Health & Wellness

Some Good News For Goan Men ! Alcohol 'quickly' cuts heart risk http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7283273.stm BBC NEWS Middle-aged non-drinkers can quickly reduce their risk of heart disease by introducing a daily tipple to their diet, South Carolina researchers say. New moderate drinkers were 38% less likely to develop heart disease than those who stayed tee-total, a four-year study involving 7,500 people found. Those who drank only wine showed the most benefit, the researchers reported in the American Medical Journal. But cardiac experts warned alcohol was not a panacea for good heart health. The results came from a study of 7,500 people taking part in a trial to look at risk factors for atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries. For carefully selected individuals, a 'heart healthy diet' may include limited alcohol consumption even among individuals who have not included alcohol previously Dr Dana King Study leader None of them drank alcohol at the start of the study but 6% began to drink moderate amounts - one drink per day or fewer for women and two drinks per day or fewer for men - during the course of the research. The reduced cardiovascular risk remained when the researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina took into account physical activity, body mass index, demographic and cardiac risk factors. There was no difference in deaths over the four-year follow up. Cholesterol Those who stuck to wine had the biggest reduction in cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, compared with non-drinkers, heavy drinkers or those who drank other types of alcohol. The study also found some improvement in HDL or "good" cholesterol in those who took up drinking. Despite several studies showing an association with alcohol intake and reduced cardiovascular risk, guidance from the American Heart Association warns people not to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol. Study leader Dana King said he was surprised that the effect was so large and so quick. "For carefully selected individuals, a 'heart healthy diet' may include limited alcohol consumption even among individuals who have not included alcohol previously," he said. However, Dr King said the benefits had to be weighed with caution against known adverse effects of drinking alcohol and it would not be advised in some people such as those with liver problems or cancer. "I know there's concerns about binge drinking but that is not the type of drinking pattern we're seeing here. "When we say seven drinks a week, we mean one a day not seven drinks on a Saturday night." Judy O'Sullivan, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said the study added to the evidence that alcohol in moderation provides some protection for the heart. But she added: "Alcohol is not a medicine and it should not be used as a panacea. "There is a fine line between moderation and excess and alcohol can pose as many threats as it does benefits. "Non-drinkers should not take up alcohol to protect their heart based on this study alone."

Cancer: The facts One in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer during our life. The disease tends to affect older people - but can strike at any time. Excluding certain skin cancers, there were more than 270,000 new cases of the disease in 2001 - and the rate is increasing by about 1% a year. Some cancer, such as breast, are becoming more common, while new cases of lung cancer fall away due to the drop in the number of smokers. However, while the overall number of new cancers is not falling, the good news is that successful treatment rates for many of the most common types are improving rapidly. BBC News Online has produced, in conjunction with Cancer Research UK, a guide to some of the most common forms of cancer and the treatments used to tackle them. To learn more about different types of cancer, and to read the experiences of patients, click  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3444635.stm

Why flu strikes in cold weather http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7276447.stm BBC NEWS Scientists believe they have uncovered a key reason why flu viruses tend to strike in cold weather. They found the viruses coat themselves in fatty material that hardens to a gel, protecting them in the cold. This coating melts in the higher temperatures of the respiratory tract, allowing the virus to infect cells. The US National Institutes of Health team hope their study, which features in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, could lead to new treatments. However, a UK expert said the discovery did not explain why some flu viruses also thrived in tropical climates. The hard rubbery coating around the virus which forms in colder temperatures gives it the protection it needs to pass from person to person. The coating is so robust it can even resist to certain detergents. However, once inside a host the virus can only infect a target cell once the coating has melted. But this liquid phase is not tough enough to protect the virus against the elements, and so if the protective coating melts when the virus is outside the host, it dies. I don't think this study provides anything like a definitive answer on the spread of the virus says Professor John Oxford, Queen Mary College School of Medicine The virus's outer membrane is composed chiefly of molecules known as lipids, such as oils, fats and cholesterol. The researchers found that at temperatures slightly above freezing, this lipid covering solidified into a gel. However, as temperatures approached 15.6C (60F) , the covering gradually thawed, eventually melting to a soupy mix. The researchers concluded that temperatures in the spring and summer were too high to allow the viral membrane to enter its gel state. As a result, at these temperatures the individual flu viruses would dry out and weaken - accounting for the end of the flu season. Professor John Oxford, an expert in virology at Queen Mary College School of Medicine, London, said the paper was interesting, but it might be premature to draw firm conclusions. He said: "If this is the case why do we get flu in tropical areas, where the temperature is 35C (95F) all the time?

Older Canadians More Prepared For Dying Than For Living Survey says: Seniors a study in contradictions - Majority want to avoid nursing homes, but few planning for independent living - http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2008/05/c7703.html?view=print BAYSHORE HOME HEALTH TORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - A survey designed to provide a 'snapshot' of Canadians aged 65 to 85 released today provided some surprising results to those working on the frontlines with aging Canadians. According to the recent Living for Today - Ready for Tomorrow survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid, nine out of ten Canadians between the ages of 65 and 85 have a will, half already have a cemetery plot and 44% have a pre-arranged funeral. At the same time, much fewer are actually planning or taking the necessary steps to help ensure they're leading independent lives for as long as possible. "The survey results show a big discrepancy between seniors' desire to remain in their homes and the plans they're making to reach this goal," says Holly Quinn, Chief Nursing Officer for Bayshore Home Health, the sponsor of the survey. "It's inevitable that the health of many people in this age group will deteriorate at some point in the future, creating a need for support, different living arrangements or both. Despite this fact, the majority of seniors have not given much thought to their future needs." Independent living is a high priority for older Canadians between the ages of 65 and 85. Virtually all of them (97%) will attempt to live independently for as long as they are able. The majority (82%) say they will do everything they can to avoid moving into a nursing home. While independence is a priority for older Canadians, few have planned or taken the necessary steps to ensure that independence. Less than half (47%) of older Canadians have researched ways to help themselves live independently at home. Just over half (51%) have not made any modifications to their home to ensure it's a safe environment. Fewer than five per cent are staying active and even fewer (1%) have moved into a smaller space. "It wasn't surprising that the vast majority of seniors value independence and independent living," adds Quinn. "What did surprise us was how little planning this group had done to plan for tomorrow and ensure their independence. It's unfortunate, but likely, that at some point in the future these individuals will be attempting to access services and care during a time of stress." Awareness of home health care is high - three-quarters of older Canadians have heard of it - but less than half understand the kind of services that home health care provides. A mere seven per cent of those surveyed receive home health care. Among those individuals who are not receiving this type of care, three-quarters have not given it any thought at all. Over half of people who are receiving home health care do not know all their funding options and the ways financial costs can be alleviated. When pressed to identify these options, an additional 14% admitted they didn't know. "In general, it seems that older Canadians are not seriously planning home care as an option, even though governments are investing more in this area to alleviate the burden on hospitals and nursing homes," Quinn offers. Many older Canadians (50%) believe they can avoid a nursing home by relying on their family to care for them. Yet according to the survey, families don't appear to be talking about the issue. Among those older Canadians who are not currently receiving home health care, 96% have not spoken to their families about it. "The survey results indicate that seniors are really a study in contradictions," concludes Quinn. "Independence is a big priority but they are not planning for their future living arrangements or talking to their family about what their options might be."

Don't Leave Your Vision to Chance on World Glaucoma Day - Leading Glaucoma Experts Act to Help Prevent Vision Loss as 50 Percent of Patients Remain Undiagnosed LONDON, March 5 /CNW/ - On the first World Glaucoma Day (March 6, 2008), leading glaucoma experts globally are asking those who may be at risk of the condition not to leave their vision to chance - with a clear message that 50 percent of people with open-angle glaucoma and more than 50 percent of people with angle-closure glaucoma are unaware they have it.(1),(2) In addition, 50 percent remain untreated until a large amount of irreversible vision loss has already occurred.(1) During World Glaucoma Day, experts are encouraging patients at risk for glaucoma to utilize resources from sources like the All Eyes on Glaucoma(TM) campaign, which aims to help people recognize and understand the devastatingconsequences of glaucoma - the world's second leading cause of blindness. The All Eyes on Glaucoma campaign also seeks to increase public awareness of risk factors for glaucoma and reinforce the critical importance of having regular, complete eye examinations. One key component of the campaign is the interactive consumer website, http://www.AllEyesonGlaucoma.com,, which offers tools such as an "Am I at Risk" quiz and a "Conversation Starter" on important questions to ask at the eye doctor. World Glaucoma Day is a joint initiative by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) designed to promote awareness of eye health and the importance of regular eye examinations to reduce the onset of glaucoma. Due to the rapidly growing aging population, the prevalence of glaucoma is expected to rise from 60 million in 2010 to 80 million in 2020 globally.(3) "World Glaucoma Day offers an opportunity to send a clear message about preventing glaucoma and helping preserve vision - although glaucoma may affect all age groups, individuals at risk and those over age 40 should have regular, comprehensive eye exams that include careful evaluation of the optic nerve and measurement of eye pressure," said Dr. Robert Weinreb, President of the American Glaucoma Society, Past President of the WGA and Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego, USA. "Since vision loss from glaucoma is permanent, glaucoma needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible." Important Steps to Proactively Protect Your Vision Step 1: Learn the Risk Factors Since glaucoma may not have any early symptoms, the first step in preventing glaucoma is to learn the risk factors and to discuss them with an eye health professional. The primary risk factors for glaucoma include:(4) Increasing age High eye pressure (or intraocular pressure/IOP) Family history of glaucoma African and Chinese ancestry(5) Nearsightedness High blood pressure(6) Step 2: Get a Complete Eye Examination For all individuals, especially those at high risk of developing and losing sight from glaucoma, the World Glaucoma Association recommends getting a regular, complete eye exam that includes tests that measure eye pressure, assess the optic nerve and test visual field, including the following: Tonometry: Measures eye pressure which should be tracked over time Optic nerve exam: Evaluates the optic nerve structure Visual Field test: Visual field (or peripheral or side vision) measures the entire area you can see while looking at a fixed point Impact of Functional Vision Loss The consequences of vision loss due to irreversible optic nerve damage can greatly affect one's independence, such as the ability to drive and perform basic daily activities due to sensitivity to light, problems with glare, blurred vision and trouble seeing in dark places. According to the American Journal of Ophthalmology, quality of life is also greatly affected. In fact, nearly 35 percent of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients reported symptoms of nervousness, anxiety or stress.(7) "In addition to a greater risk of disability, delayed diagnosis of glaucoma results in increased healthcare costs for both the individual and society as a whole," said Professor Roger Hitchings, Professor of Ophthalmology, University College London and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England. "It is crucial to elevate the importance of eye health now to reduce the burden of functional vision loss later as the aging population continues to grow." About All Eyes on Glaucoma The campaign All Eyes on Glaucoma(TM) is sponsored by Pfizer Ophthalmics and encourages at-risk individuals to understand more about glaucoma and the practical steps that need to be taken to preserve eye health and prevent optic nerve damage. The global educational program offers an informative website, http://www.alleyesonglaucoma.com,  that provides online resources and support to help people take action now and avoid the negative consequences of vision loss later. Glaucoma is the name given to a series of devastating diseases that irreversibly damage the eye's optic nerve. If left unchecked, this can result in serious vision loss over time. Glaucoma is commonly detected by measuring the pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). When eye pressure increases over time, the optic nerve becomes damaged. Worldwide, an estimated 6.7 million people are blind from glaucoma, with approximately 70 million people living with the condition.(8) The two most common forms of glaucoma are: Open-angle glaucoma - when the pressure in the eye increases over time due to poor drainage of the aqueous humor.  Angle-closure glaucoma - when the iris is too close to the drainage canal (trabecular meshwork). The only modifiable glaucoma risk factor is high eye pressure, though it is possible to develop the condition without it. Due to the build-up of natural fluid produced by the eye, high eye pressure causes permanent damage to the optic nerve, the "cable" used by the eye to communicate to the brain. High eye pressure may exist without noticeable symptoms so many people do not know they have it if their vision is not checked regularly. In fact, people may not notice vision loss until 40 percent or more of their optic nerve has been damaged.(9) IOP is an easily identifiable risk factor; however people who fall within the normal IOP range may still be at risk for glaucoma.

Tax Tips For Students http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2008/03/c8012.html?view=print TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ - - Post-secondary students attending college or university full-time are eligible for the Textbook Tax Credit. A student can claim $65 for every month they qualify for the education amount. Part-time students can claim $20 per qualifying month. The credit does not depend on how many textbooks you purchase - it is standard for every student who qualifies. Under the old tax rules, only the first $3,000 of a scholarship or bursary was tax free. Recent changes have exempted all scholarships and bursary amounts from being taxed if the related program qualifies for the education amount. This includes scholarships at the elementary and secondary school level. For students who depend on transit to get to campus, keep your passes to claim the Transit Tax Credit. The program was recently expanded to include some electronic tickets and weekly passes purchased for four consecutive weeks. You need the receipts or transit passes to back up your claim Students turning 19 before April 1, 2009 should file a tax return even if they had no income. This will allow them to collect the GST/HST credit for the first payment period following their birthday. Students will receive a T2202A for the amount of tuition paid for 2007. This form allows you to claim tuition and education amounts as well as the Textbook Tax Credit. The student must use the amount on their tax return first to reduce their tax payable to zero. Any amount remaining may be carried forward for use in another year, or may be transferred to a spouse, parent or grandparent. If you move more than 40 kilometers to take a summer job, you may be able to claim moving expenses against your employment income at the new location. Deductible expenses include travel, transportation, storage and the cost of meals and temporary accommodation for up to 15 days. Interest on government student loans is deductible if some of the loan is repaid during the year. Loans and credit lines outside of the government program are not deductible.