The Top 10 Scariest Illnesses and Diseases of all time

Happy New Year to all our readers, we hope that you had a good one.

Now with that out of the way its time to start the year off right and discuss the incredibly morbid topic of which illnesses have managed to kill the most people throughout human history. Every other day it seems like we are being told about some new disease that is going ravage humanity and destroy society as we know it. What you probably don’t know is that this is an ongoing plot throughout human history, and every couple of hundred years a new disease has come out of left field in an attempt to remove us from the planet. With that in mind, in no particular order here are the 10 scariest illnesses and diseases in human history:

10. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, BSE – Mad Cow Disease

BSE is a disease that primarily occurs in cattle that basically melts the animal’s brain and spinal cord. The origin of this disease is, at present, unknown; but it was discovered that the BSE epidemic through much of the European cattle population was caused primarily by feeding the remains of dead cows to living cows in the form of meat and bone meal (MBM). This BSE infection then spread to humans who ate the infected beef and caused something that science has termed New Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (or NVCJD).

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease basically causes an infected individuals brain to become porous (great big holes develop), and the individual begins to exhibit signs of dementia, memory loss, speech problems, loss of balance, loss of motor control, seizures, and finally death. While NVCDJ is not Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, it does exhibit the same symptoms in both bovines and humans, which lead to the name ‘Mad Cow Disease’.

Where NVCDJ was found to be present in humans there was a 100% mortality rate, and currently 171 people around the world have died from the disease. Another variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is quite common in the native population of Papua New Guinea, primarily in societies that are prone to cannibalism. This proves that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is easily spread by eating infected animals/people, and that you should always be careful of what you eat.

The thing that is so disturbing about NVCJD is that there is the possibility that it still exists in the worlds cattle population as the condition has an incubation period of 4 – 5 years, and that infected cattle will usually be slaughtered for consumption prior to displaying any symptoms. In this vein, while the disposal of 4.4 million cows during the height of the infection was a confidence inspiring move, it makes us wonder if the next burger we eat could ultimately lead us to developing BSE.

Now all the vegetarians reading this are saying to themselves ‘you know, there is a reason I don’t eat meat’ and you would be quite right, if it weren’t for the fact that beef is so incredibly tasty.

9. Necrotizing Fasciitis - Flesh eating bacteria

Despite not being the biggest killer out there Necrotizing Fasciitis is just scary. Imagine this, you’re in an accident and you cut your hand. Now the cut may be severe and require the help of a medical professional, or you may not even notice it, what has happened though is that you are now infected with a bacterium that causes Necrotizing Fasciitis. Depending on how deep the cut is you may not know that this has even happened, until you start vomiting and the cut starts to weep puss. Your skin might start to change color, and blisters form around the outside of the cut, while inside your tissues are slowly dying as toxins are released by this, now, thriving bacterial colony. Eventually this colony will grow up your arm and reach your torso where, if you havn’t received medical help, you have a 30% chance of surviving.

If you are grimacing at that idea, don’t worry, we are too. The worst thing about Necrotizing Fasciitis is its ability to spread extremely fast, so fast in fact that even if you do receive medical attention in time, your chances of survival are still extremely low. And if you do survive the infection you will more likely than not be permanently scarred for the rest of your life.

The most common form of treatment for Necrotizing Fasciitis is the use of next generation antibiotics or, if the infection occurs on your limbs, amputation of the affected body part. The biggest risk of death from Necrotizing Fasciitis actually occurs when the bacterial toxins are released into your blood, resulting in sepsis and ultimately death. At present Necrotizing Fasciitis has a 25% mortality rate for individuals who seek medical attention in a timely manner. Basically, its one of those things you hope the doctor never says.

8. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – MRSA

MRSA (pronounced Mursa), is the acronym for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is probably why this scourge of the hospital was abbreviated. Back in the 1800’s people were legitimately scared of going to the hospital. It wasn’t because of all the funky smells or sick people however, but rather because they didn’t want to catch any nasty illnesses. MRSA is the modern day equivalent of Typhoid and Cholera (two diseases that, due to their penchant for infection spread rapidly in medical facilities) for the hospital community.

MRSA is a mutation of the common Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, except that this mutation is resistant to most modern day antibiotics including Penicillin, Methicillin and cephalosporins, meaning that once you have it, its probably not going away. Discovered in 1961 in the United Kingdom MRSA has become a huge problem for hospital staff around the world. It has become such a big problem in-fact that a 2007 study by the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that MRSA infections are responsible for more deaths in the USA every year than AIDS, quite a staggering statistic. At present there are no definitive numbers on how many people have died from MRSA infections since it was discovered, but latest figure place the death rates in the USA at around 278,000 in 2005.

Staphylococcus aureus most commonly infects an individuals nose, and you could actually have a Staphylococcus aureus (we’re going to abbreviate this to SA now) colony in your nose and never know it. One of the only ways to tell if a person has a SA infection is to swab the inside of their nose and run tests on the gold that is found. However if you do present with a fully developed MRSA infection, expect rashes and puss filled boils which can spread rapidly and cause flesh eating pneumonia, which sounds to us like an awesome way to spend a couple of weeks.

In order to treat a MRSA infection the boils have to be lanced and drained, the patient needs to be isolated and basically you have to be treated with a whole bunch of really sophisticated, really expensive, antibiotics, which may or may not work. On the plus side however, maggot therapy (literally getting maggots to feed on the MRSA colony) has been shown to provide a viable, less expensive treatment option. Awesome, we guess, but only if you’re not opposed to the idea of maggots chowing down on your flesh. But hey, at least it proves that someone in the medical community is thinking outside the box.

7. Mononegavirales Filoviridae – Ebola and the Family

We’ve all seen the awesome Dustin Hoffman film ‘Outbreak’, and when you think about this fun organism, that’s exactly what you should be imagining. In the most layman terms possible, the Ebola family of viruses spreads via bodily fluids (although it has been known to spread through skin or membrane contact), and then hides in its host for between 5 – 10 days. After this an infected person will usually spike an extreme fever, become weak, and complain of abdominal pain. The problem with these initial symptoms is that they can be linked to a whole host of tropical diseases, so until the secondary symptoms appear the treatment given to a patient is usually wrong, one of the main reasons for the virus’ high mortality rate.

The secondary symptoms are just plain freaky. Imagine this, you think you have the flu, and you hope that’s the reason that you’re sick, then all of a sudden the diarrhea starts, and instead of feces, it’s all blood. It’s around this time that the vomiting will start, and again, nothing but the red stuff baby! Oh, and on a side note, you may also begin to bleed from your eyes, ears, nose, etc. as well as suffering from what scientists like to refer to as ‘a million tiny internal cuts’ (the main cause of death, due to hemorrhaging). Nice huh?

The hemorrhagic virus family (which includes the Marhburg Virus, Zaire Ebolavirus, and Hanta Virus), contains some of the scariest illnesses to ever infest the earth. One of the things making this virus family so incredibly unnerving is that fact that most of the diseases in it have stupidly high mortality rates (90% in the case of Zaire Ebolavirus), and extremely short incubation periods. In fact, its only due to the short incubation period that these viruses have been contained, as people are usually too sick to travel. But if Ebola ever got into a major city near you then it’s probably time to have a party and see the world out in style.

Since 1976 more than 1,800 people worldwide have died due to the Ebola virus, and this illness is still hanging around in Uganda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In fact, in 2007 all three of those countries reported outbreaks with a death toll of 157, not much, but considering the disease, pretty scary.

6. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax – Malaria

Planning a fun filled holiday in an exotic destination? Don’t forget the bug repellant, and even then you’re running a major risk. Malaria is endemic in over 100 countries around the world and is a huge risk for approximately 40% of the population. This disease may not be as high profile or fear inspiring as, let’s say, hemorrhagic fever or BSE; but according to WHO estimates Malaria causes 300 – 500 million infection cases every year, of which, 1 million result in the death of the patient. Current statistics show that in any calendar year about 10% of the worlds population will suffer from Malaria, meaning that while it doesn’t have the highest death rates, it is probably the most wide spread disease currently in existence.

Malaria is a vector borne disease, meaning that it is not spread directly from person to person. The illness is instead spread through mosquitoes carrying parasites and infected blood, and as such it is extremely hard to stop an outbreak once it begins (think the Black death on a much larger level). If Malaria was any more virulent then the chances are that humanity wouldn’t have made it to the 21st century and that we would have become extinct as soon as the west made it to Africa and Asia.

Despite this, and despite the fact that almost 1 million people die from the disease every year (almost the entire population of Trinidad and Tobago), Malaria is largely forgotten by society as a horrific killer. But just in case, make sure you have your injections before going on holiday.

5. Dengue Fever

Located in the same regions as Malaria, this tropical virus is a relative of West Nile Virus, Viral Encephalitis, and Yellow Fever. However it has one major difference, while most viruses have been eradicated from metropolitan areas, Dengue Fever manages to spread rapidly through urban centers mainly through mosquitoes.

There is vaccine available for Dengue Fever, and the only medical support that patients receive is targeted at managing the diseases symptoms. The symptoms of dengue fever display as high temperature, vomiting and bloody diarrhea, low red blood count, and low plasma count, all of which can contribute to the death of the victim.

Dengue fever first came onto the global scene in the 1780’s and immediately proved what an incredibly serious organism it was, causing three simultaneous epidemics in North America, Africa, and Asia. Since then global outbreaks of the Dengue virus have tended to occur every 5 - 6 years, during which time the virus mutates, creating a whole new level of worry for the medical profession.

4. Influenza A Virus Strain H1N1 – The Spanish Flu

We all know that during a flu season you are probably going to get sick. In fact outside of the actual sickness part, many people love the flu season, as it gives them a fairly valid reason to stay at home and play the newest Xbox game all day long. However, if you came down with the flu from March 1918 until June 1920, you had a good chance of dying. The scariest thing about the Spanish Flu (which actually originated in France, Sierra Leone, and the USA), was that young healthy people were more likely to die from the illness than old unhealthy people.

The H1N1 flu strain actually attacked the body’s immune system, and individuals who had stronger immune systems actually gave the virus more ammunition in its war to control their body. It was this effect that ended up killing approximately 50 – 100 million people world wide (the combined populations of Italy and South Korea), and creating one of the scariest epidemics of the 20th century.

The thing about the Spanish Flu that has scientists and healthcare professionals literally running for the hills is that it hasn’t died out. If you watch TV, or read the news, at all during the winter holiday season then you’ve probably noticed a lot of fuss being made over the flu and the various vaccines that accompany the flu season. The thing about the flu is that it can rapidly mutate and become a whole other level of scary in the space of about six months, and if that happens then it’s Spanish Flu time all over again.

In case you were wondering, Bird Flu or H5N1, is just the latest attempt by the flu virus to permanently remove us from the planet, and despite its lowly 213 death count (don’t forget that there was a global mortality rate of 62%), has proven that it has what it takes to make the Spanish flu look like the common cold.

3. Yersinia Pestis – The Black Death

First exposed to western civilization in the 6th century AD, The Plague of Justinian, as it was first known, managed to kill 40% of all people living in Constantinople (claiming up to 10,000 lives a day), and a full quarter of the total population of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Plague of Justinian, and a later outbreak of the disease in 588 AD, where responsible for 25 million deaths across Europe, and was one of the first major disease epidemics in human history.

The Black Death, or Bubonic Plague, made a triumphant return to Europe in the 14th century, and hung around until the 1700’s growing in strength and virulence every time it made an appearance. After a plague outbreak it was not unusual for up to 50% of the population in major urban areas to have died, leaving large portions of Europe deserted ghost towns. According to modern estimates the Plague claimed approximately 137 million lives (slightly more people that the total current population of Nigeria) in its successful 400 year run, and had firmly instated itself as one of the most vicious diseases to ever manifest itself on earth.

In the late 1700’s European society began to change and because of that hygiene standards started to improve. People stopped hanging out with rats (the source of the disease) and started washing their hands, loosening the disease’s grip on western civilization. However, this fun filled bacteria continued to wreak havoc in Asia well into the 20th century causing mortality rates in excess of 75% whenever it struck.

Bubonic plague is characterized by blackened bumpy nodes appearing in the areas of a sufferers lymph nodes. It was these nodes that gave rise to the name ‘The Black Death’ as anyone exhibiting these blackened spots was almost certain to die. The bacterium that causes the Plague is spread predominately by the bites of infected fleas that have been living on rats carrying the disease. If your concerned about plague in the modern world, just look for large numbers of dead rats and rodents, as that’s a pretty good sign that it is about to strike.

2. Variola major/Variola minor – Small Pox

This lovely relative of chicken pox and the measles is now extinct (we hope) outside of two WHO reference laboratories, meaning that this virus has been relegated to helping scientific research. However small pox (not to be confused with the ‘Great Pox’, Syphilis) was one of the most deadly diseases of all time, and if there ever was another outbreak of this disease the consequences would be disastrous. In fact, Small Pox is single handedly responsible for annihilating entire societies (see ‘Pilgrims and Spaniards go to America’), which makes us wonder if all those blankets that we received for Christmas may have had other agendas.

It is estimated that during the 20th century, until 1979 when it was deemed to be completely irradiated, small pox killed between 300 – 500 million people, or the equivalent of the total current population of the United States or European Union. The Small Pox variation, Variola major, had a mortality rate of 30 – 35% and both strains were responsible for killing up to 400,000 Europeans each year during the 18th century, giving this virus the title of ‘worst disease ever’.

One of the major problems in controlling the spread of Small Pox is the fact that the disease spreads through the air, and not purely on contact with infected pustules, leading to its ability to rapidly move through a population. However, a large scale vaccination effort in the mid 20th century relegated this disease to the path of the Dodo, and outside of the weaponized versions contained in many military arsenals; most ordinary people don’t have much to fear from Small Pox any more. However, while small pox may be the only illness that has ever been removed from nature by humanity, it did cause more deaths during its reign as the King of viruses than anything else experienced before Aids. But the fact that it is now extinct means that we can shrug our shoulders and go ‘meh, who cares’.

1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome – HIV/Aids

HIV/Aids is the pandemic that is currently effecting every man, woman and child on the planet. Originating in Sub-Saharan Africa during the mid 20th century, Aids has spread to every country on earth and current infection estimates state that approximately 33.2 million people worldwide are living with the virus, and that more than 25 million people have died as a result of infection since 1981 (slightly more people than the current population of Malaysia).

Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Aids is spread via contact with infected bodily fluids (blood to blood, or sexual transmission). The progression from HIV to Aids can take up to 10 years, which is one of the biggest concerns about this disease as individuals infected with the virus may not know that they have it, increasing the risk of the infection spreading. Once the disease has progressed to full-blown Aids, without antiviral therapy, a person’s life expectancy is only about 9 months.

The scariest thing about HIV/Aids, outside of the fact that it is incurable, is that the virus itself doesn’t actually do anything apart from attack and weaken an individual’s immune system. Once your immune system is weakened however, any infection from any malevolent organism (bacterium or virus) can have a deadly effect. On top of this, HIV uses your own immune system to reproduce, staging a type of stealth warfare inside your body to the point where white blood cells start to attack each other. Once this happens and once the virus has developed into Aids, there is not much that can be done.

Out of all the diseases on this list HIV/Aids probably scares more people, only because it is a real, ever present threat. But if you practice safe sex, and stop playing with other peoples blood, you should be marginally safer than the rest of the population.

There you have it, our top 10 diseases and illnesses of all time. Now if you’ll excuse us; we’re going home to hide.

Top 10 Natural Cures & How They Can Help You

When I was growing up there was a rule in the house imposed by my mother, and that rule was ‘if you don’t have a temperature of 105 you are going to school’. It didn’t matter how bad you said you felt, you were given something ‘herbal’ and sent packing. In the adult world I often find myself looking back on those funky tasting pills, and when I get a cold or start feeling run down, wonder exactly what my mother was putting into me. With that in mind here is our guide to those magical natural medicines that mothers all over the world seem to know about, while the rest of us remain blissfully ignorant.

10. Arnica

Used as a natural treatment option for over 500 years, Arnica is an extremely versatile natural remedy. In the same biological family as the common sun flower, this plant has proven incredibly effective in treating, and reliving pain associated with, bruises, arthritis, sore muscles, sprains, and minor cuts and scrapes.

Arnica was a big hit in my house, mom used it for everything. Got a cut? Here’s the Arnica. Sprained your ankle during the game? Here’s the Arnica. Run into a wall? Here’s the Arnica. Running into the wall tended to happen quite a bit in our house, probably more than normal, but the arnica was always at hand, ready to be smothered on the offending painful area.

Arnica is picking up quite a bit of mainstream recognition as a quick natural pain reliever, and as it becomes ever more available, it may be useful for you to have a stock on hand.

9. Aloe/Aloe Vera

You could easily be forgiven for not being persuaded to love the Aloe plant at first glance. Short, spindly and squishy, Aloe has a dark – puke green color. But this is not to say that the plant does not have its uses. The juice/gel from the Aloe leaf is an extremely effective remedy for minor cuts and burns, so effective in fact that many people have taken to growing Aloe and keeping plants around the house. Most commercial burn remedies will contain Aloe Vera, and the gel from the leaves has also proven to be an extremely good moisturizer, leading to many cosmetic products including it in their ingredients.

Aloe is also an extremely powerful laxative, and scraping the juice out of the hard part of the leaf and then ingesting it will help remove any blockages you may be experiencing. However, using the plant in this way can cause extremely painful cramping and is usually only recommended if nothing else has worked.

8. Papaver Rhoeas and Papaver Somniferum – Poppy plant

The poppy has been a key natural medicine since 1200 BC when the Greeks began to grind up the flowers and create very effective pain relieving tablets. Nowadays the poppy has received a lot of bad press as it is the key ingredient in both Opium and Heroin; however the plant still continues to provide a valuable service to the medical world in the form of Morphine.

Traditionally the poppy was used to treat a number of conditions such as coughing, insomnia, sore throats, and hemorrhaging. But today this humble flower is relegated to the position of the world’s ultimate pain management system, and due to the fact that all by-products of this plant are extremely addictive it has been declared illegal, or placed on controlled substances lists all over the world, and its for this reason that the Poppy only makes number 8 on this list.

Needless to say, this was one natural remedy that could not be found in mom’s supply. On an interesting side note however, the USA buys approximately 80% of the annual poppy crop in both India and Turkey and the poppy (in the form of Morphine) appears on the WHO’s list of essential medicines.

7. Echinacea

While my mother may not have stocked up on poppies, she most definitely did have an abundant supply of Echinacea pills and teas. Echinacea, or the Purple Coneflower, only grows natively in North America and has been used by indigenous inhabitants of the continent for hundreds of years, mainly in relation to preventing colds and flu’s.

Echinacea has been the subject of many debates as to the actual benefits of the plant. However, studies conducted in June 2007 state that taking an Echinacea pill can reduce an individual’s risk of developing a cold, and in the event that a cold developed the duration of the illness can be lessened by up to a day and a half.

While the plants properties as an immunostimulator (something that stimulates the immune system) have not convinced science 100%, there are still a large number of supporters out there who claim that Echinacea is the best natural cure available. Dubious test results mean that this plant is relegated to the upper count of the list leaving Echinacea at number 7 on the countdown.

6. Lobelia – AKA: Puke weed

Probably one of the cooler sounding names on this list, the term Puke weed was coined when 19th century physicians used the plant to induce vomiting, purging the patient’s body of toxins and purifying the digestional tract.

The plant was traditionally used by Native Americans to help treat asthma and other respiratory disorders, and in the modern world Lobelia is still considered extremely effective in clearing mucous and other congestants from an individual’s lungs, bronchial tubes, and throat.

Lobelia contains lobeline, a natural substance that acts much in the same way as nicotine (stimulating nerves and the central nervous system). Historically the plant was smoked in the same way as tobacco and due to the smoother respiratory effects was actually touted as an alternative to traditional tobacco products (cigarettes, etc.). However, in 1993 the US FDA prohibited the sale of Lobelia products designed for inhalation as there was no conclusive proof that individuals who smoked the plant would stop smoking cigarettes.

Lobelia can be found in the medical traditions of cultures all over the world, and its inclusion as one of the 50 herbs fundamental in Chinese medicine (Bian Ban Lian) helps it to its position on this list. The lack of any major scientific studies on this plant however, means that it goes no higher than 6.

5. Garlic

France and Italy have loudly, proudly, and extremely pungently, proclaimed the brilliance of this bulbous herb to the world; but they have good reason to do so. Garlic has made an appearance as both a tasty addition to meals, and a vital medicine, in cultures all over the world for over a thousand years. As a member of the onion family (albeit the smelly uncle who lives alone in the corner), Garlic has made a resurgence into mainstream medicine in recent years as science continues to uncover more about this wondrous herb.

Garlic was used by the French gravediggers in the 1700’s (they drank a garlic infused drink to prevent the Plague) and in both World Wars to prevent gangrene. Today garlic is known to have a number of positive health benefits such as decreasing the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, regulating blood sugar levels, acting as an immunostimulator to help fight illnesses such as the common cold, and there are studies that point to garlic as being a crucial factor in the fight against cancer.

New studies are being preformed on this herb every year, and more and more is becoming known about how garlic acts in helping your body stay healthy. So even though you may think that it is extremely stinky, and may not enjoy the taste that much, as my mother always said ‘eat it, its good for you’.

4. Grapes

For about 6000 years cultures around the Mediterranean have been eating grapes and drinking grape products as a way to stay healthy. From the Ancient Egyptians, to almost every nationality and culture in the modern world, grapes have long been heralded as one of the best ways to stay healthy and fight illnesses. A key example of the health benefits offered by grapes is evident in what modern science refers to as ‘The French Paradox’.

The French paradox is so named due to the fact that the French tend to eat large amounts of high cholesterol and fatty foods (cheese and red meat), however the incidence of heart disease in France is relatively low. Studies have shown that this is due to the high quantities of red wine drunk throughout the country. Red wine (in moderate quantities) has be shown to reduce the chances of an individual developing any form of heart disease, and this is due to a compound found in many types of grape called resveratrol, and for those of you who are too young or who simply don’t enjoy alcohol, purple grape juice is said to have the same effects.

In fact, the antioxidants in grape juice tend to linger in an individuals body longer than the antioxidants contained in wine, so essentially you get more bang for your buck when you drink the juice. However, wine is more likely to increase the amount of good cholesterol in your body than grape juice, so it may be a case of having to drink both!

There is an emerging market in grape-based beauty products as more and more is discovered about the health aspects of this fruit. High Cholesterol, high blood pressure, cancer and pancreatitis are all conditions that are believed to be vulnerable to grapes and their byproducts. So if you haven’t yet, why not go out and by a bottle of red wine today; just remember to drink in moderation.

3. Peppermint

In the holistic medicine world peppermint is often referred to as the world’s ‘oldest medicine’. I know mom loves her peppermint tea in the evening, but I never quite understood why. Apparently the stuff is really good for you. Outside of the fact that peppermint smells extremely nice (the plant contains menthol which is used extensively as a taste enhancer), peppermint has been shown to provide an great amount of relief to individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, improve digestion, soothe upset stomachs, and can relieve tension and headaches.

Peppermint has been shown by modern science to be one of the best digestive aids available in the world and individuals who suffer from digestive problems are often told to use peppermint products for short term relief. From flatulence, menstrual cramps, gallstones and viruses, to skin irritation, itching, and colds, peppermint is a key ingredient in healthcare and beauty products used by many people everyday. In fact this herb is so versatile that it has moved away from purely being a food product and can now be found in everything from toothpaste to shaving cream.

So if you are suffering from a digestive condition that you just can’t seem to shake, or if your life has become a little too stressful, peppermint may just be the answer that you are looking for.

2. Willow Bark – aspirin

Before the days of commercially mass produced pain relieving drugs cultures all over the world used the bark from Willow trees as the way to treat and cure a number of ailments. In fact the use of Willow bark to treat conditions such as headaches and inflammation was so prevalent that one of the first mass produced pain relievers in the world was a chemical relative of the tree, and you probably know it as Aspirin.

The historical use of Willow bark as a medicine dates back to the time of Hippocrates (the same person who is responsible for the Hippocratic Oath) in, about, 400BC. Since then not much has changed for this natural cure and it, or medicines based on it, have been in use ever since.

Willow is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation/swelling associated with an injury, and it did such a good job at this that the French chemist Charles Gehardt developed a synthetic, easily producible, form of the main ingredient in Willow Bark; Scalicin. The primary difference between willow extract medicine and Aspirin is that willow has a higher tendency to irritate an individual’s bowel while the synthetic/diluted products lessen that effect.

Willow bark has proven extremely effective in treating headaches, pain of the lower back, arthritis, menstrual cramps, ful, fever, and tendonitis. In addition to providing relief for these conditions Scalicin has also been proven to prevent heart disease, and doctors recommend that for people who are more likely to develop (or who have already developed) a serious cardiovascular condition, they should take an aspirin a day.

Willow has the historical clout and versatility to make number one on this list, however the serious side effects, such as the irritation of an individual’s bowel and the fact that a significantly high proportion of the population is allergic to Scalicin related products relegates this cure to a close second.

1. Cannabis Sativa/Cannabis Indica

The top natural cure on this list is definitely not one that my mother would approve of, mainly due to the incredible stigma that has blown up in conjunction with it use in the latter half of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st. However, leaving the entire legalization/recreational aspect of the Cannabis plant aside, historically it has been used for approximately 4,800 years as a viable treatment option all over the world.

Ancient civilizations in Asia, Africa, North and South America all used the cannabis plant as a veritable ‘wonder drug’. Cannabis was used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, headaches, and as a pain reliever. In the modern world Cannabis is still being used in much the same way, however science has come up with a range of new uses for the plant.

‘Medical Marijuana’ initiatives are in place in countries all over the world, and prescriptions are usually given to individuals and patients who are in a large amount of pain due to conditions such as cancer or glaucoma. In addition to these medical schemes medicines are being developed from cannabis that are totally independent of the plant (non-smokable, and do not cause the ‘high’ that is associated with regular marijuana). Sativex, for instance, is a spary developed using the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) from the cannabis plant and has been cleared by a number of governments around the world for the treatment of the symptoms and pain associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

In addition to the Sativex, cannabis based medications are already being developed for the treatment of such illnesses as Parkinson’s Disease and Muscular Distrophy, and with more and more research being preformed on the plant and its chemicals, cannabis based treatment options are likely to grow.

The fact that cannabis has been used throughout human history to help treat such a wide range of conditions gives it the staying power to make number one on our list of natural cures, even though my mom will give me a lot of grief when she reads this.

There you have it, the top 10 natural cures and treatments in the world. Some of the ‘cures’ we have listed above are readily available on the open market while it may take some time to find others. If you are thinking about using a natural cure or alternative therapy for your medical condition you should talk to your doctor first and understand the full impact of the treatment.

Top 10 Superfoods to Improve Your Health

There is an old adage that states ‘you are what you eat’, and it remains as true today as it did hundreds of years ago. In a world where obesity is becoming a serious problem and cholesterol related heart disease is the number one killer in the USA, you don’t have to go too far to find the problem. The food that we eat is, generally, extremely unhealthy. There is a rising trend where individuals are preferring to eat trans-fat laden fast food and other extremely unhealthy produce; leading in a rise to dietary related illnesses. With that in mind here is our list of the 10 healthiest foods in the world.

1. Fish

Throughout the centuries mothers have often told their children to eat fish claiming that it would “make them smart”, and for centuries children have refused to eat the smelly thing on their plate or swallow the spoonful of cod liver oil that was thrust in their direction. According to science however, your mother was right. Not 100% right, but correct enough to know that eating fish is extremely good for you.

Salmon, and other cold-water fish like tuna, mackerel and halibut, are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can decrease blood pressure, lower the risk of stroke, reduce the levels of triglyceride, and reduce the accumulation of plaque in arteries; essentially making it the superhero of the food world. In addition to this, Salmon is also a great source of protein and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

So as your mom said, “eat it, its good for you”.

2. Whole Grains

We’re talking about three things when we say ‘whole grains’, and those are bran, germ and endosperm; and if that went way over your head stick with us. Whole grains are the cornerstone to any healthy diet. Rich in vitamins B and E, magnesium, zinc and selenium, these foods are known to help steady blood sugar and insulin levels, and may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Basically whole grains help you regulate your circulatory system and keep you a stable, happy and healthy person.

It is important to note however, that not every food labeled “100% wheat,” “seven-grain,” “organic,” “bran” and “multi-grain” will contain whole grains, and you may have to check the box to ensure that all three grain elements are listed on the ingredients of the food product. Foods like oatmeal, barley, whole wheat flour, and brown rice are all whole grain foods.

3. Nuts

No, not those nuts get your mind out of the gutter; we mean Almonds, Walnuts and Peanuts. Nuts are one of the best sources of protein from plants and are also great for your heart. Even though nuts contain a large amount of fat and calories, they can help weight loss. Some nuts contain helpful amounts of selenium, a powerful antioxidant. Nuts also help the body’s intake of key nutrients and help lower the intake of cholesterol, trans fats, sugars, and excessive sodium. A serving of half an ounce of nuts per day is a heart-friendly snack.

This isn’t a recommendation for you to sit down on the couch and go at it with the peanut butter jar but nuts, like almonds and walnuts, are full of fiber, iron, riboflavin, calcium and magnesium. Almonds are high in calcium and one serving of almonds provides half of your daily allowance of vitamin E. The fat in almonds, a monounsaturated fat, may also help reduce the level of blood cholesterol.

4. Legumes

Beans, lentils, and peas all fall under the Legume classification, essentially these are all the vegetables that, when you were a child, you saw and went ‘eeeewww’. However, the legume family can provide a remarkable amount of energy that can last for hours. A single serving of cooked beans (about one-third of a cup) contains little fat, no cholesterol, only 80 calories, and ample complex carbohydrates.

Apart from the quick energy fix that legumes provide they also contain nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, thiamine, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron and copper; the essential minerals and vitamins that you need to survive. Say what you like about the Legume family, those little beans sure do pack a punch.

5. Spinach

Spinach is probably the only food on this list ever to have a successful marketing campaign. We all remember Popeye from our youth, and who could ever forget the image of that jolly sailor popping open a can of spinach and guzzling it down. In reality spinach is one of the single healthiest foods you can include in your diet. Spinach is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. As spinach has nearly zero calories, you can eat as much of it as you like. Spinach is high in vitamins A, C, E, and B6, iron, folate, riboflavin, magnesium, and calcium. Spinach has nearly half of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

The plant compounds found in spinach can help the immune system as well. These compounds are also thought to keep skin and hair healthy as well. A Harvard Medical School study showed that eating spinach may also help your memory as you age. So while this extremely green and leafy vegetable may not appeal to many people, you should definitely start eating the Popeye diet.

6. Apples

The humble apple is often forgotten on many lists in favour of alternate citrus fruits. However, the old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is not far from the truth. Apples are rich in fiber and vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body’s cells from damage. Vitamin C also helps keep capillaries and blood vessels healthy by forming the connective tissue collagen. Iron and folate are absorbed more quickly into the blood when vitamin C is present. One apple provides 25% of your daily requirement of vitamin C. Apples also contain other antioxidants, like flavonoids and other polyphenols.

Apples are also high in pectin, which is a type of fiber that lowers glucose and blood cholesterol levels. Pectin is most concentrated in the apple peel, or skin. Apples may help those with blood sugar issues like diabetes, and may also help maintain weight control. Apples are a type of carbohydrate that has a low glycaemic index, or GI. Foods with a low GI are digested slowly. As the food is digested, it is released into the bloodstream as glucose. This causes a gradual rise in the level of blood sugar. Apples are not just a tasty snack but also provide a range of health benefits.

7. Broccoli

Broccoli has the ability to strike fear into the hearts of grown mean at the mere mention of its name, never mind its appearance on the dinner plate. However, this crucifer-cousin spinach, has long been heralded for its health benefits as it contains nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, and K, fiber, calcium, potassium, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. Broccoli is also a great source of a range of healthful antioxidants.

Broccoli also contains phytonutrients that help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Phytonutrients, or phytochemicals, are plant compounds that are thought to slow or even stop the growth of tumors. These phytonutrients also provide a boost to the immune system. So even if you tremble at the thought of this oddly shaped vegetable, give it a chance and you may just live longer.

8. Berries

Berries including pomegranates, blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries are considered
to be highly nutritious. These fruits offer a number of health benefits ranging from
reducing the risk of cancer to inhibiting diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Berries contain vitamins B, C, K, and E, fiber, folic acid, and numerous other
antioxidants.

Blueberries are also among the healthiest of the berry family. They are a low calorie source of vitamin C and fiber. Eating blueberries is thought to help those suffering from diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. Blueberries are another excellent source of phytonutrients. Research has shown that eating blueberries fights cancer better than most other fruits. Blueberries are also beneficial to the elderly as they promote memory and slow the aging process. Berries really are a tasty way to improve one’s health.

9. Citrus

Citrus include such fruits as oranges, limes, lemons, and grapefruits. Citrus is the best known source for vitamin C. A single orange has an entire day’s worth of vitamin C. Oranges have been epitomized as the ‘complete package of natural anti-cancer nutrients’. Rich in antioxidants, citrus contains a variety of nutrients known to reduce the risk of cancer as well as heart and eye disease.

10. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are high in vitamins A and C, and the strong antioxidant lycopene. Tomatoes are thought to benefit the heart and lower the risk of cancer. Grape tomatoes in particular are high in vitamins A and C, fiber, and some phytochemicals, which are known to reduce the risk of cancer. Tomatoes contain 40% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C, and 15% of vitamin A.

The red pigment in the flesh of tomatoes comes from lycopene. Tomatoes provide the single richest source of lycopene. This type of antioxidant can repair damage to DNA that causes wrinkled skin. Recent research also suggests lycopene may lower the risk of prostate, pancreatic, breast, and cervical cancer. Lycopene may also maintain mental and physical functions in older people. An Italian study found that 7 servings of raw tomatoes lower the risk of stomach and rectal colon cancers by 60%. Tomatoes really are an easy way to improve your health.

There you have it, the 10 healthiest foods in the world. It’s not surprising that fruits and vegetables make up a goodly proportion of this list, but it just so happens that they are the healthiest foods available.

5 ways to drink yourself to a healthier lifestyle

With the costs of healthcare rapidly rising everyone is looking to become healthier, mainly so that they can stay away from the doctors office. We have provided some fairly comprehensive advice as to how you can drink yourself to a healthier lifestyle.

1. Drink Beer After Sport

A recent study by Spanish scientists has discovered that it may be better for athletes to have a beer after they play sport than to drink large amounts of water. The study showed that beer, because of its carbonation, was better able to quench thirst than water, and that the carbohydrates found in beer where able to help an individual retain fluids better than any other energy drinks. Even though many previous studies have shown alcoholic beverages to have a diuretic effect, scientists claim that one beer after exercise would not have a high enough alcohol content to create a loss in fluids.

What does this mean? Drinking a beer after working out can help you retain fluids and stay hydrated, keeping your body healthy and happy.

2. Drink More Water

Water makes up approximately 60% of a persons total weight, and is one of the most essential ingredients of your biochemical make up. Over the years there have been many studies on the effect that water has on individuals and how much water a person should drink every day and while there are no hard and fast rules, scientists are fairly certain that everyone in the world should drink approximately 2.2 liters of good old fashioned H₂O everyday.

Why should you drink more water? Outside the fact that water is a major part in your body’s chemistry, it also flushes toxins and unnecessary chemicals from your organs, carries nutrients to cells, and generally makes you feel happier.

3. Find Alternatives to Pure Liquids

Many people find it hard to meet the scientifically prescribed liquid requirements each day. Let’s face it, trying to guzzle down 2.2 liters of water can be tough, and that’s if you remember to do it. There are alternatives out there to help you get the essential liquids that you need that do not involve drinking at all. Food provides almost 20% of a person’s daily total liquid intake, and eating foods that have a high water concentration, such as water melon or cucumbers can be an easy way to avoid having to use the tap.

Failing to absorb more water than you need is one of the major reasons for dehydration, and eating water rich foods can help avoid this as well as provide you with some essential vitamins and minerals. Don’t limit yourself to traditional liquid sources as there are alternatives.

4. Have the occasional glass of red wine

Red wine is a source of a number of beneficial chemicals and minerals that have the potential to prevent a myriad of serious diseases. Science has found that particular compounds in wine known as catechins and resveratrol have anti oxidant and anti cancer properties, and can help you to live longer. A moderate amount of red wine (one to two glasses a day) can help lower a person’s risk of heart disease and decrease the risk of a person developing a peptic ulcer. There can be too much of a good thing, however, and over indulgence of any alcoholic beverage can lead to some dire health consequences, so only imbibe in moderation.

5. Drink more tea

A study by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that drinking tea is actually better for your body than drinking water. Tea actually re-hydrates your body better than water, and coupled with the fact that tea is thought to prevent a number of serious health conditions, such as cancer, it quickly becomes evident that if you want to drink your way to a healthier lifestyle then tea is the way to go. Drinking 3-4 cups of tea a day can severely reduce the risk of an individual suffering from a heart attack in addition to the fact that tea is able to reduce tooth decay and plaque build up, strengthen bones, and provide large amounts of essential antioxidants. If you want to stay healthy, drink more tea.

10 States Where People Die Young(er)

One of the most surprising things about the USA is the fact that there is a huge disparity in the average life expectancy from state to state. As a country the USA has an average life expectancy of 78.2 years from birth. This ranks the US as the country with the 38^th highest life expectancy in the world, falling just behind Cuba (78.3) and just above Portugal (78.1). This does not mean, however, that every one in the USA will live to an age of 78.2 years, and depending on the state that you live in, you may be living for a much shorter time.

The 10 US states with the lowest life expectancy are:

Rank	State	Life Expectancy
10	Georgia	75.3 years
9	Oklahoma	75.2 years
8	Kentucky	75.2 years
7	Arkansas	75.2 years
6	West Virginia	75.1 years
5	Tennessee	75.1 years
4	South Carolina	74.8 years
3	Alabama	74.4 years

Even though it is not a state Washington DC tops the list with and average life expectancy of 72.6 years fewer than the federal average.

Life expectancy in the USA cannot be solely attributed to income disparity or social gaps, but rather the prevalence of chronic diseases in middle-aged and young adults. Factors such as drug use, infant mortality, income disparity, and violence, which were previously thought to be much more important, have come to play less of a role in determining life expectancies.

Researchers have classified 8 social or ethnic groups in the USA in terms of their life expectancy, and found that Asian Americans are expected to live 6.8 years longer than the national average, or until 85 years of age. This is a 32% longer life span than is associated with Native Americans living in South Dakota, and may say something about the lifestyle choices of the Asian population that lead them to avoid suffering from serious chronic conditions.

The second group with the highest average life expectancies in the USA is made up of an estimated 3.6 million, low income Caucasians, living in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, and Montana; proving that it is not always a large income that creates a long life. This group, which researchers have dubbed “America 2” are, on average, expected to live for 79 years, still well above the federal average.

Groups 7 and 8, comprising low income rural Southern Blacks and high-risk urban Blacks respectively, are only expected to live until the age of 71. This may be due to a number of factors including the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, high HIV/Aids rates, and violence. However, researchers point out that there is still no definitive criteria for determining exactly what will contribute to a longer lifespan, and that their understanding of this topic is still growing.

What they are sure of is, that much of the variation between different states and different ‘groups’ comes down to diet, exercise, and smoking, rather than healthcare, meaning that in order to live longer, you should take care of your self.

8 ways to prevent an early death

In today’s world everyone is trying to lead healthier lifestyles and live longer, but many people aren’t really sure where to start. With that in mind here are 8 easy ways for you to live longer.

1. Don’t oversleep, but make sure you rest up.

This may seem rather confusing, but bear with us. Scientists have found that people who sleep for more that 8 hours a night have a significantly lower life expectancy than the rest of the population, according to a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. This does not mean, however, that you are allowed to stay up all night drinking! Scientists also discovered that individuals who got 4 hours or less sleep a night also had reduced life expectancies. The optimal amount of sleep for a normal, healthy adult is between 6 -7 hours a night, and if you can do that consistently then you may live to be a grand old age.

2. Have Sex, and if you’re already doing it, have more.

We all like sex, it is hard wired into our genes, but according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, sex may be more than just a pleasurable reproductive activity. In men, it has been found, that higher rates of ejaculation lead to a lower risk of prostate cancer; and in addition to this, ejaculating causes the body to relax meaning that at the end of the day you will be more rested. Let’s not forget the obvious though, sex makes people happy, and in conjunction with the removal of stress and relaxation factors, this can help lower the risk of a stroke or heart disease, and keep your blood pressure down, leaving you a healthy and balanced person.

3. Get A Vertical Auto Profile Test

Get a what? Yes, that was our initial reaction as well, however a Vertical Auto Profile, or VAP, Test is the most accurate cholesterol test being used in medicine today. It is estimated that approximately 50% of people with heart disease where found to have normal cholesterol levels when using conventional testing methods. Remember that heart disease is the number one cause of death in the USA, and that it is usually caused by high cholesterol, and that 50% becomes pretty scary. What it boils down to is the fact that a VAP has been proven to detect 90% of the people with heart disease that undergo the exam. A VAP is a simple blood test and can let you know, almost immediately, if you need to change your lifestyle. Get a VAP and know whether you’re at risk.

4. Money; get it.

Everyone wants to get rich, but if you want to live longer then having money may actually serve a higher purpose. It’s all about income disparity! A study preformed by the American National Center for Health Statistics essentially tells us that poorer people are more likely to suffer from severe chronic illnesses than their wealthier compatriots. 24% of American who earn under US$ 20,000 a year suffer from a chronic condition, as opposed to the 6% who earn US$ 75,000. There may be a myriad of reasons for this, and researchers often site the fact that richer people can afford better healthcare, however there is no doubt that those in the upper income brackets live much longer than those at the bottom.

5. Stop Smoking

In this day and age it hardly constitutes a revelation when someone tells you that smoking is bad for your health. Emphysema, lung cancer, mouth cancer, constricted blood vessels, rapid aging of the skin, aggressive prostate cancer in men, and impotence (see point 2) won’t do anything for your prospects of a long life. Generally, smokers have a 50% chance of dying younger than non smokers; enough said.

6. Chill Out

Stress can cause the development of heart diseases and lead to severe strokes and as a study by Johns Hopkins University found, individuals with high stress levels where 6 times more likely to have a heart attack before they were 55. Basically what this means is that it is good to kick back and smell the roses every once in a while and let the stress/anger/extreme rage melt away. Go to a masseuse, lay off the caffeine, step out of the board room, and take the time to truly enjoy life. Not only will you live longer, but you will have enjoyed and experienced more at the same time.

7. Relocate…. To Japan.

That may seem like a fairly odd way for you to extend your life, but at 82.6 years, Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world; well above the global average of 67.2. But what is the crucial factor that helps the Japanese live longer? A better diet and lots of green tea, Japan tends to eat more fresh produce than the USA or UK, and Japanese nationals tend to shop at markets everyday; relying less on preservative packed and sugar coated foods than the west has helped Japan crush the competition when it comes to living longer. Maybe this point could have been “eat better food”, but we think that moving to Japan would be a lot cooler.

8. Exercise

This one is a no-brainer, exercising releases endorphins, endorphins make you happy, being happy helps you relax, relaxing helps you live longer; ergo exercise makes you live longer. In addition to the release of endorphins exercise also helps to create muscle, strengthen bones, strengthen your heart, and build up the immune system. People who exercise will always live longer than those who don’t, it’s that simple.

So there you go, these are our tips for living longer, no go out and do it!

Medical tourism becoming a major player in healthcare industry

As the global costs of healthcare continue to rise there has become a unique offering in the Asian medical market as nations like India, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia are moving to capitalize on their ability to offer high quality medical treatments at lower costs than anywhere else in the world. This new phenomenon of “medical tourism” is becoming increasingly more lucrative for a number of South Asian nations as their operating costs in the healthcare industry tend to be much lower than those associated with the western market; and because the operating costs are lower the cost of treatments is consequently low as well.

Medical tourism comes at a time when the number one reason for individuals in the USA to declare personal bankruptcy is because they are unable to afford their medical bills. The costs of healthcare in the western world have risen to such an extent that it is becoming risky, in the financial sense, for many people to receive the care that they need as by doing so they are potentially lining themselves up for big economic losses. However, with medical tourism comes a plethora of previously unavailable treatment options and the ability to receive quality healthcare at a much lower price than in America or Europe.

The rise of medical tourism as a viable healthcare industry sector around the Asia Pacific region is becoming more evident as innovative healthcare reforms are being instituted by a number of Asian governments. In India the government has established specialist medical tourism service centers to help foreign nationals receive the best treatment possible, Thailand has taken a different route by offering healthcare services in a 5 star resort surrounding complete with tours of Bangkok. Whatever the various governments are doing to entice individuals from overseas into using their medical service, it is working.

In 2005 Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok received approximately 150,000 patients from overseas, while Singapore saw an estimated 374,000 medical visitors for the year. The reason that these countries are so successful is the fact that they are able to offer the same quality of care as can be found in one of the USA’s top hospitals but for a fraction of the price. A typical heart bypass procedure in the USA can cost up to US $130,000 without any complications. This same procedure in Thailand will cost, on average, approximately US$ 11,000 and $ 10,000 in India. Even adding in the costs round trip airfare and the costs of receiving treatment in an Asian medical facility are much lower than that same treatment in an American or European hospital.

Even though the costs associated with a medical tourism destination or hospital may be comparatively lower than many patients are used to they can still be quite expensive. A US$ 10,000 medical bill may be easier to afford than one that costs US$ 100,000, but it is rare for any individual to have that much disposable money ready for just such an event, and in the case of many of the procedures that are gaining popularity in the medical tourism market, they are medically necessary (that is to say that the rather than being cosmetic surgeries, the patient needs the treatment in order to live). The benefits of the medical tourism industry are evident, however it can still be risky to obtain the treatment that is deserved as patients are still liable to significant financial losses as many local insurance plans will not cover treatments overseas.

The only way to protect yourself or your loved ones in a world where medical costs are becoming increasingly more expensive and where local health insurance plans limit a patients ability to choose where they choose treatment is with an international medical insurance policy. By allowing yourself the full range of treatment options associated with an international health insurance plan you are able to choose hospitals and doctors anywhere in the world for your medical care. In a world where the medical tourism industry is exploding and the costs of medical treatment are rising all the time, an international health insurance plan makes sense.

Maternity; The Western and Chinese Traditions.

All over the world, when a woman becomes pregnant, they are customarily expected to act in a certain way and observe local traditions. Customary maternity practices will differ depending on what part of the world you are in, but the most visible differences come from the maternity customs practiced in the West and those that are observed in China. Here are some of the major differences.

Western Maternity Practices

Maternity practices in the west are generally based on large amounts of medical and scientific research as to what is best for mother and child. In terms of these practices, modern western traditions are approximately 200 years old having their roots in the early 1800’s when the modern medical profession began. As such western parents take a rational and logical approach to the whole issue of pregnancy, and tend to follow their doctor’s orders to the letter.

While there are no hard and fast rules pertaining to a western pregnancy it is expected that the mother should eat correctly, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and avoid tobacco and alcohol. A western pregnancy is exemplified by regularly visiting the doctor, receiving comprehensive check ups, and basically ensuring that both mother and child are in good health. Overall western maternity practices make extensive use of all the modern technology available, this included prenatal tests for genetic defects, and ensuring that the child’s development is progressing as expected.

The most common complaint that pregnant women in the west have when pregnant is “morning sickness”(also known as Nausea, Vomiting of Pregnancy or Emesis Gravidarum). Morning sickness is a phenomenon that is experienced by approximately 50 to 95% of all women during their pregnancy and is displayed with symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Although NVP can occur at any point during the day it is most common when a pregnant woman wakes up from a night of sleep, ergo the name, morning sickness.

A developing theory in regards to unborn child development in the west is that by reading aloud to the fetus, and playing classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach) will have a positive impact on the child’s neural development and essentially make the baby smarter. This has not been conclusively proven by science but is still a popular theory and many expectant mothers in the west will spend their evenings at home reading Shakespeare and Dickens aloud while listening to Mozart.

During western pregnancies it is common for the expectant mother to have a party for the unborn child. These parties are referred to as “baby showers” and typically close friends and relatives will gather to celebrate the new life and give the parents gifts that will be useful when the baby is born. Baby showers have no medical significance, but are considered an important aspect of any western pregnancy, and can be likened to a bridal shower for when a woman gets married.

In terms of the western ideals of keeping both mother and child healthy, these will typically follow the normal standards of modern healthy living. Western pregnancy traditions will not change dramatically from country to country although currently there is an ongoing debate in regards to the circumcision of male children and whether this actually causes more harm than good. Traditionally circumcision was important in times when genital hygiene was not rigorously practiced and, especially in tropical locations, infections of the foreskin were common. Nowadays there is a strong argument the circumcision is no longer medically necessary leading to a departure from this once standard tradition.

Traditional Chinese Maternity Practices.

In contrast with the very tame, unchanging, and scientifically based maternity practices in the west, Chinese traditions, especially to someone who has not experienced them before, can seem rather strange. Chinese pregnancy traditions start when a couple is first married with the husband carrying his wife over a pan of burning coals when entering their home for the first time. This is meant to ensure that when the woman does fall pregnant she will pass through her labor successfully. The roots of this tradition date back to times where there was a high chance of death while in childbirth, however, according to modern science there is no reliable basis that this practice actually increases the woman’s chance of surviving the birth.

Once pregnant an expectant mother, according to Chinese traditions, must guard her thoughts against anything negative or hurtful as it is believed that everything experienced by a mother will have an effect on the unborn child. With this in mind it is expected that a pregnant Chinese woman will read beautiful stories and poetry (not necessarily aloud), not look at contrasting colors, sit on crooked mats (this will affect the child’s balance), loose her temper (this will cause the child to have a bad outlook on life), or gossip. Sexual activities are forbidden during a Chinese pregnancy as this, it is believed, can potentially have a severe and lasting impact on the child and cause them to be social outcasts for their future lives.

Food plays a very important part in any Chinese pregnancy and there are many ancient taboos in regards to what an expectant mother may or may not eat. If foods are not prepared properly it is believed that they can cause the child to have a poor social disposition and by eating light colored foods a mother can cause her child to have a lighter complexion (in traditional Chinese social structures this is important because field workers and peasants often have a darker complexion than anyone else in society due to the fact that they spend so much of their time in the sun). Spicy foods are believed to cause heart problems, and cold foods can affect the child’s brain. Seafood, it is thought, (especially shellfish that are not properly prepared) can cause birthmarks or harelip (cleft pallet), and other cosmetic deformities. Overall the stringent conditions attached to food have their roots in a time where disease was rife and food was not properly cleaned and cooked. Essentially all taboos relating to food are a safety measure against disease.

It is traditional for Chinese women to drink a strong herbal potion during their pregnancy (usually one containing willow bark), this has been noted to have some extremely beneficial anesthetic effects and is similar in idea to the pain relieving medications given to western mothers. Traditionally women are expected not to fear the labor and birthing process as this was customarily considered “the career” or sole function, of women in Chinese society.

Overall both Chinese and Western practices, while having the potential to be drastically different and rooted in conflicting cultural ideals and social mores, have the same interests at heart; the protection of both the mother and the child and the successful completion of the birthing process. In the modern world we have the ability to understand more about the way that different cultures react to maternity and the reasons for these reactions. This gives women all over the world new options for how they approach their pregnancy and give them a higher chance of having a healthy and happy baby.

Rich Diseases Move Into Poor Countries

Western diseases have been dispersed across the globe since the age of exploration. When European troops alighted in the new world, they brought with them all kinds of infectious diseases that devastated the native populations of Asia and the Americas. Back then, the so-called “afflictions of affluence” that originated in the West were syphilis and influenza. Many centuries later, the conditions suffered by the rich have evolved into chronic conditions that take years to develop and will not be cured.

Changing lifestyles have made cancer and diabetes the new silent killers, which take lives in wealthy countries while impoverished nations deal with infections. The United Nations has focused on combating infectious diseases to improve life in developing countries. However, as the public health and quality of life improves in low-income countries, the chronic illnesses that once plagued only the richest countries are now becoming the most serious threat in poor countries as well.

Afflictions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer are all a product of the modern lifestyle: inactivity as a result of urbanization and a general disregard for health. Poor diets, smoking and increasing pollution also contribute. As a result, developed countries must invest funds in treatment and research in order to combat these incurable maladies.

Malaria, tuberculosis, measles and cholera are all big problems in poor countries, though can be easily controlled with inoculation and treatment. These “ailments of poverty” used to be the most ominous health concerns in poor countries, but chronic conditions have recently surpassed infections as the biggest global killer. Nevertheless, worldwide health organizations are focusing on infections as an impediment to development rather than trying to institute preventative measures for the chronic afflictions that accompany this modern world.

Perhaps the most pivotal issue in the evolution and spread of chronic conditions is that these diseases hit younger and kill more quickly in lower-income countries than in middle- or high-income countries. Currently, chronic ailments account for half of the illnesses in poor nations, which is a huge drain on the health system and labor force. Because of inferior health infrastructure and lower general well-being, chronic diseases take their toll more easily than in countries where people have a good diet and the aid of knowledgeable physicians. Africa is the only continent where more people die from infectious diseases than from chronic ones. Health officials estimate that by 2015 chronic disease will be the top killer globally.

In 2005, three quarters of the deaths from chronic afflictions occurred in poor countries. This shows that international awareness needs to shift in a different direction. Rather than focusing on infection as a threat, authorities need to start targeting prevention and treatment of chronic ailments. People are living longer, getting fatter and smoking more in poor countries, resulting in rapidly escalating numbers of patients with diabetes and cancer. The trend is reversing in rich countries, where people are taking better care of their bodies and ridding their lives of cigarettes.

So why does it remain that people are more concerned with bird flu than with hypertension? Ostensibly, it may be because infections are simpler to treat, usually with immunization or drugs, and chronic diseases require long-term management. But as the world continues to develop and lifestyles evolve, more resources must be allocated to care for these chronic diseases as they eclipse infections as a threat to world health.

Breakthroughs in Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is a new field of science that takes an interdisciplinary approach to solving health problems. The field of bioinformatics has roots in the Human Genome Project, a massive undertaking that resulted in a wealth of data difficult for investigators to piece through. In order to extract conclusions from a large amount of biological data, scientists of bioinformatics use techniques from the following fields:

Informatics

Statistics

Computer Science

Applied Mathematics

Artificial Intelligence

Chemistry/Biochemistry

Using these various investigative avenues, researchers extract algorithms to make sense of the biological data. And from these algorithms, scientists can solve medical problems from the molecular level. Bioinformatics can examine genome sequences to determine how certain genes are manifested and learn more about evolution. The overarching goal of bioinformatics is to examine the fundamental building blocks of humans—genes, DNA and proteins—to find answers to health issues.

Bioinformatics enlists computer science and applied mathematics to approximate the structure and purpose of the proteins that determine the biological fingerprint of every living being. With the study of genes, scientists can determine what can make a person predisposed to chronic illnesses like cancer. The conclusions reached through complex and often abstract methods used in bioinformatics can be used either as the impetus for or as a complement to traditional experimentation, helping almost every field of research.

Recently, two software programs have emerged to assist health professionals with the use of bioinformatics. The first is a tool that provides guidance for the use of the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), a reference source for DNA and protein similarities. Scientists can compare their data to the BLAST system. This program includes a general overview of algorithms as well as an easy-to-understand guide to using BLAST’s various applications.

Another new tool is a computational pipeline that has been altered to identify DNA variants in sequence data. The tool aligns the data being studied with a genome (indexed from BLAST) and examines any discrepancies, which scientists can then make conclusions from.

Both of these new tools are making bioinformatics more useful, which has potentially groundbreaking implications in many realms of the health field, including disease prevention and treatment, diagnosis, drug development and insurance.

Can You Catch the Fat Bug?

A recent study by an American team of researchers has discovered that obesity can be spread like a virus within a network of friends. Based on a pool of data containing more than 12,000 participants, investigators concluded that people were more likely to become what is considered “obese” if they had a friend who was overweight. This conclusion may explain the cause of the climbing rates of obesity across America. This phenomenon carries serious repercussions for insurance companies and health organizations in the United States. Obesity is also quickly becoming an issue for individuals, because there are so many health problems associated with being obese that overweight people are having difficulty obtaining insurance coverage.

The data analyzed in this study included 32 years of information about a community of over 12,000 people from a small town in Massachusetts. The data was originally collected as part of an examination of the causes of heart disease. Each member of a family that participated in the study also gave the name of one close friend (for contact purposes). From this data, the researchers were able to recreate an interconnected web that helped them track the spread of obesity over time.

The method used to determine the weight categories of each participant was a value-calculation method known as Body mass index (BMI). This is an objective measure of height-to-weight that gives an indication of whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese. The BMI percentage is calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height squared (meters squared).

BMI ranges:

• Below 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5 to 25: Healthy
• 25 to 30: Overweight
• 30 to 40: Obese
• Above 40: Morbidly Obese

Using a history of the health and weight of these 12,000 individuals, the research team was able to observe that the changing BMI of a person over more than three decades was often closely related to the BMI of their close family and friends. Family members who gained weight often influenced each other, but the correlation was much stronger with friends. The principal cause was that friends often change each others’ perception of what comprises an acceptable body type. If a close friend puts on a lot of weight, it is easy for a person to accept their own weight gain, and is therefore become more likely to grow larger without realizing it.

The researchers’ initial figure about the spread of obesity is that a person’s chance of becoming obese will increase by 57% if they have a friend who becomes obese. If a close mutual friend is obese, the chance of becoming obese as well skyrockets to 171%. The investigators point to this conclusion as one of the factors for American’s growing obese population. People are catching it from one another. These findings are quite an achievement in the field of medical sociology, pairing body image with social contact and perception.

The researchers described the spread of obesity as a similar to a viral contagion in the way that it traveled through the wide social network that was part of the study. Some of the researchers involved in the study have gone so far as to describe obesity as an epidemic, since the condition can spread very rapidly. The reason that some describe this phenomenon as an epidemic is because the weight gained was often just a small amount that pushed an individual from a BMI that indicates “overweight” to one that indicates “obese.”

While many social scientists find this to be a groundbreaking study, other medical professionals don’t trust what they see as a hasty and somewhat anecdotal conclusion. Key in this assessment is the use of BMI as an indicator of health. The BMI, some say, is not a reliable indicator of health. It fails to take into account many factors, such as body type or lifestyle. For example, if a person is athletic, it is likely that their BMI will be higher because the value cannot differentiate between muscle weight and what is strictly fat. BMI is unable to distinguish between types of tissue and body structure that make up weight, and can often result in more skewed BMIs. Also, people of a short stature often have a lower BMI, even when the actual fat percentage of their physique might be higher than a larger person. A more accurate gauge of obesity, some argue, is simply measuring the waist circumference of a potentially overweight person.

BMI can be used as an indicator for health risks if the value is on either end of the BMI spectrum. Percentages below 18.5 usually indicate a serve eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Percentages above the “normal weight” range of 18.5 to 25 can usually indicate an increased threat of heart disease, particularly for older individuals. Even higher BMIs will be accompanied by other health concerns, such as hypertension and diabetes.

The condition of obesity is defined as the point past which fatty tissue in humans is increased to an unhealthy point. Obesity can arise from genetic determinants, lifestyle choice, certain illnesses, and neurobiological mechanisms. Another factor, social determinants, is becoming an increasingly popular explanation for a growing obese population worldwide. In the United States, obesity is becoming a public health concern.

Out of all developed countries worldwide, the United States has the largest obese population. This is a growing public health concern because obesity in American has been increasing steadily since the mid-1980s. Some people blame this on environmental causes, as many see a changing American economy and culture and a direct influence on the change in lifestyle that has inspired such a drastic demographic change.

Environmental factors that have likely been the cause of the growing obese population:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Declining cost of food
• Changing workforce
• Increasing wealth
• An aging population
• The rise in popularity of fast food
• Urban sprawl.

Health risks that arise from obesity:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

In some cases, obese individuals are also afflicted gastrointestinal conditions, strain of the musculoskeletal system, stroke, asthma, and depression. These are all severe, potentially fatal conditions that may continue to afflict an individual even after they have returned to a healthy BMI. Due to the myriad of potential health risks that accompany people with weight problems, insurance companies are hesitant to take on new policyholders if they already have a BMI in an unsafe range.

In America and all over the world, a growing obese population means a strain on the global health care infrastructure that will lead to future challenges in providing care that is necessary for unhealthy BMIs. Insurance companies are trying to avoid being liable for a great number of these complications, and often reject applicants who rank too high in body mass index. Obesity is a problem for people all over the world, and a contagious one, at that.

Health Care a Factor in Race for the White House

Health care in the USA is a subject that, over the years, has inspired numerous debates, ideas, and controversies in regards to the correct method with which to better protect the health and safety of American citizens. Since the start of the 2008 election campaigns, the issue of health care in the USA has become a pivotal point that has the potential to make or break the progress of various candidates’ journeys towards the white house. Since the release of filmmaker Michael Moore’s movie SiCKO, the American public has become even more aware of the options, or lack thereof, provided by the health care system, leaving many taxpayers and voters calling for a solution.

The controversies are all based on the fact that, although the US can lay claim to having one of the best medical service industry in the world, they also have the highest costs associated with medical treatment and care. With critical operations such as heart bypass surgeries costing as much as US$130,000, many Americans are finding themselves unable to bear this heavy financial burden. This is contributing to the fact that medical treatment has become the number one reason for declaring personal bankruptcy in the USA. In no uncertain terms, the choice that many Americans are facing is to receive necessary treatment and suffer extreme financial consequences, or not receive treatment and suffer severe illness and possibly death.

In conjunction with the already high costs of treatment experienced throughout the United States comes the issue of rapid medical inflation across all sectors of the health care industry. Intensive government regulation, inflated drug costs, and rising equipment expenses are all leading to rapid prices hikes and having hard hitting impacts on the American public.

As mentioned above, since the start of the Republican and Democratic debates, candidates on both sides of the political divide have been asked what they would do to address the causes of skyrocketing health care costs. As you would expect from such a diverse field of candidates, there have been a number of solutions.

1. Unilateral Universal Health Care (similar to Britain’s NHS)

• Universal health care is a position that has taken hold primarily in the Democratic camp. The main sponsors of this solution to America’s health care crisis are Clinton, Edwards, Gravel, Kucinich, Obama and Richardson.

Universal health care is the idea that every one should have equal access to quality health care services. While in theory this idea seems to work, many nations that have universal health care coverage (the UK, for example), have seen that, in reality, it can take a patient an extremely long time to receive the care that they need. In addition, facilities are limited and doctors and health care professionals are overburdened by their patient load. This all leads to the rejection of such a reform in the USA.

Critics cite that any such universal health care system would have to be regulated extensively by the government, leading to slowdowns in the patient treatment process. They also stress that America currently has one of the most highly-regulated health care industries in the world and that the regulation of the health care industry provides benefits to health care providers of up to US$170 billion. In actuality, this costs taxpayers approximately US$340 billion. However, there are a number of benefits to universal health care. One of the major profits is fact that, no matter what happens, an individual will always be assured of the help and care that they need.

The second major option that is being suggested by candidates is:

2. Mandatory purchase of health insurance

• Mandatory health insurance was initially proposed and instituted in Massachusetts by Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney. It has since gained credence with a number of state legislatures including that of California.

Mandatory health insurance requires that every citizen in the USA would have to purchase a health insurance plan to guarantee themselves health care. The big issue that proponents of mandatory health insurance have faced is the fact that this proposal is not very different from the legislation currently in place in the form of HMOs Medicare and Medicaid. The only real variation is that Americans would not have the choice to opt out of coverage. Opponents have responded to the plan by asking whether the coverage would be the same as the low protection offered by current programs, and have cited the fact that individuals could purchase a plan with virtually no protection to remain inside the law. One favorable aspect of mandatory health insurance is the fact that there would be no tax increases, while there would be with a universal health care scheme.

The last major suggestion on the table is:

3. Insurance Tax Credit

• Originally offered as a viable option to the health care issue by Republican candidate Dr. Ron Paul, this option has gained support from fellow candidates Rudy Giuliani, and John McCain.

Insurance for tax credit is remarkably similar to the mandatory health insurance suggestion but with a few significant changes. With this option, no one would be forced to purchase health insurance, however, the individuals that do will be given a tax credit (or rebate) for the costs of their health insurance premiums. Dr. Paul states that many families are currently spending close to US$1000 in annual insurance premiums, without being rewarded for not being independent of government support or the health care industry. This option means limited government involvement in an individual’s health care choices, and that people will only gain credit for what they pay. In Dr. Paul’s plan there are no forced insurance policies, benefits are given to families with children and those with terminally ill dependents, and social security fees are waived for individuals suffering from a terminal or oncological illness.

When all of the above are compared, in terms of realistic, short-term legislation, the insurance for tax credit option seems like the most viable option. By leaving choices in the hands of the individual citizen and the open market, consumers are able to make informed decisions about the type of coverage that they want. By giving individuals that have purchased health insurance a rebate at tax time, the government recognizes that protection is, indeed, necessary.

Programs like Medicare and Medicaid are responsible for roughly two thirds of all public health spending, and the United States currently has the highest per-capita health care expenditure in the world. Looking at that, it is clear that universal coverage is not an option that will correct the inflation inherent in the health care industry, but rather create higher taxes and close up the market.

These are just some of the major options that have been suggested in recent months during the campaigns. Ultimately, it is up to the American voters to decide which position they desire. However, there are solutions that have more credibility than others, and throwing money at the problem will not make it go away. Take some time and research the positions, it may have more effect on you than you know.

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