Health Dangers of Smoking

Cigarette smoking is dangerous to the human health,both the active smokers and passive smokers are exposed to considerable risk. It must however be pointed out that the active smokers are exposed to a greater risk.There are millions of active smokers all over the world.Cigarette smoking is common between age 16 and 34.In the UK, at age 15 years more girls (33%) than boys (13%) smoke cigarettes.In the USA only 26% of men and 22% of women smoke.Cigarette consumption is rising in several countries all over the world.  Several active smokers have at one time or the other been informed about the health dangers of smoking, but many find it difficult to quit smoking, due to the addictive effects of nicotine ( A stimulant present in tobacco cigarettes). In a bid to help this category of people, i have added a few Cigarette replacement kit that you can purchase from amazon, and that could gradually help you quit smoking and also make you live a healthier life.

There is however a larger category of  people who do not see any tangible reason to quit smoking, i believe that by highlighting a few of the well proven health hazards associated with smoking, many smokers in this category will see better reasons to quit smoking. Scientific evidences reveals that for every stick of cigarette taken, there is an associated level of health hazard.
  Cigarette smoke contains nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,which are potent carcinogens, and mutagens in animal; they invariably cause cancer, and this partly explains why cigarette smoking is implicated in various kinds of cancer.Lung cancer being the commonest, as a result of the destruction and increase permeability of the lungs to carcinogens.

Smoking causes the following diseases 

Lung cancer

Cancer of the Esophagus

Ischeamic Heart disease which can lead to heart failure

Hypertension

Bladder Cancer

Infertility due to increase in abnormal Spermatozoa

Memory problems

Health dangers of smoking during pregnancy:

Decrease in birth weight of infant

Asthma in the child

 Increase risk of  spontaneous abortion          
 Increase risk of chromosomal abnormalty and deformity in the child
         
        
  Health dangers of inhaling Cigarette smoke( passive smoking)                                                                                                         

 Higher  Risk of having lung cancer
      
 Increase suceptibility to Pneumonia
       
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD)
        
 Bronchiolitis in infants whose parents smoke

If the entire population could be persuaded to stop smoking, the effect on health care use will be enormous.National campaigns, bans on advertising cigarettes and substantial increase in the cost of cigarette are the best way of achieving a reduction in the number of smokers and also to bring about a healthier life globally.
Imagine how healthy the world would be if there aren't smokers ! You just have to quit smoking if you still smoke !!!

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How To Overcome Alcohol Addiction

• KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL
• LEARN HOW TO OVERCOME ALCOHOLISM
•  KNOW THE DRUGS USED IN TREATING ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE                                    

Alcohol addiction is medically refered to as dependence.It is often caused by alcohol abuse,a person is said to abuse alcohol when one drinks everyday or drinks excessively at a given time.Alcohol abuse can cause a lot of harms, and could be deemed very costly when it harms a persons relationship,cause a job loss or causes legal problems such as driving while drumk.A person that abuses alcohol continues to drink even  when drinking causes a lot of problems.A diagnosis of alcohol dependence is made when an individual has three of the following symptoms; - You cannot quit or control how much you drink 

-You need to drink more to get the same effect

                                     - You have withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking,this includes nausea,sweating,shakiness and anxiety. 

                                - You spend a lot of time drinking and recovering from drinking.

                     -You have given up other activities so you can drink.

                                           -You have tried to quit or reduce the amount you drink but failed.

                    -You continue to drink even though it harms you.

If you have any 3 of the above, then you are alcohol dependent,this is a chronic disease which has a set of symptoms and also influenced by genes and environmental factors.A standard drink of alcohol is 1 can of beer, 1glass of wine or 1 mixed drink.Any woman that takes more than three drinks at a time or 7 drinks a week is at risk of alcohol abuse.A man that takes more than 4 drinks at a time or more than 14 drinks a week is at risk of alcohol abuse and should see a doctor.There are a few signs of having trouble with alcohol such as: (1). Drinking in the morning,often being drunk for long periods of time (2). Changing what you drink frequently, to achieve been less drunk (3). Feeling guilty after drinking (4).Making excuses for drinking and trying to cover up,such as changing stores where you buy the drinks (5). Not remembering what you did while you were drinking (blackout). (6). Worrying that you wont get enough alcohol for weekend or at party

If you have any of these problems, then you should see a doctor and you can certainly get treated. 

 Management of Alcoholism

A diagnosis is usually made by a physician who takes an history and a mental health assessment, as well as physical examination.Some investigations can be done to access organ function,such as a liver function test. 

In case of a moderate addiction,counselling could be done to get over the addiction.In severe alcohol dependence however,an hospital adission may be required,wherein detoxification is done and drugs are administered.Three different drugs have been approved by the FDA,to reduce alcohol craving,these are:

1. Disulfiram ( Antabuse).

2.Naltrexone (ReVia).

3.Acamprosate which acts by inhibiting GABA 

Read about my friends experience with alcohol and how she was able to stop drinking, visit this link

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New Alzheimer's drug will also be able to cure other degenerative diseases

A research published in the journal of Neuroscience reveals that a pill known as MW151, has the potential to cure multiple neurological conditions,including Alzheimer's disease, stroke and multiple sclerosis.The drug although still in early clinical trials,was able to stop full blown Alzheimer from developing in Mice when given early.The study author Linda Van-Eldik who is the director at University of Kentucky Sandra-Brown center for ageing said "the drug protected against damage associated with learning and impaired memory.Giving the drug before Alzheimer's memory changes are at a late stage may be a future approach to therapy.
Researchers believe Alzheimer's disease is caused in part by inflammation in the brain. MW151 works by blocking the production of signaling molecules called pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can damage the immune system when they are too abundant.

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West Nile Virus Death Now ON A Record High In United States

West Nile viral outbreak this year in the united states  is predicted to be the worst ever recorded.The number of recorded cases of the mosquito borne disease is now about 2,636 up from the 1,993 reported last week.118 people have now died from the disease,40% of the total human cases are from Texas.
So far the disease has been reported in people, birds and mosquitoes in 48 U.S states except Hawaii and Alaska.Scientists have said it is likely that the worst outbreak will occur this year since the disease was first reported in New York in 1999.The worst outbreak so far was recorded in 2002, when there was a record 3,000 cases of severe form of the disease and 284 deaths.
West Nile is a mosquito borne disease, only one in five people infected with the disease report feeling unwell.Those that come down with the mild form of the disease have symptoms like Fever,headache,malaise,generalized body weakness and body rashes. Severe forms of the disease however presents with Neck weakness,disorientation,coma and  paralysis.

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What are real emergencies when it comes to oral health?

There are certain dental emergencies that should never be ignored. This is why there are emergency dentists available in the same way as there is an A & E for emergencies if you harm your body. Do not put off going to the dentist if any of the below problems are bothering you.

ABSCESSES

Abscesses are signs of infections that can occur in the gum tissue around the tooth. It is very important that this gets treated quickly as it can lead to more serious problems both in terms of oral health, but it can also cause overall discomfort, fever and the infection can quickly spread in your body. It is important to get yourself to an emergency dentist as soon as you feel a pimple size abscess in your mouth or the abscess begins to bleed. If you are unable to see a dentist at the time you should ease the pain and ease any symptoms by rinsing your mouth with a salt water solution. This should be repeated several times a day until you can see a dentist.  

KNOCKED OUT TOOTH

If you have been unlucky enough to have a tooth knocked out you should try to find the tooth and hold it by the crown. Rinse it gently under water and make sure not to lose it down the drain. Place the tooth a clean container with a bit of milk or water with a pinch of salt in it. Bring it with you to the nearest emergency dentist, and if you get there quick enough they can sometimes just reinsert the tooth.

CHIPPED OR BROKEN TOOTH

If you have chipped or broken your tooth you should follow the same steps above if you can retrieve any of the pieces. These can sometimes be reattached to the tooth by a dentist if you preserve it in the right way and rush straight to the dentist’s office. Ensure that you stop any bleeding in your mouth by pressing some gauze against the potentially bleeding gum, then place a cold compress on the outside of your cheek or lip so that your gum does not swell up. This should also hold of some of the pain until you get to an emergency dentist.

BROKEN BRACES AND WIRES

If you have braces your worse fear might be realised if they break or wires snap. However, an emergency dentist should be able to fix this for you. Wires poking out inside your mouth can not only be uncomfortable, but also dangerous. If you cannot reposition the wire yourself, try to wrap some cotton around it or even use some gauze so that you do not scratch or pierce the inside of your mouth on the road to the dentist.

Riverside Dental is a state-of-the art Dental Clinic in Norwich, Norfolk.

If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Norwich, visit their website.

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Caring for Your Teeth – Three Essential Tasks for Dental Care

 Your teeth are incredibly important and you have to make sure that you take care of them if you want them to last your entire lifetime.  Taking care of your teeth is very simple and really doesn’t take more than about 15 minutes a day at the most, and it is well worth the time investment. The simple fact of the matter is that without your teeth you don’t have a way to masticate the food you need and the dental surgery to get new teeth or dentures is both tedious and expensive.

Every day just before you go to sleep there are three things that you can do to make sure that your teeth last for a long time:

• ·        Brush – Make sure that you start your dental care ritual by brushing your teeth; you want to be sure to use proper technique and to cover every inch of your teeth.  A complete brushing should take at least two minutes on the surfaces of the teeth and then another minute cleaning the parts of your teeth that chew feed and cleaning your tongue as well.

• ·        Floss – Flossing is one of the most important things that you should be doing that many people forget about, if you don’t floss you could end up having food particles stuck in between your teeth.  This feed becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, and if left for too long, plaque can start to build up which will lead to the need for a dentist to remove it from your teeth.

·       

•  Mouth Wash – Just like you want to make sure that you get in between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing, you want to cover the rest of your mouth and keep it protected.  Mouth wash is going to get rid of the bacteria and germs that your flossing and brushing are going to miss, very important to good  If you are looking for an dental health

Taking care of your teeth today is important for your lifelong oral and dental , and if you perform those three simple tasks everyday before you go to bed you have nothing to worry about and you can be sure that your teeth and mouth are going to be healthy for years to come.
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Human Immortality

 Scientist to make man immortal by 2045.

 

Equipping human with the ability to overcome death and live forever, absolutely sounds like an interesting but sort of weird idea.This concept has however ceased to exist as just a figment of laymen imagination.
A decisive scientific approach to achieve this has been launched by Dmitry Itskov along with some other Russian scientist.The project was launched in February,2011.The objectives were highlighted as follow: The creation of a new vision of human development that meets the global challenges humanity faces today,realization of the possibilty of a radical extension of human life by use of cybernetic technology,as well as building a new culture associated with these technologies.
According to the projects official  website, they are working towards creating an international research center where leading scientist will be engaged in research and developments in the field of anthropometric robotics.
To visit the 2045 official website click here    

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Human Cloning Beckons : American Scientist creates the First set of Genetic modified babies 

 Genetic modified babies are also known as "designer babies".They are designer babies indeed because their genetic make up has been artificially selected through a combination of both genetic engineering and in-vitro fertilization, to ensure the presence or absence of particular genes and characteristics. The technical capacity to carry out this have been available since 1980, but it has never been carried out until recently when controversial American Embryologist, Jacques Cohen took the entire world of science by suprise,He recently lead a team of scientist that created 30 healthy babies after a series of experiments in the United states. So far, two of the babies have been tested and have been found to contain genes from three 'parents'. Fifteen of the children were born in the past three years as a result of one experimental programme at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of St Barnabas in New Jersey. The babies were born to women who had problems conceiving. Extra genes from a female donor were inserted into their eggs before they were fertilised in an attempt to enable them to conceive. Genetic fingerprint tests on two one-year- old children confirm that they have inherited DNA from three adults --two women and one man. The fact that the children have inherited the extra genes and incorporated them into their 'germline' means that they will, in turn, be able to pass them on to their own offspring.controversy.Genetic modification has been a subject of furious controversies over the past decades.Libertarians, liberal technophiles and transhumanist believes that it is imperative to improve the society by improving the health, Intelligence and physical capabilities of individuals.Opponents of the experiment oppose experimenting with human embryo because of the risk of abortion which is an inevitable consequence of such experiments, some opponents also believe it could lead to the creation of Super Humans that would look down on other humans without genetic enhancement.Those were the various contrasting school of thoughts. What is however important to us now is that "the world has now welcomed the latest form of humans and they were rolled out from the baby factory of Professor Jacques Cohen". Science enthusiast must also be aware that this great feat may as well usher us to the most incredible broadway of biological sciences, which is the creation of human clones. This was hinted by Jacques, when he said last year that his expertise will allow him clone children. " It will be an afternoon work for one of my students, he said. Adding that he had been approached by 3 individuals wishing to clone children but turned down their requests". .....It might just be a matter of time before we have super humans descending on our planet earth! !! courtesy of far reaching scientific exploits.

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Health news: Intrigues from the Obamacare  supreme court ruling

In an historic decision,the supreme court on thursday decided to uphold the United states president's plan to overhaul the health care law.The decision is expected to affect every sector of the American healthcare industry,it is expected that by 2015 when the  law comes into full effect,millions of Americans must have a health insurance or pay a fine.This boils down to a huge patronage for healthcare providers.
The law however tends to steer up several mixed feelings, with some of its components been vehemently criticized,yet it appears popular and highly acclaimed among poorer Americans who feels its a way of bringing health care closer to their doorsteps.The Republicans have vowed to repeal the entire law.
for further reading visit this link below: 
 http://useconomy.about.com/od/healthcarereform/f/What-Is-Obama-Care.htm  

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How To Overcome Menstrual Pain

Menstrual cramps could be very severe and unbearable in several women.This is not something you probably get used to,despite the fact that you have it on a monthly basis.Hence it becomes a very terrifying visitor for several pre menopausal women.This shouldn't necessarily be the case,as you could ensure you bleed seamlessly and not have pains during your periods.

What exactly causes the pain?

Menstrual pain is due to the contraction of the uterus as it tries to slough off the additional layers it has prepared for implantation of a possibly fertilized egg.So if your egg possibly got fertilized by a spermatozoa,then you are cramp free and you wont see your period ! and thats pregnancy or conception by the way !.  Once there is no fertilized egg,then there is bound to be sloughing off of those already endometrial tissue,and thats the blood you get to see.The excess contraction of the uterine muscle causes the pain which may range from mild to moderate in different women. 

How to avoid & cure mentrual pain

I will enumerate a number of steps to achieve a pain free menstruation and you can now say goodbye to the monthly terror after reading this article :

 >>> PREVENTIVE MEASURES        

A.Taking a healthy diet 

This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as plenty of water. Attempt to keep track of how particular foods affect your period. Plenty of fiber is particularly useful in cleansing the body of excess estrogen (which can lead to heavier and more painful periods and cramps).

B. Avoid lotions, shampoos and soaps that contains xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens

Some new scientific evidence points to xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens actually causing menstrual cramps. Xenoestrogens are simply "foreign"estrogens that are not really estrogen but mimic estrogen. Xenoestrogens can be chemicals present in items used in every day life such as lotions, shampoos, and laundry detergent. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogen's that can be found in some herbs.Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens can cause Magnesium and Vitamin B deficiencies. A Magnesium deficiency can cause muscles to cramp.

c. Taking Vitamin supplements can be helpful

Some studies indicate that Vitamin E, thiamine and Omega-3 supplements may reduce menstrual cramps. Zinc and calcium have been found to reduce cramps, bloating and related PMS symptoms.Calcium and magnesium reduce muscle soreness, but must be taken for 2-3 months every day before producing a noticeable effect.

d. Some very severe menstrual pain may actually be a pointer to other diseases condition

Menstrual cramps can be caused by an underlying disorder such as endometriosis or fibroids, in which case the surgical removal of tissue may be required to help alleviate your symptoms.In case your pain has become too severe,or you bleed when its not your period(intermenstrual bleeding),your bleeding has become too heavy or you noticed other changes in your bleeding pattern,then you may have to see your doctor for further investigation.

e.Use your natural pain killer

Are you worried about over-use of traditional pain-killers, or they are not available, you may also wish to make use of the body's own pain-management mechanisms.

1.     Distract yourself from the pain. Distraction is one of the most powerful and readily available painkillers. So if you have intense cramps, do something that normally totally absorbs you, such as socializing with good friends, reading a book, playing a computer game, or spending time on facebook.

     Get regular exercise. Exercise increases your overall serotonin levels. Serotonin is the body's own painkiller, and also makes us feel happier.

      Sexual activities do help anything with the menstrual cycle. Try to get as much as possible. Orgasm releases oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions, which eases pain.Say goodbye to the myths of avoiding sexual feelings or actions once you are menstruating,as it could actually be of help.

>>> CURATIVE MEASURES

A. Using the right pain killer "appropriately"

Not every pain killer can cure menstrual pain.Only Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs), medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin etc.), naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac,piroxicam or even aspirin are effective,and this is because the mechanism of action of NSAIDS involves the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase pathway that secrets prostaglandins; this are biological substances that causes uterine contraction. NSAIDS actually reduce menstrual blood flow not just the pain associated with menses. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol),while helpful for the pain, is not nearly as effective as the NSAIDs. Many women find that painkillers can decrease menstrual pain. If you can't tolerate ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, simple aspirin can help a lot. The effectiveness of NSAIDs builds up over time, so if your cramps are so severe that the painkillers don't do much,start taking ibuprofen every six hours up to a couple of days before you expect to get your period and continue until your cramps abate. If over-the-counter NSAIDs do not help, your doctor may prescribe a prescription NSAID such as mefenamic acid (Ponstel).

 

B.Using Contraceptive pills

Birth control pills contain hormones which prevent ovulation and reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.A well prescribed oral contraceptive pill may help prevent menstrual cramps. The same hormones can also be delivered through injection, a patch you wear on your skin or in a flexible ring you insert into your vagina.

Summarily the decision is up to you.This means you could go as far as taking pills if the pain is very severe and if you are someone that doesn't like pills then you could just settle for some of the highlighted preventive measures,whichever works fine for you or suits you best.

 .................."Wishing you good luck on your next menses"

   

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The Best Guest Article of the month; By Dr.Yosep Sutandar (M.B.B.S Indonesia)

Electrocardiography Changes in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Yosep Sutandar,B.Med

The definition of acute coronary syndrome depends on the specific characteristics of each element of the triad of clinical presentation (including a history of coronary artery disease),electrocardiographic changes, and biochemical cardiac markers. Acute Coronary Syndrome is a clincal spectrum consist of Unstable Angina, Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction(NSTEMI), and ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. The main clinical finding of ACS is angina or chest pain. Early diagnosis of ACS without ST elevation is characterized on increases of Troponin, Cardiac Enzyme. If Troponin positively increases, the diagnosis is NSTEMI. And If negative, the diagnosis is unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

Electrocardiography Findings in Unstable Angina Pectoris and NSTEMI

In normal ECG, T wave would be positive in lead I, II, dan V3 until V6; and negative or inverted in lead aVR; variated in lead III, aVF, aVL, and V1; and rarely found in V2. In case of Ischemic, T wave will be inverted, symmetrical, and commonly temporary ( in symptomatic patient). In this case, myocardial injury hasn’t occur, based on assessment in CK-MB or Troponin normally contents. And the diagnosis is Unstable Angina Pectoris (UAP). Otherwise, if inverted T wave persistent, Troponin usually increases, and the diagnosis  changes from UAP to NSTEMI. UAP and NSTEMI commonly cause by non-occlusive Thrombus, mild occlusion (Spontaneously Reperfused is possible), or Collateral Circulatory Compensated Occlusion.

Typical findings of Depressed ST more than 0.5 mm(0.05 mV) in two or more lead, or deep T wave inversion and symmetric. Morphology of Depressed ST is downsloping. Depressed ST in UAP and NSTEMI tend to be transient and dynamic.

Electrocardiography Findings in STEMI

When STEMI is occurring, morphologic changes in electrocardiography occurred with time:

1. Hyperacute T wave. In the early period of STEMI, Prominent T wave can be found in ECG. The prominent T wave is similar to Hyperacute T wave, which is T wave whose in extremity lead more than  6 mm and precordial lead more than 10 mm. Hyperacute T wave is suggestively indicate STEMI has occurred and happened 30 minutes after onset of symptoms. In the other hand, Prominent T wave is not always specifically indicates for ischemia.
2. Early elevation of ST Segment. If occlusion is occurred for long time and has significant degree of occlusion (90% of coronary lumen) prominent T wave could be followed by ST Segment Deviation. Elevation of ST Segment indicates an irreversible injury of myocardial muscle to death cell (can be measured by Troponin Bio Marker Assessment) and the location involved the epicardial layer. The diagnosis of STEMI is enforced if there are elevation of ST segment more than 0.1 mV (1mm) in extremity lead and more than 0.2 mV (2mm) in precordial lead in two or more in consistent lead.
3. Typical Convex elevation of ST Segment
4. Disappearing R wave, in the other part pathologic R wave occurring.Patologic Q Wave related to transmural infarction which accompanied by fibrosis of entire wall. In 75% patient,it occurred from hours to days.
5. Inverted T Wave.  After long period of STEMI and coronary reperfusion hasn’t been implemented, elevation of ST Segment is disappearing and turning back to isoelectric line. Along with it, Inverted T Wave is occurring. T Wave normally found after days, weeks, or months.
6. ST Segment turns back to Normal. ST segment usually stable in 12 hours, then completely resolution after 72 hours. ST Segment elevation usually disappeared in 2 weeks in 95% Inferior Myocardial Infarction and 40% Anterior Myocardial Infarction. Elevated ST Segment persistently in 2 weeks related to higher morbidity. And if ST Segment elevation settles for months, ventricle aneurism might be occurred.

Location of Acute Coronary Syndrome

To determine the location of ischemia or myocardial infarction and the prediction of involved coronary artery, two or more leads are needed.

I Lateral	aVR	V1 Septal	V4 Anterior
II Inferior	aVL Lateral	V2 Septal	V5 Lateral
III Inferior	aVF Inferior	V3 Anterior	V6 Lateral

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Which is the best country to practice as a doctor ?

Many doctors are actually at a cross road as regards where to practice...Having sacrificed so much, studying to become a doctor,choosing the best country to practice then becomes a crucial subject.    
However,doing a direct comparison of remuneration across different countries is tricky because the same salary may allow for different standards of living in different places.
But here are two possible ways to think about these comparisons, taken from a 2007 Congressional Research Service report.
One way to compare cross-country data is to adjust the salaries for purchasing power parity — that is, adjusting the numbers so that $1,000 of salary buys the same amount of goods and services in every country, providing a general sense of a physician’s standard of living in each nation.
These numbers are in the second, fourth and sixth columns of the chart below.
They show that American general practitioners and nurses earn more than their counterparts in other developed countries, and American specialist are close to the top of the pack.

Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysis of Remuneration of Health Professions, OECD Health Data 2006 (October 2006), available at [http://www.ecosante.fr/OCDEENG/70.html]. Sorted by specialists’ compensation. Amounts are adjusted using U.S. dollar purchasing power
parities. Amounts from previous years are trended up to 2004 dollars using the annualized Bureau of
Labor Statistics Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries of health services workers in private
industry. It is not known whether wage growth in health professions in other countries was similar to
that in the United States. Amounts are from previous years for 10 countries: data for Australia,
Canada, Denmark (for specialists and nurses), Finland (for nurses), and the Netherlands are from
2003; data for Belgium (for specialists), Denmark (for general practitioners), New Zealand (for
nurses), and Sweden are from 2002; data for Switzerland and the United States (for specialists and
general practitioners) are from 2001; and data for Belgium (for general practitioners) and the United
States (for nurses) are from 2000. Ratios of salaries to GDP per capita reflect the year the data was
collected and are not adjusted for inflation. For countries that have both self-employed and salaried
professionals in a given field, the amount presented here is the higher of the two salaries. Four
countries have both salaried and self-employed specialists: the Czech Republic (where compensation
is $29,484 for salaried and $34,852 for self-employed specialists), Greece ($67,119 and $64,782), the
Netherlands ($130,911 and $252,727), and the United States ($170,300 and $229,500). One country
has both salaried and self-employed general practitioners: in the United States, salaried general
practitioners earn $134,600, compared with $154,200 if self-employed. All nurses are salaried among
this data.

Another way is look at how a doctor’s salary compares to the average national income in that doctor’s country — that is, gross domestic product per capita. These numbers are in the third column, fifth and seventh columns of the chart.
As a country’s wealth rises, so should doctors’ pay. But even accounting for this trend, the United States pays doctors more than its wealth would predict:

According to this model, the 2007 report says, “The U.S. position above the trendline indicates that specialists are paid approximately $50,000 more than would be predicted by the high U.S. GDP. General practitioners are paid roughly $30,000 more than the U.S. GDP would predict, and nurses are paid $8,000 more.”
But it’s important to keep in mind, the report notes, that health care professionals in other O.E.C.D. countries pay much less (if anything) for their medical educations than do their American counterparts. In other words, doctors and nurses in the rest of the industrialized world start their medical careers with much less student loan debt compared to medical graduates in the United States.

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Cure for Alzheimer's disease : An amazing research underway !

There is probably some good news for several millions of elderly people whose life have been miserably hunted by amyloid plaque forming disease.Here is an interesting piece on that.....................................

Destructive plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients have been rapidly cleared by researchers testing a cancer drug on mice.

The US study, published in the journal Science, reported the plaques were broken down at "unprecedented" speed.
Tests also showed an improvement in some brain function.
Specialists said the results were promising, but warned that successful drugs in mice often failed to work in people.
The exact cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown, but one of the leading theories involves the formation of clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid. These damage and kill brain cells, eventually resulting in memory problems and the inability to think clearly.
Clearing protein plaques is a major focus of Alzheimer's research and drugs are already being tested in human clinical trials.
In the body, the role of removing beta-amyloid falls to apolipoprotein E - or ApoE. However, people have different versions of the protein. Having the ApoE4 genetic variant is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the disease.
Helping hand Scientists at the Case Western Reserve University in Ohio were investigating ways of boosting levels of ApoE, which in theory should reduce levels of beta-amyloid.
They tested bexarotene, which has been approved for use to treat cancers in the skin, on mice with an illness similar to Alzheimer's.

Plaques, in brown, form around brain cells, in blue, which kills parts of the brain

After one dose in young mice, the levels of beta-amyloid in the brain were "rapidly lowered" within six hours and a 25% reduction was sustained for 70 hours.
In older mice with established amyloid plaques, seven days of treatment halved the number of plaques in the brain.
The study said there were improvements in brain function after treatment, in nest building, maze performance and remembering electrical shocks.
Researchers Paige Cramer said: "This is an unprecedented finding. Previously, the best existing treatment for Alzheimer's disease in mice required several months to reduce plaque in the brain."
In people? The research is at a very early stage, and drugs often do not make the leap from animal experiment to human treatment.
Fellow researcher Prof Gary Landreth said the study was "particularly exciting and rewarding" and held the "potential promise of a therapy for Alzheimer's disease".
However, he stressed that the drug had been tested in only three "mouse models" which simulate the early stages of the disease and are not Alzheimer's.

Continue reading the main story

Alzheimer's disease

• Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia
• Symptoms include loss of memory, mood changes, and problems with communication and reasoning
• No one single factor has been identified as a cause for Alzheimer's disease - a combination of factors, including age, genes, environment, lifestyle and general health are implicated
• Source: Alzheimer's Society

He warned people not to "try this at home", as the drug had not been proven to work in Alzheimer's patients and there was no indication of what any dose should be.

"We need to be clear, the drug works quite well in mouse models of the disease. Our next objective is to ascertain if it acts similarly in humans," he said.
His group is preparing to start trials in a small group of people to see if there is a similar effect in humans.
The disease is likely to become more common as people live longer. The Alzheimer's Society predicts the number of people with dementia will reach a million by 2021 in the UK alone.

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There are a number of drugs in development that aim to clear amyloid from the brain, and the jury is still out on whether this approach will be successful as a treatment for Alzheimer's”

Dr Simon Ridley Alzheimer's Research UK

Its research manager, Dr Anne Corbett, said: "This exciting study could be the beginning of a journey towards a potential new way to treat Alzheimer's disease.

"However, this is very early days. People with Alzheimer's should not rush to get this drug, as we need much more research to establish if it has benefits for humans." Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said the findings were "promising" but any effect was still unproven in people.
"There are a number of drugs in development that aim to clear amyloid from the brain, and the jury is still out on whether this approach will be successful as a treatment for Alzheimer's."
David Allsop, professor of neuroscience at Lancaster University, said: "I would say that the results should be treated with cautious optimism.
"It looks promising in the mouse model but in recent years, these types of experiments in mice have not translated well into humans."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16945466

More about → Cure for Alzheimer's disease : An amazing research underway !

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

BDD is characterized by an unusually exaggerated degree of worry or concern about a specific part of the face or body, rather than the general size or shape of the body. It is distinguished from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa , to the extent that patients with these disorders are preoccupied with their overall weight and body shape. For example, an adolescent who thinks that her breasts are too large and wants to have plastic surgery to reduce their size but is otherwise unconcerned about her weight and is eating normally would be diagnosed with BDD, not anorexia or bulimia. As many as 50% of patients diagnosed with BDD undergo plastic surgery to correct their perceived physical defects.

Causes and symptoms
NEUROBIOLOGICAL CAUSES. Research indicates that patients diagnosed with BDD have serotonin levels that are lower than normal. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter— a chemical produced by the brain that helps to transmit nerve impulses across the junctions between nerve cells. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and other mood disorders.

PSYCHOSOCIAL CAUSES. Another important factor in the development of BDD is the influence of the mass media in developed countries, particularly the role of advertising in spreading images of physically "perfect" men and women. Impressionable children and adolescents absorb the message that anything short of physical perfection is unacceptable. They may then develop distorted perceptions of their own faces and bodies.

A young person's family of origin also has a powerful influence on his or her vulnerability to BDD. Children whose parents are themselves obsessed with appearance, dieting, and/or bodybuilding; or who are highly critical of their children's looks, are at greater risk of developing BDD.

An additional factor in some young people is a history of childhood trauma or abuse. Buried feelings about the abuse or traumatic incident emerge in the form of obsession about a part of the face or body. This "reassignment" of emotions from the unacknowledged true cause to another issue is called displacement. For example, an adolescent who frequently felt overwhelmed in childhood by physically abusive parents may develop a preoccupation at the high school level with muscular strength and power.
Symptoms
The diagnosis of BDD in children and adolescents is often made by physicians in family practice because they are more likely to have developed long-term relationships of trust with the young people. With adults, it is often specialists in dermatology, cosmetic dentistry, or plastic surgery who may suspect that the patient suffers from BDD because of frequent requests for repeated or unnecessary procedures. Reported rates of BDD among dermatology and cosmetic surgery patients range between 6% and 15%. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's history together with the physician's observations of the patient's overall mood and conversation patterns. People with BDD often come across to others as generally anxious and worried. In addition, the patient's dress or clothing styles may suggest a diagnosis of BDD.

Treatments

The standard treatment regimen for body dysmorphic disorder is a combination of medications and psychotherapy . Surgical, dental, or dermatologic treatments have been found to be ineffective.
Medications

The medications most frequently prescribed for patients with BDD are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, most commonly fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft). Other SSRIs that have been used with this group of patients include fluvoxamine (Luvox) and paroxetine (Paxil). In fact, it is the relatively high rate of positive responses to SSRIs among BDD patients that led to the hypothesis that the disorder has a neurobiological component related to serotonin levels in the body. An associated finding is that patients with BDD require higher dosages of SSRI medications to be effective than patients who are being treated for depression with these drugs.
Psychotherapy

The most effective approach to psychotherapy with BDD patients is cognitive-behavioral therapy , of which cognitive restructuring is one component. Since the disorder is rel

Read more: Body dysmorphic disorder - children, causes, DSM, functioning, therapy, adults, person, people http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Body-dysmorphic-disorder.html#ixzz1lju2ZPDr
ated to delusions about one's appearance, cognitive-oriented therapy that challenges inaccurate self-perceptions is more effective than purely supportive approaches. Relaxation techniques also work well with BDD patients when they are combined wih cognitive restructuring.
Hospitalization

BDD patients have high rates of self-destructive behavior, including performing surgery on themselves at home (liposuction followed by skin stapling, sawing down teeth, and removing facial scars with sandpaper) and attempted or completed suicide. Many are unable to remain in school, form healthy relationships, or keep steady jobs. In one group of 100 patients diagnosed with BDD, 48% had been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, and 30% had made at least one suicide attempt.

Prognosis

As of 2002, researchers do not know enough about the lifetime course of body dysmorphic disorder to offer a detailed prognosis. The DSM-IV-TR notes that the disorder "has a fairly continuous course, with few symptom-free intervals, although the intensity of symptoms may wax and wane over time."

Prevention

Given the pervasive influence of the mass media in contemporary Western societies, the best preventive strategy involves challenging those afflicted with the disorder and who consequently have unrealistic images of attractive people. Parents, teachers, primary health care professionals, and other adults who work with young people can point out and discuss the pitfalls of trying to look "perfect." In addition, parents or other adults can educate themselves about BDD and its symptoms, and pay attention to any warning signs in their children's dress or behavior.

See also Aromatherapy ; Yoga

Read more: Body dysmorphic disorder - children, causes, DSM, functioning, therapy, adults, person, people http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Body-dysmorphic-disorder.html#ixzz1ljx3P0MW

More about → BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER

Why several ladies get worried about the size of their breast & why men think their genitals are too small !

Over the years,I have come across many people,mostly adolescent that feel something isnt just right about the size of their genitals- Many young men complain about their genitals been too small and several ladies get so disturbed about the size of their breast.
A vast majority actually dont have problem with this respective body parts.They rather have a pathology of the mind.....This condition is known as BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER.

The question that now comes to mind is; What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
Now i will demystify that in a short moment, and i do hope the treatment i would profer would help several readers that supposedly have this symptoms !

More about → Why several ladies get worried about the size of their breast & why men think their genitals are too small !

Demystifying your symptoms

Nothing pleases a physician more than been able to help cater for the holistic well being of as many people as possible.....In lieu of this, i have sought out a modest way through this blog,to step up my holistic care,i hope to cater for all and sundries...I will hereby begin a virtual tour of the whole human body...i will delve into a whole gamut of human pathology.
Shall we now begin with the HEAD?
I guess yes !

More about → Demystifying your symptoms