Smoking is bad for health, no?

Private clubs and pubs not serving food will be unaffected

Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs

Plans for a partial ban on smoking in public places in England are "unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable", an influential committee of MPs says.
The Commons health select committee says a total ban is the "only effective means" of protecting public health.

The Health Bill would allow smoking to continue in private clubs and pubs which do not serve food.

Read ...Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs...BBC News

The goodness of Cabbage

Cabbage is a good source of vitamins C, A, B1 and B2

Cabbage has a long history of use as both food and medicine.

Cabbage is a good source of vitamins C, A, B1 and B2. The vegetable was used by sailors to prevent scurvy which causes bleeding gums and skin discoloration, which is due to deficiency of vitamin C. Just one cup of fresh cabbage supplies about 35mg of vitamin C or half of the daily requirement of the vitamin.

The vegetable contains a reasonably good profile of amino acids especially glutamine and S-methylmethionine, which are the preferred fuels for cells that line the stomach and small intestine. These two components that makes cabbage juice effective in healing peptic ulcers.

Since ancient times, cabbage has been used as a remedy for the digestive system, skin problems, fever, and a fortifier for aching joints.

Eating raw cabbage before participating in wine drinking competitions was believed to prevent one from getting drunk.

Read article: Craving for cabbage...The Star

Colds and contact lenses

Short takes from The Star on health:

Colds and contact lenses
People should not wear contact lenses when they have a cold, according to a top German expert.

Gerald Boehme, head of the contact lens department of Duesseldorf’s Ophthalmologists Association, says those who fail to heed this advice could get eye infections if they cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, and then rub their eyes.

Soft lenses are particularly prone to collecting germs that may cause conjunctivitis or inflammation of the cornea, he says.

Boehm advises people not to touch their eyes in general – except in the morning, when they should wipe them with a clean washcloth.

“And children should be taught to keep their fingers out of their eyes,” he says.

Increased diabetes risk for men
Sleep disturbances appear to increase the risk of developing diabetes in men but not in women, according to a Swedish study. Dr Lena Mallon, from University Hospital in Uppsala and her associates sent questionnaires regarding sleep complaints and other possible risk factors for diabetes to a random sample of subjects who were 45 to 65 years old in 1983, and again in 1995. A total of 1187 subjects completed both questionnaires.

Spinal arthritis
Exercise programmes are beneficial for people with a type of arthritis affecting the spine – ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – Norwegian researchers report, although it is not clear which type of protocol is best. Dr Hanne Dagfinrud of the University of Oslo and colleagues reviewed of 43 studies involving exercise and AS and eventually scrutinized data on a total of 561 patients in six trials.

Reducing risk of breast cancer
Regular exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer, according to the Komen Association for the Treatment of Breast Cancer in Bad Homburg, Germany.

The association says that moderate exercise also impedes the disease’s progress and is important after breast-cancer treatment, since it helps alleviate typical tiredness.

While regular moderate exercise strengthens the body’s immune system, Komen says, strenuous exercise has a negative effect. It says an hour of exercise three times a week is enough to strengthen the immune system.

Improving bone mass
Older adults who’ve suffered a stroke may be able to improve their fitness and protect their bone mass with specially designed exercise classes, according to Canadian researchers. Their study of 63 stroke survivors found that those who took part in a supervised exercise programme became fitter, stronger and more mobile than those who participated in limited physical activity.

Oral tobacco
Smokeless oral tobacco products such as moist snuff and hard snuff lozenges are not a safe alternative to cigarettes for people trying to kick the habit, as these products contain high levels of cancer-causing compounds.

Instead, the best aids appear to be medicinal nicotine replacement products such as the nicotine patch or gum as these products contain only trace amounts of cancer-causing compounds, according to research presented at a cancer prevention conference in Baltimore this month. – Sources: Reuters, dpa

Meal myths

This site puts some meal myths in the right perspective. One such is

Myth:
Eating after 8 p.m. causes weight gain.

Fact:
It does not matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determines whether you gain, lose, or maintain your weight. No matter when you eat, your body will store extra calories as fat.

Tip:
If you want to have a snack before bedtime, think first about how many calories you have eaten that day. And try to avoid snacking in front of the TV at night it may be easier to overeat when you are distracted by the television.

Extra-virgin olive oil mimics painkiller

Good news for lovers of extra-virgin olive oil: besides being delicious on salads, it also contains a compound that mimics the effects of ibuprofen. So a Mediterranean-style diet might give you the supposed long-term benefits of that drug, such as a reduced cancer risk.

A daily dose of 50 g or 4 tablespoons of olive oil confers the equivalent of around 10% of the recommended ibuprofen dose for adult pain relief, say researchers led by Paul Breslin of the Monell Chemical Senses Center at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, who discovered the effect. So although it won't cure a headache, it may give you some of the long-term benefits of repeated ibuprofen use, including helping to ward off Alzheimer's.

Read more: Sudeep Bansal's "Extra-virgin olive oil mimics painkiller"

Imaging the breasts - Mammogram - Ultrasound

In the article Breast lump, lumps, lumpiness, Dr EVELYN HO of The Star looks at the imaging options that can help diagnose what’s going on in the breast.

IN the case of breast lumps, breast imaging tests will clarify the situation and you can leave for home with some definite answers.

If you are under 35 years old, the first investigation would be an ultrasound for your breast lump, lumps or lumpiness. If you are above 35 years, it may be a mammogram, and then, after the mammogram, you may still need an ultrasound.

If you are already at least 40 years old with a breast lump, the first investigation will be a mammogram, and it may still be followed with an ultrasound.
Read more...

The mammogram
THIS is a special imaging investigation of the breasts using very low dose x-rays. It is currently still the best tool available for women of the appropriate age group to detect breast cancer at the earliest stage, BEFORE it can be felt by the hands.

Mammograms are able to detect cancers at the “pre-cancer” stage, posing a challenge for researchers to find out who will and who will not progress to overt cancer.

If you don’t have an abnormal physical finding, and if you don’t have unusually strong family history of young breast cancer, then, the mammogram is normally advised from 40 years onwards.
Continue...

Breast Ultrasound
THE ultrasound (imaging of the breasts using high frequency sound waves) is very useful in differentiating the lumpy texture of the breast (lumpiness) from true lumps (growths) because the radiologist (specialist doctor) or the trained sonographer (technologist or radiographer trained in performing the ultrasound scan) can investigate the exact area that is bothering the patient or as indicated by the doctor who examined you initially.
Continue...

Source: The Star

The diabetes menace

Bad news … any fasting glucose level above 7mmol probably means diabetes

DIABETES or diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of glucose (sugar) metabolism caused by inadequate production or use of insulin, a hormone produced in specialised cells (beta cells in the islets of Langerhans) in the pancreas that allows the body to use and store glucose.

The lack of insulin results in an inability to metabolise glucose, and this results in elevated sugar levels in the urine and blood, increased urination, thirst, hunger, weakness and weight loss.

Pre-diabetes
“Pre-diabetes” is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic. People with pre-diabetes have impaired fasting glucose (6.1 to less than 7mmol/l). Diabetics have fasting blood glucose levels of more than 7mmol/L.

Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during the pre-diabetes stage. Most individuals may not be aware that they are pre-diabetics; more often than not, such damage is not extensive enough for one to notice or experience.

How diabetes is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD)
CVD is a major complication and the leading cause of premature death among people with diabetes – at least 65% of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke1. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than people without diabetes.

Lifestyle changes in diabetes
· Wholesome healthy diet
The key to a healthy diet is to consume plenty of fresh fibre-rich fruits and vegetables daily. Try going for a variety of fruits and vegetables. The more colours on your plate, the better. Limit your rice intake and eat brown rice rather than white whenever possible. Choose wholegrain bread over white.

· Regular exercise
The recently completed Diabetes Prevention Programme study by ADA (American Diabetes Association) conclusively shows that pre-diabetics can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by increasing their level of physical activity. They may even be able to return their blood glucose levels to the normal range.

Continue...The diabetes menace..The Star

Heart Care

We all know that it is the heart that keeps us alive but sadly, not all of us take good care of it. Here are some tips from Dr Devi Prasad Shetty who is a leading heart surgeon in India and a philanthropist. Hope these tips will enlighten us enough to start taking care of our heart.
The interview below is from PERSONNEL TODAY, a journal of National Institute of Personnel Management.

Q What are the five thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
A. 1. Diet – Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil.
2. Exercise – half an hour’s walk, at least five days a week. Avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a long time.
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar.

Q Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
A. No

More heart care tips...

Travelling with DVT

A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) that develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg. This can happen if the vein is damaged or if the flow of blood slows down or stops. Deep vein thrombosis can cause pain in the leg, and can lead to complications if it breaks off and travels in the bloodstream to the lungs.

IT IS now recognised that long periods of inactivity, combined with the cramped conditions and dehydration which can occur on long journeys, can cause a number of circulatory problems, ranging from swollen ankles and tired aching legs to more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

One in 20 people could be affected by flight-induced blood clots.

Contributing factors:
- Cramped conditions that many passengers may encounter during flights
- Low humidity
- Reduced cabin pressure
- Dehydration

Those at high-risk include:

- people with previous history of Venous Thrombosis (Blood Clots) and Pulmonary Embolism

- age above 40 (risk increases with age)

- pregnant women

- those who use oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

- those who had recent surgery or injury, especially to lower limbs/abdomen

- those with cancer and undergoing treatments, which can cause blood to clot more easily

- those with genetic blood clotting abnormalities (eg. Factor V Leiden)

Prevention is the best therapy


Helpful Tips:
- Don’t take sleeping pills
- Wear loose-fitting clothes
- Keep legs uncrossed
- Drink water regularly
- Avoid alcohol as much as possible
- Wear compression socks

Source: The Star...Travelling with DVT

8 steps to body beautiful

Your body can look and feel like a million bucks without going under the knife.
BOEY PING PING of The Star seeks out ways for you to try.

Body brushing
Brushing the skin...

Scrub me clean
Body scrubs help remove dead skin cells and flaky patches...

Soak your blues away
After a hard day’s work, a soak in the tub melts your worries away and sends your body into deep relaxation.

Soaps and suds
Notice how bathing gets you all refreshed and invigorated?

Fuzz busting
The best time to shave, wax or tweeze is after a shower when your skin and hair is soft and relaxed.

Smooth as butter
The best way to protect skin is to coat it with moisturisers and sunblock.

Boost your bust
It won’t take you from an A cup to a C cup but bust firming creams do help to increase elasticity and firmness, preventing your breasts from meeting your stomach.

Spot on
Your body needs just as much care and sun protection as your face.

And finally:

Mix your own milk bath
This recipe is said to leave your skin gently scented and feeling like silk.

Ingredients: l 3 cups powdered milk l 1/4 cup oatmeal l 1/4 cup dried orris root (it is the dried and ground root of a Dalmatian iris and has a soft violet scent; can be found in pharmacies/herbalists’)

l 1/3 cup almond meal

l 1 capsule vitamin E (break open into dry ingredients)

l 1/3 cup cornstarch

Directions:

This makes enough for a few baths. Combine ingredients, make sure they are completely mixed. Store in a container. When you are ready to add it to your bath, scoop the desired amount of the mixture and tie securely in a muslin bag or even a facecloth will do. Tie to the faucet allowing the warm water to run over and through the bag.

* To make almond meal:

Using a blender, grind up blanched or slivered almonds to a powdered consistency. (Almond meal can be found in shops retailing baking ingredients.)

(source: pioneerthinking.com)

Article source: The Star...8 steps to body beautiful

Cheaper cancer treatment

PM out to slash costs for cancer treatment

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi intends to perpetuate the work done by his late wife for cancer victims and has made it his personal mission to seek cheaper treatment for Malaysian patients.

The Prime Minister said that medicines for cancer treatment were now very expensive.

”The cost of cancer treatment is very high and I know the medicines are really expensive. It is my intention to make cancer treatment affordable to all.

“This should be our aim and this is what I want to work towards,” he told Parliament yesterday after Deputy Prime Mnister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tabled a motion to convey the MPs' condolences to the family of Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood who died on Thursday.

‘The cost of cancer treatment is very high and I know the medicines are really expensive. It is my intention to make cancer treatment affordable to all' - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah said that when Endon, who suffered from breast cancer, was undergoing treatment overseas, she told him of her immense pain.

“Her illness really weakened her. But the lesson, I believe, is that there is already a stronger feeling among everyone on the need to overcome cancer.

“This can be through education and prevention, or having more treatments and types of medicine, which we hope, can be cheaper and more reasonably priced.”

Before she died, Endon had told him to ensure the completion of several projects she had started.

“God willing, I, together with o ur children, will help to ensure the success of the projects,” he added, while appealing to those involved in the projects to continue them as they were for the people's welfare.

“Endon was a loving, generous person who always wanted to help others,” he said.

He conveyed Endon's gratitude to those who had supported and helped her to carry out her charity works.

Among them were her Bakti colleagues, in particular her deputy Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, non-governmental organisations, ministers, officers and everyone else who had worked with her on her cancer awareness project and other projects promoting batik, songket, and family values.

“She could not thank them herself because she was ill. So, allow me to thank them all on her behalf. She really appreciated everyone's help and even when she was sick, she always spoke about this.”

Abdullah related how Endon was unable to complete several projects because of her illness but added that she was touched by the support she received from people.

“I believe that Endon would have also really appreciated it if I thank as well as seek forgiveness from those whom she could have hurt in any way.”

Earlier, Abdullah said he was deeply touched by the initiative to table the motion to convey the condolences in Parliament.

Source: The Star

Treasures of qigong

BY DR AMIR FARID ISAHAK
The Star

THERE are many benefits of practising qigong, and some of the claims may sound incredulous to sceptics. But for those who diligently practise this ancient art, the benefits are real.

Kay (not her real name) was going through a difficult time in her life three years ago. She was suffering from depression, headaches, insomnia, indigestion, constipation and joint pains. As if all these were not enough, she was also suffering from pelvic pains due to endometriosis.

Read full article: Treasures of qigong...The Star

Differentiating colds, flu and lung infections

A very enlightening article from Dr YLM of The Star.

By DR YLIM

WITH the avian flu and what not, I’m not sure I can tell the difference between having a common cold and a flu. Aren’t they one and the same? Should I panic if I get either one?

You shouldn’t panic, not in any circumstances. No, the common cold and the flu are not one and the same. People often confuse them, calling a cold the “flu” and vice versa. Colds are generally considered minor while a flu is more severe.

There are similarities between the common cold and the flu:

They are both caused by viruses

They are both infections of the upper respiratory tract, namely the nose and throat

They are both highly infectious and contagious
Even doctors sometimes can’t tell the difference between them. So when you present with similar symptoms, they will write the diagnosis as “URTI”, which means upper respiratory tract infection.

What are the differences between them?
Read more...Differentiating colds, flu and lung infections...The Star

The wonder fruit - the banana

Because of their impressive potassium content, bananas are highly recommended by doctors for patients whose potassium is low. One large banana, about 9 inches in length, packs 602 mg of potassium and only carries 140 calories. That same large banana even has 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. No wonder the banana was considered an important food to boost the health of malnourished children! Those reducing sodium in their diets can't go wrong with a banana with its mere 2 mgs of sodium. For the carbohydrate counters there are 36 grams of carbs in a large banana.

Vitamins and minerals are abundant in the banana, offering 123 I.U. of vitamin A for the large size. A full range of B vitamins are present with .07 mg of Thiamine, .15 mg of Riboflavin, .82 mg Niacin, .88 mg vitamin B6, and 29 mcg of Folic Acid. There are even 13.8 mg of vitamin C. On the mineral scale Calcium counts in at 9.2 mg, Magnesium 44.1 mg, with trace amounts of iron and zinc.

Putting all of the nutritional figures together clearly shows the banana is among the healthiest of fruits. The plantain, when cooked, rates slightly higher on the nutritional scale in vitamins and minerals but similar to the banana in protein and fiber content.

Source: banana.com

More information on the goodness of the banana:

The real source of the following insightful is unknown so if you do know the source, please email me so that credit can be duly given.


Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!

This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains re gulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemog lobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in pot assium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were h elped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep b lood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in A ustria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal d isorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers b ecause they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medic ine, "eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit.

Fad diets don't work

Fad diets don't work or do they? Let's hear what a member of the British Medical Research Council has to say. Excerpts are from an article from the Sunday Mail.






















Who would you like to look like, Ms Zellweger, Ms Kidman, Ms Cattrall or Ms Bullock? Find out their secret.

ATKINS DIET
THEORY: Cut down on carbohydrates and fill up on red meat, cheese and cream.
CLAIMS: Lose weight while "eating luxuriously" and never be fat again.
CELEBRITY FAN: Renee Zellweger.

SOUTH BEACH DIET
THEORY: Stock up on lean meat, fish, shellfish, salads, fruit and wholegrains.
CLAIMS: A healthy heart and weight loss without exercise.
CELEBRITY FAN: Nicole Kidman

GI DIET
THEORY: Eat slow-burning wholegrain carbohydrates and avoid white bread, potatoes, cakes and biscuits.
CLAIMS: Permanent weight loss without going hungry.
CELEBRITY FAN: Kim Cattrall.

ZONE DIET
THEORY: Get 40 per cent of your calories from carbohydrates, 30 per cent from protein and 30 per cent from fat and take fish oil supplements.
CLAIMS: Keeps fat down by controlling insulin levels.
CELEBRITY FAN: Sandra Bullock

Now we know why they look so gorgeous!

Living with the disorder

A PATIENT'S reaction to a diagnosis of lymphoma is similar to that of any cancer – shock, disbelief, anger, disappointment, fear, resentment. It is important for the doctor to give patients the reassurance that lymphoma is very treatable and a diagnosis of lymphoma does not mean a death sentence.

Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can often enjoy relatively long periods of time in which they have few, if any, symptoms (for example, if they have indolent disease or are in remission after having treatment). During these times, many patients find that they are able to live normal or near-normal lives.

Many patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma wonder about what changes may be needed to their lifestyle as a result of their condition or its treatment. Any changes that are needed will vary from person to person, since everyone's experience of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is different.

While it is impossible to generalise for all patients, those with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma often have relatively minor symptoms over long periods of time, sometimes leading to a “watch and wait” approach, to be used until treatment becomes necessary. In comparison, patients with aggressive forms of the disease usually need treatment straight away, although the chances of a cure are higher.

The most important thing for patients, and their family and carers, is to maintain a positive attitude. The doctor and nurse will work with the patient to ensure that they have the most appropriate and best treatment possible, and family, friends and support groups can be a valuable source of information, reassurance and support

A healthy diet, adequate exercise and adequate rest are all important. Patients are also advised to avoid alcohol during treatment.

Some of the treatments for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can affect the body's immune system and increase the risk of infection. This effect is temporary and during these periods, it might be wise for patients to avoid exposure to large crowds and contact with people who obviously have an illness.

Coping with stress

Despite the fact that many patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma will have a lengthy period of remission or may even be cured, people often feel a sense of indignity and that they have lost control over their lives. In addition, patients are often nervous about the impact of the side effects of treatment on their wellbeing and their ability to live a normal life.

Every patient will approach a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and its treatment in their own way. It may also be helpful to take along a family member, partner or friend to hospital visits, not only to provide support but also to help remember information that is given out and prompt any questions that the patient may have.

Many patients try to reduce feelings of stress by trying to keep their life as normal as possible after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Relaxation techniques can also be of great benefit to patients, as they can be performed in almost any situation and allow people to feel a sense of control over their feelings.

One of the most common questions that patients have when they are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is how the treatment will affect their ability to have children. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause, in women, menstrual periods to become irregular or stop and, in men, the sperm count to decline.

Although this may be temporary, infertility may be permanent with some treatments. It is therefore important to talk to the lymphoma team about this before treatment begins.

Source: The Star

Causes of lymphoma

The exact cause of lymphoma remains unknown. However, some forms of lymphoma are more likely to develop in people who have taken drugs to prevent rejection of an organ following a transplant or who have reduced immunity, for example people with HIV or AIDS.

It is thought that certain chemicals in insecticides and wood preserving materials may cause lymphoma.

According to Dr Goh, most patients are very concerned if there is good treatment available for their lymphoma. “Patients must be reassured that NHL is a very treatable, and sometimes curable, condition. It is very important to give patients hope because there is hope!

“Many patients with lymphoma respond well to treatment and remain in remission for many, many years,” she assures.

She advises individuals to not ignore painless swellings – get medical advise immediately! With the latest advances in medicine, lymphoma is a very treatable condition.

Understanding lymphoma

Source: The Star

Diagnosis of lymphoma

According to Dr Goh, there are two main methods of diagnosis: fine needle aspirate (FNA) and excision via surgical removal.

“Any patient who is suspected to have lymphoma should be referred to a haematologist for further treatment.

“Further investigations will involve x-rays and CT scans to evaluate the extent of disease spread and to get a good image of other nodes which are not palpable,” says Dr Goh.

Disease awareness is a significant factor in encouraging patients to seek medical advise.

“Correct diagnosis is important to ensure optimal management and treatment. More importantly, early diagnosis is important and has a bearing on prognosis and treatment outcomes.

Causes of lymphoma

Source: The Star

Types of lymphoma

There are many different sub-types of lymphoma, which are divided into two main types: Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rare form of lymphoma that is characterised by a particular abnormal tumour cell – Reed Sternberg cells – not present in other forms of lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is essentially any lymphoma that is not Hodgkin’s lymphoma NHL is the most common cancer of the lymphatic system and it occurs mainly in adults, with a peak incidence between 45 and 60 years old.

Approximately 286,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma each year (58% are male and 42% are female). Approximately 161,000 people die of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma each year.

There are more than 30 different subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which are generally classified into two groups, depending on the rate at which the tumour is growing – Indolent (low-grade) and aggressive (intermediate/high grade).


Indolent (low grade)
Here, tumour cells divide and multiply slowly. They often cause no symptoms at first, and so often go undetected for some time. Even after diagnosis, many do not need immediate treatment, sometimes for months or years.

Treatment, when needed, is usually effective at making them shrink and even disappear, giving a disease-free period, or “remission”, to the patient. However, they often relapse, or “recur”, and more treatment will then be needed. Patients may live many years with the disease, yet standard treatment cannot cure the disease in its advanced stages.


Aggressive (intermediate/high grade)
Tumour cells divide and multiply rapidly in the body and, if left untreated, can be fatal within six months to two years. They are more likely to cause symptoms than the indolent type, and they usually need treatment straight away.

Although the name “aggressive” sounds very frightening, these lymphomas often respond very well to treatment. Unlike indolent NHL, treatment of aggressive NHL can lead to patients being cured. They are, in fact, more likely to be completely cured than indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

Most lymphomas diagnosed in Malaysia are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL, 80% to 90%) with a small number of Hodgkin’s disease (10-20%), notes Dr Goh.

“There are two main types of NHL – aggressive NHL and indolent NHL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is the most common sub-type of aggressive NHL. There is a slight predominance in males, and these occur mainly in the 40-60 age group, even though children may develop lymphoma.

“Hodgkin’s disease is found mainly in female patients and mainly in the 20-30 age group.

“Lymphoma is a very peculiar disease as it can appear anywhere in the body – brain, eye, chest, spine, stomach, thigh,” observes Dr Goh.

The typical patient is a 40-year-old male with swelling in the neck or armpit, and usually not very sick.

Diagnosis of lymphoma

Source: The Star

Treatment matters

ACCORDING to consultant haematologist Dr Goh Kim Yean, early stage lymphoma responds well to treatment, has good prognosis, good treatment outcomes and good long-term survival.

The most common treatment modalities are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical excision done in combination with chemo or radiotherapy. Depending on the stage and extent of the disease, these treatments can either be given alone or in combination.

Chemotherapy is generally well tolerated and mostly given in the outpatient setting. “Most patients are anxious when they hear about chemotherapy – 'Is it possible for me to avoid chemotherapy?', 'Is it hard to take?', 'Will I have to be in bed or can I move about?'“ observes Dr Goh.

There are side effects of chemotherapy, such as some hair loss, nausea, vomiting and tiredness. “But hair will grow back and new drugs are available to make all the side effects very tolerable,” stresses Dr Goh.

For example, there's treatment to prevent nausea and vomiting (antiemetics), treatment to reduce risk of infections (growth factors) and so on.

“In this day and age, chemo is very tolerable and doctors are able to treat the disease as well as the side effects of therapy to ensure patients are better able to cope with their treatment. This gives patients a better chance of recovery,” she adds.

Immunotherapy is the latest advance in the treatment of lymphoma and was first introduced in the US in 1998 and in Malaysia in 2000.

“The introduction of rituximab (a monoclonal antibody) has improved treatment outcomes in NHL. It is termed the smart bullet because it recognises specific cells which are implicated in B-cell lymphoma, binds to these cells and kills them. When used in combination with chemotherapy, there is a synergistic effect and enhanced tumour kill,” syas Dr Goh.

“Rituximab is effective in all stages of lymphoma. Even patients who have failed on standard chemotherapy can benefit from rituximab treatment,” she adds.

The Groupe d’Etude des Lymphomes de l’Adulte (GELA) conducted a landmark trial in elderly patients (60 to 80 years old), results of which were published in 2002 in the New England Journal of Medicine. It showed that more patients who received a combination of Rituximab with standard chemotherapy achieved complete response (complete resolution of disease) compared to patients who only received conventional chemotherapy.

In 2005, the GELA group published the results of a five-year follow-up of these patients and consistently more patients who received rituximab have remained disease-free compared to the patients who only received conventional chemotherapy.

Another international trial also showed that the addition of rituximab to conventional chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant improvement in time to treatment failure (TTF) compared to patients who only received conventional chemotherapy.

This trial was halted early because its primary efficacy endpoint (TTF) was met two years earlier than expected. In this study, time to treatment failure (TTF) was defined as documented progressive disease or failure to achieve a complete response rate.

Chemotherapy is generally done once every three weeks and most patients will need six to eight cycles of chemo. Patients will be assessed halfway through treatment and at the end of their treatment schedule to determine response and progress.

At the end of treatment, patients who go into remission will be followed up every few months for a number of years.

Source: The Star

Understanding lymphoma

According to consultant haematologist Dr Goh Kim Yean, most lymphomas diagnosed in Malaysia are non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL, 80% to 90%), with a small number of Hodgkin’s disease (10-20%).

The second World Lymphoma Awareness Day took place on Sept 15, 2005. The event was established to heighten awareness of lymphoma, a widely unknown cancer that damages the body’s immune system and kills more than 200,000 people globally each year.

THERE is a dire lack of public awareness of lymphoma across the globe. Early detection makes a huge difference in the ability to combat this disease. It is therefore essential that the public is educated of this condition, its symptoms, and how it affects lives.

To drive this much-needed awareness, the Lymphoma Coalition – a network of patient groups from around the world – launched the first worldwide Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) on 15 September 2004. By improving symptom recognition, the Lymphoma Coalition hopes to increase early diagnosis and treatment, which will improve prognosis and even save the lives of those affected by lymphoma.

What is lymphoma?


Source: The Star

How will I know if I have lymphoma?

Most lymphoma patients present with enlarged lymph nodes, most commonly in the neck, groin and armpit, according to consultant haematologist Dr Goh Kim Yean. Usually patients are able to feel these enlargements themselves.



There are instances where patients do not detect any lymph node enlargement but experience other less common symptoms like:


Difficulty breathing – caused by an enlarged lymph node in the chest cavity compressing on the airway.

Abdominal discomfort – caused by enlarged lymph nodes in the stomach.

Intestinal obstruction – caused by enlarged lymph nodes in the bowel walls.
According to Dr Goh, as lymphomas are painless swellings, most patients are misled by the fact that there is no pain and tend to take it lightly.

“Non-cancerous lymph node swellings are usually painful and will reverse once inflammation subsides. Infections in the head and neck region can cause enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, but once the infection resolves, the swelling comes down.

“In lymphoma, the lymph node swellings tend to grow progressively, some faster than others,” she notes.

Types of lymphoma

Source: The Star

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a general term for cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system, made up of a complex network of lymph organs. Organs that form up the lymphatic system include the lymph nodes, bone marrow, tonsils, appendix, thymus and the spleen.

These are all linked by a network of vessels called lymphatic vessels, which transport excess fluids away from the spaces between the body tissues (usually containing waste material and nutrients that are not used by the cells) and return it to the blood stream.

The fluid in these lymphatic vessels is called lymph fluid.

In addition to this transportation function, the lymphatic system contains plenty of defence mechanism cells like lymphocytes to help filter and defend your body against bacteria, viruses and fungi.

When some of the cells in the lymphatic system multiply uncontrollably and abnormally, they become cancerous or malignant. This is then called lymphoma. There are many types of lymphoma, which are then differentiated by the type of cell that multiplies and how the cancer presents itself.

How will I know if I have lymphoma?

Source: The Star

Artificial Sweeteners - The bitter truth

Aspartame sugar substitutes cause worrying symptoms from memory loss to brain tumours. But despite US FDA approval as a 'safe' food additive, aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances ever to be foisted upon an unsuspecting public.

Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names, NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. Aspartame was discovered by accident in 1965, when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company was testing an anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr John W. Olney and Consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974 as well as investigations of G.D. Searle's research practices caused the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5, 1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G.D. Searle and made Searle Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.

Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death as recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of Health and Human Services report.(1) A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include:
Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame:(2)
Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.

Extracted from Nexus Magazine,Volume 2, #28 (Oct-Nov '95) and Volume 3, #1 (Dec '95-Jan '96).
PO Box 30, Mapleton Qld 4560 Australia. editor@nexusmagazine.com
Telephone: +61 (0)7 5442 9280; Fax: +61 (0)7 5442 9381
From our web page at: www.nexusmagazine.com

© 1995 by Mark D. Gold, 35 Inman St, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Phone: (617) 497 7843,
E-mail: mgold@holisticmed.com
Web page: http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/

Originally published in Blazing Tattles, Vol. 4, Nos. 4, 5, 6, April-June 1995
PO Box 1073, Half Moon Bay,
CA 94019 USA.
Email: blazing@igc.apc.org
www.concentric.net/~blazingt

Read full article: THE BITTER TRUTH ABOUT
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

The importance of pap smears

It's interesting to note that each year, there are more than 500 new cases of breast cancer in Malaysia and what is alarming is that some 45% of patients are in the end-stage. According to 2003 statistics from two hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, the Malays recorded the lowest rate of breast cancer but a high fatality rate compared with other races, said Dr Nik Ahmad, an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

He was speaking about Women and Cancer, a health talk in conjunction with a pap smear screening and self breast examination in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, recently.

In Malaysia, more than 50% of breast cancer cases involved women who are below 50 years old.

Women who had early menstruation and late menopause, and those who are infertile are also at risk. Exposure to radiation and those with a history of lumps in their breast are also at risk of contracting breast cancer.

He advised women to practise self breast examination four to five days after their periods. Those who are in their menopause can choose a day each month to practise self breast examination.

After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death for women.

Generally, cervical cancer can be detected through a pap smear. Women who have bleeding after sex or pain during intercourse should be cautious. Women with irregular periods and unusual discharge from the vagina as well as bleeding after menopause should also heed these “warning” signs.

A pap smear takes less than 10 minutes and is painless and inexpensive. It should be done 10 days after one’s period.

Source: Giving a ‘pap’ talk...The Star

Bony issue - Osteoporosis

MOST people think of osteoporosis as an associated risk of menopause. However, adolescent girls and young women are not exempted. A study conducted on 164 young college women by the researchers from the University of Arkansas in the United States revealed that 2% of the group has osteoporosis and 15% had significant low bone density and are at high risk of developing osteoporosis. Scientific findings also show that Asian women all over the world have a high incidence of osteoporosis due to their smaller frames, hence the lower bone mass and density compared with women of other national and ethnic groups.

Aside from menopause, there are several possible causes for bone loss and these include severe dieting, a lack of oestrogen leading to cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea), a dysfunction of the reproductive system, family history, low physical activity and a general poor diet. While medical treatments are available to address body dysfunctions, the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle must be the basis of the management of bone health.

Read full story: Bony issue...The Star

Watercress, the wonder vegetable

Watercress is rich in betacarotene and vitamin C (more than four times that of other wonder vegetables like tomato and broccoli), vitamins B1, B6, K and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, phosphorous and iodine.

It is a potent source of folate, which keeps women ’s reproductive system healthy, and is good for the nerves and blood. It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidants which protect the lens and retina of the eyes, and the body from potentially damaging free radicals. Quercetin, a type of flavonoid and a powerful antioxidant, is also found in great quantities in watercress.

It is also high in a type of glucosinolate called phenylethyl isothiocyanate, which gives the plant its unique peppery flavour and arms the body to resist certain carcinogens.

Watercress (left), or Nasturtium officinale, of the family Cruciferae, is rich in isothiocyanates, which help to detoxify cigarette smoke, and keep the lungs healthy.

The ancient Greeks called watercress Kardamon and they believed that eating it would sharpen their intellect. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used the freshest watercress to treat his patients.

The Romans ate it to prevent baldness and it ’s even believed to be an aphrodisiac.

Whether it’s for blood cleansing, scurvy, toothache and hiccups, as the Victorians in England were wont to use it for, it’s a remarkably nutritious vegetable.

Here’s an easy-to-do recipe for fish and watercress. It’s fragrant and delicious. As it is baked in foil, you can even use your oven toaster to do it.

RED SNAPPER BAKED WITH WATERCRESS

300g red snapper fillet (ikan merah or hoong choh)
40g watercress leaves (cut from the tips of the watercress; keep the stalks for boiling soup)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 thin slice of lemon
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tsps butter (or 3 small pats of it)
Foil for baking

Method

1. Marinate the fish with salt and pepper.

2. Mix honey with lemon juice and drizzle over both sides of the fish. Leave a spoonful for drizzling on the vegetables

3. Lift the fish on to a large piece of aluminium foil. Cover the top of the fish with the watercress leaves.

4. Drizzle the rest of honey mixture over the leaves. Add the butter on different sides of the fish. Put a lemon slice on top.

5. Wrap up the foil parcel and bake in an oven at 190C for 15 minutes.

Source: The NST...by Eu Hooi Khaw

Water the plants - breastfeeding

The lighter side of breastfeeding:

Water the Plants
Just the other day, a nurse colleague made a remark that absolutely threw me into an outburst of laughter. Commenting on her breastfeeding experience, she said to me that she had enough milk to ... you guessed it ... water the plants! Now I usually have mothers describe their milk supplies as "enough to feed the neighborhood" or "an army" (just an expression), but never enough to water the plants! Keep in mind that human milk is about 87% water -- that's why it's a wonderful source of hydration for babies. Keep in mind that many, if not most plants, require water to thrive and survive. I'll admit that I did actually wonder, for a very brief moment, if a plant would benefit from being watered with, well, breast milk!

Source

Importance of Sleep

Many people have come to think of sleep as a luxury that can be cut back on to make time for other “more important” daily activities without much consequence. However, research seems to indicate otherwise. It is impossible to be in truly good health without getting adequate sleep on a regular basis. Cutting back from the standard eight hours of sleep to four hours of sleep for just one week produces striking changes in glucose tolerance and endocrine function resembling the effects of advanced age or the early stages of diabetes.

Chronic sleep loss may speed the onset or increase the severity of type–2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and memory loss. Researchers in Australia suggest that sleep loss can be similar or worse than drinking too much alcohol. Staying awake for as little as 18 hours affects the body much the same as drinking alcohol to the legal limit. Sleep depravation plays a part in 2 out of 3 auto accidents in the US.

Read full story: Importance of Sleep

How to Avoid Sickness When Traveling

Have you ever experienced a cold or the flu shortly after returning from a vacation or business trip? If so, you're not alone; it's a very common occurrence. Why do you get sick after traveling? It could be that you picked up a "bug" from those you visited, or (if you flew) perhaps you got sick from the poor quality of the air circulating in the plane. Furthermore, a change in your eating, exercise, and sleep routine may have lowered your resistance to illness.

Read full story: How to Avoid Sickness When Travelling

The Claim: MP3 Players Can Cause Hearing Loss

THE CLAIM Need a reason to tear yourself from that sleek new MP3 player you can't put down? While most people covet the hours of nonstop music and the snug earpieces, those features, and others, are also the reasons the players may hurt your hearing.

The component that can have the greatest impact is the headphone.

Compared with larger headphones that cover the entire ear, some insertable headphones, like the white ones sold with iPods, increased sound levels by up to nine decibels. That may not seem like much, but because decibels are measured in logarithmic units, it can mean the difference between the noise output of an alarm clock (about 80 decibels) and that of a lawnmower (about 90 decibels).

The other problem, a second study found, is that insertable headphones are not as efficient at blocking background noise as some larger ones that cover the ear, so there is more incentive to turn up the volume.

To be sure, no one is certain what levels of noise the average MP3 listener is experiencing. But a large study of iPod users between 18 and 54 in Australia last month might provide some insight. The study, by the National Acoustic Laboratory in Sydney, found that about a quarter of the people surveyed kept their iPods at volumes that could cause long-term hearing damage.

THE BOTTOM LINE MP3 players may increase the risk of hearing loss for some people.

Source: NY Times

Develop a survival attitude

The work environment can be intimidating, though I believe the strategy is to see things coming. Use your intuition, sense if a person or action is in an orbit around of you: if you see something coming meet it before it is ready to meet you, whether it be work or people related. Meet the challenge instead of hoping it will go away, develop a long term survival attitude at work, and in life.

The above is from The Last Resort - Health & Psycholody Blog. It's a great site. So be sure to check it out.

The Goodness of Papaya

Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. Once considered quite exotic, they can now be found in markets throughout the year. Although there is a slight seasonal peak in early summer and fall, papaya trees produce fruit year round.

Papayas are spherical or pear-shaped fruits that can be as long as 20 inches. The ones commonly found in the market usually average about 7 inches and weigh about one pound. Their flesh is a rich orange color with either yellow or pink hues. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papaya's seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter. The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. Papain is extracted to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements and is also used as an ingredient in some chewing gums.

Health Benefits
Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.

Other qualities include
o Protection Against Heart Disease
o Cancer Protection
o Anti-Inflammatory Effects
o Immune Support
o Protection against Macular Degeneration
o Protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis
o Protection against Emphysema - If you or someone you love is a smoker, or if you are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, then making vitamin A-rich foods, such as papaya, part of your healthy way of eating may save your life, suggests research conducted at Kansas State University.

For more detailed information,
visit "the world's healthiest food"

Children who eat fries raise breast cancer risk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Very young children who eat French fries frequently have a much higher risk of breast cancer as adults, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday.

A study of American nurses found that one additional serving of fries per week at ages three to five increased breast cancer risk by 27 percent.

"Researchers are finding more evidence that diet early in life could play a role in the development of diseases in women later in life,"

Read article: Children who eat fries raise breast cancer risk

The terrible toll of asbestos

In the U.K., nearly 2,000 people are dying from the same disease every year and the incidence is rising. Globally many more lives are lost every year from this and other diseases linked to asbestos exposure.

Much of the asbestos poison which is responsible for this global epidemic is produced by Canada, and globally, asbestos producers have prevented attempts to regulate the trade in this acknowledged carcinogen. Last year, Canada orchestrated the blocking of the second attempt by the United Nations to introduce a prior informed consent regime to global asbestos sales; Canada had also acted to block the first attempt made under the Rotterdam Convention to include white asbestos on a list of hazardous substances.

Read article: The terrible toll of asbestos...National Post, Canada

Former Subic workers file asbestos suit

Yet another case of asbestos-related cancer and suit.

Former warship workers in the dismantled United States Naval Base in Subic will file charges against 24 American firms to seek compensation for damages to their health due to exposure to asbestos products.

Two of the 1,000 victims were identified as Ronnie Ferreras and Cess Olmo, residents of Zambales and Bataan, respectively. Ferreras is presently undergoing treatment at the Ospital ng Olongapo due to a lung-related sickness.

Article source: Manila Standard Today
Former Subic workers file asbestos suit

Low level of asbestos exposure proved fatal

Cancer linked to shop's stuffy storeroom

Blue asbestos fibers identical to that lining the walls of a stationery shop were found in the lungs of its former manager, who died of an asbestos-linked illness after working there for more than 30 years, it was learned Monday.

The man died at age 70 after suffering mesothelioma, and fibers of blue asbestos -- considered extremely toxic -- were found in his lungs.

Read article: Low level of asbestos exposure proved fatal
Japan Times

Related article: Asbestos related diseases

Daydreaming activity linked to Alzheimer's

Source: The Star

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The parts of the brain that young, healthy people use when daydreaming are the same areas that fail in people who have Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported on Wednesday in a study that may someday help in preventing or diagnosing the disease.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggests that the way people use their brains could actually lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Read: Daydreaming activity linked to Alzheimer's

What is Cancer?

This BBC News version is by far the easiest to understand
on Cancer.

Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells

What is cancer?

The human body is made up of hundreds of different types of cell, all of which behave differently.

A cell in the kidney, although it contains the same genetic information as a brain cell, performs a completely separate role.

Cancer happens when a tiny part of the cell's mechanism goes wrong.

Continue...

The Claim: Exercise Is the Best Way to Strengthen Abdominal Muscles

By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
Published: August 23, 2005
NY Times

Is it true that Exercise Is the Best Way to Strengthen Abdominal Muscles?

THE FACTS: Watch any infomercial promoting the latest abdominal machine and you will hear a spandex-clad salesman claim that if you practice one simple exercise, a six-pack will emerge within

But while Americans spend more than $100 million on abdominal exercisers every year - and of course do countless hours of crunches and sit-ups - studies suggest that the best route to a washboard stomach does not involve abdominal training alone.

Most abdominal exercises help strengthen the muscles but have little effect on fat deposits that sit above them. And, liposuction notwithstanding, there is no way to "spot-reduce" stomach fat, just as doing side leg lifts will not trim fat from the hips.

The best regimen for defined abs, research suggests, combines dieting and plenty of cardiovascular exercise - to streamline overall body fat - with the usual abdominal workouts.

And those expensive devices advertised on television? A recent study by researchers at Kansas State University found that they might not be worth the enormous sums of money Americans spend on them.

The study, published last year, had a group of 23 men and women in college exercise with various devices - an abdominal "roller" and an abdominal "slider," among others - while electrodes measured the stimulation to their abdominal muscles. The study found that, on average, the products elicited no greater muscle activity than traditional crunches.

And two of the devices, an ab "slide" and a type of Swiss ball called "FitBall," caused more activity in the hip flexors than in the stomach, "an undesirable feature of abdominal exercises," the study said.

THE BOTTOM LINE Doing abdominal exercises alone is not the best way to improve your stomach muscles.

Article Source...NY Times

Virginians get fatter; like many other states

BY TAMMIE SMITH
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

And in the States...Virginians get fatter; like many other states

Virginians, like everyone else, are getting fatter.

The percent of Virginians who are obese increased from 2003 to 2004, mirroring a national trend of every state except one, according to a report from a nonprofit group.

However, the doses were high enough to increase the risk of gut bleeds.

Regular aspirin use was already known to cut the risk of recurrent benign bowel tumours, called colorectal adenomas, in patients with a history of bowel tumours, either cancerous or benign.

Read article: Virginians get fatter; like many other states

Cancer: The facts

BBC News said...

One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our life.

The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time.

Excluding certain skin cancers, there were more than 270,000 new cases of the disease in 2001 - and the rate is increasing by about 1% a year.

Some cancer, such as breast, are becoming more common, while new cases of lung cancer fall away due to the drop in the number of smokers.

However, while the overall number of new cancers is not falling, the good news is that successful treatment rates for many of the most common types are improving rapidly.

BBC News Online has produced, in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, a guide to some of the most common forms of cancer and the treatments used to tackle them.

Learn more about different types of cancer, and the experiences of patients.

Aspirin 'cuts bowel cancer risk'

Aspirin is associated with side effects

According to BBC News,

Taking aspirin regularly for over 10 years does reduce the risk of bowel cancer, a study which looked at 82,911 women over a 20-year period suggests.

Those who had taken two or more aspirin - or similar painkillers - a week had significantly cut their risk, it found.

Read article: Aspirin 'cuts bowel cancer risk'

Report Finds Fetuses Feel Pain Later Than Thought

By DENISE GRADY
Published: August 23, 2005
NY Times

Taking on one of the most highly charged questions in the abortion debate, a team of doctors has concluded that fetuses probably cannot feel pain in the first six months of gestation and therefore do not need anesthesia during abortions.
Read story...

Information on Cancer

Here are a few sites I came across that might be useful to you if you are a caregiver to a cancer patient, or a patient yourself. Be strong.



The breast cancer site. (It provides an opportunity for visitors to help fund mammograms. The least one can do.)

The Oncolink is the Web's first cancer resource

Nutritional Solutions provides information on how to maximize Cancer Therapy with nutrition and herbs that enhance the efficacy of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments, while safely reducing their toxic side effects. It also provides information on utilizing cutting-edge, scientifically-based strategies to help control cancer with wholesome foods and natural dietary supplements.

The National Cancer Institute site offers valuable cancer-related health information and insights about the exciting work being conducted by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country. For the general public and health professionals, there is consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics as well as comprehensive descriptions of the research programs.

Cancer NewsWatch
As a caregiver to his wife, Lori, Cary Miller decided to set up a home to house any useful information he can find so that it will be easily accessible to caregivers, patients, and the general public alike. Lori maintains a blog about her life battling with cancer.

Articles:
Mesothelioma
How is Mesothelioma treated?

HRT 'causes cancer', says UN body

The truth is finally out that HRT does cause cancer.

Read article: 'HRT 'causes cancer', says UN body
Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050729/344/foi2o.html

The UN's cancer agency has concluded that hormone replacement therapy, taken by millions of women around the world, causes cancer, but did not advise women to stop taking the treatment.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared that, based on consistent evidence emerging from studies over the last few years, it has reclassified hormonal menopause therapy from "possibly carcinogenic to humans," to "carcinogenic to humans."

Studies have convincingly shown that the treatment slightly increases the risk of breast and endometrial cancers, the agency determined.

It also concluded that the combined contraceptive pill, taken by about 10% of women of reproductive age, causes more types of cancer than previously thought.
Previously, the pill had been identified as causing liver cancer. Now, further research has demonstrated that it also slightly increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer, the agency said. However, the investigation also confirmed that the pill decreases the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers.

"It's a complicated picture," said Vincent Cogliano, head of the agency's monographs department, which is widely regarded as the international authority on which substances cause cancer.

He went on: "It doesn't mean women should stop taking the treatment. There are still other reasons to take it. Each woman has to discuss it with her doctor and weigh the risks and benefits."

Fit Is One Thing; Obsessive Exercise Is Another

Now we know that excessive exercise probably better termed
'obsessive' exercise does more harm than good. Read on.

By JANE E. BRODY
NY Times
Published: August 9, 2005

Many people have asked me why my knees were hobbled by arthritis long before I turned 60. Being born bowlegged gave them a start. But I made things worse by jogging daily for about 10 years and playing singles tennis for an hour nearly every day for more years than I can remember until increasing knee pain forced me to cut back to three or four times a week.

Still, in winter, I went ice-skating most days, and during the warmer months, I cycled 10 miles nearly every morning. About the only activity that did not damage my knees was lap swimming, which I did four or five times a week.

I loved my activities and planned my life around them, scheduling my workouts around family and professional obligations. When I couldn't do my daily activities - typically two or three a day - for reasons of weather, travel or closings of the facilities - I felt out of sorts, even guilty, and worried about gaining weight.

Read story: Fit Is One Thing; Obsessive Exercise Is Another

Bad air quality Dos and Don'ts

A big part of Malaysia is experiencing bad air quality
due to the fires burning in Sumatra. The condition has
worsened. There are some measures that people can take
to counteract against it healthwise.

Here are some do's and don'ts






HARD TO SEE: Southport crane operators continue working despite the poor visibility.

Soothing hot springs of Selayang

By STUART MICHAEL
Photos by DARRAN TAN
The Star


Visitors soaking their feet in the water of one of the three hot spring pools in the area.


Chef Rahmat using a bucket to splash the warm water onto his body.



Read article: Soothing hot springs of Selayang

Health tip - How to AVOID CANCER by smoking

If you smoke, you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting
cancer by drinking carrot juice. This according to the German
Doctor, Hans Nieper, founder of Eumatabolic Medicine, a new
alternative mode of treatment which has become very popular
in Germany. The carotene found especially in carrots prevents
and can even cure cancer.

Dr. Nieper states, “If you smoke 60 cigarettes a day but drink
4 glasses of carrot juice, you will still be less prone to
contract cancer than someone who doesn’t smoke but who doesn’t
drink carrot juice.” Of course, if you don’t smoke and do drink
carrot juice all the better!

Health tip - Care for your heart while you sleep

In which position do you sleep?
If you sleep on your stomach or on your left side,
you are putting pressure on your heart with the extra
body weight, while the heart has to continue pumping
blood as usual.

This additional burden wears the heart out more quickly.
Think about it - you spend more than one third of your
life sleeping! To reduce the strain on your heart, sleep
on your right side, or on your back. This simple technique
will add years to your life.

Reducing stroke risk

Getting a flu shot may not only protect you from catching the virus, it may also protect you from suffering a stroke, according to a study in which German doctors found an association between influenza vaccination and a reduced risk of stroke. In a report in the journal Stroke, Dr Armin J Grau, of Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, and colleagues note that hospitalisations for stroke go up during influenza epidemics, so flu vaccination might prevent strokes.

Source: The Star

Coming down hard on soft drinks

An American consumer group called for cigarette-style warnings on soft drinks to alert consumers that too much of the sugary beverages can make them fat and cause other health problems.

People who overindulge in soft drinks are also more likely to develop diabetes and have decaying teeth, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) said in a petition to the Food and Drug Administration.

The warnings are especially necessary to help counter the growing number of youth who drink soda, said the Center, which has previously put out reports publicising the health-threatening qualities of other popular foods such as ice cream and movie popcorn.

“Parents and health officials need to recognize soft drinks for what they are liquid candy and do everything they can to return those beverages to their former role as an occasional treat,” CSPI officials wrote in a related report.

Studies show teenage boys drink about 1.5 cans of soda a day on average compared to 1 can for teenage girls, according to the group.

Some suggested warnings included: “To help protect your waistline and your teeth, consider switching to diet sodas or water” and “Drinking too many (non-diet) soft drinks contributes to weight gain.”

Soft drinks with more than 10mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving should also carry warnings that say it is “a mildly addictive stimulant drug” that is “not appropriate for children,” CSPI added.

The group, which has also been fighting the prevalence of soda-vending machines in American schools, said new labels are needed to help counter aggressive marketing by the soda industry.

The American Beverage Association says soft drinks can be part of a healthy diet and help keep people hydrated, citing data from the American Dietetic Association.

“The beverage industry recognises the need for children and adults to consume a wide variety of beverages, including milk, water, juices and sport drinks. And yes, there is room in that mix for soft drinks,” the industry group says on its website.

Some soft drink makers have also recently introduced smaller-sized bottles and cans.

Source: The Star...

Salt or no salt? Food safety

Refined table salt labelled as iodised salt contains added iodine.

Chemically all types of salt contain sodium and chloride,
regardless of whether the salt is processed from seawater
or rock salt, which is mined from the ground. Unrefined
sea salt or rock salt may contain trace amounts of beneficial
minerals such as magnesium, iodine and zinc as well as other
impurities that are present in the seawater or in the area
from which the salt was mined. However, the amount of the
minerals relative to the amount of sodium and chloride is so
small that, to be nutritionally significant, very large
amounts of the salt would have to be consumed.

Source: Salts of the earth...The Star

How to identify a stroke

Below is very useful information. Unfortunately, I'm not
able to give credit to the source but if you know it, please
post it.

Note from a friend: I wish I knew this several years ago
when a friend was having a stroke at a clubhouse function and
I didn't recognize it; just that something was wrong and did
get a resident doctor in the hall and made other people aware,
but unfortunately her husband listened to her and didn't get
her to the hospital for a couple hours.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The
stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby
fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors
say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three
simple questions:

*Ask the individual to smile.
*Ask him or her to raise both arms.
*Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1
immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
After discovering that a Group Of non-Medical Volunteers
could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech
problems, researchers urged the general public to learn
the three questions. They presented their conclusions at
the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last
February. Widespread use of this test could result in
prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent
brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it
to 10 people you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
Tell as many people as possible about this. It could save
their lives!

Health tip - Are you anxious?

Is worrying one of your characteristics? Well, stop! It is
okay to worry, but at the right time.

Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania tell patients
who suffer from anxiety to regularly do a daily twenty minute
“worry session,” always at the same time and in the same place.
Collect your head full of worries during the day (don’t suppress
them!) and then pour them out during your daily worry session.

Exaggerate your worries to the point of absurdity - knit your
brows, make faces, let the sweat flow, shake and cower as much
as you like. In other words, make a caricature of the part of
yourself that is always worried, and in so doing exorcise it.

Eliminating worry will help prevent numerous psychosomatic
illnesses, which result from living in a state of permanent
anxiety.

Health tip - How to fight aging

This health tip is taken from an e-book "27 OF THE BEST
HEALTH "TIPS"" published by International Authors Bureau.

These health tips compiled by the editors of PRACTICAL
HEALTH GUIDES have been proven to be effective and easy
to follow. Many are based on recent research, while
others were known in ancient times.

It's helpful to keep these tips close at hand and make the
advice it offers a part of your daily life. Here's a first
health tip to start off.

1. How to fight aging
Did you know that just walking for 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times
a week is enough to combat aging?

According to researchers at the University of California,
one of the principle causes of deterioration of the human
organism’s physical faculties is its diminished ability to
metabolize glucose. And they showed that even leisurely
exercise, like taking a walk, plays an important role in
keeping glucose metabolism functioning smoothly.

Do you spend the whole day sitting at your desk or in front
of a computer screen? Why not get up occasionally and do a
few minutes of physical exercise? Don’t worry about what
other people think.

In some Japanese companies, it is even become a collective
habit. Every twenty minutes a bell sounds, and everybody
gets up to do some stretching exercises, after which they sit
down again as if nothing had happened. Japanese managers are
convinced that their employees are more productive when they
are relaxed.

Cool cucumber has hidden health benefits

The Star
FOOD SAFETY by CHIA JOO SUAN

What is the right vegetable for decorating dishes with a touch of green and complement the dish with a pleasing taste of juicy crunchiness? Often the answer is either fresh or pickled cucumber. The complementary appetiser has its unique moist and cooling taste coupled with hidden health benefits unknown to the diners.

Read full story...

Wellbeing for Women

Given the right diet and exercise, women can easily live
healthier lifestyles, writes YAM CHER SENG.

THERE is no denying that apart from physical difference,
women usually experience more health problems than men,
largely because of their reproductive function that usually
requires more medical attention compared to men.

Read more...The Star/Clove

FOCUS ON FIBER: How Much is Enough?

Looking for an easy and natural way increase your
vitality and improve your overall well-being? Try eating
more fiber!

The average American only gets about half the
amount of fiber they need everyday for their body to
function optimally. According to the American Heart
Association (AHA), fiber helps lower cholesterol and
is important for the health of our digestive system.
Both the AHA and the National Cancer Institute
recommend that we consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber
daily.

Dietary fiber is a transparent solid complex
carbohydrate that is the main part of the cell walls of
plants. It has two forms: soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber may help lower blood cholesterol and
reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Insoluble fiber provides the bulk needed for proper
functioning of the stomach and intestines. It
promotes healthy intestinal action and prevents
constipation by moving bodily waste through the
digestive tract faster, so harmful substances don't
have as much contact with the intestinal walls.

Unfortunately, many people are not eating this much
fiber, which is causing serious cardio-vascular health
concerns. Recently the AHA and the FDA (Food and
Drug Administration) confirmed that coronary heart
disease is the leading cause of death in the United
States, killing more people than any other disease. It
causes heart attack and angina (chest pain). A blood
clot that goes to the heart is considered a heart
attack, but if it goes to the brain it is a stroke. The
AHA ranks stoke as the third most fatal disease in
America, causing paralysis and brain damage.

Eating a high-fiber diet can significantly lower our risk
of heart attack, stroke and colon cancer. A 19-year
follow-up study reported in the November 2001 issue
of Archives of Internal Medicine indicated that
increasing bean and legume intakes may be an
important part of a dietary approach to preventing
coronary heart disease. Beans and legumes are high
in protein and soluble fiber. Another study reported
in the January 2002 issue of the Journal of the
American College of Cardiology also suggests that
increasing our consumption of fiber-rich foods like
whole grains, fruits and vegetables, can significantly
lower the risk of heart disease. Additionally, results
from recent studies at the American Institute of
Cancer Research indicate high-fiber protein-rich soy
foods, such as textured soy protein (also known as
TVP) and tempeh, help in preventing and treating
colon cancer.

Whole beans, soybeans and other legumes are
excellent sources of fiber. A 1 cup serving of cooked
navy beans contains about 19 grams of fiber! Always
read the Nutrition Facts label to find out the amount
of, and the type of, fiber contained in any particular
food. To help you achieve your daily allotment of
fiber, here is a list of various foods with their fiber
content.

Examples of Dietary Fiber:
1 cup cooked dry beans (navy, pinto, red, pink,
black, garbanzo, etc.) = 9-19 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked lima beans = 13 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked peas = 9 grams of fiber
1 cup raisin bran cereal = 8 grams of fiber
1 cup canned pumpkin = 7 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked spinach = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup whole wheat flour = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup soy tempeh = 7 grams of fiber
1/2 cup soy flour = 6 grams of fiber
1/2 cup edamame (whole green soybeans) = 5
grams of fiber
1 cup cooked broccoli = 5 grams of fiber
6 Brussels sprouts = 5 grams of fiber
1 baked sweet potato = 5 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked brown rice = 4 grams of fiber
1 cup cooked old fashioned rolled oats = 4 grams of
fiber
1 medium apple = 4 grams of fiber
1 medium orange = 4 grams of fiber
1 cup carrot strips = 4 grams of fiber
1/2 cup raspberries or blackberries = 4 grams of
fiber
1 medium banana = 3 grams of fiber
5 dried plums (prunes) = 3 grams of fiber
1 ounce of nuts (almonds, peanuts, pistachios) = 3
grams of fiber
1 baked potato (russet) = 3 grams of fiber
1/4 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds = 3 grams of
fiber
1 medium mango = 3 grams of fiber
1 medium tomato = 2 grams of fiber
1 cup pineapple juice = 2 grams of fiber
1/2 cup blueberries = 2 grams of fiber
1 cup romaine lettuce = 1.5 grams of fiber
1/2 cup tofu = 1 gram of fiber

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. helps people improve their
well-being, vitality & longevity. Her personal
coaching provides motivation, guidance and
support to get healthy, fit, reduce stress & anxiety,
strengthen the immune system, increase energy
levels, lower cholesterol, improve sleep, and
achieve your goals. For more information about
Monique’s coaching, visit
http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com