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BEWARE: 9 Things You MUST Check Before Choosing a Hospital for Anything.
Losetheback pain. 27.9.12
When choosing a hospital the first thing that comes to mind may be what’s closest and most convenient. But all hospitals are not created equal, and choosing the right hospital for your particular need could mean the difference between life and death – literally.
If you’re having a medical emergency, you’ll obviously want to call an ambulance or head to your nearest emergency room. But for those procedures that you can afford to wait to schedule, it makes sense to do a bit of research first. Here are some pieces of advice to be sure you check on before choosing a hospital.
How to Choose a Hospital — 9 Tips
9. Check for Insurance Coverage
Not all hospitals are covered by all insurance plans, so it’s a good idea to find out which hospitals are included in your plan (then make sure your doctor or surgeon practices at that hospital). You may also need to get permission from your health plan before you’re admitted for hospital care, so be sure to check that prior to going in.
8. Hospital Ratings — A Five-Star Hospital May Lower Your Death Risk by 73%
Just like you might check ratings before buying a new car, it’s important to check ratings on hospitals you’re considering using sites like HospitalCompare.hhs.Gov, Consumer Reports, The Joint Commission (Qualitycheck.org) and HealthGrades.com. Patients have a 73 percent lower risk of dying at a 5-star rated hospital than a 1-star rated one, according to HealthGrades, so doing your research could save your life. Be sure to check ratings for the condition you’ll need treated.
7. Check the Nurse-to-Patient Ratio
Ideally, a nurse should have only four to six patients under his or her care at a time (and less if it’s critical or intensive care). If the patient load is too high, it can impact your health outcomes; research shows that adding one person to a nurse’s care load increases your risk of dying within 30 days by 7 percent.[i]
6. The Day of the Week Matters
Thursdays and Fridays appear to be the worst days of the week to be admitted to the hospital, and is likely to lead to a longer hospital stay than if you’re admitted on a Saturday or Sunday.[ii] As you might suspect, there is a reduced staff on the weekends in most hospitals, and this can mean a delay in your care.
Obviously, the shorter the hospital stay the better, not only so you can get back to your own home, but also because this will save you money and lower your chances of contracting a hospital-acquired infection, like MRSA.
Pakistani herbal tea may hold key to breast cancer cure – Scientists.
Punch. Lagos. Nigeria. 24.9.12
A traditional herbal tea may hold the key to fighting breast cancer, claim scientists.
Extracts from the plant known as virgin’s mantle, which is used as a medicinal tea in some countries, can kill cancerous cells in the test tube, South Africa’s Daily Mail newspaper reports.
The plant-based tea is already drunk by women in rural Pakistan who have breast cancer, but until now its use as a treatment has been regarded as folklore.
Research by scientists at Aston University, Birmingham, and Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, suggests it contains potent anti-cancer agents that act singly or in combination against the proliferation of cancer cells.
Laboratory tests showed they arrested the growth of cells within five hours of application and caused them to die within 24 hours.
The plant, which has the botanical name Fagonia cretica, is found in arid, desert regions of Pakistan, India, Africa and parts of Europe.
Prof. Helen Griffiths and Prof. Amtul R Carmichael, who headed the study, found herbal tea made from the extract of the plant destroys cancer cells but, unlike conventional chemotherapy, treatment does not damage normal breast cells, thus reducing side effects.
Reports from breast cancer sufferers in Pakistan suggest the plant extract does not trigger any serious side effects such as loss of hair, drop in blood count or diarrhoea.
The research, published in the science journal PloS One, found the plant extract had a novel mechanism which could remedy defects in cell DNA that would normally resist tumour growth.
An impaired DNA response not only allows the cancer to flourish, it also inhibits the way chemotherapy works which reduces its effectiveness. Professor Carmichael said a small hospital 100 miles north of Lahore in Pakistan started using the herbal tea 40 years ago to treat breast cancer patients.
She said, “It appears to keep them in remission, although we can’t use the word cure at this stage.
“However, they live for a long time without losing their hair or putting on a large amount of weight, or experiencing other toxic side effects associated with chemotherapy, so we are confident this extract has something to contribute.”
She said stringent safety tests would be needed in developing a drug based on the extract. At present the herbal tea is being used to treat Asians but there might be different effects in Caucasian patients, she added.
Griffiths said more research is needed to establish the role of the extract in cancer management, and it now needs to be demonstrated that this extract is as effective in killing cancer cells inside the body as it is within a laboratory.
She said the next steps are to identify which element of the plant is responsible for killing the cancer cells with a view to eventually running trials with cancer patients.
Dr. Caitlin Palframan, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said, “Some of the most important cancer-fighting drugs are originally derived from plants.
“As this research is at the very earliest stage, we won’t know for quite some time whether drugs derived from this plant will be effective in treating breast cancer but we look forward to seeing any progress.
“We would advise women with breast cancer who are considering using any herbal remedies to discuss this with their doctor first as some may interfere with ongoing cancer treatment.”
Emma Pennery, clinical director of Breast Cancer Care, said, “Much more research would be needed to build on this small-scale laboratory work to date.”
Top Antiaging Foods from Around the World.
Realage magazine. 24.4.12
By Mehmet C. Oz, MD, and Michael F. Roizen
From exotic juices to cans of cocktail peanuts, more and more edibles in the supermarket are being dubbed "anti-aging" by some marketer or media pundit. The real deal about munchies that keep you youthful and boost your longevity? They come from the earth, not a vacuum pack.
We're not the only ones who are saying that. Take a look at what the longest-lived people in the world are eating (if you know us, this list will look familiar, but with a few twists). Then, put their anti-aging favorites on your own table.
Costa Rica: Beans for Breakfast
Residents of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula are four times more likely than most North Americans to live past age 90. One reason may be dishes like gallo pinto, a tasty mix of black beans and rice flavored with onion, red peppers, garlic, olive oil, cilantro, and a salsa lizano -- a condiment a little like Worcestershire sauce. The Oz part of this team learned on a trip to Nicoya that big breakfasts that begin with beans rule there. But don't limit yourself; this dish is great at any meal. Watch this video to learn what else Dr. Oz has to say about the longevity boosting benefits of beans.
Nova Scotia: Wild Blueberry "Grunt"
Some of Nova Scotia's picturesque villages are home to Canada's highest percentages of centenarians -- people who've lived for at least 100 years. One reason may be polyphenol-packed wild blueberries produced by the millions of tons on this island. Luckily, you can find frozen wild blueberries in your supermarket. Use 'em to make a traditional "grunt"-- lightly cooked blueberries (skip the sweetener that's usually in the recipe; the berries are sweet enough!) served over a biscuit (but please, make it whole grain, or skip the biscuit altogether). It's also known as a slump, a fungy, a buckle, or a bang belly. Try this berry smoothie that keeps your skin looking young.
France: Wine
In this country, local red wine is king. And for good reason. Moderate drinking (1 glass for women, up to 2 for men) with a meal a day seems to explain some of the "French Paradox"-- low rates of heart disease despite a penchant for artery-clogging goodies like cheese. It may help explain why the French tie the Italians (another nation with a healthy love of wine) as Western Europe's longest-living people. Wine's magic seems to come from a few components: ethanol, which boosts levels of healthy HDL cholesterol; resveratrol, which new research suggests can mimic the life-extending effects of cutting calories; and polyphenols, which rev up the body's own cell-protecting antioxidants. Why not try a red wine from a vineyard near you, or head for a heart-healthy zinfandel, syrah, pinot noir, or cabernet sauvignon? Here's a little wine-and-food pairing that makes drinking wine healthier for you.
Greece: Lots of Veggies, Little Meat
On some Greek islands, one-third of the residents have already celebrated their 90th birthdays. Their longevity secret? The famed Mediterranean diet. When researchers quizzed 23,349 Greek women and men about what's on their plates, they found that death rates were lowest for those who ate the most fruit, vegetables, beans, and olive oil. The occasional glass of wine helped, too. So did fish, seafood, whole grains, and dairy products. What wasn't on their plates also mattered. Those who ate red meat just a few times a month lived longer than those who indulged more frequently. Find out why eating less red meat is good for your eyes, too.
Eating lots of vegetables accounted for 16% of the youth-power of Mediterranean eating. Drizzle on a little olive oil and top with a scattering of walnuts and you can more than double the impact. Not only will it be delicious, the good fats pamper your heart and help your body absorb more of the carotenoids and other nutrients in cooked veggies and in salad greens.
Japan: Tofu
Tofu's on sale in the produce department of nearly every supermarket. Good news, because on the Japanese island of Okinawa, it may be why residents age gracefully to 100+ more often than anywhere else on earth. Researchers credit this mild-tasting soy curd's low fat content and high levels of good-for-you saponins and isoflavones. Chunk up some extra-firm tofu instead of chicken or pork in a stir-fry, or use soy crumbles in place of ground meat in a hearty spaghetti sauce. Marinate first to heighten flavor; we love it with ginger, garlic, and low-sodium soy sauce.
So instead of falling for an anti-aging additive pitch, steer yourself toward these flavorful, health-giving goodies. You'll see what these cultures have known for years: When it comes to the tastiest anti-aging foods, Mother Nature makes the best.
Shield The Body From Cancer With Walnut.
Leadership. 23.9.12
Walnut is a hard fruit that nourishes the body. There are three main types of walnuts; the English walnut, also known as the Persian walnut, the Black walnut and the White or butternut walnut. It is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect the heart against all forms of heartache.
This wonderful nut can also shield the body from cancerous and diabetes attacks when consumed daily. To get the best of this edible nut, try processing it as oil just like the groundnut oil. When walnut oil is mixed with vinegar, it can be used as salad dressings. Walnut can be cooked or fried and eaten as snacks.
Health benefits of walnut
According to healthdiaries.com, walnuts lower blood pressure due to the high omega-3 fatty acid present in the nut, especially when cooked with the shell. This fatty acid also reduces the cholesterol in the body when consumed daily.
Research indicated that few walnuts per day significantly reduced the risk of prostate and breast cancer.
Daily intake of walnut also improves the functioning of the brain.
Since it is rich in fibre, it keeps the digestive system healthy.
Selenium, zinc, biotin and essential fatty acids present in walnuts help to promote healthy, shiny and strong hair.
Add powdered walnut to cereal or while preparing snacks to prevent gallbladder disease.
Walnuts contain melatonin that helps to improve sleep especially at night.
It also contains essential fatty acids called alpha linolenic that strengthens the bones.
Though it’s high in calories and contains fat, it can also help in weight management due to the presence of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.
