September 21, 2018

The Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Clinicians: Summary of Take-Home Lessons

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This is the tenth, and the last, article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. Patients in their final days require careful symptom management, and families may need support and coaching as death approaches. Care continues through the death pronouncement, family notification of the death, and bereavement support.

September 17, 2018

The Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Clinicians: Pronouncing Death

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This is the ninth article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. In most jurisdictions, local regulations generally require that a physician or nurse pronounce death and complete a death certificate. If hospice is involved, a nurse will generally come to the home and pronounce the patient.

September 13, 2018

Parkinson's Disease - Treatment modalities for a quality life

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a medical condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. Symptoms include muscle rigidity, tremors (or shaking), and changes in speech and gait.

September 11, 2018

The Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Clinicians: Notifying Others of the Death

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This is the eighth article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. For patients who die in hospital, the family should be notified if they are not present, and if appropriate they can be approached about autopsy or organ donation. If hospice is involved, the family should be directed to call the hospice.

September 10, 2018

Cervical Cancer Screening - What You Should Know and Expect

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A cervical screening test (previously known as a smear test) is a method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. The cervix is the entrance to the womb from the vagina. Detecting and removing abnormal cervical cells can prevent cervical cancer. This page tells you what you should know about cervical screening.

September 08, 2018

Guide to Live and Work in the UK for Medical and Allied Health Professionals

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Are you an internationally trained and qualified healthcare professional (like doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, lab scientist, etc) and planning to migrate to the UK to settle and work? This article contains information for overseas qualified healthcare professionals, including information on registration and immigration.

Parkinson's Disease - Overview, Causes, Clinical features and Diagnosis

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long-term degenerative disease of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms generally come on slowly over time. Put more simply, it is a medical condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include muscle rigidity, tremors (or shaking), and changes in speech and gait.

The Last Hours of Living: When Death Occurs

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This is the seventh article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. When death occurs, most local regulations generally require that a physician or nurse pronounce death and complete a death certificate. A local coroner may investigate any death and may perform an autopsy but generally will not become involved when the death was expected or was managed by a hospice. This article discusses what usually happens when a patient dies.

September 06, 2018

How Overseas Trained Nurses Can Live and Work in the UK

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In a previous article, we noted that nurses and midwives continue to be in short supply in the UK so that foreign trained nurses and midwives are warmly welcome in the UK. Anyone wanting to work in the UK as a nurse must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

September 05, 2018

Outdoor Air Quality and Your Health: Key Facts You Need to Know for Healthy Living

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Do you know how very important the quality of air around you is, and how it can affect your health? The quality of outdoor air, otherwise called ambient air quality, plays an important role in your health. Outdoor air pollution is a major environmental health problem affecting everyone in both developed and developing countries alike.

How Oversea Trained Midwives Can Live and Work in the UK

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Nurses and midwives continue to be in short supply in the UK so that foreign trained nurses and midwives are warmly welcomed. Anyone wanting to work in the UK as a midwife must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

September 04, 2018

Rabies - Important Facts You Should Know

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Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms. In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. Yet, rabies can affect both domestic and wild animals. It is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via saliva. See more about animal bites.

How Overseas Healthcare Scientists Can Live and Work in the UK

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Many foreign trained clinical scientists (or, lab scientists in some countries), biomedical scientists and audiologists have rewarding careers in the UK. Anyone wanting to work in the UK as a clinical scientist or biomedical scientist must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The Last Hours of Living: Dying in Institutions

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This is the sixth article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. This article is mainly targeted at healthcare professionals as it contains practical advice for clinicians in charge of providing care to people in the final hours of life.

September 03, 2018

Arsenic and Your Health: What You Need to Know for Healthy Living

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Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that is found in combination with either inorganic or organic substances to form many different compounds. Inorganic arsenic compounds are found in soils, sediments, and groundwater. These compounds occur either naturally or as a result of mining, ore smelting, and industrial use of arsenic. Organic arsenic compounds are found mainly in fish and shellfish, but may also be found in other animals and plants.

How Foreign-trained Medicial Doctors Can Live and Work in UK

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At present, NHS organizations want to recruit oversea-trained medical doctors. This article discusses how foreign trained doctors can live and work in the UK. All doctors must have registration with a licence to legally practise medicine and undertake activities restricted by law to doctors, such as writing prescriptions and signing death certificates.

September 01, 2018

Practical Advice for Managing Symptoms in Dying Patients

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This is the fifth article in a series entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. This article is targeted at health professionals as it contains advice for providing clinical care to people in the final hours of life who have symptoms, other than decreasing levels of consciousness or terminal delirium which have already been discussed in a previous article. See the previous article, Two Roads to Death.

August 30, 2018

Asbestos: How to Eliminate Asbestos-related Diseases

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When handled, asbestos can separate into microscopic-size particles that remain in the air and are easily inhaled. Persons occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

The Last Hours of Living: Two Roads to Death

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This is the fourth article in a series of compilations entitled: 'The Last Hours of Living'. This article is mainly targeted at healthcare professionals as it contains practical advice for clinicians in charge of providing care to people in the final hours of life. It discusses the Two Roads to Death and the role of the hospital and community clinician.

How Oversea Trained Dentists Can Live and Work in the UK

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NHS organizations may want to recruit foreign-trained dentists and dental care professionals. This article discusses how dentists trained outside the UK can live and work in the UK. All oversea dentists and dental care workers must be assessed before they can work in the UK.

August 28, 2018

Animal Bites: Key Facts You Should Know

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Animal bites pose a major public health problem in children and adults worldwide. The health impacts of animal bites are dependent on the type and health of the animal species, the size and health of the bitten person, and accessibility to appropriate health care.

How Oversea Trained Allied Health Professionals Can Live and Work in the UK

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Anyone wanting to work in the UK as an allied health professional must register with the Health and Care Professions Council. The allied health professions cover a broad range of careers such as podiatry, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. A career in the allied health professions makes you highly employable, allows you to help people every day and gives you the flexibility to live and work anywhere.

August 27, 2018

Immigration Application Process - The UK Points-Based System for Foreign Medical and Allied Health Students and Workers

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The UK immigration points-based system is the process used to manage applications by individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland wishing to work, train or study in the UK.

UK Immigration Rules for Foreign Trained Graduates of Medicine and Allied Health Professions

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This article is a guide for internationally trained graduates of medical and allied courses (doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, etc) who intend to migrate and work in the United Kingdom. This information summarises some of the main points relating to immigration rules. For the full and latest official information, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

August 26, 2018

Body Changes in the Last Hours and Days of Life (Advice for Patients, Families, Carers)

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This is the third article in 'The Last Hours of Living' series for people who are approaching the end of their life, for their families and for their carers. Some parts of it may also be useful for professionals who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their own end of life care.

August 22, 2018

Tuberculosis - Symptoms, Treatment and Key Facts

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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

Eating Almonds, Dark Chocolate Every Day May Improve Lipid Profile

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Incorporating almonds, dark chocolate, and cocoa into a healthy diet may help reduce a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).

Medical Council of Canada Phase Out the MCCEE for Easier Entry of Foreign Doctors into Canada

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Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America, and a lot of foreign-trained medical graduates dream of migrating there to start a better life for themselves and their families. Canada is not only developed, but the country also ranks among the world's highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.

The 3 CAN Steps to Healthier Eating

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Make nutritious foods convenient, attractive and normal, research suggests
To succeed at the diet game, research published in 2015 suggests a "CAN"-do attitude may be more helpful than relying on willpower or education.

August 20, 2018

UK Tier 2 Visa Cap Exemption for Foreign Doctors and Nurses

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The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), Home Office changes from 6 July 2018 means that non-EU doctors and nurses are currently exempt from the UK Tier 2 visa cap. This also makes it much easier for other skilled level people to enter the UK. As part of long-term government plans for the NHS, there will be no restriction on the number of foreign doctors and nurses that can be hired from outside the European Union (EU) via the Tier 2 visa route.

Preparing for the Last Hours of Life (Advice for Patients, Families, Carers)

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This is the second of a series of articles for people who are approaching the end of their life, for their families and for their carers. Some parts of it may also be useful for professionals who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their own end of life care.

August 18, 2018

Computer Addiction and Internet Addiction Disorder

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Do you stay up late at night using the internet? Are you grumpy or anxious when you can’t log on? Do you need to use the internet to feel satisfied? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from internet addiction.

Introduction to the Last Hours of Living: Practical Advice for Patients, Families and Carers

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This article is the first of a series for people who are approaching the end of their life, for their families and for their carers. Some parts of it may also be useful for professionals who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their own end of life care.

June 09, 2018

Molecule in Green Tea Could Be Key to Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes

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Green tea could hold the key to preventing deaths from heart attacks and strokes caused by atherosclerosis. A new research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) indicates that a certain molecule in green tea could be the key to preventing mortality from heart attacks and strokes. The findings were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

May 24, 2018

Elder abuse - Definition, Risk factors, Prevention and Key facts You Should Know

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Elder abuse (also called "elder mistreatment", "senior abuse", "abuse in later life", "abuse of older adults", "abuse of older women", and "abuse of older men") is a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.

May 18, 2018

Ebola Virus Disease Key Facts: Transmission, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Effective Control

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The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. Ebola virus disease (EVD), (formerly, Ebola haemorrhagic fever), first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, one in what is now, Nzara, South Sudan, and the other in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo. The latter occurred in a village near the Ebola River, from which the disease takes its name.

May 16, 2018

Suicide Key Facts - At Risk Population, Ways to Prevent and Control the Act, and Challenges

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Every year close to 800 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and was the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally in 2015.

May 15, 2018

Depression - Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Other Key facts

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Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.

Grilled Meats, Fish Linked to Hypertension

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A new study indicates that high consumption of meat, poultry, or fish grilled, broiled, or cooked at a high temperature is associated with an increased risk for hypertension, independent of the overall amount consumed, and the risk is also increased with higher intake of well-done meat.

April 28, 2018

Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Other Kay Facts

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Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition. It causes a range of different psychological symptoms. It is often described as a type of psychosis which means the person may not always be able to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality. There are effective treatments for schizophrenia and people affected by it can lead a productive life and be integrated in society.

Dementia - Symptoms, Common Causes, Treatment and Other Key Facts

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Dementia is a syndrome – usually of a chronic or progressive nature – in which there is deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. Consciousness is not affected. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation.

April 20, 2018

Maintaining Mental Health in Emergencies: Facts You Should Know

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During and after emergencies, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions, but people are more likely to suffer from a range of mental health problems.

April 18, 2018

What You Need to Know About Mental Health of Older Adults

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Older adults, those aged 60 or above, make important contributions to society as family members, volunteers and as active participants in the workforce. While most have good mental health, many older adults are at risk of developing mental disorders, neurological disorders or substance use problems as well as other health conditions such as diabetes, hearing loss, and osteoarthritis. Furthermore, as people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time.

April 17, 2018

Mental Disorders: Facts on Depression, Dementia, Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Developmental Disorders

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A mental disorder, also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitting, or occur as a single episode.

April 15, 2018

Top Countries to Migrate and Settle Down in if You Want to Live Longer

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So, you want to live to a ripe old age and wonder where’s the best place to settle down to achieve this. According to the results of the latest World Health Statistics report released by the World Health Organization, you had better immigrate to a developed country with a good standard of living that invests heavily in public health services.

April 13, 2018

Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Mobile Phones and Health

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Mobile or cellular phones are now an integral part of modern telecommunications. In many countries, over half the population use mobile phones and the market is growing rapidly. In 2014, there was an estimated 6.9 billion subscriptions globally. In some parts of the world, mobile phones are the most reliable or the only phones available.

Mercury and Health: What You Need to Know For Healthy Living

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Mercury is an element and a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. It exists in three forms: elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds (to which people may be exposed through their occupation), and organic mercury compounds (e.g., methylmercury, to which people may be exposed through their diet). These forms of mercury differ in their degree of toxicity and in their effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.

Sustainable Development Goals

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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - also known as the Global Goals for Sustainable Development - are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations. The broad goals are interrelated though each has its own targets to achieve. The total number of targets is 169.

April 12, 2018

Poliomyelitis - Symptoms, Transmission, Prevention and Key Facts

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Polio, or poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis, is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease. It is caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s brain and spinal cord, causing paralysis (inability to move parts of the body).

April 11, 2018

Lack of Exercise 'Killing As Many As Smoking'

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I read this study report published in The Lancet in 2012, but which continues to remain relevant today so I share it here. The report concludes that 'a lack of exercise is now causing as many deaths as smoking across the world'. Through this widely respected peer-reviewed medical journal, we continue to be reminded how important exercising our bodies everyday is if we are to remain healthy into our older years. In this article, I have deliberately broken the report down.

April 10, 2018

Lead Poisoning and Health: What You Need to Know for Healthy Living

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Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Its widespread use has resulted in extensive environmental contamination, human exposure and significant public health problems in many parts of the world.

April 02, 2018

Vision Impairment and Blindness

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Blindness is a severe vision impairment, not correctable by standard glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery. It interferes with a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.

March 20, 2018

The Best Vitamins and Minerals for Seniors

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For seniors deficient in vitamins B and D, calcium, and iron, supplements can help with nutritional balance.

February 18, 2018

And Then I Was Sued....For Millions of Dollars

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This article is an IMG's personal story sent anonymously by someone who is not the writer, although signed by the writer. Even though we cannot confirm its authenticity, yet its fresh and vivid writing can only come from a personal experience; but much more, it contains highly valuable lessons for any IMG doctor (just like the story of Hadiza Garba in the UK), especially for IMGs practicing in the United States and other western countries. It re-emphasizes the need for detailed documentation in medical practice. This personal story is compelling and really worth the read. Enjoy...

February 16, 2018

Diabetes - An Overview of the Key Facts

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Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. A person with prediabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. He or she is at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. So how does one prevent Diabetes? Research studies have found that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults at high-risk of diabetes.

February 15, 2018

Acute Pancreatitis - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management

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Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in which pancreatic enzymes autodigest (i.e. self-digests) the gland. The gland sometimes heals without any impairment of function or any morphologic changes; this process is known as acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can also recur intermittently, contributing to the functional and morphologic loss of the gland; recurrent attacks are referred to as chronic pancreatitis.

February 13, 2018

Ageing and health: Understanding the Facts and Challenges

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AGEING AND HEALTH

People worldwide are living longer. Today, for the first time in history, most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. By 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to total 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015. Today, 125 million people are aged 80 years or older. By 2050, there will be almost this many (120 million) living in China alone, and 434 million people in this age group worldwide. By 2050, 80% of all older people will live in low- and middle-income countries.

February 06, 2018

To Err Is Homicide in Britain: The Case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba

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The good that doctors do is oft interred by a single error. The case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, a trainee pediatrician in the NHS, convicted for homicide for the death of a child from sepsis, and hounded by the General Medical Council (GMC), is every junior doctor's primal fear.

January 22, 2018

Saturated Fat Does Not Clog the Arteries And Does Not Cause Heart Attacks

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Coronary artery disease pathogenesis and treatment urgently requires a paradigm shift because saturated fat does not clog the arteries. This is the conclusion of a landmark April 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a chronic inflammatory condition, the risk of which can be effectively reduced from healthy lifestyle interventions, the publication further adds.

January 15, 2018

Lassa fever - Symptoms, Transmission, Management and Prevention (An Overview of the Key Facts)

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Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in west Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died in Nigeria. The virus is named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases occurred. The virus, a member of the virus family Arenaviridae, is a single-stranded RNA virus and is zoonotic, or animal-borne.