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Lung Health: Are E-cigarettes a Safer Alternative to Traditional Cigarettes

It is a well-known fact that conventional cigarettes can cause great harm to the body. The health risks of cigarette smoking may include coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, cancer, especially lung cancer, peripheral vascular disease, just to name just a few and it is believed that cigarette smoking is the main cause of about 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Moreover, about 87 percent of all cases of lung cancer is said to be caused by smoking.

The introduction of e-cigarettes in the market was hailed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. The electronic version of the cigarettes does not contain carcinogenic chemicals that are present is tobacco cigarettes such as tar.

But are e-cigarettes really safe for your health? In this article, we will present findings from various studies that have examined the effects of e-cigarette smoking on health.E-Cigarette

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Are E-cigarettes Safe for Health: A Close Look

E-cigarettes contain nicotine similar to a cigarette that gives people the ‘high’.  However, it does not contain tar or other harmful chemicals. The nicotine present in the e-cigarettes is extracted from tobacco and mixed with propylene glycol or other liquids. Some may also contain colorings, flavorings, and other chemicals.

According to Public Health England, e-cigarettes are about 95 percent safer as compared to traditional cigarettes. They are perceived to aid people in quitting traditional cigarettes. This perception is grounded on evidence provided by different scientific studies.

A study published in the journal Circulation in 2014 had carefully examined e-cigarettes and found that they contain significantly fewer toxins as compared to conventional cigarettes. This means that people that are exposed to electronic cigarettes have a lower risk of developing deadly diseases associated with traditional cigarette smoking.

Another study that was published in the same year made similar conclusions about e-cigarettes. The study found that e-cigarettes are much less harmful than conventional cigarettes. However, the authors concluded that while they are less harmful they are not completely safe for health due to containing a worrisome amount of aerosol.

The above and various other studies have concluded that e-cigarettes are a much safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. Having said that, the nicotine content found in both electronic and conventional cigarettes is considered harmful for children. That’s why there has been a ban on the sale of the electronic cigarettes to children under the age of 18.

Conclusion

E-cigarettes are a much safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. It’s the perfect alternative for people that are addicted to conventional cigarettes. People who want to quit tobacco cigarettes can greatly add years to their life by switching to e-cigarettes.

However, the statement that e-cigarettes are completely harmless is not certain at the moment. Until a thorough study is conducted by the scientists the FDA and other research facilities, it is too early to say whether the chemicals contained in the e-cigarettes are completely safe for your health.

Dementia Cases Decline Significantly in the US due to Better Health Care

The rate of dementia has declined significantly in the US. This claim has been made by two recent studies that found that the number of people suffering from the disease has declined since 2000 due to healthy lifestyle changes by the individuals.

Previously, health experts had predicted that the number of people suffering from dementia and other similar diseases will increase at the rate of 40 percent in the next ten years.

However, a number of recent studies that have analyzed dementia cases found that the rate of the disease has not only fallen sharply in the past decade but will decrease even further in the coming years due to better healthcare choices by the individuals.

Declining Cases of Dementia

A study published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal found that the number of people suffering from dementia has declined by 2.8 percent from 2000 to 2012.

According to John Haaga of the National Institute of Aging that had funded the study, the overall decrease in the incidence of the disease equates to about one million fewer people in 2012 that were suffering from dementia as compared to 2000.

The study also found that dementia is more common in senior adults. Around 30 percent of senior persons aged over 85 were reported to have dementia in 2012 as compared to just 3 percent of senior individuals aged between 65 and 74.

Another study that was published in the Alzheimer’s and Dementia journal also found a decreased rate of dementia. While the previous study concentrated on the white people in the US, this study had concluded its results after examining African-American individuals in the recent decades. 

The researchers of the study stated that the decline in the cases of dementia could be due to lower risk factors that contributed to circulation related illnesses including high blood pressure and smoking. The study indeed found that the rate of stroke and heart failure had declined significantly among the participants.

Another contributing factor for the declined rate of dementia might be greater awareness and improved medical treatments. In the 1970s and 1980s, people that had a stroke were about nine times likely to develop dementia. In the 2000s the risk of developing the disease in case of a stroke had declined to two times.

Final Remarks

Healthier lifestyle and improved medical treatments for dementia patients have led to a significant decline in the reported cases. Increased physical activity and healthy diet have greatly reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and other similar health disorders. In addition, keeping the brain healthy by playing brain games such as chess, tetris, or strategy games can also prevent the onset of dementia in individuals. It depends on the individual to make sure they are following a healthy lifestyle to keep them safe from diseases like dementia. Also, with the advent of medical treatments and increase in their availability, the cases of dementia are further hoped to lessen in the future.

The Real Skills You Should Be Looking For In a Nurse

While there are a plethora of nurses that schools churn out every year, it is still difficult to sift through them and find the one suitable for your needs. Whether you are part of the management of a nursing home looking for skilled nurses or an individual in search of a nurse for home care, there are certain sought-out skills that make a nurse good at her job.

If you find a nurse who possesses the following skills, hire him or her on the spot:

Good with People:

A nurse’s job involves communicating daily and constantly and most of the times, the person on the other end is a patient or the concerned friend/family member of the patient. Other communication needs involve communicating with hospital staff, superiors, and doctors. All these job requirements ask the nurse to be very good at communication. Any kind of miscommunication or rude behavior will not be unacceptable, but will also affect the emotional state of patients and their concerned ones. Good nurses will always be polite, direct and empathetic, regardless of the number of hours they have been on duty or how bad their day was.

Intellect and Insight:

All nurses will know about the medical procedures and actions to be taken in different situations. They all are trained after all. Despite complete training and certifications, only a few nurses actually have the brains and insight to act at the moment, especially when dealing with emergency situations. A nurse should also be able to stay calm and collected in most cases of duress. A smart nurse will also be able to improvise and come up with new and smarter ways to make living comfortable for the patients.

Work Ethics and Consistency:

This involves almost everything. From dressing to performing their jobs, from daily presence to being reliable, a good nurse must have the ability to perform the job by work following work codes and ethics. Showing up on time and doing right by everyone should be their method of operation.  

Passion:

Caring for the old and sick is a job that not only requires knowledge, skills, and professionalism; a job like this also asks for a passion for human lives and compassion for other people’s pain. Only a nurse who takes their job as a passion will actually be able to make a difference in someone’s life. Patients do not require a grumpy and ill-tempered nurse to take care of them, no matter how good she is at her job. Only passion for this job could help a nurse save numbers of lives daily.

Stamina:

Nursing is not an easy job. It demands 24 hours of physical exertion, emotional stress, and mental duress. A nurse should be physically and emotionally fit, with a healthy lifestyle and proper eating habits. The nursing job requires energy and alertness at all times; so, a nurse must have the lasting stamina to stay true to her job.

Aside from the certificates and educational backing, a good nurse should have all the above-mentioned skills to be exceptional at her job.

Unusual Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Humans

It may be surprising to learn that the human brain possesses the potential to act completely off balance and bizarre, as well as possibly having an intelligent and creative manner. Some of these unusual occurrences can go to such an extent that those who display such behavior are termed as having a mental disorder. Here is a list of some completely unexplainable mental disorders which are found to affect some people:

Stendhal Syndrome

Though the human mind likes the idea of something being aesthetically appealing, some people fall victim to a psychosomatic disorder when exposed to something extremely beautiful or appealing. As they see the object in reality or by seeing it in the form of a picture, physical symptoms of likeability may also appear. Some common signs include the heart beating rapidly, feeling dizzy, being in a confused state of mind, or even having hallucinations. Quite commonly, people who travel a lot experience this syndrome when they come across something that instantly appeals to them and sweeps them off their feet with its beauty.

Stockholm Syndrome

In normal circumstances, nobody would have any feelings of attraction or affection for a person who harms them in one way or another. But in case of people who are kidnapped, some often develop a feeling of sympathy, affection, and even loyalty to their abductor. Consequently, they don’t resist the harm done to them; rather, they try to understand why the person, in this case the abductor, is doing it. A lot of people develop similar feelings for their partner in an abusive relationship, even in the event of rape and child abuse.

Lima Syndrome

Lima Syndrome is the opposite of Stockholm syndrome where the abductor develops affectionate feelings towards the victim.

Bibliomania

Though Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be quite damaging in any form, this one is weird due to its association with a constructive activity. A person suffering from bibliomania has the urge to collect books to the point that it has the negative and hurtful impact on their relationship and personal well-being. This also includes buying the same book in its various versions, numerous copies of the similar title, and so on.

Pedophilia

Though sexual relationships might have been considered to be something acceptable centuries back, feeling such desires for children is deemed as a mental disorder in the current world. As a matter of fact, such behavior is subject to punishment under modern laws and is looked down upon by almost all societies and civilizations.

Humans are quite complex creatures; that’s for sure! There are numerous disorders and mental health conditions that simply don’t make sense to a person who is used to living a normal and morally and culturally acceptable lifestyle. Some disorders are even bizarre to the point of making others feel disgusted. Nevertheless, this calls for mental health to be given even more attention than we generally do.

 

Robotic Assistance For Nurses

The number of robots in the workforce is on the rise with no signs of slowing down and in the healthcare field, medical robotics are already being used. The da Vinci machine is used in a wide variety of fields to perform surgeries with precision. The tiny origami robot comes in a capsule, which dissolves when swallowed. It is then controlled by a technician to patch up wounds in the stomach lining or remove foreign objects. The benefits of robotics are plenty: these machines show no bias, have low error rates, and never get tired or need food.

Robot in Medical Technology
A robotic arm used in high-throughput screening

Nursing and engineering students at Duke University have recently created a robotic nurse assistant funded by the National Science Foundation. Tele-Robotic Intelligent Nursing Assistant (TRINA) is currently able to bring a patient a bowl, cup, pills, and a stethoscope. When admitted to a hospital, a patient will spend most of his/her time with a nurse; with many hospitals being understaffed and nurses overworked, TRINA might be what the medical field desperately needs.

Very shortly, TRINA will be able to perform even more tasks, such as caring for patients suffering from highly infectious diseases, taking vital signs, collecting and testing fluids, and distributing medication. TRINA is not a standalone robot, it has to be controlled by an operator. The goal of TRINA and other healthcare robots is not to replace nurses and medical professionals, but to limit their exposure to infectious diseases and to better aid busy doctors and nurses. The National Science Foundation is also funding the development of a new robot that will help nurses lift patients as well as heavy objects.

Robot touching computer screen
3D rendering 3D illustration of a medical artificial intelligence robot working in a future hospital

Companion robots can also help patients by alleviating loneliness and treating mental health issues. When a nurse is overworked and unavailable to a patient, friendly companion robots can keep patients from feeling lonely by enabling them to make calls, play games, take pictures, and text.

These social robots, such as Buddy, Pepper, and Paro, can also read emotions and interact accordingly, providing companionship and entertainment. From hospital settings to nursing homes, these companion robots can alleviate stress for busy nurses.

Two Centuries Later, Cholera Still Haunts Us

What was thought to be a disease in the early 19th century caused by bad air was later on discovered to be a disease that was caused by a bacterium strand known as Vibrio Cholera. In 1854, physician Dr. John Snow discovered the microbial link to cholera and that the diseases came from consuming contaminated drinking water. It has been two centuries since cholera epidemic was fought off but the deadly illness still haunts us.

Today, about 1.3 to 4 million people fall victim to this disease and out of them 21,000 to 143,000 people die. It is an acute diarrhoeal condition that requires immediate treatment and results in fatal end within hours if the victim is not provided with any immediate medical aid.

Symptoms

The victims may show no or very mild symptoms. It is in very rare cases that the infected person shows any severe symptoms. Only one in ten persons would have a severe condition which is characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and cramped legs. In such cases, the victim loses fluids very rapidly and it results in extreme dehydration and a state of shock. Treatment is required on spot and in its earliest stage, it can be cured using intravenous fluids and antibiotics.  Mild symptoms can be successfully cured using oral rehydration solution.

Areas of High Risk

Areas and regions where water and sanitation facilities are mediocre, they are at the risk of facing cholera epidemic. For instance, in many parts of Africa, cholera epidemic has been going on for years now.  This is mainly owed to inadequate sanitation facilities and poor water treatment.

People Who Are At The Risk Of Severe Cholera

Scientific research studies conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, Broad Institute of MIT, and researchers at Harvard University have reported in their findings published in Science Translational Medicine that who have blood type O are at higher risk of developing severe cholera disease.

Most recently, United Nations has called for the world to support their two-track plan for Haiti to fight against the ill-fated disease. The plan was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Stage one of the plan would be focused on the main problem of poor water facilitation and sanitation, and stage two would be centered on victims, their families, and communities.

Most Recent Cholera Outbreak

Haiti has been dealing with the most recent cholera outbreak since October 2010. It was soon after the region was struck by a devastating earthquake. The epidemic has affected as many as 788,000 people and claimed the lives of an estimated 9,000 people. Rigorous efforts have been made by UN which have paid off really well and there has been a reported 90% reduction in the suspected affected areas.

Nevertheless, much more needs to be done. World Health Organization suggests providing safe oral cholera vaccines as well as a provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation system in order to prevent and control the outbreaks. This is particularly eminent for areas that are at high risk of facing an epidemic.

 

 

Do Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Really Help?

Vitamins out of bottle
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Billions of dollars are spent on supplements in the US. These include herbal supplements, minerals and vitamin products. The supplements are marketed rather touted as the best cure for diseases caused by deficiencies of essential minerals and vitamins.

However, a number of studies have raised a question about the benefits of taking a supplement for the majority of the individuals.  Here we will take a closer look at the findings of the study about the dietary supplements.

Are Supplements Beneficial for Your Health?

In an article published in the JAMA journal titled “The Supplement Paradox: Negligible Benefits, Robust Consumption”,  Dr. Pieter A. Cohen who works at the Cambridge Health Alliance and Somerville Hospital in Massachusetts said that most people do not benefit from taking dietary supplements.

According to the researcher, supplements are important in treating mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Moreover, they also help in the treatment of age-related diseases such as macular degeneration. However, he also added that most of the individuals do not benefit much from taking supplement tablets.

Dr. Cohen also stated that despite a number of studies that have indicated doubt over the benefits of taking daily supplements, their use has continued to climb in the US. Most of the people use the supplements for reasons such as improving or maintaining overall health or better cardiovascular health. In addition, the use of supplements is higher in older people and those belonging to the lower socioeconomic status.

Additional studies apart from Dr. Cohen also have found that taking supplements offer little benefits. The US Preventive Services Task Force that consists of a group of independent physicians, opted not to recommend regular use of multivitamins tablets by people that were not nutrient deficient.  VegetablesFor those who are not deficient in vitamins, eating healthy foods is one of the best ways to go and nutrition specialists recommend getting the required minerals and vitamins from a natural diet.

The bottom line is that supplements are not a good replacement for nutrient-rich foods. A supplement does not contain all the essential items found in wholesome foods. For instance, the fiber present in vegetables and fruits that are essential for health is not present in any of the supplements.

Apart from that, there is a risk of side effects if people that do not face any nutrient deficiency take dietary supplements. The presence of too many vitamins or minerals in the body results in various side effects that range from mild to serious health complications.

In the end, the best advice is to take a wise and cautious approach when taking supplements. Avoid taking a supplement if your blood tests show there is no mineral or vitamin deficiency. Also, do not take the supplement as an alternative to a healthy diet. The supplements should only be taken on the advice of a professional medical expert when facing a deficiency.

Note: The advice contained within this article is suggestive and is for informational purposes only and should not be followed without the prior consultation of a medical professional! 

Saturated Fats Not Always Bad for the Health

Saturated fats are fat molecules that are saturated with hydrogen molecules. The high amount of saturated fats in the body has been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Consuming saturated fats increase the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level in the blood. This result in blockage of the arteries that increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related complications.

One study conducted by researchers at the University of Bergen, Norway found that saturated fats are not always bad for the body. Moderate amount of these fats in the body can, in fact, be beneficial for the body.

The Link Between Saturated Fats and Heart Health

Intake of saturated fats is the only way to boost good cholesterol level, also known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in obese individuals, according to the researchers at the University of Bergen. The study observed 38 individuals with abdominal obesity. Participants on the high-fat diet had significant improvements in different cardio-metabolic risk factors including blood pressure, ectopic fat storage, and blood lipids (triglycerides).

In addition, people that were administered diet containing saturated fats did not suffer from abnormal blood sugar levels. This means that people that eat a diet containing the saturated fat have decreased the risk of developing diabetes.

According to one of the researchers, Vivian Veum, the study team had examined the effects of saturated and total fat on persons that were administered a healthy diet that consisted of vegetables, rice, and fat sources such as cream, butter, and cold pressed oils. He said that the alleged health risks of the intake of saturated fats have been largely exaggerated.

The findings of the research indicated that saturated fats are not always bad for the health. Intake of saturated fats from lowly processed or natural sources can offer great health benefits resulting in reduced risk of cardio-metabolic diseases and diabetes.

Most people can tolerate intake of saturated fats as long as they are sourced from natural or lowly processed food items. The researchers, one of whom is a cardiologist, have found that intake of ‘quality’ saturated fats was good for the health even at high total energy levels.

The researchers at the University of Bergen had analyzed participants by measuring the fat mass in the abdominal region, liver, and heart. This provided accurate results about the effects of a fat-rich diet on the body.

Individuals are advised to follow the American Heart Association’s recommendation aiming 5 percent to 6 percent of calories from saturated fat sources. So, a person with 2000 calories a day diet should intake no more than 120 calories from saturated fat sources. This corresponds to an intake of around 13 gm of saturated fats in a daily diet.

The Benefits and Risks of a Vegan Diet

Approximately 3.3 percent of adults in the US claim to be a vegan or vegetarian. People become vegans for different reasons such as health concerns, religious beliefs, and distress over the killing of animals or use of hormones or antibiotics in livestock. Some people become vegans as they simply can’t afford to buy meat.

Whatever the reasons for being a vegan, the trend is growing in the US partly due to increased availability of fresh vegetable and fruit products and dining places that offer vegan-only food items. While there are many benefits of a vegan diet, there are also certain risks that you should know about the plant-based diet.

In this article, we will take a close look at both the health benefits and the risks of adopting a vegetarian diet.

Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarian diet offers great benefits to the individuals. Vegans are less likely to suffer from obesity as compared to people that eat meat-based diet. Studies have shown that vegans are at a lower risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases as compared to non-vegans. The unsaturated fats that are present in seeds, soybeans, avocados, olives, nuts, and other plant-based food items reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. They are rich in fiber and contribute to an increase in the good cholesterol levels, also known as high-density lipoproteins (HDLs).

Apart from a lower risk of high blood pressure, Vegans also tend to have a lower risk of developing hypertension (low blood pressure) as compared to people that eat mostly meat. This is because the vegans are able to maintain a healthy body weight that helps them in maintaining healthy blood pressure.

Health Risks of a Vegetarian Diet

The foremost risk of a plant-based diet is that it increases the chance of developing health disorders due to lack of essential nutrients and vitamins. A number of vitamins and minerals including omega-3 fatty acids, protein, calcium, and others can be obtained from eating animal-based food items. Lack of these essential nutrients increases the risk of various health disorders.

In addition, people can’t fulfill the daily calorie intake through a vegan diet alone. Trying to meet the daily calorie intake requirement through a vegetable or plant-based diet can lead to unpleasant health effects.

In the end, a vegan diet can offer various health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other serious health maladies. However, the major risk of a vegan diet is complications due to lack of essential nutrients. That is why it’s extremely important to consult with a dietician before adopting a vegan diet. The dietitian can recommend a healthy diet plan that consists of all the essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, the dietitian may also recommend intake of supplements for vitamins and nutrients that cannot be obtained from a plant-based diet.

Four Key Benefits of Nursing Homes for Senior Parents

Howard Fensterman has been instrumental in helping nursing homes maintain high quality health care for their patients. Most nursing facilities provide private accommodations and personal care to a majority of folks that are elderly individuals; hence, the decision to move to a nursing home can be emotionally taxing for both the immediate family members and the senior parent.

Most often, family members try their best to take care of the individual. But the demands of the work involved or the illness can become difficult at times, especially if the family member is not well versed in medical care. Sooner or later, it may become mandatory to seek outside help. In such a situation, nursing homes are a viable option.


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Here are four main benefits of nursing homes for senior parents

Social Experiences

Nursing homes provide the best social experiences for the elderly individuals. They can take part in activities with other senior persons and share their life views and experiences.  Some of the nursing facilities also organize social events where all the residents of the nursing home can mingle together and share experiences.

As a result, the senior parent won’t succumb to the feelings of depression or melancholy due to being isolated. Most of the senior individuals that reside at nursing homes enjoy a quality time having fun with people of their own age group.

Assistance with Chores

Performing simple daily chores becomes difficult during the old age. Several senior individuals lose their ability to perform such simple tasks. Nursing home care professionals assist the senior individuals in performing activities such bathing, changing clothes, eating and drinking, driving, administering medicine, and using the restroom. What’s more, the help is offered to the senior individuals as a premium service and not as assistance due to being handicapped. This ensures that the senior persons don’t feel invalid in any way due to not being able to perform simple daily chores.

Round the Clock Medical Help

Nursing homes provide 24/7 medical help to the elderly individuals. Many nursing facilities have medical professionals onsite at all times. Living in the home will ensure the perfect safety of the senior patients and can offer immediate medical assistance in case of an emergency. This will ensure that your loved one is under the proper care and able to lead a good life without much physical or emotional pain.

Safety and Security

Another key advantage of a nursing home is that they offer a greater level of security as compared to home care or when the individual is living alone. Imagine the horror if the senior parent forgets to turn off the gas after cooking, or forgets to lock the door at night. Placing senior parents in a nursing home will offer a peace of mind in knowing that the loved and dear one is provided maximum protection and security, both during the day and night.

In conclusion, a nursing home is the best option when it comes to the care of the elderly parent. The senior individual can have a quality time socializing and engaging in fun and exciting activities. Also, the senior person would be offered round the clock medical help that will ensure maximum safety and protection of the individual. The decision to place in a nursing home care can be the best one you can make for your senior parent, particularly during the stage of life when the person can’t live without external assistance.