Health-Next

With the advent of Christmas holidays in the schools, doctors in United Kingdom are predicting that the second wave of the deadly H1N1 flu could be wrapped. According to the Health Protection Agency, the consultations of Swine flu like illness have dropped below the periodic flu level. In the second and third week of December, as many as 9000 cases were reported in England; which however, is 2000 less than the numbers that were reported in the first week of the month. Overall, 532 patients are hospitalized in England currently and the number is fast declining.

“The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century is considerably less lethal than was feared in advance,” stated Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson.

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A new research has found out that leptin, produced by fat cells, could reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It was found that leptin induces additional effect in areas outside the hypothalamus in brain. Hypothalamus is the portion of the brain, which is responsible for controlling hunger, thirst and the temperature of the body.

Dr. Wolfgang Lieb, of the Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, Mass., and his associates has examined the effect of leptin on dementia and AD. A group consisted of 785 people (62% female) without dementia was taken as the sample, with average age being 79. It was found that an increase in leptin gradually decreased the effect of dementia.

In previous studies, it was found that obesity in midlife could result in the reduction of cognitive function in general population and an increase in the risk of dementia. “If our findings are confirmed by others, leptin levels in older adults may serve as one of several possible biomarkers for healthy brain aging and, more importantly, may open new pathways for possible preventive and therapeutic intervention,” stated the researchers.

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Here is something to cheer up for the elderly. According to a new study, taking green tea four or more cups daily reduce depression in elderly men and women. Earlier, studies have been conducted to find out health benefits of green tea however, this new study by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was targeted mainly towards the psychological aspect of the popular beverage.

The study states that daily consumption of green tea can reduce the risk of depression by 44 percent for people above 70. Oolong and black tea however, proved ineffective in reducing the negative effects of depression in the test individuals. The anti-depressant effect was credited to Theanine, an amino acid, found mainly in green tea.

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A new study has found out that alcohol can increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Breast cancer survivors who have consumed a little drink are more likely to see a recurrence of the diseases after some time.

Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, California researchers have trailed 1,897 women who were given a diagnosis of early-stage invasive breast cancer from the year 1997 to 2000, evaluating the intake of alcohol through a self-doled food frequency form citing 122 food and beverages.

“Alcohol has been shown in animal studies to increase circulating levels of oestrogen, and increase oestrogen metabolism,” which may drive recurrence risk, said Marilyn Kwan, the lead author of the research paper.

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Scientists have come out with a solution to treat bleeding patients and wounded soldiers heal faster. In the laboratory, it has been found that the synthetic blood-clotting agent can cut the bleeding in half, compared to having no treatment. Not only the fake platelets offer faster recovery but also they have longer shelf life.

The researcher duo of James Bertram and Professor Erin Lavik pioneered the development of the platelets by using biodegradable polymers and prepared them to combine with the patient’s own platelets at the place of injury. The natural blood platelets, which are used currently, help a lot in hastening blood-clotting process; however, large injuries are overwhelming for the natural elements to work. Donor platelets also work on the same line but they have problems like 4-5 days of shelf life and the chance of being rejected by the host body.

Professor Lavik stated, “This could be a complement to current therapies. The military has been phenomenal at developing technology to halt bleeding from external or compressible injuries. But so many injuries are from blast traumas where the damage is on the inside. And it can be hard to stop bleeds like this in the field.”

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Are you using abdominal binders for long? Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has put up a warning that abdominal binders can inflict serious health issues to women. Cinch, tagged as a ‘miracle’ by the makers, helps women lose weight and reduce fat from the waistline. The catch is it has to be worn 24 hours a day for a period of six weeks. The product, which weighs near about 85 pound (38 kg) claims to reduce the swollen uterus after childbirth, contract the muscles of the stomach and lessen the stretch marks.

RCM spokesperson said that it is unsafe to wear after birth; wearing the cinch would conceal internal bleeding and would lead to medical implications. “We would recommend more women see obstetrician physiotherapists to help them with alignment and posture. You cannot substitute that with clothing. There is no evidence for these claims,” stated the RCM spokesperson.

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