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Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Friday, March 22, 2024

First human-to-human transmission of tick-borne disease

Bug alert: A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection from an elderly patient who died. The doctor’s condition has improved. — The Straits Times/ANN

The first human-to-human transmission of a viral infection linked to ticks was recorded in Japan, the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases said.

A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection – severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) – from a male patient in his 90s, reported The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The elderly patient was diagnosed with the disease in April 2023. Symptoms of SFTS include fever, low blood platelet count, and influenza-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea, according to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore.

When the patient died, the doctor removed his intravenous drip and soon developed a 38ºC fever and other symptoms. He was diagnosed with the disease nine days later.

Human-to-human transmission was confirmed after the genes of the viruses in the two men were found to be identical. The doctor’s condition has since improved.

The disease is most commonly transmitted from infected animals such as cattle and rodents to humans through a tick bite, according to the NCID website.

There is no evidence that suggests the main vector, the Asian long-horned tick, is established in tropical countries such as Singapore. —- The Straits Times/ANN

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Monday, March 18, 2024

SLOWING DOWN BONE LOSS, Preventing osteoporosis from a young age

https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Content/StarPicks/Issues/46C4D35E-1CC2-4EAC-8E75-AA3747D7EEC2.pdf

ACCORDING to consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ruzaimi Md Yusoff at MSU Medical Centre, most people reach their peak bone mass around the age of 30. After that, bone remodelling continues, but you lose slightly more bone mass than you gain because of a decrease in osteoblast activity. That’s why it is important to have as much bone mass as possible by the age of 30.

There are multiple modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors which can affect bone health.

Diet – A low calcium intake will cause low bone density and will lead to early bone loss causing a higher risk of fractures. Not getting enough vitamin D can also increase the risk of osteoporosis because it is important for calcium absorption.

Physical activity – Not being active for long periods can increase the chances of getting osteoporosis. Muscles and bones become stronger with regular exercise and thus delay the onset of osteoporosis.

Body weight – Maintaining an ideal body weight is important for bone health. This is because extremely thin individuals will have lesser bone mass. Therefore, severely restricting food intake and being underweight weaken the bone.

Smoking – Many research suggests that tobacco will increase the risk of osteoporosis. Women who smoke go through menopause earlier than those who don’t smoke.

Alcohol – People who consume a lot of alcohol are more likely to get osteoporosis.

Medicines – Usage of corticosteroid medications such as cortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone can be damaging to the bone.

Age – Advanced age causes thinning and weakening of the bone.

Gender – Women have a greater risk of osteoporosis as they have less bone tissue than men. Women also lose bone faster than men because of hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

Ethnicity – Caucasian and Asian women are more prone to osteoporosis.

Family history – A strong family history of osteoporosis predisposes an individual to develop osteoporosis at an earlier age.

Maintaining bone health is important to prevent or slow down the process of bone loss. Dietary calcium intake is extremely important. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines and soy products such as tofu. Calcium supplements may also be prescribed by a doctor if dietary calcium intake is lesser than the requirement.

Adequate vitamin D intake is important for calcium absorption. Good sources of vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, trout, whitefish and tuna. Additionally, mushrooms, eggs and fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, are good sources of vitamin D. Sunlight also contributes to the body’s production of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplement may also be prescribed if indicated.

Physical activities especially weight-bearing exercises can help build strong bones and slow the process of bone loss. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake will also help delay the occurrence of osteoporosis.

There are some signs of osteoporosis that we should look out for which include receding gums, chipped or brittle nails, a weakened grip and fractured bones.

It’s important to seek medical attention for any type of bone pain, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, worsening over time or associated with swelling, redness, warmth, a fever, unintentional weight loss, or a palpable mass or lump.

Since osteoporosis does not have any symptoms until a bone breaks, it is important to talk to your doctor about your bone health. A bone density test may need to be done if your doctor feels that you are at risk for osteoporosis. A bone density test measures the density of your bones and assesses whether you have osteoporosis. It can also tell you the risks of breaking a bone.

Medications may be prescribed to help prevent and treat osteoporosis. These include bisphosphonates, oestrogen agonists/antagonists, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, oestrogen therapy and hormone therapy.

Preventing osteoporosis from a young age 

https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Content/StarPicks/Issues/1C44886D-F63A-4872-9161-85CA504D3065.pdf


▪ Administering blood tests 

HE best time to start caring for your bones would be during your childhood as your bones begin to develop and grow, gaining strength and mass. Your lifelong skeletal health is determined by the amount of bone mass you obtain while you are young.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role, particularly your intake of calcium and vitamin D. The daily calcium needs for infants under six months starts at 200mg and gradually increases, whereas teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 require 1,300mg per day to support their optimal growth.

For babies under a year old, a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D is recommended while those older than a year old should aim for 600 IU per day.

Factors that increase the likelihood of impaired bone health

Certain groups of children and adolescents face an elevated risk of experiencing compromised bone health:

  • l Premature babies and infants with a low birth weight

Physical activities such as jogging can help prevent osteoporosis. may exhibit lower-than-average bone mass during their initial months of life

  • l Children who are on prolonged medication regimens such as steroids and anti-seizure drugs

l Children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease may struggle with proper nutrient absorption

  • l Children with medical conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome and anorexia nervosa
  • l Children relying heavily on cancer treatments, anticonvulsants used for epilepsy management and corticosteroids employed for treating various conditions such as arthritis and asthma
  • l Children who experience extended periods of immobility or are bedridden
  • l Adolescent girls who experience infrequent, delayed or irregular menstrual cycles due to factors like intense athletic training, emotional stress or low body weight
  • l Children with physical limitations due to conditions like cerebral palsy and other related disorders
  • l Children and adolescents who engage in a sedentary, inactive way of life

Childhood obesity contributes to the decrease in bone density, yet further research is required to distinguish its impact from other factors, such as diet, race, ethnicity, lifestyle and exposure to the sun.

Diagnosing osteoporosis in children

Osteoporosis is typically identified when a child experiences a bone fracture. The diagnostic process may involve:

  • l Reviewing the medical history
  • l Conducting a physical examination
  • l Examining family medical histories to ascertain if there is a genetic component
  • l Employing a bone scan, specifically dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), to assess bone density

Preventative measures

Ongoing research is exploring strategies to optimise peak bone mass in children. However, parents and children can adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle by considering the following recommendations:

  • ▪ Ensure a consistent intake of calcium and vitamin D
  • ▪ Engage in regular physical activity, with a preference for weight-bearing exercises like walking and running
  • ▪ Consider calcium and vitamin D supplements, as advised by your doctor
  • ▪ Avoid smoking

Prevention towards osteoporosis starts when you are young. Taking early preventive actions reduces the risk of osteoporosis down the road. This involves a multi-faceted approach, encompassing a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular physical activity and a vigilant eye on underlying medical conditions and medications that may contribute to the risk.

Furthermore, promoting a healthy lifestyle is essential to safeguard children against the potential consequences of osteoporosis later in life. Early interventions and a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors can pave the way for stronger bones and a healthier future 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Nagging thoughts? Try this Hawaiian mantra to achieve inner peace

 

Repeating the mantra – I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you – while taking responsibility for a specific situation can help restore inner peace. — AFP

FROM an argument with your partner, to a conflict at work, to a niggling thought that just won't go away, there are many situations that can lead to negative emotions, or even real mental blocks. 

In this case, why not try the Ho'oponopono method? This age-old Hawaiian tradition involves taking full responsibility for your actions and letting go of limiting beliefs to reconnect with yourself and others. Here's how it works.

What started out as an ancestral tradition aimed at resolving conflicts within a community, or even a family, the Ho'oponopono method has gradually evolved into a whole life philosophy, and even a personal development practice. 

But the basic objective remains the same: to eliminate certain limiting beliefs (or memories) with the help of a mantra, in order to regain inner peace and resolve situations considered stressful or conflicts with others. In a way, this life philosophy is based on introspection and empowerment, with the key coming from your inner self and not from others.

What does it promise?

According to the website Hawaiian Dictionaries, the term "ho'opono" can mean "righteous, respectable, correct, upright," or "to behave correctly." But, more precisely, it's a tradition aimed at overcoming certain conflicts (professional), relationship problems (like an imminent breakup) and other difficult situations (like a death) all through the art of introspection.

"Ho'oponopono is the practice of sincere apology and true forgiveness. It is used today by many families, and in the past few decades, it has found its way around the globe," reads an article on the subject by Psychology Today.

When is it useful?

As mentioned above, the Ho'oponopono method is now considered a life philosophy, so there are no limits or restrictions, whether for adults or children. Any unpleasant situation, whether it affects your mind or your emotions, can justify the use of this personal development practice. "When heartfelt, ho’oponopono rectifies and helps heal the person asking forgiveness or all the people involved in the process," explains the American magazine.

How does it work?

While this method is based on a four-part mantra, to be repeated tirelessly to yourself (and in silence), it's not just a matter of saying these words to make yourself feel better and resolve your conflicts – whether internal or relational. 

This practice requires a certain amount of introspection, and is based on an awareness of your own personal responsibility for this or that action or situation .

Once this principle has been grasped, it's time to move on to the famous mantra. This involves repeating the following, over and over in your head – I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you – whenever you encounter a situation likely to affect you. As we've seen, the idea is to eliminate certain beliefs that can trap you in, or even foster, difficult situations. – AFP Relaxnews

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You use the mantra, "I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you," to acknowledge and take responsibility for any negative thoughts, actions, or emotions that may have contributed to conflict or disharmony. The mantra helps release these negative elements and transform them into positive, healing energy

Heal your life, get over haunting memories, overcome deep-seated guilt, and let go of generational baggage and negativity through Ho'oponopono Prayer. This beautiful prayer is a traditional Hawaiian practice as a tool for reconciliation and forgiveness across lifetimes. As you repeat or hear this mantra meditation, try to feel it from your heart. Forgive and be forgiven. May your life come to balance through the magic of Ho'oponopono. #Prayer #Meditation #MindBodySoul


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How you perceive stressful situations could help minimise their health impact

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How you perceive stressful situations could help minimise their health impact

Seeing a stressful situation as a challenge, rather than a threat, can help you avoid suffering both physically and mentally. — AFP

Reframing stressful situations could help minimise health and well-being problems


 FROM mounting workloads to relationship problems, moving house or looming exams, stressful situations come and go, but they all have one thing in common: they can play havoc with your health.

But it all depends on how you view them, a new British study reveals. In fact, seeing stressful situations as challenges, rather than threats, could prove beneficial to physical and mental health.

The figures speak for themselves: the global population is struggling. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly a billion people worldwide were living with at least one mental disorder in 2019, and the situation has since worsened considerably.

The global health authority estimates that the worldwide prevalence of anxiety and depression rose by 25% in the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic alone. 

It's an edifying finding, and one that serves as a wake-up call to the importance of taking action to try and curb the phenomenon.

While action is needed on a global and national scale, each of us also has the opportunity to take action, at our own personal level, to better cope with situations that could affect our health and well-being.

So suggest the findings of a new study by researchers at the United Kingdom's University of Bath, who found that the way we approach stressful situations can have an impact on our physical and mental health (or not, as the case may be).

Perception of stress

The study authors started from the simple observation that a person can perceive a stressful situation in two ways. 

They can either feel overwhelmed, and therefore see it as a threat, or they can feel capable of dealing with it, or even managing it, and therefore see it as a challenge.

This can be particularly true in the world of sport, where mindset can influence an athlete's performance.

In fact, the researchers turned to athletes to carry out their research, which is based on "valid and reliable" measures of challenge and/or threat assessment, mental health, well-being, and physical health problems from 395 athletes who responded to an online survey.

Published in the journal Stress and Health, the results suggest that participants who saw stressful situations as threats were at greater risk of physical and mental health problems, compared to those who saw them as challenges.

"We found a convincing link between mental and physical ill-health, and the way a person typically views stressful situations," said study co-author Dr Lee Moore from the Department for Health at the University of Bath, quoted in a news release.

"The more you’re able to appraise a stressful situation as a challenge, the more likely you are to report good health and well-being."

He continues: "Researchers have speculated for the past 15 years that people who repeatedly believe they don’t have the resources to cope in stressful situations are putting their health at risk, but we believe this is the first time the theory has been properly tested, leading to us finding a link between stress appraisals and health."

Although the study was carried out on athletes, its authors believe that the findings are equally valid for the rest of the population. 

They point out that the negative consequences induced by the way stressful situations are approached can range from a simple cold or flu, or even a weakened immune system, to mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression. 

It is hoped that this research will ultimately lead to the improved identification and management of people at risk of health problems due to increased stress.

"Most people will fluctuate in the way they appraise a situation, depending on the details of the specific situation, however, some people are far more likely to appraise all stressful situations as a threat, and this study shows that this tendency is associated with poorer health and well-being," concludes Moore. – AFP Relaxnews

Pullout quote: "The more you’re able to appraise a stressful situation as a challenge, the more likely you are to report good health and well-being." - Dr Lee Moore

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 Nagging thoughts? Try this Hawaiian mantra to achieve inner peace

 

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Friday, March 1, 2024

Exercises Like Planks, Wall Sits Work Best to Help Lower Blood Pressure

  • New research found that strength training exercises can be more effective at lowering blood pressure compared to other styles of exercise.1
  • Isometric movements, like wall sits and planks, were noted as the best form of strength training to lower blood pressure.
  • Experts recommend creating a sustainable exercise routine that includes both aerobic exercises and strength training in order to see the most benefits.

Strength training is more effective at lowering blood pressure than other styles of exercise, a new study finds.1

It has long been known that exercise can help reduce blood pressure, and can be an important component of managing hypertension. However, most research has focused on the benefits of aerobic exercise—like walking and running—to reduce blood pressure.

But, it’s not just cardio workouts that can be helpful for blood pressure management.

A new study, published in July in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that strength training exercises are more effective at lowering blood pressure than other forms of exercise.

The new research suggests that strength exercises, particularly those considered isometric exercises like planks and wall sits are better at lowering blood pressure than other types of exercises.1

“Isometric exercises increase the heart rate, lower cardiac output, and alter systemic vascular resistance via various musculoskeletal receptors,” said Nitin Bhatnagar, DO, a cardiologist, human behavioral specialist, CrossFit coach, and life architect at Hampden and Franklin County Cardiovascular Associates in Massachusetts.

He explained that, over time, this conditions the cardiovascular system and lowers blood pressure.

“This gives further proof that exercise is a critical component of controlling our blood pressure, in addition to medication if that is what is recommended by your doctor,” said Lance LaMotte, MD, FACC, a structural and interventional cardiologist and the owner of TITLE Boxing Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Man doing a forearm plank

GETTY IMAGES / OSCAR WONG

The Limitations of the Study

LaMotte noted that since the new research is a meta-analysis (an analysis of several trials), there is room for critique of the certainty of the findings. “As licensed practitioners, we rely on meta-analyses a little less for absolute results,” he said.

Exercise Reduces the Stiffness of Blood Vessels, Which Lowers Blood Pressure

From a broad perspective, exercise helps blood pressure by reducing the stiffness of the blood vessels. This makes the blood vessels more “compliant” or extensible and able to dilate or widen, making more “room” for blood to flow through.

This decreases the pressure exerted by the blood on the arterial walls.

Bhatnagar explained that blood vessels have three layers of tissue that comprise the walls of the vessels. The innermost layer is known as the endothelial layer; exercise has been shown to influence the activity of the endothelium.

The endothelial cells release nitric oxide, which helps widen the blood vessels.

“[Nitric oxide] also relaxes the artery wall’s smooth muscle cells, preventing spasms, and keeps the vessels patent,” Bhatnagar said. “Regular exercise helps the arteries by increasing nitric oxide production.”

He explained that because of the widening of the blood vessels, blood pressure is lowered.

Consistent exercise also helps lower blood pressure because of how it strengthens the heart muscle, Bhatnagar added. This allows the heart to pump blood more efficiently, which reduces stress on the blood vessels.

What Is a Healthy Blood Pressure in Adults?

According to the American Heart Association, a blood pressure reading below 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) is considered within the normal range for a healthy adult.2

Creating a Balanced Exercise Routine for Blood Pressure

Even though the new research points to the benefits of strength training for blood pressure, Bhatnagar clarified that it’s important for an exercise routine to include all forms of exercise in order to provide a full range of benefits to the body.

“Strength training is just as crucial as aerobic training, which is equally vital to yoga and stretching,” he said. “Each discipline plays a role in the body’s development and conditioning to balance strength, endurance, stamina, coordination, flexibility, speed, agility, and functionality.”

Ultimately, it’s important to find a sustainable exercise routine that you can stick with—that’s when you’ll start to see results.

“The most important thing is to find an exercise that you are going to do at least 3 or 4 times a week,”Allan Stewart, MD, a cardiologist and the chairman of surgery and medical director of the Cardiovascular Institute at HCA Florida told Health. “If you are someone that doesn’t like strength exercises, and likes to, say, swim, walk, or hike, those are fine as well.”

LaMotte agreed that liking the kind of exercise you’re doing will help with consistency, which is, in his opinion, more important than choosing a specific kind of physical activity.

“Make sure you choose something that you enjoy doing and can commit to long-term,” he said. “That’s where I see people fall off—when they choose an activity they can’t adhere to.”

That said, Stewart, LaMotte, and Bhatnagar agree that you certainly shouldn’t negate strength training.

“The reason why we have joint, posture problems, and disc disease is because we’re not doing strength training over time,” Stewart said. “Strength training will lead to better posture and a lower heart rate. It will also decrease stress, decrease arthritis, improve posture, and decrease spinal disease, among the many benefits.”

Before you begin any exercise program, particularly if you struggle with high blood pressure, Stewart noted that it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional.

But, once you’ve decided on the right exercise path for you, it can yield impactful results.

“We are far better off with exercise than blood pressure medicine,” said Stewart. “It’s not to say there aren’t people who need it, but [focus on] controlling your diet, controlling your stress, getting proper sleep and exercise.”