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin could help slow down AMD. The supplement also contained vitamins C,E and Zinc, which had been used in a previous study. The latest study showed that intake of high levels of both carotenoids preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early AMD to late AMD.”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Progression Of Age-related Macular Degeneration “Eating two to three servings of fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, shellfish, and herring every week would achieve the recommended daily intake of DHA and EPA. However, the majority of AREDS participants and Americans eat a much lower level than recommended. "If changing dietary habits is not easy, supplementation is an option," says Chiu. The authors stress it is still premature to conclude dietary recommendations for people with AMD and more studies are warranted. "Taken together, these data indicate that consuming a diet with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and low-GI foods may delay compromised vision due to AMD," says Taylor. "The present study adds the possibility that the timing of a dietary intervention as well as the combination of nutrients recommended may be important." AMD is a progressive disease that attacks central vision, resulting in a gradual loss of eyesight and, in some cases, blindness. The NEI reports that AMD is the most common causes of non-remediable vision loss in Americans over 60.”
Omega-3s help stave off age-related vision loss “People who consumed the largest amounts of the two main dietary types of omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- were about 30 percent less likely to develop either wet or dry AMD than people with the lowest intake, the researchers found.”
One In Four Nursing Home Residents Carry MRSA, UK Study Suggests “Twenty-four per cent of residents and 7 per cent of staff were found to be colonised with MRSA, meaning they were carrying the bacteria but not necessarily showing signs of infection or illness.”
Pet Therapy Dogs May Carry MRSA And Clostridium Difficile Between Patients “University of Guelph in Canada researchers investigated whether MRSA and C.difficile could be passed between pet therapy dogs and patients. The findings suggested that MRSA and C. difficile may have been transferred to the fur and paws of these canine visitors through patients handling or kissing the dogs, or through exposure to a contaminated healthcare environment.”
Preventing Colds May Be As Easy As Vitamin ZZZ “Cold symptoms like congestion and sore throat are caused by the body's fight against a virus, rather than the virus itself, Cohen said. People whose bodies make the perfect amount of infection-fighting proteins called cytokines will not even know they are fighting a virus. But if their bodies make too many, they feel sick. Sleep may fine-tune the body's immune response, Cohen said, helping regulate the perfect response. Prior research has tied lack of sleep to greater risk of weight gain, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes. “
Protect Against Colds With Exercise “David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, says that multiple studies have shown a 25- to 50-percent decrease in sick time for active people completing at least 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking) most days of the week. "This reduction in illness far exceeds anything a drug or pill can offer," Nieman said. "All is takes is a pair of walking shoes to help prevent becoming one of the thousands predicted to suffer from the common cold this winter."”
Researchers Find Possible Environmental Causes For Alzheimer's, Diabetes “They found strong parallels between age adjusted increases in death rate from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes and the progressive increases in human exposure to nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines through processed and preserved foods as well as fertilizers. Other diseases including HIV-AIDS, cerebrovascular disease, and leukemia did not exhibit those trends. De la Monte and the authors propose that the increase in exposure plays a critical role in the cause, development and effects of the pandemic of these insulin-resistant diseases.”
Rethinking Daily Exercise: Less Regular, High-Intensity Intervals May Be Best Bet for Metabolic Syndrome “According to the Norwegian investigators who tested two different exercise regimens, high-intensity exercise actually reversed most of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome; after just 16 weeks of the exercise program, almost half the patients enrolled in this arm of the trial no longer had metabolic syndrome, without making any changes to their diets. Less impressive gains were seen with consistent, moderate exercise.”
Science Suggests Access To Nature Is Essential To Human Health “Elderly adults tend to live longer if their homes are near a park or other green space, regardless of their social or economic status. College students do better on cognitive tests when their dorm windows view natural settings. Children with ADHD have fewer symptoms after outdoor activities in lush environments. Residents of public housing complexes report better family interactions when they live near trees.”
Sick House, Suffering Family “But over the next year, they noticed a pattern: The more they were out of the house, the better they felt. After doing some detective work, they discovered that the source of their pain was the place they called home. Shoddy construction and unmended leaks had let moisture in, allowing toxin-producing mold to grow and spread through the three-story house, the Mengs said. A Loudoun jury recently awarded the family $4.75 million, among the largest awards in a mold case in Virginia. “
Soap and Water Hand Washing Superior to Alcohol-Based Rubs in Reducing Presence of Influenza A
Smokers Double Their Risk for Heart Disease “Researchers followed 12,152 American and European male and female smokers, formers smokers and nonsmokers for three years. During that time, current smokers were 4.16 times more likely to die of cancer , 2.26 times more likely to die of heart disease and 2.58 times more likely to die from any cause than were former or nonsmokers. Current smokers were also more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.”
Smokers Inhaling Germs With Each Cigarette “The researchers found hundreds of types of bacteria in the cigarettes, including some that cause respiratory disease, lung and blood infections, foodborne illness, as well as infections that people get when they're in the hospital.”
Surgical Mask May Be Comparable to N95 Respirator in Halting Flu Transmission
Swine Flu Can Move Quickly to Severe Illness "These people were not just a little bit ill. They were spectacularly ill," said Dr. Anand Kumar, the Canadian lead author of one of the JAMA studies. "To see 40 patients like this simultaneously in the ICU, all struggling for their lives, all in the space of a few weeks -- that's really unusual." "Without preparation, there would be some chance that some areas would be overwhelmed," Kumar said. "As long as we prepare, it should be handled." “
Swine Flu Data 'Very Consistent' With Early Stages Of A Pandemic
Swine flu has killed 36 U.S. children so far: CDC “"In two-thirds of those, the child had at least one severe underlying illness or underlying disability ... cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, long-standing respiratory or cardiac problems," CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden told reporters in a telephone briefing. "There were some children who didn't have an underlying condition and who did become severely ill, and they were generally infected also by bacteria," Frieden added. "When you get the flu, your immune system can be a little weakened. You can be more susceptible to other infections. That's an important message for doctors to know that if someone has the flu, they get better, then they get worse again with high fever, that's a clue that maybe they should be treated with antibiotics." “
Swine Flu May Stress ICUs This Winter “Among ICU patients with swine flu the death rate was 16%. That's the same death rate as Australian hospitals see in ICU patients with seasonal flu. But with seasonal flu, most patients with severe disease are elderly. Most patients with severe H1N1 swine flu were infants under age 12 months or adults 25 to 64. In Australia and New Zealand, swine flu behaves very much as it does in the U.S. and elsewhere. About 30% of those with severe disease have no underlying condition. But the majority of severe cases are among people with underlying conditions. In Australia and New Zealand, a disproportionate number of patients were pregnant, had chronic lung disease, or were morbidly obese. Indigenous populations were also disproportionately likely to be admitted to the ICU with swine flu.”
Swine Flu One Step Closer to Pandemic “Swine flu has pushed the World Health Organization to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 5, which means that a pandemic is imminent. It's the second time in a week that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level, which ranges from phase 1 (low risk of a pandemic) to phase 6 (a full-blown pandemic is under way). “
Tests Show More Swine Flu Immunity in Older Folks “Scientists think it's because older people have been exposed to other viruses in the past that are more similar to swine flu than more recent seasonal flus. But the results come from complicated lab work and calculations, and it's not yet clear how safe older people actually are from the new infection, federal officials said. "We can't say," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So older people are advised to take the same precautions as their children and grandchildren. “
To Protect Yourself, Wash Those Germs Away
Top Medical Stories of 2008 (as chosen by the editors of Journal Watch.)
'Too early' to say flu virus mild “It is too early to assume the swine flu outbreak is a mild infection just because no-one in the UK has died, England's chief medical officer says. Sir Liam Donaldson warned against complacency because flu viruses could change character "very rapidly". “
Underweight and extremely obese die earlier than people of normal weight, study finds “"It's not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying, but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage," said David Feeny, PhD, coauthor of the study and senior investigator for the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. "It may be that a few extra pounds actually protect older people as their health declines, but that doesn't mean that people in the normal weight range should try to put on a few pounds," said Mark Kaplan, DrPH, coauthor and Professor of Community Health at Portland State University. "Our study only looked at mortality, not at quality of life, and there are many negative health consequences associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes." “
Using food to battle inflammation “"[Chronic inflammation] is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition. "It's a new concept for medicine." The point of an anti-inflammation diet is not to lose weight, although it is not uncommon for its followers to shed pounds. The goal: combat what proponents call "chronic silent inflammation" in the body, the result of an immune system that doesn't know when to shut off. The theory goes that long after the invading bacteria or viruses from some infection are gone, the body's defenses remain active. The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and cancer. In general terms, following an anti-inflammatory diet means increasing intake of foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Antioxidants reduce the activity of tissue-damaging free radicals at sites of inflammation.) The diet includes vegetables, whole grains, nuts, oily fish, protein sources, spices such as ginger and turmeric and brightly colored fruits such as blueberries, cherries and pomegranates. Foods that promote inflammation -- saturated fats, trans fats, corn and soybean oil, refined carbohydrates, sugars, red meat and dairy -- are reduced or eliminated.”
U.S. Steps Up Alert as More Swine Flu Is Found “The United States declared a "public health emergency" yesterday as countries from New Zealand to Scotland investigated suspected cases of illness that they feared might be a strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, the United States and Canada.”
U.S. swine flu cases top 21,000 as deaths rise “America's count of swine flu cases has risen to 21,449 cases and the number of deaths have nearly doubled to 87. The continued spread signals the new strain of H1N1 flu is causing “something different” to happen in the United States this year — perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. … Figures provided by the global body show Argentina, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Philippines and Thailand all reported a large rise in cases. A total of 93 countries had reported cases to WHO by Friday. In the U.S., Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas were the states with the most reported illnesses, and the Illinois count rose more than 500 since the last report. But CDC officials say much of the most recent flu activity has been in the Northeast. A quarter of the new deaths were in New York. An unusually cool late spring may be helping keep the infection going in the U.S. Northeast, especially densely populated areas in New York and Massachusetts, the CDC officials said.”
Vegetarian Diets Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases, American Dietetic Association Says “The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.”
Vegetarian Diets May Protect Against Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes
Vigorous Exercise May Help Prevent Vision Loss “Vigorous exercise may help prevent vision loss, according to a pair of studies from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The studies tracked approximately 41,000 runners for more than seven years, and found that running reduced the risk of both cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.”
Vitamin D useful in fighting a cold: Study “Vitamin D levels vary widely in the population. Fair-skinned people in sunny regions tend to have the most; dark-skinned people who don't get much sun exposure have the least. Study participants with the lowest vitamin D blood levels — under 10 nanograms per millilitre of blood — were about 40 per cent more likely to report recent colds or flu than those with vitamin D levels above 30 nanograms. That's not proof of cause and effect, but the study authors say it's a strong "association," or scientific connection. This association showed up all seasons of the year. It was strongest among study volunteers with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema. Asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection, while COPD patients had twice as many respiratory infections when they had a vitamin D deficiency.”
WHO chief says world should prepare for severe flu “Countries should be ready for more serious H1N1 flu infections and more deaths from the newly discovered virus, World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan said on Friday. The highly contagious strain must be closely monitored in parts of Asia, Africa and South America where the winter season is beginning in case it mixes with seasonal flu and mutates in "unpredictable ways," Chan told the closing session of her United Nations agency's annual congress. "In cases where the H1N1 virus is widespread and circulating within the general community, countries must expect to see more cases of severe and fatal infections," she said. "We do not at present expect this to be a sudden and dramatic jump in severe illness and deaths." “
WHO Issues Guidelines for Antiviral Treatment of H1N1 and Other Influenza
WHO raises flu pandemic to highest level “The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic Thursday — the first global flu epidemic in 41 years — as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere. In a statement sent to member countries, WHO said it decided to raise the pandemic warning level from phase 5 to 6 — its highest alert — after holding an emergency meeting on swine flu with its experts. The long-awaited pandemic decision is scientific confirmation that a new flu virus has emerged and is quickly circling the globe. It will trigger drugmakers to speed up production of a swine flu vaccine and prompt governments to devote more money toward efforts to contain the virus. “
WHO raises swine flu alert level “The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level over swine flu from three to four - two steps short of declaring a full pandemic. WHO Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said it signalled a "significant step towards pandemic influenza", but added "we are not there yet". Mexico earlier said it believed 149 people had now died from the swine flu outbreak - only 20 cases are confirmed. Other, milder, cases are confirmed in the US, Canada, Spain and Britain. The WHO's decision to raise the alert level to four came after an emergency meeting of experts, brought forward by a day because of concerns over the outbreak. “
Why You Must Protect Your Knees
World 'well prepared' for virus “As the UN warned the outbreak might become a pandemic, Dr Keiji Fukuda said years of preparing for bird flu had boosted world stocks of anti-virals. Canada is the latest country to confirm cases after as many as 81 deaths in Mexico and 20 cases in the US. Washington has warned the flu may yet claim American lives. "I do fear that we will have deaths," Dr Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters. Eight cases have been confirmed among New York students, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio. Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms. There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of flu but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication. “
ARTICLES:
2009 H1N1 Influenza -- Just the Facts: Detection and Disease Prevention
2009 H1N1 Influenza -- Just the Facts: Vaccine Essentials
6 Surprisingly Dirty Places in Your Home
11 Tips for Living With Chronic Pain
Anatomy of a Sore Throat Pictures Slideshow: Distinguish Common Sore Throat From Strep
Bathroom Germs You Really Can Catch
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Manifestations and Management: Slideshow
C-Reactive Protein - What's All The Hype About?
Guys -- Start Protecting Your Brain Now!
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
Mosquito-Free Naturally “Duke University research shows that regular use of chemical repellents like DEET may damage brain cells and interact with medications. The pharmacologist conducting the study observed brain cell death and behavioral changes in animals exposed to DEET after frequent and prolonged use. Another study showed that up to fifteen percent of DEET is absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream.”
MRSA Picture Slideshow: A Collection of Photos on MRSA
NEJM/Journal Watch H1N1 Influenza Center
NGC - Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2009. (2009)
Prevent Clostridium difficile Infection
Swine Flu (Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus)
Swine Flu: 10 Things Not to Do
The 5 Most Common Kitchen Mistakes
The Best Non-toxic Ways to Clean Your Home
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases: Slideshow
What Your Skin Says About Your Health Slideshow
Wipe out the 10 worst germ hot spots “That metal aeration screen at the end of your kitchen faucet reduces water flow, which is good for the environment, but not so much for your health: Running water keeps the screen moist, an ideal condition for bacteria growth. Because tap water is far from sterile, if you accidentally touch the screen with dirty fingers or food, bacteria can grow on the faucet, explains microbiologist Kelly Reynolds, PhD, an associate professor of community environment and policy at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. Over time, bacteria build up and form a wall of pathogens called biofilm that sticks to the screen. "Eventually, that biofilm may even be big enough to break off and get onto your food or dishes," she notes. … The garbage disposal That raw chicken or spinach you're rinsing for dinner is often loaded with harmful bacteria, which can make the young, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system seriously ill. In fact, there are often more than 500,000 bacteria in the kitchen sink — about 1,000 times more than the average toilet has. Although the metal part of the disposal produces ions that can help kill germs, they still love to grow on the crevices in and around the slimy rubber stopper. That means your disposal can become party central for bacteria, contaminating whatever touches it — dishes, utensils, even your hands. … In tests of 100 vehicles from across the United States, the dashboard was found to be the second-most-common spot for bacteria and mold. (Food spills were number one.) The researchers' rationale: When air — which carries mold spores and bacteria — gets sucked in through the vents, it's often drawn to the dashboard, where it can deposit the spores and germs. Because the dashboard receives the most sun and tends to stay warm, it's prime for growth. … Soap that harbors bacteria may sound ironic, but one recent study found that about 25 percent of liquid soap dispensers in public restrooms were contaminated by fecal bacteria. "Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grows as the soap scum builds up," says Gerba. "And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture going on feeding millions of bacteria. … It's the rare eatery that regularly bleaches down condiment containers. And the reality is that many people don't wash their hands before eating, says Reynolds. So while you may be diligent, the guy who poured the ketchup before you may not have been, which means his germs are now on your fries. …”
Your Bathroom May Be a Danger Zone
Your Garage May Be a Danger Zone
JOURNAL ARTICLES:
A Case of Ascending Paralysis: the Signs and Symptoms of Tick Paralysis (American Academy of Emergency Medicine. 2009)
Association Between Periodontal Disease and Metabolic Syndrome. (J Public Health Dent. 2009)
Contact With Beach Sand Among Beachgoers and Risk of Illness. (Am J Epidemiol. 2009) “Although evidence shows that beach sand can harbor high concentrations of fecal indicator organisms, as well as fecal pathogens, illness risk associated with beach sand contact is not well understood. … Sand contact activities were associated with enteric illness at beach sites. Variation in beach-specific results suggests that site-specific factors may be important in the risk of illness following sand exposure.”
Cranberry and urinary tract infections. (Drugs. 2009)
Cranberry juice for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized controlled trial in children. (Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2009) “Conclusion. These data suggest that daily consumption of concentrated cranberry juice can significantly prevent the recurrence of symptomatic UTIs in children.”
Daily intake of green and yellow vegetables is effective for maintaining bone mass in young women. (Tohoku J Exp Med. 2009)
Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptoms in adults. (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009) “CONCLUSION: People who clean their homes with hypochlorite bleach are less likely to be atopic but more likely to have respiratory symptoms.”
Effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on experimental periodontitis in the mouse. (J Periodontal Res. 2009) “Conclusion: Alveolar bone loss was inversely related to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid tissue levels. In conclusion, fish oil dietary supplementation may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the prevention and/or adjunctive management of periodontitis.”
Evolution of the human diet: linking our ancestral diet to modern functional foods as a means of chronic disease prevention. (J Med Food. 2009) “The evolution of the human diet over the past 10,000 years from a Paleolithic diet to our current modern pattern of intake has resulted in profound changes in feeding behavior. Shifts have occurred from diets high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood to processed foods high in sodium and hydrogenated fats and low in fiber. These dietary changes have adversely affected dietary parameters known to be related to health, resulting in an increase in obesity and chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. Some intervention trials using Paleolithic dietary patterns have shown promising results with favorable changes in CVD and diabetes risk factors. However, such benefits may be offset by disadvantages of the Paleolithic diet, which is low in vitamin D and calcium and high in fish potentially containing environmental toxins. More advantageous would be promotion of foods and food ingredients from our ancestral era that have been shown to possess health benefits in the form of functional foods. Many studies have investigated the health benefits of various functional food ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, fiber, and plant sterols.”
Exercise as a mean to control low-grade systemic inflammation. (Mediators Inflamm. 2008 (Epub 2009)) “Chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), which include cardiovascular disease, some cancers, for example, colon cancer, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes, are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. It has now become clear that low-grade chronic inflammation is a key player in the pathogenesis of most CNCDs. Given that regular exercise offers protection against all causes of mortality, primarily by protection against atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, we suggest that exercise may exert some of its beneficial health effects by inducing anti-inflammatory actions. Recently, IL-6 was introduced as the first myokine, defined as a cytokine, which is produced and released by contracting skeletal muscle fibres, exerting its effects in other organs of the body. We suggest that skeletal muscle is an endocrine organ and that myokines may be involved in mediating the beneficial effects against CNCDs associated with low-grade inflammation.”
Nitrosamine Exposure Causes Insulin Resistance Diseases: Relevance to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, and Alzheimer's Disease. (J Alzheimers Dis. 2009) “In conclusion, environmental and food contaminant exposures to nitrosamines play critical roles in the pathogenesis of major insulin resistance diseases including T2DM, NASH, and AD. Improved detection and prevention of human exposures to nitrosamines will lead to earlier treatments and eventual quelling of these costly and devastating epidemics.”
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the common cold. (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009)
Prevention of insulin resistance by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. (Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009)
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule --- United States, 2009 (MMWR 2009)
Swine flu: How serious is the global threat? “Swine flu is one of the many type A influenza viruses. It's unusual for humans to catch swine flu, but occasional cases occur, usually in people who have contact with infected pigs. Like other flu viruses, the swine flu virus changes its DNA as it spreads, giving rise to a number of subtypes. Health officials around the world are concerned about the current swine flu outbreak because: • It's caused by a new strain of swine flu virus, which means humans haven't had a chance to develop antibodies that could be used to make a vaccine. The new strain is a variant of a recognized swine flu virus — swine influenza virus H1N1. The new form contains DNA sequences from human and avian influenza viruses, as well as from other strains of swine influenza. …”
Vitamin E intake, -tocopherol status, and pancreatic cancer in a cohort of male smokers (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009) “Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that higher -tocopherol concentrations may play a protective role in pancreatic carcinogenesis in male smokers. “
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