Heatstroke: First aid

Heatstroke is the most severe of heat-related problems, after heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heatstroke often results from exercise or heavy work in hot environments combined with inadequate fluid intake.

Young children, older adults, people who are obese and people born with an impaired ability to sweat are at high risk of heatstroke. Other risk factors include dehydration, alcohol use, cardiovascular disease and certain medications.

What makes heatstroke severe and potentially life-threatening is that the body's normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and temperature control, become inadequate. The main sign of heatstroke is a markedly elevated body temperature — generally greater than 104 F (40 C) — with changes in mental status ranging from personality changes to confusion and coma. Skin may be hot and dry — although if heatstroke is caused by exertion, the skin may be moist.

 Other signs and symptoms may include:

•     Rapid heartbeat
•     Rapid and shallow breathing
•     Elevated or lowered blood pressure
•     Cessation of sweating
•     Irritability, confusion or unconsciousness
•     Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
•     Headache
•     Nausea
•     Fainting, which may be the first sign in older adults

If you suspect heatstroke:

•     Move the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned space.
•     Call 911 or emergency medical help.
•     Cool the person by covering with damp sheets or by spraying with cool water. Direct air onto the person with a fan or newspaper.
•     Have the person drink cool water or other nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine, if he or she is able.

Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-heatstroke/basics/art-20056655

When the Heat Is On: How to Avoid Heat Stroke

When the Heat Is On: How to Avoid Heat Stroke

Picture your ideal summer day. Do you see yourself soaking up the sun with a drink in hand? Or maybe playing a game of soccer on a humid day? Just be careful. Overexposure to hot weather can put your body at risk for heat exhaustion or a more serious condition called heat stroke.

Vigorous exercise or exposure to extreme heat or humidity can inhibit your body's ability to cool itself effectively. This can result in heat stroke, a dangerous condition that can cause brain damage and death. But you don't have to forgo the sun to avoid heat stroke. Instead, take a few precautions.

What Is Heat Stroke?

The body is normally very effective at cooling itself. You lose some heat through your skin by sweating. However, when you become dehydrated, your body is unable to produce enough sweat to cool itself. As a result, your body temperature can rise to 104 degrees or higher and heat stroke can strike. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can lead to heat stroke.

Know the symptoms:

•     headache
•     dizziness
•     confusion, agitation, or disorientation
•     feeling sluggish or fatigued
•     hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
•     an extremely high temperature
•     loss of consciousness
•     rapid heart beat
•     hallucinations
•     vomiting

What Should You Do if You Think You or Someone You're with Has Heat Stroke?

If you think you or someone you know has heat stroke, call 9-1-1. It's important to get help right away. While you're waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, get the person out of the heat and have them lie down with their feet elevated in a cool area. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply ice packs to the groin and armpits. You may also apply water and fan the person, which may induce sweating.

Medical personnel may need to administer intravenous fluids to rehydrate and balance electrolytes. The person will need to rest and their body may have trouble regulating its temperature for a few weeks.

If you think you have heat stroke, don't hesitate to call for medical help. Waiting to see if you get better can result in a dangerous situation. Though you may want to shrug it off, consider whether or not you'd call for help if someone you love was experiencing the same symptoms. You deserve to treat your health with the same seriousness.

How Can You Avoid Heat Stroke?

By taking a few extra precautions, you can still enjoy the sun. The next time you hit the beach, remember these tips:

• Wear lightweight clothes. Loose, light-colored clothing so you won't absorb so much of the sun's rays.
• Carry an umbrella. Carry an umbrella, or top your outfit with a hat, to protect yourself from the sun's rays.
• Drink up. Bring plenty of water or a sports drink, which can replace sodium lost from sweating.
• Avoid caffeine. Avoid or limit drinks with caffeine or alcohol, as they can cause dehydration. Remember, if your urine is dark yellow, you're probably not drinking enough liquids.
• Plan around peak hours. If you plan to exercise or work in the sun, be sure to do it in the cooler part of the day, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Alternately, take it easy on hot days.

Sources: http://www.healthline.com/health/when-heat-how-avoid-heat-stroke#1

Alternative treatments for dengue fever

Alternative treatments for dengue fever

The best treatment for this infectious disease with no medical cure might lie in nature.

DENGUE fever is a problem that just does not seem to want to go away in Malaysia. And even worse, it seems to be escalating.

The latest report from the Health Ministry states that as of March 22, both the number of cases and deaths nationwide for the year have increased by 314% compared to the same period last year.

The number of dengue cases in the latest report totalled 23,633, while the number of deaths was 58.

The problem is not just limited to Malaysia, although we are considered an endemic dengue hotspot.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates there may be 50-100 million dengue infections globally every year, with two-fifths of the world population, or 2.5 billion people, at risk of this mosquito-borne infectious disease.

While being infected with dengue is an unpleasant experience – it is also known as breakbone fever – with typical symptoms being fever, headache, rashes, and muscle and joint pains, a healthy person’s immune system usually has no problems fighting the virus off.

The problem comes when dengue haemorrhagic fever develops.

This extreme form of the illness causes severe bleeding due to “leaky” blood vessels and delay in blood-clotting caused by low levels of platelets, which are essential in forming blood clots.

According to the WHO, an average of about 2.5% of those who develop dengue haemorrhagic fever die.

This number can exceed 20% in cases with no proper treatment, while the risk of death in those who receive the proper supportive treatment is less than 1%.

There is no cure for dengue, nor is there any vaccine for it, although there are several research teams currently working on one.

The main method of controlling this disease is via prevention; for example, ensuring that there is no stagnant water or any container where water can pool in around, fogging, using mosquito nets and repellent, and covering up or staying indoors at dawn and dusk when the Aedes mosquitoes are most active.

Medical management of dengue is purely supportive, with maintenance of the body’s fluid balance being the key objective, whether via oral rehydration therapy, intravenous fluid replacement, or in the worst-case scenario, blood transfusion.

With no definitive treatment from modern medicine available, it is not surprising that many have turned to alternative therapies for relief.

Papaya leaf juice

This is probably the most well-known alternative treatment for dengue.

Several small scientific studies have been carried out in dengue-endemic countries like India and Malaysia, looking into the efficacy of this herbal remedy.

While the results cannot be said to be definitive, due to their small study size, they are certainly promising.

The main effect of this juice lies in raising the level of platelets in dengue patients – a critical aspect of this viral infection.

One study, conducted by the Institute for Medical Research and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Klang, Selangor, reported that patients given papaya leaf juice showed a significant rise in their platelet levels 40 hours after first receiving the juice, compared to patients in the control group who were only on standard supportive therapy.

The open-label randomised controlled trial, published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine last year, had a total of 228 participants recruited from the hospital’s dengue ward, divided almost equally between the control group and the juice group.

The patients in the juice group took the pure fresh juice extracted from 50gm of clean papaya leaves of the sekaki variety once daily for three consecutive days.

Pharmacist and holistic medicine practitioner Datuk Dr Rajen M adds that a blend of raw young papaya and papaya leaves made into a juice, taken two to three times a day, is one of the alternative therapies for dengue in Ayurvedic medicine.

He notes that consuming papaya in general is safe, and taking it does not contradict medical advice.

Tawa-tawa

This hairy herb is commonly used in the Philippines as an alternative treatment for dengue fever.

Also known as gatas-gatas or by its scientific name Euphorbia hirta, it is said to increase the platelet levels in dengue patients.

A 2012 animal study conducted by pharmacy students from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, showed that a decoction of tawa-tawa did indeed increase platelet levels and decrease bleeding time in rats with induced thrombocytopenia (i.e. an abnormally low platelet level).

The Philippine’s Department of Science and Technology is currently researching the effect of this plant on dengue fever, and have stated their concern over possible toxicity resulting from overdosing on tawa-tawa.

Meanwhile, Philippine Star columnist Dr Willie T Ong said in a 2009 article that Filipino doctors in general allow dengue patients to take tawa-tawa as long as they clear it with them first.

He also explained how to prepare the herb: “Take five whole tawa-tawa plants. Cut off the roots, then wash and clean.

“Boil tawa-tawa in a pot of clean water. Pour the liquid and then let cool. Sip one glass three to four times a day.”

Traditional Chinese medicine

Inti International University Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine director and head of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) programme Dr Yong Kian Fui says that there is no cure for dengue fever in TCM either, and treatment is usually supportive based on the stage of the disease.

The acupuncturist and Chinese physician notes that because of the vague symptoms of dengue fever, most people are only diagnosed with the disease about four days after their fever starts.

TCM therapy at that stage consists of a herbal concoction based on the formulation called qin wen bai tu san.

“This helps to clear the plaque and detox the body,” he says.

Patients have to take one dose daily for three days. If their platelet levels are still low by the end of that period, Dr Yong says they would be referred to the hospital for further management.

He adds that he personally also prescribes a bitter gourd and meat soup, which should be double-boiled for two hours.

While the meat can be from any animal, including fish, it is crucial that the seeds in the bitter gourd must be included in the soup.

“According to TCM theory, bitter gourd is used to clear ‘fire’ and to detox the body.

“The meat neutralises the bitter gourd, so that it doesn’t become too ‘cooling’.”

Ayuverdic medicine

Dr Rajen explains that there are four ways to treat dengue patients according to Ayuverdic medicine.

Two methods are targeted at boosting the patient’s blood production and providing an antiviral effect: the papaya fruit and leaf juice mix mentioned earlier, and juice made from pegaga leaves, also known as India pennywort or Centella asiatica.

According to Dr Rajen, one dose of the pegaga juice is the amount obtained from juicing one handful of leaves.

The other two treatments are mainly applied for their general antiviral properties.

One is cow or goat colostrum, which can be drunk as often as desired. Colostrum is the first secretion from the animal’s mammary glands before the milk comes out.

The other is turmeric, which can be added to the patient’s food or milk.

Sources: http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Health/2014/04/13/Alternative-treatments-for-dengue-fever/

Green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cell

Green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cell

A compound found in green tea may trigger a cycle that kills oral cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone, according to Penn State food scientists. The research could lead to treatments for oral cancer, as well as other types of cancer.

Earlier studies had shown that epigallocatechin-3-gallate -- EGCG -- a compound found in green tea, killed oral cancer cells without harming normal cells, but researchers did not understand the reasons for its ability to target the cancer cells, said Joshua Lambert, associate professor of food science and co-director of Penn State's Center for Plant and Mushroom Foods for Health. The current study shows that EGCG may trigger a process in the mitochondria that leads to cell death.

"EGCG is doing something to damage the mitochondria and that mitochondrial damage sets up a cycle causing more damage and it spirals out, until the cell undergoes programmed cell death," said Lambert. "It looks like EGCG causes the formation of reactive oxygen species in cancer cells, which damages the mitochondria, and the mitochondria responds by making more reactive oxygen species."

As this mitochondrial demise continues, the cancer cell also reduces the expression of anti-oxidant genes, further lowering its defenses

"So, it's turning off its mechanism of protection at the same time that EGCG is causing this oxidative stress," Lambert added.

The EGCG did not cause this reaction in normal cells. In fact, it appeared to increase the protective capabilities of the cell, according to the researchers, who report their findings in the online issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

The researchers studied normal human oral cells side-by-side with human oral cancer cells to determine how EGCG was affecting cancer cells differently than normal cells. They grew the normal and cancer cells on petri dishes and then exposed them to EGCG, the major polyphenol found in green tea, at concentrations typically found in the saliva after chewing green-tea chewing gum. At various times, the researchers would collect the cells and check for oxidative stress and signs of antioxidant response.

"We also took a lot of pictures, so we could use fluorescent dyes that measure mitochondrial function and oxidative stress and actually see these things develop," said Lambert, who worked with Jong-Yung Park, a research technician and Ling Tao, a doctoral candidate in food science.

The researchers said that a protein called sirtuin 3 -- SIRT3 -- is critical to the process.

"It plays an important role in mitochondrial function and in anti-oxidant response in lots of tissues in the body, so the idea that EGCG might selectively affect the activity of sirtuin 3 in cancer cells -- to turn it off -- and in normal cells -- to turn it on -- is probably applicable in multiple kinds of cancers," Lambert said.

The study builds on earlier research on how EGCG affected oral cancer, a disease that is expected to kill more than 8,000 people in the United States this year.

"We've published one paper previously just looking at the effect of these green tea polyphenols on oral cancer cells in cultures, and there have been other papers published using oral cancer cells and at least a couple of animal model studies that have looked at oral cancer and prevention of oral cancer," said Lambert.

He said the next step would be to study the mechanism in animals. If those tests and human trials are successful, the researchers then hope to create anti-cancer treatments that are as effective as current treatments without the harmful side effects.

"The problem with a lot of chemotherapy drugs -- especially early chemotherapy drugs -- is that they really just target rapidly dividing cells, so cancer divides rapidly, but so do cells in your hair follicles and cells in your intestines, so you have a lot of side effects," said Lambert. "But you don't see these sorts of side effects with green tea consumption."

Press and study from Penn State University. -

Sources: http://www.naturalblaze.com/2015/01/green-tea-ingredient-may-target-protein.html