Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread

Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotics Prove Powerless as Super-Germs Spread

CDC / Matthew J. Arduino / DRPH

Antibiotics were once the wonder drug. Now, however, an increasing number of highly resistant -- and deadly -- bacteria are spreading around the world. The killer bugs often originate in factory farms, where animals are treated whether they are sick or not. By SPIEGEL Staff

The pathogens thrive in warm, moist environments. They feel comfortable in people's armpits, in the genital area and in the nasal mucous membranes. Their hunting grounds are in the locker rooms of schools and universities, as well as in the communal showers of prisons and health clubs.

The bacteria are transmitted via the skin, through towels, clothing or direct body contact. All it takes is a small abrasion to provide them with access to a victim's bloodstream. Festering pustules develop at the infection site, at which point the pathogens are also capable of corroding the lungs. If doctors wait too long, patients can die very quickly.

This is precisely what happened to Ashton Bonds, a 17-year-old student at Staunton River High School in Bedford County, in the US state of Virginia. Ashton spent a week fighting for his life -- and lost. This is probably what also happened to Omar Rivera, a 12-year-old in New York, who doctors sent home because they thought he was exhibiting allergy symptoms. He died that same night.

The same thing almost happened at a high school in the town of Belen, New Mexico. Less than two weeks ago, a cheerleader at the school was hospitalized after complaining about an abscess. Twelve other female students had been afflicted with suspicious rashes. All the students tested positive for a bacterium that the US media has dubbed the "superbug."

The school administration in Belen believes that the bacterium was spread on mats in the school's fitness and wrestling rooms. The facility was thoroughly disinfected 40 times, and yet the fear remains.

Fears of a Pandemic

Pill that makes you fit without even having to leave the sofa

It is a couch potato’s dream, a pill that will make you fit without having to move a muscle.

Scientists say they have created a drug that provides all the benefits of exercise without actually having to do any.

They have discovered that the hormone irisin, found naturally in the body, is responsible for some of the health benefits of sweating it out at the gym.

Benefits: The Irisin pills could help build levels of 'good fat' in those who take them

When given to mice, the researchers found that irisin was key in the development of ‘good fat’, which burns off calories.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2085492/Pill-makes-fit-having-leave-sofa.html#ixzz1ktILvoQo

Top Health Benefits Found in the Bedroom

The road to good health may not always lead to the health food store, doctors office or pharmacy. It may go straight to the bedroom, say experts.
The fountain of youth can be found between the sheets, says Dr. Walter Gaman, co-author of Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health.
Frequent sex causes the brain to release human growth hormone, which helps maintain youth.
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, clinical professor at Yale University and a renowned gynecologist, adds that menopausal women have fewer symptoms when they have a good sex life.
Frequent sex increases blood flow to the pelvic area so women need less medication for vaginal dryness, Dr. Minkin reveals. And of course most relationships benefit from a healthy sex life. Maybe this is not a strict gynecological fact, but its true!

ere are more ways that being active in the bedroom benefits your health:

Improves Memory.

Increases Immunity.

Improves Heart Health. Reduces Pain.

Helps You Live Longer. Makes You Happier. Makes You Stronger.

Read more: Top Health Benefits Found in the Bedroom
Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

Your Office Can Make You Sick

A new study suggests that your indoor office air particularly in newly renovated offices could be making you sick by exposing you to harmful PFCs, or polyfluorinated compounds.

''Workers who spend their day in a typical office environment are likely to have exposure to PFCs through the air, and that seems to lead to PFC levels in their blood," said researcher Michael McClean, associate professor of environmental health at the Boston University School of Public Health in the U.S.

PFCs are often released by furniture, carpet stain repellents, paint, and food packaging, and are linked to a host of health problems including thyroid hormone imbalance, certain cancers, and infertility.

Read more: Your Office Can Make You Sick
Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

High Levels Of MRSA Bacteria Found In Meat Products

MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that sometimes infects hospital patients, can also be found in our food. And a new study says MRSA is a lot more common in retail pork products than previously believed.

The new study was conducted by researchers at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

MRSA can occur in the environment and in raw meat products, and is estimated to cause around 185,000 cases of food poisoning each year. The bacteria can also cause serious, life-threatening infections of the bloodstream, skin, lungs, and other organs. MRSA is resistant to a number of antibiotics.

Eating chocolate can stave off bowel cancer, say scientists

Eating chocolate could stave off bowel cancer, say scientists.

A study found having daily doses of cocoa reduced the risk of developing the disease.

It is the latest piece of research to highlight the health benefits of the cocoa bean, most of which is harvested in West Africa.

According to a study eating chocolate may help stave off bowel cancer

Previous studies have found the seed is rich in particularly powerful natural antioxidants that destroy harmful molecules known as free radicals.

And it has been suggested that eating chocolate with a high cocoa content could help to control diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2091627/Eating-chocolate-stave-bowel-cancer-say-scientists.html#ixzz1kYzzJyN0

Blast of gas that could replace dentist's drill and make fillings stronger

A new ‘gas-firing’ device may offer a pain-free alternative to the dentist’s drill — and could make fillings even more hard-wearing.

The device, which resembles an electric toothbrush, cleans out cavities in rotten teeth in only 30 seconds, according to new research.

It works by generating high-energy gas and liquid particles to kill bacteria and blast out the decayed pulp of the tooth.

Estimates suggest that around one-in-four of us fear going to the dentist, leading to many people not visiting at all

The researchers at the University of Missouri who developed the device say it means less discomfort for patients, as it does not affect the highly sensitive nerves in the teeth.

Conventional drills cause pain because the vibrations from the drill trigger signals in these nerves.

Tooth decay is the second most common health problem after the common cold.

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• Councils handed £2bn public health fund and will be held to account over smoking, drinking and obesity, says Lansley

It is caused by bacteria in the mouth — one of the bacteria’s main food sources is sugar, which is why sweet treats accelerate tooth damage.

Most cavities are discovered by dentists in the early stages during routine check-ups.

The surface of the tooth may be soft when probed with a sharp instrument, but there is often no pain until the advanced stages of tooth decay.

Dentists fill teeth by drilling out the decayed material and replacing it with white or amalgam fillings made from a variety of different metals including tin, silver, copper and mercury.

An estimated eight million cavities are filled each year in the UK.

Estimates suggest that around one-in-four of us fear going to the dentist, leading to many people not visiting at all.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2090764/Blast-gas-replace-dentists-drill-make-fillings-stronger.html#ixzz1kTAyeuZQ

Doctors' Drug Company Perks Becoming Public

Drug companies will be required to reveal the payments they make to doctors for research, consulting, speaking, travel, and entertainment as part of the Obama administration's new health-care law.

The New York Times reported that about a quarter of doctors take cash payments from pharmaceutical and device companies, while nearly two-thirds accept gifts of food, including dinners.

The Times has found that doctors who take money from drug makers often practice medicine differently from those who do not and that they are more willing to prescribe drugs in risky and unapproved ways, such as prescribing powerful antipsychotic medicines for children.

Any payment over $10 must be reported, even if the company delivers a batch of bagels for a morning staff meeting worth $25, according to the paper.

Read more: Doctors' Drug Company Perks Becoming Public
Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

Flavonoids Prevents Heart Attacks

Older adults who get a moderate amount of certain plant compounds in their diets are less likely to die of heart disease or stroke, a large study finds.

The research, on nearly 100,000 older U.S. adults, found that those getting the most flavonoids in their diets were less likely to die of heart disease or stroke over the next seven years than those who ate the least flavonoids.

The compounds are found in a range of plant foods, including many fruits (like berries, citrus and apples) and vegetables (like kale, spinach and broccoli), nuts, soy, dark chocolate, tea and wine.

Research shows that flavonoids have a number of benefits, including fighting inflammation and acting as antioxidants -- which means they help protect body cells from damage that may lead to chronic diseases and cancer.

In the current study, the researchers divided participants into five groups according to the amount of flavonoids in their diets.

The one-fifth with the highest flavonoid intake were 18 percent less likely to die of heart problems or stroke than the fifth with the lowest intake.

Read more: Flavonoids Prevents Heart Attacks
Important: At Risk For A Heart Attack? Find Out Now.

Gold coils are the latest weapon in prostate cancer war

Doctors are arming themselves with a precious new weapon in the fight against prostate cancer – gold.

Gold coils are being used to target radiotherapy more accurately, intensifying the effect of the treatment on the prostate and preventing damage to nearby organs such as the bowel or bladder.

Around six of the coils, which are 1cm to 2cm long and cost £80 to £100 each, are inserted in the prostate prior to treatment.

Gold is used because it shows up on scans and few people are allergic to it. Once fitted, the coils stay in the prostate for life.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2089732/Gold-coils-latest-weapon-prostate-cancer-war.html#ixzz1kChvAW1Z