Health (General) – Newsletter for November 18, 2010

Hong Kong sees first bird flu case in seven years

HONG KONG – Hong Kong officials Thursday stepped up checks on markets and chicken farms after the first human case of bird flu in the city since 2003 was diagnosed.

Tests were also conducted on chickens imported to the densely populated city of seven million from mainland China, Hong Kong Health Secretary York Chow told …. Source  : Hong Kong sees first bird flu case in seven years.

Sleeping with lights on can leave you depressed

LONDON – Sleeping with the lights on could leave you with a nasty hangover the next day, a study says.

Researchers have warned that the glow emitted by a TV or the reassuring presence of a night-light could actually impact on mental health.
It is the latest in a long line of warnings about the … Read : Sleeping with lights on can leave you depressed.

Happy marriage also eases arthritis pain

LONDON – A happy marriage can also ease the agony of arthritis, a study says.

Patients who had the support of a loving husband or wife reported less joint pain and better mobility than their single or unhappily married counterparts.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, causing stiffness, pain and swelling. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cholesterol-busting pill could save heart victims

LONDON – A cholesterol-busting pill that cuts the risk of heart attacks and strokes is being developed by scientists.

Scientists believe the powerful new drug, anacetrapib, could save the lives of thousands of heart patients every year. Heart disease is one of biggest killers globally.
The daily pill has been shown to halve the bad …. Read the original article  : Cholesterol-busting pill could save heart victims.

Viagra usage survey in Britain

LONDON – A survey has found out which city in Britain buys the anti-impotence drug Viagra the most. And the winner is: Bristol.

To make matters worse, men in nearby Swindon need the sex-boosting drug the least, The Sun reported Thursday.
A survey of Viagra sales at Tesco stores showed that men in Solihull, London’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Viagra usage survey in Britain.

Increasing blood levels of ‘good’ cholesterol ‘cuts heart disease risk’

LONDON – Scientists have found that increasing blood levels of ‘good’ cholesterol or HDL works better at protecting against heart diseases than statins, drugs that lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (’bad’ cholesterol or LDL).

A new study conducted with 1,623 patients investigated the safety of anacetrapib, a drug that inhibits a protein called CETP, which raises … Original article on : Increasing blood levels of ‘good’ cholesterol ‘cuts heart disease risk’.

Short blast of radio waves to kidneys ‘can help control high BP’

LONDON – A new study has shown that a short blast of radio waves to the kidneys can help control high blood pressure in patients who do not respond to medication.

The pioneering work selectively severs nerves to the kidney that play a key role in regulating blood pressure.

Although still in the testing phase, experts say …. Original article  : Short blast of radio waves to kidneys ‘can help control high BP’.

Four Loko Banned In Ohio After FDA Frown

COLUMBUS (GaeaTimes.com)- Just a day back the FDA came down heavily on the drinks manufacturers that make and sell alcoholic beverages with caffeine content in USA. Four Loko which was banned in 4 states of USA earlier will not be permitted in Ohio anymore according to the latest updates. The ban on the sale … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Four Loko Banned In Ohio After FDA Frown.

‘Obesity epidemic’ is grossly exaggerated, says expert

SYDNEY – The so-called ‘obesity epidemic’ has been grossly exaggerated by both the media and the medical mainstream, according to an expert.

Michael Gard at the Charles Sturt University, Australia, argues that in their attempts to raise awareness about obesity, researchers and health authorities completely misrepresented the size and nature of the problem.
“Obesity rates … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Obesity epidemic’ is grossly exaggerated, says expert.

Chhattisgarh holds emergency meet over rising malaria cases

RAIPUR – Alarmed over reports of malaria cases coming in from various districts, a senior health official Wednesday held here an emergency meeting with chief medical officers (CMO) of all the districts through video conferencing.

Health Secretary Vikasheel asked the CMOs of all the 18 districts to urgently work out a strategy to contain malaria …. Source  : Gaea News Network.