Global Digital Store – Ebooks and Softwares

Tag: Damage

Breathing To Heal – How Yoga Helps Arthritis

[ad_1]

Arthritis is common but not well understood. It is not a single disease but a way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 different versions of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages suffer from this malady, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

Common symptoms include joint swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go or stay the same for years. They can be mild, moderate or severe but may progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain and an inability to do daily activities. It can cause permanent joint changes which may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on an X-ray. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys and skin as well as the joints.

Yoga is a set of practices with origins in ancient India. The word yoga comes from a Sanskrit work meaning "to yoke" or "to unite." It focuses on unifying the mind, body, and spirit, and fostering a greater feeling connection between the individual and his / her surroundings. Its main goal is helping individuals realize balance. Beyond this, yoga has several secondary goals, such as improving physical health and enhancing mental well-being and emotional strength.

In addition, yoga is associated with increased mental energy as well as positive feelings (such as alertness and enthusiasm), fewer negative feelings (reduced excitability, anxiety, aggressiveness) and sleep issues. In summary, yoga is associated with a wide range of physical and psychological benefits that may be especially helpful for persons living with a chronic illness such as arthritis.

As with any physical activity, it is important to take proper precautions such as checking to see that a doctor hasn't placed any limitations or restrictions on an arthritis patient. If a medical professional has specific concerns, get them in writing and give this information to the yoga instructor. A qualified yoga teacher generally starts a beginner with a gentle, therapeutic class. It is important that the class is led by an instructor who can guide one through safe and healthy poses.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows for full movement of the body. If it is too loose, the instructor will be less able to guide proper alignment but it should also not be restrictive. Clothing specially designed for yoga is available, but unnecessary. Yoga is traditionally practiced barefoot, though it may be possible to wear socks at the start of class, until the body warms up. Mats are used in modern yoga practice to provide cushioning and prevent slipping. Some studios supply mats for general use.

The general rule for arthritis patient is that if it hurts, stop. The old adage of "no pain, no gain" does not apply to yoga. When doing certain poses, arthritis patients should keep them relatively small and be aware not to hyper-extend the neck, keeping the head in line with the rest of the spine. For those with arthritis of the hip, be cautious when doing "hip openers" or poses with extreme external rotation of the hips.

Generally, there will be pain if one is going too far with a pose, but sometimes the effects are not felt until the next day. It is important to start slowly and expand the practice as the body dictates.

[ad_2]

Source by Sherry Lynn Daniel

Views: 0

July 25, 2022
Don't Let Them Trick You, An Eczema Cure Doesn't Exist – However Eczema Treatment Solutions Do

[ad_1]

Introduction

Despite the numerous claims, a permanent eczema cure doesn't exist. To understand why this is the case, we need to understand what eczema really is, what the causes are and why you have the condition.

However the symptoms of eczema can be treated.

What is Eczema?

Derived from the Greek word meaning "to boil over", eczema is used to describe the inflamed skin which is red in appearance and can be extremely itchy.

The Two Main Types

Atopic – triggered by an external factor / allergen and can have a genetic basis (someone in the family will often also have eczema) ;.

Contact Dermatitis – this occurs as a result of skin contact with irritating substances

Why Do I Have Eczema

To understand this we first need to understand our skin.

The Skin

The largest organ of the body, its functions include:

Regulating heat

Providing sensation – example warn against dangers such as temperature

Play a role in the metabolic process

Hence the skin is really important in maintaining the internal balance of the body. So when the body suffers a shock (reaction), the effects so often enough manifest themselves in the skin. These include producing high levels of hormones and inflammatory toxins, which can then affect production of natural oils which help keep the skin moisturized and also disturb the skins natural heat control system. As the skin becomes inflamed, it gets drier, the itchiness starts, the urge to scratch grows all of which can lead to skin damage and " Eczema".

Causes of Eczema

The exact causes are yet to be fully understood, however it is believed for the most common type of, an oversensitive immune is thought to be the main cause. Whilst you don't inherit Eczema itself, the chances are that if you suffer from the condition, you have inherited a gene which results in the release of antibodies when you can come into contact with normally harmless substances such as certain types of foods, pollen , house dust mites etc. These triggers vary from one person to another. With people who have atopic eczema, due to their over sensitive immune system, the body releases extra amounts of immuglobin E, the temperature of the skin is then affected, as its ability to produce natural oils which help keep the skin moisturized and prevent the loss of moisture. The result is the skin becoming red and inflamed, swollen, itchy and all the other symptoms we associate with Eczema are started.

Does A Cure Exist

As mentioned above, as an inherited gene is the most likely reason why you have the condition, as with many genetically inherited conditions the answer is no.

Will I Have Eczema All My Life

Whilst a permanent cure doesn't exist, the symptoms can be treated and if carefully managed there is no reason why you can't be eczema free. This eczema treatment approach, is what I have adopted both for myself and my three children and thankfully all of us remain eczema free.

[ad_2]

Source by Jasmine Khan

Views: 0

July 24, 2022
Top Reasons Why Athletes Should See a Sports Medicine Doctor

[ad_1]

The life of professional athletes isn’t easy. They have to participate in intensive exercises and training activities constantly to deliver maximum performance in front of an audience.

While these activities are crucial for athletes to stay in shape, they can also damage their body.

Sports medicine is a growing healthcare field dedicated for treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise like fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, tendonitis, overtraining syndrome and degenerative diseases.

Besides injury treatment, it also focuses on helping the athletes improve their performance prevent future injuries.

Despite being a relatively new medical specialty, it has become essential for athletes thanks to its ability to address their specific needs and concerns.

Who is a Sports Medicine Doctor?

A sports medicine doctor is a licensed and trained individual who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries related to athletic activities.

These specialists treat their patients using physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, massage therapy, exercises, and other techniques so that they can return to their desired activity level quickly, safely and successfully.

They also teach the athletes on nutrition to help them maintain an optimal level of health and fitness and achieve their sports performance goals.

The sports medicine team includes sports physiotherapists, sports massage therapists, sports orthopaedic surgeons, sports podiatrists, athletic trainers, sports dieticians, exercise physiologists and sports biomechanists.

Common Sports Injuries:

Some common sports injuries athletes suffer on the filed include ankle sprain, groin pull, hamstring strain, knee injury, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis, concussion, shoulder injury, hip bursitis, quadriceps strain and shin splints.

They can also experience the exacerbation of pre-existing health problems like diabetes, asthma, allergies and arthritis.

Reasons to Visit a Sports Medicine Doctor:

There are many reasons for an athlete to see a sports physician.

Let’s take a look at some of them.

(1) Customized Care:

Sports medicine doctors are specially trained healthcare professionals who have an in-depth understanding of what could be the impacts of an exercise on their patient’s body. They collaborate with physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons to develop a customized treatment for their patient.

(2) Injury Prevention:

Sports physicians can provide the athletes with expert advice on the how to prevent injuries during the practice or play and how to reduce the likelihood of resurfacing a previous injury. They also conduct pre-participation physical exams of their patients to determine whether they are fit enough to resume sports activities.

(3) Pain Management:

Sports injuries may lead to several orthopedic issues that often cause chronic pain, making it difficult for the athletes to return to the game and carry out their activities.

While the primary aim of sports physicians is always to diagnose, treat and resolve the injury, they also use pain management therapies like electrical stimulation, spinal decompression, prescription medications and injected medications, to help their patients prevent or defer the need for surgery and continue their daily activities without any hindrance.

(4) Rehabilitation:

For an athlete, a return from an injury can be a complicated and lengthy process. If you find yourself sidelined by an injury, a sports physician can help you restore your movement and function and return to same or higher level of fitness quickly.

(5) Improving Athletic Performance:

Sports physicians diagnose and treat uncomfortable conditions to help you deliver your maximum performance, both on and off the field.

They also suggest you exercises and techniques to improve your strength and balance that contribute to your success as an athlete.

(6) Improving overall Fitness:

Sports physicians help athletes prevent muscle sprains, strains and tears to keep their bodies in shape.

They also conduct full body and musculoskeletal examinations to help them maintain their overall fitness.

(7) Non-Surgical Treatment:

Sports physicians try to avoid surgery in less severe cases and instead focus on treating injuries with non-surgical methods like physical therapy and acupuncture.

These treatments are often non-invasive and require shorter recovery time.

(8) State-of-the-Art Surgical Treatment:

In the cases where surgery is indispensable, sports physicians use advanced surgical procedures, like arthroscopic ACL repair, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hip arthroscopy, stem cell therapy and rotator cuff repair to restore the function of injured areas.

(9) Education & Nutrition:

Sports medicine doctors teach you how to fuel your body properly to deliver greater performance consistency.They also focus on each athlete’s dietary needs depending on his/her general health and athletic goals.

(10) Rehabilitated Mobility:

Sports injuries can impair your mobility and flexibility, thus preventing you from conducting your athletic activities. Sports physicians help you restore function, increase strength and flexibility, improve range of motion, and prevent injuries from occurring.

(11) Improving Confidence:

An athlete fights with different type of injuries on the field that could make him/her self-conscious. Sports physicians address their specific needs, thus helping them regain their confidence and enjoy their game.

[ad_2]

Source by Jexy Rodriguez

Views: 0

July 24, 2022
Your Lifestyle And Hypertension (Part 2)

[ad_1]

Let’s go a little quantitative and slightly medical for a while. When you visit your doctor or any legally recognized health practitioner, taking your blood pressure is one of the basic examinations to be performed. And afterwards, they usually scribble some jargons on a piece of paper and probably prescribe to you some drugs thereafter, with cacographic handwritings. Blood pressures are measured with the use of a Sphygmomanometer tied around your upper arm as a cuff, and the values are documented as a fraction of your highest blood pressure (systolic) to your lowest blood pressure (diastolic). Normal values are of the ranges 100-140mmHg for the systolic and 60-90mmHg for the diastolic.

Secondary hypertension usually results from an identifiable cause. It is a case of “if Jericho refuses to challenge Israel, Israel must pull down Jericho!” either way, everybody must know that Israel wins. This means that primary hypertension can later become Secondary hypertension or Secondary hypertension can usually occur on its own due to identifiable causes such as Kidney failure, Hyperthryroidism or Coarctation of the Aorta and so many others. Either way, one’s body organs begin to fail. Jericho’s wall starts to fall!

Two new concepts suddenly emerge at this point. The one is called Hypertensive urgencies and the other is known as hypertensive emergencies. Both involve a sustained high blood pressure above normal (about 180/110 mmHg), however the latter usually occurs with an evidence of target organ damage. What are these target organs? They include the eyes, the Kidneys, Brain, Lungs and Heart. Imagine a blind bedridden human with paralysis, bad kidneys and yet has a heart attack. A good example of the living dead. Many patients are usually noncompliant when the doctor says, “Sir, we would need to admit you immediately”. This statement is often made when the kidneys have written resignation letter to the association of body parts and both eyes have decided to get a divorce.

Is Hypertension Age Dependent?

While hypertension is commonly a condition in adults and much worse in the elderly, children oftentimes are diagnosed of hypertension but this is very rare: like finding one bad egg in a warehouse of shipped crates. Children affected often fail to thrive or develop as should be, frequently have nose bleeding, easily fatigued, often breathless, blurred vision, irritability seizures and sometimes facial paralysis. If found in children, it usually is a pointer to a problem with their kidneys.

I’m Pregnant, What about me?

Hypertension would usually occur in 8-10% of global pregnancies, and is said to be in pregnancy if there is sustained elevation of blood pressure after 2 checkups within a 6-hour period in between checkup’s. It could be a preexisting hypertension which must have been present before conception. It could also be gestational due to pregnancy and may then progress to what we call Preeclampsia which is characterized by increased protein in the urine in addition to the raised blood pressure. Preeclampsia is present in 5% of pregnancies. However, preecmplamsia can further progress to becoming Eclampsia, which is a very fatal gestational hypertensive emergency. It is capable of claiming the lives of both mother and unborn child. Pregnant women should have regular antenatal checkups and have their blood pressures closely monitored and controlled when necessary.

Even drugs are Culprits.

All substances are potential poisons, the dosage would tell. There are many other factors aside from drug dosage that can cause adverse drug effects. Drugs such as NSAIDS(pain killers), Oral contraceptives like morning after pill, drugs that increase your heart rate, drugs that retain fluid in your blood vessels(Antidiuretics) and various Steroids can cause Secondary hypertension.

What do I do now?

Hypertension is not the end of life. Visit your doctor and listen to whatever treatment modalities he or she gives you. Be compliant. This is a serious one. Poorly managed hypertension is as good as no treatment at all. Appropriate lifestyle modifications are essential here: exercise regularly, reduce salt intake, avoid much stress, Smoking and Alcohol intake should be a no no, or at least reduced to nonlethal amounts. You may also want to quit these 2 habits meet with your doctor for advice. Eat well and Sleep well. DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet is encouraged here. Your meals should generally contain low fat dairy foods, enough vegetables and whole grains, fruits are also essential with limited sugar-sweetened foods and beverages.

Hypertension is another hidden menace in our evolving society. Let’s all join hands and fight it off together. Health is no doubt Wealth.

[ad_2]

Source by Nelson U Udeme

Views: 0

July 23, 2022
5 Changes You Can Make Now to Improve Penis Health and Function

[ad_1]

A healthy member means a healthy sex life, and that means taking the right steps to improve penis health. Fortunately, the most effective steps are (quite literally) in your hands, and making these five changes can benefit not only your manhood, but your overall physical and mental health.

1) Exercise. Everything is connected to heart, lung and blood vessel health, so keeping these in order is one of the most important things you can do for your health and your penis. Whether you are up for a round of golf, a little light gardening, or a triathlon, any increase in exercise will definitely pay off. Remember to consult your doctor before beginning a regular exercise program, but hurry and make that appointment, because many men find that they have better, long-lasting erections when they exercise regularly.

2) Eat clean. When looking to improve penis health, start at the kitchen. As you begin to exercise more, your body will demand nutrient-packed food. Eat lots of dark, leafy green vegetables and fruits to keep trim and in shape. Fatty, processed foods can cause damage to blood vessels, which in turn reduces the flow of blood into the penis. Keep those vessels clean and clear by reducing fatty food, salt and sugar intake. Aside from the physical benefits of weight loss, men may feel more confident, more energetic and less depressed.

3) Treat mind as well as body.Men suffering from depression, anxiety and stress can experience erectile dysfunction issues. Problems in the bedroom can make for a rocky relationships, as well as affecting self-esteem, which in turn can increase your levels of stress and have long-lasting effects on your life. If you’re feeling blue, low, or are experiencing any of the following symptoms: anxiety, apathy, loss of appetite, excessive hunger, irritability, social isolation or unusual weight gain or loss, reach out to a medical professional for treatment options..

4) Put out the butts. If you don’t smoke, fantastic. If you do smoke, quit now. Men who smoke are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction and other penile problems than men who don’t light up. Men who have smoked heavily and for a long time may have issues with the blood flow traveling to the penis. Smoking leads to narrowing of the arteries, which means it can obstruct the flow of blood to the penis, creating erectile issues. Put down the cigarette, if only for your penis.

5) See the doctor.In addition to making changes to your diet and exercise routine, make sure to get to the doctor for your annual check-up and do a testicular cancer check on yourself once a month to keep your boys healthy. Quick guide: Take a warm bath or shower and gently examine each reproductive organ with your fingers by placing your index and middle fingers underneath and your thumb directly on top of one of your testicles. Gently roll the testicles around in your fingers, feeling for any irregular sized bumps or lumps within the sack.If you feel anything irregular, seek medical treatment.

For every day care of the penis, after correctly washing the genital area, dry and moisturize your skin with a product made specifically for male tissue, like a penis health crème(health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). This particular health crème is a super weapon, containing vitamins and nutrients essential to the wellbeing of private area skin, like vitamin C, for collagen production, and Shea butter, which hydrates the skin leaving the area soft and smooth. Keep the penis skin clean, dry, and hydrated for optimal health.

[ad_2]

Source by John Dugan

Views: 0

July 23, 2022
Awe Inspiring Reports of Reiki Healing Severe Nerve Damage

[ad_1]

As part of the Medical Reiki Master Community, I’m repeatedly amazed by the healing power of Reiki. This group continuously shares amazing outcomes of the healing capabilities of Reiki in multitudes of medical cases. There are even cases that are oftentimes documented medical issues where the patient is not given a lot of hope from their doctor for a complete recovery. I’ve been given permission by a fellow Certified Medical Reiki Master, Jody Wolfe, to share her own success story along with the success story of her client, which is very near and dear to her heart.

This is Jody’s recap of her own personal Reiki success story:

“I got involved working with a hand therapist because she watched me heal my own hand with Reiki, to her astonishment. I shattered my radius at the wrist in a compound fracture from a fall. My ulnar nerve was so badly damaged that I was told by more than one hand surgeon that I was unlikely to ever regain use of my right hand. The muscles in that hand became atrophied. I did Reiki every day, never giving up on its power to heal. My ulnar nerve spontaneously recovered overnight, and I went from completely unable to use my hand one day to full function the next morning. All my therapist had to do was help me rebuild strength and endurance. She understood that what happened was medically impossible and has been a champion for Reiki ever since. Like you, I remember every day the gift of recovery Reiki has given me. How can we not want to bring this gift to others? Reiki on, sister!”

With such an incredible nerve damage recovery of her own, Jody is blessed to now have a certified hand therapist in her corner. She is able to share her gift of Reiki with others’ with a similar personal story.

This is what Jody shared about her clients healing with Reiki:

“I volunteer in a beautiful integrative working relationship with a certified hand therapist. Last week I started working with a long-time client of the clinic with severe Guillain-Barre syndrome. She was completely paralyzed, and after 2 years of hard work in both physical and occupational therapy, she has made minimal progress, with her hands being almost useless to her. While her nerves recently began showing some small initial signs of healing, she still had very far to go. After one short Medical Reiki treatment, her occupational therapy session, normally agonizing, was pain-free, and she spontaneously regained significant range of motion and functionality in her hands. She was able to perform every task the therapist gave her to test her new abilities. The client cried with joy, and the therapist was speechless, even though she was already a believer in Reiki. The occupational therapist did a periodic evaluation with her this week, and she did amazing – completing tasks in record time that she didn’t think she would ever be able to do again. Additionally, with Reiki, her pain during OT treatments has dropped from off the charts (with pain meds) to barely noticeable (with no pain meds). Oh, the wonders Reiki can do for patients! We are so blessed to be part of this important work.”

Like so many others, I am so very grateful every day for the gift of Reiki healing in my own life after thyroid cancer, so I will continue to share the incredible power of Reiki. Today, I am healthy and whole and feel blessed to be able to share the gift of Reiki healing with others. We all deserve to have the gift and grace of Reiki, so please share this with anyone who can be helped by the medical marvels of Reiki Healing.

A special thanks goes out to Jody Wolfe for allowing me to share two very personal and awe inspiring cases of Reiki Healing!

Be well! Love and light to you!

Nicole

[ad_2]

Source by Nicole Lawler

Views: 0

July 22, 2022
Indonesia firmly committed to eliminating lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem

Indonesia recently completed the last of its annual large-scale treatment for lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis or Penyakit Kaki Gajah) in Malaka District located in its southernmost province, East Nusa Tenggara. Unprecedented
progress by the National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Programme has strongly placed the country on the path to achieving the elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

“We reached an estimated number of 40.7 million people living in the 118 high-risk districts during this month-long treatment campaign in October 2019” said Dr Anung Sugihantono, who recently retired as Director General of Diseases
Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health Indonesia. “Single doses of diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole facilitated by WHO were delivered to all eligible populations.”

In 2010, an estimated 125 million Indonesians were still at risk of the disease and required treatment.

But things changed considerably in 2015 when Indonesia mounted an annual national campaign to resolutely address transmission of the disease and to tackle the morbidity and disability associated with it. The results were apparent as early as 2017, with
remarkable progress.

In Indonesia, LF is considered a significant public health concern. In 2009, risk mapping identified a population of 124.5 million people needing treatment for LF. The country initiated a national level LF elimination campaign in 2015, addressing both
disease prevention and management.

“In 2017 and in just two years we managed to achieve 100% geographical coverage of all people requiring treatment” said Dr Sugihantono. “It meant achieving more than 78% epidemiological coverage – much higher than the generally recommended 65% to stop transmission.”

Transmission of lymphatic filariasis can be stopped through large-scale treatment (or mass drug administration – MDA) of entire at- risk communities with recommended medicines once a year. These medicines kill the microfilariae in an infected patient’s
blood preventing mosquitoes to transmit¹ the disease to others. Through mass treatment, the aim is to reduce the reservoir of microfilariae in the blood to a level insufficient to maintain transmission by the mosquito vector.

This strategy to interrupt transmission is the corner-stone of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). Indonesia has been using the GPELF’s strategy since 2002 using a district or city
as its implementation unit.

In 2005, it listed the elimination of LF as a national priority for controlling infectious diseases and the medicines it has been using in large-scale treatment programmes are diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and albendazole² which are
largely distributed by volunteer community health workers³.

“Community health volunteers are themselves members of the community and know how to reach people effectively to improve compliance” said Dr. Stefanus Bria Seran, the Regent of Malaka District, one of LF endemic district in Indonesia. “Besides ensuring every single person ingests the medicine given to them, these community workers help in disseminating information well before a large-scale treatment campaign and also assist in reporting activities related to each treatment campaign”.

Indonesia’s efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis began in the 1970s but faced numerous challenges including programme coordination in the many inhabited islands, conducting information, education and awareness programmes, lack of capacity and
insufficient medicines.

Furthermore, the situation in Indonesia is unusual than in many other countries endemic for lymphatic filariasis as the country is endemic for all three species of thread-like filarial worms – Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti –
that cause the disease. Most of the infections in Indonesia, however, are caused by B. malayi.

In the past, some of the factors that prevented access to the medicines (DEC and albendazole) were social stigmatization linked to the disease, the vast geography of the territory and challenges in reaching remote populations.

With an estimated population of 242 million, Indonesia is the world’s largest island nation and consists of approximately 17,000 islands, of which 5,000–6,000 are inhabited. It is the fourth most populated nation behind China, India, and the United
States.

Indonesia is endemic for many other neglected tropical diseases and an estimated 110 million Indonesians are believed to suffer from at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD), including lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections.
Leptospirosis (not classified as NTD) is also widespread.

Indonesia is the only country of WHO’s South East Asia Region with endemic schistosomiasis. Like many other countries of the Region, it also faces recurrent threats of dengue outbreaks.

Global progress

The world has made significant progress towards the elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

Sixteen countries⁴ and one territory are now acknowledged by WHO to have achieved elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

Seven additional countries have successfully implemented recommended strategies, stopped large-scale treatment and are under surveillance to demonstrate that elimination has been achieved.

The disease

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with parasitic worms living in the lymphatic system. The larval stages of the parasite (microfilaria) circulate in the blood and are transmitted from person to person by mosquitoes.

Infection involves asymptomatic, acute, and chronic conditions. Most infections are asymptomatic, showing no external signs while contributing to transmission of the parasite. Although asymptomatic, these infections still cause damage to the lymphatic
system and the kidneys and alter the body’s immune system.

When lymphatic filariasis develops into chronic conditions it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling). Involvement of breasts and genital organs are common.

Manifestation of the disease after infection takes time and can result in an altered lymphatic system, causing abnormal enlargement of body parts, and leading to severe disability and social stigmatization of those affected.

¹Lymphatic filariasis is transmitted by different types of mosquitoes – e.g the Culex mosquito which widespread across urban and semi-urban areas; Anopheles, mainly found in rural areas; and, Aedes, mainly
in endemic islands in the Pacific.

²In 2017, WHO recommended an alternative three drug treatment to accelerate the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis. The treatment, known as IDA, involves a combination of ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine citrate and albendazole.
It is recommended annually in settings where its use is expected to have the greatest impact.

³Community health workers, also called ‘cadres’, are volunteers who form part of the communities they serve and work with local
communities to educate families. Their contribution in promoting health has been significant in the country.

⁴Cambodia, The Cook Islands, Egypt, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Niue, Palau, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Wallis and Futuna, and Yemen

Read More
https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/29-04-2020-indonesia-firmly-committed-to-eliminating-lymphatic-filariasis-as-a-public-health-problem

Views: 0

May 9, 2020
Two offshore earthquakes rattle Philippines

MANILA: Two offshore earthquakes with a magnitude 6 and a magnitude 5.5 respectively rattled the Philippines early on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported according to the Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs).

One earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 jolted Batanes province in the northern Philippines at 12.44am about 37km northeast of Basco town. It hit at a depth of 167km, the institute said.

Batanes is the northernmost archipelagic province in the country.

The second earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.5, was recorded at 2.45am about 141km southeast of Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental province in the southern Philippines with a depth of 52km, the institute said.

The institute said both tremors, which were tectonic in origin, will not cause any significant damage. However, it said the quakes can trigger aftershocks.

The Philippines has frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/world/two-offshore-earthquakes-rattle-philippines-GB2245932

Views: 0

April 11, 2020
Speed of Covid-19 deaths shock doctors and nurses

NEW YORK: One medical worker called it “insane”, another said it induces paranoia – the speed with which patients are dying from the novel coronavirus is shocking even veteran doctors and nurses as they scramble to determine how to stop such sudden deterioration.

Patients “look fine, feel fine, then you turn around and they’re unresponsive”, said Diana Torres, a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US where the virus has infected nearly 430,000 people and caused more than 14,700 deaths.

“I’m paranoid, scared to walk out of their rooms.”

It isn’t just the elderly or patients with underlying health conditions, who can be fine one minute, and at death’s door the next.

It can happen for the young and healthy, too, health professionals told Reuters.

A young woman died unexpectedly while nurse Laurie Douglas was on duty at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

After 34 years on the job, Douglas said she normally has “an intuition of who is going to fade and who may improve”.

“But these people are throwing that out the window.

“Last week, she was planning her wedding.

“This week, her family is planning her funeral,“ she said, referring to the deceased patient.

Patients might enter the hospital with strong oxygen levels and be engaged in happy conversation, said a resident emergency doctor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, only to be “gasping for breath” and intubated a few hours later.

“The scary thing is there are no rules to it,“ the resident said on condition of anonymity.

These scenes are playing out everywhere as Covid-19 has infected more than 1.4 million worldwide and killed more than 85,000 as of Wednesday.

The quick turns for the worse are likely products of an “overly exuberant” reaction by the immune system as it fights the virus, said Dr Otto Yang, an infectious disease specialist at the UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles.

Called a cytokine storm, it occurs when the body overproduces immune cells and their activating compounds – cytokines – causing dangerously high blood pressure, lung damage and organ failure.

Emily Muzyka, 25, a nurse in the New York suburbs, said she reached her breaking point last week, when a relatively healthy 44-year-old woman needed sudden intubation.

“I had a meltdown that night,“ she said.

“I cried to my boyfriend.”

Intubation refers to inserting a tube into the mouth and through the airway of a Covid-19 patient struggling to breathe, so they can be hooked to a mechanical ventilator.

Journalist Anick Jesdanun, who was in good health and had run 83 marathons, died last week from Covid-19, according to a post on Facebook by his cousin Prinda Mulpramook.

Jesdanun, who was 51, at first didn’t need hospitalisation, according to the post.

He had begun to recover and showed clear lungs and strong vital signs during a doctor’s visit in late March. But “a sudden setback” sent him to the emergency room on April 1, and “13 hours later we lost him”, Mulpramook wrote.

A nurse at Mount Sinai’s intensive care unit recalled watching patients’ kidneys quickly shut down, adding that many require intravenous drips of the blood thinner Heparin.

“It’s insane how sick they get, how quickly.

“We’re really trying hard to figure out how to treat them.”

Some of those hospitals are experimenting with unproven drugs in hopes of helping patients, including the anti-malaria medication hydroxychloroquine.

“We’re essentially throwing the kitchen sink at these patients,“ a doctor said.

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/home/speed-of-covid-19-deaths-shock-doctors-and-nurses-AF2241516

Views: 0

April 10, 2020
WhatsApp tightens sharing limits to curb virus misinformation

SAN FRANCISCO: WhatsApp on Tuesday placed new limits on message forwarding as part of an effort to curb the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.

The new policy limits users to forwarding certain messages to one “chat” at a time, aiming to limit the rapid propagation of content that is provocative but likely to be false.

The Facebook-owned messaging platform said it took the action to enable people to concentrate on personal and private communications during the health crisis.

In recent weeks, “we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of forwarding which users have told us can feel overwhelming and can contribute to the spread of misinformation,“ WhatsApp said in a blog post.

“We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation.”

Last year, WhatsApp set limits on forwarded messages to five chats at a time, “to constrain virality,“ responding to events in India where the rapid proliferation of unverified information led to mob violence.

The new policy applies to messages forwarded “many times” and marked with a double-arrow, indicating that it did not originate from a close contact, according to WhatsApp.

“In effect, these messages are less personal compared to typical messages sent on WhatsApp,“ the blog said.

“We are now introducing a limit so that these messages can only be forwarded to one chat at a time.”

Damian Collins, a British member of parliament and co-founder of the Infotagion fact-check blog, called the move “a timely intervention,“ noting that WhatsApp was being used to spread recent hoaxes that 5G wireless networks were spreading the virus.

“The online conspiracy theories about #5G exposed last week, and their real-life consequences, are a clear call to fight disinformation about #COVID19,“ Collins tweeted.

“A lot of the false content sent to us at @infotagion came from @WhatsApp.”

Scrambling to stop hoaxes

WhatsApp along with its parent Facebook have been scrambling to curb an explosion of rumors and hoaxes about the coronavirus and at the same time seeking to promote verified content.

With more than a billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become a key source of information and communication during the pandemic.

Facebook said last month it has nearly doubled server capacity to power WhatsApp as people in isolation place more voice and video calls using the popular messaging service.

But WhatsApp has also been used to spread inaccurate information about the Covid-19 outbreak including about untested treatments.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar last month warned people against sharing unverified coronavirus information on the messaging platform.

“These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources,“ the leader tweeted.

One problem faced by the messaging service is that the encrypted information is seen only by the sender and recipient, making it harder for fact-checkers to debunk.

WhatsApp said that as part of its efforts to fight the spread of false information, it was working with the World Health Organization and some 20 national health ministries, “to help connect people with accurate information.”

The platform has been funding fact checking organizations and created a Coronavirus Information Hub within the app. – AFP

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/world/whatsapp-tightens-sharing-limits-to-curb-virus-misinformation-CE2240848

Views: 0

April 10, 2020