Archive for April, 2009

WHO Swine Flu Update for April 28th

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a new swine flu update today. New countries confirming cases of A/H1N1 include Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Israel and Spain. There are suspected cases in several other countries.

The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 19:15 GMT, 28 April 2009, seven countries have officially reported cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 64 laboratory confirmed human cases, with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2).

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.

The WHO update also noted that there is no risk of infection from swine flu from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

The WHO’s swine flu page is located here. You can find links to swine flu resources here.

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Is there a Link between Smoking and Peptic Ulcer?

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Most people are familiar with the fact that smoking can raise the risk of some types of illness, like cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. But did you know that nicotine can negatively impact the digestive system as well? Studies have shown a link between smoking and peptic ulcer , heartburn and possibly even gallstones. This article will explore the relationship between smoking and peptic ulcer to see if one might lead to the other.

Helicobacter Pylori

Helicobacter pylori are bacteria that medical experts believe is a factor in many peptic ulcers. This bacterium is found in the digestive system of many people in the United States , up to 20% of those under 40 and more than half of those over 60. However, only a few infected with this bacteria will go on to develop an ulcer. H. pylori is thought to be found in some food and drinking water and it can also be passed from person to person through saliva. Smoking can increase the risk of becoming infected with H. pylori, which can be a factor in the link between smoking and peptic ulcer .

Digestive Acids

Stomach acid is another factor in the development of ulcers. When stomach acid enters the duodenum, it is neutralized by a substance called sodium bicarbonate, which is produced by the pancreas. Sodium bicarbonate ensures that powerful digestive acids do not harm the delicate lining of the intestines. However, when bicarbonate production is reduced, the result can be a sore or peptic ulcer. Nicotine can affect the amount of bicarbonate that is produced by the body, which may be another clue to the link between smoking and peptic ulcer.

By the same token, smoking may increase the production of stomach acid. This is the reason many experts believe that nicotine use may exacerbate heartburn. If more stomach acid is produced, it may be difficult for the body to produce enough sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the effects. The result may be an excess of stomach acid in the intestinal region, which could increase the risk of a sore developing within the intestinal lining. Yet another possible cause and effect between smoking and peptic ulcer .

Other Factors

Some studies have also suggested that nicotine use may increase the risk of problems developing from alcohol and NSAID use. NSAID stands for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and are sold under names like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. There appears to be a relationship between frequent use of these medications and ulcers, particularly if alcohol consumption is also a factor. Cigarette smoking can also intensify these effects. Smoking may not cause ulcers, but there is sufficient evidence to suggest there is a link between smoking and peptic ulcer .

The Medpedia Project Launches Medpedia.com

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

MedpediaThe Medpedia Project has announced the public launch of the beta version of Medpedia.com, a health resource and technology platform for the worldwide health community. Harvard Medical School, Stanford School of Medicine, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of Michigan Medical School and other health organizations, are contributing in various ways to Medpedia. The goal of The Medpedia Project is to create a new model of how the world will assemble, maintain, critique and access medical knowledge. Since the announcement of The Medpedia Project in July 2008, over 110 organizations have contributed or pledged over 7,000 pages of content to the knowledge base, and thousands of people have become a part of the community.

For the general public, this page explains how to use Medpedia and this page list all the topics covered on medpedia.com.

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Global H1N1 Swine Flu Death Toll at 816

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

The World Health Organization has a new update today that puts the total death toll from the H1N1 swine flu virus at 816. So far, most of the cases and deaths have occurred in the Americas.


WHO Death Toll Chart

The WHO has stopped asking countries to supply individual case counts but it appears they are still tracking deaths from the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Chart source: WHO

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Swine Flu Emerges Suddenly as Next Possible Pandemic

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

A serious outbreak of swine flu in Mexico that has killed 103 people could become the next pandemic according to experts at WHO and the CDC. A pandemic is not a certainty yet, just a possibility. There have been at least 20 cases in the U.S. with no deaths and just one person was hospitalized. Cases have also been reported in Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Isreal, France and Spain. Planes with sick passengers from Mexico are currently the main way the virus is spreading.

The swine flu in Mexico has reportedly killed primarily young health people aged 25-45. This raises concern that people are dying not directly from the flu itself but possibly from what’s called a cytokine storm. Tara C. Smith, writing at the Aetiology blog, explains more about the cytokine storm here. We still do not know for sure how exactly the flu outbreak is killing people in Mexico City.

A Guardian article says that health experts in Mexico suspect that “tens of thousands” may have been infected and recovered.

Across Mexico, more than 1,300 people were tested for suspected swine flu infection and 400 were taken to hospital for checks. Health officials believe that tens of thousands, and possibly more, have been infected but have since recovered.

If so, this would greatly reduce the percentage of those who die from the swine flu but it is still too early to ascertain what is going on.

You can find some resources here. We will be frequently updating this page with new resources and adding more local government health resources.

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Snore No more Naturally Cured Tonight

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

OVERCOME SNORING ONCE AND FOR ALL

Why is it that snoring occur normally or commonly to men than women? Is it just a common notion that this happen to them than women? Or is there a practical explanation why snoring is happening to men most of the time rather than to women specifically.They believe it is just a normal condition that most men have.

WHAT IS SNORING?
It comes from the same passageways only that it is louder than normal breathing.It can be true but it does not mean it is totally true.Snoring is one of the most common problems of most men.There may still be other reasons why the snoring comes at night.Snoring can be normal to most men and women alike.

TYPES OF SNORING
To snore at night may primarily caused by heavy day time activities that made the body tired during bedtime at night.When someone snores on his sleep and was moved around different sleeping positions and his snoring remains, it is most likely that it is on a serious note already.It is quite the way the lungs exhales the tired feeling off of the body.Snoring when lying on your back shows a mild problem; this is the most common type of snoring, the mildest, and easiest to overcome.

MOST COMMON KNOWN CAUSES OF SNORING
A person who is inclined to sleep flat on his back makes the throat very relaxed and tends the back of the tongue to block the air pathways and creates the snoring sound.With this, the muscles around the air tracks and passage ways tend to relax which eventually causes nasal congestion.Because second hand smoke is just as harmful as first hand smoke..Improper sleeping position can affect a person to snore.Air finds it hard to get through, because it tightens the air track which stimulates the snoring reaction which will happen at the time of his sleep.Snoring is also caused by normal ageing.

CONTROLLED AND UNCONTROLLED FACTORS OF SNORING
One of the basic factors that contributes and triggers snoring is the inflammation of the airways.

ON FOOD
It does not mean eating wheat has already done you a good job on your health.You can easily do this slowly, and surely.Do your best not to overeat any food especially dinner time.Processed foods are also some that you have to stay away from.Eventually, you will notice that big difference in you.

TIPS ON HOW TO MAINTAIN WEIGHT AND EATING HABITS TO AVOID SNORING
Once you see them it snaps a switch in your mind that says you have got to have it now.But this is not good news to you snoring people.Chew with your mouth closed to be able to slower the chewing pace.Try to nibble your food on a slower pace than your usual eating speed.Not being able to focus on eating will make you eat more and feel like you have just started eating most times.Bite smaller pieces of food and chew the food very slow, like you are really savoring the dish and feeling the eating sensation smoothly and slowly inside your mouth.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SNORING SEVERE?
If it is possible to do every night before going to bed, try to clear your nasal passages with a nasal spray or salinase to ease stuffiness..You would not want to gulp down half of the bottle alone then sleep? That will do you no good.And so does the air pathways too.This will definitely lessen the chances of you to snore in your sleep.