June 2008
Monthly Archive
Heavy Shortages in Organ Donations
Posted by admin on 30 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
More than 98,000 Americans are clinging to life this very second, and their only chance for survival is a dead person’s generosity.The science of organ transplantation has improved by leaps and bounds. But despite the advances, almost 7,200 Americans died in 2005, waiting for a replacement organ that never arrived, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Continue Reading »
Working While Tired May Harm Heart
Posted by admin on 29 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Doing mental or physical work while fatigued may lead to hypertension and heart disease, suggests a U.S. study. Continue Reading »
New Imaging System Helps Detect Breast Cancer
Posted by admin on 27 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Researchers have devised a new breast-imaging technology that appears to be as accurate as MRI scans but several times cheaper.The technique, called molecular breast imaging (MBI), is still in the early stages of development, the scientists added. Continue Reading »
Stem Cells Might Treat Tough Fractures
Posted by admin on 23 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Adult stem cell transplants can help improve healing of fractures, a finding that may lead to new treatments for the 10 percent to 20 percent of people whose broken bones fail to mend, say researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Adult stems cells are specialized cells that can regenerate damaged tissue, but many patients lack sufficient numbers of these cells, which means they can’t heal properly, the researchers explained. Continue Reading »
Tracking Top Number in Blood Pressure May Be Enough
Posted by admin on 21 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
For patients over 50, doctors tracking hypertension may only need to monitor systolic blood pressure, ignoring diastolic blood pressure, British experts suggest.
Systolic blood pressure — the top number in a reading — is the pressure exerted at the beginning of the heart’s pumping cycle, while diastolic pressure records the lowest pressure during the heart’s resting cycle. Both pressures are routinely measured when taking blood pressure. Continue Reading »
Drug Linked to Suicide Being Tested on Veterans With PTSD
Posted by admin on 19 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Veterans groups and some members of Congress say they’re outraged over revelations that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are being recruited by the U.S. government for tests involving the anti-smoking drug Chantix, which has been linked to increased risk of suicide.
They’re calling for an immediate halt to the tests and an investigation, ABC News reported. Continue Reading »
Pollen in Herbal Medicine
Posted by admin on 15 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Herbal Medicine
Pollen, a substance collected from the flowers of various plants, contains carbohydrates, fat, protein, and some vitamins and minerals.
A proprietary rye pollen extract (Cernilton®) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, to relax the muscles that surround the urethra, and to inhibit growth of prostate cells.
This rye pollen extract has been reported to improve symptoms of chronic prostatitis in uncontrolled trials, including a trial in which three tablets daily significantly reduced symptoms in 78% of people with uncomplicated prostatitis. However, only one of eighteen people with complications (such as scar tissue and calcifications) improved. Continue Reading »
More Underweight Babies Being Born in U.S.
Posted by admin on 13 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
The percentage of underweight babies born in the United States in 2005 was 8.2 percent, the highest level since 1968, says the annual Kids Count report released Thursday.
Mississippi had the highest rate (11.8 percent), while Alaska, Oregon and Washington had the lowest rate (6.1 percent). The rate of low-weight births was 13.6 percent for blacks, 7.3 percent for whites, and 6.9 percent for Hispanics, the Associated Press reported. Continue Reading »
Supplements for Healthy People
Posted by admin on 09 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Vitamins, Supplements
Why take vitamin and mineral supplements? Supplements may help healthy people for a number of reasons. They can help prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies when the diet is not adequate to provide all necessary nutrients. They can also provide amounts of nutrients larger than the diet can provide. Larger amounts of some nutrients may help to protect against future disease. Many of these nutrients will be briefly discussed here. However, for more information, refer to individual nutrient articles. Continue Reading »
Diet Powders: An Overview
Posted by admin on 07 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: Diet
Diet powders, or meal-replacement powders, are usually protein-based drink mixes that are combined with water, milk, or juice. They’re intended to be a quick and nutritious alternative when you can’t get a “real” meal.
Diet powders have long been a source of nutrition and protein for athletes, weight watchers, and bodybuilders, but are now formulated for everyday use as well. Continue Reading »