Archive for February, 2020

Regarding the new capacity, the three wind farms are located in Sicily, Molise, and Campania and construction will start in 2020, with entry into service expected for 2021. As for the upgrading and useful life extension of the four plants already in operation, the refurbishment works will be carried out between 2020 and 2021 in Molise, Sardinia, Piedmont, and Tuscany.

With this award we confirm our dedication to the growth of renewables in Italy, a key country for our business and for our commitment in the energy transition towards a more sustainable electricity generation model,saidAntonio Cammisecra, CEO of Enel Green Power and director of Global Power Generation."The investments in the development of new renewable capacity will contribute to the decarbonization objectives of the Group and the country, supporting the progressive replacement of fossil sources with those with zero emissions."

Building new capacity and upgrading existing plants in Italy are part of the Enel Group's broader commitment to the growth of renewables and decarbonization, which will involve, over the 2020-2022 period, the development in the country of 700 MW of new renewable capacity and for which EGP has developed a pipeline of around 1.3 GW that can enter into service in the same period.

Read more:
Wind - Enel Green Power Awarded 80 MW in Italy in GSE?s First Auction - Renewable Energy Magazine

OneWeb satellite: Working to produce 15 satellites per week

Paris-based satellite industry specialists Euroconsult, in its latest report (The Space Economy Report), forecasts a spectacular future for the sector. The firms says that todays commercial revenues from manufacturing, launch and ground equipment (the upstream segment) and the downstream elements of operations and services are already worth some $298 billion at 2018 prices and values.

Euroconsult takes a look forward and says that the Upstream portion - worth $8 billion in 2018 - will grow over the following 10 years to 2028 to around $11 billion, while the Downstream segments will expand at some 5% annually to reach an impressive $474 billion by 2028.

Drilling down into the study - and important as the five key industry segments all are - but in 2018 the value of satellite navigation overtook satellite communications as the top commercial revenue sector. This might be hard to imagine, but the value of GPS-based devices is truly huge, and these days includes high-value aircraft navigation as well as the millions of vehicle and maritime GPS devices installed each year.

For example, in February it was announced that satellite operator Eutelsat, despite having a major glitch with its Eutelsat 5 West B satellite (launched in October 2019), was still able to operate its EGNOS device. EGNOS (European Global Satellite Navigation Overlay Service) is added to ordinary GPS systems making them more accurate. One end result is that aircraft can depend on its signals on their final approach to an airport, and then move safely around an airport during fog and bad weather.

Not helping conventional satellite-based TV and communications is the downward pressure on pricing. This is good for the consumer and business end-user but not so appealing to the infrastructure owners. Satellite operators are discovering that their well-established businesses are now being commoditised. The only premium for transponder rentals, for example, is the fact that millions of dishes are pointed towards a particular satellite. Moving them to another operators orbital location would be massively expensive.

Nevertheless, Euroconsult says that the satellite market will experience a radical transformation in the quantity, value and mass of the satellites to be built and launched with a four-fold increase in the number of satellites at a yearly average of 990 satellites to be launched, compared to a yearly average of 230 satellites in the previous decade. This market value will reach $292 billion over the next decade. This reflects a 28 per cent increase over the previous decade which totalled $228 billion in revenues.

This near-explosive rise in value is largely attributed to the boom in orders for smallish but numerous satellites for the mega-constellations from the likes of Elon Musks Starlink system and OneWeb.

Newcomers like OneWeb, SpaceXs Starlink or Amazons Project Kuiper are becoming the largest owners of assets in orbit, challenging the satellite industry in many ways, said Maxime Puteaux, editor-in-chief of this research product and senior consultant at Euroconsult.

These changes are characterized by several factors:

New Low (LEO) and Medium Earth (MEO) orbiting constellations are expected to account for 77% of the projected demand in the next decade driven by broadband projects like SpaceXs Starlink, OneWeb, Amazons Project Kuiper, Telesat LEO and SESs O3b mPOWER.

Starlinks plan: To build and launch up to 42,000 satellites

Source: University College, London

Incumbent Geostationary (GEO) commercial satellite operators, such as SES, Intelsat and Eutelsat are transitioning from a legacy of their established GEO broadcasting business to more data-centric use cases, impacting satellites orders.

Euroconsult says the gradual recovery of contracts will continue, following the low point of just seven new satellite orders in 2017 with demand driven by the first orders of satellites with much more sophisticated fully reconfigurable digital payloads.

DynamicThese new digital satellites are wonderful in that they can reassign spectrum dynamically and thus allow much more flexibility over their 15-20 year lifetimes in orbit.

Euroconsult expects an average of 13 GEO communications/broadcasting orders per year post-2020 based on a replacement scenario that considers the competition of Non-GEO satellite systems and the introduction of life extension services. Demand from global and regional GEO comsat operators will reach a yearly average of $8 billion over the next ten years.

Euroconsults hint that life extension services will be important. Theyre right, and the worlds first space tug or mission extension vehicle was launched in October last year, by Northrop Grumman. MEV-1 has been designed initially to mate with an old satellite (Intelsats I-901) that is very low on fuel and then take over the pointing and positioning of the old satellite.

MEV-1 brings with it a full tank of fuel. This will not be injected into the old satellite but MEV-1 will act as a space buddy (officially a Combined Vehicle Stack:), linking itself to I-901 and then taking over the normal station-keeping duties of the old satellite.

Intelsat 901 carries 72 C-band transponders and also providing Ku-band spot beam coverage for Europe, as well as C-band coverage for much of North America, all of South America, Europe and almost all of Africa.

Rescuing a craft by these means has never been done before and if the experiment succeeds means that lower-cost servicing/rescue craft could be launched and totally revolutionise the economics of satellite replacement.

Euroconsult says that Civil government agencies are projected to be the top drivers of satellite demand, accounting for 40% of the entire market value, ahead of both defense and commercial demand. This is a result of increasing interest in space science, exploration, and Earth observation. On the defense side, a new cycle of orders is beginning with new strategies and replacement satellites needed by the US, China, Russia, Japan, India and Europe.

Added together these new systems are making a dramatic difference as Euroconsult suggests. Elon Musks Starlink system has plans to build and launch up to 42,000 satellites. The first iteration sees 12,000 in place by the mid-2020s and delivering broadband to every part of the planet.

Greg Wylers OneWeb has similar ambitions and is working to produce 15 satellites per week and to start broadband services by the end of this year.

Broadband is seen as crucial in todays world, and while fibre-to-the-home is a reality for some consumers and businesses, satellite is a key component. This growth, forecast by Euroconsult, might even be an understatement.

See the article here:
Satellites: The $500 billion business | Industry Trends - IBC365

Will mankind, who is attempting to travel between systems in the universe, find a precaution to prevent the passengers from traveling on the ship from getting old? Lets discuss a little bit about this issue.

One of humanitys biggest dreams is to travel between star systems in the depths of space. But, as you know, star systems are very far apart, and when compared to the life span of a person, the duration of this journey can make a huge difference.

Thanks to the time dilation when high speeds are reached, someone who goes fast is getting slower than others. Still, even if a spaceship with humans reaches 90% of the speed of light, human life still looks like a grain of sand compared to the duration of that journey.

Is the solution to this situation to put people to sleep?Today, it is not possible to reach the speed of light with its technologies. So scientists have to find a solution to prevent the aging of those who travel on the spaceship. This solution is none other than the sleep solution that we often see in science fiction movies.

There is enough technology available today to create a solution that passivates the human body and prevents aging. A technique called bio-vitrification has been used in organ transplantation for some time. This technology, which has been used for decades, has the opportunity to facilitate space travel in the future.

Biovirtification reduces the aging of human tissue to a minimum by using a liquid that protects it from freezing effect, to almost 0. The liquid used serves to prevent the formation of ice crystals that cause cells to break down.

Although this technique is used in organ transplantation, it has not been tested in humans yet. But some companies, such as the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, offer services that protect the human body so that one day it can bring back dead people. Although these companies have not yet brought back any people, they have returned several simple organisms from death.

Protecting the brain or protecting the body?Some hospitals can also take patients to cool down to extend the time required in emergencies. Although this process is not the same as bioventilation, it is almost similar. As a result, if all known are combined one day, healthy and long-lived individuals may emerge.

So would you like to sail to even more interesting points? The company Alcor, which we just mentioned, offers people two options: First, to cover the whole body with a liquid that protects it from freezing and to protect the whole body; secondly, only protect the brain and brain stem.

So why does a person only want to protect his brain and brain stem? Because if one day manages to fix a harm that ends their life, a new clone body can be created with the use of DNA of a person who died until then. Of course, there is a very long way to go until humanity reaches this point. Although the cloning technology we are talking about is being developed today, humanity may not yet be ready for cloning a human body. By the way, we strongly recommend the 1997 movie Abre Los Ojos

See the original post here:
Will It Be Possible to Sleep People in Space Travel? - Somag News

Since the introduction of Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in 1984 in South Africa, the prospects of nuclear technology have not had a smooth trajectory. It remains the only nuclear power generation in Africa writes Knox Msebenzi, the managing director of NIASA.

At one stage, around 2007, the countrys power utility Eskom got a go-ahead to have as much as 20,000MW new nuclear installed. The approach adopted by the government was not so much to procure nuclear power plants but to build a capability by localising the industry in an aggressive way.

This is when the Nuclear Industry Association of SouthAfrica (NIASA) was formed. It was envisaged that, like South Korea, SouthAfrica would at worst become a major player in the nuclear supply chain allover the world and at best become an exporter of the technology in its ownright.

This dream was on the brink of materialising with the PebbleBed Modular Reactor (PBMR), when a political decision to terminate the programmewas taken.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) of 2010 2030 made a provision for a reduced amount of nearly 10,000MW, owing mainly to the entrance of renewable energy as a new source of power, largely embraced by the international community riding on the wave of climate change and other environmental considerations of sustainability.

Read moreIRP2019 making hay from coal while the sun shinesIRP, a balancing act for South Africas energy mix

The energy mix debate in South Africa attracted a lot of interest from international and local Non-Governmental and Civic Organisations, whose thrust was to lump nuclear technology with coal as anathema to the environment and, therefore, arguing nuclear technology must be wiped out of the face of the earth.

The environmental argument was augmented with theanti-fossil fuel lobby, cost issues and the linkage to corruption labelledagainst nuclear. A figure of R1 trillion as the cost of nuclear was peddled inthe media until it was taken as fact by the public and some politicians.

There was a rife narrative that basically equated nuclearwith corruption. All in all, the debate was highly politicised with all mannerof people leading the debate as experts on energy when in many instances thereal experts were limited by protocol to enter into it.

The anti-nuclear lobby was thus somewhat successful in waging a protracted campaign to get nuclear thrown out of the IRP and the Draft IRP of 2018 (approved by Cabinet for public comment) reflected only 2,500MW new nuclear by 2030.

The current IRP 2019 states, In the period prior to 2030,the system requirements are largely for incremental capacity addition (modular)and flexible technology.

The 2,500MW initially contemplated in IRP 2018 does not appear as the government is emphasizing the approach of small modular reactors, in keeping with the principle of doing it at a scale and pace that flexibly responds to the economy and associated electricity demand.

It also states that upfront planning with regard to additional nuclear capacity is requisite, given the greater than 10-year lead time, for timely decision making and implementation. In addition to this, the Government has made a decision regarding the design life extension of Koeberg NPP and the expansion of the nuclear power programme into the future.

In view of these considerations, nuclear does not appear in the new additional capacity up to 2030, but the policy is very clear that work must begin forthwith to realise this goal.

NIASA also believes that it would be wise to have a contingency plan to add reliable baseload power should the 2,500MW Inga hydropower be either delayed or does not materialise. Besides, as we decommission coal plants, they should be replaced by another source of reliable dispatchable power.

The Water-Energy Nexus identified in the IRP 2019 offers a huge opportunity for further nuclear expansion. South Africa is endowed with uranium (and other potential nuclear fuels) and conjunctive deployment of small modular reactors in coastal areas for electricity generation and water desalination is a low hanging fruit.

Water is a commodity that, unlike electricity, can easily be stored. All the coastal areas are currently receiving power mainly from Mpumalanga. If nuclear plants are erected in these coastal areas, any plant failures on the remaining coal plants could be mitigated by loadshedding water desalination capacity, without installing any additional transmission capacity.

There are countries with highly populated cities in this world who have never heard about Day Zero like was the case in Cape Town recently and yet some of these places do not get a drop of rain. They use their natural endowments to literally boil seawater and condense the steam into potable water.

Read moreIs Cape Towns Day Zero water threat over?Thyspunt nuclear project, a missed opportunity for water security

In fact, if sufficient capacity is installed, it would bepossible to turn certain areas in the Northern Cape and the Karoo into greenzones, for instance. The Middle East could provide ample and appropriate casestudies for South Africa to emulate.

One of the adjectives commonly used to describe nuclear power plants is that they are inflexible. To some extent that is true because they have been designed that way. If it does not make a difference cost-wise, whether one is running at 30% or 100% capacity, why would one want to reduce the power output, hence they are designed to run flat out.

The French power system, because of its high proportion of nuclear in the energy mix, has nuclear plants with load following capabilities incorporated at the design stage. The expansion of nuclear power generation would provide the necessary bedrock to further develop many other nuclear technologies that are not power related.

Examples that come to mind are nuclear applications in medicine, agriculture and industry. In medicine, the well-known radioisotope manufacturing plant at Pelindaba is a case in point. Nuclear technologies are also used in a variety of applications in disease control and irradiation of fruits and vegetables to give them long shelf life.

A scaling down of the nuclear power programme may have an undesirable negative knock-on effect on other nuclear technologies. As the undisputed industrial leader on the African continent, it is absolutely prudent that we strengthen our civil nuclear capability. Many African countries have either embarked or are about to on some nuclear programme.

It is no secret that they would be looking forward to getting assistance in doing so. This will not be on a charity basis but a business opportunity to export skills and expertise. All our BRICS counterparts are seriously pursuing both nuclear and renewable energy.

NIASA, therefore, believes the future of nuclear is very bright.

Op-Ed by Knox Msebenzi, managing director of the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA).

View original post here:
Op-Ed: Prospects of nuclear power generation in SA's energy mix - ESI Africa

(KOB) Its an organ that can sometimes be neglected, even though it has a very important role.. the thyroid.

Specialists say it is very important to get it checked regularly, because if there are any thyroid diseases it can compromise your health.

Whitney Marquez noticed a lump on her neck and says she didnt really think anything of it.

After a few tests..

It turned out I had not only thyroid cancer in this side, but also on the other side where I didnt have a bump either, said Marquez.

Whitney Marquez is now cancer free following treatment.

Her cancer is just one of the few things that could go wrong with the butterfly shaped organ in front of the neck.

Dr. Lisa Ereifej an endocrinology specialist explained the importance of the thyroid.

It produces the thyroid hormone. Its secreted directly to the blood, and it goes to every single tissue in the body, said Ereifej.

Dr Ereifej says the hormone produced helps regulate the body organs.

But thyroid diseases could compromise your health, even if it isnt cancerous.

The most common structure problem that we see in a thyroid in our clinic is thyroid nodules, explained Dr. Ereifej, So its simple a lump in the thyroid. Sometimes patients have no symptoms at all. The other part is a thyroid function problem. So your thyroid is either making too much thyroid hormone or too little thyroid hormone.

Sometimes there arent any symptoms but if you are experiencing anxiety, fast heart beat, weight fluctuations, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping, visit your doctor.

If you catch it on time, there is treatment that can help stabilize the issue.

We know our own bodies. If something shows up that just seems kind of out of place, get it checked out, said Marquez.

Medical experts recommend regular thyroid checkups. They say, if left untreated, it could lead to long term health issues.

Read this article:
The importance of a regular thyroid check - WSAV-TV

Orgasms are a very common human phenomenon. The physical and mental health benefits have been researched frequently as a result, and yet, there is still so much to be learned about how our bodies and brains react to the chemicals and hormones released during and after experiencing this type of sexual release.

"The amount of speculation versus actual data on both the function and value of orgasm is remarkable" explains Julia Heiman, director of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction.

Masturbation causes a rush of dopamine, which is a chemical that is associated with our ability to feel pleasure. Along with the rush of dopamine that is released during an orgasm, there is also a release of a hormone called oxytocin, which is commonly referred to as the "love hormone."

This concoction of chemicals does more than just boost our mood, it also can play a key role in decreasing stress and promoting relaxation. Oxytocin decreases cortisol, which is a stress hormone that is usually present (in high volumes) during times of anxiety, fear, panic, or distress.

According to BDSM and fetish researcher Dr. Gloria Brame, an orgasm is the biggest non-drug induced blast of dopamine that we can experience.

By boosting the oxytocin and dopamine levels and subsequently decreasing our cortisol levels, the brain is placed in a more relaxed, euphoric, and calm state.

Sexual arousal and orgasm increase the number of white blood cells in the body, making it easier to fight infection and illness.

Image by Yurchanka Siarhei on Shutterstock

How do those effects on the brain from reaching orgasm translate to boosting our immune system and making our body healthier?

The increase of oxytocin and dopamine that causes a decrease in cortisol levels can help boost our immune system because cortisol (well-known for being a stress-inducing hormone) actually helps maintain your immune system if released in small doses.

According to Dr. Jennifer Landa, a hormone-therapy specialist, masturbation can produce the right kind of environment for a strengthened immune system to thrive.

A study conducted by the Department of Medical Psychology at the University Clinic of Essen (in Germany) showed similar results. A group of 11 volunteers were asked to participate in a study that would look at the effects of orgasm through masturbation on the white blood cell count and immune system.

During this experiment, the white blood cell count of each participant was analyzed through measures that were taken 5 minutes before and 45 minutes after reaching a self-induced orgasm.

The results confirmed that sexual arousal and orgasm increased the number of white blood cells, particularly the natural killer cells that help fight off infections.

The findings confirm that our immune system is positively affected by sexual arousal and self-induced orgasm and promote even more research into the positive impacts of sexual arousal and orgasm.

Orgasms help minimize pain and promote relaxation which can help boost our immune system.

Photo by Marko Aliaksandr on Shutterstock

The benefits of masturbation have long been debated, but the more research that is done on the topic the more we understand that there are many positive reactions that happen in our bodies and brains when we orgasm.

Orgasms can help prevent or mitigate pain, which boosts the immune system, preventing cold and flu symptoms.

According to neurologist and headache specialist Stefan Evers, about one in three patients experience relief from migraine attacks by experiencing sexual activity or orgasm. Evers and his team conducted an experiment with 800 migraine patients and 200 patients who suffered from cluster-headaches to see how their experiences with sexual activity impacted their pain levels.

The study showed that 60% of migraine sufferers experienced pain relief after participating in sexual activity that resulted in orgasm. Of the cluster-headache sufferers, about 50% said their headaches actually worsened after sexual arousal and orgasm.

Evers suggested in his findings that the people who did not experience pain relief from migraines of headaches during their sexual activity did not release as large amounts of endorphins as those who did experience pain relief.

According to rheumatologist Dr. Harris McIlwain, people who suffer from chronic pain have immune systems that are simply not functioning at full capacity - therefore, alleviating pain (through orgasm, as an example) can help boost the immune system.

Orgasms can also promote relaxation and make it easier to fall asleep. Serotonin, oxytocin, and norepinephrine are all hormones that are released during sexual arousal and orgasm, and all three are known for counteracting stress hormones and promoting relaxation, which makes it much easier for you to fall asleep.

There are several studies showing that serotonin and norepinephrine help our body cycle through REM and deep non-REM sleeping cycles. During these sleep cycles, the immune system releases proteins called cytokines, which target infection and inflammation. This is a critical part of our immune response. Cytokines are both produced and released throughout our bodies while we sleep, which proves the importance of a good sleep schedule to a healthy immune system.

The immune system is a balanced network of cells and organs that work together to defend you against infections and diseases by stopped threats like bacteria and viruses from entering your system. While there are many things we need to do to keep our immune systems functioning at optimal levels, masturbation (or other means of achieving orgasm) has proven to have positive effects on the immune system as a whole.

Just as bad habits (such as an inconsistent sleep schedule or harmful chemicals in your body) can slow your immune system, positive habits (such as a healthy sleep schedule and active sex life) can help boost your immune system.

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Is masturbation the new cold & flu medicine? - Big Think

When left untreated, a UTI in the lower urinary tract can spread to the kidneys, which can lead to serious health issues and possibly even be life-threatening. The symptoms of a kidney infection can include fever, chills, a burning sensation while you pee, nausea, vomiting, blood in your urine, foul-smelling pee, and pain in your back, side, abdomen, or groin, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Those are the tell-tale signs of a UTI, Dr. Dweck says. The tell-tale signs of a yeast infection are very different.

Yeast infections happen when a fungus known as Candida builds up too much in your body and wreaks havoc. Candida isnt actually always a cause for concern, though. In fact, the CDC says its normal to find Candida in warm, moist (sorry) body parts like your throat, mouth, gut, and, you guessed it, vagina. Candida can become a problem, however, when it overgrows to the point of causing an infection.

What can contribute to this overgrowth of Candida in the vagina specifically? Well, Candida exists alongside bacteria called Lactobacillus that help to maintain the crucial balance of microorganisms in the vagina, the Mayo Clinic explains. Changes in estrogen (like from pregnancy, birth control, and hormone therapies) can throw off this balance, as can taking medications like antibiotics. Wearing damp clothes next to your vagina for too long can also increase your risk, as it creates a wet, Candida-friendly environment, the Mayo Clinic says. (This is why changing out of your swimsuit, workout leggings, and the like ASAP is always a good idea.)

Then theres the question of how to tell the symptoms of a yeast infection apart from those of a UTI. We hate to break it to you, but there can be some similaritiesnamely, a burning sensation, especially when you pee, according to the Mayo Clinic. The other possible symptoms of a yeast infection are pretty different from those of a UTI; they include itchiness, irritation, swelling of the vulva, and the hallmark thick, white discharge that doesnt have an odor. If somebodys got a white cottage-cheese dischargeand the vulva looks swollen and red, thats probably a yeast infection, Dr. Minkin says. Yeast infections can also cause watery vaginal discharge, for what its worth.

Both of these issues suck all-around, but we hope shame isnt part of your discomfort. Every year there are an estimated 1.4 million outpatient visits for yeast infections in the United States, the CDC says, (and given the prevalence of over-the-counter treatments, the exact number of cases is unknown). The Mayo Clinic estimates that 75% of women have had a yeast infection at some point in their lives.

UTIs are also pretty run-of-the-mill, with about 40 to 60% of women experiencing one in their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

All this means that if you have either of these infections, youre not alone. Whats more, you have treatment options.

The issue is not just that these two infections require different medications to relieve you of your symptoms. Its also that if you try to treat what you think is a yeast infection with over-the-counter meds when its really a UTI (which you can only treat with a prescription), you could eventually be at risk for a kidney infection, or at the very least not actually get rid of your UTI. Youre not going to get better, Dr. Minkin says bluntly about using the wrong treatment.

View original post here:
UTI or Yeast Infection: How to Tell the Difference - Self

Sex Educations second season premiered on Netflix earlier this month, continuing the streaming services steady outpouring of edgy, weird, hormone-centric exclusives. Over the past few years, Sex Education, along with The End of the F***ing World, and Big Mouth, have amassed a cult following among teenagers and young adults.

First released in January of last year, the show quickly became a fan-favorite for its diversity and positive message about sex. Following up right where season one left off, this season continues exploring the antics of Moordale Secondary School studentsspecifically those of resident sex therapist-wannabe Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) as he deals with his complicated relationship with his new girlfriend Ola Nyman (Patricia Allison) and his lingering feelings for his sex-clinic business partner Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey).

This season, however, dials the weirdness up to eleven. Right from the get-go, it becomes obvious that theyre not going to hold back, clearly shown with a horrifyingly-vivid montage of Otis masturbating in increasingly-public locations, culminating with him getting caught by his sex-therapist mom Jean (Gillian Anderson) in her car. This display of unrestraint serves a prelude for the rest of the season, setting up Jeans involvement in the actual sex education of her son and his peers. His mothers involvement in his school starts to pose problems for Otis and Maeves sex clinic, as their clients start flocking to her scholarly, free advice. Even more problems arise for their sex clinic as Otis girlfriend Ola starts to feel jealous about his previous feelings for Maeve and demands that he stop talking to her.

While I personally dont like when shows centered around teenagers start to focus too heavily on the parents (cough cough, Gossip Girl), Sex Education figures out how best to balance the two in a way that doesnt detract the shows primary viewers, teenagers and young adults. The issues that the adults in Sex Education face clearly mirror those of the primary characters. For example, Maureen Groffs (Samantha Spiro) increasing frustration with her husband (Alistair Pettrie) ignoring her leads her to seek advice from Jean, and later, file for divorce.

In dealing with its main theme of sex-positivity, the show departs from its previous season by not specifically developing these ideas through the course of the sex clinic, but rather through the events that surround itfocusing more on the lives of people outside of them giving or receiving therapy. Theres more of an emphasis on the characters relationships, showcasing a more direct and practical display of sex-positivity. Characters like bad-boy Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) and Lilys (Tanya Reynolds) gradual acceptance of their sexuality, Otis romantic relationships, his best friend Erics (Ncuti Gatwa) newfound confidence with his sexuality, and the relationships of all the parents highlight the main message of the show: you love who you love.

Go here to see the original:
An Embrace of Weirdness: Sex Education Returns To Netflix - The Georgetown Voice

Its as big weekend for the Hunt family, whose Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for the first time in half a century. They lost their beloved patriarch, Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, to prostate cancer in 2006, when he was just 74.

This would be just a dream for Lamar, Norma Hunt, Lamar Hunts widow, said at the presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy named for the iconic sports team owner after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship game. He loved the fans more than any person that Ive ever known.

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Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hoists the Lamar Hunt trophy, named after his deceased father, with his mother Norma Hunt (C) after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Nikon D5, Manual exposure ISO 2000, f/4 at 1/640, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday. Nikon D850, Aperture Priority, ISO 1000, f/4.5 at 1/1000, EV -.7, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 lens at 40mm. #kansascityphotographer #nikonlove #justgoshoot #sports #reedhoffmannphotography #kcchiefs #chiefs #football #photojournalism #photojournalist #normahunt #clarkhunt

A post shared by Reed Hoffmann (@reedhoffmann) on Jan 21, 2020 at 4:39pm PST

At 26, Hunt, whose father was an oil tycoon, desperately wanted to own a football team. Having the means, he made the bold choice to start his own league. The AFL debuted in 1960 with eight teams, including Hunts own Dallas Texans. The Texans held their own against the NFLs Dallas Cowboys, but after battling it out in Dallas for three years, Hunt moved his team to Kansas City in 1963 and renamed them the Chiefs. Talks eventually lead to the merger of the AFL and the NFL.

Legend has it that Hunt coined the term super bowl a riff on a toy his children played with called a super ball.

Hunt was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998, according to the Chiefs website. Hebattled cancer for several years and then was hospitalized just before Thanksgiving in 2006 due to a partially collapsed lung, reported theAshland Tidings. It said that doctors discovered that the cancer had spread. He died that December.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the American Cancer Society estimates that over 33,000 men will die from the disease in 2020. But as we continue to see advances in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, deaths from the disease are declining sharply. Between 1993 and 2017, the death rate for prostate cancer fell 52%, according to a study from the American Cancer Institute published this year.

RELATED VIDEO:Dr. James Brooks, a urologic oncologist at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, discusses current guidelines for prostate cancer screening

There have certainly been some major changes, advancements and new treatments for the disease in the last 14 years, Dr. Frank Jevnikar, a urologist in the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute at Cleveland Clinic, tells SurvivorNet.

Techniques for screening and diagnosis have also changed tremendously since Hunts 1998 diagnosis. Now instead of relying on biopsies, we use MRI scans to assess not only the likelihood of having prostate cancer, but also to pinpoint the location of tumors, he says.

The evolution of prostate cancer treatments over the past decade means more men are now surviving the disease. Even treatments that have been in use for decades have improved and become more effective. Hormone therapy is one example.

RELATED:Good News for Prostate Cancer Patients a Promising New Procedure with Lower Risk of Impotence

We now have new drugs that are much more effective at manipulating a patients hormone levels to halt the spread and progression of prostate cancer, Dr. Christopher George, a hematologist and oncologist at Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor, tells SurvivorNet.RELATED:Vegetable-Rich Diet Wont Stop or Slow Prostate Cancer, New Study Shows

Radiation is another area thats seen many advancements, including more precise dosing to target prostate cancer cells. Proton beam therapy appears to be every bit as effective as conventional radiation and may have fewer side effects, says Dr. George. And for more advanced disease we are now able to inject radioactive particles into the bloodstream where they find and bind to prostate cancer cells.

RELATED:A Crucial Message: Ben Stillers Candid Account About Sex After Prostate Cancer

If removal of the prostate is necessary, that operation called a radical prostatectomy has also changed tremendously.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic technology has revolutionized radical prostatectomy, allowing surgeons to better visualize the anatomy and perform more precise reconstruction after removal of the prostate gland, says Dr. Jevnikar. This also means fewer issues with side effectssuch as sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinencethat used to be common and expected after surgery.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Sally Wadyka is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colo., who specializes in health, nutrition, fitness and beauty topics. Read More

Its as big weekend for the Hunt family, whose Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl for the first time in half a century. They lost their beloved patriarch, Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, to prostate cancer in 2006, when he was just 74.

This would be just a dream for Lamar, Norma Hunt, Lamar Hunts widow, said at the presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy named for the iconic sports team owner after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship game. He loved the fans more than any person that Ive ever known.

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Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt hoists the Lamar Hunt trophy, named after his deceased father, with his mother Norma Hunt (C) after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Nikon D5, Manual exposure ISO 2000, f/4 at 1/640, Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 lens. Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium Sunday. Nikon D850, Aperture Priority, ISO 1000, f/4.5 at 1/1000, EV -.7, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 lens at 40mm. #kansascityphotographer #nikonlove #justgoshoot #sports #reedhoffmannphotography #kcchiefs #chiefs #football #photojournalism #photojournalist #normahunt #clarkhunt

A post shared by Reed Hoffmann (@reedhoffmann) on Jan 21, 2020 at 4:39pm PST

At 26, Hunt, whose father was an oil tycoon, desperately wanted to own a football team. Having the means, he made the bold choice to start his own league. The AFL debuted in 1960 with eight teams, including Hunts own Dallas Texans. The Texans held their own against the NFLs Dallas Cowboys, but after battling it out in Dallas for three years, Hunt moved his team to Kansas City in 1963 and renamed them the Chiefs. Talks eventually lead to the merger of the AFL and the NFL.

Legend has it that Hunt coined the term super bowl a riff on a toy his children played with called a super ball.

Hunt was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1998, according to the Chiefs website. Hebattled cancer for several years and then was hospitalized just before Thanksgiving in 2006 due to a partially collapsed lung, reported theAshland Tidings. It said that doctors discovered that the cancer had spread. He died that December.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and the American Cancer Society estimates that over 33,000 men will die from the disease in 2020. But as we continue to see advances in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, deaths from the disease are declining sharply. Between 1993 and 2017, the death rate for prostate cancer fell 52%, according to a study from the American Cancer Institute published this year.

RELATED VIDEO:Dr. James Brooks, a urologic oncologist at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, discusses current guidelines for prostate cancer screening

There have certainly been some major changes, advancements and new treatments for the disease in the last 14 years, Dr. Frank Jevnikar, a urologist in the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute at Cleveland Clinic, tells SurvivorNet.

Techniques for screening and diagnosis have also changed tremendously since Hunts 1998 diagnosis. Now instead of relying on biopsies, we use MRI scans to assess not only the likelihood of having prostate cancer, but also to pinpoint the location of tumors, he says.

The evolution of prostate cancer treatments over the past decade means more men are now surviving the disease. Even treatments that have been in use for decades have improved and become more effective. Hormone therapy is one example.

RELATED:Good News for Prostate Cancer Patients a Promising New Procedure with Lower Risk of Impotence

We now have new drugs that are much more effective at manipulating a patients hormone levels to halt the spread and progression of prostate cancer, Dr. Christopher George, a hematologist and oncologist at Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Delnor, tells SurvivorNet.RELATED:Vegetable-Rich Diet Wont Stop or Slow Prostate Cancer, New Study Shows

Radiation is another area thats seen many advancements, including more precise dosing to target prostate cancer cells. Proton beam therapy appears to be every bit as effective as conventional radiation and may have fewer side effects, says Dr. George. And for more advanced disease we are now able to inject radioactive particles into the bloodstream where they find and bind to prostate cancer cells.

RELATED:A Crucial Message: Ben Stillers Candid Account About Sex After Prostate Cancer

If removal of the prostate is necessary, that operation called a radical prostatectomy has also changed tremendously.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic technology has revolutionized radical prostatectomy, allowing surgeons to better visualize the anatomy and perform more precise reconstruction after removal of the prostate gland, says Dr. Jevnikar. This also means fewer issues with side effectssuch as sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinencethat used to be common and expected after surgery.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Sally Wadyka is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, Colo., who specializes in health, nutrition, fitness and beauty topics. Read More

Read more:
Lamar Hunts Super Bowl Dream: The Kansas City Chiefs Owner Would Be So Proud of His Team - SurvivorNet

Article courtesy of: Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, one of the world's top cardiologists, best selling author, lecturer, and expert in plant-based nutrition & holistic care.

Actor George Burns said that you cant stop getting older, but you dont have to get old. Considering he lived to be 100 and was active until just before his death, his words have more impact than most. The scientific pursuit of understanding aging is robust, and significant amounts of money are being spent on researching strategies to delay or reverse the damage aging creates. I have participated in studies where my entire genome has been sequenced as part of a growing database relating our DNA code to health. While you might not have had your entire genome sequenced, there are steps you can take now to minimize aging in your body. It is important to understand what inflammation is, how it relates to aging (sometimes called inflammaging), and how one food group, meat, promotes inflammaging.

Inflammation is a complex process in which cells and chemicals in our bodies fight infections and other threats, and it can be activated acutely or long-term. If a threat is detected by the immune system, chemicals like histamine are released that cause blood vessels to dilate, permitting white blood cells to arrive to clean up the area.

While inflammation can protect our health when its an acute response like a bug bite or infection, chronic inflammation is a different story. Many medical illnesses are caused by the chronic activation of inflammatory pathways. These include asthma, acne, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and even atherosclerosis of heart arteries. In fact, in 1856 Rudolf Virchow proposed that arterial disease was an inflammation of blood vessels and recently the role of inflammation in initiating heart disease events was proved. You want to do everything you can to avoid increased levels of chronic inflammation and the ability to measure inflammatory status in blood tests has advanced greatly. Patients in my preventive clinic get half a dozen tests like the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to assess inflammation.

More than half of our immune defenses are located in our gastrointestinal tract to monitor the foods that we eat. Foods can be inflammatory and initiate a chronic response if eaten over and over, and other foods can be anti-inflammatory. It is important to consider the question of whether meat can sustain inflammation and promote aging. Ive found that the data favors that meat is a source of inflammaging you might want to avoid.

1. Meat elevates C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

Elevations of hs-CRP predict the development of serious illness including cardiovascular disease. Multiple studies have found that, even after correcting for confounding factors, meat consumption associates with increased hs-CRP. A recent basic science study performed in mice demonstrated that an amino acid found in high levels in meat, methionine, increased oxidative stress and inflammation and actually reduced heart strength too. A human study just published related meat intake to higher levels of arachidonic acid, another mediator that promotes inflammation and aging, and a diet low or absent in meat was recommended for optimal health.

2. Meat causes insulin resistance.

Another route by which cellular aging may progress is the development of insulin resistance. Scientists looked at how eating certain foods affects the release of insulin. Surprisingly, some protein-rich and fat-rich meats induced as much insulin secretion as did some carbohydrate-rich foods (e.g., beef was equal to brown rice). The researchers found that fish, beef, cheese, and eggs had larger insulin responses per gram than many carbohydrate foods. The scientific fact that meat is insulinogenic is rarely mentioned and may contribute to aging.

3. Meat raises insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) levels.

IGF-1 is a peptide hormone stimulating cell growth. Its also linked to higher risk of breast and prostate cancers. Meat eaters consistently have higher levels of IGF-1 than vegetarians or vegans. Breast and prostate cancers are rare in traditional Asian communities, which have a very low intake of meat products. Okinawans, some of the longest-living people on the planet, eat a diet with less than 10 percent of their daily calories from meat. A plant-based fasting-mimicking diet has been shown to reduce levels of IGF-1, which has an anti-aging effect.

4. Meat produces Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO).

In 2011, researchers from the Cleveland Clinic demonstrated that meat eaters produced a metabolite that promotes heart disease, called TMAO. Of great interest, TMAO was not elevated in vegans who were asked to eat a meat meal for the purposes of the study. In my clinic, I routinely measure levels of TMAO, and my patients eating meat on a regular basis have elevated measurements. I worry they are aging prematurely and counsel them to substitute beans for beef.

5. Meat can lead to the accumulations of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

POPs are toxic synthetic chemicals that accumulate in fat. Some of the POPs are PCBs, dioxins, DDT, and flame retardants used in clothing and furniture. They disrupt endocrine pathways and are linked to cancer, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. POPs enter our body largely from animal products that we eat. For example, levels of PCBs in animal fat found in meat is much higher than the levels found in vegetables, fruits, and cereals.

6. Meat contains Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs).

AGEs are naturally occurring compounds in food and can be increased by cooking on dry heat, such as on a grill. AGEs are associated with a variety of diseases including brain inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Levels of AGEs found in meat are many multiples higher than in any fruit or vegetable. The irony of the chemical term AGE is not to be missed as increased levels of AGEs lead to premature aging and are best avoided by skipping the meat entirely.

A recent scientific review article stated one of the most consistent epidemiological associations between diet and human disease risk is the impact of red meat consumption (beef, pork and lamb, particularly in processed forms). While the risk estimates vary, associations are reported with all-cause mortality, colorectal and other carcinomas, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and possibly other inflammatory processes. While the quality of meat such as grain or grass-fed may have a small impact on inflammation in limited studies, meats of all types will favor inflammation and aging. Of course, no matter what you choose to eat, fill as much of your plate as possible with the most proven inflammation-fighters and anti-agers around: vegetables.

See original here:
This Food Is Causing Inflammation & Making You Age Way Faster - Anti Aging News

The menopause is something every woman knows she will eventually have to deal with. At what age, how long for and what symptoms she will have, however, vary widely. Thats what makes this stage of life so difficult to define, because one woman is nothing like her mother, her sister, her aunt or her friend. Everybodys body and hormonal balance is individual, but we must understand the basics in order to figure out how to best tackle our own reality.

The only experience Dubai resident Anna Yates, 66, had of the menopause before she started going through it had been that of her mothers. She was completely doolally for a couple of years, she says with a laugh. We never knew what she was up to next she used to do all sorts of crazy things. That included going to court for shoplifting when she accidentally put a loaf of bread in her own bag rather than the trolley. Fortunately she had a good doctor who went with her to court to say: Look, this womans going through the menopause, so she doesnt know what day of the week it is, never mind where her bread is.

Thankfully, for Britain-born Yates, who has been going through menopause for the past 15 years, her experience was not like her mothers. I was not looking forward to it, but it was nothing like that for me. The most inconvenient symptoms she experienced were spotting and night sweats. It was much easier than I expected it to be.

The menopause is the time that marks the end of a womans menstrual cycles. Menopause happens to every woman, but very few actually know much about it, says Alexandra Collishaw, a physiotherapist and clinical lead at Dubai clinic OptimalTherapy. Collishaw has worked in Dubai since 2011 and specialises in womens health physiotherapy, treating complaints such as pelvic floor issues, reduced muscle strength, and aches that can be common during menopause. We hear stories about hormone replacement and hot flushes, but that is about as much as most women know.

Menopause can start, on average, between the ages of 40 and 58, she explains. It starts with the perimenopausal stage, which can last between two and 15 years. This is when a womans menstrual cycle becomes irregular. Once you have gone without a period for 12 months, then you will be diagnosed with having reached the menopause stage. This is associated with hot flushes, poor sleep, weight gain, incontinence, night sweats, emotional changes, dry skin, decreased libido and vaginal dryness, joint pains, headaches and memory loss, says Collishaw, adding that some of these symptoms will also be present when perimenopausal. You are post-menopausal when these symptoms start to fade away and you start to get your energy back.

Yates, who is a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, believes her relatively easy experience of The Change has a lot to do with the lack of stress in her life. My body wasnt so busy making stress hormones and so it could make the hormones to help me get through the menopause, she explains. There are some women who sail through the menopause because theyve got very easy lives. If youve got a stressful life, chaotic husband, crazy kids, stressful job, youre so busy making the hormones to cope with that.

Dr Tara Wyne, clinical psychologist and director of wellness clinic The Lighthouse Arabia, agrees that mental health can have a huge impact. I think going through the menopause is primarily associated with a sense of loss; not having a menstrual cycle means being unable to conceive and a critical shift in identity and status, she explains. Women often catastrophise and imagine the worst outcomes, like significant weight gain, loss of sexuality and many other visible and humiliating symptoms. Dr Wyne adds that women can often feel inferior to or jealous of others who can still reproduce and having no control over this phase of life makes them fearful. Lack of acceptance of this phase can result in a less resilient coping response and a much greater sense of impact than is strictly necessary.

The other reason Yates found it so easy to cope was because she used hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can come in the form of pills, patches or creams. At first, she took the regular HRT treatment, but then, seven years ago, her gynecologist put her on bioidentical hormones man-made hormones derived from plant oestrogen designed to be chemically identical with those the human body produces. I was told I could stay on it forever if I wanted to, but I thought Id be sensible and try and carry on without it, says Yates, who was concerned about reports that show oestrogen increases the risk of getting breast cancer.

Over the years, HRT has caused controversy, but not all of it is true, says Dr Aagje Bais, a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at Mediclinic Arabian Ranches. There was this big study done when they found people using it had increased risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer and cardiovascular disease, she explains. But we found out that by really analysing the data [that] these ladies were over 60 years of age and used HRT for longer than five years It is a balance and you have to find what is suitable for you.

Everybody responds differently to the menopause, everybody has different symptoms

Dr Aagje Bais, consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, Mediclinic Arabian Ranches

Importantly, says Dr Bais, women need to know that they dont have to suffer through uncomfortable symptoms. Everybody responds differently to the menopause, everybody has different symptoms. Some people say it is what it is and thats fine, but a lot of females struggle and it gets in the way of their day-to-day activities. In this case, you should do something about it. However, this also depends on affordability, as many insurance companies operating in the UAE exclude HRT and menopause treatments in their health coverage.

Depending on the troubling symptoms you have, there are a range of treatments to opt for, she adds. One of the most recent interesting advancements in medicine for menopause is vaginal laser treatment, which has been used for vaginal atrophy, she explains. You have dryness, urinary tract infections, infections, bleeding that can all be treated quite easily with laser treatment. [It] has had some good results so far. Of course its not been on the market that long, but as far as I can see, people are happy with the effects.

Another recently announced treatment by British company ProFam that caught the medical industrys attention promises to delay the onset of menopause by as many as 20 years. However, it will be a few years before this kind of procedure, which involves performing keyhole surgery to remove a small piece of ovarian tissue, is available in the UAE.

Yates, for one, highly recommends seeking medical advice when its necessary. If youre struggling, then look for help, she says. If the first doctor you go to says get on with it, then go somewhere else. Wait until you find a doctor who is sympathetic with the challenges of going through the menopause not all doctors are.

Some women prefer to go through it alone and tackle this natural biological process without medicine. Paula Newby, 60, an entrepreneur who lives in Dubai, has been going through the menopause for the past 10 years. Before she started, shed had her uterus removed, so her doctor suggested oestrogen patches instead of full HRT to manage her menopause symptoms as they have a lower cancer risk, Newby explains. I tried them, but I didnt sense there was any real impact. Im not a pill-popping person. If I dont need something, I dont take it I come from a family who generally dont reach for the medicine cabinet very quickly. We tend to crack on and get on with it.

So, Newby turned to natural remedies, such as evening primrose oil and the herb, black cohosh. Im afraid I was too impatient with those. They take a while to take effect. Instead, she reduced her alcohol and coffee intake, adopted a primarily vegetarian diet, and started intermittent fasting, which shes found has helped enormously. Ive battled through, really.

Dr Marilyn Glenville, a leading nutritionist in the UK who specialises in womens health, is a big proponent of diet and lifestyle change when it comes to managing nasty symptoms. The more you can look after yourself, especially during those early perimenopause years, the more comfortable and easier the transition through the actual menopause can be, Glenville explains. The menopause is a time of change and the female hormones are going to be fluctuating up and down at this stage. What you eat as you go through [it] can make the difference between having a difficult or easy menopause.

Research has shown that eating oily fish, which contains omega-3 essential fatty acids, could delay the menopause by three years, Glenville says. They stimulate antioxidant capacity in your body and antioxidants help to slow down the ageing process in general and that would include your ovaries, too.

Eating a good amount of legumes, beans and soya products, which are phytoestrogens, are also thought to help delay onset, cushioning the effects of the hormone roller coaster women go on and helping to balance hormones, she adds. On the other hand, eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates can cause you to reach the menopause a year and a half early. This is because foods such as white rice and white pasta can cause problems with blood sugar and lead to insulin resistance, she explains.

Collishaw, who recently completed a postgraduate course focusing on the menopause, also has plenty of advice for women going down the all-natural route. Ensuring that your levels of vitamin D and vitamin B are optimal can assist in improving your liver function, which is important in optimising your hormone balance, she explains. Vitamin C can help to improve your gut microbiome thus helping with mood by optimising the gut-brain axis.

Curcumin has been reported to help aches and pains, sage with hot flushes and rosemary for brain function so these may all be things to introduce into your diet along with the polyphenols, such as dark berries, to help modulate inflammation in the gut.

Whether you use pills or not, Newby says she feels strongly that these things need to be talked about in a more open forum so that women, when they get to a certain age, are going in with their eyes open. When they do find themselves waking up to start the day and feeling terribly emotional and tearful, they dont have to feel like theyre going mad.

Collishaw agrees that education is key, as a study by BodyLogic MD Survey in 2018 found that only 19 per cent of perimenopausal women were moderately aware of menopause expectations, she explains. That same study showed the 53 per cent of women who were not informed, felt angry about what was happening to them. We know that knowledge is power and acceptance, and an understanding of menopause often leads to feelings of healthiness and relief So it is vital that we get the information out to ladies about what is happening, and empowering them so that they can control their own symptoms and make informed decisions regarding areas such as hormone and supplement therapy.

I encourage women to be radically self-compassionate, understand that menopause may cause some struggle and suffering, but that they should meet this with kindness

Dr Tara Wyne, clinical psychologist and director of wellness clinic The Lighthouse Arabia

Dr Baiss advice is simple: Discuss it. Discuss your situation with someone who you trust or you like a doctor or a friend or family to see how other people experience menopause and do realise everyone is different. They might have some tips on how they dealt with certain complaints.

Above all, dont be shy and dont feel ashamed, she advises. There are solutions. Sometimes its not easy to find the right solution and it takes time, but there are always solutions.

From a mental health standpoint, Dr Wyne echoes this sentiment. I encourage women to be radically self-compassionate, understand that menopause may cause some struggle and suffering, but that they should meet this with kindness, a lack of judgment and acceptance that this is part of our journey and our identity. Women need to uphold that their life experience can still be enriched and we can still be of great value and experience joy, despite menopause.

And thats whether you accidentally steal a loaf of bread or not.

Updated: February 2, 2020 11:28 AM

Read the original:
Hot flushes and HRT: everything you need to know about the menopause explained - The National

Stylist contributor Francesca Brown goes to a wellbeing spa on the Spanish coastto tackle her sleep issues.

Im 1,200 miles away from home and 30 minutes away from bedtime in a Spanish nurses office. Shes hooking me up to a portable sleep polygraph with tubes up my nose and a monitor clipped to my index finger to measure my oxygen intake and breathing. Just to say, you probably wont sleep that well tonight, she cheerfully briefs me. All I can think is plus ca change because me and 3am hang out on a nightly basis.

At that witching hour, Ill be wide awake, my anxious mind squirrelling away on deadlines, forgotten birthdays, that time in 2009 when I had to send emails to new colleagues apologising for my behaviour at the Christmas party Ill snatch a couple of hours sleep and wake at 7am a walking zombie grumpy, impatient and unable to concentrate on work. So when the pioneering SHA Wellness Clinic on the Costa Blanca in Spain asks Stylist for a sleep guinea pig for three nights, I am the first to stick my weary hand in the air.

Acclaimed for its pioneering 360-degree holistic approach to health, the SHA mixes state-of- the-art Western medicine (genetics, ozone therapy, hormone treatments) with the traditional (Chinese medicine, yoga, tai chi) all underpinned by macrobiotic menus and bespoke wellbeing and fitness regimes designed to boost health, detoxes and, crucially, sleep.

Plus, they mean business: three days before my stay Im asked for my mattress and pillow preferences. The SHA app also recommends I forgo caffeine, meat and processed foods in favour of herbal teas and organic veg served with wholegrains in preparation for my treatment.

Thank god I do because arriving at SHA is a culture shock. It looks like a vast cruise liner has run into a mountain with sweeping views over the bay of Altea. It boasts luxury suites, a wellness clinic, a chef, two pools, a fitness area, a hydrotherapy complex, the SHAmadi restaurant, SHA boutique and the SHApel (for your spiritual needs); everything is pristine and dedicated to your wellbeing. The unfailingly lovely staff just want you to feel great.

Its also a full-on first day of appointments where theres a health examination; a medical consultation in which Im prescribed magnesium before bed to aid sleep; a nutrition consultation which recommends SHAs Biolight menu lots of miso soup, fish, pickles, tofu and seitan along with personalised herbal teas including shiitake to help me relax.

A meeting with Dr Mera, aka the sleep doctor, is booked in for 7.45am the next day and hes passionate about the importance of rest. Arms flying, he advises everyone needs good sleep hygiene: walk around barefoot to support the meridian lines that run through our bodies according to Chinese medicine, dont drink cold water, sleep with lavender under a pillow, go to sleep every night at 10.30pm and get over 50 hours of sleep a week waking at 5am every day.

But first, he needs to rule out sleep apnea, which he describes as: Imagine I invisibly crept into your room then STRANGLED you in your sleep. (Why would anyone paint this scene for an insomniac? Why?) So Im signed up for a nocturnal polygraph diagnosis (the aforementioned tubes). After an uncomfortable night hooked up to the monitors, my results come back the next day and on a scale of one to 10 (10 being serious breathing problems that would require a sleep apnea mouth aid or BIOPTRON light therapy to reset circadian rhythms) Im a pathetic two and the most likely causes of my sleep issues are: anxiety, stress and the need for better diet and fitness.

So Im signed up to various detox treatments to get my body to shed unwanted toxins. These include the SHA Detox Massage which is lymphatic drainage via cupping (I now know what it would be like to try one of those silent Scientology births), a magnesium bath and a deep tissue massage by a man named Joan whom Id marry if only hed have me.

An appointment with the acupuncturist is particularly eye-opening as she reveals that, according to the 24-hour cycle of Chinese medicine, 3am-4am wake-ups are associated with anger and sadness and stress in the liver and lungs (hence the detox programme); she encourages me to open up my bodys blocked channels using her needles. Similarly, in a one-on-one yoga class, the instructor teaches me a viniyoga practice for when insomnia strikes thats all about the breath and using the intercostal muscles that surround the lungs by expanding them backwards and sideways breath is the thing thatll get you back to sleep.

On the last evening, Im sent for a neurocognitive assessment with a doctor who grills me about my life (from my libido to work). He suggests he place a skull cap on my head for some transcranial electrical stimulation to kickstart my prefrontal cortex (the brain centre of emotional responses) which he believes will counteract my nightly anxious thoughts and overactive brain. Lying under a blanket for 30 minutes with a strange tapping sensation on my head, my mind wanders to bizarre childhood memories and I leave his office strangely giggling to myself.

Back in my room that night I walk barefoot as prescribed, turn out the light by 10.30pm and place my head on the medium pillow. I feel positive, like something in my mind has turned a corner; that quality sleep isnt totally elusive, I just need to give my brain the chance to switch off and my body will follow. I close my eyes and a perfect eight hours later I awake rested and calm. 3am has totally passed me by

Room-only rates at SHA Wellness Clinic start from 330 (278) for a Deluxe Suite and rates for a focused Sleep Recovery Programme start from 4,000 (3,374) for seven days; shawellnessclinic.com

Images: courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic; writers own

Read the rest here:
Can a wellness and sleep clinic in Spain cure my insomnia? - Stylist Magazine

If a body has trouble detoxing itself, its likely there are MTHFR defects, some doctors might say.

Yes, we know you might be scratching your head after reading that sentence above, asking yourself, What the heck is MTHFR?

The short answer is, MTHFR is something thats vital to help detox the body and produce good health.

As for the long answer, read on for a synopsis on why MTHFR is so important.

What is MTHFR and what does it stand for?

MTHFR is an abbreviation for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme that breaks down the amino acids homocysteine and folate in the body. It is vital in the biochemical process called methylation.

Why is MTHFR so important?

Genes can become active or inactive, according to an article on drhardick.com, and MTHFR helps enhance methylation, which helps activate genes and enzymes that help provide nutrients to the body.

What are signs and symptoms of MTHFR defects?

According to an article on medicalnewstoday.com, some of the symptoms associated with MTHFR defects are:

What happens when there are MTHFR defects?

According to mthfr.net, there are 64 diseases that can be enhanced in the body by impaired methylation.

Some examples include:

How can someone tell if they have MTHFR defects?

Normal physical examinations or blood tests with a doctor can help determine if someone has defects in MTHFR.

Genetic testing can also be used to identify MTHFR defects, but screening for MTHFR gene variants is also recommended by organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

What are ways you can combat MTHFR defects?

Here are some suggestions on how to enhance the levels of MTHFR in the body.

See original here:
What is MTHFR? Why is it so important for good health? - WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando

In January, Germany joined the EU's "1+ Million Genomes Initiative". While the German government had previously declined to actively participate in the project and Germany had merely assumed the role of an observer, it can now become involved in sharing genome data across Europe for research purposes. Genome analysis is not only instrumental to the future diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rare diseases, it is also an important economic factor in digital health.

1. GENOME SEQUENCING

Human genomes are made up of at least 20,000 genes containing all our genetic information. Genome sequencing allows us to decode almost all mutations in human genomes. This enables us to identify individual gene defects causing diseases and thus to better diagnose and treat rare diseases. Increasingly, whole genome sequencing is being used in the field of tumours to identify mutations and tailor medication to the genetic makeup of a specific tumour.

But although the development of new technologies such as high throughput DNA sequencing over recent years has made it much easier and faster to carry out human genome research, the mutations that cause disease have been determined only for around 4,000 of the 20,000 protein-coding human genes. Medical researchers will probably need decades to identify all genetic causes of disease.

2. THE EU'S GENOME INITIATIVE: 1 MILLION GENOMES BY 2022

In order to produce reliable scientific findings, researchers need broad access to genomic data from both healthy and sick patients. The aim of the EU's Genome Initiative is to collect at least one million sets of genomic data by 2022 and make these accessible beyond EU borders. The initiative is part of the EU's agenda for the digital transformation of health and care, which is aimed at harnessing the potential of new digital technologies to improve healthcare. In a declaration published in April 2018, EU, EEA and EFTA countries agreed to work together to build up and link genome databases to form a suitable technical infrastructure. So far, 21 EU member states and Norway have signed the declaration. Ten specialised working groups have been set up to look into ethical, legal and social issues, common data standards, best practices for sequencing, issues relating to health economics, research and public sector participation, as well as to analyse uses for rare diseases, cancer and common complex diseases.

3. CURRENT LEGAL SITUATION IN GERMANY

The current market leaders in genome analysis are the USA, China, the UK and some EU member states from Continental Europe. While other countries have already introduced whole genome sequencing as a standard procedure in genetic diagnostics and have produced millions of sets of data, Germany has only generated tens of thousands of data sets from whole genome sequencing. This cautious approach was put down to the particularly high level of interoperability required and restrictions due to data protection regulations.

There are certainly still some legal and also financial obstacles to be overcome in Germany. Although the German Genetic Diagnostics Act (Gendiagnostikgesetz, "GDA") provides a legal framework for genome sequencing for medical purposes and establishing parenthood, there is no specific legislation governing genome analysis for research purposes.

Genetic Diagnostics Act on genome analysis for medical purposes and establishing parenthood

Genome analysis for medical purposes entails diagnostic and predicative genetic testing. Like genome analysis to establish parenthood, it is governed by the GDA. It stipulates that doctors have to provide genetic advice, restricts genome testing and analysis to doctors with appropriate training and provides for a patient's right "not to know" the results. Moreover, according to the GDA, patients must be given comprehensive information on the procedure beforehand and they must grant their consent.

Genome sequencing has already become part of standard care in Germany and since mid-2016 has been included in the German physicians' fee schedule. However, unlike in England, the German system does not cover sequencing of whole genomes but only of a very small gene panel of up to 25 kilobases, which corresponds to an average of four genes. For some diseases, up to 1,000 genes need to be analysed. Doctors wishing to perform larger sequencing projects have to apply for extra-budgetary services. Since such applications have often been rejected in the past due to the strict requirements, there is currently no incentive for physicians to perform medical genome analysis.

Pursuant to the GDA, genetic testing to establish parenthood requires the consent of the individuals providing the samples and can also be performed by specialists not qualified as doctors, for instance molecular biologists. Unlike in the USA, for example, analyses performed privately are not permissible.

No specific legislation on genome analysis for research purposes

The German legislator deliberately decided not to extend the scope of the GDA to cover genome analysis for research purposes, including general research on the factors affecting human characteristics. By contrast to predictive genetic testing, such research is not aimed at developing specific treatment for specific individuals. This means there are no specific regulations in this field of research, so the general statutory provisions apply.

Therefore, for related clinical studies, the general German laws on medicinal products and medical devices apply. They require that participants be provided with full information on any testing and must grant their prior consent. Since genome analysis involves collecting personal data, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national data protection regulations also apply. Article 9 of the GDPR classifies genetic data as sensitive data that may only be processed if the data subject has given their explicit consent or with special legal permission. However, the German legislator took advantage of the exemption clauses in Article 89 (2) GDPR. Article 89 states that genetic data may be processed for scientific research purposes even without consent if it would otherwise be impossible to fulfil such purposes and the interests of the party responsible for processing the data significantly outweigh the interests of the data subject in not having data processed. Given the significance of genome sequencing for research, the consent requirement could therefore be dispensed under data protection regulations.

However, this would breach the strict laws on medicinal products and medical devices which require consent to the use of data in clinical studies. Data protection law also entitles data subjects to request information on their data or have their data deleted. This may be difficult to put into practice if large amounts of data have been collected. Another point to be clarified is whether individuals have a right to know or not to know about random genetic findings.

Ultimately, in the absence of specific legislation on genome analysis for research purposes, many legal questions have yet to be answered. It remains to be seen whether the legislator will set out more precise regulations in future.

4. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

The Federal Ministry of Research (Bundesforschungsministerium) has announced that the next step will be to set up national working groups. A detailed schedule and set of requirements are to be drawn up by mid-2021. Only then will it be possible to develop strategies for the cross-border use of genomic and phenotypic data. According to the Ministry, the first locations for testing the secure sharing of genomic data are to be selected by the end of 2020. On that basis, it will be possible to donate genomes during clinical treatment.

By joining the Genome Initiative, Germany has taken an important step in terms of digital health. Now the task is to adjust the existing legal framework to cover whole genome sequencing and to clarify the remaining legal issues. In future, genome analysis will play a key role not only for major pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical devices, hospitals and research institutes, which are directly or indirectly involved in researching rare diseases, but also for investors. To meet today's legal and regulatory challenges and any further challenges the future may bring, all players will have to keep a close eye on developments in this field.

More:
Germany Joins the Genomes Initiative - Lexology

Increasing public awareness and increasing amount of companies delivering Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing is expected to drive the market growth.Data Bridge Market Researchhas recently announced publishing of a report, titledGlobal Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026As per the report, Global direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing market is set to witness a healthyCAGR of 18%in the forecast period of 2019-2026. The report contains data of the base year 2018 and historic year 2017. This research report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing industry. The report also enlists several important factors share, size, growth, trends, global statistics, key manufacturers and 2026 forecast analysis.

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The report Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges, opportunities and entry strategies for various companies in the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Industry.

The report profiles some of the Leading Players in the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market. These include:EasyDNA, Ancestry, 23andMe Inc., Color Genomics, Inc., Genesis HealthCare, Full Genomes Corporation, Inc., Helix OpCo LLC, IDENTIGENE, LLC, Living DNA Ltd, Mapmygenome, Pathway Genomics, Gene by Gene, Ltd., MyHeritage Ltd., 10X Genomics, Dante Labs, Inc., 24Genetics, LabCorp, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Abacus Diagnostica Oy among others.

The report focusses on weaknesses and strengths of the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market with a competitive landscape that includes information on some market vendors. Information presented in the report is gathered from primary and secondary research methods. The report also presents recent trends and opportunities of the market helping players strive for the lions share in the market.

Explore Key Industry Insights In 60 Tables And 220 Figures From The 350 Pages Of Report,Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

The global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market report covers scope and product overview to define key terms and offers detailed information about market dynamics to the readers. This is followed by a regional outlook and segmental analysis. The report also consists of the facts and key values of the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market, in terms of sales and volume, revenue and its growth rate.

One of the important factors in the global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market report is competitive analysis. The report covers all of the key parameters, such as product innovation, market strategies of the key players, market share, revenue generation, the latest research and development and market experts views.

Segmentation: Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

By Service:Diagnostic Screening ,Prenatal ,Newborn Screening, Pre-Implantation Diagnosis, Relationship Testing.

By Test type:Carrier Testing ,Predictive Testing ,Ancestry & relationship Testing ,Nutrigenomics Testing ,Others.

By Technology:Targeted Analysis ,Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Chips, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) ,By Product type, Ancestry, Health and Wellness, Entertainment,

By End User:Laboratories, Blood Banks, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Imaging Centers, Home Care, Cosmetics, Others, By Sales Channel, Online Channel, Over the Counter Channel, Doctors Office

By Business Model

Competitive Analysis: Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

The global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as product (software) launches, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.

Primary Respondents

Demand Side: Doctors, Surgeons, Medical Consultants, Nurses, Hospital Buyers, Group Purchasing Organizations, Associations, Insurers, Medical Payers, Healthcare Authorities, Universities, Technological Writers, Scientists, Promoters, and Investors among others.

Supply Side: Product Managers, Marketing Managers, C-Level Executives, Distributors, Market Intelligence, and Regulatory Affairs Managers among others.

Key Developments in the Market:

In May 2019, MyHeritage Ltd. pronounce the launch of the MyHeritage DNA Health+Ancestry test, which gives new scopes of genetic awareness to enhance the life, enlighten the health further assists in leading a better life. It will also help the company to strengthen their genetic testing, clinical trial, and consulting capabilities in the areas of R&D providing accurate information about their genes.

In October 2018, 23andme, Inc. received the U.S. FDA approval for de novo technology, which is being operated in pharmacogenetics tests. Representing how consumers genetics may impact the way they break down certain medications. This approval will permit the company to introduce innovative and advanced products, thereby fostering companys growth.

Reasons to Purchase this Report

Order this Complete[emailprotected]https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/gl

Research Methodology: Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

Data collection and base year analysis is done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analysed and forecasted using market statistical and coherent models. Also market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report. To know more please request an analyst call or can drop down your enquiry.

The key research methodology used by DBMR research team is data triangulation which involves data mining, analysis of the impact of data variables on the market, and primary (industry expert) validation. Apart from this, other data models include Vendor Positioning Grid, Market Time Line Analysis, Market Overview and Guide, Company Positioning Grid, Company Market Share Analysis, Standards of Measurement, Top to Bottom Analysis and Vendor Share Analysis. To know more about the research methodology, drop in an inquiry to speak to our industry experts.

Customization of the Report

All segmentation provided above in this report is represented at country level.

All products covered in the market, product volume and average selling prices will be included as customizable options which may incur no or minimal additional cost (depends on customization)

Table of Content:Global Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

Browse Complete Tables and Figures:https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-direct-to

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Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing Market to Grow with a High CAGR 18% by 2026:EasyDNA, Ancestry, 23andMe Inc., Color Genomics, Full Genomes,Gene by...

We all experience annoying symptoms from time to time. Fatigue, anxiety, hair loss and weight gain are symptoms we might chalk up to stress, diet, lack of sleep, or aging.

Often, many of these issues can be resolved by eating a healthy, whole food diet, exercising more, reducing stress and getting enough sleep. But when symptoms persist, you may want to visit your primary care physician and get your thyroid levels checked.

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of a thyroid condition. According to statistics, women are much more likely than men to have thyroid problems. Hyperthyroidism affects two in 100 women and two in 1,000 men.

The thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland in the base of the neck that makes the hormone T4. When enters the bloodstream; it converts to T3, the most active form of thyroid hormone. Having sufficient levels of these hormones helps regulate body temperature, metabolism, blood pressure and heart rate.

When thyroid issues are left untreated, patients can suffer from cardiovascular problems, nerve injury, infertility and, in severe cases, death. Pregnant women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery and severe developmental problems in their children.

The thyroid can become underactive, overactive, infected or cancerous. Here is a rundown of the most common thyroid issues:

Hyperthyroidism

Someone who has an overactive thyroid may notice some of these symptoms:

Irritability

Rapid heartbeat

Sweating

Hand and finger tremors

Fatigue

Osteoporosis

Anxiety

Insomnia

After diagnosis, an overactive thyroid can be treated with medication. Graves disease is a type of hyperthyroidism. Its an autoimmune, genetic condition that can cause the tissue and muscle behind the eyes to swell. While graves is a life-long condition, it is treatable. Some treatment options include medication, radioactive iodine and, in some cases, surgery.

Hypothyroidism

Another common problem facing many Americans is an underactive thyroid. Some of the common symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include:

Memory loss

Fatigue

Cold intolerance

Constipation

Dry skin

Fertility problems

Depression

Hair loss

Weight gain

Your doctor will likely start by testing the thyroid hormone levels in your blood. Once a doctor diagnoses a patient with an underactive thyroid, they may prescribe a hormone replacement, which can reverse the effects of hypothyroidism.

Cancer

Thyroid cancer occurs when the cells in the thyroid grow uncontrollably, forming a nodule or tumor. Approximately 62,500 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States each year. The disease usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 55. Women are nearly three times more likely to develop thyroid cancer. Many patients have no symptoms, but some experience a lump in the neck, voice changes and painful swallowing. Fortunately, about 90% of thyroid nodules are benign, and one out of 10 is malignant.

Regular neck checks are an essential part of your wellness routine. During your annual exam, your primary care physician will check your neck. If you find a lump or experience any of the symptoms described above, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to get it checked out.

Dr. Julio Santiago is board certified in family medicine, fluent in Spanish and is a member of the medical staff at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

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Local Doctor: Keeping tabs on your thyroid - Monmouth Daily Review Atlas

Patients with cancer often want to know 'How long do I have?' Now they can take a look themselves at a newly launched and free online prognosis tool, CancerSurvivalRates.com.

It provides patients with a simple tool that can be customized according to their cancer type and specific characteristics such as grade and stage, as well as individual characteristics such as their age and gender.

Stephen Buck, CEO and cofounder of Courage Health, the company behind CancerSurvivalRates.com, emphasized that the goal of this tool is not only to provide information about prognosis, but to encourage patients to speak with their physician.

"We want the patient to do the research for the purpose of having a conversation the doctor," he told Medscape Medical News. "These are just statistics, based on their profile, but it provides the basis for further discussion."

Buck explained that it was developed as an aid for patients. "Once you hear something shocking like a cancer diagnosis, you can really be overwhelmed," he said. "And a lot of studies have shown that patients often don't understand what they are told about a prognosis. The physician, for example, may use language that may be hard for patients to understand."

Courage Health uses the same data as the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), he said.

"The NCI does provide information on their website through the SEER [Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results] Explorer tool, but it's tricky for an inexperienced user," said Buck. "In this regard, our tool using the same underlying data is very similar. We just have an easier-to-use interface plus questions to ask your doctor."

In addition, this tool is a little more customizable, Buck added. "Someone with colon cancer, for example, may have a 5-year survival rate of 75% according to some data, but that might include all ages and grades. We try to tailor it a little to make it more exact."

Medscape reached out to oncologists to gauge their reactions to the new online tool.

"I believe if you ask 50 oncologists and 50 lay people about the utility of the tool, you'll get a variety of different responses," said Ramy Sedhom, MD, an oncology fellow at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. He emphasized that no algorithm, or a clinician's best judgement, will be correct all of the time.

"This is especially true considering that, as a society, we have not done our part to account for the variables that influence patient outcomes, including a lack of equity," he said. "However, I believe the training of oncologists is changing and allowing flexibility when it comes to how patient information is shared. And with the explosion of social media, Twitter, and patient advocates, there needs to be an openness to utilizing novel ways to share important information."

Sedhom said the new website provides information that is more user-friendly than other sites, as it allows for considering different variables, such as hormone receptor positivity. "Of course, the average person does not know that these statistics are meant for a population level and are not applicable for individual patients," he noted.

"With that being said, the tool is an excellent framework for a discussion about potential outcomes to allow a bigger conversation between patient and oncologist about prognosis, goals of therapy, goals of the individual patient, and potential outcomes," he said. "What I especially appreciate is the nod to palliative care, which is often taboo."

The American Cancer Society pointed out that it offers prognosis information on its own website. "The intention of the survival rate data we offer on our website and in our annual publications is to provide information about cancer survival at the population level, rather than provide data for the individual cancer patient, whose prognosis involves not only stage, grade, and age, but many other factors as well," the ACS said. "It is important to note that we also publish research studies that include more detailed survival analyses with additional prognostic factors."

While cancer statistics are available in many other places, this new website "represents the best, simplest tool that can be used by patients and providers alike," says Andrew Bruggeman, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and section chief of the Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences Palliative Care Service at the University of California, San Diego.

"This site has a simple, easy to use interface and has data for several different types of cancer," said Bruggeman, who served as an adviser on the CancerSurvivalRates.com project. "The data is highly reliable when looking at large numbers of patients with a certain type of cancer."

"If there are providers who are leery of patients using this website out of concern for the reliability of the data source, they should rest assured that the data comes from SEER data, so the models are based upon reliable, real-world data," he told Medscape Medical News.

Having said that, he emphasized that determining an individual patient's prognosis is much more nuanced than what can be captured in a single website. "There are no perfect tools for determining an individual patient's prognosis and that is a limitation of this and any other website or data source," he added.

[It] will be useful to both patients and clinicians. Dr S. Vincent Rajkumar, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic

S. Vincent Rajkumar, MD, professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, agreed that this website is very easy to navigate and is convenient for obtaining prognostic information. "It is well referenced and will be useful to both patients and clinicians," he said.

Elsewhere on the Internet, the "rates provided can vary widelyI checked out the myeloma rates with various parameters, and they are accurate, said Rajkumar, a myeloma specialist.

The site is intended for both for patients and physicians, and Rajkumar thinks that oncologists will find it useful as well. "And as they use it more, they may be more receptive," he said.

However, the problem with survival rates is interpretation, and he agrees that patients may not realize that these estimates are for populations. "No one can predict that for an individual patient," he said. "But it gives an idea, and that is useful for reassurance and for planning. Another factor is that the numbers depend on data that is a few years old. Outcomes with current therapy maybe better, and that should offer hope."

The simplicity of this tool may help oncologists put prognosis into better perspective when having that discussion with patients, commented Alex R. Menter, MD, an oncologist with Kaiser Permanente in Lone Tree, Colorado. He added that he has "played" with the NCI calculator in the past, but found it cumbersome to use.

"The version I used previously looked at overall mortality based on comorbidities, but did not look at cancer-specific mortality," he said. "I love this calculator because it allows me to share with my patients some real-world numbers and give them a rough idea of what they can expect with their cancer."

Menter noted that in practice, he finds it particularly difficult to discuss prognosis with older patients, as survival rates are frequently based on estimates from clinical trials that typically enroll younger patients with better prognoses. This tool includes SEER data for actuarial outcomes for patients with different cancers, which can give patients a better real-world estimate of what could happen with their diagnosis and at their age, he said.

"I also appreciate that I can pull it up quickly on the computer in the room or on my phone if needed," he said. "This does not take into account some subsets of cancer that may have a particular targeted therapy or a much better prognosis, but I can adjust my discussion with the patient based on their tumor characteristics."

"I typically try and describe best case, worst case, and average scenarios, and these points and estimates help facilitate that discussion and understanding," he added.

Thomas LeBlanc, MD, an associate professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, said that, although there is a plethora of information available on the Internet, it can still be incredibly difficult for patients and families to know what might apply to them. Thus, a tool that allows some personalization is helpful.

However, the more important issue is that bulk of available data online does not account for the problem of "numeracy," he emphasized.

"Much like 'health literacy,' the concept of 'numeracy' relates to the functional understanding of numerical information and ability to apply it to one's life and decisions," LeBlanc said. "Evidence clearly shows that the average American layperson is not functionally numerate, meaning they aren't able to functionally understand, for example, what a '50% chance of remission' might actually mean for them."

Most of the data available about cancer outcomes are presented in exactly this way, and unfortunately clinicians are complicit in this problem, LeBlanc said. "We talk a lot, and we think we're doing a great job of conveying complex information, and often we're actually overwhelming patients and families, while presenting too much data and doing so in a way that isn't actually meaningfully accessible and actionable for those without high numeracy," he said.

"So, a more numeracy-friendly tool that is personalized and patient-facing is really a very welcomed advance in cancer communication," he said.

LeBlanc pointed out that multiple, high-quality studies have clearly shown that many patients with advanced incurable cancers still think their disease could be cured.

"So there's a huge gap here between what clinicians know and are trying convey, vs what patients and families hear/internalize from our encounters," he added.

"If we just continue doing what we have been doing, this gap will remain. If we figure out how to use a novel tool like this one, we might be able to more effectively help patients and families understand the likely outcomes, and have better conversations about goals, values, and preferences for treatment when they better understand the background and context for decision making."

The tool provides cancer survival rates for 30 types of cancer, and is available completely free of charge. The algorithm takes into account age, stage, grade, time since diagnosis, histology, and additional factors such as the Gleason score in prostate cancer. The 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates can then be calculated.

"Our models are Cox Proportional Hazard models, a very standard and widely accepted technique within academic literature for producing population-based survival rates," explained Buck, the Courage Health CEO. Both the modeling techniques and model output underwent expert review. "There is always some room for subjectivity in how certain things are done, but we feel strongly that our methods are in line with acceptable practices in developing survival rate models."

All statistical models use SEER data from 2004-2015 and survival rates are cause-specific, not all-cause mortality.

"This website will paint with a broad brush to help give patients an idea of 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival for 'X' type of cancer," said Bruggeman. "This is information that patients often want to know but don't always get from their providers or know how to find. It is important for them to then follow up with their individual provider to help take that information and then discuss why their individual prognosis may be similar, better, or worse."

The tool is a work in progress, and is being tweaked as feedback comes in.

"Free, constructive advice for makers of this website" was offered up in a Twitter post from Vinay Prasad, MD, a practicing hematologist-oncologist and associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, and also a Medscape contributor.

He suggested that "instead of 5-year survival, show the 20th and 80th percentile of survival (or 15th and 85th) to provide a range of outcomes most people experience," and added that it may be useful to also "provide the stat with and without therapy."

Buck told Medscape Medical News that he thought these suggestions were "a fantastic idea to explore."

"The treatment element is certainly worth exploring in a future phase," he said. "Difficult but useful."

Paulo Nassar, MD, PhD, an intensivist at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, commented that he is "always discussing prognosis with oncologists" and that he has sent the tool to all his intensive care unit colleagues, adding that he intends to use the tool for patient cases.

Nassar also had some ideas for improvements. "If I could suggest anything, it would be to include a range maybe something like CI [confidence interval] 95% for the survival estimates, although I'm not sure it would help patients, but certainly doctors would be helped."

Buck told Medscape Medical News that he and his team of developers have already had conversations with three major national insurers/health systems about how to integrate into patient- and physician-facing tools. "All have expressed interest in working together," he said. "And based on feedback from oncologists, we're adding additional statistical details the percentiles for survival for the healthcare professional version only. We should have this ready soon."

Given that the tool only launched at the end of 2019, feedback from patients is still limited. Still, Buck noted, it has been interesting so far. "The number one email question/complaint we get is 'Why isn't my type of cancer included?' " he said. "These cancers usually pertain to brain, gallbladder, appendix, duodenal, and other leukemias."

There are two main reasons for not including them, at least for now. One is that the complexity and the number of individual factors involved are too numerous to provide useful comparisons. The second is the sample size. "Some of these types have less than 1000 patients a year," he said, "so building a model with multiple variables would have too much variability in survival rate estimates for subgroups."

For more from Medscape Oncology, join us on Twitter and Facebook

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'How Long Do I Have?' New Online Tool for Patients With Cancer - Medscape

Stix has ovulation tests and pregnancy tests for users to order online.

More than 6 million women in the US struggle to become pregnant or stay pregnant, according to the Department for Health and Human Services. They typically usehome ovulation tests and period-tracking apps to help them determine their best window to conceive. On Tuesday, female-founded pregnancy test provider Stix launched a new subscription service to help women determine their most fertile days -- without connecting to any app that could leak sensitive data.

Pregnancy tests and ovulation kits are readily available in stores or online. But Stix aims to make the purchase about more than just the transaction, co-founder Cynthia Plotch told CNET. Almost all of the products on the market are packaged as if everyone wants to get pregnant. Not everyone does.

Stix's tests detect the surge in luteinizing hormone in urine, which occurs a day or two before ovulation, signaling the fertile window when a person is most likely to conceive. Having this information can help people make the best choices for their own lives, whether or not they are trying to conceive.

The FDA-approved tests cost $17 for a one-time set of seven or $13 for a monthly subscription pack. Subscriptions are the best option for people who need tests regularly, Plotch said -- for example, those trying to get pregnant, or those who have irregular periods and want to better track their cycles. The tests have a three-year shelf life.

Read more: Fertility, pregnancy prevention and more: Why you should be tracking your period

Stix's test is shipped in a plain envelope, so no one but you knows what's inside. And on the topic of privacy, the company doesn't use an app, so there are fewer privacy issues at hand than there might be with other period-tracking apps.

Stix's privacy policy says that the only information the company collects is that needed to ship the items to your home. The site does allow for information to be collected, so it can advertise to you. Stix's policy says that your information will be shared with Shopify and Google Analytics, but provided a way to opt out of Google Analytics and a link to Shopify's privacy policy. Stix also gives ways for you to opt out of targeted advertising, tracking and data retention.

Stix's tests arrive in a discrete package for privacy.

Plotch said that Stix retains the basic information customers enter when they make an account and that the company works with third-party software to store the data securely.

While apps are convenient ways to interact with companies and products, they're not immune to data leaks. Last September, multiple period trackers were found to be sharing sensitive information with Facebook. The apps included Maya by Plackal Tech and MIA by Mobapp Development, My Period Tracker by Linchpin Health, Ovulation Calculator by Pinkbird and Mi Calendario by Grupo Familia.

More recently, in January, the period-tracking apps Clue and My Days were collectively sharing user data with at least 135 advertising-related companies. The data shared included GPS locations, IP addresses, details about gender, sexuality and political views.

Stix the company is just over a year old and run by Plotch and her co-founder Jamie Norwood. Plotch said that the team isn't planning to create an app, but if the consumer base wants one, nothing is off the table.

"Regardless of your age, location, or anything else -- all women deserve access to quality healthcare and health information," Plotch said.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Link:
This home ovulation testing service thinks you shouldn't have to forgo privacy to get pregnant - CNET

Whether youre hitting the online slot machines in Las Vegas, racing in an old-school video games like Mario Kart, or having an augmented experience on your cellphone via Pokemon Go, internet gaming is just about everywhere these days.

At least one person plays video games in two-thirds of American households, according to the Entertainment Software Association, and according to the American Psychiatric Association, about 160 million U.S. adults play internet-based games, one recent study estimates.

Its easy to see that internet games and video gambling can be quite entertaining, and it may be just as easy to get caught up in the thrill of the competition. But can playing these types of games truly be addictive?

Winning results?

A study published in September in the Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling examined the relationships among personality, motivation and internet gaming disorder. According to the APA, the disorder is the persistent and recurrent use of the internet to engage in games, often with other players, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

Lead author Kristy L. Carlisle, an assistant professor of counseling and human services at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and her three co-authors noted that gamers social tendencies, as determined by personality traits, may play a role in developing problematic gaming habits and addiction.

Addiction is by definition continually engaging in a behavior despite harmful consequences, says Dr. Hallie Zwibel, director of sports medicine at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City. In the instance of gaming, prolonged uncontrollable game play results in depression and social isolation in addicted individuals.

When counselors understand the potential social context of clients situations, according to the study, they have more information to develop prevention and treatment strategies that treat the whole person and not just a diagnosis. But more research is needed to understand the full interplay among personality, motivation and IGD, along with demographic risk factors.

The study, which included 1,881 adults from various countries, found that predictors of IGD included being male, being neurotic, introverted personality traits, and having motivation related to achievement.

The prevalence of IGD varies based on the source of the information, but a few things are clear, Zwibel says.

Males are more likely to be diagnosed as having gaming disorders compared to females, he says, adding that some studies have shown men being four to 10 times more likely to demonstrate gaming addiction, and a few characteristics can often be good predictors of IGD, Zwibel says.

Individuals with mental health disorders such as substance abuse, depression and anxiety are risk factors, he says. Friends and family members who have gambling addictions can increase ones risk. Also, individuals with less emotional support or who are more socially isolated or more likely to be predisposed to gaming addiction.

Gender vs. gender

Its important to note that, according to the APA, gaming addiction was described in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine whether the condition was a unique mental disorder or the best criteria to classify it at the time that the DSM-5 was published in 2013.

Dr. Donnie Sansom, associate medical director at Sierra Tucson, an addiction and behavioral health care center in Tucson, Arizona, says IDG is only under study at this point The APA does feel at this point, however, that there is a growing body of literature to suggest that internet gaming disorder be further studied and has thus included a potential diagnosis.

Online video games have been shown to elicit more craving-related activations in the brains of male subjects in studies as compared to female subjects, and this may be why so many video games are designed for males, he says.

Men have generally, starting in childhood, had games that involve risk and competition, Sansom says. This tends to be true in virtually every culture. Think about this: for men of a certain age, we remember running off into a field or through the neighborhood playing cops and robbers or army or the like. Now, youngsters are supervised and have play dates from the time they are young with far less autonomous play away from the watchful eyes of parents. So boys now go and seek that competition and risk online or at a video game station that connects to other players online.

Women are generally less prone to such competition, so they may engage in betting against the house or the dealer more than sports betting or playing in person, and so online gambling becomes a more attractive option, according to the gambling marketing site GamblingSites.com, Sansom adds.

Some data also suggests that women advance from regular gamblers to IGD faster than men do, a concept thats referred to as telescoping, says psychologist Erica Fortune, an associate professor of psychology at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

For gambling, research indicates that women tend to be drawn to gambling machines, which would include video poker, while men tend to prefer card games, casino games and sports betting, she says. This could be a result of their personal motivations for gambling some gamble to avoid negative mood, some gamble for excitement, some gamble for socializing purposes, etc.

The finish line to success

Zwibel says there are multiple negative impacts on health from playing too much internet video games and participating in online poker or gambling.

Gamers at the college level are having increased levels of body fat and decreased levels of muscle mass compared to their peers, he says. Gamers often use LED monitors, which suppress the sleep hormone melatonin which can lead to insomnia. Sitting for prolonged periods of time can result in neck and back pain, while the repetitive movements on the keyboard mouse or controller and results in elbow pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Fortune says those who gamble tend to be in poorer health overall.

The correlation between gambling and poor health is quite clear. Higher BMI, higher incidence of cardiovascular issues, as well as a high prevalence of comorbid mental health disorders like anxiety and depression as well as comorbid addictions alcohol, tobacco and drugs, she says.

I could imagine that you might see some of the same health issues in those who game: poorer physical health due to a rather sedentary lifestyle and poorer mental health due to lack of social interactions/withdrawing from society, she adds.

When it comes to addressing IGD, specifically internet gaming in men and video poker and gambling in women, Fortune says its wise to keep open the lines of communication.

The best thing people can do is simply talk about it, she says. Disorders like these often fall to the wayside. Parents know they need to talk to their kids about things like drugs, drinking and sex, but they often forget about things like gambling and gaming, which look very innocuous at first blush.

}Sansom adds that in both cases, it is often difficult for men and women to recognize or address the problem themselves.

Some of these issues can be treated as an outpatient with cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous and individual therapy, he says. Seek the help of a mental health professional or your primary care physician and start the dialogue. More studies will need to be done, but now that is on the APA radar, that will likely help.

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Game Reset | Health - Olean Times Herald

Dr. Sheerene Idriss explains one of the biggest factors thats aging you that you may never have heard of before.

As the saying goes, new year, new you, right? It depends on who youre speaking with, but if youre asking your dermatologist, they might explain that its not that simple. Theres no magical serum or cream that can completely turn back the hands of time, but with the recent innovations in cosmetic procedures, it is easier than ever to help your skin age gracefully. Fillers especially are one of the most popular options for people who are looking to lift, firm, or otherwise minimize obvious signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.

There are always new research and innovations within the world of dermatology, so we sat down with top NYC dermatologist Dr. Sheerene Idriss to get the 411 on the most exciting breakthroughs for 2020. From the two new filler formulations to the most requested cosmetic proceduresplus one of the biggest factors thats aging you that you might never have heard of beforethis is what we can look forward to in the skin-care market in the year ahead.

What has been the most requested procedure in the past few months, and what do you expect to continue throughout 2020?

A lot of jawline addressment, wherein people want a more rigid, firmer, or more defined jawline. Not a different-looking jaw, which I have to re-educate some people aboutyou have to work in sync with the face. A strong jawline definitely saves the face as we age, since our chins and our jawlines sag. But your jawline has to align with your mid-face. It has to co-exist in a way that makes sense.

Why do you think that is becoming such a popular request?

I think its Instagram. Its both a blessing and a curse. People are oftentimes seeing versions of themselves that are maybe not real. But even if you think of the big-name celebrities, like Kim Kardashian or Jennifer Lopez, they have very strong jawlines. They are associating it with being beautiful. Some patients are coming in with that mind-set, versus being an actual candidate for that procedure. Its really up to the physician to be true to themselves so that people dont start morphing into these caricatures were seeing. [Some of] these crazy jawline fillers almost look like theyve gotten an implant. It really doesnt match the face.

What about in terms of filler innovations?

There was a rumor about Velitte [coming] out in 2020. Itll be interesting to see how a lightweight hyaluronic filler can replenish moisture in the dermis. [Its] a lighter effect that helps with the texture of the skin. I also heard that Revance, the approved form of Teoxanewhich is a resilient form of hyaluronic acid, meaning its longer-lastingitll be interesting to see how well incorporate it when using various fillers in the face. Theyve been using it outside of the United States for a while now. With regards to Teoxane, they have four different ones, three of which have been FDA-approved in the US, and theyre all indicated for different areas of the face. The fourth one is still going through approval. Its like having different paintbrushes in your toolbox.

Is there anything that doesnt yet exist that youre hoping to see developed within the world of fillers?

I think that facial anatomy is so complicated when it comes to structure. There is no miracle product, like in skin care. I dont think it would be good to have a filler that could address all of your problems, because when you think of the face, you want everything to work a little differently. You want it to be sturdier around the jawline to hold the face up, or along your cheekbones. You want it to be malleable along the cheeks or where you smile, so your face can move. It doesnt make sense to have a miracle filler, in my mind.

What about longer-lasting filler?

It makes sense to me to have a long-lasting filler; however, it comes with a caveat. I dont think that having super long-lasting filler is really beneficial because our bone structure changes so much as we age, especially in our 40s. So if you have a long-lasting filler over an ever-changing face, things can start to look wonky over time.

If you look at [cheek] implants, you would have these patients come in, and there are a few who are a bit older because its not as trendy now or en vogue, but their cheeks are sitting [higher] and everything is aging around it, [so] they have a Cruella de Vil look because its not moving. With an aging face, you have to be malleable; you have to work with an aging face. You cant be rigid.

Illustration: Meghann Stephenson... Read More

How much bone density are you losing when you start to age? What is the average percentage per decade?

It starts in your 20s. There is a study from 2012 [stating that] bone structure reduces about 90 percent after menopause. Aging is associated with the decrease in the growth hormone secreted in the pituitary gland. Its decreasing at 14 percent per decade. I dont know if this is associated with bone resorption, but its significant. It cant be overlooked. [Which is why] I feel strongly about not using semi-permanent fillers in the face. I think you can use them in different areas of the face to your benefit, but in the midface, area thats actively changing, you have to grow with the face.

Along with jaw filler, what is another type of treatment that youre seeing more often with your patients?

Younger and younger women are asking for under-eye [filler]. I think it has to do with the filter effect [thats] going on, where people think they shouldnt have a little line under their eyes when they smile. Id say thats normal. Sometimes you definitely should [explore under-eye filler] if the wrinkle is a little deeper, but Id say those two [are the most popular].

What is the process for using the filler under the eye?

Its a tricky area. I think more people think they need it, that theyve lost volume in the eye area, when really their face is dropping. Its better to lift the face laterally with filler around the eye, in my opinion, without really going for the under-eye filler. There are two ways you can do filler: with a blunt-edge needlea cannulaor a sharp-edge needle. But it really depends on what the physician is comfortable using.

Always [use] a lightweight filler for under the eye. I personally dont do the eye without addressing the rest of the face. If youre scared of fillers, you can always do the PRP [platelet-rich plasma] injections, which take your own blood and separate the growth factors. Its still an invasive procedure, but its coming from yourself.

As fillers have become more socially acceptable, do you think people are shying away from more invasive procedures, or are they fatigued by fillers and are searching for something else long-term?

Im very biased because I only see my patient population. The first question I always ask an older patient is Are you someone who wants to get a face-lift in this lifetime, or are you completely against it? The person who is OK with it, Im looking at their skin quality and anatomy and seeing if theyre a candidate for a face-lift. I would push them to get one, and then we can maintain it when they come back to me. A lot of people ask me to reverse or fix work. I think, unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who just listen to exactly what their patient wants, and that can result in unnecessary amounts of filler to the face, without thinking about the surgical procedure as a choice.

I always think about whether or not this age [at which to recommend a face-lift] will be pushed back because of all of the advances weve made to tighten and resurface the skin. I think that the age of having to get a face-lift is going to be pushed back over time. [Right now] people start to take it seriously at 55-plus.

What is the average age of the first-time filler user in your practice?

Ive noticed three main peaks. The first one is 30 to 33, where they feel like over the past six months their face has shifted. The second one is 39 to 42, where the change happens more dramatically, maybe over a month or so. And then again, in your late 40s, where I get told over and over again, I woke up one morning and I dont recognize myself. Help. Volume loss starts to happen in your late 20s, early 30s, which makes sense if youre thinking about bone density and all of that. Youve probably lost weight, gained weight, et cetera.

For a client whos coming in and saying I dont understand why I look older, but I do. Please help. What is your strategy?

I really look at the face. When youre looking at aging, its a number of things. Its volume loss; its if you have any built-in wrinkles in your face; its the color of your skin; its how elastic your skin is, and your bone structure. I will start with one and see if it works. Some people want Botox but have no lines. I try to tell them, You dont need it yet. There are women out there that listened to their moms [to take care of their skin] and look like little fairies and look impeccable. But theres always the one beginning sign of [aging].

Photo: Shot on site at 6 Columbus, a Sixty Hotel. On Jonelle: Necklace, Baker & Black,Catbird; Hair, Angela Soto; Makeup, Andriani.

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4 Under-the-Radar French Skin-Care Brands You Need to KnowThese 5 Clean Moisturizers Saved My Dry Winter SkinTo Flip or to Lift: The Newest Ways to Get Fuller Lips

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Dr. Shereene Idriss Shares 2020 Filler Innovations and Trends - coveteur.com

Five-year-old Emlee jumps high, runs fast and likes to pirouette around the living room in her white ballet slippers.

Her mom, Karalayne Maglinte, calls her a miracle. Indeed, Emlee is the embodiment of the word: Shes one of the reasons Maglinte is alive today. Another reason: High-risk pregnancy physicians and cancer specialists at UCI Health were able to help the Fontana woman when no one else could.

Cancer during pregnancy is a rare event, occurring approximately once per 1,000 pregnancies annually, according to the National Institutes of Healths World Journal of Oncology. Fortunately, we have plenty of experience treating patients who need a multidisciplinary approach, says Dr. Rita Mehta, a UCI Health oncologist.

Mehta has cared for several pregnant women with cancer, including Michelle Clark-Salib, who was just 28 when diagnosed with breast cancer. Her son Caleb is now 7, and Clark-Salib is cancer-free.

But the situation was touch-and-go for a long time, just as it was for Karalayne and Emlee Maglinte. Their poignant story began to unfold in 2013 when Maglinte was 15 weeks pregnant. She was 36 years old and had two boys at home: Ian, 6, and Isaac, 18 months.

Because I was pregnant, I was much more aware of my bodys cues that something wasnt right, and I was quicker to react than I might have been otherwise, Maglinte says.

My hands and feet were itchy, she says, so itchy I wanted to tear them off. She consulted Dr. Google and read that it might be a liver issue.

At first I thought perhaps it was because I was pregnant with a girl, and the other two were boys, Maglinte recalls. But it got so intense that I began to worry. I didnt want to endanger her. The itchiness began on a Friday. By Monday, she was convinced she needed to call her doctor.

An arduous round of tests, physician appointments and hospitalizations ensued as several Inland Empire doctors tried unsuccessfully to diagnose and treat Maglinte. In addition to the itchiness, she developed jaundice. After four days at a community hospital, she was taken by ambulance in the middle of the night to UCI Douglas Hospital, in Orange.

A team quickly assembled, including high-risk maternal-fetal expert Dr. Julianne Toohey, gastrointestinal endoscopy specialist Dr. John Lee, and pancreatic cancer surgeons Dr. Aram Demirjian and Dr. David Imagawa.

Lee an authority in diseases of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder examined Maglinte using endoscopic ultrasound. His findings led to a biopsy of her pancreas. He also implanted a bile duct stent to alleviate her jaundice. Although complex, each procedure was minimally invasive and safe for the baby.

But the diagnosis was daunting: Maglinte had an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Its strange that she would have had cancer at that age, Lee notes. Statistically, almost all pancreatic cancer patients are older than 45, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being 70. Maglinte was only about half that.

She was devastated. I kept walking around the halls of the maternity ward saying: How the heck did I get here? This is crazy.

There werent many options. Early delivery meant the baby would not have survived, as I was only 19 weeks pregnant, Maglinte explains.

But she also had two children at home to consider. She and her husband, Dennis, discussed it. He said it was my choice, Maglinte relates. I wanted to fight for her, but I also needed to fight for myself.

The physicians worked together to save both mother and child. Taking care of a high-risk patient with cancer involves careful communication with the whole team and, of course, the patient, Toohey says. Karalayne was very involved in decision-making.

A week after the diagnosis, Demirjian operated, performing a seven-hour Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, to remove the tumor. But Maglinte didnt have chemotherapy, which would have jeopardized Emlees survival.

We watched the babys growth and ended up with a planned delivery at 39 weeks, Toohey recalls. This is rather unusual with cancer patients we usually deliver several weeks earlier in order for chemo or other treatment to begin as soon as possible.

Happily, 7-pound, 1-ounce Emlee was born without complications. Her mom says shes a little lifesaver because only 20 percent of pancreatic cancers are diagnosed early, mainly because symptoms abdominal or mid-back pain, jaundice, weight loss and indigestion can overlap with those of other conditions. Without Emlee, I probably wouldnt have reacted to my symptoms the way I did, Maglinte says.

She and Emlee received the kind of advanced care thats usually only available at an academic medical center like UCI.

Oncologist Dr. Rita Mehta, whose research over the past 15 years has led to many advances in treating some of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer with lifesaving results, stands in front of an inspirational quilt that hangs on display at the UCI Breast Health Center in Orange. Photo: Steve Zylius / UCI

Oncologist Mehta, who joined the faculty in 2001 as a clinical professor of medicine, lauds the university, saying, One of the great things is that not only can you do research here, but you can apply what you learn from that research to treat high-risk pregnancies with cutting-edge techniques. Thats not possible in a community hospital setting.

That distinction was as important to Michelle Clark-Salib as it was to Maglinte. In 2012, at age 28, she was diagnosed with an aggressive 8-centimeter breast tumor. After undergoing nearly three months of chemotherapy with a community oncologist in Riverside, Clark-Salib found out that she was 23 weeks pregnant with her son Caleb.

The North Fontana woman consulted with an obstetrician, who discovered that her amniotic sac contained almost no fluid, a side effect of one of her chemo drugs that posed a serious threat to the developing fetus. The doctor sent Clark-Salib to the high-risk maternalfetal physicians at UCI Health, where he had trained as a resident.

Mehta, an international expert in metastatic breast cancer, eventually took over the case. Michelle is an amazing young woman, Mehta says. She was at a very critical stage when she came to us but wanted to save her babys life and her own life. Abortion wasnt an option for her.

The drug that was causing the amniotic fluid problem was discontinued, and Mehta devised a modified cancer treatment plan that avoided the more toxic drug Herceptin until the infant arrived.

As soon as the baby was delivered, we put her back on a chemotherapy regimen, and her cancer went into complete remission, Mehta recalls. Caleb was born healthy at 37 weeks gestation.

Mehta finds this an exciting time in her field: Survival rates are so much improved since I began working in oncology. Sometimes the steps are small; sometimes theyre bigger. But overall, each step adds to the next, and rates keep improving.

Over the last 15 years, her research has led to many advances in treating the most aggressive breast cancers. In a groundbreaking study published in 2012, Mehta showed that a combination of the drugs anastrozole and fulvestrant was superior in controlling cancer and improving patient survival to anastrozole alone or anastrozole followed by fulvestrant in treating hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women. A long-term update of the study, published in March 2019 in The New England Journal of Medicine, confirmed the increase in five-year survival rates for advanced breast cancer patients.

Mehta was also one of the first to use chemotherapy combined with Herceptin on women with breast cancer before surgery rather than only after to help shrink tumors.

Now, more than seven years after Calebs birth, Clark-Salib remains cancer-free. And Maglinte has been cancer-free for more than six years.

I dont know what I would have done without UCI, Maglinte says. We were at the right place at the right time with the right teams. Everything just fell into line. Everyone we needed to be there was there.

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Saving Mother and Child - UCI News

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Letters to the editor tile(Photo: Argus Leader)

Letters to the Editor for Feb. 2:

The Hippocratic oathis a commitment all physicians make to our patients. Whether its ordering tests, recommending treatment plans, or communicating with families, we take this oath into consideration in all aspects of our medical practice. As a pediatrician, I take very seriously the need to protect children. It is the foundation of our profession. However, I cannot ignore the devastating consequences to children that are being proposed in HB 1057 all in the name of protecting children."

This bill ignores evidenced-based gender affirming care that is supported by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and criminalizes doctors who provide this care to patients. Studies show that gender affirming care is linked with lower odds of suicidal thoughts over the lifetime of young transgender people and the physical effects of supportive treatment are not permanent if treatment is stopped. Complex care decisions for the transgender and gender diverse youth are not made on a whim. It is a process that requires lengthy evaluation and counseling with the child, parents, and the medical team to ensure that the wellbeing of the child is at the core of the decision. Turning over that sacred and confidential trust to the legislature to determine is not good medicine.

As a pediatrician and advocate for all children, I believe HB 1057 is harmful to the wellbeing of our children. It creates a precedent where policy makers dictate medical practice that is not based on evidence but on personal opinions. Furthermore, it is government intrusion into the private patient-family-doctor relationship. To support HB 1057 is equivalent to a vote of no confidence in our physicians ability to care for children. It should be rejected by our lawmakers.

Richard Vo, MD, Sioux Falls

I own many guns and am an avid hunter. I am also an honorably discharged Vietnam Veteran (drafted) and very active in South Dakota's National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). With this said I must say I amvery disappointed in our current legislature. I have approached a number of legislators asking if they would sponsor a simple bill. It would prohibit the future sale of any magazine clip which has the capacity to hold more than five bullets. It would not impact the ownership of any firearm or these clips, but would prohibit any future sale. There are similar laws already in place - you must have your shotgun plugged so it can only hold three shells when hunting waterfowl.

We have been fortunate here in South Dakota not to have encountered any mass shootings . If limiting the number of bullets within any firearm saves one life, it is good legislation. It is apparent the NRA wields so much power, influenceand money that any common sense gun control legislation is doomed.

I am attempting to do something but cannot find a single sponsor. This discussion must occur before we have our own tragedy. If there is one legislator willing to discuss, please contact me.

David Braun, Pierre

The state legislature is a good few weeks into itssession. Sadly, it appears that this year will follow the usual muddle of bills as some legislators are off to a mean start with the transgender bill (at least Fred Deutsch has moved the proposal out of the bathrooms this year) and the inane ban on a ban of plastic bags.

Come on people!! This state needs to focus on the big deal stuff: increasing Medicaid, providing assistance for the rapidly growing list of nursing home closures, increasing pay for teachers and state employees, looking at alternate ways to provide income to the state such as legalizing sports gambling and hemp production, revamping the trust laws, and yes, just maybe calling for a small personal income tax and (gasp) corporate income tax. One can hope that during the next few weeks, some of this will be accomplished.

And we (thats you and me, folks) can make a difference: get to the cracker barrel sessions, email your legislators, call your legislators. Put pressure on them to do what is important. Let them know we will no longer abide legislators who idle away our tax dollars by squandering time on these waste makers.

Mary Richards, Spearfish

Im a female veteran who served in the United States Army and strongly support Senator Bernie Sanders for President. As a member of the Army Medical Specialist Corps, I cared for active duty and retired military and their families at Walter Reed and Tripler Army Medical Centers, an honor of which I am extremely proud. Military members valiantly don uniforms, in exchange for their lives, to defend our country from harm. Families unselfishly stand by their military members and country.

More than 6,900 US troops have died in Iraq and Afghanistan; over 52,000 have been wounded. Studies have shown 13-30% of returning troops screen positive for PTSD. It is reported that 17 veterans commit suicide every day. Thousands of military families lost a loved one or have a loved one return from deployment who can no longer function as a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a significant other, due to war-related trauma. These tragedies are largely suffered by us, working class families, the backbone of our military, who believe in defending our country and in politicians who ask of us the ultimate sacrifice.

Senator Sanders understands the weight of such requests. In 2002, he voted against rushing into war with Iraq without proof of weapons of mass destruction. Too many brave lives have been lost or damaged and the human destruction continues to this day. Yet, politicians, Democrats and Republicans, are raising questions about entering into another war with Iran. Who pays for these decisions? Our working-class families do, in life, limb and mind. Senator Sanders has stated, I will do everything I can to stop a war with Iran."

Senator Sanders will honor our military, during and after active service. I stand with Senator Sanders for President.

Mary Dugan, Hot Springs

I am compelled to write this letter as I just read the disturbing news of another inmate succeeding in committing suicide by hanging under the watch of our county jail system. I now know of twohuman beings in eightmonths committing suicide by hanging in our county jail. My niece succeeded in May of 2019. I have to ask myself:how can this happen?Are there not enough qualified staff to protect those that might be a danger to themselves? Orare some of these mentally ill people thought of like "frequent flyers" that they don't need to be watched?

I am saddened for the family of the man who died in jail on Wednesday Jan 29. I can not tell you how much a family is hurt from the issue of suicide. Please if you know someone who is struggling with mental illness, please say something to anyone. Let it be known. For those who are struggling please get some help anywhere. Ask someone. I pray for peace.

Kaylynn Montis, Sioux Falls

Once again, the South Dakota Legislature is obsessed with all things transgender. After failed attempts to ban transgender kids from bathrooms and sports, Representative Fred Deutsch is attempting to ban those same kids from appropriate medical treatment. He found a gullible House after his exhaustive review of the internet and comparing treatments the what the Nazis experiments did in Auschwitz.

Maybe its time for a reality check:

1) Are there any doctors or surgeons in South Dakota that perform gender confirming surgeries? According to Blue Cross/Blue Shield the answer is NO.

2) Are there ethical guidelines for gender confirming treatments that must be followed for any counselor, doctor, endocrinologist, or surgeon? The answer again in YES. If Representative Deutsch had done his homework, he would have learned of International guidance called WPATH that among other things requires the transgender patient to undergo counseling and be certified by two counselors with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

3) Are there counselors certified under the WPATH guidelines? YES, but, there are few certified counselors available. As an example, there are only two in Sioux Falls; however, there are many that advertise services to transgender individuals. In my opinion, this is the area where there are significant weaknesses and the State should be more active is policing those that offer services without certification.

4) Who can administer hormone therapy necessary under the guidelines? Appropriately the answer is an endocrinologist. Again, looking at Sioux Falls, there are a very limited number of these doctors available with months long waiting lists for treatment and who also require referrals from the counselors noted previously.

5) What else should you know? Hormone blockers are provided to identified youth as they enter puberty to pause puberty and is totally reversible. This is a collaborative effort between the patient, their parents, doctors, and counselors. A reasonable person should be able to draw the conclusion that there is an extremely long process before a minor could receive any treatment.

6) Are there other requirements to legally change names and gender? YES, but this also requires some of the services listed above.

These kids have the highest risk of harming themselves or committing suicide. They are at the highest risk for being homeless by outing themselves to their parents. They are the highest risk group subject to bullying as well. You should understand that these individuals dont want to be outed because of the risks of abuse. If you think undergoing treatment is a choice you should know that this is probably the hardest choice a person could ever make. The question you should ask yourself and your representatives is would you rather provide treatment to these individuals or risk a child committing suicide?

Once again Representative Deutsch is leading the charge to discriminate against a small population of vulnerable kids. We should be better than this.

Steve Marty, Sioux Falls

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Transgender bill goes against the medical community: Your Letters to the Editor for Feb. 2 - Argus Leader

If you have a kid who wets the bed, you may be wondering if theres an underlying psychological issue. Why do kids wet the bed? Is it because they have some hidden trauma affecting their bladder control? Heres what you should know about bed-wetting and how to support a child who cant seem to wake up dry.

Its very common for kids to pee in their beds at night. According to Mayo Clinic, Bed-wetting also called nighttime incontinence or nocturnal enuresis is involuntary urination while asleep after the age at which staying dry at night can be reasonably expected. Dont be alarmed. In fact, at any given time, about 5 million children (in the US alone) have problems with bed-wetting. Not surprisingly, there are many potential reasons some kids cant stay dry overnight.

Here are some possible factors:

At age five, approximately 15% of kids tend to wet the bed according to the Nationwide Childrens Organization. Boys are two times more likely to have bed-wetting problems than girls. As kids grow older, most have fewer instances of waking up wet. By the time they reach age 14, only 1-2% of kids still struggle with nighttime bladder control.

Waking up wet can be traumatic for any kid, so resist the urge to scold your little one for wetting the bed again. They arent doing it on purpose and need your support and understanding. Reassure them that they havent done anything wrong and help them understand that many children wake up wet in the night. Soothe them instead of punishing them and remind yourself that their body may not yet have the physical maturity required to remain dry through the night.

You can also try the following to support your child through this challenging stage of life. You can take many steps to help them, depending on the underlying issue. If youre looking at their water intake or drinking habits, consider:

If your childs bedwetting is suspected to be tied to their behavior, you can:

If youre exhausted by constantly waking in the night and cleaning up wet bedding, take comfort in knowing most kids grow out of this behavior by the time they reach age seven. If your child doesnt grow out of it by then, or shows other symptoms of an underlying problem, it may be time to talk to your doctor.

The American Family Physician Organization says administering bed-wetting medication from your pediatrician should be your last resort, Medicines arent a cure for bed-wetting. The medicines work in two ways. One kind of medicine helps the bladder hold more urine, and the other kind helps the kidneys make less urine. The medicines may have side effects.

Take your child to the pediatrician if you notice that her nighttime urinating is accompanied by other behaviors or problems, such as pain while peeing, sudden bed-wetting after months of staying dry, swelling in the ankles and feet or snoring loudly at night. There may be a treatable medical condition at the root of the cause.

Wetting the bed is something many kids and parents go through. The key is to face the challenge together, with plenty of support, encouragement, and patience until the phase passes.

Want to know more about when kids stop wetting the bed?

Bed-wetting in kids: Why it happens and what to doBedwetting: 5 Common Reasons Why Children Wet the BedWhy Does My Child Wet the Bed?Bed-wetting

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Why Do Kids Wet the Bed? What Parents Need to Know - Parentology

Jack Chieh and Yinnie Wong with their baby boy, born last Friday (Chinese New Year). The couple donate her baby's cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre.Handout

Yinnie Wong and Jack Chiehs six-pound, 13-ounce baby boy as yet unnamed was born on an auspicious day, Jan. 24, Chinese New Year, and hes already doing good in the world.

Everyone was really happy, it is supposed to be a lucky day, said Wong.

Although the birth was a planned C-section, Wong had no control over the date hospital administrators chose for the birth. What she did have control over was the choice to donate her babys cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Cord blood is blood that is taken from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after the birth of a healthy infant. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, and can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including leukemia.

According to Canadian Blood Services, ethnically diverse donors are especially needed because although Stats Canada data shows 67.7 per cent of Canadians consider their ethnic origin to be diverse, only 31 per cent of Canadians with blood in Canadas stem-cell registry are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Crystal Nguyen, 20, is a former B.C. Childrens Hospital patient whose life was saved by a stem-cell transplant from donated cord blood. Nguyen was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. After chemo, she went into remission for almost three years. Then the cancer returned. She was told she needed a bone-marrow transplant.

Crystal Nguyen, now 20, was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. She found a stem-cell match for a needed bone-marrow transplant through the international cord blood bank.Handout

When I relapsed I was very confused, it was kind of surreal. The main thing about being told I needed the bone-marrow stem-cell transplant was confusion, fear and anxiety.

Nguyen is of Vietnamese descent and needed a match to survive. No one in her family was a match, nor was there a stem-cell match in the Canadian cord blood bank, but a match was found thanks to the Canadian Blood Services partnerships with 47 international blood banks.

I was told it came through the international cord blood bank from somewhere very far away, said Nguyen, who has been in remission since the transplant.

When she learned the stem-cell transplant had been successful, Nguyen, who is now studying to become a pediatric oncology nurse, said it felt too good to be true.

There was a lot of happiness, joy, excitement. Donating cord blood is such a simple way to save a life.

Although cord blood can be collected and stored for a fee by private companies and reserved for the donor familys use, cord blood donated through Canadian Blood Services is available free to the public whoever needs the match.

Wong didnt hesitate when her son was born. I felt like I wanted to do it if it helps someone in the public, and if it could save lives I would have been very happy to help another child, said Wong, who is a nurse at B.C. Womens hospital.

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Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord-blood donation - Vancouver Sun

WARSAW (AFP) Submerged in liquid nitrogen vapour at a temperature of minus 175 degrees Celsius, hundreds of thousands of stem cells from all over Europe bide their time in large steel barrels on the outskirts of Warsaw.

Present in blood drawn from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby, stem cells can help cure serious blood-related illnesses like leukaemia and lymphoma, as well as genetic conditions and immune system deficits.

Polish umbilical cord blood bank PBKM/FamiCord became the industrys leader in Europe after Swiss firm Cryo-Save went bankrupt early last year.

It is also the fifth largest in the world, according to its management, after two companies in the United States (US), a Chinese firm and one based in Singapore.

Since the first cord blood transplant was performed in France in 1988, the sector has significantly progressed, fuelling hopes.

Mum-of-two Teresa Przeborowska has firsthand experience.

At five-years-old, her son Michal was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia and needed a bone marrow transplant, the entrepreneur from northern Poland said.

The most compatible donor was his younger sister, Magdalena.

When she was born, her parents had a bag of her cord blood stored at PBKM.

More than three years later, doctors injected his sisters stem cells into Michals bloodstream. It was not quite enough for Michals needs but nicely supplemented harvested bone marrow.

As a result, Michal, who is nine, is now flourishing, both intellectually and physically, his mum told AFP.

A cord blood transplant has become an alternative to a bone marrow transplant when there is no donor available, with a lower risk of complications.

Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are like those taken from bone marrow, capable of producing all blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells.

When used, stem cells are first concentrated, then injected into the patient. Once transfused, they produce new cells of every kind.

At the PBKM laboratory, each container holds up to 10,000 blood bags. Safe and secure, they wait to be used in the future, its Head Krzysztof Machaj, said.

The bank holds around 440,000 samples, not including those from Cryo-Save, he said.

If the need arises, the blood will be ready to use without the whole process of looking for a compatible donor and running blood tests, the biologist told AFP.

For families who have paid an initial nearly EUR600 (USD675) and then an annual EUR120 euros to have the blood taken from their newborns umbilical cords preserved for around 20 years, it is a kind of health insurance promising faster and more effective treatment if illness strikes.

But researchers also warn against unrealistic expectations.

Bone marrow pioneer in Poland Haematologist Wieslaw Jedrzejczak describes promoters of the treatment as sellers of hope, who make promises that are either impossible to realise in the near future or downright impossible to realise at all for biological reasons.

He compares them to makers of beauty products who swear their cream will rejuvenate the client by 20 years.

Various researches is being done on the possibility of using the stem cells to treat other diseases, notably nervous disorders. But the EuroStemCell scientist network warns that the research is not yet conclusive.

There is a list of almost 80 diseases for which stem cells could prove beneficial, US Haematologist Roger Mrowiec, who heads the clinical laboratory of the cord blood programme Vitalant in New Jersey, told AFP.

But given the present state of medicine, they are effective only for around a dozen of them, like leukaemia or cerebral palsy, he said.

Its not true, as its written sometimes, that we can already use them to fight Parkinsons disease or Alzheimers disease or diabetes.

EuroStemCell also cautions against private blood banks that advertise services to parents suggesting they should pay to freeze their childs cord blood in case its needed later in life.

Studies show it is highly unlikely that the cord blood will ever be used for their child, the network said.

It also pointed out that there could be a risk of the childs cells not being useable anyway without reintroducing the same illness.

Some countries, such as Belgium and France, are cautious and ban the storage of cord blood for private purposes. Most European Union (EU) countries however permit it while imposing strict controls.

In the early 2000s, Swiss company Cryo-Save enjoyed rapid growth.

Greeks, Hungarians, Italians, Spaniards and Swiss stored blood from their newborns with the company for 20 years on payment of UER2,500 euros upfront.

When the firm was forced to close in early 2019, clients were left wondering where their stem cells would end up.

Under a kind of back-up agreement, the samples of some 250,000 European families were transferred for storage at PBKM.

The Polish firm, founded in 2002 with PLN2million (around EUR450,000, USD525,000), has also grown quickly.

Present under the FamiCord brand in several countries, PBKM has some 35 per cent of the European market, excluding Cryo-Save assets.

Over the last 15 months, outside investors have contributed EUR63 million to the firm, PBKMs Chief Executive Jakub Baran told AFP.

But the company has not escaped controversy: the Polityka weekly recently published a critical investigative report on several private clinics that offer what was described as expensive treatment involving stem cells held by PBKM.

Read more:
Europe's guardian of stem cells and hopes, real and unrealistic - Borneo Bulletin Online