News Fresh Today: March 2018

Saturday, 31 March 2018

India's Gorakhpur hospital: The night the children died

Did lack of oxygen really cause the deaths of 30 children in one night at an Indian hospital? via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pSoiQk

The Bucket List: Seeing things for the last time

Eight-year-old Alexa is going blind and has created a list of things she wants to see before that happens. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pRzqNw

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Exercise does not have to be prolonged to be beneficial. It just has to be frequent. Several times per day

From NYTimes:

"Walk for two minutes. Repeat 15 times. Or walk for 10 minutes, thrice. The benefits for longevity appear to be almost exactly the same, according to an inspiring new study of physical activity patterns and life spans.

It finds that exercise does not have to be prolonged in order to be beneficial. It just has to be frequent."

The scientists found that moving strongly influenced longevity. The more often you move, the longer you live.

References:

Those 2-Minute Walk Breaks? They Add Up. NYTimes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/well/move/walking-exercise-minutes-death-longevity.html via CasesBlog - Medical and Health Blog More READ Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2J35y8F

Viola player Chris Goldscheider wins landmark case

A musician who suffered a life-changing hearing injury won a High Court judgement against the Royal Opera House. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pRAeAT

Wednesday, 28 March 2018

Me and my endometriosis: 12 women share their stories

Endometriosis affects about 1 in 10 women. These incredible ladies are speaking out after spending years in agonising pain, fighting to get a diagnosis. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2GRM3z8

Aziza Oubaita on the fight of her life

This 46-year-old French flyweight boxer has successfully recovered from a heart transplant. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2Gi5sIA

Man has 'world's worst' super-gonorrhoea

It is the first ever case that is resistant to the main antibiotic treatment. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2J2leZU

Teenagers urged to take part in meningitis B vaccine trial

Researchers hope the study of 24,000 will cut infections in the young and the wider community. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2E10wpF

The dangers that lurk in your bathroom

A study claims bacteria is present in rubber ducks. But what other unexpected risks are in your bathroom? via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2J2l7xs

Male suicide: 'His death was the missing piece of the jigsaw'

Friends and family members left behind after a suicide tell the stories of the men they have lost. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2GmfMiU

JAMA: Mentoring in the Era of #MeToo

Julie Story Byerley, MD, MPH wrote in JAMA on what specific behaviors her male mentors have demonstrated that have always made her feel safe:

1. They demonstrate exemplary professional behavior during and outside of the work day, never compromised by alcohol consumption or flirtatious interactions.

2. They always behave comfortably but as if others are watching, demonstrating integrity.

3. Though they have warm personalities, they refrain from physical touch except in larger social settings where they may give hugs in greeting.

4. They never mention anything about my appearance or the appearance of others, and they avoid generalizing comments about gender.

5. They text me important or urgent things, and sometimes just very funny things, but never anything I wouldn’t share with my husband or their wives.

6. Most importantly, my male mentors have chosen to speak up to support women while other men have chosen to sit quietly or, worse, offend.

References:

Mentoring in the Era of #MeToo. JAMA. 2018;319(12):1199-1200. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.2128
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2676115 via CasesBlog - Medical and Health Blog More READ Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2IbrrRV

Richard Bacon: 'My ADHD is who I am'

Former BBC Radio 5 live presenter Richard Bacon has been diagnosed with ADHD at 42. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pMIq5z

Pupil overcomes needle fear to take part in meningitis vaccine trial

A student says she took part in a meningitis vaccine trial as she wanted to help people in the future. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2E0I0O6

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Dynamo Crohn's selfie prompts others to share

Images posted to social media by the magician have prompted others to share their stories of Crohn's disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2Gc3AFp

Buying Viagra: What you should know

Men can now buy impotence pills without a prescription at some UK pharmacies. What are the risks? via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2I5wza9

Hospitals 'failing' on genetic bowel cancer test

A charity says that more than 80% are failing to test for the genetic condition Lynch syndrome. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2Gy9G1W

Pubs in danger: Six charts on how the British drink

Across Great Britain, adults are drinking less often. So how are tastes changing and why are they cutting back? via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2I4YW8s

The teen 'downloading music into his head'

Michael Fuller is autistic and could play Mozart by ear aged 11. Now he's a classical composer. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2Gsj7jH

Monday, 26 March 2018

Southern Health fined £2m over deaths of two patients

Southern Health admitted failings over the deaths of Teresa Colvin and Connor Sparrowhawk. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2GslyTo

Tuberculosis rates in England fall by third in six years

But England still has one of the highest rates of the disease in Western Europe. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2IVkaXO

We learn nothing about nutrition, claim medical students

A leading GP estimated that up to 80% of his patients had conditions linked to lifestyle and diet. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2ukPMTb

NHS: Over 3,000 more midwifery training places offered

Midwife representatives welcome the move but say more training places "is only half of the problem". via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2IU4lAw

Saturday, 24 March 2018

The man who has to crawl through his front door

Since Richard’s leg was amputated, his two-storey house has become very difficult to get around. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pDhEMJ

Meningitis survivor beats odds to ski

Charlotte Nott, aged 10, lost all four limbs to meningitis when she was just two years old. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2pB6Pf1

Friday, 23 March 2018

A day in the life of India's 'tuberculosis warrior'

On world tuberculosis day, Dr Zarir Udwadia talks about his fight against the deadly disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness https://ift.tt/2G3Q2Yo

Woman dies after having bee-sting therapy

Gwyneth Paltrow is among the people who have backed the bee-venom therapy. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2I167hN

Rise in cancers 'caused by weight': UK study

Excess weight now causes 6.3% of all cancer cases - up from 5.5% in 2011, a study suggests. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2G20ymI

'Wobbly head' woman fundraising for lifesaving surgery

Nadine Turnbull struggles with a rare condition where her head is not properly secured to her body. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2G1BmNa

MS drug hope for secondary-progressive stage

A large study suggests siponimod may effectively treat the advanced stage of the disease. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2G2VYAK

Lifestyle changes which could help avoid cancer

Cancer Research UK says around 38% of all cancers diagnoses could have been prevented. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2pCn0Yy

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Promote health, keep the world safe, serve the vulnerable

A warm welcome to all meeting participants!

I sincerely regret not being able to join you this week to take part in your discussions. However, I know that several members of my senior leadership team will be joining some sessions. I have asked them to brief me on your deliberations and meeting outcomes. via WHO news Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2GcSIpJ

Origin of 'six-inch mummy' confirmed

Scientists investigate an unusual, small, mummified skeleton from Chile to establish is medical history. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2IJNFeN

James Dunmore lost his two sisters to cystic fibrosis

Made In Chelsea star James Dunmore has told BBC 5 live that he lost two sisters to cystic fibrosis. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2FW3Gkj

A blueberry muffin 'could have day's worth of sugar'

Health experts say the researchers' findings show how easy it is to consume "huge" amounts of sugar. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2ua6e8R

Tai chi recommended to fight fibromyalgia

A study suggests the martial art has benefits similar to or greater than aerobic exercise. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2FUk84u

Chronic fatigue trial results 'not robust', new study says

A new analysis of the controversial PACE trial suggests the effects of exercise therapy have been exaggerated. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2ugvA56

Muffin sugar measured out in teaspoons

BBC presenter Victoria Derbyshire measures out the sugar that can be found in a typical muffin. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2GQXvet

Dying Young and the Psychology of Leaving a Legacy

Often the biggest existential distress that we carry is the idea that no-one will remember us when we are gone—initially we know that our friends and family will hold who we are, but after a generation, these people are likely gone too. At the end of life, the pressure to leave an unquestionably relevant legacy can be crippling for people, particularly for young people. When coupled with the limited energy that people have when they are unwell, the very nature of what people expect to achieve in the world shrinks, and the really important pieces come into focus.

When time is seen to be limited, every moment can take on a weight that has never before been experienced. Some of these expectations come from within and some externally, but regardless of their origin they can be paralyzing for the young person facing their mortality, particularly when unwell. Culturally, there are multiple references as to what ‘dying young’ is meant to mean and most refer to extraordinary and often unobtainable expectations. For instance, members of the ‘27 club’ (celebrities who die on or before their 27th birthday) and notable cancer-related concepts around ‘bucket lists’ and works of fiction (e.g., The Fault in Our Stars). Most young people, particularly those who are dying, do not have the capacity or the options to engage in an extraordinary feat, they can become overwhelmed and paralyzed by what they are ‘meant to be doing’.

I think I have well and truly missed my opportunity for greatness, I now just want enough energy to spend time with my friends. Maybe even go to the pub.

~18-year-old male

Often, as is the case with many things in life, simple and small are the gestures and moments which are the most meaningful, with huge projects and adventures feeling too overwhelming and out of the grasp of someone with limited energy and resources. As such, the fantasy of what something may have looked and felt like, had they have been well, is a much more satisfying space for them to sit with. Similarly, relationships become much more meaningful, as do the simple things that are taken away through the treatment process, like being able to sit in the sun or go to the pub with a friend.

‘I had been playing online games with him for years, and I thought that I would never meet him now. He made it happen though.’

~19-year-old male

Young patients can be bombarded with well-intentioned suggestions about what they ‘need’ to do, including making future legacy-based activities, such as leaving cards for each of their younger sibling’s birthdays, video journals of their death, or chronicling how they feel about all the people in their world. Although these are good ideas, they are emotionally and physically difficult to manage with limited resources. Patients need to be feeling very resilient and well before attempting any of these things with most being abandoned due to the confronting nature of conceptualizing the world without them present in it. It is a difficult ask for anyone to be able to take the relatively abstract idea of the world continuing following your own death; this does not change for young people and, in some ways, it is even more challenging due to their pervasive sense of self, even in the face of very real threats to their mortality.

‘I could clean out my room, and all of my stuff. But then I think, well I don’t want to do it really, and it’s not like it’s going to be my problem.’

~23-year-old male

The way that young people respond to being presented with a very limited life expectancy can vary tremendously. Some may stick their head firmly in the sand and refuse to discuss or conceptualize anything about what may happen in the lead-up to their death, or following. Others will organize everything about the end of their lives, including where they want to die, how alert they want to be, as well as what will happen following their death—such as where their belongings go and how they want to be remembered. For most people in this situation, in an existential sense, almost everything is out of control, the disease will do what it does, the pain is what it is, and they are an observer to the things happening in their bodies. The things that people can control is what they talk about, how much they talk about it, and who they talk about it too.

Just because death, dying, and legacy are not being talked about, does not mean that it is not in the consciousness and thoughts of the person pondering their own end. Instead, it may be that they have done as much thinking and talking about it as they need to do; it is often these patients that have very well-considered plans about what they want to happen as they deteriorate and the decisions that must be made about their care.

References

Chochinov, H., Kristjanson, L., Breitbart. W., et al. (2011). Effect of Dignity Therapy on Distress and End-of-Life Experience in Terminally Ill Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial. The lancet oncology. 12. 753-62. DOI:10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70153-X

Hack, T., Mcclement, S., & Chochinov, H., et al. (2010). Learning from dying patients during their final days: Life reflections gleaned from dignity therapy. Palliative medicine. 24. 715-23. DOI:10.1177/0269216310373164

Hedkte, L., (2014). Creating stories of hope: A narrative approach to illness, death and grief. Australian New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy. 35. 4-19. DOI:10.1002/anzf.1040

Kehl, K., (2006). Moving Toward Peace: An Analysis of the Concept of a Good Death.. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 23. 277-286. DOI:10.1177/1049909106290380

Smith, R. (2000). A good death: an important aim for health services and for us all. BMJ. 2000;320:129-130.

Steinhauser, K. E., Clipp, E. C., McNeilly, M., et al. (2000). In search of a good death: observations of patients, families, and providers. Ann Intern Med. 2000;132:825-832

Steinhauser, K. E., Alexander, S. C., Bycock, I., et al. (2008). Do preparation and life completion discussions improve functioning and quality of life in seriously ill patients? Pilot randomized control trial. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 11. 1234 – 1240. DOI:10.1089/jpm.2008.0078

via Brain Blogger Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2HVvLov

Carpe Diem—Living with Fear

“Live life to the fullest.”
“Celebrate life.”
“Carpe diem.”

I’ve heard them all. But what if I don’t feel like it? What if I’m having a lousy brain day, restricted to a darkened room with a blinding headache, and seizing the day is not an option?

I have clusters of malformed blood vessels called cavernous angiomas in my brain. Two of them bled, turning my life upside down with seizures and other symptoms. A few months later, I underwent resection surgeries to prevent future bleeds.

The surgeries wreaked additional havoc—headaches, seizures, fatigue, short attention span and memory loss, vertigo and poor balance, as well as severe depression. During the first couple of months post-surgery, my world revolved around my recovery. I was in survival mode, often fearful, often feeling alone. On good days, I took it one day at a time. On bad days (and there were many), I slid back three steps for every half step forward. There wasn’t much I could seize on those days.

A year into my recovery, I finally had the wherewithal to join the Angioma Alliance, an online support group for angioma patients. Through the website, members connect with each other, sharing war stories, sometimes asking questions but more often seeking reminders that we are not alone in our struggles.

All of us cavernous angioma patients live with an ax hanging over (or inside) our heads. There’s always a chance of a bleed, especially from an angioma that has bled before. Angiomas can cause symptoms even when they haven’t bled. A resected (surgically removed) angioma can grow back. Many of us who have the familial form of the disease have many angiomas and can generate new ones throughout our entire lives.

Those of us who are good candidates for brain surgery, where the benefits outweigh the risks of surgery, are considered the lucky ones. One of the members of the Alliance has an angioma located in her brain stem. Unfortunately, it is inoperable. My friend is scared of the very real possibility of a bleed causing her heart to stop beating or to suddenly take away her ability to breathe. Her fears often paralyze her, preventing her from taking life by the horns.

My fears emerge when a new symptom appears or a new manifestation of an old one emerges: is it a sign of a new bleed? Is a new angioma forming?

These days, more than ten years since the surgeries, my good days outnumber the bad. Most of the time, my fears hide beneath the surface, and when they do come out of hiding, they rarely paralyze me.

I should be able to seize the day.

I have several friends who are breast cancer survivors. Sheryl, at the age of seventy, learned to fly-fish and dragon boat. She paddles competitively and participates in national and international dragon boat races.

Darlene didn’t even jog before her diagnosis; now she runs marathons. She rarely traveled out of town, and now she travels frequently and extensively. She’s tried sky-diving, attends glitzy shows, and throws frequent pool parties.

Are these inspiring activities the only ways that count as living life to the fullest? Should I seize and celebrate life like my breast cancer survivor friends?

I have absolutely no interest in sky-diving or learning to fish. Glitzy shows have never been my thing, and I do my best to avoid parties.

Is it a matter of personality? Perhaps if I were as gregarious as my friends, I would live more like them. They may not have been as daring pre-cancer, but were they as gregarious as they are now? Perhaps they only developed that side of their personalities after the challenges of treatment and recovery. Was I supposed to have become more outgoing?

Having had to take a crash course in asking for help and admitting my weaknesses, I have become better at connecting with people. I’m not as extroverted as Sheryl and Darlene, but I am more outgoing than I was pre-surgery.

Still, I’m not a party-goer. My difficulties processing high volumes of sensory input keep me from activities such as sporting events and parties that involve large crowds, loud noises, and garish colors.

Perhaps it’s a matter of energy or lack thereof. Much of the time, I struggle through debilitating fatigue and have nothing left for celebrations. When I am overtired, my deficits are exacerbated and vertigo returns in full force, my balance is precarious, my attention span is that of a gnat, I have trouble accessing vocabulary, and my headaches are crippling.

I have to pace myself. I take one day at a time, shuffling through the bad brain days, enjoying the good days. Is that the best I can hope for? Is that seizing the day?

Like my cancer-surviving friends, my life has changed dramatically. I travel much more than in my pre-injury days, to Colorado and New York, Israel, and Mexico. Always, wherever I go, I must seek out quiet spots to recover and regroup. But once my inner traffic jams clear up, I join in the fun, though at a slower pace.

I do have more passion in my life—it comes to light in my teaching, in my writing, and in my need to make a difference in the world.

Within a few months of my surgeries, I moved into a more central neighborhood. I am within walking distance of shops and restaurants. I no longer drive everywhere. My awareness, both of myself and the world around me, has grown; I am more in tune with my fellow human beings, better able to interact with my surroundings. I live more quietly. I take leisurely walks, stopping to absorb my surroundings. I play with my grand-dog, enjoying his antics. Life is harder but more fulfilling.

Could my way also count as a celebration of life?

It is a lovely day outside. I am well rested after a rare night of decent sleep. I slip on my jacket and head out for a stroll along the nearby river.

This diem is definitely calling out to be carped, my way.

Image via FabyGreen/Pixabay.

via Brain Blogger Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2FT5N8o

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Surgeon David Nott: Hack led to Syria air strike

David Nott had helped Syrian surgeons via the internet - weeks later, their hospital was destroyed. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2pz9nun

IVF egg donor use rises sharply, HFEA figures show

Experts say it may be down to a greater awareness of egg donation and more donors coming forward. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2ps8tPp

Things people with chronic illness are sick of hearing

Rose and Alex have set up a project encouraging people to write and draw about their chronic illness. The best friends have drawn up a list of things they're sick of hearing. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2pvAYwj

Robotic dog in Dorset care home helps elderly residents

Biscuit the robotic dog responds to touch and speech to help people with dementia. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2psjeBP

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Patient and medics tackle Sahara race for Air Ambulance

Medics and a former patient take on a gruelling Sahara race to raise funds for London Air Ambulance. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2FXrT5E

Call for Alfie Dingley to be allowed medicinal cannabis

A mother shows the bruises from her "aggressive and angry" six-year-old son in the campaign for a special licence to use medicinal cannabis to treat his epilepsy. via BBC News - Health Read More Here.. Lake forest health and fitness http://ift.tt/2HPzYKg