Medical Reviews and Tips on Health
Cooking up Trouble
A chemical produced by frying, roasting or grilling food can double the risk of cancer in women, a new study has revealed.
Five years ago, scientists sparked a worldwide alert when they disclosed that many household foods contain the substance acrylamide, which was thought to be a possible cause
of the disease. Now a study involving 62,000 women has established a direct link between consumption of the chemical and the incidence of ovarian and womb cancer.
Research has shown that acrylamide is found in cooked foods such as bread, breakfast, cereals, coffee and also meat and potatoes which have been fried, baked, roasted, grilled or barbecued.
The Dutch study found that women who absorbed more acrylamide were twice as likely to develop ovarian or womb cancer as those who ate a smaller amount. The higher amount eaten by the women was equivalent to a single packet of crisps, half a packet of biscuits, or a portion of chips a day.
The EU has now advised people to avoid burnt toast or golden brown chips because they contain higher levels of the substance. They have also recommended eating home-cooked meals which contain much lower amounts of the chemical than processed products, fast food and restaurant meals.
Nine Years Younger
Exercising regularly may make you seem biologically nine years younger than those who do not, say scientists. Inactivity not only leads to a greater risk of age-related diseases, but it may also influence the ageing process itself, researchers believe.
A study of twins found there was a difference of about nine years of ageing between those who exercised regularly and those who did not, even after considering other influences including body mass index (BMI), smoking and socio-economic status (SES).
Researchers studied ageing in 2,401 twins by analysing telomeres, which cap the end of chromosomes in cells and protect them from damage.
Telomeres shorten with age, leaving people increasingly susceptible to cell damage which causes disease. However there is considerable variation between individuals, and recent research has also linked lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity with shorter than average telomeres.
Those who exercise regularly are already known to be at lower risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity and osteoporosis. Comparing twins who were raised together but did different amounts of exercise, the researchers found that on average the telomeres were significantly longer in the more active twin.
It is recommended that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five days a week will have significant health benefits.
Junk food to the rescue...?!
Scientists have found a way to make snacks keep hunger at bay for longer. They are working on a plant extract which could be added to fatty foods, such as ready meals and burgers, to suppress the appetite. It is hoped it will help dieters stick to smaller portions and combat obesity. The ingredient, found naturally in most plants, seeds and cereals, could be added to fast food to ward off hunger for up to 12 hours. The compound works by coating fat before it is digested, stopping the enzymes that naturally break it down from working as fast as usual. This sends a signal to the brain that a person has had enough to eat, even though their stomach may only be half full. There are already several food products on the market which claim to beat hunger and make you feel full, but many are based on the fibre found in whole grain. This would be the first time that foods that do not contain fibre could be artificially engineered to induce the same feeling of being full.
A little folic acid never hurt...
Thousands of premature births could be prevented if the mothers took folic acid for at least a year before getting pregnant, doctors have found. A major study has shown that extra supplies of Vitamin B cut the risk of premature babies by 50 to 70 per cent. Doctors are now advising young women to add folic acid supplements to their daily diet and to get into the habit of taking it before they start planning a family. Taking folic acid at 0.4mg per day helps prevent severe brain and spinal defects. But the latest study, backed by the US National Institutes of Health, shows long spells of taking folic acid could reduce premature birth rates, including those born very early who are most at risk of dying or suffering long-term disabilities. Premature babies are classified as those born at least three weeks early and when they have spent fewer than 37 rather than 40 weeks in the womb.
However, babies born even earlier - before 28 weeks - may be prone to medical complications, learning difficulties or other handicaps that affect their future development. The study looked at the use of folic acid supplements by 38,000 women, all of them pregnant with one child and free of medical complications such as pre-eclampsia that may result in premature delivery, It found folic acid supplementation for at least one year led to a 70 per cent drop in very early deliveries - between 20 and 28 weeks.
Useful Medical Tips
Nose bleed remedies
This cure usually works rather quickly as long as the victim doesn't
panic and follows the directions. Sometimes the victim will blow too
hard and force blood out the nostril, but generally if the procedure
is followed, blood flow is stopped with in a minute.
The treatment is as follows:
Tightly pinch the victim's nose. This applies direct pressure and tends to limit blood flow.
Next instruct them to blow their nose (while still pinching the nose) as hard as they can. This help the clog to form near the surface vessels.
The next step is to hold the nose and pressure for about 1 5 - 30 seconds, then release the pressure and gently wipe away any remaining blood.
If this doesn't work repeat the procedure.
Soothing burns
Never put butter or ice on a burn, contrary to popular misconception. Instead, you should soak the burn in cold water or submerge a cloth in cold water and hold it on the burn. If you have to hand, one of the best kept secrets for burns it is pure lavender oil, dab the oil directly on the burn (this will help to reduce blistering).
Aspirin and children
Don't give aspirin to children under 12 years. There is a chance that they can develop a very rare disease called Reye's Syndrome. Why take the chance?
Paracetamol warning
Paracetamol effects the liver. If you have an alcoholic hangover, avoid Paracetamol.
Note: The tips above are an aid to helping you with simple medical problems that you may incur. We suggest that you should always seek a doctors opinion and Newarabia.net holds no liability in the unlikely event that something should go wrong based on following one of our tips.
Useful Medical Sites
Doctorinternet - Medical help also in Arabic