Month: June 2014

29 Million in US Have Diabetes, CDC Says

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More than 29 million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes, and a quarter of them do not know they have it, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another 86 million adults, or more than one in three people, have prediabetes, meaning they have abnormally high blood sugar levels, according to the report. Without weight loss and physical activity to reduce blood sugar levels, 15 percent to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop diabetes within five years, the CDC said.

The new report used data from 2012. The CDC’s previous estimates were based on data from 2010, and suggested that 26 million people in the United States had diabetes, and that 79 million more had prediabetes.

“If these numbers continue to rise, 1 in 5 people could have diabetes by the year 2025, and it could be 1 in 3 people by the year 2050,” said Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “We simply can’t sustain this trajectory. The implications are far too great, for our families, our healthcare system, our workforce, our nation.”

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of toes, feet or legs. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC.

People who are overweight or who have a family member with diabetes face a higher risk for developing the condition. Healthy eating and exercising can reduce the risk. For people who have diabetes, treatments include physical activity, changes in diet, and insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels

“We know today that adopting a healthier lifestyle is the most effective way to prevent type 2 diabetes and improve health for people already diagnosed with diabetes,” Albright said. “It’s critical that people learn ways to change their own health behaviors.”

The new report showed that 1.7 million people were newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2012.

Black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native adults are about twice as likely to have diabetes as are white adults, according to the report. However, for prediabetes, the percentage of U.S. adults with the condition is similar for whites (35 percent), blacks (39 percent) and Hispanics (38 percent).

The CDC recommends people ages 45 and older consider getting tested for diabetes, especially if they are overweight

Prediabetes usually has no symptoms, and is defined by blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. Studies suggest people with prediabetes can control their blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes by exercising, eating a healthy diet and losing excess weight.

“The sooner people find out they have prediabetes and take action, the better their chances of preventing type 2 diabetes,” Albright said.

Source: yahoo news

Twin boys delivered 24 days apart in Boston

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A set of twins in Boston has beaten all odds by being born 24 days apart in a rare, lifesaving delayed delivery procedure.

Lindalva Pinheiro da Silva has spoken out about the technique doctors resorted to in the hope they could save one twin when the first was born at only 24 weeks after she went into premature labor in February.

Miraculously, both twins managed to survive and, despite one being nearly a month older than the other, are recovering well. ‘One twin was born in winter, and one was born in spring,’ da Silva, 35, gushed to the Boston Globe.

Alexandre and Ronaldo were to be her first children with Ronaldo Antunes, 40, and she was thrilled to be pregnant with twins. But when her water broke in February, the excitement turned to fear.

‘I panicked,’ da Silva told. ‘It wasn’t time. It was too early. I knew I could lose the babies.’ Around 50 percent of babies born at the 24 week mark don’t survive.

When potassium sulfate injections failed to stop da Silva’s labor, doctors decided to go forward with a rare technique in which one baby is kept in the womb after its twin is born.

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‘When you have a situation where one baby is born and labor stops, you are given this window of opportunity,’ Dr. Steven Ralston, director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, told the Globe. ‘But it’s a rare window. Most times, labor does not stop.’

Thankfully, after Alexendre was born at just 1 pound, 10 ounces, it did happen.

Doctors stopped da Silva’s labor and left the delivered child’s umbilical cord and placenta inside da Silva’s womb.

‘On the second day after Alexandre was born, his umbilical cord came out,’ da Silva . Her husband Ronaldo ‘saw it hanging.’

‘But they just cleaned it and put it back inside,’ she said. Da Silva was given antibiotics to combat infection, which can be common after the procedure. However, unlike many mothers, da Silva was fortunate not to require her cervix to be stitched up to keep the baby from coming.

For the next three weeks, da Silva remained in the hospital, where she was able to visit Alexendre in the neonatal unit. ‘I would sing to him and touch him,’ she recalled. Then, 24 days after his brother was born, Ronaldo came at a much more robust 3 pounds, 3 ounces.

‘That time made a crazy difference,’ da Silva said of the three-plus weeks between births. ‘He was born like a regular baby. He didn’t need a breathing tube or anything.’ The boys remain in the hospital growing stronger. Now they each weigh over six pounds each.

Doctors say they’ll likly be able to go home by their original due date of June 18. ‘They’re my miracle babies,’ gushed da Silva. ‘Ronaldo because he stayed inside, and Alexandre because he’s a survivor.
Source: daily mail

Want to protect your kids from obesity? Get enough sleep

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If you wish to protect your kids from obesity, make sure you get enough sleep on a daily basis as a study has shown that a parent’s sleep has an effect on the likelihood that their children will be overweight or obese.

More parental sleep is related to more child sleep, which is related to decreased child obesity, the findings showed.

“We viewed how long parents slept and how long children slept as part of a household routine and found that they really did go together,” said Barbara Fiese from University of Illinois in the US.

In the study, socioeconomic characteristics were assessed in relation to protective routines and prevalence of being obese or overweight for 337 preschool children and their parents.

The routines assessed in parents included adequate sleep (over seven hours) and family mealtime routine.

The four protective routines assessed in children were adequate sleep (10 or more hours per night), family mealtime routine, limiting screen-viewing time to less than two hours a day, and not having a bedroom TV.

The only significant individual protective factor against obesity or overweight in children was getting adequate sleep.

Children who did not get enough sleep had a greater risk for being overweight than children who engaged in at least three of the protective routines regularly, even after controlling for parents’ BMI (body mass index) and socio-demographic characteristics, Fiese said.

But the researchers also learned that the number of hours a parent sleeps is related to how much sleep children are getting.

The study appeared in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

Source: samachar

Five simple steps for feather soft hands

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Get a compliment on your next handshake!

Step 1- If you have sensitive skin use a gentle scrub, else you can opt for a normal one. Dab it on your skin with a few drops of water, rub it and massage it well in circular motion. Then wash your hands in lukewarm water.

Step 2- Apply deep moisturising cream and massage well.

Step 3- Use cotton gloves or simply wrap your hands with a cotton handkerchief and keep it on till morning.

Step 4- In the morning, wash your hands with a gentle handwash/facewash and pat dry.

Step 5- Apply a light moisturising lotion and feel the difference!

Source: Zee news

Mobile phones could make men infertile

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Men, who keep a mobile phone in their trouser pocket, could be affected with male fertility, according to a new study led by the University of Exeter.

A team led by Dr Fiona Mathews, of Biosciences at the University of Exeter, conducted a systematic review of the findings from ten studies, including 1,492 samples, with the aim of clarifying the potential role of this environmental exposure. The researchers found that this proportion fell by an average of 8 percentage points when there was exposure to mobile phones and similar effects were seen for sperm viability. The effects on sperm concentration were less clear. Dr. Mathews said that given the massive scale of mobile phone use around the world, the potential role of this environmental exposure needs to be clarified. Dr. Mathews asserted that this study strongly suggested that being exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation from carrying mobiles in trouser pockets negatively affects sperm quality.

The study is published in the journal Environment International.

Source: Times of India

Study Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Texila American University

mmsc

A unique program which helps to attain the Masters in a span of ONE year. Students with basic Medical Education is inducted into this program.

Eligibility:

  • Bachelors Degree in Medicine.
  • Registered with the respective Medical Council of India or the State Medical Council.

Salient Features

  • Students will be able to procure a world class Master’s degree in a span of one year.
  • Work in hospitals or attend hospitals/clinics to acquire necessary clinical skills.
  • Students have the opportunity to attend CME programs to gain more credits.
  • Students are exposed to Article Reviews and Publications to understand the contemporary innovation and research in the concerned specialty.
  • Support to students by giving access to e-books of the concerned specialty.
  • Weekly MCQ’s assessment are given, which would facilitate continuous learning.
  • Q and A Session to facilitate student faculty interaction
  • The MMSc programs are also offered in the form of diplomas for the students to get benefitted in various aspects.

For more details register here: http://www.tauedu.org/fb/signup.html

Watch our MMSc Program Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly5pQPLTnO8

Education Quality Key to Bangladesh’s Goal to Become Middle Income Country

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Bangladesh needs to focus on high-quality learning, and strong foundational cognitive and behavioral skills from early childhood, says a new World Bank report “Seeding Fertile Ground: Education That Works for Bangladesh”.

The findings and recommendations of the report were discussed today at a national dialogue organized by the Campaign for Popular Organization (CAMPE). Today’s event was preceded by six divisional workshops. The report, which focuses on access and equity, quality and skills, was prepared under the guidance of two advisory groups drawn from the members of civil society, the government, academia, think-tanks and development partners in Bangladesh.

The report praises Bangladesh’s success in improving access to education and completion at all levels, despite daunting challenges. Bangladesh achieved gender equity in primary and secondary education well ahead of the 2015 Millennium Development Goal. About 76% of youth aged 15-19 completed primary education in 2010. Progress in education has paved the way for an increasing number of women to enter the labor market, bolstering the country’s manufacturing production.

“With more youth entering the working age population, Bangladesh is poised to benefit from a demographic dividend in the next 10 years,” said Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh. “To reap the benefits of demographic changes, Bangladesh will need policies that create higher-skilled jobs with higher wages. By improving education quality and skills development, the country can link its youth to productive employment in local or overseas job markets.”

Although the country has succeeded in expanding access to education, learning is currently low and unequal. Only a limited number of students remain competent in their respective grades. An assessment of literacy and numeracy at grade 5 indicates that only 25 percent of grade 5 students master Bangla competencies, and only 33 percent master Mathematics. Students with low levels of learning at lower grades are most at risk for dropping out and are most likely to join the informal labor market.

An important determinant of learning within the school is the quality of the teachers. Studies show that many teachers lack adequate training and career progression opportunities. Lack of knowledge about subjects and overemphasis on rote-learning than encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving skills further affects students’ learning.

Bangladesh’s current momentum in improving education can be harnessed for greater advances, states the report. Understanding the complexity and interrelated nature of education quality, skills development, and the labor market will aid in policy planning. The country needs to shift and strengthen the focus on education relevant to the labor market and on the quality of education.

In both the formal and informal labor markets, possessing strong cognitive skills, along with positive behavioral skills, can lead to better jobs and career advancement. Improving skills and productivity are crucial for Bangladesh to achieve middle income status. Currently, most of the labor force is in informal sector and possess low levels of education – 96 percent of workers have up to a secondary education, and less than 5 percent of the workforce has a tertiary education.

The report emphasizes that skill development is incremental, cumulative and transformational. A good skills-development policy recognizes that skills are not built at a certain time in an individual’s life – skills development is an incremental and lifelong process, acquired through formal and non-formal education, from pre-primary through higher education, networks, jobs, and other means.

Source: The world bank

Avoid menopause induced bone loss and disease

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Unfortunately, conventional medicine has done a poor job helping women to avoid the health risks associated with menopause. Just to be clear – an excessive loss of hormones will cause a loss of energy, muscle mass, bone strength, cognitive function and memory. With an estimated 6,000 women per day, in the United States alone, reaching menopause – this health issue should not be ignored.

Conventionally speaking, menopause ‘officially’ begins 12 months after a woman’s final menstrual period and is connected to a huge drop in estrogen levels. This dramatic drop in estrogen can produce a wide variety of symptoms like, hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, joint pains, plus sleep disorders and mood swings. These menopausal symptoms are early warning signs of disease and should not be ignored. So, let’s focus on some natural solutions.

Related news:  6 tips for eating healthy during Menopause

According to a study conducted by researchers at Brown University, and published in The Obstetrician and Gynecologist (TOG), ‘physicians should recommend herbal medicines and complementary therapies to women seeking relief from the symptoms of menopause.’ Dong quai or “female ginseng”, red clover and black cohosh are three widely-used herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. These herbs contain plant compounds which mimic estrogen.

Phytoestrogens – found in sesame and flax seeds, red clover tea and fermented soy products like, tempeh, miso and natto contain high amounts of plant-based estrogens called isoflavones – which can provide natural relief for women with menopause symptoms. In a study performed at The University of Naples, Italy – in 2005 – it was discovered that isoflavones were effective in reducing hot flashes and relieving vaginal dryness during menopause. Their recommendation is 45 grams per day.

Related news:  Avoid Confusing Thyroid Symptoms With Menopause

Can homeopathy help women with menopause? In some cases, the answer is yes. For example, cimicifuga has been shown to help with night sweats, vaginal dryness, bleeding and mood swings. Lachesis tends to help women who feel warm to hot – all the time and may crave alcoholic beverages. Sepia is especially useful for women having difficulty with sexual intercourse, and felling chilly.

On the next NaturalNews Talk Hour, Jonathan Landsman and Dr. Daved Rosensweet will talk about how to avoid musculoskeletal deterioration, life-threatening hip fractures, depression plus much more.

Do bioidentical hormones increase the risk of a stroke?

According to a large study from France, published in an American Heart Association journal, bioidentical hormones do not raise the risk of stroke in menopausal women. In fact, following nearly 100,000 women, researchers reveal that women using estrogen patches and progesterone – in pill form – had a slightly lower risk of stroke compared to women not using any type of hormone replacement.   Doing yoga during menopause may help insomnia

Having said that, remember, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is not necessarily safer than any other drug therapy. To bring hormones back into balance – one must consider the nervous system (neurotransmitters) and all of the hormone levels from the pituitary and thyroid gland to the pancreas, adrenals and ovaries (last). Simply put, don’t take the ‘magic bullet’ approach toward health.

Obviously, if you’re suffering from hormonal imbalances and serious health issues, work with a qualified medical professional to improve all aspects of your life – physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Source: natural news

 

Tomato pill’ hope for stopping heart disease

'Tomato pill'

Taking a tomato pill a day could help keep heart disease at bay, say UK scientists who have carried out a small but robust study.

The trial, which tested the tomato pill versus a dummy drug in 72 adults, found it improved the functioning of blood vessels. But experts say more studies are needed to prove it really works. The pill contains lycopene, a natural antioxidant that also gives tomatoes their colour.

A daily ‘tomato pill’ is not a substitute for other treatments, but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication” Experts have suspected for some time that lycopene might be good for avoiding illnesses, including certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Related News:  Genetically engineered tomatoes could help improve cholesterol levels

There is some evidence that eating a Mediterranean-style diet, which is rich in tomatoes (as well as other fruit and vegetables and olive oil), is beneficial for health. Following a healthy diet is still advisable but scientists have been researching whether there is a way to put at least some of this good stuff into an easy-to-take pill.

'Tomato pill' 2

 

Tomato pill
A spin-off company from the University of Cambridge – Cambridge Theranostics (CTL) – has come up with its own “tomato pill”.

Working independently of CTL, and instead funded by the Wellcome Trust, the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute of Health Research, a team at Cambridge University set out to see if the pill would have the desired effect. They recruited 36 volunteers known to have heart disease and 36 “healthy” controls, who were all given a daily tablet to take, which was either the tomato pill or a placebo. To ensure a fairer trial, neither the volunteers nor the researchers were told what the tablets actually contained until after the two-month study had ended and the results were in.

Related News:  Enjoy the goodness of tomatoes

For comparison, the researchers measured something called forearm blood flow, which is predictive of future cardiovascular risk because narrowed blood vessels can lead to heart attack and stroke. In the heart disease patients, the tomato pill improved forearm blood flow significantly, while the placebo did not.

The supplement had no effect on blood pressure, arterial stiffness or levels of fats in the blood, however. A natural antioxidant – substances thought to protect the body’s cells from damage

Found in tomatoes, but also in apricots, watermelon and papaya as well as pink grapefruit Lycopene content varies according to the variety of tomato and how it is prepared eg. puree, ketchup, cooked or raw

It is unclear whether supplements would ever be able to replace the benefits of a varied diet

Source: bbc

4-year-old saves diabetic mother’s life

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A 4-12 months-previous Mason County child is being credited with saving a lifetime of his mother.

Shannon Jones, 28, was once clarification her Rectorville home usually newly when she suffered a low blood sugarine spell caused by kind 1 diabetes, a ongoing illness by that there are impassioned ranges of sugarine (glucose) within a blood on comment of a body’s inability to yield insulin.

Jones was once diagnosed as a diabetic when she was usually 4 years prior and has to keep an in abyss eye on her blood sugarine ranges. Related News: NY 5 year old girl, saves mom’s life

“I used to be unconditional a floor,” she settled of a occurrence progressing this week. “I had a raise of soil on it. that’s a final thing we unnecessary to say. we did not even comprehend my sugarine had forsaken so low. a regard will need to have contributed to it.”

Low blood sugarine can strengthen discerning in people with diabetes who’re holding insulin and, in impassioned cases, can lead to seizures and unconsciousness.
Jones mentioned since she used to be comatose her son, Bradley, found her and attempted to arise her.

“He mentioned he could not arise me up,” she said. “He attempted to feed me candy, though settled i would not open my mouth. When he could not get me to eat a candy, he went to his great-grandmother’s house, who lives successive door, after that to his uncle’s storage.”

whereas Bradley does now not though commend what numbers to dial on a cellphone, he does know what happens when his mother’s blood sugarine ranges bottom out, Jones stated.

Related News: 3-year-old cracks cellphone password, saves pregnant mom

“he is noticed it forward of,” she mentioned. “I’ve had close calls forward of, however this was once a primary time my son indispensable to be in charge. We’re nonetheless intent on a cellphone, however now we have taught him what contingency be executed if it occurs and we’re alone.”
Jones pronounced Bradley introduced a family behind to a home, where they famous as an ambulance to take her to a hospital.

“He was once revelation everybody — a domestic, a paramedics, a nurses, anyone who would compensate courtesy — that i wouldn’t arise adult and what they indispensable to do to support me,” she mentioned.
When a ambulance arrived, Bradley even went to get adult his 18-month prior sister, who was once holding a nap, to make certain she wasn’t left during a behind of.
“He wanted to make certain she wasn’t lost in all a commotion,” Bradley’s grandmother, Mindy Evans said.

Bradley concluded with his grandmother, display a bashful grin and pronouncing, “I saved my mommy’s life.”

“We’re indeed happy with him for it. he is a glorious child and he loves his mom,” Evans said.

Source: today news time