Doctors perform 1st US organ transplants from HIV-positive donor

Doctors perform 1st US organ transplants from HIV-positive donor

HEALTH

Doctors at Johns Hopkins performed the first U.S. liver and kidney transplants from an HIV-positive donor to HIV-positive recipients, the hospital announced on Wednesday. The ban on HIV-positive organ donations was repealed in 2013.  (HIV was the only condition 100 percent banned in the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984, when the AIDS epidemic was still in its early stages.)
In a statement, the hospital's Dr. Dorry Segev explained:

"This opens the doors for so many more of these kind of transplants to happen, so many lives of people with HIV saved by these transplants".

There are an estimated 120,000 people waiting on organ transplant lists in the U.S., with Hopkins doctors estimating that anywhere from 500 to 600 organs from HIV-positive donors have been wasted. 

"A thousand new transplants every year? If we can really reach, that would be a huge increase in the number of transplants," Dr. Segev said.

Segev had fought for six years for federal approval of the surgeries.

"It wasn't a medical issue," he told The Baltimore Sun. "It was entirely legal." Segev and his colleagues repeatedly met with figures on Capitol Hill to try and push through legislation that would overturn the law. "The hardest thing was to get it on their radar," Segev said Wednesday.

Last month, Johns Hopkins became the first U.S. hospital to gain approval for the transplants from the United Network for Organ Sharing, the nonprofit organization that oversees the country's organ transplant system for the government.

The family of the first HIV-positive kidney and liver donor said she wanted to help. The New England woman, whose name was not released, was a "daughter, mother, auntie, best friend and sister," according to a statement from her family provided by the New England Organ Bank.

"From early childhood she always stuck up for the underdog," said the statement. "HIV was not a choice she made, but she fought it for herself and our family every day. As we all know, HIV is a stigma and people with the disease are unfortunately at times treated differently. ... She was able to leave this world helping those underdogs she fought so hard for."

Both recipients wished to remain anonymous, but are doing well, Hopkins said. One has left the hospital and the other is expected to be discharged shortly.

healthandwealth Pada 11:00 Komentar

3 potentially dangerous beauty treatments to avoid

3 potentially dangerous beauty treatments to avoid

HEALTH

 

Okay, so every day we're told about new ways to shape, shave and mould our faces and bodies into better versions of itself. Heck, South Africa has become a cosmetic surgery destination of note!

But there are many, many scary and harmful treatments out there that we would rather avoid than try.

We all know the basics, like don't use products that are not suited for your unique hair and skincare needs. Like, don't use a volumising shampoo if you have mad curly hair, or don't use products you know will give your sensitive skin a bad rash.

Also, don't get super cheap gel manicures (the products often contain dangerous chemicals); and fight the urge to take some dodgy clinic up on their offer to give you "half off" on a cosmetic surgery procedure. They will leave you either butchered or infected, or both. Just don't do it.

Then, in recent years, we've seen a massive surge in trend-specific beauty treatments. For example, the ever troubling toe surgery. Yes, many women around the globe have decided that it's more important to fit into their uber-high stilettos than to have a pinky toe. Then, of course, there's the even worse calf Botox trend. A surgeon injects Botox into your calves in order to make them appear slimmer. Of course.

Here are a few more interesting beauty treatments we won't be trying - ever!

Thigh gap "surgery"

Thighs rubbing together when you walk? Sick and tired of being a human woman? Well, well, well, according to Jezebel you can now head on over to Texas, girls, where you can get the thigh gap of your dreams. Yes, a clinic called Thrive (go, figure) now offers women a cold laser type therapy called Zerona. It will shrink and melt away those fat cells in targeted areas - like your crotch! Ouch...

It's a non-surgical option that can potentially help you target parts of your body that you find very difficult to rid of fat. Some even use this treatment to slim down their ankles.

For now, we won't be lasering anywhere too close to our ladybits...

The Brazilian blowout

It promises smooth, effortless hair, but according to Beautyandtips.com and Minq this popular hair straightening treatment does more harm than good - it can even potentially cause rashes, shortness of breath and even cancer.

The occasional salon blowout is fine, but the chemicals used in this particular blowout are very dangerous. Ecowatch.com and the FDA has warned against this treatment, especially considering that hairdressers are even an even bigger risk than clients.  Apparently clients who regularly get these blowouts and the hairdressers who provide them, are at high risk of having kids with birth defects because of these particularly harmful treatments.

Waist training

Kim Kardashian and many other celebs swear by waist-training. But should you give it a go? Mmm, probably not.

Marieclaire.com says that waist training is basically like wearing a gut-cinching corset - yes, like the ones they used to wear back in the 14th century. The idea is basically to wear it long enough that your body starts to mould itself into a particular shape.

I mean really now. Is this not 2015?!

Squashing your ribs and lungs to appear slightly more shapely, might not the best idea, Einstein. Not being able to breathe properly or even passing out from the tightness of the corset, is also not ideal.

Apparently experts say that it doesn't actually work. It might appear to work at first, but this treatment won't actually help you to lose any weight what. So. Ever.

healthandwealth Pada 11:25 Komentar

7 things worth knowing about mosquitos

7 things worth knowing about mosquitos

HEALTH

1. Not all mosquitoes bite.

The female mosquitoes are the dangerous ones. They bite and draw blood. Male mosquitoes feed on flower nectar. Males have very hairy and fuzzy antennae (like a powder puff) whereas females have less hairy antennae.

2. There are three types of malaria carrying mosquitoes.

The top three malaria transmitters in Africa are Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles arabiensis. The first two live in areas of Africa where there is higher rainfall while the third, Anopheles arabiensis, is a more savanna-based, arid zone species.

Gambiae and funestus prefer to feed indoors and are strongly attracted to humans, but arabiensis feeds as easily outdoors as indoors and also as easily on cattle and other animals as humans. This means it is easier to target gambiae and funestus using indoor methods such as spraying walls with insecticides and using insecticide-impregnated bed nets. The outdoor-feeding arabiensis is far more difficult to control.

In most areas all three species have a peak of biting in the early hours of the morning when people are in their deepest sleep and less likely to disturb mosquitoes during the feeding process. There are also other important species of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes but they are more localised in distribution.

3. Mosquitoes have started to change their feeding patterns.

Because of the strong focus on indoor strategies to fight malaria transmitting mosquitoes using bed nets and indoor spraying, genetic selection is resulting in some populations of these mosquitoes biting outdoors and earlier at night when people are not protected by bed nets. It means these mosquitoes are more difficult to reach with insecticides, just as is the case with Anopheles arabiensis.

4. Most mosquito bites are harmless. It’s only the ones that carry certain types of parasites that lead to malaria, and potentially death.

In Africa, there are four known species of microscopically small parasites that can cause the disease we call malaria. All four belong to the group Plasmodium. The most common of these parasites in Africa is Plasmodium falciparum, which is the most deadly of the four species.

Birds and some other groups of animals carry their own species of Plasmodium, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes, but they do not cause malaria in humans. Mosquitoes also carry many other disease-causing organisms such as yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, Rift Valley fever, and the worms that cause the dreaded disfiguring elephantiasis (filariasis).

5. Mosquitoes select where they feed on the body. They have very acute sensory mechanisms (like heat-seeking missiles) that lead them to select particular parts of the body (such as ankles) to feed from.

All three of the main malaria carrying mosquitoes have similar biting preferences. If you are sitting or standing outside in the evening the overwhelming majority will try to feed on your ankles and feet - so make sure you cover these areas with repellent or wear socks and shoes.

The antennae of mosquitoes are highly specialised sensory organs that can detect very small amounts of chemical cues that lead them to food and mates. Various chemicals, of which carbon dioxide is one, help female mosquitoes track down their hosts. Pheromones, which are hormones secreted as odours into the environment, enable males and females to meet and mate. They are also detected by the antennae.

6. Malaria mosquitoes do not like wind.

Using a fan over you when going to bed will lessen your chances of being bitten. These mosquitoes don’t like flying when there is even a slight breeze.

7. 97 countries and territories still face ongoing malaria transmission.

According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 3.2 billion people, or just under half the world’s population, are at risk of getting malaria. The bulk of the malaria burden is shouldered by Africa where 89% of cases and 91% of deaths occur.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

healthandwealth Pada 11:23 Komentar

How to treat your skin in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s

How to treat your skin in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s

HEALTH

Every year our skin becomes more damaged. The sun, our lifestyle and gravity all make an impact. Luckily, there are so many things you can do to improve the quality of your skin.

In your 20s
Taking care of your skin now is like making a financial investment for when you retire. The sooner you start, the safer you'll be. Wear sunblock every single day - even in winter and on cloudy days guys.

In your 30s
Begin to boost cell turnover. Hi-tech skin care not only stimulates cell renewal but also protects against free-radical damage, and maintains the water and oil levels of the skin.

In your 40s
Exfoliation is key during this stage of your life. Use products that contain chemical exfoliators to maintain the smooth texture of your skin. Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids speed up cell renewal, so skin looks smoother immediately and over time.

In your 50s
This is the time that your epidermis is thinner than ever before. Your skin has lost elasticity over the years, and cell turnover has dramatically slowed down. Switch to more nourishing and stimulating products that have a firming effect on your skin.

- Woman24

healthandwealth Pada 10:00 Komentar

Can makeup cause you to age faster?

Can makeup cause you to age faster?

HEALTH

Companies are meant to use an organic label only if the ingredients are certified-organic. This is a no-brainer, right? But the beauty industry is so  shockingly unregulated that you often don’t know what to believe.

Face cream, lipstick, mascara and even body wash are often labelled ‘clinically tested’ or ‘clinically proven’ and words such as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ claim various falsehoods.

Here are some ingredients you need to be aware of:

1.    Beware of lead poisoning. Lead is commonly found in lipstick and hair dye. It will never be listed as an ingredient because it's a contaminant. This is extremely troubling considering how much lipstick we swallow annually.

2.    Phalates. Commonly found in fragrances, nail polish, deodorants and lotions, this common contaminant is linked to endocrine disruptors and can increase your chances of breast cancer, especially during early breast development in girls and reproductive birth defects in males and females.

Look out for the following labels to avoid this contaminant: ‘dibutyl phthalate’ in nail polish, ‘diethyl phthalate’ in perfumes and lotions, and ‘dimethyl phthalate in hair spray’ 

3.    Your eyeliner can damage your eyesight. Eye pencils can contain oils, silicones, gums and waxes that can build up on the inner rims of your eyelids. This can cause eye irritation, redness, bacterial infections and even blurred vision. Properly remove eye make-up before bed and sharpen your eyeliner pencil before each application to remove some bacteria.  

4.    Some lipsticks contain coal tar. We love our colourful lipsticks and never feel fully dressed without it. But many dark and pastel tone synthetic coloured lippies are derived from coal tar. Tar can cause cancer and is toxic to your organ system. 

5.    Parabens. A widely used preservative that prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and yeast. A good thing, right? Wrong. Parabens contain estrogen-mimicking properties that can increase your risk of developing cancer. Look out for any product ingredient with the suffix ‘paraben’ such as methylparaben or propylparaben.

6.    Silicone-derived emollients are used to make products feel soft, making skin and hair feel smooth and silky. The only problem is that silicone emollients are occlusive and non-biodegradable. When applied, it forms a coating that prevents the skin and hair from breathing. It’s the equivalent of a plastic wrap and is linked to tumour growth and skin irritation. 

7.    Talc is an anti-caking agent commonly used in baby powder, eye shadow and blush. Similar in composition to asbestos, it has been linked to tumours, ovarian cancer and respiratory problems when inhaled.

8.    Toulene is usually a clear and aromatic liquid solvent used in nail care products. It is infamously known to cause cancer and birth defects in pregnant women. This is a sneaky substance because it is often hidden underneath other fragrances. 

9.    Ever wondered why your soap is foamy? It contains Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES. It absorbs into the skin and may cause irritation and dryness.  Overall, it’s a low health hazard but it’s best to be safe rather than sorry. 

10.    Hand sanitisers aren’t so sanitary after all. Triclosan is an antimicrobial chemical often found in antibacterial products and deodorants. It disrupts the thyroid and reproductive hormones.  Ditching antibacterial soaps may be a good thing, according to the Huffington Post, there is no sufficient evidence supporting that triclosan provides any benefits over regular soaps.

- Woman24

healthandwealth Pada 09:59 Komentar

Woman whose boyfriend broke her eye socket and jaw takes him back

Woman whose boyfriend broke her eye socket and jaw takes him back

ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH lifestyle MUSIC NEWS PHOTOS SPORTS VACANCY

A girl who had her jaw, nose and eye socket broken by her violent boyfriend is back with him despite him being locked up for five years.
24 year old Kyle Illingworth attacked Livvy Heppell after she refused to return his mobile phone.
He punched and stomped on her face during the sickening attack, before fleeing the scene.

A court heard Illingworth battered Livvy on April 17 when he turned up at a house in Ascot Way and flew into a drink and drug-fuelled rage when she refused to give him his mobile phone back.
He broke his girlfriend's jaw, nose and eye socket and left her needing a lengthy stay in an Intensive Care Unit.
The couple have since got back together. Judge Stephen Ashurst, the recorder of York, described the frenzied attack as "one of the worst examples" of grievous bodily harm he had seen.
The attack sparked a six-day manhunt for Illingworth as he fled the scene soon after the incident, leaving his partner's friend to call 999.
When he realised the police were looking for him, he called the friend and told her "you're next" because he blamed her for police linking him to the crime.

Judge Ashurst told him: "You are still only 24 years old and have an extremely bad record of offending.

"However the argument between you and your girlfriend started, however much you had been drinking or she had been drinking, you completely lost any self control.

"The photographs of her while she was in hospital, having been taken there from York to Leeds, are extremely disturbing.

"She was in intensive care and had to have plates fixed in her jaw to repair the damage, and from reading the evidence she had done nothing to justify that kind of pounding."

Illingworth was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm and will serve three years and nine months in custody and the remaining 15 months on licence..
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healthandwealth Pada 07:51 Komentar