CANCER IS a group of diseases characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. These cells can form tumours, invade nearby tissues, and in some cases, metastasise to other parts of the body. Cancer can occur in...

View the full post Changing the tune of Gender-Based Violence on NOW Grenada.

Nonetheless, we are giving it a go. Hopefully, you will be a beneficiary, since we have assembled a few items of interest to help you start your own day. On that note, we hope that all goes well and that you conquer the world. And of course, do keep in touch. …

All the drugmakers that make the 10 prescription medicines subject to the first-ever price negotiations for the U.S. Medicare health program said they signed on to participate in the talks by the Oct. 1 deadline, Reuters notes. The penalties for not doing so would have been steep: Drugmakers would have to pay 65% to 95% taxes on their drug’s Medicare sales or withdraw all of their products from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which together provide health benefits to 158 million Americans. At least seven of the drugmakers have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Medicare agency, calling the process unconstitutional price-setting.

AstraZeneca agreed to pay $425 million to settle U.S. product liability lawsuits related to the heartburn and stomach acid treatments Nexium and Prilosec, which some users said caused kidney damage, Bloomberg News says. The settlement resolves litigation in New Jersey and Delaware courts. A single case is still pending in Louisiana, with a trial set for next year. AstraZeneca said it continues to believe the claims are without merit and admits no wrongdoing, but settled to avoid costly legal procedures. Heartburn medications have been the subject of a range of concerns in recent years. In June, GSK settled litigation with a man who claimed its Zantac treatment caused his cancer.

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PAHO advances technical cooperation with Argentina to strengthen regional production of mRNA vaccines

Cristina Mitchell

2 Oct 2023

AbbVie has said a late-stage study of its experimental combination therapy failed to meaningfully increase the survival rate of patients without the disease worsening. Reuters Health Information

For many people, enjoying a few alcoholic beverages can come at a cost — including nausea, headaches and more symptoms of morning-after hangovers.

On TikTok and other social media platforms, claims are making the rounds that actions such as chugging down a sports drink, using an electrolyte powdered mix or scheduling an appointment to receive an IV with electrolytes has helped people handle hangovers.

Does electrolyte supplementation really expedite the recovery of a hangover? Fox News Digital spoke with some experts to find out.

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Electrolytes are positive or negative electrically charged substances that help the body maintain the optimal fluid balance inside and outside the cells, and also help to regulate chemical reactions, according to Cleveland Clinic’s website.

Electrolytes can come from foods and beverages like sports drinks, coconut water and other types of juices.

A person can lose electrolytes after a workout through sweat or when dealing with illness and vomiting, including from hangovers, health experts told Fox News Digital.

"Drinking alcohol can cause one to be dehydrated, because it has a tendency to inhibit the hormone vasopressin, which helps the kidneys reabsorb water," Dr. Fred Davis, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health - Long Island Jewish Medical Center on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital.

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"This leads to a loss of more water when you urinate that the body would have reabsorbed through the kidneys," he continued. 

"Along with this water loss in the urine goes a number of electrolytes, specifically sodium and potassium." 

Sodium and potassium are the key electrolytes involved in the regulation of water in and out of cells, Davis said — and when they are low, symptoms like headaches, muscle aches and fatigue can result.

The supplementation of electrolytes — particularly sodium and potassium — can be helpful in warding off many of the effects of hangovers, multiple experts told Fox News Digital.

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"Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urination, which can cause disruptions in fluid and electrolyte balance," Laura Feldman, a registered dietitian nutritionist and an assistant professor of nutrition at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital. 

"Restoring this balance with electrolyte replacements is logical."

More research is needed to determine whether taking electrolytes helps shorten a hangover's duration, Feldman said.

"However, sports drinks and other electrolyte replacement drinks can also provide fluid and carbs, which can help address hangover symptoms," she noted. 

"For people who are experiencing nausea and vomiting, carbohydrate- and electrolyte-filled fluids may be the only thing they can tolerate."

When it comes to receiving IV drips that contain electrolytes, Feldman said they can be a quick way to hydrate after a hangover, but cautioned that they tend to be expensive and carry a potential risk of infections.

Some recent college graduates shared with Fox News Digital their "go-to hangover cures." 

POTENTIAL HANGOVER CURES, SUCH AS BACON AND SAUSAGE ROLLS, REVEALED IN NEW SURVEY

Of the five who commented, all included a sports drink or electrolyte powdered drink mix, along with an over-the-counter pain reliever, to help with their morning recovery (along with a greasy breakfast sandwich).

One nutrition expert pointed out that the effectiveness of electrolytes for treating hangovers could be partly a psychological effect.

"It might be more of a ‘placebo effect’ with the electrolyte products," Dr. Deborah Salvatore, director of graduate nutrition programs at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital.

It may not be that electrolytes specifically treat the hangover but that they boost fluid intake to alleviate symptoms of dehydration, she said.

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Beyond boosting electrolytes — and the obvious approach of drinking less alcohol — there are other ways to minimize the symptoms of a hangover, said expertd.

"If you choose to drink alcohol, the best way to avoid a hangover is to make sure you are well-hydrated beforehand," Davis told Fox News Digital.

He also suggested drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic drink — and before going to sleep — to help reduce the dehydration effects.

In Feldman’s view, the best cure for a hangover is patience.

"The symptoms will typically resolve within 24 hours," she said. 

"However, if having an electrolyte replacement drink helps someone feel better — even anecdotally — there is minimal risk, so I say go for it."

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

It is airborne, meaning present in the air in the form of droplets containing the virus. These droplets would be the product of coughs and sneezes of infected individuals. It is transmitted by breathing in these droplets. It is also transmitted by touching the face after contact with surfaces that have the virus.

Methods of prevention include:

1) Washing of hands after contact with surfaces.

2) Sanitisation of surfaces especially where persons with coughs, runny noses and sneezes are present.

3) Avoid touching the face and putting hands in the mouth.

4) Avoid sharing eating utensils, straws, cups and bedding with suspected or confirmed cases.

5) Eat balanced healthy meals with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated.

6) Get sunlight and adequate rest

7) Protect oneself by getting the flu vaccine if available. This is recommended for those most vulnerable and include health-care workers and caregivers.

If having symptoms such as fever, sneezing, runny nose or coughing:

•Wear a mask

•Practise proper cough/sneeze etiquette; cover nose and mouth with a napkin, which should be discarded after us

•Cough/sneeze into the elbow not the palm of the hand.

•Stay home until the illness has passed, usually indicated by absence of fever for 24 hours. It usually has a course of 7-10 days. If that time has passed and symptoms persist it may indicate that the illness has become complicated and will need further intervention.

•Isolate if diagnosed especially if around the most vulnerable including babies and small children, the elderly, and immunocompromised (that is, persons on chemotherapy or steroids, for example).

Dr Anona Griffith is a consultant paediatrician at WeRKids Paediatric Centre in Manor Park, St Andrew and at Gilead Paediatrics, Denbigh Clarendon. She can be contacted by visiting
werkidsja.com.

Dr Bridget Okpiavbe is a consultant psychiatrist at Jamaica's psychiatric health-care facility, Bellevue Hospital, and she shared some insights into the condition with Jamaica Observer's Your Health Your Wealth just after World Alzhiemer's Day, which was observed on September 21.

"Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia," Okpiavbe shared. "Dementia is a general term used to describe brain disorders that get progressively worse over time, affecting an individual's cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning, ability to carry out previously learnt tasks, as well as other aspects of functioning."

Dr Okpiavbe added that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Alzhiemer's accounts for between 60 and 70 per cent of cases of dementia, which is the seventh-leading cause of death among older persons globally.

"One of the early signs is usually problems with memory. For example, the individual may repeatedly forget recent events or actions such as where they placed their belongings," she said. "As the condition progresses, memory may worsen and the person may get lost in familiar places and forget familiar faces. They may have challenges communicating and difficulty carrying out their activities of daily living such as caring for their hygienic needs, paying utility bills, and doing grocery shopping."

Okpiavbe noted, too, that the disease often causes changes in the individual's personality, and that they may become restless and aggressive, and may experience hallucinations and delusions.

The consultant psychiatrist explained that while Alzheimer's can occur in younger persons (early onset Alzheimer's), a person is more at risk of developing this condition as they move into their senior years.

"Increasing age and having a family history of the condition increase the risk of Alzheimer's," she explained. "Research has pointed to other risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, and a history of brain injury due to trauma."

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is usually done after physical and psychiatric evaluation of the patient, she explained.

"If there are concerns, it is important to visit a doctor. The doctor will ask questions about the individual's medical and behavioural history, and other pertinent details," Okpiavbe said. "The doctor will also do a physical examination of the patient and recommend tests for possible underlying causes of the noted changes."

She noted that brain imaging such as a CT scan or MRI may be recommended to rule out any other cause of the behavioural changes, such as a brain tumour.

And while the condition is incurable, persons with Alzhiemer's can still live fulfilling, healthy lives with treatment and support, the doctor said in a positive tone.

"There is medication available that can be used to slow down the progression of the disease," she said. "Medication may also be prescribed to help to manage some of the behavioural challenges, mood disturbances, and psychotic features that may occur in persons living with Alzheimer's."

She also encouraged persons who live with and care for persons with Alzheimer's to be as supportive as possible in helping them to manage the condition.

"Treat them with love and respect, and ensure their environment is as safe as possible for them," she advised. "Provide balanced, nutritious meals and adequate hydration — and ensure they do some amount of exercise daily, and stay on track with their prescribed medication and medical appointments."

The psychiatrist underscored that a predictable routine is important for persons with Alzheimer's.

"Ensure their daily activities are done in a scheduled, consistent manner," she encouraged. "You may need to assist them in meeting hygienic needs and in other activities of daily living but [do all this while] ensuring they are given as much autonomy as possible. Putting visual reminders — such as calendars — around the home, may also be helpful."