I think I have signs of Swine or H1N1 Influenza

If you think you have signs and symptoms of this virus don't think twice to see a specialist because this virus is really spreading around the globe. As of today, The World Health Organization has raised its tally of confirmed human cases of swine flu to 331 from 257.
The global body says 11 countries have now reported confirmed cases. Mexico has reported 156 cases and 9 deaths. The United States has 109 cases and 1 death.Canada has 34 cases, Spain 13 and Britain 8. New Zealand and Germany have 3 confirmed cases each, Israel has two, and Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland have a case each, according to the latest WHO figures Friday.

How can I protect myself and my family from Swine and H1N1 influenza?

Practice general preventive measures for influenza, good hygiene is the key. You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading influenza by:

• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough.
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
• Using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Disposing of used tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (eg kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

Me or member of my family has some similar symptoms what should we do?

• Separate the ill person from others, at least 1 meter in distance from others.
• Cover your mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Either commercial or homemade materials are fine, as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly after use.
• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
• Improve the air flow where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.
• Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents.
• Stay at home and rest.
• Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready-made flu remedies containing aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Phone your GP or NHS Direct if you have recently travelled to Mexico or another affected area or if you develop complications such as shortness of breath.
• Before you call, check your symptoms with this symptom checker.

If you are living in a country where there are infections follow additional advice from your national and local health authorities.

Face mask anyone?

The widespread wearing of masks during a pandemic is unlikely to be effective at preventing people from becoming infected with the virus. However, they may have some limited ability to stop those already infected with the virus from spreading it.

There is no convincing scientific evidence that the widespread issue of face masks to healthy members of the public can stop this disease spreading. Moreover, they give can false reassurance, and can encourage people to ignore basic and straightforward hand hygiene measures that are known to be effective.

However, specialist and other types of face masks are useful for frontline NHS staff who are caring for infected patients. The masks must be of the appropriate type, be worn correctly, changed frequently; removed properly; disposed of safely and used in combination with good hygiene measures.

Although there is a supply of face masks for NHS staff, more are needed. In the past 24 hours, contracts have been completed for more than 60 million masks that will start becoming available from this week. These will be both surgical and respiratory masks, which will give staff a broad range of protection when they come into contact with infected patients.

To track swine flu around the globe here is a useful link: http://www.swine-flu-tracker.com/

sources: http://www.who.int/
http://www.nhs.uk/

Quick Facts: Grocery's Dos and Don'ts

Grocery's Dos and Don'ts, The risk of food poisoning can be eliminated by taking extra precautions, here are simple tips on what not to buy when you hit a grocery store:

• Dented cans

• Leaking cartons, cans, bottles, or containers

• Products with torn or ripped packaging
  

• C raked eggs

• Dairy products or frozen foods left out of refrigerators

• Products with discoloration

• Products with broken or imperfect seals

• Products in loose vacuum packs

• Swollen chilled food packages and cans

• Products labeled " keep refrigerated" or keep chilled" but are not chilled storage

Consumers must do the following tips:

• Always buy refrigerated and frozen foods towards the end of your shopping trip.

• Ask the packer to pack raw meats in a separate bag from other products to prevent juices from tainting other products such as vegetables.

• Always go home directly - don't leave your groceries inside a hot car.

• When you get home, immediately unpack chilled and frozen products into the refrigerator or freezer.

That's it! Enjoy your Grocery Shopping!!!

Maintain a Healthy Normal Cholesterol

Here are some tips to keep your lipid balance right:

• Eat less of food high in cholesterol and fat, especially saturated animal fat and trans fats. Food high in these fats can lead the body to make excess cholesterol and should be eaten sparingly. The more of this fats you eat, the more VLDLs your liver makes, Which eventually become LDLs. If you don't have many HDLs, you end up with too much cholesterol in your blood. Saturated fats come mostly from animal sources, such as beef, milk products, pork, and palm and coconut oil. Trans fats are found in food made with partially hydrogenated oils, such as cakes, pastries, donuts, fried foods, margarine, shortening, cookies, and other baked goods. Most vegetable oils and soft margarine's have lower saturated fat and trans fat than solid forms. It is better to choose those with "zero trans fat " on the label. The daily cholesterol limit for people with normal LDL levels is less than 300 milligrams. Those with high LDL levels are advised to take less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol for them. An egg already contains about 213 milligrams of dietary cholesterol. Many foods , especially baked cake and desserts contains eggs.

• Get a regular screenings for cholesterol levels. Adults should start getting their cholesterol levels checked at the age of 20. Children with a history of heart disease should get checked earlier.

• Read food labels for the amount of cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fat per serving "Light" may have less calories but not necessarily less cholesterol. "Low cholesterol" foods may still contain high amount of saturated or trans fat.

• Be physically active. Physical activity raises your HDL levels, helps you lose weight and lowers your other heart risks. Put in at least 30 minutes of moderately vigorous exercise at least 4 days a week.

• Maintain an ideal body weight. Going beyond your ideal body weight increases your risk for cardiovascular problems. However, even people who are thin, watch their diet, and exercise regularly and have high cholesterol level and should still be screened regularly.

• Follow your doctor's advice regarding necessary medication. Know your cholesterol level. Discuss lifestyle changes and treatment with your doctor. Medication may be prescribe to those with higher risk of heart disease or stroke and those whose cholesterol levels remain high despite compliance with diet, activity, and weight loss recommendation.
  

Have you experience Tremors?

A Tremor is a type of involuntary shaking often most noticeable in the hands but may affect any body part, including the head and voice. There are three main types of tremors. Resting or static tremors occur when your hand or affected body part is at rest. Kinetic and intention tremors occur when you move your hand or affected body part but disappear when it is at rest. Postural tremors occur when you hold your hand or affected body part in a particular position for a period of time. Tremors can happen at any age but are more common in older people. You can develop a tremor from fatigue, stress, anxiety, hunger, even rage. An ongoing tremor not related to a change in your emotional state may signal an underlying medical condition, thyroid problem, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and should be evaluated.

Here are some useful tips for people who experiencing tremors:

• For tremors caused by stress, try relaxation techniques like meditation, deep relaxation, or breathing exercises.
• For tremors caused by medication, consult your doctor about stopping the drug, reducing dosage or switching medications. Do not change or stop medications on your own.
• For tremors caused by alcohol abuse seek treatment to help you avoid alcohol.
• For tremors of any cause, get enough sleep.

Call your doctor if you observe any of the following:

Tremors that worsen at rest but are relieved by activity.
Severe tremors that interfere with activity
Tremors that that occur with other symptoms (headache, weakness, abnormal tongue motion, other hypes of involuntary movements).

Quick Facts: Breast Feeding Benefits

Breast-feeding is very healthy for both mother and baby. While breast-feeding protects the baby against various illnesses and provides excellent nutrition, it also has many benefits for the mother:

• Breast-feeding creates the vital emotional bond between the mother and the baby.

• Women who breast-feed have a lower incidence of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

• Breast-feeding mothers are less likely to become obese or develop calcium problems later in life.

• New studies suggest that breast-feeding may help lower blood pressure.
  

How to avoid Heartburn

The large amount of food we eat on holidays, food trip, parties, etc. and the type of food served during this events -especially fatty foods- can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) sufferers. People with GERD have a relaxed or weakened valve doesn't properly block stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. After eating, people with GERD often experience a burning feeling in their mouth. Some GERD symptoms can be relieve by lifestyle changes, such as not eating certain kinds of foods and avoiding large meals.

Here are some helpful tips for people with GERD:

• Don't overeat. Large amount of food distend or srtech the stomach, which can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and release acid up the esophagus.

• Avoid taking stimulating drinks and foods, which can aggravate GERD symptoms.

• Don't eat fatty, greasy foods, Excessive fats in foods work to slow the process of food leaving the stomach. If food isn't emptied from the stomach it can flow up into the esophagus and greasy foods also promote relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

• Don't drink red wine, which has been shown to cause heart burn. White wine can also be a problem, some experts said.

• The time of day can affect GERD symptoms. Gravity can actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day. So when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have the gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux. People who tend to have GERD symptoms at night should not eat or drink anything for three to four hours before bedtime.
  

Protect yourself from too much Sun

Summer is here in the Philippines, everybody is out there swimming at the beach, but be careful in going out under the sun, too much sun is dangerous to our skin. Despite this dangers who can resist the lure of a beautiful sunny day on the beach, specially after a dreary stormy weather and for those unluckier ones who barely see and feel the sun because they are sleep at day. The sun enables us to manufacture Vitamin D and luckily for us who live near the equator we get enough sun during our day to day activities. Here are some simple tips too avoid harmful rays from the sun:

• Use sunscreen = A sunscreen will not make you sun proof but its sun protection factor (SPF) represents the degree to which a sunscreen can protect the skin from sunburn. You will still tan even when you use a sunscreen. An SPF of 15 for daily activities and up to SPF 30 for full sun exposure is recommended. Make sure the label reads broad spectrum protection, sunscreen that protects UVA and UVB. Check the water resistance sunscreen that stays on your skin longer even if it gets wet. Water resistant doesn't mean its waterproof, water resistant sunscreen need to be reapplied as instructed on the label. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure and repeatedly every 30 minutes to 1 hour, especially when engaged in vigorous activities such as swimming and tanning on the beach.
• Dress with care = Wear clothes that protect your body, cover as much of your body as possible. If you plan to be outside on a sunny day. Wear a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants. Use an umbrella for shade. And don't forget to protect your lips and your eyes as well, Wear UV protected sunglasses and lip balm with SPF.
• Reduce time in the sun = This is especially recommended from 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun's rays are strongest, Even on an overcast day, up to 80% of the sun's rays can get through the clouds. Stay in the shade as much as possible throughout the day.
  

Useful tips to avoid Osteoporosis

Seven Helpful ways to guard against bone loss (osteoporosis):

• Engage in moderate physical activity 30 minutes a day, done 10 minutes at a time, because exercise strengthens bones.

• Eat the right foods. A varied diet gives you the right mix of nutrients.

• Stop smoking, smoking decreases absorption of calcium and lower estrogen levels, promoting bone menopausal symptoms.

• Ensure enough calcium intake. Those who are lactose intolerant or are unaccustomed to milk products can get calcium from deep dark leafy vegetables and small fish (even canned varieties).

• Avoid alcohol, it has adverse effects on bone forming cells.

• Control your sodium (salt) and protein intake because they decrease calcium retention. A 10 to 12 ounce steak or any meat will interfere with your calcium absorption.

• Get enough Vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption and bone maintenance. Get out in the morning sun for at least 15 minutes daily.
  

Keep your Heart Strong by doing Exercise

Any exercise will do as long as that gets its rate up and keeps it there for at least 20 to 30 minutes. That generally means any aerobic activity, whether its running, swimming, cycling, or brisk walking. The best exercise for the heart are those that sustain our heart rate for a long time. Consider doing aerobics workouts several days a week and combining them with strength training, yoga, or Pilates. Your cardiovascular system will reap the rewards, and so will the rest of your body.

The right intensity when it comes to our heart is working out harder isn't necessarily better. You should aim for moderate intensity 50 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate. A more vigorous pace won't do any damage, but you won't be able to keep it up for a long period of time. And sustaining the elevated rate is what benefits you. You're better off doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise than 10 minutes of hard exercise.

How to know if we are in the right intensity? Here's how Think of a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 being the slowest possible exercise pace and 10 the most vigorous. Aim for an intensity of 6 or 7 so your working hard but not exhausting yourself. Or crunch some numbers: To find your target heart rate, subtract your age from 220 and multiply the result by 0.6 (for moderately intense activity). That's what you should shoot for.

Can exercising too hard cause a heart attack? If you're already fit no. But if you've been sedentary, doing too much too fast can put undue strain on our heart, the same way it can in any muscle. If you haven't been exercising at all, clear it with your doctor first. Then gradually increase how much you do.