AlternativeM

Health

Latest post

General Article

Was the Media’s Swine Flu Coverage Justified?

Was the Media’s Swine Flu Coverage Justified?

For weeks, you couldn’t get away from H1N1 AKA swine flu. It was everywhere. There were deaths, Mexico was at a standstill and travel was restricted to parts of the Yucatán peninsular.

Everyone was worried. There was an air of inevitability to the spread of swine flu… or so it seemed. But it soon became clear that the current swine flu epidemic was not the same as the 1918 Spanish flu. Of course it can still prove to be as devastating as its early 20th century counterpart, but for now its threat level has abated… substantially.

Why did the media make so much noise about the of the threat of swine flu? Over the same period of time thousands of people died of the normal seasonal flu as well as a number of other persistent human diseases. Why didn’t these diseases get as much coverage?

Swine flu was new; we had no protection against it. Its potential was unknown, its capacity to cause devastation was a real possibility. But was this reason enough for the over-exaggerated coverage of the disease by the media?

The more cynical among us will be quick to point out that we are in the middle of 2009 and are currently undergoing a global recession. What could distract the masses more than the threat of a killer disease? What could invoke the fear of God more than the prospect of facing one’s own mortality in light of a devastating, indiscriminate, rapidly transmitted disease?

But could this be true? Could the media have deliberately stoked-up the threat of swine flu to distract, confuse and upset their audience?

Possibly… but not likely.

Firstly, why would the media take such a course of action? Who would benefit the most? Surely not the …

General Article

How to Prevent and Treat Swine Flu

How to Prevent and Treat Swine Flu

Back in 2009, most parts of the world suffered from the H1N1 influenza or the swine flu virus. It certainly caused a scare and thankfully, it was declared over in August 2010. Learn about what causes swine flu, the different signs and symptoms and how it can be treated.

Swine flu, also referred to as pig flu or pig influenza is an illness that is caused by the different types of swine influenza virus. The virus is prevalent in pigs, and it has several types with H1N1 as one of them. This is a very common infection worldwide, and is more common in people who are regularly exposed to pigs. Swine flu does not usually infect humans and the recent outbreaks are caused by a new flu virus. This virus has changed in certain ways that it can be spread among humans, even if these people do not have any contact with pigs.

The signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those that are manifested when suffering from other influenza infections. Fever is very common, usually 100 degrees F or even higher. This is accompanied by cough and nasal secretions. Headache and fatigue are also common signs and symptoms of this disease. For some, they experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea along with the other manifestations that were mentioned. You may also have a flushed skin, sore throat, watery eyes and severe pains at the joints and muscles.

Just like other influenza infections, prevention is recommended for swine flu. These vaccines are made from killed H1N1 virus which will trigger your immune system to produce the necessary antibodies to fight off any infections that you might encounter. These are available for those who are six months old to the elderly. The vaccines …

General Article

Now Arriving, The Flu Season – Treat It With Natural Remedies

Now Arriving, The Flu Season – Treat It With Natural Remedies

The flu season is upon us already, many health departments are confirming cases of influenza across the country. Flu shots are available just about every where these days. It use to be we never saw huge outbreaks of influenza until February or March, but these days it starts earlier and earlier.

Just how do you know if you have the flu or if it is just a cold or is it H1N1? With the flu you will have a fever with a cold you don’t, also you may have a severe headache with the flu and but not with a cold. With the flu you are going to have muscle aches, tiredness or weakness, extreme exhaustion, with your fever and headache. Some symptoms like running nose, sneezing and sore throat are typically a cold and not the flu, but can sometimes accompany the flu, along with a cough. The flu can last up to 2 weeks and bed rest and lots of fluids are important during this time.

H1N1 is an influenza virus strain, flu viruses are constantly changing from year to year and there is no way to predict which strain will hit each year. Severity of the flu strain can vary from person to person and can depending on whether the person has other health issues that may complicate the illness. Most physicians recommend people younger than 5, older than 65, pregnant women and those with other health issues should receive the flu vaccine. This years vaccine is a 3 in 1 covering the H3N2 virus, influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.

Other than the flu vaccine there are ways to help prevent the spread of influenza to others. Covering your nose and mouth with a …

Health Facts

Wholesome Living

Good Health Natural Foods is a nicely-established organic and specialty food market, vitamin and sports nutrition store. The state Cannabis Management Fee launched two lists with a total of 46 grownup use leisure marijuana license applicants in the last two weeks that were licensed for precedence overview, meaning that they will apply for the recreational license earlier than other applicants are allowed to do so on Could 1. In Good Health was among 26 corporations granted the precedence certification on Wednesday from the Hashish Management Fee, whereas earlier in the month, 20 others have been authorized by the commission for the priority status.

A enjoyable and refreshing different is a whole foods” liquid beverage full of all of these vitamins plus a broad spectrum of phytochemicals, the dietary fiber of vegetables and fruit, and the opposite, to this point unidentified, healthy meals components that properly complement the purified nutritional vitamins and minerals in your fundamental complement.

Researchers from University of L’Aquila in Italy discovered that polyphenols, a category of chemical compounds present in cocoa products, stimulated the production of mind-derived neurotrophic issue (BDNF) in cells handled with beta amyloid plaque or beta amyloid oligomers treated.

A 2011 examine by researchers at the College of Wisconsin additionally demonstrated that the consumption of 1 ounce of black walnuts per day were linked to improved blood lipid levels and superior processing of consumed saturated fat, with no side effects equivalent to weight acquire.

A few years ago, healthcare professionals equivalent to medical doctors and nurses used to treat any sickness in a reasonably standardised approach: symptoms had been checked against those of a well known situation and there would most definitely be a tablet that we could take to make it all higher.…

General Article

Who Should And Shouldn’t Get the Flu Vaccine?

Who Should And Shouldn’t Get the Flu Vaccine?

Ask any doctor in Australia, and he or she will tell you that the flu vaccine is a tremendously beneficial tool in the fight against the flu – for most people. However, there are a few exceptions to who can and should receive the vaccine. Before heading in for a flu shot, then, double check to make sure that you’re not on the “danger list” of those who should avoid it.

People Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine –

The flu vaccination isn’t just a good idea for some people – it should be considered mandatory. Scan the list below; if any one of the listings describes you or someone you love, make sure to make getting the flu vaccine a top priority. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the best time for Australians to get vaccinated is March through to April. Typically, these vaccinations take effect within two weeks.

The flu vaccine is highly recommended for:

==> Adults over age 65

==> Anyone over age six months with any of these conditions: cancer, diabetes, asthma, chronic kidney, heart or metabolic disorders or chronic respiratory disorders

==> Torres Strait and Aboriginal Islanders over age 50, due to their increased susceptibility to respiratory ailments

==> People who have a suppressed immune system because of HIV, or people who are taking immune suppressing drugs

==> Kids suffering from cyanotic congenital heart disease

==> Kids who are on long-term aspirin therapy

==> Outpatients and inpatients of public hospitals who are at higher risk for complications from influenza

==> Residents of chronic care facilities like hostels and nursing homes

==> Health care workers

==> Anyone caring for elderly people, or for people with any of the conditions listed above

==> Expectant mothers …

General Article

Hypertension – 5 Reasons Why You Should Measure Your Blood Pressure At Home

Hypertension – 5 Reasons Why You Should Measure Your Blood Pressure At Home

As hypertension sufferers, we know from experience that the blood pressure (BP) readings taken at the doctor’s office can be unreliable, yet those readings are used to determine how our condition should be managed. The availability of inexpensive accurate and reliable monitors for home use has changed that. Here are five reasons why we should take our own measurements.

But first….

Why the readings taken in the doctor’s office are often unreliable:

Your doctor most likely will use a sphygmomanometer, which is very accurate but the reading may be misleading because:

Your BP readings vary throughout the day

You might feel nervous or tense

You might suffer from “white coat syndrome”

Your BP readings will also be elevated if you have just driven to the doctor’s office or had to rush to get to the appointment on time

Doctors are becoming increasingly aware of the limitations of the BP readings they take, particularly where they are to be used as the basis of managing our condition. Consequently, it is becoming more common for our doctor to recommend that we buy our own monitor and regularly measure our BP at home.

Here are…

Five reasons why we should measure our own blood pressure:

# 1. To take responsibility for managing our condition: The doctor can advise us, recommend management strategies and prescribe medication. Hypertension is a condition whose treatment is greatly influenced by our individual lifestyle. This means that we have a responsibility to understand our condition and to adjust our lifestyle to bring it under control.

# 2. To provide reliable information: Regular BP measurements give a detailed picture of the trends of blood pressure behaviour over time. This information can be of great help to the …

General Article

How to Find Birth Records Online

When researching your family tree, you should find birth records for long-lost relatives. Access to these records requires knowing which state your relative was born in. Public state records are generally easier to find than private ones. However, it is essential to note that each state has its own public records law and that birth and death certificates may be closed for as long as 75 years.

Search a County’s Vital Records

You’re in luck if you need to search a county’s vital records online because now there are a lot of ways how to find birth records online for free. There are a few simple steps to take, and your request should be processed within five business days. The first step is to complete the Vital Records Request Form and submit it to the local clerk-recorder’s office. You’ll need to have the form notarized and signed before you submit it. If the vital records you want are unavailable online, you can try contacting the Department of Health instead.

You’ll need to apply for an acceptable identification if you want a certified record copy. You’ll also need to pay the proper fees and provide supporting documentation. You must submit the required documents to ensure your application is accepted.

Another option is to visit the local registrar’s office. You can get an application form from them and some general information about the county. This office is responsible for keeping the registers of births, marriages, and deaths. It also provides duplicate certificates. If you’re searching for a person’s birth, marriage, or death before 1898, you’ll need to know if the person lived in that city.

Search a State’s Office of Vital Statistics

Birth records are legal documents that document a person’s life events. Birth certificates are valuable because they can be

General Article

Influenza – Its Effects on Your Workplace

Influenza – Its Effects on Your Workplace

The flu: Many of us don’t realise just how big an impact it has on our daily lives. Every year, 1.5 million days of work are missed in Australia alone due to the flu. Indeed, workplaces across the country feel the pinch all the time as employees become ill with influenza; more than likely, you’ve been one of them. Below, you can learn a bit more about how the flu affects the workplace – and how flu vaccinations can help.

The Flu: A Significant Cause Of Sick Days –

Calling in sick for work can have major repercussions on the entire office. Not only do you have a lot of work to make up when you return, but those who remain during your absence must ignore some of their own duties to handle yours. Ten to twelve percent of sick days are caused by the flu, so it’s not surprising that employers are becoming more and more eager to provide the flu vaccination to their employees. If sick days could be cut by a decent percentage, workplaces all around Australia would notice a definite surge in productivity.

Working Ability Suffers When The Flu Strikes –

Many people try to soldier on when they come down with the flu, coming into work even though they are ill. If the flu is mild enough, this might seem reasonable; however, you are probably still contagious and your working ability is compromised. In turn, your productivity and overall capabilities are lessened by a considerable margin. In other words, you’ll not only be spreading the flu to your co-workers, but your output will be much less than it normally would be. All in all, coming in to work while ill is not a smart move. Since a single …

Health Articles

Good Health Pure Foods

Find wholesome, delicious recipes and menu concepts from our check kitchen cooks and nutrition consultants at EatingWell magazine. A study group of 26 healthy girls, aged thirty 5 to fifty nine, took one thousand mg of BioCell Collagen® per day (the very same dose as present in Purity’s HA Formulas). Your interaction with Yahoo Search and other Yahoo products. Based on the WHO, the upper an individual’s socioeconomic standing (SES), the extra possible they are to take pleasure in good health, a superb education, a properly-paid job, afford good healthcare when their well being is threatened.

A number of years in the past, healthcare professionals corresponding to docs and nurses used to deal with any sickness in a reasonably standardised approach: symptoms had been checked towards these of a well known situation and there would most certainly be a pill that we might take to make all of it higher.

Researchers from College of L’Aquila in Italy found that polyphenols, a class of chemical compounds found in cocoa products, stimulated the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cells handled with beta amyloid plaque or beta amyloid oligomers handled.

Once you search the Internet using Yahoo, content on the Search Outcomes Web page comes from a variety of sources. That is why the premise of your nutrition plan for Wholesome Growing older is healthy food choices. Exercising, a healthy diet and decreasing stress lead to a wholesome life.

Dieters within the examine additionally felt more hungry once they acquired much less sleep. People who have sleep apnea or insomnia can have an enchancment in blood pressure and irritation with treatment of the sleep issues, Dr. Rapoport says. By selling good health, and eliminating fatty foods like potato chips, more individuals could keep away from this subject.…

General Article

Excellent Tips to Reduce High Blood Pressure

Excellent Tips to Reduce High Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in North America. High blood pressure or hypertension is a precursor to heart disease. Hypertension is commonly known as the silent killer since it does not present any symptoms. Most people are not aware of having high blood pressure until a visit to the doctor’s office. Prolonged elevated blood pressure (BP) can damage essential organs of the body such as kidneys.

Cardiovascular problems can be avoided by following a few simple tips. Living a healthy lifestyle will go a long way to prevent overburdening the heart.

(1) Monitor your BP regularly. Invest in a BP monitor from your local drug store and keep track of your blood pressure. Educate yourself about blood pressure limits by reading books and attending workshops provided by organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The following chart outlines the BP limits applicable to adults:

Hypotension: 100 mmHg (diastolic)

(2) Exercise regularly. Experts recommend a high intensity exercise for 30-40 minutes at least 4 times a week. Sedentary lifestyle increases BP, but any type of regular exercise counteracts this effect. Moreover, exercise reduces stress and decreases your risk for several chronic diseases. Exercise will help you get back in shape if you have added a few pounds. No matter how busy your work schedule is, always make time for exercise.

(3) Avoid foods with high salt content. Make it a habit to always read the nutrition labels before purchasing food items at your grocery shop. Decrease your sodium and overall salt intake. Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoid fast food. For instance, buildup of plaque in the blood vessels clogs the arteries and the heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the …