Category Archives: Cancer News

5 steps to a happier, healthier life

Stress and depression can take a toll on our bodies and our lives. An estimated 19 million Americans suffer from depressive disorders and stress can translate into disease by altering the sympathetic nervous system through elevated adrenaline and cortisol. Taking some time to practice these self-care tips can drastically reduce your stress levels and promote health and happiness. Release the pain. Life can be painful. We suffer disease, heartbreak and tragedy. At any moment there is someone facing a struggle. Our pain and experiences are part of our evolution and can help us become stronger. The trouble comes when we bring our pain into our future and let it define who we are.  Find ways to learn from it, let go and move on, no matter what it takes. While not the same, we all experience tragedy, the difference is how we choose to carry it. Positive emotions will bring us far greater joy than pain ever could and eventually the pain will pass; it always does. Disregard others opinions of you. People will always have opinions, and chances are, you’ll have moments when someone’s words will hurt you. The good news is that you don’t have to take what others say as your truth. Recognize and embrace your uniqueness, the only person who has to be happy with your decisions is you, so be true to yourself. Ultimately, what people say is a reflection of them, not you. How you react to those words is completely up to you. Lift weights. Exercise has been proven time and time again to be a useful tool in treating depression. It helps release endorphins, feel-good hormones that can brighten your mood. Regular exercise can reduce stress, help ward off depression, improve sleep, increase self-esteem and boost energy levels. Choosing to incorporate weights will have further benefits. Lifting weights will increase your lean muscle mass and lower body fat. It can also help fight inflammation and stress within the body which will help keep you healthy. Find a diet you can live with. Many of us live in a constant battle with our weight, watching what we eat and feeling guilt after an indulgence. Getting off this rollercoaster is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You don’t have to be vegan, low-fat, low-carb, Paleo or gluten-free to be healthy; you have to find what works for your body and stick with it. Following a plan that’s too rigid will ultimately lead to failure and feelings of low self-worth. Finding a diet that works for your body and your lifestyle will help you feel vibrant and energetic. Love yourself. Being truly happy begins with learning to love yourself. Be gentle with yourself and find all the things you love about yourself that make you unique. Make time to do the things you love, don’t let yourself get so wrapped up in work and the frustrations of life that you forget what makes you happy. When we exercise self-love, oxytocin is released which increases our feelings of happiness. While on the contrary, being self critical releases cortisol which will lead to elevated stress levels. Focus on the positive, and practice a weekly tradition of writing down three good things that happened to you.Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother. & Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. & She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living. Check out her website at www.jbholistic.com.& & source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/5-steps-to-happier-healthier-life/

New drug could reduce asthma attacks by 87 percent

An experimental drug being developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sanofi SA showed promising results during a small, mid-stage clinical trial in treating a subset of patients with moderate to severe asthma, but some physicians cautioned that it was too early to say how effective the treatment may ultimately be. The drug, dupilumab, is considered one of Regeneron's most promising pipeline drugs and could eventually reach $750 million in annual U.S. sales if it gains U.S. approval to treat asthma, according to Barclays. Regeneron and Sanofi, which have a partnership to co-develop certain experimental drug programs, are also testing the drug to treat a type of eczema, the itchy skin condition, and have said dupilumab could eventually be applied to other allergic conditions. Results from the trial, published online Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that dupilumab reduced asthma attacks by 87 percent in patients taking the drug compared to those receiving a placebo. Side effects of the drug appeared to be relatively consistent with those of patients taking placebos. “It really raises the possibility that we've hit upon a fundamental pathway that's driving the allergic reaction in asthma,” said George D. Yancopoulos, Regeneron's chief scientific officer, in an interview. However, the trial was relatively small, enrolling 52 patients in each of the study's two treatment groups. An editorial accompanying the study results said the trial design, in which patients were gradually weaned off of standard therapies for asthma, did not reflect a “real world” environment. It's also unclear how large a swath of asthma patients will benefit from the drug, because only those with higher-than-normal disease-fighting white blood cells were admitted to the study, Michael E. Wechsler, director of the asthma program at National Jewish Health, a Denver-based research hospital that specializes in respiratory conditions, wrote in the editorial. Just 21 percent of patients screened for the trial met the inclusion criteria, Dr. Wechsler wrote. Asthma affects more than 24 million people in the U.S., but existing therapies are unable to control the condition for as many as 10 percent to 20 percent of patients, according to the study's authors. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/new-drug-could-reduce-asthma-attacks-by-87-percent/

Cannabis use associated with lower blood sugar

A new study published in the American Journal of Medicine has revealed a potential benefit from the use of cannabis. The article, entitled “The Impact of Marijuana Use on Glucose, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance among U.S. Adults,” investigated the blood sugar-related effects of cannabis use among participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010. In several other studies of large populations, lower rates of both obesity and diabetes have been noted among users of cannabis, as compared with non-users. This curious fact encouraged the three primary authors of the study to examine cannabis use among the 4657 participants in the national survey. The researchers noted that although cannabis smokers generally consume more calories than non-users, they paradoxically live with lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and reduced rates of both obesity and diabetes. Of the participants in the national survey, 579 were currently using cannabis and 1975 had previously used cannabis. To assess blood glucose, insulin resistance and other factors among cannabis users, the authors organized survey participants into three groups – those who had never used cannabis, those who had used cannabis but not within 30 days, and those who were current users. The authors put study participants through tests for fasting blood sugar levels, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) testing, and assessments of blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference. The researchers found that subjects who were current cannabis users had lower levels of fasting insulin, lower levels of insulin resistance, smaller waist circumference, and higher levels of HDL cholesterol, which is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This supported findings from earlier studies in which cannabis users showed improved weight, improved insulin resistance, and reduced incidence of diabetes, as compared with non-users. While the potential relationship between cannabis and improved body mass and blood sugar has yet to be fully understood, it is believed that cannabis acts on the cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors in the brain, enhancing the activity of adiponectin. This hormone helps to regulate blood sugar and plays a role in controlling weight and reducing the tendency toward diabetes.   Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, with approximately 17 million regular users. Medical marijuana has been legalized in 19 states plus the District of Columbia, and two states, Colorado and Washington, have legalized cannabis outright. A number of states have effectively decriminalized the possession of small quantities of cannabis and its use. This fundamental shift in legal status has drawn more researchers to investigate cannabis for any possible health benefits. This study strikes at the heart of two major epidemics: obesity and diabetes. Based on results reported in this study and supported by other epidemiological surveys, it is possible that cannabis use helps to reduce the tendency toward both obesity and type 2 diabetes. Thus, the substance that induces “the munchies” may hold hope for two epidemic diseases arising from overeating.Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide. His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at& MedicineHunter.com.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/cannabis-use-associated-with-lower-blood-sugar/

How to drink wisely

How, when and what to drink to enjoy yourself but remain in control. Slow Down and Be Still The rate at which your body absorbs alcohol into your bloodstream and how intoxicated you feel aren’t based on just the proof of your beverage; these results also hinge upon how quickly you drink. In other words, a small glass of wine drunk in a half hour can have the same effect as a stiff vodka martini sipped over an hour. But the effects of the martini will last longer.  Related: 7 Clever Items to Simplify Your Life Having a carbonated drink, like Champagne or a gin and tonic, may also make you feel effects faster. According to a 2007 study conducted at the University of Manchester, in England, drinks with bubbles were absorbed into the bloodstream faster than flat ones. Drink Later in the Day Until midafternoon, your body is building its food and water reserves, so a drink at lunch will have a bigger impact than one at dinner. Likewise, drinking in a warm environment or under a hot sun promotes sweating, which dehydrates your body and leaves it with less fluid to dilute the alcohol. The result? You get drunk faster. Related: 10 Things Trainers Wish You Knew About Their Workout Eat Smart Before you have a drink, eat something that contains a little oil or fat, which will slow the rate at which your body absorbs the alcohol. This is not license to decimate an entire hors d’oeuvre tray, but a handful of spiced nuts, a cheese-and-cracker combo or a few olives are all good options. Related: Secret of a Better Workout Stick to Light Colors Pure alcohol is clear. So whether you choose beer, wine or spirits, the darker your drink, the more outside compounds it contains, which can leave you feeling more hungover the next day.  Red and white wines are made from the same grapes; the color difference is the result of the grapes for red wine fermenting with their skins. During that time, the red wine also pulls in skin-derived substances that can contribute to headaches. Barrel aging has a similar effect. The longer a wine or a liquor sits in oak, the more oak flavors it absorbs and the darker it becomes; however, it can also acquire more unwanted impurities.  Related: The 30 Healthiest Foods Also consider a wine or liquor bottle’s price; a costlier bottle usually means that higher-quality wooden barrels, like French oak, were used and the product was distilled many times (the more, the better), which cuts down on the amount of impurities. Ditch the Diet Soda According to a 2006 study, people who mix liquor with diet soda absorb the alcohol faster than do those who choose regular soda or juice as a mixer. Scientists believe the calories in regular drinks, which need to be digested, act as a buffer. And because diet soda masks the taste of alcohol, it may prevent people from pacing themselves. Don’t Keep Up With the Boys Going drink for drink with a man is a quick way to get drunk and ensure a hangover. Women metabolize alcohol more slowly than men do, and surprisingly this has nothing to do with body weight. Pound for pound, men have 20 to 30 percent more water in their systems, so anything a man drinks will automatically be diluted that much more, even if he’s exactly your weight.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/20/how-to-drink-wisely/

Mysterious respiratory illness kills 2, leaves 5 others hospitalized in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – & A mysterious respiratory illness has left five people hospitalized and two dead in southeast Alabama, state health officials said Tuesday. Seven people have been admitted to hospitals with a fever, cough and shortness of breath in recent weeks, Alabama Department of Public Health spokeswoman Mary McIntyre said in a statement. Two of the seven have died. The Alabama Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control Respiratory Laboratory are analyzing lab tests from all seven patients. McIntyre says officials hope to have preliminary results on the samples back by Wednesday or Thursday morning. The illness was first reported late last week and the last of the seven patients was hospitalized Monday, McIntyre said. It wasn't immediately clear which municipalities the illnesses were concentrated in. “We're only aware of the Southeast, but we don't know -- we haven't received reports from anywhere else,” McIntyre said. “That's why we're trying to get the information out.” McIntyre said it's unclear what's causing the illness but some of the seven patients also had the flu. Authorities are urging hospital staff to wear masks when caring for patients who appear to be suffering from respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control referred all questions to Alabama health officials.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/22/mysterious-illness-kills-2-in-southeast-alabama/

Cancer and birth defects in Iraq: The nuclear legacy

The radioactive element uranium is widely dispersed throughout Earth’s crust and is much sought after as a fuel for nuclear power plants and for use in weapons. Depleted uranium (DU), commonly used in modern munitions such as defensive armour plating and armour-piercing projectiles, is 40 per cent less radioactive than natural uranium, but remains a significant and controversial danger to human health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) sets a maximum uranium exposure of 1 millisievert (mSv) per year for the general public, but environmental scientists at the University of Mosul and the Institute of Forest Ecology, Universitaet für Bodenkultur (BOKU), Vienna, Austria, led by Riyad Abdullah Fathi have measured significant levels of uranium in soil samples from three sites in the province of Nineveh in the north of Iraq. Writing in the journal Medicine, Conflict and Survival, Fathi and colleagues link their findings with dramatic increases in cancers reported to the Mosul Cancer Registry and the Iraqi national cancer registry (which began collecting data in 1975)…

Miami face-chewing victim thanks supporters in new video

The homeless man whose face was nearly chewed off by another man in a gruesome attack in Miami last year is recovering well from his severe facial injuries and has expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his recovery process. In a newly added YouTube video from Jackson Health System in Miami, 66-year-old Ronald Poppo is seen sitting on a hospital bed strumming a few chords on a guitar.  He then pauses, holds up the guitar and jokes, “A good enough action shot?” Towards the end of the video, the infamous Miami cannibal attack victim issues a statement to his supporters. “Thanks for contributing and helping out,” Poppo said in the video.  “People in my predicament need to be helped out, and I’m sure there’s other people who also have the same type of predicaments.  I thank the outpouring of people in the community.  I will always be grateful for them.” On May 26, 2012, Poppo was viciously attacked by 31-year-old Rudy Eugene on the MacArthur Causeway in Miami, Fla. Initial reports suggested that Eugene was high on bath salts at the time of the attack, but later toxicology results only indicated the presences of marijuana in his system. Surveillance video from a nearby building shows Eugene pulling Poppo from the shade, stripping and pummeling him before appearing to hunch over and then lie on top of him. A witness described Eugene ripping at Poppo's face with his mouth and growling at a Miami police officer who ordered him to get off the homeless man. The officer then shot and killed Eugene. After the attack, Poppo was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he underwent months of facial reconstruction to rebuild his features.  Poppo lost both his eyes and his nose in the attack. The Associated Press contributed to this report.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/21/miami-face-chewing-victim-thanks-supporters-in-new-video/

Poliovirus vaccine trial shows early promise for recurrent glioblastoma

The treatment, developed at Duke and tested in an ongoing phase 1 study, capitalizes on the discovery that cancer cells have an abundance of receptors that work like magnets drawing the poliovirus, which then infects and kills the cells. The investigational therapy, known as PVSRIPO, uses an engineered form of the virus that is lethal to cancer cells, while harmless to normal cells. …