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Flu Updates

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:46:41 +0000

Researchers in Madison, WI were able to genetically alter the virus H5NI, or bird flu, making it much more transmissible among humans.Â According to experts this research will allow them to study potential strategies for disease control and to be more prepared in the event of an outbreak, but the government is concerned. In order to prevent this research from being used against the U.S. by bio terrorist groups The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) prohibited two journals, Nature and Science from publishing certain aspects of the research. Personally, I can't help but wonder if the risk of this research is worth the benefit. I mean, essentially, we've just created a weapon that could be used against us. Why? To attempt to prevent a pandemic that may or may not ever even happen. I mean, what are the chances that this virus will naturally mutate in the same way that these scientists have altered it? What do you think?

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Another Reason to Have Your Hearing Checked

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:30:43 +0000

You may find it interesting (and surprising) that most of us start to lose our hearing after the age of 20. It is such a gradual process that most people who suffer from hearing loss don't realize they have it. A decreased ability to hear can impair your life tremendously, interfering with your ability to communicate with others, enjoy TV programming, or participate in other types of socialization. Now, an article in the New York Times says that hearing loss can also increase your risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

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Preventing Sinus Squeeze

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:07:44 +0000

If you're not a diver it's possible you've never heard the term sinus squeeze; it's an alternate name for barotrauma of the sinuses, (aerosinusitis, or barosinusitis), a condition that occurs while diving or flying. The sinuses are mostly hollow cavities in the skull which are filled with air. The pressure in the sinuses should be equal to the air in the environment (ambient pressure). When the ambient pressure changes too quickly for the body to equalize the pressure in the sinuses, sinus squeeze, a severe headache that often feels like it is in the front of the face or behind the eyes and sometimes bleeding from the nose occurs.

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Commonly Used Chemical Interferes With Immunization Efficacy

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:02:27 +0000

A commonly used group of chemicals, perfluorinated compounds (PFC's), have been shown in a recent study to decrease the antibody production certain vaccines are expected to produce. Perfluorinated compounds are used in manufacturing food products, food packaging, surfactants, repellants, and textile impregnation - basically they're everywhere. Since PFC's and antibodies can both be measured in blood serum researchers were able to identify a correlation between a high level of PFC's in the blood and lower levels of antibodies in over 500 children, testing them at age 5 and 7 years. While the effects of PFC's on the human body are poorly understood these results are consistent with similar studies done in the U.S.

Dear Anti-Vaccine Activist

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:48:28 +0000

Dear Anti-Vaccine Activist,

I saw my brother today who told me a sad story. The small child living next door to him had just passed away from the flu. He also told me that another nearby neighbor was very much against vaccines and likely influenced the parents of the deceased child not to get a flu shot.

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Coping With a Sore Throat Through the Holidays

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:29:20 +0000

There's nothing more disappointing than catching a cold during Christmas break. If you're dealing with a sore throat this holiday season here's some tips for keeping your holidays happy.

you can use both acetaminophen and ibuprofen OR naproxen according to the directions on package
menthol cough drops are often helpful as are numbing sprays like Chloroseptic
studies have recently show that garlic is more effective than echinacea when it comes to beating a cold
if you have symptoms of strep throat you should see a doctor to avoid serious strep complications

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Relaxation, A Perfect Prescription For TMJ Disorders

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:38:58 +0000

TMJ, or temperomandibular joint disorders can result in lock jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, facial pain, headaches and more. This condition is often associated with teeth grinding or jaw clenching so its no surprise that people who suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop TMJ disorders. To prevent and treat TMJ most doctors recommend relaxation, at least 30 minutes a day with special focus on relaxing the muscles in the face. Depending on the severity of your condition you may need to talk to a therapist about relaxation techniques.

Treating a Burned Tongue

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:36:53 +0000

If you've burned your tongue while sipping hot cocoa this holiday season here's what you need to know to cool things back down. First things first reach for a cold glass of ice water or milk, but it's going to take more than one. Keep sipping for a while. Burns can continue to burn your tissue even after it's not in contact with the culprit. Unless you want to wind up like that kid from A Christmas Story with his tongue stuck to the flag pole pass on ice packs or putting ice cubes directly on your tongue. You should also pass on any kind of burn ointments. Feel free to take some Tylenol or ibuprofen if it's bothering you. If you have visible tissue damage on your tongue beyond a little redness, (like blistering), see your doctor. Otherwise you should feel better in a day or two.

More Parents are Passing on Childhood Immunizations

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:41:03 +0000

When Salk invented the polio vaccine parents lined up to get their children vaccinated. The prevention of a crippling and sometimes deadly disease was, to a generation who saw this illness all to often, a miracle. Fast forward to today and the number of parents who are choosing not to vaccinate their children is growing, alarmingly.

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Can Tonsils Grow Back?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:15:22 +0000

Many people who've had a tonsillectomy are surprised when they look at the back of their throat to see bumps or even white patches. You may have been under the impression that you'd never get strep throat again, but this is actually not the case. Even after having your tonsils removed you can still get strep throat, and if even the smallest amount of tonsil tissue remains after your surgery your tonsils can actually grow back. Despite this risk, the benefits of tonsillectomies have been well researched and proven. Individuals typically have far less throat infections after having their tonsils removed. Even if your tonsils do grow back they are unlikely to ever become as large as they were before surgery. You don't need to be too alarmed unless you have one particularly large tonsil and the other has not grown, or has not grown as much (a symptom of tonsilar cancer). For more information read:

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