Poorwendy's blog: Health

Health

10/01/2012

How Lack of Sleep Directly Affects Your Metabolism

Have you ever wondered why there are so many cases of obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease among the people you work with and live around? In many cases, there are multiple reasons for this, including dietary issues, work stress, and a number of other factors, but there is a very high likelihood that those people may be suffering from such ailments because of one key reason: sleeplessness.

Indeed, the lack of sleep experienced by American citizens is one of the key debilitating factors squandering a great deal of the human resources that we need to function as a society. It is a consistent uphill battle under the veil of sleeplessness for each one of us whether we realize it or not; unfortunately, many people don’t realize they are lacking sleep. The greatest thanks for our mass sleeplessness can go to the concerted efforts of the industries offering sugary beverages, and the more recent energy drink frenzy that a high percentage of the populace consumes. The great, diverse variety of sugared drinks that the populace has the power to choose over natural, healthy alternatives is one of the greatest faults of the industry.

read more (click here): naturalsociety.com

Oct 1, 2012 2:39:12 PM | Health

08/25/2012

New rheumatoid arthritis pill tofacitinib backed by FDA panel - HealthPop - CBS News

A new rheumatoid arthritis drug considered to be the first of its kind got backed by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel Wednesday, putting the drug a step closer to hitting the market.

The panel of health advisers voted 8-2 in favor of Pfizer's tofacitinib for patients who have not responded to one or more other drugs, though they recommended follow-up studies to gauge the pill's long-term side effects.

The FDA is not required to follow the group's advice, though it often does; a final decision is expected in August. If approved, tofacitinib would be the first pill for rheumatoid arthritis from a new class of pain medications called JAK inhibitors. The drugs work by interfering with enzymes that contribute to the inflammation process that causes joint pain, particularly in the hands and feet.

via www.cbsnews.com

UPDATE: New drug tofacitinib brings hope to rheumatoid arthritis sufferers

A study reported today in the New England Journal of Medicine may provide hope for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers who have not responded to existing treatments such as methotrexate or the newer biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as Humira, Enbrel. Rituxan, Orencia and Remicade.A new oral medication developed by Pfizer and recommended for approval in May by the Arthritis Advisory Committee to the US FDA is one step closer to being approved for use in moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

If approved by the FDA, tofacitinib will be the first new oral DMARD approved in ten years. Unlike other DMARDs, which target inflammation generally from outside the cells such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, tofacitinib tackles the disease in a new way. It is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and targets hubs in the inflammatory cytokine network within the cell where it blocks the JAK3 enzyme preventing it from signalling to activate inflammatory immune responses.

UPDATE: Oral JAK Drug Succeeds in RA

The oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib provided symptomatic benefits and improved physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis even when given without methotrexate, two randomized phase III studies found.

In one trial, 59.8% of patients on a low dose of tofacitinib monotherapy and 65.7% of those receiving a higher dose achieved a 20% improvement at 3 months, compared with 26.7% of those given placebo (P<0.001), according to Roy Fleischmann, MD, of the Metroplex Clinical Research Center in Dallas, and colleagues.

The second study, in which patients were also taking methotrexate, found 20% responses at 6 months in 51.5% and 52.6% of the low- and high-dose tofacitinib groups, compared with 28.3% of those given placebo (P<0.001), according to Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, MD of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and colleagues.

Aug 25, 2012 11:51:40 AM | Health

08/04/2012

12 new swine flu cases prompt CDC warning on state fair safety - HealthPop - CBS News

(CBS/AP) An increase in swine flu cases has the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning Americans to be especially careful around state and county fairs this summer.

via www.cbsnews.com

"I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out under another, then under another Democrat president, Jimmy Carter. I'm not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it's an interesting coincidence." -- Rep. Michele Bachmann, on the 1976 Swine Flu outbreak that happened when Gerald Ford, a Republican, was president, April 28, 2009

UPDATE: Second Swine Flu Case Reported in Minnesota

MDH officials emphasized that they expect to continue seeing more cases of the illness, and that the virus has not become more virulent or more easily spread.

“We expect to continue seeing new cases of this illness, at least for a while,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Richard Danila, “However, we have not seen any change in the behavior of this virus. We have been actively looking for cases. We are recommending that clinicians ask patients about swine contact, and send clinical samples for patients with influenza symptoms.”

“Although people can get the virus from pigs, it isn’t easily passed from one person to another, and the illness has not been severe,” Danila said. “This latest flu patient did not require hospitalization.”

So far this year, nationwide, 277 cases of H3N2v influenza have been reported to CDC. Since July only 13 people have been hospitalized. All have since recovered.

“Flu should always be regarded as a serious illness,” Danila said. “However, the illness caused by this virus appears to be comparable to regular seasonal flu.”

The latest Minnesota case is the third to occur in a state resident who had visited a live animal market. Minnesota had previously recorded one confirmed and one probable case in children whose family had been to a live animal market.

UPDATE: New Swine flu research reveals flu can spread before any symptoms show

Flu and cold viruses are known to be carried in mucus droplets that spray out when a person coughs or sneezes.

But the latest research indicates that flu can be transmitted before any symptoms show.

The findings, from a study of ferrets, support earlier research suggesting that viral particles can be expelled into the air through normal breathing.

The strain used in the research was the same one that caused the 2009 swine flu pandemic which killed almost 300,000 people worldwide.

Lead researcher Professor Wendy Barclay, from Imperial College London, said: "This result has important implications for pandemic planning strategies. It means that the spread of flu is very difficult to control, even with self-diagnosis and measures such as temperature screens at airports.

"It also means that doctors and nurses who don't get the flu jab are putting their patients at risk because they might pass on an infection when they don't know they're infected."

Ferrets are often used in flu research because they are susceptible to the same virus strains as humans, and show similar symptoms.

The new study, reported in the online journal PLoS ONE, is the first to investigate non-symptomatic flu transmission in an animal.

UPDATE: Govt hospitals run short of syrup to cure swine flu

Fluvir syrup, used for treating swine flu infection in children below 12 years of age, is not available in the state government's supply chain. The shortage is causing hardships to people, especially from poor families.

"The syrup, which is essential for treating swine flu infection in children, is not available at civic-run and state government hospitals in Pune and Mumbai," said corporator Siddharth Dhende. He is also a doctor.

A two-year-old baby with swine flu could not get the syrup in Mumbai following which she was rushed to Pune for treatment on Wednesday.

"The family could not get the syrup even in private medical stores in Mumbai. Even in Pune, the syrup is not easily available at medical stores. The family had to run from pillar to post and at last found it at a medical store in Pune," Dhende said.

Aug 4, 2012 8:16:36 AM | Current Affairs, Health, Science

07/04/2012

How to take proper care of your feet

Just some tips I picked up to help with my feet problems.

1. BLISTERS

Footwear that pinch your feet, will provide you with blisters. You should not put on loose shoes either, since constant chaffing may also bring about blisters. To manage you, most important step just isn't to put on the same footwear for women. Also, begin using talcum powder and keep the blister dry while outdoors. Furthermore, administer an antiseptic lotion within the blister.

Photo credit: chispita_666 via Flickr CC

2. CORNS

One is likely to have corns in the same areas where one gets blisters. When the identical ill-fitting shoe will be used frequently, you'll develop corns. When this occurs, then change shoes or boots for better or change shoes or boots often. To eliminate corns, scrub with pumice.

3. SWEATY TOES

It may cause a great deal of complications. If you put on footwear, your toes could get sweaty and often acquire a peculiar odor. Several treatment for sweaty toes include avoiding completely closed footwear. Likewise, washing your feet with cold water often can certainly help. Plus the application of skin astringent about the soles of the feet may help.

4. ENLARGED VEINS

This typically happens when you have to face a lot and at times as a result of wearing quite high heels. Best way to cope with enlarged veins should be to steer clear of using very tight footwear. Relax the feet every so often during the day and do your better to keep your feet above your head.

Know what else can help with enlarged veins? Hot Booties, microwaveable shoes that will heat your feet. Very soothing too.

5. CRACKED HEELS

Not enough wetness and oil can cause this kind of problem. To handle cracked heels, rub the feet with glycerine and oil once a week. Also, use a good lotion on a daily basis.

Jul 4, 2012 12:12:16 AM | Health

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