Pls I need someone with international passport that can help open and verify flippa.com account. I will pay for it. Contact on signature

$100 zelle available

Contact on signature.

The World Health Organization is monitoring a new coronavirus variant called “mu,” which the agency says has mutations that have the potential to evade immunity provided by a previous Covid-19 infection or vaccination.



Mu, also known by scientists as B.1.621, was added to the WHO’s list of variants “of interest” on Aug. 30, the international health organization said in its weekly Covid epidemiological report published late Tuesday.

The variant contains genetic mutations that indicate natural immunity, current vaccines or monoclonal antibody treatments may not work as well against it as they do against the original ancestral virus, the WHO said.

The mu strain needs further study to confirm whether it will prove to be more contagious, more deadly or more resistant to current vaccines and treatments.

Mu “has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape,” the WHO wrote in its report Tuesday.

“Preliminary data presented to the Virus Evolution Working Group show a reduction in neutralization capacity of convalescent and vaccine sera similar to that seen for the Beta variant, but this needs to be confirmed by further studies,” it added.

The new variant, mu, was first identified in Colombia but has since been confirmed in at least 39 countries, according to the WHO. Although the global prevalence of the variant among sequenced cases has declined and is currently below 0.1%, its prevalence in Colombia and Ecuador has consistently increased, the agency warned.

source: http://sutured.com/who-says-it-is-monitoring-a-new-covid-variant-called-mu/
more: https://sutured.com/

If you have low vision or impaired vision from conditions like nearsightedness, cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, you know this situation comes with many challenges. These may range from moderate (needing glasses to read or drive) to profound (losing your independence or the ability to see a loved one’s face clearly). It’s no surprise, then, that more serious vision impairment is associated with high rates of depression in people of all ages.



Widely available accessibility features and special vision rehabilitation programs can help you cope with stressful challenges and learn to adapt activities to get through each day.

And even small steps — like the ones below — can make life more bearable when you have vision impairment.

Use accessibility features
Certain computer or smartphone features can be very useful. For example, you can enlarge fonts, zoom in on a photo, or have your computer or phone read you documents, calendar items, texts, or emails.

But it may take a little tech knowledge to set up those features — or at least the patience to look up steps to enable the features and work your way through them. For example, your computer may have an accessibility feature that can read aloud areas of text you highlight.

“Learning how to properly use accessibility features can be difficult. Vision rehabilitation clinics can offer programs to help you learn these skills at your own pace,” says optometrist Patrick Lee, a vision rehabilitation specialist at Mass Eye and Ear and an instructor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School.

Try special devices
A number of gadgets can assist with vision impairment in your daily life.



Read-aloud devices. “These include spectacle devices such as the Orcam, a point-and-click device that reads any text you point it toward,” Lee says.
Magnification devices. “Modes of magnification have been shown to help those with vision impairment. High-powered spectacle readers, handheld magnifiers, and electronic video devices are some options.” Lee notes.
Smart speakers. Tabletop smart speakers are virtual assistants that connect to the internet and carry out your voice commands to dial a phone number, retrieve information, control other smart home devices (like lights, thermostats, or security systems), and much more.
More: Oculoplastic Surgery

Try helpful apps
Many apps can do the same job as some of the devices we just mentioned.

Apps that magnify images, such as Mass Eye and Ear’s SuperVision+. It works like a magnifying glass, giving you a closer look when you hold your phone over an object. Your phone may already have a similar app.
Apps that see for you, such as Seeing AI or Lookout by Google. This type of app gives you a short description of whatever you place in your camera’s sight, including fine print.
Apps that read you recorded books, such as BARD Mobile from the Library of Congress or Audible. (Though not an app, you may also enjoy the free online talking books program from the Perkins School for the Blind.)
Virtual assistant apps such as Google Assistant, which does the same job as a smart speaker.
Adapt your home
You may find it helpful to make changes around your house.

Label objects. Label drawers, books, phones, appliances, condiment bottles, and anything you may need help identifying. Use a large font and high contrast on labels, making them easier to see.
Supersize numbers and letters. Swap out your old house phone for one with extra-large numbers on the buttons, or get a blood pressure cuff with extra-large numbers in the readout. Other items with extra-large numbers or letters include books, scales, thermometers, computer keyboards, thermostats, clocks, pedometers, TV remotes, calculators, and watches.
Add more lights. Lighting plays an essential role in vision. You may want to add automatic night lights throughout your house to light your path. Or it may help to add some extra lamps or light fixtures in a particular room. “Properly assessing the positioning of light can help increase reading ability. An adjustable gooseneck lamp is an excellent option, but remember not to face the lamp toward your eye, to combat glare,” Lee says.
Rethink driving
Driving can be very difficult for people with any amount of vision impairment.

If night driving is too hard, plan ahead. “Allow for a friend or family member to drive you at night, or plan your day accordingly to take slower streets and avoid the highway, lots of traffic, and oncoming lights that can cause glare,” Lee says.
If you no longer drive, consider using a community ride service. Free rides to doctor appointments and grocery stores are often available through local nonprofit groups and religious organizations for people with vision impairment.

source: http://sutured.com/is-your-vision-impaired-tips-to-cope/
more: http://sutured.com/

Due to increasing rates of obesity, inactivity, and an aging population, type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in our society than ever before. In high-income countries, death from diabetes dropped from 2000 to 2010, but then increased from 2010 to 2016 — leading to an overall 5% increase in premature deaths since 2000. Particularly troubling is that type 2 diabetes is now being seen frequently in children, due to their obesity and inactivity.

It has been known for many years that type 2 diabetes increases your risk for strokes and heart disease. More recent studies have shown that diabetes also increases your risk of dementia. What has not previously been investigated, however, is whether the age of onset of diabetes makes a difference in your risk of developing dementia.

New research about age at diabetes onset and the risk of developing dementia
A newly published study examined the association between age of onset of diabetes and the development of dementia using a large, ongoing cohort study. The cohort was established in 1985–88 among 10,308 employees aged 35 to 55 years (33% women, 88% white) in London-based government departments. Data on diabetes exposure, including fasting glucose and the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score, were obtained at ages 55, 60, 65, and 70. (The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score includes age, family history of diabetes, personal history of elevated blood glucose, fruit and vegetable consumption, blood pressure medication, physical activity, body mass index, and measured waist circumference.)

Dementia due to any cause was the primary outcome measure. In addition to diabetes, they also examined the effects of age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, high blood pressure, body mass index, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, medications, and the Alzheimer’s risk factor gene, apolipoprotein E.

The long-term effects of diabetes on dementia
From 1985 to 2019, 1,710 cases of diabetes and 639 cases of dementia were recorded. For every 1,000 people, examined yearly, the rates of dementia were 8.9 in those without diabetes at age 70. Comparable rates of dementia for those with diabetes were 10.0 for those with onset up to five years earlier, 13.0 for six to 10 years earlier, and 18.3 for more than 10 years earlier. These striking results clearly show that the earlier you develop diabetes, the greater your risk is for developing dementia.

How diabetes can lead to dementia
There are multiple reasons why years of type 2 diabetes may lead to dementia. One reason is related to the effects that diabetes has on the heart, as heart health is related to brain health. Heart disease and elevated blood pressure are both associated with strokes that, in turn, can lead to dementia. However, strokes do not appear to be the complete answer, as some studies found that diabetes led to an increased risk of dementia even when strokes were controlled for.

Another factor relates to the episodes of hypoglycemia that commonly occur in diabetes. Although tight control of blood sugars has been proven to reduce the long-term risks of heart disease and strokes, tight control can also lead to hypoglycemia, memory loss, and dementia. Here, the reason is likely because low blood sugars are known to damage the hippocampus — the memory center of the brain.


One of the more intriguing hypotheses is that diabetes directly causes Alzheimer’s disease. Indeed, Alzheimer’s disease has even been called “type 3 diabetes” because of shared molecular and cellular features among diabetes and Alzheimer’s. For example, insulin plays a critical role in the formation of amyloid plaques, and insulin is also involved in the phosphorylation of tau, which leads to neurofibrillary tangles. In other words, whereas insulin resistance in the body can lead to type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance in the brain can lead to the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s disease.

Reduce your risk of diabetes and dementia
The good news is that you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes — and your risk of dementia. Speak with your doctor today about whether the following lifestyle modifications would be right for you. Note that these life changes are helpful even if you have a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes.

Engage in aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes each day, five days each week.
Eat a Mediterranean-style menu of foods.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Treat high blood pressure.
Treat high cholesterol.
Don’t smoke.
Lastly, social activities, a positive attitude, learning new things, and music can all help your brain work at its best and reduce your risk of dementia.

source: http://sutured.com/whats-the-relationship-between-diabetes-and-dementia/
more: http://sutured.com/

If the events of the past year have left you feeling emotionally deflated, you’re not alone. Cheer has been in short supply during the pandemic, and you may be in serious need of a mood boost. Yet while this slice of time may have been unusually stressful, people often struggle to find happiness even in normal times. This is why the field of positive psychology first emerged in the 1990s. It sought to answer the questions: Why is it sometimes hard to be happy? And is there a way to help people improve their mood and life outlook?



As it turns out, the answer to the second question is yes. You can do a lot to improve the quality of your daily life and feel more fulfilled.

Test out this recipe for improved happiness, which includes a mix of three physical and emotional strategies. Try each of these options for a week. Assess whether one or more of these positive steps increased your happiness — and keep doing it!

Get out and get active
Fresh air and exercise is a powerful mood-lifting combination. If you’re vaccinated against COVID-19, take the opportunity to get outside, pull off your mask, and get moving. Regular exercise can help to improve both your health and your mood. Aerobic activity like walking, biking, or running releases mood-boosting hormones that can reduce stress and confer a sense of well-being.

Also, when your muscles contract in a repetitive pattern, as they do when you are walking, swimming, or doing activities such as yoga, it bumps up levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, which is targeted by many antidepressants. Higher levels of serotonin are associated with better mood. In fact, one study found that just 90 minutes a week of activity provided mood improvements similar to an antidepressant. When combined with medication, exercise can even help mood disorders that have been resistant to other treatments.

How much movement should you strive for? Research shows that ideally you should try for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week, or a vigorous 20 minutes three times a week. But if you can’t do that much, remember that some is always better than none. Even a quick 10-to-15-minute walk can elevate your mood, at least in the short term.

Appreciate small daily pleasures
Little annoyances can spoil the best day — you misplace your keys, stub your toe, or encounter a grouchy coworker. But the reverse is true as well. Studies show that taking the time to appreciate small, pleasurable moments can make you feel happier. Focus on small daily events the same way you would big ones like a wedding day, the birth of a child, or a relaxing vacation. After all, it’s those little moments that make up most of your life. Savor time spent gardening (yes, potted plants count) or sitting in a sunny window with a cup of tea; laugh with family members over a good meal; or settle in with a good book. Also, celebrate tiny milestones and achievements, a project well done, or a daily goal met. Make a conscious effort to pause and enjoy small pleasures like these every day.



Limit your decisions
It may sound like a dream to have endless options, but in truth having lots of choices can generate more worry. Happiness does depend partly upon choices — after all, it would be highly stressful not to have any control over your life. However, research has found that people given more options have more opportunity for regret. Do you wish you’d chosen a different insurance carrier, outfit, cellphone plan, dessert? Would another selection have been better? This is why people who run meditation or spiritual retreats often limit selections. Not having to make numerous decisions all day long can be freeing.

A simple exercise can help you ease the choice burden. Decide that if a decision won’t bring major consequences, you’ll limit the amount of time you give yourself to pick, or you’ll give yourself fewer options. Don’t allow yourself to second-guess the decision once it’s made. Save the heavy deliberations for bigger, more consequential issues. However, even when making these choices, try to avoid looking back.

source: http://sutured.com/want-more-happiness-try-this/
more: http://sutured.com

Starting around age 40, the lenses of your eyes start becoming cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. In many people, cataracts eventually become so dense that their vision becomes blurry or distorted. By age 80, more than half of Americans will have developed a cataract or had cataract surgery.



This surgery — a quick, safe procedure that involves replacing the clouded lens with a clear plastic one — offers a very effective cure. But unless your eye doctor advises otherwise, you may not need to have surgery right away.

“Most cataracts progress very slowly and can be safely observed until you feel you need better vision — for example, if you have difficulty reading or seeing street signs,” says Dr. Laura Fine, a cataract specialist and clinical instructor in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. One of the most common early symptoms of cataracts is poor night vision, especially in the rain or when driving. People often complain of seeing glare or starbursts from headlights when driving at night, she adds.

Tips for coping with early or small cataracts
In the early stages of cataract formation, you might notice a slight decline in your vision, but not so much that it affects your day-to-day activities. In some cases, the lens simply thickens, causing nearsightedness, rather than becoming opaque. When that’s the case, the following tips can help.

See your eye doctor for a new eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
Put brighter lightbulbs in the lamps around your home, especially the ones you use to read or do other close work.
Reduce glare by positioning lights directly behind you, pointed on the task (such as on the book you’re reading).
Use magnifying lenses to read or work.
Place contrasting colors — such as a dark blanket on a light chair — around your home to help you see better.
These measures help many people safely delay cataract surgery for years. Some end up never needing surgery. But people who rely on their eyes for detailed work, such as architects, dentists, and jewelers, may need surgery sooner than others.

Ready to consider cataract surgery? What to know beforehand
Typically, people have surgery in the eye with the denser cataract first. If the other eye has only a minimal cataract, a second eye surgery many not be needed for years. However, most people with age-related cataracts have similar disease in both eyes, and the second eye is usually done a few weeks after the first one, once it’s had a chance to heal.

Because there are follow-up visits one day and one week after each surgery, the whole process generally takes about two months in all, says Dr. Fine. People often need to plan their cataract surgeries around other medical procedures, travel, or family plans.



It’s a good idea to sort out logistics in advance, Dr. Fine notes. For example:

In addition to a ride home after the surgery, some older patients may need drivers or caregivers to be with them for follow-up visits, and possibly to assist with administering eye drops following surgery.
For the first few weeks after cataract surgery, it’s important to take certain precautions. During the first week, people should avoid lifting things heavier than 10 to 15 pounds. For the first two weeks, people shouldn’t wear eye makeup and should also avoid swimming, baths, and hot tubs.
Vision may be blurry in the first few days after surgery, but gradually will improve. “Most people remark that things appear brighter and clearer,” says Dr. Fine.

More than 95% of people who undergo cataract surgery end up with visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Still, most people will likely still need glasses for reading or driving.

source: http://sutured.com/not-yet-ready-for-cataract-surgery-try-these-tips/
more: http://sutured.com/

Medical cannabis is currently legal in 37 states and, with 94% of Americans in favor of legal access to medical marijuana, it seems as if this treatment option is returning to the mainstream. Many people aren’t aware that cannabis was a popular treatment in this country in the late 1800s and early 1900s — commonly dispensed by doctors — and that the American Medical Association was one of the strongest voices testifying against prohibiting it in 1937.



I’ve been aware of the ability of medical cannabis to alleviate suffering since I watched my brother Danny use it during his unsuccessful battle with leukemia. Cannabis was the only thing that allowed him to keep down food during chemotherapy. Now, decades later, I am a physician who certifies patients that qualify for medical cannabis in Massachusetts. People often have questions about its safety and its proper use, and these are often the same considerations I have before certifying patients.

Is it safe?
As with nearly everything else about cannabis, how safe or dangerous it is remains hotly debated. As a primary care doctor, I have to ask myself: is cannabis safer than the alternatives I would be prescribing? For example, if I’m treating a patient for chronic pain, is cannabis safer than opiates? Medication risks must be balanced against the safety concerns of cannabis; the main ones are as follows:

Its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established.
It can worsen, and even potentially cause, psychotic disorders.
It can temporarily worsen short-term memory and cognitive functioning.
It can have cardiac and lung effects, such as rapid heart rate and bronchitis.
You can get addicted.
There can be drug interactions, especially with CBD.
It can cause or worsen anxiety at high dosages, even leading to panic attacks.
Driving and the operation of heavy machinery is impaired.
It can be especially dangerous for teenagers to use, as there is evidence that they are particularly susceptible to cognitive effects and addiction.
Cannabis should be used with extreme caution — if not avoided altogether — in patients with a history (or potentially a family history) of the problems listed above, such as psychosis, substance misuse, or cardiac arrythmias.

As I frequently tell patients, if you read the warning labels of any medications that are commonly prescribed, each and every one has potential side effects, some serious. There is truly no free lunch with medication, including medical cannabis; however, with good education and with legal regulation (which leads to a safer product), many of the above harms can be avoided or minimized. For example, many of the harms are dosage-related, so I always remind patients to “start low and go slow,” meaning keep the doses as low as possible for the desired effect.

How can I consume cannabis?
Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways: by inhalation, with a tincture under the tongue, as an edible, or as a topical lotion. The advantages of consuming cannabis by inhalation, either by smoking or by vaporizing dried flower with a machine that heats it up, are rapid onset and easier titration of dosage. The disadvantages are that it can irritate the lungs, causing chronic bronchitis, and the therapeutic effect only lasts a few hours, so one has to redose frequently.

In many places cannabis combustion is simply not allowed, such as in public housing. The pros of using an edible are that you don’t have to inhale anything, and the therapeutic benefit can last for up to eight hours, but finding the correct dose is much trickier: it usually takes an hour or two for an edible to start working after consumption, so you truly have to start low and go slow to avoid taking too much!



A tincture is a liquid formulation that can be put under the tongue for quicker absorption; its mode of action and duration are in between inhalation and edibles: perhaps 30 minutes to take effect, with a duration of about four hours.

Topicals are just what they sound like: creams and lotions to rub on painful, inflamed, or itchy areas. There are very few safety concerns with topical preparations.

Will I get high?
In many cases, the answer to this is: only if you want to, unless the dosage you need is quite high. The doses needed for medical purposes are often significantly lower than what is used recreationally. Today, with a regulated cannabis market, there is much more choice about different strains or ‘chemovars’ of cannabis — it used to be that medical patients only had access to whatever the dealer happened to have.

These days, people can avoid highly sedating strains, as well as strains that are extremely high in the main intoxicant, THC. Also, patients develop a tolerance to the psychoactive effects of cannabis, so a medical patient using a small dose of cannabis twice a day would be markedly less impaired than a more recreational cannabis user who uses a high dose, say, once a month. They still shouldn’t drive when using this medicine, but they do report being quite functional.

Is it legal?
Cannabis is not legal if you are not living in a state where it has been legalized for medical usage, but it is now legal on the state level in the majority of states. Some states have gone partway and have legalized CBD only, or low-THC cannabis formulations. It is important to remember that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, meaning that it is illegal to fly with it and to cross state borders with it — even if you are crossing between two states that have legalized it.

There can also be implications for your employment if your workplace does drug screens — a medical cannabis card won’t always protect you. Many hospitals, even in legal states, do not permit you to bring it into the building, as they receive federal funding that could be at risk if they are perceived as sanctioning medical cannabis use.

I am optimistic that, as a society, we will continue to make progress on the medical cannabis issue, so that the millions of patients who receive relief from medical cannabis can do so without stigma, judgment, and legal jeopardy, and so that medical research can be performed in a free and unrestricted way. In this way, our knowledge of both the benefits and the harms of cannabis can continue to progress.

source: http://sutured.com/common-questions-about-medical-cannabis/
more: http://sutured.com/

“Sleep on it. Things will look better in the morning.”



This advice, often given by a parent, is said with love and good intentions, but it still makes us roll our eyes, because we just want to go to sleep — not think, not assess options. We certainly don’t want to wait until tomorrow.

But …?

“We all do that,” says Dr. Robert Stickgold, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “We solve problems while we’re asleep.”

More importantly: we’re supposed to. The brain is doing its nighttime job of finding connections, so when we wake up, we have a different take. It can feel like a stress, but rather than fight it, there are ways to accept the nightly review of the day so it doesn’t turn into a sleepless assessment of our entire lives.

The first step is understanding how it works.

How the brain solves problems during sleep
When you’re awake and trying to work through a sticky problem, the go-to approach is often taking a piece of paper and listing the pluses and minuses. But there are usually too many items, and you don’t know how to sufficiently rate the importance of each one, so “it doesn’t help you,” Stickgold says.



But when you get into bed, the brain does a triage and “rifles through the events of the day and sees what’s left unfinished,” he says. It’s picking out what has some “affective buzz,” the emotions that happened during or shortly after something took place. The brain uses these memory “tags” as indicators that the event was important and that there’s more to figure out. Essentially, the brain is saying, “I think I can help you.”

Two elements make this happen. The prefrontal cortex gets shut down. This part of the brain handles executive decision-making (which includes rational thinking and impulse control), but now there’s no critical edge or categories to put ideas in. The brain can freely associate and, as Stickgold says, “process in the background.”

And when you get into the REM stage of sleep, the neuromodulators norepinephrine and serotonin are turned off. Norepinephrine enhances focus on immediate, concrete problems. “It’s the reason you don’t want to hear about someone’s ‘brilliant idea’ when you’re approaching a deadline,” he says.

There’s little known about what happens when serotonin is shut off, but Stickgold suggests it biases the brain into identifying looser connections as valuable. With both neurochemicals at bay, fragments of ideas can come together. “You have enhanced discovery of weak associations, ones you’d never notice,” Stickgold says.

The result is that you wake up the next day suddenly thinking, “I don’t want to take a job in Iowa,” or “yeah, Iowa.” It can feel like a gut decision, one you can’t necessarily explain. It also may not be the final one, but something has shifted. “You’re not in the same place as when you went to sleep,” says Stickgold, adding that it can’t all be explained, and science can’t calculate whether what you decide is right. “It’s a nonrational process.”

Staying up to work on a problem doesn’t work
You might be a person who turns problems over and over while waiting for sleep. What the brain wants to do before you fall asleep is see a thought and go to the next one. What you may end up doing is latching on to one thought, then you ruminate; regrets start creeping in, and that triggers a rush of adrenaline, which can take 10 to 15 minutes to burn off, Stickgold says.

It helps to acknowledge a thought and let it keep moving, similar to the practice of observing thoughts without judgment during meditation. There are a number of imagery devices that can work: having a ticker tape or balloon shuttle it away, or putting it on a tee and knocking it down the fairway. The main thing is to realize that the mere existence of the thought is not a problem.

But if thoughts persist, there are calming steps. If you are worrying whether the garage is closed or the oven is off, rather than continuing to wonder, “there’s nothing wrong with getting up and checking,” Stickgold says. For less immediately fixable issues, keep a notepad by your bed and write down a reminder for tomorrow. If you’re worried you’ll forget a particular concern or idea, this gets it out of your head and guarantees you’ll see it in the morning.

What doesn’t help is getting up in the middle of the night to “work” on a problem. You just end up being exhausted the next morning, and you’re no closer to a decision or solution. The answer, however uncomfortable it might initially feel, is to let the thought parade march on through.

“Look at the period of fretting as a gift,” Stickgold says. “It’s setting up the brain for taking issues and lining them up for an incredibly productive eight hours. It’s kind of elegant in a way.”

source: http://sutured.com/sleep-to-solve-a-problem/
more: http://sutured.com

Much has been written about the benefits of mindfulness. There is research suggesting it can counter stress, relieve chronic pain, and even improve aspects of mood, thinking, and memory. But how does it actually work? Does mindfulness actually produce detectable changes in the brain?



Mindfulness improves attention
In a recently published study, researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia set out to investigate exactly how mindfulness can improve your ability to pay attention. To do this, they analyzed data from 81 healthy adults over age 60 who participated in a randomized controlled trial to assess both the immediate effects of an eight-week mindfulness intervention, and long-term effects six months later on attention and brain physiology.

They found that the older adults randomized to the mindfulness intervention showed improvements in sustained attention — improvements that were maintained at the six-month follow-up visit. They also found changes in brain physiology that correlated with the improvement in attention.



Observing brain activity with EEG
To measure brain physiology, they observed the electrical activity of the brain using electroencephalography, better known as EEG. An EEG is similar to what you’ve almost certainly had at one point in your life: an electrocardiogram or ECG. As you may recall, when you had an ECG, electrodes were placed on your chest that measured the electrical activity of your heart. In an EEG, the electrodes are placed on your scalp so that brain activity can be measured.

Now, these researchers weren’t really interested in all of the activity in the brain. They wanted to focus in on the brain activity related to attention. In order to do this, they recorded EEGs while participants were performing an attentional task. The task consisted of detecting various letter pairs that were different sizes as quickly and accurately as possible. Each time a pair appeared on the screen, they marked the exact time on the EEG recording. They then averaged all of the 60 times that a specific target letter pair appeared on the screen and compared that brain activity to that of other letter pairs. This comparison allowed the researchers to precisely measure the specific brain activity associated with attention.

Bottom-up and top-down
The Australian researchers found that two different types of brain processes were enhanced by mindfulness.



First, mindfulness training increased the efficiency of brain pathways that process information coming in from the senses. In other words, the boost in attention helped the participants to literally see information more accurately. Scientists often refer to such improvements in sensory abilities as enhancing “bottom-up” processes.

Second, mindfulness training also boosted the ability of the brain to direct attention down to the information of interest. This means that participants were better able to focus on the task and ignore distractions. These types of control processes which allocate attention are often referred to as “top-down” processes.

Be mindful
You now understand how mindfulness training improves one aspect of thinking — attention — at the level of brain physiology. This means that by focusing on the present moment, cultivating mindful awareness toward sensations, and attending to the rising and falling of the breath, you can actually improve your brain’s ability to direct your attention and accurately perceive the world.

It used to be thought that components of thinking that make up your IQ, such as attention, were relatively fixed because they are based upon your brain’s function. However, from studies like this one, we now understand that is an old-fashioned idea. By practicing cognitive skills such as mindfulness, you can literally change your mind, your brain, and your IQ.

source: http://sutured.com/can-mindfulness-change-your-brain/
more: http://sutured.com/

When it comes to losing weight there are no magic pills or secret diets that can help you reach your weight loss goals. But you can achieve your goals with these 3 steps to help lose weight.

Like most things in life losing weight (a lot of weight) boils down to conscious effort, discipline, determination and perseverance.

Losing 10, 20, 50 or 100 pounds or more all comes back to what you do on a daily basis. If you do what you're supposed to do (eat right + exercise) day in a day out you will eventually lose all the weight you want.

However, if you throw caution to the wind and don't do what you're supposed to do then you may never see your weight loss dreams come true. This my friend is the saddest scenario there is.

If you're bored of being fat, if your tired of being overweight, if your ready to start your new life today then hold on because I am about to give you the simple yet extremely effective weight loss plan you've been waiting for.

Are you ready? I am going to tell you in no uncertain terms what you have to do to lose all the weight you want in 3 easy to do steps. However, in order for this to work you must maintain your focus and discipline everyday to keep doing the steps until you reach your desired results.

Even if you falter and veer off your weight loss track, it's OK. If you are able to quickly get back on track you will overtime, reap the benefits of dramatic weight loss and improved health.

And now, without further adieu here are your 3 basic steps to weight loss...

1. EAT LESS

2. EAT BETTER

3. EXERCISE

There they are. What do you think? A little anti-climatic, huh? Maybe you were expecting more... Well, let me tell you if you are able to grasp and implement this powerfully safe and effective weight loss plan is you will never again have to spend another unnecessary dime on weight loss products that don't work.

You see, your body is a fine tuned weight loss management machine. If you follow the right plan and give your body only what it needs to survive it will do all the hard work for you.

Given enough time and following the 3 steps above you can lose tens and even hundreds of pounds without starving yourself or resorting to bogus weight loss pills or dangerous body sculpting surgeries.

Now, this is not to say that the road to significant weight loss will be easy or that you will not have to suffer a bit to reach your desired results. There will be days when you feel like throwing in the towel and giving up.

On those days you might just cave into your undeniable cravings and go crazy at your local all you can eat artery clogging buffet. But hey,that's OK. You're human. Sometimes you have to go a little nuts to get back on track.

However, if you are truly committed to reaching even your most seemingly unattainable weight loss goals you can and will do it by following the plan above. Now, for your benefit let's go a little deeper into each step of the plan.

1. EAT LESS

There is really no doubt about it. If you want to lose weight you have to start eating less. You have to create a calorie deficiency in order for you body to start shedding pounds.

If you do not begin to limit how much food you take in no amount of exercise will help you reach your goals. Eating less of your favorite greasy, fat filled foods will be the quickest way to dramatic weight loss.

It really doesn't matter how much weight you have to lose. Unless you take control of both your conscious and unconscious eating habits you'll be hard pressed to lose even one pound.

No, you have to start cutting back on the amount of food you are used to eating. I've heard of stories where people would go to Mc Donald's and pack away two Super Sized Big Mac Meals.

Obviously, this is way too much. In this situation even cutting down to one Super Size meal would be an improvement. But, as we will see in our next step, a better plan would be to do away with the Super Size meal all-together and start eating better.

2. EAT BETTER

As the saying goes, "We are what we eat." If we eat crap, guess what? However, if we learn to eat well then not only will our waistline thank us for it but we'll also feel better about ourselves to boot.

One of the quickest changes you can make to your diet when trying to lose weight is to ditch all the junk food you may be used to eating (chips, sodas, pizzas, donuts, cookies, etc) and start eating more vegetables.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. You may still be traumatized by your mother not letting you get up from the dinner table until you finished all your broccoli but let me tell you, your mother was right.

If you can fill half your plate at every meal with high fiber and nutrient packed vegetables you are well on your way to significant and long lasting weight loss. This is probably one of the simplest things you can do to really kickstart your weight loss journey.

While it might not be easy to start eating vegetables at every meal the sooner you begin the better off you'll be and the quicker the weight will start to melt off your body.

3. EXERCISE

In order to kick your weight loss adventure into high gear you have to get your body moving. I don't care if you call it working out, exercising, aerobics or whatever the point is you have to do something to get your heart rate up and your sweat glands working overtime.

Exercise is the key to sustainable, long lasting and real weight loss. For every pound you lose by eating right and exercising that is one more pound that will never come back to haunt you.

Why? Because you now know the "secret" to safe and effective weight loss. If you ever feel yourself creeping back up on the dreaded scale o' fat all you have to do is put these 3 steps into action and watch as you stabilize and contradict any unwanted weight gain.

By exercising on a regular basis you are giving your body the energy boost it needs to ramp up your metabolism rate to start efficiently and effectively losing weight on a daily basis. I don't about you but that sounds pretty darn good to me.

The more you push yourself physically the faster you will see change in your body occur. You may not have to work out with a personal trainer everyday but you do need to do something.

Be it going for a walk, running, swimming, biking, hiking, or any other physical activity you like to do start doing it now. Don't spend another night on the couch watching the latest re-runs. Get your body moving and start losing weight today.

CONCLUSION

Losing weight (even a lot of weight) is not rocket science. So rest assured that anyone can do it, even you. However, it will require all the patience, discipline, determination and perseverance you can muster.

Start slow. Take it one day at a time. You may not reach your ideal weight in one week, one month or even one year but stick with it and reach it you will. By following the 3 steps above you too can become a success story like so many other before you.

So go forth and start losing all that unwanted weight that years of undisciplined living have left behind. Take control of your life starting today. Soon you'll be glad you did. When that day comes there will be no looking back.

source: http://sutured.com/top-10-weight-loss-tips/
more: http://sutured.com/

It’s safe to say that 2020 gave us more than enough to cry about. Yet even prior to last year, it seems that we were crying fairly often. Researchers note that, on average, American women cry 3.5 times each month, while American men cry about 1.9 times each month. These figures may take some of us by surprise, especially as our society has often looked at crying — particularly by men — as a sign of weakness and lack of emotional stamina.

Health benefits of crying
As a phenomenon that is unique to humans, crying is a natural response to a range of emotions, from deep sadness and grief to extreme happiness and joy. But is crying good for your health? The answer appears to be yes. Medical benefits of crying have been known as far back as the Classical era. Thinkers and physicians of ancient Greece and Rome posited that tears work like a purgative, draining off and purifying us. Today’s psychological thought largely concurs, emphasizing the role of crying as a mechanism that allows us to release stress and emotional pain.

Crying is an important safety valve, largely because keeping difficult feelings inside — what psychologists call repressive coping — can be bad for our health. Studies have linked repressive coping with a less resilient immune system, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, as well as with mental health conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Crying has also been shown to increase attachment behavior, encouraging closeness, empathy, and support from friends and family.

Not all tears are created equal
Scientists divide the liquid product of crying into three distinct categories: reflex tears, continuous tears, and emotional tears. The first two categories perform the important function of removing debris such as smoke and dust from our eyes, and lubricating our eyes to help protect them from infection. Their content is 98% water.

It’s the third category, emotional tears (which flush stress hormones and other toxins out of our system), that potentially offers the most health benefits. Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals help ease both physical and emotional pain. Popular culture, for its part, has always known the value of a good cry as a way to feel better — and maybe even to experience physical pleasure. The millions of people who watched classic tearjerker films such as West Side Story or Titanic (among others) will likely attest to that fact.

Rethinking crying in boys and men
“I know a man ain’t supposed to cry,” goes the lyric of a popular song, “but these tears I can’t hold inside.” These words succinctly summarize many a man’s dilemma about emotional expression. From early on, boys are told that real men do not cry. When these boys grow up, they may stuff their feelings deep inside and withdraw emotionally from their loved ones, or self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, or even become suicidal. Many men therefore need to learn the skills of how to reconnect with their emotions. Back in the 1990s, the poet Robert Bly led men’s seminars at which he taught the participants how to get in touch with their long-buried feelings of sadness and loss, and to weep openly if they needed to. Ideally, however, such education should begin early on, at home or at school, with adults making it safe for boys to talk about difficult feelings.

Crying during COVID
As of this writing, the nation has registered over 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. The collective grief over these losses can only be described as staggering. It is no surprise, then, that at times like these our feelings are closer to the surface, and that many people who were not previously prone to crying find themselves tearing up more easily. In fact, as one medical professional put it, showing emotion in public may have become a new normal.

When are tears a problem?
There are times when crying can be a sign of a problem, especially if it happens very frequently and/or for no apparent reason, or when crying starts to affect daily activities or becomes uncontrollable. Conversely, people suffering from certain kinds of clinical depression may actually not be able to cry, even when they feel like it. In any of these situations, it would be best to see a medical professional who can help diagnose the problem and suggest appropriate treatment.

Takeaways
As challenging as it may be, the best way to handle difficult feelings, including sadness and grief, is to embrace them. It is important to allow yourself to cry if you feel like it. Make sure to take the time and find a safe space to cry if you need to. Many people associate crying during grief with depression, when it can actually be a sign of healing. Teaching boys and young men that it’s okay to cry may reduce negative health behaviors and help them have fuller lives.

If crying becomes overwhelming or uncontrollable, see a doctor or mental health professional for evaluation and treatment.

source: http://sutured.com/is-crying-good-for-you/
more: http://sutured.com/

The newest dietary guidelines for Americans say that many Americans don’t get enough of four vital nutrients. Over time, a shortfall of these nutrients may affect different aspects of your health, from teeth and bones to your heart, gut, muscles, blood pressure, weight, and more.

What is a nutritional shortfall?
Nutritional advice can be confusing. Eat more of this, less of that. Make sure you get enough — but not too much. It’s no wonder many people have so-called nutritional shortfalls, where their diet lacks sufficient essential nutrients.

So, which nutrients do you really need and how much? And what key nutrients do most people lack?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 offers some insight. Updated every five years by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the USDA, the report found many Americans are lacking in four vital nutrients: calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin D.

According to the guidelines, these four are “considered dietary components of public health concern for the general US population.” That’s government talk for: these nutrients help you stay healthy, and you probably should eat more of them.

Four nutrients you need — and where to find them
Here is a closer look at these four nutrients, how much you need, and some of the best sources, per the recent guidelines.

The specific daily amounts of each nutrient are based on the recommended daily calorie intake for adult men and women who don’t need to lose or gain weight. For example:

Women ages 19 to 50 should aim for 1,800 to 2,000 daily calories, and women ages 51 and older 1,600 calories
Men ages 19 to 50 should aim for 2,200 to 2,400 calories, and those ages 51 and older 2,000 calories.
Of course, specific calorie needs depend on the individual, but these figures offer a reasonable estimate.

Food is always the preferred source, as it gives you other essential vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health. However, if you have trouble eating the suggested foods, check with your doctor about whether supplements are an option.

Keep in mind that the listed portions for these foods are not recommended serving sizes. But they should help you get more of the fab four in your daily diet. (See this DGA resource page for a more detailed list of foods containing these nutrients.)

Calcium

How much: women: 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams (mg); men: 1,000 mg

Where to find it? 8 ounces of plain, nonfat yogurt: 488 mg; 1 cup low-fat or soy milk: 301 to 305 mg; 1 cup cooked spinach: 245 mg; 1/2 cup tofu: 434 mg.

Potassium

How much: women: 2,600 mg; men: 3,400 mg

Where to find it? 1 cup cooked lima beans: 969 mg; 1 medium baked potato with skin: 926 mg; 1 cup cooked acorn squash: 896 mg; 1 medium banana: 451 mg; 3 ounces skipjack tuna: 444 mg.

Dietary fiber

How much? women 22 to 28 grams (g); men: 28 to 34 g

Where to find it? 1 cup shredded wheat cereal: 6.2 g; 3 cups popcorn: 5.8 g; 1/2 cup navy or white cooked beans: 9.3 to 9.6 g; 1 cup berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries): 6.2 g to 8 g.

Vitamin D

How much? women and men 70 or younger: 600 international units (IU); women and men 71 and older: 800 IU

Where to find it? 3 ounces salmon: 383 to 570 IU; 3 ounces canned light tuna: 231 IU; 1 cup unsweetened soy milk: 119 IU; 1 cup 1% milk: 117 IU; 8 ounces nonfat plain yogurt: 116 IU; 1 cup 100% fortified orange juice: 100 IU.

source: http://sutured.com/4-essential-nutrients-are-you-getting-enough/
more: http://sutured.com/

Even if you enjoy exercising outdoors, there are times when it’s too cold, too hot, or otherwise uncomfortable or impractical to walk, jog, or cycle outside. And like many people, perhaps you’ve let your gym membership lapse. So how do you make sure you’re getting an aerobic, heart-protecting workout most days of the week?



Maybe it’s time to invest in a home exercise machine, such as a treadmill or elliptical machine. Not only can you exercise in the privacy of your home, you can also easily break up your workout into 10- to 15-minute stints throughout the day, whenever it’s convenient for you. Current guidelines recommend getting at least 2.5 hours of heart rate–elevating (aerobic) exercise each week.

More: Benefits of Exercise

Consider your health history
While all exercise machines provide an aerobic workout, some may be better suited to you than others, depending on your personal situation, says Janice McGrail, physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. By the time most people reach middle age, it’s not uncommon to have at least one joint or muscle problem, from either overuse or injury. It could be creaky knees or hips, a sore shoulder, tender wrists, or an achy lower back. Other health issues might also be worth considering.

“If you have arthritis in your hips or knees, a stationary bike lets you avoid weight bearing that might be painful,” says McGrail. Make sure to adjust the seat height so there’s a slight bend in your knees when the ball of your foot is on the pedal at its lowest point, which helps avoid knee strain. A stationary bike is also a good choice for novice exercisers and those with balance issues.

But if osteoporosis is a concern, weight-bearing exercise — which you can get from a treadmill or elliptical machine — is beneficial. With an elliptical machine, your feet don’t come up and down off the steps, so the weight-bearing action is more moderate, -McGrail notes.

Ellipticals have the additional advantage of working your arms as well as your legs. You can also find stationary bikes with arms that move back and forth, in case you need the added stability of being able to sit instead of stand. However, be sure to consider any history of pain in your shoulders or elbows, since the repetitive motion might exacerbate that problem.



Rowing machines may be the best option for a total-body workout: they require you to use your arms, legs, and core muscles. Because they use so many muscle groups, these machines probably aren’t best for those who are less fit or beginners. Rowing machines also aren’t advisable for people prone to back pain.

Treadmill tips


As one of the original home exercise machines, treadmills remain among the most popular. When considering your options, choose a model with a sturdy frame and an electric motor rather than a nonmotorized treadmill. Much of the machine’s price depends on the motor’s quality, durability, and strength; expect to spend at least $1,000. You’ll need at least a 3-horsepower motor for running versus just walking.

Make sure the walking or running area (called the deck or belt) is long enough for your stride. This will vary depending on your height and if you plan to run, which requires a longer stride. Other key features include an emergency stop button for safety, easy-to-use buttons, and gauges with letters and numbers that are large enough for you to see clearly.

Before you buy any type of equipment, check reviews or ratings for different exercise machines. Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) and many running and fitness magazines offer reliable information. If possible, try out the machine in person at a big-box or sporting goods store or one that specializes in exercise equipment.

source: http://sutured.com/choosing-a-home-exercise-machine/
more: http://sutured.com/

Depression among older adults is more common than ever. And the most significant threat is that many don’t seek help.
Depression may be more common as people age, but perhaps the biggest threat to older adults’ mental health is that many of them fail to recognize its symptoms and seriousness.



A 2020 poll conducted by GeneSight Mental Health Monitor found that 61% of people ages 65 and older who worry they may have depression don’t seek treatment. About one-third believe they can “snap out of it” on their own.

This all-too-common attitude can cause many to unnecessarily suffer from a treatable illness.

“Depression still carries a stigma, especially among older adults, who have trouble admitting they have a problem,” says Dr. Caroline Bader, a geriatric psychiatrist with Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital. “But it’s a common and treatable problem, and older people should know they are not alone and do not need to suffer in silence.”

Facing new life changes
Older adults often resist the reality of depression because they write it off as just another health problem that comes with age, which isn’t necessarily true. “It’s not a normal part of aging to feel depressed,” says Dr. Bader.

While depression affects both genders, older men in particular can be more vulnerable. Today’s older men were typically breadwinners for much of their lives, so their energy, purpose, and identity were wrapped up in work.

But now, in retirement, many have lost that sense of self, according to Dr. Bader. “It’s a huge change for many men, and they don’t know how to fill that space,” she says. “This can lead to a sense of purposelessness and hopelessness that often contributes to depression.”



Seeking treatment
The first step toward facing depression is to recognize the symptoms and not ignore them (see “Look for the signs”). Speak with your doctor if any of these apply to you. He or she can offer a diagnosis and prescribe antidepressants if needed. Many people respond well to medication and may prefer this course of treatment.

“Opening up to friends and family also can help you gain perspective on whether depression symptoms have become a problem in your life and you need to seek more help,” says Dr. Bader.

Look for the signs
If you experience several of the following most days for at least two weeks, you may have depression and should seek help:

loss of enjoyment in favorite activities
persistent sad or “empty” mood
increased boredom and apathy
fatigue or loss of energy
restlessness or irritability
insomnia or spending too much time in bed
feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
trouble concentrating or making decisions
unintentional weight gain or loss.
There are other ways to address and manage your symptoms. Here are some strategies you can try. “When you recognize depression as something real and treatable, you can begin to improve many aspects of your life,” says Dr. Bader.

Make small changes. Adding regular structure to your daily life can help ward off and even treat many common symptoms. “You don’t have to make sweeping changes,” says Dr. Bader. “Small adjustments can often have a significant impact.” For example, make daily exercise a priority (like a 10-minute walk), get involved in your religious community, or volunteer. Even during a pandemic, you can join virtual religious services, or volunteer by making phone calls or partaking in a letter-writing campaign for an organization or charity. “This helps create a greater sense of purpose,” says Dr. Bader.

Try mindfulness or meditation. These practices teach you to manage stress that can exacerbate or lead to depression symptoms. Many online instructions and apps show you the basics. Some examples include Calm (www.calm.com), Ten Percent Happier (www.tenpercent.com), and Headspace (www.headspace.com), all of which offer free trials.

Explore online psychotherapy. The pandemic has led to a surge in telehealth, especially online therapy. “Talk therapy can be a positive experience for many and helps address issues that are triggering symptoms,” says Dr. Bader. “Plus, this approach can be an option for men who are more reluctant to do in-person therapy.” Ask your doctor to recommend a mental health expert, and inquire about online sessions. If the therapist doesn’t offer them, ask for names of colleagues who do.

source: http://sutured.com/dont-ignore-depression/
more: http://sutured.com/

Winter season is here, and so do the health problems that come along with this season. Apart from common cold, flu, and other health issues, winter also brings numerous skin problems as well.

One such skin problem is acne that gets worse during the freezing winters. Many individuals see their acne problem, deteriorating each winter, particularly when the temperatures are too low and cold breezes are blowing strongly.

Also, to make the situation even worse, that pleasant skin tone you've achieved during the summer season starts fading away, developing more acne and acne scars clearly visible.

Let's discover different approaches to get rid of acne and acne scars during the winter months.

1. Air Circulation In Your Home

During the winter season, it's common for many folks spend most of their time inside the home to stay away from strong cold winds. However, many people make a mistake of packing or closing their rooms to a great extent. You need to make sure that the air circulation inside your room is available so that your skin can breathe properly.

2. Utilise A Humidifier

Many dermatologists really suggest getting a dehumidifier for your home and you'll also see that it works incredibly. A humidifier adds dampness or moisture to the air by warming the water up and transforming it into a light vapour. Remember, humidifier works exactly opposite to a dehumidifier, so ensure that you bring a humidifier in the winter season.

3. Stay Hydrated

This is critical in light of the fact that while you may not be as thirsty constantly, despite everything you require 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Water keeps your skin hydrated, as well as freeing your skin of toxins and encourages the development of nutrients from the bloodstream to the skin. Water is great for your skin, so drink as much as you can!

4. Switch Up Your Facial Chemicals

Many facial cleaning solutions have chemicals, which are additionally known to dry out the skin. Stay away from such products and use a facial cleanser that doesn't contain any medicine. The weather has done the drying out part already, so simply ensure that you keep on washing your face frequently to keep pores open and contaminations out. You can also get a skin treatment to look beautiful this winter season.

5. Lube It Up

Use a high quality cream to keep your skin moisturised. Search for one that has aloe and doesn't contain excess oil. Such creams will help to keep your skin moist and supple, and likewise fight against the redness that the dry winter season brings with it. However, to get rid of scars caused by acne, you need to visit a renowned cosmetic clinic to get acne scar treatment.

6. Exercise & Physical Workout

Exercise is an amazing thing for your body in the winter that you need to do it regardless of whether you have an acne problem or not. Expert surgeons of a renowned cosmetic clinic suggest that exercise opens your pores, sweat out toxins, balance hormones, increases circulation, reduces stress, and builds muscles and strength.

more: http://venereologist.com/

Hemorrhoids are painful, unpleasant, and, um, well, difficult to talk about. But they actually are quite common: about half of people over age 50 have had them. However, they’re easy to treat and manage.

“Hemorrhoids can be troublesome and embarrassing, but they often shrink on their own with simple self-help care and over-the-counter remedies,” says Dr. Howard LeWine, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins near the anus. Common symptoms are rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and occasional protruding veins outside the anus.

There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. You can have either type by itself, or both at the same time.

Internal hemorrhoids. These form inside the anal canal and usually are painless. However, they may cause intermittent bleeding with bowel movements, and sometimes discharge mucus. Internal hemorrhoids also can protrude outside the anus and look like small, grapelike masses.

External hemorrhoids. These form just outside the anal opening and can cause swelling, protrusions, and discomfort.

Why do hemorrhoids occur?
Sometimes hemorrhoids develop for no reason, but often they are associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet. You can reduce your risk by following these three easy steps:

- Get enough fiber in your diet (guidelines suggest 14 grams for every 1,000 calories)
- Stay well hydrated (drink six to eight glass of water daily)
- Exercise regularly (aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intense activity per week).

Are there natural treatments for hemorrhoids?
First, some very good news: Neither type of hemorrhoid is dangerous, and severe complications that require medical care are rare. Symptoms often can be relieved by trying a few natural and self-care treatments.

- Draw a sitz bath. To relieve itching and irritation, fill a tub with three to four inches of warm (not hot) water and sit in it with your knees bent for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry with a towel, but don’t rub the area.
- Take fiber supplements. These draw water into your stool and make it easier to pass, helping to reduce hemorrhoid bleeding and inflammation. A psyllium husk fiber supplement, like Metamucil or a generic version, is a good choice. If psyllium causes gas or bloating, try a supplement with wheat dextrin (Benefiber) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).
- Ease discomfort. Apply over-the-counter products that shrink the inflamed tissue and relieve itching. Try pads infused with witch hazel (Tucks), or soothing creams that contain lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or phenylephrine (Preparation H).
You can also take steps to prevent flare-ups.
- Don’t delay. Putting off bowel movements can cause stool to back up, leading to increased pressure and straining, which aggravates your hemorrhoids.
- Sit right. Try not to sit on the toilet for long periods; this tends to make hemorrhoids push out and swell up. A way to speed up things is to elevate your feet with a step stool as you sit. This changes the position of your rectum to allow for easier passage of stools. Also, using a cushion beneath you when you sit on a chair or hard surface can ease swelling.
- Keep it clean. After every bowel movement, gently clean your anal area with a witch hazel pad, a soothing baby wipe, or a cotton cloth soaked in warm water. If you have any irritation afterward, apply petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel.

source: http://sutured.com/natural-remedies-for-hemorrhoids-piles/
more: https://sutured.com/

Africa’s total reported death toll from COVID-19 was approaching 100,000 on Thursday, a fraction of those reported on other continents but rising fast as a second wave of infections overwhelms hospitals.

The continent’s reported deaths, at 99,800, compare favourably with North America, which has registered more than half a million, and Europe, which is approaching 900,000, a Reuters tally shows.

But deaths are rising sharply across Africa, driven by its southern region, especially economic powerhouse South Africa, which accounts for nearly half. South Africa was ravaged by a second wave caused by a more contagious variant that has jammed up casualty wards.

“The increased number (of infections) has led to many severe cases and some of the countries really found it quite difficult to cope,” Richard Mihigo, coordinator of the immunisation programme at the World Health Organization’s Africa office, told Reuters.

“We have seen some countries getting to their limit in terms of oxygen supply, which has got a really negative impact in terms of case management for severe cases.”

Mihigo said the rise in deaths was pronounced in countries near South Africa like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, raising the possibility that the 501Y.V2 variant identified in South Africa late last year had spread through the southern Africa region - although more genomic sequencing needs to be carried out to prove that.

International aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) this month called for urgent vaccine distributions in southern Africa to counter the spread of the new variant, as most African countries have lagged richer Western nations in launching mass vaccination programmes.

Reuters data show Africa’s case fatality rate is now at around 2.6%, higher than the global average of 2.3%, and marginally up on the 2.4% rate after the first wave of infections - which at the time compared favourably with other continents.

Experts caution against reading too much into the data - the real toll may be much higher or lower. For instance, South Africa’s excess deaths - deaths considered over-and-above the normal rate - during the pandemic have reached over 137,000, almost three times its official COVID-19 death toll.

ADVERTISEMENT


Then again, in some cases Africa’s low testing rates could inflate its true case fatality rate (CFR), said Professor Francisca Mutapi, an infectious disease expert at the University of Edinburgh.

“If deaths being registered as COVID-19 deaths are not necessarily contingent on a positive test ... as is the case in South Africa, then this can drive up CFR,” she said.

Even with these caveats acknowledged, African countries look like they are struggling with COVID-19 more than last year.

“Are we counting all the deaths on the continent? No ... but most people on the continent do know somebody who has died of COVID during this second wave,” Africa CDC director John Nkengasong told reporters last week.

“Hospitals are being overwhelmed due to health systems that are fragile.”

source: http://sutured.com/blog/
mrore: https://sutured.com/

Inflammation is both an old and a new idea in medicine. Roman physicians 2,000 years ago noted that wounds that were healing and joints that suffered from arthritis (like yours) became red, warm, swollen, and painful. It was like they were on fire: inflammare was the verb for setting on fire. But why did a wound become red, warm, swollen, and painful? They had no idea.

Many centuries later the invention of the microscope helped doctors better understand acute inflammation, such as what happens when the skin suffers a wound. The body’s immune system exists to heal injury and to fight foreign invaders (germs, toxins) that threaten injury. Following injury or infection, the affected tissue sends out chemical alarm signals. Immune system cells respond to the alarm like firefighters, traveling in the blood to the site of the injury. The immune system cells and the chemicals they produce help heal the injury: they get rid of the damaged tissue and encourage new tissue to form. And when that job is done, the immune system quiets itself down. In other words, the immune system is like a well-run army: it recognizes an attack, it mobilizes for and engages in battle, and when the battle has been won, the troops are ordered to stand down.

That’s acute inflammation: it has an obvious cause, and it elicits a temporary and well-orchestrated response. Your rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, however, involve chronic inflammation. The immune cells and the chemicals they produce during inflammation are present in high levels, particularly in the diseased tissue — constantly, not just temporarily.

Why does chronic inflammation develop, and persist? Why are all those immune system cells and chemicals in your joints? They are what is making your joints red, warm, swollen, and painful. And why don’t they go away? It is a mystery. Perhaps there was a germ or a toxin that got into the joint, leading to inflammation — but the inflammation lost the ability to turn itself off.

And how is chronic inflammation connected to your diabetes? That, too, is largely a mystery. Most people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from obesity, and the abundant fat cells in obese people can make many of the chemicals that cause inflammation.

Although we don’t know why you have the chronic inflammation that is causing or contributing to your rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, our growing under-standing of inflammation has provided powerful new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Hopefully, that also will happen for diabetes.

source: http://sutured.com/what-is-chronic-inflammation/
more: http://sutured.com/

The last few months of any year, with deadlines and holidays, often create a harried pace. The beginning of a new year can give you a chance to exhale. But even if you experience a few serene days or weeks, tight shoulders and tension are never far off.

Family stress. Work stress. Daily life stress. Self-induced stress brought on by scrolling through the news. As it turns out, stress is almost impossible to avoid. So this year, instead of waiting for your most recent stressful patch to ebb, take a different approach. Teach yourself to stay grounded and calm — regardless of what’s going on around you.

Managing stress helps you stay healthier
It’s important to manage stress, because it’s not only emotionally taxing, but it’s also bad for your health. When you are under stress, the levels of a hormone called cortisol start to rise in your blood. Over time, chronic stress that results in higher than normal levels of cortisol can wreak havoc on your metabolism, spurring weight gain (particularly around your middle), and causing dangerous inflammation inside your body. It can affect your blood sugar levels, your blood pressure and heart, and even your memory.

Three simple strategies to counter stress
To lessen the effects of stress, try three simple strategies to help you reset.

Take a new approach. Much of life’s stress comes from how we view the various situations we encounter. For example, two people may take on the exact same task, but only one person may find it stressful. Some of this has to do with personality, but it also has to do with your inner narrative — how you frame things in your mind. Aim to change your perspective, and you can often reduce the number of stressors in your life.

Burn off tension. Physical activity can reduce cortisol levels, and help get you on a more even keel. But for many people, sticking to a daily exercise schedule is itself stressful, because they pick activities they don’t enjoy. Instead, choose to do something you love — gardening, taking nature walks, or yoga, which can slow the harmful effects of stress. Looking forward to the activity can keep you motivated, and help you destress and recharge.

Get organized. Ever spend 20 minutes looking for your car keys or trying to find a misplaced shoe? Disorganization and clutter can be stress inducing, and it’s unnecessary. Taking time to set up some systems, such as a set location for your keys, can help reduce these daily nuisances. In addition, plan ahead when it comes to other strategies that can help you manage your stress. Create a time for exercise, to plan healthy meals, and get on a regular schedule to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep. Also, if you know you’re going to be encountering a stressful period — the anniversary of a loved one’s death, an upcoming surgery, a financial challenge — think ahead of time about how you are going to manage it. Having a plan can help to reduce your level of stress, and prevent it from taking a toll on your health.

Whatever strategies you choose, be certain to take time to assess and revise your approach if it’s not working. Sometimes finding the right combination of stress busters can take time. If you are trying to reduce stress on your own and aren’t having any success, talk to your doctor. She or he might recommend a mental health specialist who can help.

source: http://sutured.com/3-simple-strategies-for-stress-relief/
more: https://sutured.com/

Keeping your heart healthy requires a combination of strategies, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Adding a dietary supplement may seem like another means of protection.
But be careful. Unlike prescription medications, supplements are often sold without evidence that they work or they’re safe. There’s no way to know what’s really inside pills or potions, since the FDA doesn’t evaluate whether the manufacture of supplements is high quality, such as whether the pills are free from impurities. The following supplements may pose heart risks.

Red yeast rice
Red yeast rice is made from a type of yeast grown on white rice. The supplements contain monacolin K, which is identical to the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin (Mevacor). Small studies suggest such supplements with high amounts of monacolin K may be effective, which may be appealing to people unable to tolerate statin drugs.

Heart risks: You can’t tell how much monacolin K is in supplements. “Some products have little to none of the active ingredient, and others have the same amount as a low prescription dose. That may be fine if you’re not taking a statin, but if you are, you could be getting too much of the medication; that can cause muscle pain or even a life-threatening muscle breakdown that can damage other body systems,” says Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies dietary supplements, including red yeast rice.

L-arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid and building block of nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax and open blood vessels. L-arginine supplements are marketed as a way to increase circulation, lower blood pressure, and promote erections.

Heart risks: People with heart disease should avoid L-arginine. A study of L-arginine’s effect on heart attack survivors had to be stopped early after six people taking the supplement died. L-arginine may make blood pressure dip too low if you’re already taking medications to treat the condition. If you’re taking blood thinners, it may increase the risk for bleeding. And if you’re taking ACE inhibitors, it might cause your potassium levels to spike.

Garlic supplements
Garlic pills promise to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Studies are mixed about the effects on cholesterol, no matter if the pill contains fresh garlic, dried powdered garlic, or aged garlic extract. Small studies suggest garlic supplements may slightly lower blood pressure.

Heart risks. Garlic supplements can increase the levels and effects of some medications for heart health, such as blood thinners (causing bleeding), cholesterol-lowering drugs (causing muscle damage), and blood pressure drugs (causing dangerous drops in blood pressure).

What if you’re not taking any other heart medications? “I don’t know of any evidence that taking garlic supplements is better for your heart than eating garlic in food,” Dr. Cohen says.

Best advice
Talk to your doctor before trying any new supplement, and be sure to ask if a supplement will interfere with any medications you’re taking.

source: http://sutured.com/3-supplements-that-may-harm-your-heart/
more: http://sutured.com/

While many people might be taking a pass on formal New Year’s resolutions this year, others may mark a fresh start this month by resolving to make up for poor eating habits of the past. But this motivation is often focused on a diet that’s too ambitious, or too restrictive. Without a solid plan, you may fail quickly. So consider a compromise: start with these three easy ways to eat a healthier diet.

Aim for real food only
Look at your plate and note what’s processed and what isn’t. Maybe it’s the whole thing (like a frozen dinner), or maybe it’s just part of your meal (like the bottled dressing on your salad). Think of where you can swap processed foods for healthier versions. Ideas include

- eating whole-grain pasta instead of enriched white-flour spaghetti
- having quinoa instead of white rice
- making your own snacks like baked chickpeas, instead of opening a bag of potato chips.

Processed foods are linked with chronic inflammation and other health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. One of the healthiest diets you can eat is a Mediterranean-style eating plan rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, small amounts of cheese).

Schedule your meals and snacks
Set timers on your phone for three different meals and two snacks (if you need them), and don’t eat in between these scheduled times. This might curb your cravings, reduce stress about when you’ll eat next, and cut down on the extra calories of unnecessary snacking — a real challenge if you’re close to a refrigerator all day while at home or work.

Avoid scheduling late-night meals or snacks, when your body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) senses that you’re supposed to be sleeping. “During the circadian sleep period our metabolism slows, our digestive system turns down, and brain temperature drops, part of the process of clearing toxins during sleep. Eating at different times than our typical circadian awake phase leads to weight gain,” says Dr. Lawrence Epstein, associate physician with the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Reduce your portion sizes
If you’re like most Americans, you’re eating too much food. An easy way to implement portion control: load your plate as you normally would, then put back a third or half of the food. Other ideas:

- Use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, to fool yourself into taking less food.
- Keep serving bowls off the table, so you won’t be tempted to eat extra helpings.
- Don’t linger at the table and keep eating when you’re already full.

It will also help to know how many calories you should consume in a day. For example, if you’re supposed to eat 2,000 calories per day but you’re scarfing down 3,000, it’s probably time to cut all of your usual portions by a third. How can you figure out your calorie needs? For healthy people who exercise 30 minutes per day, multiply your weight (in pounds) by 15 for an estimate.

A final thought: Take just one step a week
You don’t need to incorporate all of these steps at one time; try one step per week. Write down what you’re eating and any thoughts or questions you have about the process. After a week, assess what worked and what didn’t. Before long, you’ll have the confidence to attempt new steps.

source: http://sutured.com/3-easy-ways-to-eat-a-healthier-diet/
more: https://sutured.com/

Feeling good may be in short supply these days. The pandemic is on the upswing again, and many of us anticipate spending the colder months ahead cooped up in our homes with computer screens as our only windows into the world. Meanwhile, climate-related natural disasters are driving thousands of people out of their homes. Millions of jobs are being lost. I won’t even mention politics. It is as if the whole universe has conspired to take the joy out of life.

Then, in the midst of it all, I lost my sense of smell and taste after a bout of COVID. I was very distraught. I couldn’t taste the delicious chocolate cake my wife made for my birthday, nor smell the lilacs that burst into bloom in our garden. Suddenly, my world had gotten smaller, grayer. No one else I knew had this disease. I began to ask myself, “Why me?” — forgetting for the moment so many other people who were faring much worse than I was.

Our attitudes and actions partially influence our happiness

Looking for a way to feel better, I turned to literature about resilience and overcoming adversity. I read books by spiritual teachers, psychologists, and wellness coaches. They all mentioned our inherent potential to become whole again and experience joy in life despite painful adversities. I delved into this research. One study, quoted in the Dalai Lama’s Book of Joy, particularly impressed me, as it noted that lottery winners were not significantly happier than those who had been paralyzed in an accident! Another study cited in the book concluded that each of us has a “happiness set point,” a sort of happiness quotient, or HQ, which is only partially determined by immutable factors such as genes and temperament, or by circumstances beyond our control, be it a pandemic, a bad economy, or any unplanned life disruption.

The rest of a person’s HQ — almost half of it, in fact — has to do with our own attitudes and actions. These include the ability to acknowledge difficult feelings; to reframe a situation more positively; to experience gratitude for the good things we still have; to be kind and generous to others; and, last but not least, to cultivate a sense of humor. Makes sense, I thought. But how do you practice all these wonderful things when you’re down in the dumps?

Lessons from my patients in finding joy

In the end, it was my patients who helped me gain a perspective on my own predicament. As a clinical social worker, I witness various forms of human distress firsthand every day. I’m both humbled and inspired by my patients’ ability to find a measure of contentment, if not happiness — and sometimes, even joy — amidst their suffering.

For example, take Jane (all patients’ names and identifying details have been changed to protect their privacy), a 75-year-old woman whose husband has dementia. Because of the pandemic, Jane’s husband could no longer attend his day program. Now that she needed to look after him full-time, she worried about having no life left for herself. On the insistence of a friend, she joined a support group for caregivers. She got the energy to ask her son and daughter to pitch in whenever possible, and discovered that during the day her husband would happily watch TV. In the evening, Jane puts on the ballroom music that her husband still responds to, and they dance together. And they watch a lot of black-and-white comedies and laugh. It helped, of course, that Jane and her husband had always had a pretty good relationship. But she admitted that there were times when she needed to have a good cry to release stored-up tension and sadness. Then she’d be able to laugh again.

There is also Marsha, a woman in her 40s with atrophied limbs due to a congenital disease. When I first met Marsha, I was taken aback at the extent of her physical challenges, and wondered how she managed. I learned that Marsha felt that she was doing just fine, and that she finds contentment in simple things, like reading a good book, talking to a loved one on the phone, or taking care of her cats. It’s not that Marsha didn’t have her own dark night of the soul. For years, she struggled with depression, medications, and hospital visits. A day arrived, however, when she realized that she had a choice: She could continue to be miserable, or accept reality and find a way to move on.

And then there’s Jim, a young man in a wheelchair whose career as a promising athlete was cut short by disease. He is now homebound, barely able to make it from his bed to the bathroom under his own steam. Jim knows that he will probably never marry or have a family of his own, and that his years on this planet are likely to be short. COVID added its own blows, interfering with the delivery of special equipment he needs and keeping at bay family members who are willing to live with him. Yet each time I see Jim and ask him how he is, he replies, “I’m doing okay,” often with a genuine smile. In spite of the pain and discomfort, he keeps busy with workbench projects and hobbies. Once Jim said something that really blew me away: “I don’t ask myself, ‘Why me’? I mean, Why not me?”

In the words of the Dalai Lama, choosing joy at a time like ours is a revolutionary act. As my patients have shown, we can make such a choice even when things seem to be falling apart.

source: http://sutured.com/choosing-joy-during-difficult-times/
more: https://sutured.com/

France's President, Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the Elysee Palace said in a press release on Thursday December 17.

"The President of the Republic has been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 today," the statement read.

It said the president was diagnosed after he was tested "at the onset of the first symptoms."

The brief statement did not give details of the symptoms the French president was experiencing.

"In accordance with current health regulations applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for 7 days. He continues to work and carry out his activities remotely."

France has switched from a strict lockdown to a curfew this week and will be easing restrictions further for the Christmas holidays.

There have been two million confirmed cases in the country since the epidemic began, with more than 59,400 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University

source: http://sutured.com/macron-tests-positive-for-covid-19-forcing-leaders-to-self-isolate/
more: https://sutured.com/

$300 Paypal available

Can be sent as gns and eBay checkout

Contact on signature.

$200 Paypal available

Can be sent as gns and eBay checkout

Contact on signature.

A 5-year-old boy was attacked by 6 pit bulls, ripping his scalp and ear off as he walked home from a sweet shop.

Mickele Allen was brutally attacked by the pit bulls in Jamaica on November 22.

He was discovered covered in blood with his flesh visible.


Mickele’s brothers rushed to the scene where he was still under attack by one of the dogs.

The young boy was flown to New York City for treatment after well-wishers raised £185,000 ($250,000).


Surgeons battled to reconstruct his face. Dr. Evan Garfein, chief of plastic surgery at Montefiore said: “He was attacked by six pit bulls on his way home from the candy store.

“He lost a tremendous amount of blood. He was found by his brother with the dogs still attacking him.”

Dr Garfein had come across the fundraiser and said he wanted to help the poor boy out, reports The Sun Online.

He said: “He had about 50 to 60% of his scalp torn away.

“Most of his forehead, his left ear, part of his left cheek, major injuries to both arms and both legs.”

Shereen Antoinette Grindley, Mickele’s mum said the five-year-old was recovering well.

She told ABC13: “I saw him this morning.

“He is recuperating very fast, he is eating, he is talking, he is just amazing, amazing. I’m so overwhelmed.”

“I’m so happy, where he is coming from and where he is now.”

Speaking about the doctors and those who had donated, she said: “I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you very much.”

source: http://sutured.com/5-year-old-boys-scalp-and-ear-ripped-off-by-six-pit-bulls-as-he-walked-home-from-sweet-shop/
more: http://sutured.com

Premature ejaculation refers to a state where you ejaculate prematurely. This problem is quite common in men. In this article, we are going to find out if this problem can be controlled. Read on to find out more.

What is Premature Ejaculation?

According to a study, most men tend to ejaculate after around 5 minutes of intercourse. However, if you ejaculate within 1 minute, you have a problem to deal with. But if your partner is okay with that, there is nothing to worry about.

On the other hand, if this is causing distress to your partner or yourself, you can get treatment. First, we should find out about types of premature ejaculation.

Types of Premature Ejaculation:

Primary Type: This is the case when the problem is quite frequent

Secondary Type: In this case, you may have developed the problem recently.

In the first case, the problem is psychological in most men. For example, if you have had a terrible sexual experience at a young age, you may have this problem. The secondary type of problem may be physical or psychological. Physical causes include excessive intake of alcohol or swollen prostate gland.

Treatment

If you have a physical condition, you may want to consult a specialist for the treatment of your underlying condition. You may want to consult your general physician first. However, it can be challenging to treat premature ejaculation that is caused by some psychological factors.

Self-Help

You can try a few self-help techniques before getting medical assistance. Some of the techniques are listed below:



You may want to try masturbating at least one hour before going for an intercourse
You can use the thick condom to reduce the sensation
You can take a deep breath to control the ejaculatory reflex
You can try the top position
If you have a long term relation with your partner, you can give a go to couples therapy. In this case, you may want to consult a specialist first.
Medicine

You can use Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) if none of the self-help techniques are working for you. SSRIs are used for the treatment of depression. However, there is a side effect of these drugs: delayed ejaculation.

Another SSRI called dapoxetine is designed for the treatment of premature ejaculation. You may want to take it at least one hour before going to bed with your partner. However, you may not want to take more than one dose per day.

If this tablet does not work for you, you may want to discuss the matter with your physician and he may prescribe something else. For example, your doctor may prescribe some off-the-label drugs if you think that this is in your best interest.

Some good alternatives include fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine. If you want to experience the full results of the medicine, you may want to take this medicine for at least one week.

To reduce sensitivity, you can try some creams, such as prilocaine and lidocaine. However, we suggest that you consult your general physician to go for the best cream that will be safe for you.

Long story short, you may want to try out the techniques described in this article if you have the problem of premature ejaculation.

source: http://venereologist.com/is-it-possible-to-treat-premature-ejaculation/
more: http://venereologist.com/

An extra $50 million will go to the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) led by the GAVI vaccine alliance, the foundation said, and another $20 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) which is co-funding development of several COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

“We have to ensure that everyone gets equal access to tests, drugs, and vaccines when they are available – no matter where you live in the world,” the foundation’s co-chair Melinda Gates said in a statement. “Our pledge today… means we are getting closer to having the resources needed to help the world fight this virus.”

Along with the World Health Organization, CEPI and GAVI are co-leading a global scheme known as the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator which aims to speed up development, production and fair access to COVID-19 drugs, tests and vaccines.

GAVI has said the COVAX facility, which is part of the scheme, aims to have secured 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. It says doses will be made available to people in all COVAX participating countries, with almost a billion doses available to the 92 poorest countries through the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC).

Preliminary positive data this week from trials of two potential COVID-19 shots – one from Pfizer PFE.N and BioNtech and one developed in Russia – are encouraging signs that the first vaccines against the pandemic disease may be ready to be deployed before the end of 2020.

Mark Suzman, the Gates Foundation’s chief executive officer, told reporters in an online briefing that this was “an auspicious week” to be adding to global funding efforts.

The vaccine news “makes us hopeful about a number of the other vaccine products in the pipeline,” he said. “But there’s still a long way to go between that and getting vaccines approved (by regulators), and then into people who need them at the scale and with the kind of equitable global distribution we really need to bring the virus under control.”

The Gates Foundation began pledging funds for the vaccines AMC in June, and the extra $50 million brings its total pledges to $156 million. The new funds will also unlock an extra 12.5 million pounds ($16.5 mln) from Britain, which had promised to part-match other contributions.

Source: http://sutured.com/gates-foundation-adds-70-million-more-funding-for-covid-vaccines-for-poor/
More: http://sutured.com/

No one knows exactly what causes eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis. But this inflammatory skin condition affects between 10 and 20% of young children, and many adults as well, causing itchy, red, sensitive skin and scaly rashes that can break open and ooze. The itching, dry skin, and thick scaly patches are pretty typical. But eczema can cause some other symptoms that you should not ignore.



1. Swelling of the Mouth or Lips
Eczema can go hand in hand with food allergies. According to the National Eczema Association, about 15% of babies and very young children with eczema also have a food allergy. Food allergies can cause very serious symptoms that need addressing right away, such as:

Swelling of the mouth and lips
Itchy mouth
Hives or a rash
Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps
If you or your child has eczema, and you notice any of these symptoms developing, don’t wait to call your doctor or get medical care. Food allergies can require additional management strategies–and vigilance.

2. Boils
Eczema can lead to weak and broken skin, which is at a high risk of becoming infected. Boils are raised, tender red bumps that develop on your skin. Also known as furuncles, they usually develop around hair follicles. Sometimes they even break open and leak or weep fluid. Furuncles can be caused by a fungal infection, but they can also be a sign of a bacterial infection like staph, which is a notorious culprit for boils. Staph bacteria can lead to crusted-over lesions that are the hallmark of an infection known as impetigo. If you develop impetigo, you’ll need to treat it with an antibiotic ointment or cream to banish it.

3. Hot, Red Skin
If you or your child develop red itchy rashes, that’s pretty normal for a case of eczema. But a patch of red skin that becomes hot, swollen, and even painful could be cause for concern. Cellulitis is a serious infection that can develop deep within the skin, and it often requires antibiotics to clear up. In very serious cases, you might also develop a fever and need IV antibiotics. Don’t wait to seek treatment if you start having a fever and chills, as you might need more intensive treatment.

4. Sadness or Hopelessness
People with eczema are at increased risk for developing depression. If you or your loved one feels sad or hopeless for an extended period of –more than two weeks–this could be a warning sign. Other signs of depression include a lack of energy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, a loss of interest in favorite activities, and insomnia. If you notice these kinds of thoughts creeping in and refusing to leave, pay attention to them and seek mental health care. Stress and anxiety can be triggers for eczema flare-ups, so taking care of your mental health can help improve your eczema, as well.

5. Serious Discomfort
Many people with eczema have trouble sleeping due to the constant itching. This can cause excessive fatigue during the day and interfere with your ability to carry out your normal activities of daily life. Plus, if you can’t seem to quell the itching, you may be tempted to scratch, which can tear your skin and possibly lead to infections. So, if you’re really uncomfortable, and nothing you’ve tried at home seems to help, contact your doctor.

source: http://sutured.com/5-symptoms-never-to-ignore-with-eczema/
more: http://sutured.com/

$100 bitcoin available

Contact on signature.

If you've ever had the flu, you know how sick you can be. Chances are good that some of the advice friends and family gave you about avoiding or dealing with the flu was wrong. There seems to be no shortage of misinformation and bad advice when it comes to dealing with the flu and the flu shot.

Here are 10 common myths about the flu.

1. MYTH: You can catch the flu from the vaccine.

The flu shot is made from an inactivated virus that can't transmit infection. So, people who get sick after receiving a flu vaccination were going to get sick anyway. It takes a week or two to get protection from the vaccine. But people assume that because they got sick after getting the vaccine, the flu shot caused their illness.

2. MYTH: Healthy people don't need to be vaccinated.

While it's especially important for people who have a chronic illness to get the flu shot, anyone — even healthy folks — can benefit from being vaccinated. Current CDC guidelines recommend yearly vaccination against influenza for everyone older than 6 months of age, including pregnant women.

3. MYTH: Getting the flu vaccination is all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu.

There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself during flu season besides vaccination. Avoid contact with people who have the flu, wash your hands frequently, and consider taking anti-viral medications if you were exposed to the flu before being vaccinated.

4. MYTH: The flu is just a bad cold.

Influenza may cause bad cold symptoms, like sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, and cough. But according to CDC, the 2019-20 flu season led to at least 18 million medical visits, 24,000 deaths and 410,000 hospitalizations. The cumulative hospitalization rate for children ages four and under this flu season was 95.1 per 100,000 people as of the week ending on April 25, 2020. Experts attribute the high number of pediatric deaths to a "double barrel" flu season where both influenza A and B were dominant. It's not too late to get a flu shot. Even if it doesn't prevent you from getting the flu, it can decrease the chance of severe symptoms.

5. MYTH: You can't spread the flu if you're feeling well.

Actually, 20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms.

6. MYTH: You don't need to get a flu shot every year.

The influenza virus changes (mutates) each year. So, getting vaccinated each year is important to make sure you have immunity to the strains most likely to cause an outbreak.

7. MYTH: You can catch the flu from going out in cold weather without a coat, with wet hair or by sitting near a drafty window.

The only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the influenza virus. Flu season coincides with the cold weather. So, people often associate the flu with a cold, drafty environment. But they are not related.

8. MYTH: Feed a cold, starve a fever.

If you have the flu (or a cold) and a fever, you need more fluids. There's little reason to increase or decrease how much you eat. Though you may have no appetite, "starving" yourself will accomplish little. And poor nutrition will not help you get better.

9. MYTH: Chicken soup will speed your recovery from the flu.

Hot liquids can soothe a sore throat and provide much needed fluids. But chicken soup has no other specific qualities that can help fight the flu.

10. MYTH: If you have a high fever with the flu that lasts more than a day or two, antibiotics may be necessary.

Antibiotics work well against bacteria, but they aren't effective for a viral infection like the flu. Then again, some people develop a bacterial infection as a complication of the flu, so it may be a good idea to get checked out if your symptoms drag on or worsen.

The flu is a good example of how medical myths can get in the way of good medical care. When it's flu season, take the necessary steps to stay healthy. That includes separating fact from myth.

source: http://sutured.com/10-flu-myths/
more: http://sutured.com/blog/