Life's Simple 7 Plan Revealed

The seven golden rules to leading a healthy lifestyle that 'can cut your cancer risk by half' - Life's Simple 7 plan revealed: Being physically active and eating a healthy diet just some of the factors that can cut risk of cancer and heart disease - The secret to a long and healthy life can be achieved by following seven 'golden rules,' it's been unearthed today.

Experts have revealed seven simple steps for a healthy lifestyle, which can help cut your risk of cancer by half and reduce your chances of heart disease.

The seven simple steps to helping prevent cancer and heart disease have been unearthed [Rex]

'Life's Simple 7' list comprised of being physically active, eating a healthy diet, keeping a healthy weight, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, keeping blood pressure down, regulating blood sugar levels and not smoking.

According to the study, which was conducted by the American Heart Association, adhering to at least six of the rules could dramatically reduce your risk of cancer - as much as 51 per cent.

Following four of the rules led to a 33 per cent risk reduction, while one or two would cut your chances by 21 per cent.

The study was conducted on 13,253 people over 20 years. At the start they were interviewed and examined to determine their health factors.

Around 20 years later, researchers reviewed hospital records and discovered 2,880 of the participants had cancer, primarily of the lung, colon, rectum, prostate and breast.

Interestingly, the study was originally compiled to ward off heart disease, but new research revealed these seven golden rules could also help prevent cancer.

Speaking about the findings, a lead researcher said they key message of the study was "It's never too late to change."

Laura Rasmussen-Torvik, of the University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said: "This adds to the very strong body of literature that it's never too late to change and that if you make changes like quitting smoking and improving your diet, you can reduce your risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer."

The new findings follow on from a number of investigations into Brits' lifestyles, primarily into what we eat.

The horsemeat scandal recently uncovered the real content of some convenience meals, while another revealed the alarming amount of 'hidden salt' in our foods.

The investigations may have rocked faith in the food industry, but as top nutritionist Marilyn Glenville revealed - the fall-out is "brilliant" news for our health and waistlines.

She said: "It's a brilliant change. People are now paying more attention to the source of their foods and realising that if they cook it from scratch they'll know what's in there - rather than buying convenience meals."

A new survey confirmed there had been a dramatic change in Brit's shopping habits too, with many of us ditching convenience foods to go back to a healthier, basic diet. ( Yahoo Lifestyle )

Life's Simple 7:

1. Being physically active

2. Maintaining a healthy diet

3. Sticking to a healthy weight

4. Maintaining good cholestrol levels

5. Keeping blood pressure down

6. Regulating blood sugar levels

7. Not smoking

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New method found to detect autism risk

New method found to detect autism risk -- Scientists have developed a new method of detecting the autism in infants by brain waves analysis, according to a study published in "BMC Medicine" Tuesday.

By analyzing brain activity patterns of nearly 80 babies, researchers found great differences between the high-risk group and the comparison group.

Thara Marie Santiago, a girl with autism, rehearses inside a washroom in Quezon City, Metro Manila April 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

In the research, babies wore helmet-like caps studded with electrodes and electric wire to measure electrical activity while they watched a research assistant blowing bubbles. The tests were repeated from the time they were 6 months old until they reached age 2.

Researchers said patterns in brain electrical activity can give many clues about how the neurons in each part of the brain are connecting and functioning.

Athough these results are only preliminary, the scientists believed that computer will help to pick up subtle differences in brain activity patterns therefore push forward this new method in application.

Compared with the traditional behavioral tests now used, this new method is safer, less expensive and easier to perform, and may help those autism-suspected babies shorten their waiting time by months or even years. ( xinhuanet.com )

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Important facts you must know before taking weight loss supplements

Important facts you must know before taking weight loss supplements - Being overweight, obese, or even just not satisfied with your body will put you in a situation where you can never resist the promising advertisements of weight loss capsules’ easy, effortless and guaranteed results.

Almost every day there is a new product in the market with testimonials of people who lost many kilograms in few weeks or even days; but then suddenly, we hear that it has been withdrawn from the market!

To clear the confusion about weight loss supplements, Arab News consulted Dr. Lamya Awwad, consultant family physician and nutrition expert at the National Guard Hospital in Jeddah.

Different kinds of media, skinny models and knowing the health risks predisposed by obesity, have made almost everyone scale-phobic. Consequently and unfortunately, they are either following fad diets or looking for a magic bullet to be slim and have the body of their dreams. This led to an evolution of multibillion industries of weight loss supplements and programs. Almost every day new dietary supplements are emerging for weight loss either from individual or a combination of herbs, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

By reading the labels of these supplements, you will find them mainly composed of one or more common substances. Here are some of the popular substances along with some important information regarding their safety and effectiveness:

Ephedra (Ma Huang)

Originally used in China in small amounts as a herbal remedy for cough and bronchial asthma. In large doses the active ingredient, ephedrine, is found to have a stimulant effect, which can increase the amount of energy lost by your body and also suppresses the appetite. It is either sold alone or in combination with a caffeine source to augment its effect. People using Ephedra lose more weight (about 1kg) per month than dieting alone, but they might also get some of these side effects: Nausea, vomiting, mood swings, high blood pressure, abnormal heart beats, heart attack or even death. Do you think it’s worth trying? The American Food and Drug Administration banned the sales of Ephedra in 2004, but it is still sold by many companies on the Internet and around the world.

Bitter Orange (citrus aurantium)

A substance used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment of stomachache and constipation. It is made from the dried outer part of the nearly ripe orange peel. The active compound has similar stimulant and thermogenic effects of ephedrine, so companies are using it as a substitute after the ban of Ephedra. Short-term studies on bitter orange extract plus caffeine found that it can aid in weight loss. However, no safety studies were published yet, and as a stimulant agent, it cannot be considered safe in large concentrations, especially in those suffering from heart disease.

Chitosan

Also known as the fat magnet, it is a substance made from the shells of shrimp and crabs. The active compound, chitin, is positively charged and binds to the negatively charged fat molecules in the stomach to block absorption of food. Small short-term studies using Chitosan with a low calorie diet showed significant weight loss, but larger studies failed to confirm similar results. The effect of Chitosan is still controversial, but it is safe for short-term use unless you are allergic to shellfish.

Chromium

It is an essential trace mineral for proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, which is naturally found in wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, corn oil and calves’ livers. Producers claim that it can reduce body fat and increase muscle mass, but a recent review of many studies examining its effect failed to prove a significant increase in muscle mass plus it only had a minimal effect on weight loss. Questions on safety have been raised with large doses or prolonged ingestion.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

It is an omega 6 essential fatty acid found naturally in beef and dairy fat. It appears to produce fat loss in animal studies, but human studies found no difference in weight loss — only greater gastrointestinal symptoms.

Apple cider vinegar

It is used traditionally as a remedy for many things such as acne, high cholesterol and blood pressure, dandruff and acid reflux. It is sold as a fat burner and appetite suppressant either alone or in combination with Kelp and vitamin B6. No research could prove any influence of vinegar on fat metabolism, but one study showed that it increases satiety. However, taking big amounts of undiluted vinegar for prolonged periods of time can damage tooth enamel and the cells lining the esophagus.

Hydroxy citric acid

It is derived from the dry rind of a citrus fruit, Garcinia cambogia, and has been used for centuries in southeastern Asia to make meals more filling. Animal studies indicated that it could decrease fat formation, increase fat loss and suppress appetite. Human studies are controversial, but the product is probably safe for short-term use.

L-Carnitine

It is a vitamin-like compound naturally found in meat and dairy products. As a supplement, it is sold as a fat burner, but studies failed to show any significant effect in weight loss.

Green tea

Beside its caffeine content, green tea contains compounds called catechins, which could be the cause of increased fat oxidation and thermogenesis when extracts are used for weight loss. Some studies proved significant, but temporary effects, and others failed. On the other hand, the antioxidant protective effect of green tea catechins is well established and can be obtained by drinking four cups per day.

Glucomannan, Psyllium and Guar Gum

They are botanical sources of fiber that absorb water and occupy a space in the stomach, therefore leading to satiety and probably weight loss. Studies on Glucomannan are promising. Although Psyllium can improve lipid and blood sugar control in patients of type 2 diabetes, no significant effect in weight loss has been observed. Guar gum was found to be ineffective.

Hopefully, with this information, you can make better-informed decisions before taking any weight loss supplements. I would like to add that creating strategies with the help of your doctor for optimizing health and not necessarily ideal body weight is a much better way to achieve a healthy body and a happy life. ( arabnews.com )

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Women Would Welcome At-Home Test for STDs

Women Would Welcome At-Home Test for STDs -- Do-it-yourself tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) apparently would be a hit among women.

When given the option of taking an at-home test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the most common STDs, 76 percent of 462 women in a recent study indicated that would be their preference, compared with 16 percent who said they would rather go to a clinic for testing and 8 percent who said they'd prefer to be tested by their own doctor.

At-home test kits for sexually transmitted diseases are not currently available to U.S. consumers.

Beyond women saying they would prefer to test themselves for STDs, the study also found that a greater percentage of these women actually followed through and got tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea -- 65 percent compared with 32 percent of those who said they would choose doctors or clinics for testing.

"The results are important because they show you can increase screening for these infections, which are very common and cause serious health problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease," said the study's lead author, Dr. Jeffrey Peipert, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis.

Women who self-tested used vaginal swabs to obtain a smear that was then mailed to a lab. The women reported that the test was easy to perform, and the results were comparable to results of regular screenings, the researchers reported.

Among the 228 women who were tested, six cases of chlamydia and one case of gonorrhea were found, according to the study, with four of the chlamydia cases and the lone gonorrhea case detected in the home-screening group. Study participants and their partners who tested positive were given free antibiotic treatment.

The study, reported in the April issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, was funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Peipert said that one reason home-testing kits are important is that young, healthy women who use long-acting contraceptives -- injectable, implantable or intrauterine devices -- often neglect to get regular gynecological checkups.

That concerns Dr. Cynthia Krause, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

"I think that anything that increases testing for STIs [sexually transmitted infections] in young women is valuable," Krause said. "But, as a GYN, I worry that it will lead to women having less of a relationship with a doctor and possibly feeling that a test is a replacement for a visit with their GYN."

Nonetheless, she acknowledged, the convenience and lack of intrusiveness of home-testing would appeal to many women.

"I think it's helpful to be able to screen at home, but I worry that it may be interpreted as a substitute for an annual GYN exam," she said. Screening for hepatitis, HPV (human papilloma virus), AIDS, weight, contraception and domestic abuse are all part of annual doctor visits, she said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.5 million cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea were reported in 2008, the most recent figures available. But that number, according to the agency, represents only about half of the cases that actually exist. Though annual screening for STDs is recommended, the CDC estimates that only about 26 percent to 60 percent of women actually have the tests.

For at-home testing for STDs similar to that done in the study to become viable would not only require that kits be available for purchase by consumers but also that a system be set up to handle the mailed-in results, including testing labs and telephone numbers women could call for assistance, Peipert said.

The kits would probably cost about $25 to produce, he said. But even after adding a profit margin for the manufacturer, the cost would be less than a doctor's visit, Peipert said.

Chlamydia affects women more often than men. In 2008, almost 900,000 chlamydia cases were reported in the United States among women and about 315,000 cases among men, according to the CDC.

Women in the U.S. also have a higher rate of gonorrhea, with the CDC reporting about 183,000 cases in 2008, compared with about 153,000 among men.

Both STDs are nearly symptomless and can exist as low-grade infections for many years until they eventually cause serious health problems. However, Peipert said, antibiotic treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea is completely effective. (HealthDay News)

"It's easy," he said. "You just take a pill or get a shot, and that's it."

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What your hair tells you about your health

What your hair tells you about your health. Our hair can say as much about the state of our health as a trip to the doctor.

We asked trichologist Philip Kingsley to look under a microscope to reveal the true state of health of three women . . .

THE YOUNG WOMAN

Lizzy Pender, 27, an IT consultant, is single and lives in London.

She says: 'Because my hair is thick and healthy, I don't worry about it. I wash it with whatever shampoo I happen to buy and it is fine. It lacks bounce and can look dull on occasions, though.

I usually skip breakfast and just have a coffee, sometimes a sandwich with crisps and a drink for lunch. If I'm busy I'll grab a takeaway for dinner. I also smoke occasionally.'

Philip's verdict

Split ends: Lizzy has genetically great hair but she is harming it. She has split ends due lack of nourishment to the hair.

Her hair is brittle and dull and lacks essential minerals and vitamins.

Lizzy has lost more than a stone in weight in two months due to stress, which would explain a lot about her hair.

This lack of nourishment from bad diet is typical of stressed adults, often resulting in hair that is greasy at the roots and dry and brittle at the ends.

Fine dandruff: Lizzy has this because she is stressed and is pumping out adrenaline. Her levels of male hormones -androgenes - are high, which is why she is getting a fine flaking scalp. Androgenes give you dandruff and make your hair thin because they encourage the body to overproduce grease.

Hair loss: Lizzy is also putting herself at risk of premature hair loss because of her stress levels and lack of decent diet. Her high levels of androgenes will already be weakening the hair at the front and top of her head.

Remember that you barely notice this until the end of a typical three-year hair growth cycle, and probably not until the end of two cycles, but the damage may be setting in.

Shorter top layers: Lizzy's diet and stress levels also show in the length of the top layer of her hair. Many top hairs are breaking off before they reach full length, leaving a shorter layer on the surface hairs. This may suggest a three-year hair cycle has already been weakened.

Diet: Lizzy must eat more protein to give the hair strength, body and shine. She must eat breakfast and a proper lunch with some red meat if possible.

Smoking has little effect on hair. But drinking alcohol in moderation can benefit its growth because it encourages 'good' hormones to fight the damaging androgene ones.

She should reduce her intake of unhealthy fats from processed food and eat more protein and carbohydrates.

Suggested treatment: An intense moisturising shampoo and conditioner; two gelatin supplements a day; a mild antiseptic scalp tonic for fine dandruff; twice-weekly application of a pre-shampoo treatment to moisturise the ends; daily application of my PM36B oil, developed from duck oils, to give prevent dryness.

OLDER WOMAN

Jill Hennessy, 50, is a receptionist from Basingstoke, Hampshire, and married with two grownup children.

She says: 'My hair is thick and healthy. Many friends have lost hair as they hit that pre-menopausal age, but I have been lucky.

I eat a healthy diet, which adds to the condition of my hair. But my hair is more wiry than when I was younger, probably because it is about 40 pc grey.

Typically, I eat wholemeal toast or cereal for breakfast, a low-fat sandwich and yoghurt for lunch and pasta with either chicken or fish, plus a glass of white wine, at dinner.'

Philip's verdict:

Flaky scalp: This is because Jill is suffering from prolonged periods of premenstrual tension in her pre-menopausal stage.

The flakes are large and caused by a change in the scalp's grease secretions. She is also slightly anaemic due to heavier periods, which can cause flaking.

Thinning hair: Jill has lost volume to her hair at the front, again because of changes to the scalp's secretions.

These are linked to a greater release of adrenaline from pre-menopausal stress, which is one of the triggers for androgenes, which cause hair loss and thinning.

Levels of the hormone oestrogen have also dropped off, which usually counteract the androgenes as well as prolonging the hair-growth cycle.

Coarse hair: Jill may think her hair is coarser, but it isn't. It is a myth that grey hair is more wiry. It is thinner than the hair around it, so it sticks up more, which makes it appear coarse.

Diet: Jill's diet is typical of many women her age: low-fat with no protein. This is contributing to the hair thinning.

Hair is a protein called keratin and, therefore, it's vital to restore it with protein through diet and special products.

She must eat at least 2oz of protein for breakfast and 4oz for lunch. Dinner is the least important meal of the day for healthy hair. She should also change to drinking red wine. White wine is a trigger for androgenes.

Suggested treatments: Daily gelatin, iron and Vitamin C supplements to help iron absorption; weekly antidandruff shampoo; five drops daily of Anti-Androgene Scalp Drops to suppress male hormones.

THE NEW MOTHER

Maia Dickinson is a film producer from London, married, with one child aged four and a six-month-old baby.

She says: 'I am sure my hair has started to fall out because I am breastfeeding. Because my hair is thinning I tend to wash it, which can make hair loss worse, only twice a week.

Typically, I eat pastries with cereal for breakfast, a sandwich or pasta with chocolate, flapjack or a piece of fruit at lunch and, for dinner, meat and vegetables or sometimes chips. If I snack, it's usually on cakes or biscuits.'

Philip's verdict:

Red itchy scalp: This condition is caused by Maia having too much fat in her blood. It clogs up the scalp's pores, causing irritation and heavy flaking.

Sudden hair loss: It is a myth that breastfeeding causes hair loss. Women who have just given birth experience a rapid and sudden drop in oestrogen, which keeps the hair more elastic and prolongs the growth cycle.

Breastfeeding keeps oestrogen levels high, so it is strange that Maia is losing her hair.

Greasiness from infrequent washing suppresses new hair growth. The wrong (cheap) washing products - loaded with harsh chemicals - cause dry or brittle hair.

Diet: The main reason for Maia's hair loss is her bad diet and a recent illness. Her hair shows signs of massive malnutrition, lacking essential minerals and vitamins.

During her pregnancy Maia had dysentery and was unable to hold down any food. Then after the birth she went on to a high fat-intake diet. She needs to cut down on sugar and fat and eat more protein.

Suggested treatment: A weekly application of a strong antibacterial sulphur cream to disinfect the scalp; three 'scalp steam' treatments to let the cream penetrate deeper: scalp massage; a stronger moisturising shampoo and conditioner; daily iron supplement; daily gelatin supplement.

Drink plenty of water to flush away toxins and wash hair every day. ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Ten shortcuts to health

Ten shortcuts to health. Life is tough and life is busy. Not everyone has the time to spend hours on their health every day. Not if you work ten hours a day, have three kids and still have to deal with your mother-in-law living in the granny flat.

It doesn't have to take hours and hours. In just a few minutes a day you can make sure that the basics are looked after.

An apple a day.

Your body needs fruit and vegetables every day. And no, the slice of onion on the hamburger is not enough. Keep some apples or bananas at work and get into a habit of nibbling them rather than eating chips off the trolley.

Caffeine cadenza.

Watch those endless bottomless cups of coffee. A cup or two can do little harm, but when you start doing four or five, it could wreak havoc with your blood pressure and sleeping patterns.

Cheers.

Have a drink or two, but having more on a regular basis is simply not good for you. It dehydrates you and depletes your body's vitamin reserves. Never drink on an empty stomach. And make it a rule to drink a glass of water for every drink you've had. Your liver will be very grateful.

Walk, don't ride.

If it's six blocks to work, get into a habit of walking. If that's not possible, get into a habit of climbing a few floors to work rather than taking the lift. Don't drive to the shop on the corner, take a walk.

Get a rage outlet.

Life can be frustrating and every now and then you could feel like you're going to explode. Rather than take it out on your family or on colleagues or other motorists, go running. Or go to the gym or take up kickboxing. Anything to get the juices flowing.

Be a quitter.

If you smoke, chances are high you will either get lung cancer or emphysema. Don't do this to yourself and your family. Nicotine is one of the most powerful addictive substances around. This is the reason why it is difficult to quit. Do whatever it takes.

One for the road.

Not a good idea. A major portion of road accidents and injuries can be ascribed to drinking and driving. Even if you don't get injured, think of how difficult it may be to live with the consequences of injuring someone else.

Don't harbour grudges.

If you have things eating at you, keeping you awake at night and absorbing your energy, do something about them. Talk to someone - it won't kill you to see a therapist – and get rid of these feelings before they turn inwards and do real damage to your insides. Prolonged unhappiness or depression is often a precursor to serious illness.

Get enough sleep.

Sometimes this is not possible, but make a point of trying to go to bed at more or less the same time every night. Your body likes routine and will reward you for it. Most people need about seven hours in order to function properly.

Glug, glug, glug.

Make sure you stay properly hydrated by drinking water and other drinks throughout the day. But let thirst be your guide - drinking too much water can actually do more harm than good by flushing important nutrients from your system. – ( health24.com )

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Your body's panic buttons

Your body's panic buttons. Money, work, kids, in-laws, home repairs, relationship problems – basically if you're not stressed to the hilt, you haven't been opening your mail, e-mail, or answering the phone.

Imagine a fire station on full alert – all emergency vehicles are set to race off, all staff members are dressed and ready, all equipment has been checked and uploaded, and only really essential things are given any attention.

That's what happens to our bodies when we become more and more stressed: our bodies give the on-full-alert signal, but the phone call never comes to say where the fire is, or even if there is one.

You're ready to fight or flee, and a flood of stress hormones washes through your body, preparing it for a life-or-death battle which never comes. And now you have adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol rushing through your system, all dressed up with nowhere to go.

And as your spouse bickers, or the bank manager phones, or the kids fight again, you just never get to switch off that panic button.

These stress hormones can do a lot of physical and mental damage as they coast around your system. They're sending blood to your muscles, increasing your heartbeat, reducing blood flow to the vessels under the skin, and dilating your pupils. Our body's natural response is to try and restore some sense of equilibrium, but this doesn't always work.

Here are 13 ways to tell that your body is begging you to slow down:

You're losing it.

You snap at people, even though it's not in your nature, and you feel that it takes a great deal of effort to control your temper. This is because constant stress depletes and weakens your mood-lifting mechanisms.

You feel lightheaded.

It's difficult to think straight when you're really stressed. An adrenaline surge causes blood flow to be partially diverted from your brain, and sent to your muscles, so you can either run away from the threat, or attack it. Hence the feeling of lightheadedness.

You breathe more quickly.

Your muscles need increased oxygen levels to function at their best. The only way to make this happen, is to speed up the breathing process.

You can't sleep.

Racing thoughts and anxious feelings would keep anyone awake. A complex chemical process leads to our falling asleep every night. This process is severely hampered by the constant presence of high levels of cortisol, which are supposed to be at their lowest levels at night.

You get eczema or urticaria.

Excess cortisol in the body stimulates the release of histamine. And the next thing you know, you've come up in hives, or your eczema has flared up again. Or you have a nasty bout of urticaria, which can make you itchy for weeks.

You sweat.

When you're stressed, your heart rate and breathing speed up and your blood pressure also increases. This causes you to sweat more in order to keep your body temperature even.

Your vision blurs.

There are many different causes of blurred vision, but some of them, such as high blood pressure, can be made worse by stress. Blurred vision is also a symptom of migraines, which are often caused by stress.

You need the toilet all the time.

When you're stressed, your body gets depleted of vitamin B6, and this can lead to frequent urination. Some people who suffer from anxiety especially suffer from this condition at night, when it stops them from getting a decent night's sleep.

Your weight seesaws.

Constant high cortisol levels can interfere with your metabolism and lead to unexpected weight gain. Stress and hormonal disturbances, among other things, can also trigger a condition in women called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) of which obesity is a symptom. Ongoing stress can also make you lose weight, as stressed people not only use more energy as a result of their constant state of high alert, but they also neglect eating a healthy diet, or eating regularly.

You get mouth ulcers.

Many things can cause mouth ulcers, but one of them is a shortage of vitamin B12, caused by constant stress.

You're drinking more.

Many people respond to stressful situations by increasing their alcohol consumption. Alcohol, when taken in moderation (1 unit) can indeed be a stress release, but oddly enough, when taken in greater quantities, actually makes the stress worse.

Frequent infections.

When your body goes on full alert, as it does when you're stressed out, all other bodily functions take a bit of a back seat. Your immune system is one of them. Getting ill, or suffering from infections after an exam, or a break-up, or some upheaval at work is nothing strange. Your immune system has simply not been firing on all cylinders, and your body is telling you to slow down.

No interest in sex.

Believe it or not, your body doesn't register sex as a life essential, especially in the face of danger. And constant high stress levels will simply play havoc with your libido. A pity, as sex is often a stress reliever in itself.( Health24.com )

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An alien in my ear

An alien in my ear. A perfect start to a routine day... turned to paste. The cause: an alien in my ear. Neil Young shares his pain.

If my wife had known what lay ahead, she would not have gone off to Gauteng with my two daughters. However, in blissful ignorance my family bade me farewell, leaving me to my own very capable devices. I was alone.

The earache was unexpected, but I was on top of it. The treatment of earache is non-complicated, easily resolved with a bottle of bog-standard eardrops.

Worse by the minute

Maybe not. By lunchtime it should have been obvious this was no run-of-the-mill ache: there was an angry blush to the painful area. By dinner, this had evolved to a red-hot glow, a full-scale rebellion, swollen to a cauliflower in need of the nearest hospital.

What alarmed my doctor most, he told me later, was the speed at which this event escalated. And with no forewarning. I mean, one minute I’m enjoying a leisurely breakfast at home; and by nightfall, I’m a victim of hospital cuisine.

My ear, formerly just a polite and subservient addition to the head with a selective hearing responsibility, had become a tenant from Hell. It threw a house party for infectious diseases.

From heaven to hell

The next three days were characterised by frequent swings from white-hot pain, through to a pleasure veil of carefully administered drugs (I must confess to particularly fond memories of my short interlude with pethidine, the wonder drug used in obstetric practice to relieve labour pain). Doctors would silently appear at my bedside with furrowed brows and sympathetic bedside manner, their arms folded as they observed. The skin around the affected area turned blue, and friends who visited were shocked at my appearance. I felt like a cross between a guinea fowl and the Elephant Man.

Under the circumstances you may appreciate, all I cared about was relief from pain but, thanks to the cocktails of antibiotics and painkillers, I sometimes found myself actually curious about what was going on. I found myself frustrated by doctors’ insistence on sticking to the complex medical terminology. It was only later that I grew to understand their keeping me in the dark to be an act of kindness. We always imagine the worst and had I known what was really going on inside my head, I would have leapt from the bed in terror (regardless of those ridiculous hospital gowns), to run screaming down the corridors.

A real nasty

You see, I had an infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externia). In turn, that led to cellulitis. This, it turns out, brings along two nasty bacteria: streptococcus and staphylococcus. In my case, it was the former that took up the invitation to move in. If left unchecked or not properly treated, it would likely have resulted in the grand-daddy of all party animals you don’t want to know: necrotising fasciitis. That’s the one that eats your flesh.

Apparently, this opportunistic organism is ever present in our day-to-day lives. It flourishes on something as simple as a rusty nail or unclean surface, always looking for a patch of dry skin or minor cut. It chooses its moment to act, hitching a ride on your arm sleeve as you innocently wipe the sweat from your brow on a hot day.

In my case, this nasty coccus took advantage of an eczema condition on my outer ear and used it as a pathway to the tissue below. Were it were not for the astute observation and swift action of my attending doctor, the consequences could have been far more horrible. As it was, the correct and potent mix of antibiotics saved the day, my ear and, probably, a whole lot more.

I am now a little wiser. And I have no doubt as to how lucky I was that it was caught.

Take it from someone who’s been there: if your ear aches, and goes on aching, don’t wait too long before you call the doctor. You could find yourself imploding. ( health24.com )

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Early Use of NSAIDs Might Prevent Alzheimer's

Early Use of NSAIDs Might Prevent Alzheimer's. Study in mice finds anti-inflammatories don't help those with existing disease. Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from a young age might prevent early signs of Alzheimer's disease, according to the results of a new study in mice.

Recent research suggests that the appearance of neuronal cell cycle events (CCEs) occurs early in the development of Alzheimer's. In the new study, U.S. researchers looking for triggers of neuronal CCEs found evidence that suggests that neuroinflammation plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's in mice.

Administration of the inflammatory molecule LPS triggered the early appearance of neuronal CCEs, the researchers found, and treatment with the NSAIDs ibuprofen or naproxen blocked the development of CCEs.

In older mice, treatment with NSAIDs prevented new neuronal CCEs but did not affect existing CCEs, the study authors noted.

The study, published online Nov. 9 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, offers a potential explanation for findings in humans that long-term NSAID use protects against Alzheimer's but does not benefit people who already have mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. (HealthDay News)

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Scientists Grow New Penile Tissue in the Lab

Scientists Grow New Penile Tissue in the Lab. Rabbits implanted with new cells regained sexual function, study says. Researchers were able to restore sexual function to rabbits with damaged penises by growing new penile tissue in the lab and implanting it, a new study reports.

Though a human application is a ways off, researchers say the technique could one day be used to treat severe erectile dysfunction in men.

"We were able to show the tissue was able to integrate and function in the long term, which means we can start planning clinical applications [in humans]," said Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and senior author of the study. "Our hope is to be able to treat patients with many conditions, including congenital abnormalities of the penis, traumatic injuries, penile cancer and severe cases of erectile dysfunction that don't benefit from drug treatments."

The study is published in the Nov. 9 online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The penis is a complex organ, with nerve, muscle and vascular cells all needing to work together to achieve and maintain an erection. During an erection, smooth muscle tissue relaxes, allowing blood to flow into the penis. Endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, trigger the process by releasing nitric oxide.

In the study, the researchers extracted smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells from the animals' penises. The cells were then separated and grown in the laboratory on rod-shaped collagen scaffolds for support. The scaffold was placed in an incubator and nourished by fluids to mimic conditions inside the body, Atala said.

After the cells had matured, the scaffolding and the newly formed penile spongy tissue, called corpora cavernosa, was surgically implanted into the rabbits' penises.

About a month later, the tissue began to reconstitute itself, forming new blood vessel structures necessary for proper functioning, while nerves from the existing penile tissue integrated into the new tissue. In time, Atala said, the collagen structure was reabsorbed, and the cells built their own collagen structure.

In the treated rabbits, tests showed that pressure inside the penis, a key component of an erection, was normal. Other tests showed that blood flow, response to nitric oxide, drainage of the blood after the erection and presence of sperm in the female vagina were also normal. The tissue engineering worked so well that four of 12 females were impregnated by the repaired rabbits, according to the study.

Dr. Andrew McCullough, director of male sexual health, fertility and microsurgery at NYU Langone Medical Center, said the results are promising.

"It has a long way to go, but the researchers have basically shown they can take cells from an organ, culture them, put them back in and have them be functional," McCullough said. "This is especially impressive because the penis is an organ that's a very sensitive hydraulic pump, so to speak. During an erection, blood has to flow into the organ. The organ then has to expand and then shut down the drainage so the blood doesn't flow back out. And all of these things are very interrelated."

Better treatments for erectile dysfunction are badly needed, McCullough added. About 35 percent of men don't respond to impotence drugs, including Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. As men age, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension -- all conditions that can affect male sexual function -- can worsen, making the drugs less effective.

In previous research, the Wake Forest researchers engineered human bladders in the lab. In clinical trials, about 30 children and adults with congenital bladder abnormalities or bladder injuries who were treated with the engineered tissue showed normal or improved bladder function for nearly 10 years, Atala said. Other researchers have shown some success in clinical trials with transplanting windpipe tissue. (HealthDay News)

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Breast Cancer Drugs May Fight Cervical Cancer, Too

Breast Cancer Drugs May Fight Cervical Cancer, Too. Study in mice reports success with drugs that inhibit estrogen. Two drugs used to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis eliminated cervical cancer in mice, according to a new study.

The drugs also cleared precancerous growths in the cervix and vagina, and prevented the onset of cancer in mice with precancerous lesions.

The breast cancer drug fulvestrant and the breast cancer/osteoporosis drug raloxifene were given to mice genetically engineered to carry human papillomavirus (HPV) 16, which is strongly associated with cervical cancer. Both drugs prevent estrogen from working in cells. Fulvestrant is marketed for women as Faslodex, and raloxifene is marketed as Evista.

The study appears in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"We have begun to test whether the drugs are as effective in treating cervical cancer in human cells as they are in our mice," senior study author Dr. Paul F. Lambert, an oncology professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, said in a university news release.

If the lab studies, expected to take one or two years, are successful, they could be followed quickly by clinical trials, the researchers said.

Nearly all cervical cancers test positive for HPV 16, Lambert said, but not all women infected with HPV get cervical cancer, which has led researchers to examine other factors.

"Since the cervix and other female reproductive organs are so responsive to estrogen, our lab and others began to focus on that hormone," he explained.

Fulvestrant and raloxifene block a receptor (estrogen receptor alpha) that mediates estrogen function in cells.

"We can't be sure how the science will translate from animals to humans, but we have faith in our mouse model," Lambert said. "There are many similarities in how cervical cancer develops and manifests itself in women and in mice." (HealthDay News)

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No Gender Gap Found for Clot-Busting Drug

No Gender Gap Found for Clot-Busting Drug. Plavix helped men and women almost equally, study finds. The widely used clot-dissolving drug Plavix (clopidogrel) works about the same in women as in men, an analysis of major clinical trials has found.

"After this study, I can say we can be confident in treating both men and women with this very important drug," said Dr. Jeffrey S. Berger, director of cardiovascular thrombosis at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City and lead author of a report in the Nov. 17 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Clopidogrel acts by preventing blood cells called platelets from forming clots that block arteries. It is one of several antiplatelet drugs; aspirin is another. Clopidogrel is commonly prescribed to prevent clots in people with the abnormal heartbeat called unstable angina, or after a heart attack or the implant of a stent, a thin tube put in to keep arteries open.

The study looked at data from five major clinical trials of clopidogrel involving nearly 60,000 people, 30 percent of them women. Leaders of the trials worked together to determine how the drug worked in men and women.

"There have been a lot of preliminary suggestive data that men and women respond differently to antiplatelet medications," Berger said. "Up to this point, there have been no data on the benefits and risks of clopidogrel in women and in men. Is there a difference? Overall, we can say the answer is no."

The study is the latest example of the growing attention being paid to cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke in women, a subject often overlooked in the past. Attention is being paid, Berger said, because a third to half of all heart attacks occur in women. Two recent studies reported that the incidence of heart attacks has increased in American women in the past two decades, while their chance of surviving heart attacks has improved.

At first glance, the raw data from the studies would seem to indicate a difference in male vs. female response to Plavix. The drug reduced cardiovascular events by 16 percent in men and 7 percent in women. The chief benefit for women was reduction of heart attack risk; for men it was reduction of strokes and cardiovascular deaths.

"But you have to look at the absolute benefit," Berger said. "What is the absolute difference? If we treat 1,000 men for eight months, we prevent 12 cardiovascular events. If we treat 1,000 women, we prevent eight cardiovascular events. We are not saying there are no differences between men and women. We are saying there are no significant differences."

The significance of the differences was of major concern to the cardiologists who did the study, Berger said. "We really discussed this at length, how to convey this data," he said.

The major risk of Plavix and other antiplatelet drugs is excess bleeding. The raw data showed that adding Plavix to aspirin increased the risk of major bleeding in women by 43 percent and in men by 21 percent.

"If you treat 1,000 men, you will have approximately five major bleeding events, and if you treat 1,000 women, you will have two major bleeding events," Berger said.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr. David P. Faxon, vice chairman of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, wrote that "the cumulative evidence continues to show that women with coronary artery disease differ from men in many important ways, including the response to antiplatelet therapy."

"The good news is that clopidogrel is an exception," he wrote.

Adequate numbers of women need to be included in future cardiovascular studies "because outcomes cannot be predicted by mostly male-dominated trials," the editorial continued.

The new study doesn't settle the issue entirely, Faxon said. "A meta-analysis, putting together data from many different trials, is never as good as a randomized trial," he explained. Such a trial would be desirable, he said, because there are gender-related differences in blood vessels and cells.

"Women have more reactive platelets, and more delicate blood vessels," Faxon said.

But both Faxon and Berger said they do not consider the gender of a patient when they prescribe clopidogrel.

However, including women in studies of antiplatelet drugs is important, Berger said, because clopidogrel is expected to be available in a less-expensive, generic version, which will widen its use, and because more powerful antiplatelet medications are just becoming available. (HealthDay News)

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Stroke Puts Stress on Spousal Relationship

Stroke Puts Stress on Spousal Relationship. Patient/caregiver roles often take the place of a partnership, researchers say. Although many wedding vows include the phrase "in sickness and in health," a stroke can put that promise to the test by causing major relationship problems for married couples, according to British researchers.

The University of Ulster study included 16 married stroke survivors (nine males, seven females), aged 33 to 78. The time since their stroke ranged from two months to four years, with an average of 18 months.

The researchers found that the stroke significantly affected sexual activity, led to blurred relationship roles, and feelings such as anger and frustration were confounded by persistent fatigue and lack of independence.

Among the findings:

• All but one of the stroke survivors experienced a reduction or total loss of sexual desire. Some believed this was due to the effects of medication or fear of another stroke.
• Most of the females lost interest in their appearance, regardless of age.
• All the survivors said they'd changed since their stroke. Many said they experienced irritability, anger, agitation and intolerance due to their frustration at not being able to perform daily activities. In some cases, over-protective spouses increased feelings of anger and frustration.
• Many survivors were reluctant to resume social activities with their spouses because of fatigue, anxiety and swallowing problems.
• Fatigue was often associated with reduced independence and guilt because survivors didn't know how they'd feel from day to day and couldn't plan ahead.

"All the participants perceived a stroke as a life-changing event. They faced a continuous daily struggle to achieve some sense of normality and that required huge amounts of physical and mental effort," study co-author Assumpta Ryan, of the University of Ulster's Nursing Research Institute, said in a university news release. (HealthDay News)

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Muscle Weakness Linked to Alzheimer's Risk in Seniors

Muscle Weakness Linked to Alzheimer's Risk in Seniors. Reason for association unknown, but stroke is one possibility, researchers say. Elderly people with weak muscles may be at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followed 970 older adults (average age 80) who didn't have dementia at the start of the study. The participants underwent a number of evaluations, including tests of cognitive function and muscle strength.

During an average 3.6 years of follow-up, 138 (14.2 percent) of the participants developed Alzheimer's disease. Those with the highest levels of muscle strength at the start of the study were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's than those with the weakest muscles, the researchers found.

The link between muscle strength and Alzheimer's remained even after the researchers accounted for other factors, such as body mass index and physical activity levels.

The researchers also found that weak muscles were associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, the earliest sign of cognitive decline.

"Overall, these data show that greater muscle strength is associated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment and suggest that a common pathogenesis may underlie loss of muscle strength and cognition in aging," wrote study author Patricia A. Boyle and colleagues.

Although the reason for the association between muscle strength and Alzheimer's risk isn't known, the study authors noted that there are a number of possibilities. Damage to the mitochondria, which produce energy for cells, may contribute to loss of both muscle strength and cognitive function. A second possibility is that decreased strength could be caused by stroke or other central nervous system disorders that also may reveal subclinical Alzheimer's disease, they suggested. (HealthDay News)

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