A Soil Fungus That Causes Lung Infections Is Spreading Across the U.S. : World Health Informatics Blog

 

A Soil Fungus That Causes Lung Infections Is Spreading Across the U.S. 

World Health Informatics Blog

 

A study suggests histoplasma is now found in nearly every state, but many doctors aren't looking out for it.

By Nikki Main

The fungus histoplasma, which causes lung infections, was concentrated in the Midwest in the 1950s and 60s (top map), but now causes significant disease throughout much of the country

 

An illness-causing fungus known as histoplasma is in the soil of nearly all U.S. states, a new study suggests. The researchers behind the work say doctors may be relying on outdated risk maps and therefore missing diagnoses of the infections, which can sometimes be deadly.

The CDC claims that histoplasma, or histo, is found in the soil of central and eastern U.S. states, primarily in Ohio and the Mississippi River valleys. But that assumption is based on research from the 1950s and 1960s, says the team behind a new paper published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. In reality, they say, histo is found all across the country. When a person breathes in spores of the fungus, they can contract an infection called histoplasmosis.

“Every few weeks I get a call from a doctor in the Boston area – a different doctor every time – about a case they can’t solve,” said study author Andrej Spec, an associate professor of medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, in a press release. “They always start by saying, ‘We don’t have histo here, but it really kind of looks like histo.’ I say, ‘You guys call me all the time about this. You do have histo.’”

The research team, led by Patrick B. Mazi, a clinical fellow in infectious diseases at Washington University in St. Louis, analyzed more than 45 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries extending from 2007 through 2016. They looked at diagnoses across the country of three fungal diseases: histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, and blastomycosis. Histo, the most common, was causing clinically relevant rates of illness in at least one county in 48 of 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C. The other two infections were each found in more than half of states.

“Fungal infections are much more common than people realize, and they’re spreading,” Spec said in the release. “The scientific community has underinvested in studying and developing treatments for fungal infections. I think that’s beginning to change, but slowly.” Climate change may be driving this spread as warming temperatures make more habitats suitable for the fungi.

While histo can be easily combatted in healthy adults, and many people who are exposed never develop symptoms, those who are immunocompromised as well as infants and people 55 years and older may develop more serious illness, including a cough, fever, chest, pain, body aches, and fatigue, according to the CDC. Symptoms appear within three to 17 days after exposure; most symptoms will go away within a month, but if it spreads from a person’s lungs to other organs, the illness can become severe and require months of treatment.

People can be exposed to histo and other fungal pathogens through activities that disrupt soil, like farming, landscaping, and construction. They can also be exposed inside caves and while working in basements and attics. Spec noted: “It’s important for the medical community to realize these fungi are essentially everywhere these days and that we need to take them seriously and include them in considering diagnoses.”

 

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World Health Informatics Blog 

Note :

1) This blog is originally published on 

https://gizmodo.com/histoplasmosis-lung-infections-spreading-soil-fungus-1849801108

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases  

 

The Epoch Times: Expert Explains Cancer May Be Metabolic Disease, and Shares a Cure : World Health Informatics Blog Cancer

 

The Epoch Times: Expert Explains Cancer May Be Metabolic Disease, and Shares a Cure.

World Health Informatics Blog Cancer

“Cancer is not a genetic disease, it’s a metabolic disease,” Thomas N. Seyfried, a well-known scholar in cancer research and a Professor of Biology at Boston College, told The Epoch Times. “Once people understand that cancer is a metabolic disease, then you will begin to see a very big reduction in death and greatly improved quality of life and survival.”

Cancer Has Remained High for Decades

According to the statistics of the American Cancer Society, although the incidence of cancer in the United States has been declining slowly since the beginning of the 21st century, if we look at it over an extended period of time, we will find that the incidence of cancer is actually increasing, not decreasing.

In 1975, approximately 400 out of every 100,000 Americans had cancer. By 2018, that number had grown to roughly 445, an increase of more than 10 percent [1].

Cancer rates in the United States remain high. (Health 1+1 / The Epoch Times)

From the perspective of cancer mortality, in the past nearly 100 years, the number of women who died of cancer per 100,000 Americans has gradually declined from roughly 190 in 1930 to 130 in 2022; whereas cancer deaths among men per 100,000 Americans rose from around 160 in 1930 to 180 in 2022 [2].

In 2022, nearly 2,000,000 new cancer cases are expected in the United States, and over 500,000 people are expected to die from it. This means that every day, on average, 5,000 Americans are diagnosed with cancer, and over 1,600 people die from it [3].

Cancer May Not Be a Genetic Disease

“Why are so many people dying from cancer?” Seyfried asked. “Because the theory is wrong. The theory that underlies cancer is incorrect.”

Cancer is still generally considered a genetic disorder. Medical textbooks use somatic mutation theory to explain the cause of cancer. These textbooks state that cancer is caused by mutations in proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes [4], and the mutated cells then multiply indefinitely and form malignant tumors. However, Seyfried mentioned a number of facts in this interview and in his published research [5] that are inconsistent with the above theory:

1. Some cancers do not have genetic and chromosomal mutations;
2. Some carcinogens do not cause gene mutation;
3. Cancer “mutations” also occurs in normal cells, but some do not develop further into cancerous cells;
4. The result of studying cancer as a genetic disorder is the development of personalized treatment or precision medicine, but there are off-target effects for some customized cancer precision medicines.
5. Ancient people from thousands of years ago rarely had cancer, nor did the indigenous people living in the natural environment.

Seyfried also conducted experiments on nuclear and cytoplasmic transplantation [6], providing evidence for the possibility that cancer is not a genetic disorder.

Under regular circumstances, normal cells develop into normal cells with controlled growth (case 1 in the figure below), while cancer cells develop into cancerous cells with uncontrolled growth (case 2).

Genes are stored in the nucleus. When the nucleus of a cancer cell was implanted into a cytoplasm containing normal mitochondria, the cell developed into a normal cell anyway (case 3). According to the somatic mutation theory, a cell with a cancer cell nucleus should have developed into a cancer cell.

However, when the researchers implanted a normal nucleus into a cancerous cytoplasm with abnormal mitochondria, they found that it still developed into a cancer cell (case 4).

Research suggests that cancer may not be a genetic disorder. (Health 1+1 / The Epoch Times)

Besides, studies of glioma, melanoma, and metastatic breast cancer cells have found that normal mitochondrial function inhibits dysregulated cell growth, regardless of how many genetic or chromosomal abnormalities may be present in the tumor cell nucleus. Seyfried said that all these prove that cell mutation is not the main cause of cancer, and that cancer is in fact, a metabolic disorder.

The Biggest Difference Between Normal Cells and Cancer Cells

The theory that cancer is a metabolic disorder was first proposed about 100 years ago by a well-known German scientist named Otto Warburg. Normal cells break down glucose through aerobic respiration, but Warburg observed that cancer cells are different. Cancer cells obtain energy through fermentation, even in an aerobic environment. Thus, Warburg proposed, aerobic respiratory insufficiency is the origin of cancer.

Seyfried’s research adds another metabolic pathway in cancer cells that Warburg did not observe: cancer cells also get a lot of energy from the fermentation of an amino acid called glutamine, which updated Warburg’s theory [7][8].

The truth, Seyfried said, is that “They [cancer] cannot breathe … they can’t get energy through oxygen, they can only get energy from fermentation.” All cancers can survive without oxygen, but they “cannot live without sugar, glucose, and the amino acid glutamine.”

Cellular aerobic respiration mainly takes place in mitochondria. Mitochondria, which are responsible for respiration, are damaged and hollow in all major types of cancer. The cristae, the wrinkled and wavy structures in the mitochondrial structure, are cluttered and defective. The abnormality of mitochondrial structure will change the function of mitochondria, resulting in the inability of cells to obtain energy through oxidative metabolism. This changes the cell’s metabolism from relying primarily on oxidation to fermentation.

Seyfried further explained that the various abnormalities in cancer cells are caused by the loss of normal function of cell mitochondria due to various reasons (including carcinogens, radiation, pollution, inflammation, age, viruses, etc). A large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) will be produced when mitochondria are damaged, further attacking and destroying the nucleus.

“The mutations that we see in cancer come as the result of damage from reactive oxygen species,” Seyfried said. “The mutations are an effect, they are not the cause of cancer.”

Defective mitochondrial structure in cancer cells. (Health 1+1 / The Epoch Times)

Furthermore, Seyfried also talked about a phenomenon, that is, cancers with myriad variants share a consistent metastatic process. First, individual cells become cancerous and form tumors; the tumor cells then spread through the blood vessels and circulatory system to other parts of the body, forming new tumors.

Why do all cancers have the same metastatic process? How does this relate to the theory that cancer is a metabolic disorder?

Seyfried said that the mitochondrial metabolic theory explains cancer metastasis better than the somatic mutation theory. After macrophages engulf and fuse with the defective proto-cancer cells, the normally functioning mitochondria are gradually replaced by dysfunctional mitochondria due to inflammation. As immune cells, macrophages have the ability to travel around the body. As a result, these cancer cells, which are fusions of proto-cancer cells and macrophages, spread throughout the body.

Press-Pulse Therapy: Adjust Cancer Cell Metabolism to Improve Condition

Seyfried believes the existing cancer treatment system is “broken.” He said once people understand the metabolic theory of cancer, treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be replaced by new treatments.

Based on the theory, Seyfried and his team developed the “press-pulse therapy” [9][10][11], which is a cocktail treatment consisting of the ketogenic diet, glutaminase inhibitor medicine, and stress management.

The ketogenic diet is adopted because cancer cells have defective mitochondria and impaired metabolism, so they can only rely on fermented sugars and glutamine for energy. Cancer cells cannot obtain energy as ketone bodies cannot be fermented. As for cells with normal metabolic function, they can obtain energy by metabolizing ketone bodies [12].

The purpose of a ketogenic diet combined with basic drugs is to control the ratio of glucose and ketone bodies in the blood to an ideal range while inhibiting the ability of cancer cells to acquire glutamine. In this way, we can “starve” cancer cells from a metabolic perspective, thereby achieving the same effect as cancer treatments.

An important aspect of “press-pulse therapy” is stress control and emotional management. Seyfried emphasized in the interview that people’s mental stress has a direct relationship with the development of cancer. When patients are diagnosed with cancer, they experience extreme panic and cannot rest or eat in peace. Excessive stress can raise blood sugar levels, which can feed cancer cells into rapid growth. As a result, cancer cannot be controlled. Easing the emotional and stress levels of the patient and his or her family can further stabilize the patient’s psychological and physical condition.

There have been many successful cases of cancer control by managing metabolism. Moreover, many patients use this method when traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are ineffective, or when cancer has spread.

A 38-year-old man developed symptoms in February 2016 and was subsequently diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (the most common and malignant form of primary adult brain cancer). After 20 months of ketogenic diet therapy and completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient’s tumor decreased by approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. He seemed in good health with no apparent clinical or neurological deficits [13].

Another 54-year-old man was diagnosed with lung cancer; the cancer cells had metastasized and tumors were found in his brain. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy had no effect, so the patient opted for a ketogenic diet. Two years later, the tumors in his brain and lungs shrank; after nine years of treatment, the brain and lung cancer tumors remained stable in size [14].

A 45-year-old woman in Ohio was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2016. In August 2018, the cancer had spread and she developed tumors in her brain, lungs, mediastinum, liver, abdomen, and bones. Her doctor expected her to have less than a month to live. The patient began receiving press-pulse therapy in November 2018. In April 2019, the scan report indicated that the treatment was effective. According to the published study, her last check-up was in March 2021 and the results showed a stable condition, no recurrence, and improved quality of life [15].

In a study published in the Clinical Nutrition journal, 80 patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer were randomly assigned to a ketogenic diet or a control group for a 12-week treatment test. Patients in the ketogenic diet group had lower serum insulin levels, and their tumors shrank [16].

Two papers recently published in Nature: Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Disease describe the therapeutic benefits of a low-carb diet and a fasting-mimicking diet for patients with prostate cancer [17][18]. A ketogenic diet, which requires fasting and has low carbohydrates, can lower blood sugar levels and control tumor growth. These findings support the hypothesis that elevated ketone bodies are associated with reduced tumor growth [19].

Exercising, Fasting, and Avoiding High-Carb Diets May Keep Cancer Away

World Health Informatics Blog Cancer

As for how an average person can maintain a healthy metabolism and prevent cancer, Seyfried said that by keeping the mitochondria in cells healthy, people are less likely to get cancer. He said this can be achieved through a certain period of fasting (drinking only water), a low-carb diet, and exercise.

He also emphasized that high carbs and unnutritious foods such as junk food can cause cancer, and advised to stay away from such foods. It’s not just cancer, diseases like Alzheimer’s, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity, among others are all related to the Western diet.

“As soon as the Western diet comes into the population, you get cancer … and diabetes and things like this.” He also joked, “The bottom line is don’t eat anything and you’ll get very healthy. Just drink water.”

Flora Zhao

Flora Zhao is a health reporter for The Epoch Times. Have a tip? Email her at: flora.zhao@epochtimes.nyc

 

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World Health Informatics Blog 

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1) This blog is originally published on 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/expert-explains-cancer-may-be-metabolic-disease-and-shares-a-cure_4840835.html?utm_campaign=socialshare_fb&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR2VbdGGc7hXLqjvNWYW-bA2ACYpk6dJJjunJr8qSbJr6PImLBj9dYwYp4M

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Researchers Discover Anti-inflammatory Molecules That Decline in the Aging Brain - World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Researchers Discover Anti-inflammatory Molecules That Decline in the Aging Brain - World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Summary: SGDGs, a class of lipids that decline in the brain during aging, appear to have anti-inflammatory effects that could have implications for neurodegenerative disorders.

Source: Salk Institute

Aging involves complicated plot twists and a large cast of characters: inflammation, stress, metabolism changes, and many others.

Now, a team of Salk Institute and UC San Diego scientists reveal another factor implicated in the aging process—a class of lipids called SGDGs (3-sulfogalactosyl diacylglycerols) that decline in the brain with age and may have anti-inflammatory effects.

The research, published in Nature Chemical Biology on October 20, 2022, helps unravel the molecular basis of brain aging, reveals new mechanisms underlying age-related neurological diseases, and offers future opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

“These SGDGs clearly play an important role in aging, and this finding opens up the possibility that there are other critical aging pathways we’ve been missing,” says co-corresponding author Alan Saghatelian, professor in Salk’s Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology and holder of the Dr. Frederik Paulsen Chair. “This is a pretty clear case of something that should be dug into more in the future.”

SGDGs are a class of lipids, also called fats. Lipids contribute to the structure, development, and function of healthy brains, while badly regulated lipids are linked to aging and diseased brains.

However, lipids, unlike genes and proteins, are not well understood and have often been overlooked in aging research. Saghatelian specializes in discovering new lipids and determining their structures.

His lab, in collaboration with Professor Dionicio Siegel at UC San Diego, made three discoveries involving SGDGs: In the brain, lipid levels are very different in older mice than in younger mice; all SGDG family members and related lipids change significantly with age; and SGDGs may be regulated by processes that are known to regulate aging.

To reach these findings, the team took an unusual, exploratory approach that combined the large-scale study of lipids (lipidomics) with structural chemistry and advanced data analytics.

They first obtained lipid profiles of mouse brains at five ages, ranging from one to 18 months, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Technological advances in this instrumentation vastly expanded the number of data points available to the scientists, and advanced data analysis allowed them to determine age-related patterns in the enormous lipid profiles.

The team then constructed SGDG molecules and tested them for biological activity.

“SGDGs were first identified in the 1970s, but there were few follow-up studies. These lipids were essentially forgotten and missing from the lipid databases. Nobody knew SGDGs would be changing or regulated in aging, let alone that they have bioactivity and, possibly, be therapeutically targetable,” says first author Dan Tan, a postdoctoral fellow in Saghatelian’s lab at Salk.

The analysis showed that SGDGs possess anti-inflammatory properties, which could have implications for neurodegenerative disorders and other neurological conditions that involve increased inflammation in the brain.

The team also discovered that SGDGs exist in human and primate brains, suggesting that SGDGs may play an important role in animals other than mice. Further research will be required to show if SGDGs contribute to human neuroinflammation.

In the future, the team will examine how SGDGs are regulated with aging and what proteins are responsible for making them and breaking them down, which may open the door to discovering novel genetic activity associated with aging.

“With the understanding of the structure of SGDGs and our ability to create them in the laboratory, the study of these important lipids is now wide open and ripe for discovery,” says Siegel, co-corresponding author of the study.

Additional authors included Meric Erikci Ertunc, Justin Wang, Tina Chang, Antonio F. M. Pinto, Andrea Rocha, Cynthia J. Donaldson, Joan M. Vaughan, Peter C. Gray, Pamela Maher, and Nicola J. Allen of Salk; Srihari Konduri of UC San Diego; Pan Zhang of UC Los Angeles; Raissa G. Ludwig and Marcelo A. Mori of the University of Campinas, Brazil; Elizabeth Willey and Andrew Dillin of UC Berkeley; Manasi Iyer and Bradley Zuchero of Stanford University; and Steven G. Kohama of Oregon Health and Science University.

Funding: This work was funded by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Frederik Paulsen, the National Institutes of Health (P30 CA014195, R01DK106210, R01NS119823, R01AG069206 and RF1AG061296), the Oregon National Primate Research Center (P51 OD 010092), the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation, the Anderson Foundation, the Bruce Ford and Anne Smith Bundy Foundation, the Pioneer Fellowship, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the CZI Neurodegeneration Network, and The Sãn Paulo Research Foundation (2017/01184-9).

About this aging and neuroscience research news

Author: Salk Communications

Source: Salk Institute

Contact: Salk Communications – Salk Institute

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World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Note :

1) This blog is originally published on 

https://neurosciencenews.com/sgdgs-aging-inflammation-21758/

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases  

Image: The image is credited to Salk Institute

Newly discovered species of bacteria in the microbiome may be a culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

 Newly discovered species of bacteria in the microbiome may be a culprit behind rheumatoid arthritis

World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1 in 100 people worldwide. It causes inflamed, painful and swollen joints, often in the hands and wrists, and can lead to loss of joint function as well as chronic pain and joint deformities and damage. What causes this condition has been unknown.

In our recently published study, my colleagues and I found an important clue to a potential culprit behind this disease: the bacteria in your gut.

What causes rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning it develops when the body’s immune system starts to attack itself. Proteins called antibodies, which usually help fight off viruses and bacteria, begin to attack the joints instead.

The origins of the antibodies that cause rheumatoid arthritis have been an area of study for many years. Some research has shown that these antibodies can start forming at sites like the mouth, lung and intestines over 10 years before symptoms arise. But until now, it was unclear why researchers were finding these antibodies in these particular areas.

We wanted to investigate what could trigger the formation of these antibodies. Specifically, we wondered if bacteria in the microbiome, a community of microorganisms that live in the intestines, might be the ones activating the immune response that leads to rheumatoid arthritis. Since microbes commonly live at the same sites as the antibodies driving rheumatoid arthritis, we hypothesized that these bacteria could be triggering the production of these antibodies. We reasoned that though these antibodies were meant to attack the bacteria, rheumatoid arthritis develops when they spread beyond the intestines to attack the joints.

First, we sought to identify the intestinal bacteria targeted by these antibodies. To do this, we exposed the bacteria in the feces of a subset of people at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis to these antibodies, allowing us to isolate just the bacterial species that reacted and bound to the antibodies.

We found that one previously unknown species of bacteria was present in the intestines of around 20% of people who were either diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or produce the antibodies that cause the disease. As a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, I suggested we name this species Subdoligranulum didolesgii (“didolesgii” means arthritis or rheumatism in Cherokee) as a nod to the contributions that other Indigenous scholars have made to science as well as the fact that rheumatoid arthritis affects Indigenous people at a higher rate than other populations.

Subdoligranulum didolesgii has not been detected in the feces of healthy people before, and it is currently unknown how prevalent this bacteria is in the general population.

We also found that these bacteria can activate specialized immune cells called T cells in people with rheumatoid arthritis. T cells drive inflammatory responses in the body, and have been linked to the development of different autoimmune diseases.

These findings suggest that these gut bacteria may be activating the immune systems of people with rheumatoid arthritis. But instead of attacking the bacteria, their immune system attacks the joints.

Why this bacteria?

It is still unknown why people with rheumatoid arthritis develop an immune response to Subdoligranulum didolesgii. But we think it may be the culprit when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis because this bacteria is found only in the intestines of people with rheumatoid arthritis, and not in the intestines of healthy people.

While many immune responses happen in the intestines, they are usually self-contained and do not spread to other areas of the body. However, we believe that a particularly strong intestinal immune response against Subdoligranulum didolesgii could allow antibodies to bypass the intestinal “firewall” and spread to the joints.

To confirm our hypothesis, we gave mice an oral dose of Subdoligranulum didolesgii and monitored their reaction. Within 14 days, the mice began to develop joint swelling and antibodies that attacked their joints.

The future of rheumatoid arthritis treatment

My colleagues and I hope this research can shed light on the origins of rheumatoid arthritis. Our next goal is to discover how common these bacteria are in the general population and test whether the presence of these bacteria in the gut may lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis in people.

It’s important to note that antibiotics are unlikely to be helpful treatment for the microbiomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Although Subdoligranulum didolesgii may be triggering an autoimmune response for some people with rheumatoid arthritis, antibiotics eliminate both helpful and harmful bacteria in the gut. Additionally, removing the bacteria won’t necessarily stop the immune system from attacking the joints once it has started.

Nevertheless, we believe that these bacteria can be used as tools to develop treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and hopefully ways to prevent disease from happening in the first place.

Thank you

World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Note :

1) This blog is originally published on 

https://theconversation.com/newly-discovered-species-of-bacteria-in-the-microbiome-may-be-a-culprit-behind-rheumatoid-arthritis-193267

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases  

Sleeping 5 hours or less could prompt risk of chronic diseases - World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

 

Sleeping 5 hours or less could prompt risk of chronic diseases later in life, study says

 World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

People over 50 years old who sleep five hours or less a night might be at higher risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, according to a new study released Oct. 18.  

The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, examined 8,000 civil servants in the United Kingdom who had no chronic disease at age 50 over the course of 25 years. During that time span, scientists of the study asked all the participants to report how much sleep they got every four to five years for tracking. 

According to results from the study, those who slept five hours or less faced a 30% higher risk for chronic illnesses than those who got at least seven hours of sleep. By age 70, that likelihood for people sleeping less than five hours bumped up to a 40% greater risk. 

"As people get older, their sleep habits and sleep structure change," said Severine Sabia, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the University College London's Institute of Epidemiology and Health, in a news release. 

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The chronic diseases tracked in the study included: diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, depression, dementia, mental disorders, Parkinson’s and arthritis.

"Short sleep duration in midlife and old age is associated with higher risk of onset of chronic disease and multimorbidity," the study authors wrote. "These findings support the promotion of good sleep hygiene on both primary and secondary prevention by targeting behavioral and environmental conditions that affect sleep duration and quality."

The findings of the study mirror previous research released last week by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that determined older adults who do not receive seven to nine hours of sleep have a far greater chance of developing chronic diseases, as well as obesity and high blood pressure.

How much sleep should I get?

According to National Sleep Foundation guidelines, here's how much we should be sleeping per night:

• New-borns 0 to 3-months old: 14-17 hours
• Babies 4 to 11 months: 12-17 hours
• Children ages 1 to 5: 10-14 hours
• Children ages 6 to 13: 9-11 hours 
• Teens ages 14 to 17:8-10
• Adults 18 to 64: 7-9 hours
• Adults 65+: 7-8 hours

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World Health Informatics Blog. (community health)

Note :

1) This blog is originally published on 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/10/25/sleep-study-five-hours-chronic-diseases/10594845002/

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases  

 

Tired of Feeling Tired? Try Vitramin C!  - World Health Informatics Blog.

(community health)

Tired of feeling tired? Do you find yourself lacking the energy to stay alert and attentive throughout the day? If so, you might want to take a look at your diet and see what vitamins you’re deficient in. In today’s article, I’ll be exploring the vitamin C benefits and why this vitamin may be just what your body needs to keep feeling healthy, energetic, and motivated throughout each day.

Vitamin C Helps Your Body Get Rid Of Excess Toxins

Vitamin C is an important nutrient that helps your body get rid of excess toxins. A diet high in Vitamin C can help you feel less tired and more energized throughout the day. Learn more about vitamin c here Vitramin C is a good way to combat fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The fat-soluble vitamin absorbs into cells with fat and stays there, providing long-lasting energy to cells, tissues and organs. If you are experiencing fatigue, try increasing your intake of foods rich in Vitamin C such as citrus fruits like oranges or tangerines, leafy greens like spinach or kale, broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Other sources of Vitamin C include peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage and cauliflower. You could also take a supplement containing Vitramin C if you have difficulty consuming enough from your diet alone. It's best to take it between meals so it doesn't interfere with stomach acid production which may be interfering with how your digestive system handles other nutrients. There are some health conditions where taking a supplement may not be appropriate, so make sure you talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen. 

The benefits of Vitramin C for health news: Did you know that Vitamin C is essential for healthy bones?

Feeling Tired All The Time?

Ever feel like you're dragging, struggling to get through your day and feeling less than 100%? If so, your health could be suffering due to the buildup of toxins in your body. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of toxins in your system. One such way is by taking vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C has been shown to help remove toxins from our bodies while also boosting our immune systems. What's more, research suggests that people who take a high dose of vitamin C daily have fewer colds and coughs during winter months. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant which helps protect cells from free radical damage - one of the main causes of aging. It is thought that the increased risk of certain cancers may come from the accumulation of these unstable oxygen molecules in tissues over time. A study published this year found that women with low levels of vitamin C had an increased risk for cervical cancer, compared to those with higher levels.

What Are The Best Sources Of Vitamin C?

Vitamins are essential to many bodily functions, and one of the most important is helping the body process toxins. According to a recent health news study, taking vitamin C can help people who feel tired all the time.

Experts recommend getting at least 150 milligrams per day. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and broccoli.

The easiest way to take vitamin Citran tablets or make a homemade juice with a high concentration of Vitamin C. Here's an easy recipe: Blend one cup of fresh orange juice with two teaspoons each of fresh lime juice and lemon juice. Add two tablespoons honey, three teaspoons grated ginger root and one teaspoon vanilla extract. Drink this daily for energy boost!

​Great Products For Getting That Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a great supplement that can help the body get rid of toxins and produce collagen. If you are feeling sluggish and tired, it might be worth taking a look at your diet to see if you are getting enough vitamin c. Health news has even said that some people might not be able to tell if they are deficient in this essential nutrient because the symptoms do not show up until later on. In addition, most people think they should just drink orange juice or eat an orange when they have low levels of this vitamin - but there are many other options as well such as kiwis, strawberries, papaya and grapefruit.

Symptoms Of Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C is an important nutrient that helps with immune function, and proper wound healing. You may be deficient in Vitamin C if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fatigue, dizziness, dry skin and lips, muscle aches and pains, difficulty concentrating or irritability. These can all lead to a reduced quality of life. In order to get rid of toxins and prevent vitamin c deficiency, it is recommended to eat foods high in vitamin c such as oranges, strawberries, grapefruits, broccoli or red peppers. For those who find it hard to consume enough vitamin c due to medical conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) they can try out some form supplements like chewables or gummies which have been formulated specifically for people on a low-fiber diet. However, when looking for vitamin c supplements, one should be mindful about their dosage because different people require different amounts depending on their age, weight, health and what other medication they're taking. It's best to consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen.

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Badger Club to discuss results from the Tri-Cities Community Health Needs Assessment - World Health Informatics Blog.

 

Badger Club to discuss results from the Tri-Cities Community Health Needs Assessment  - World Health Informatics Blog.

BY KAREN HAYES OCTOBER 19, 2022 11:00 AM

Not everyone in Benton and Franklin Counties has the opportunity to live the healthiest life they could. Why? It’s easy to conclude that each of us could do that... if we really wanted to. But the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) clearly tells a different story. The findings will be shared in an online Badger Forum on at 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20. The CHNA represents many months of collecting and analyzing data, followed by asking questions. A lot of questions. Questions like ‘why is there a 13-year difference in life expectancy from one neighborhood to another?’ Or ‘how are our children and young adults doing?’ For nearly a year, representatives from the Benton-Franklin Health District, Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, and Prosser Memorial Hospital have been reviewing quantitative data and conducting interviews with partners, including the leadership of Trios and Lourdes Health, listening sessions with community members in English and Spanish, and community forums with subject matter experts. The CHNA helps determine which priority health needs the community should focus on over the next three to-five years. It is a systematic and shared process for identifying and analyzing community needs and assets throughout Benton and Franklin Counties. The CHNA includes input from those who represent the broad interests of the community and helps hospitals, health departments, and community organizations understand and address our community’s health status and needs. We didn’t just ask each other. Results from interviews with community partners are essential but we went well beyond that: We sat down with people who brought “lived experience” to the table. We heard personal stories that helped identify the following high priority community needs: mental health; substance use/misuse; homelessness and housing instability; and access to basic needs, such as economic security, food, childcare, safety, and health care services. These are not things that can be addressed by our health care system alone. The purpose of the CHNA is to identify and start conversations about building a healthier community for all residents.

Results from the community survey indicate that approximately half of the respondents in both counties rate their physical, mental, and dental health as good. Survey findings reveal inequities with four groups consistently reporting lower quality of life, lower overall health, and less access to health care than other groups: respondents aged 18-to-34, Hispanic respondents, respondents with low incomes, and Franklin County respondents. Cost and not having a regular provider were leading reasons reported for those lacking adequate healthcare services. Behavioral health is defined as both mental health and substance use disorder services. Forum participants identified the need for an increased number of counselors and other mental health providers, improved access to recovery services for adults and especially for adolescents, and more responsive crisis support services. Pervasive stigma about mental illness was cited by providers and patients alike. A need for prevention and response efforts was strongly identified. Housing and homelessness forum participants identified the need for low-barrier, immediate housing to support the proven “housing first” strategy. The forums recommended addressing issues related to zoning and building codes to create more affordable housing; identification and linkage to resources; and addressing stigma directed at those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. General community forums identified needs related to youth wellness, environmental health, chronic disease prevention, and access to care and resources.

Quantitative data is presented through a life course perspective and includes the following health indicators: pregnancy, birth, and sexual health; family and community; activity, nutrition and weight; access to healthcare and use of preventative services; mental and behavioral health; substance use; violence and injury prevention; chronic illness; life expectancy, and leading causes of death and quality of life. The CHNA process resulted in the prioritization of behavioral health, housing and homelessness, access to health, and community partnership development. In order to be successful, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) will need to engage a broad cross-section of the community, including business, education, social services, health care and — most important of all — citizens like you and me. To learn more and join the conversation, plan to attend the Badger Forum at noon on Thursday, Oct. 20 via Zoom. Because of the importance of this discussion, the Benton-Franklin Community Health Alliance has arranged for this Badger Forum to be presented at no cost to members and non-members alike. To register, please visit the Badger Club website at www.columbiabasinbadgers.com. The forum will be followed by Table Talk, a half-hour open mic discussion with those who attended the forum. Karen Hayes is the Community Investment Manager for Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

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1) This blog is originally published on https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article267542342.html

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases  

 

Public perceptions of wastewater use for community health monitoring in the United States - World Health Informatics Blog

 Public perceptions of wastewater use for community health monitoring in the United States - : World Health Informatics Blog 

By Nidhi Saha, BDSOct 17 2022

Reviewed by Aimee Molineux

A new PLOS One journal paper by University of Louisville researchers underscored public perceptions of sewer surveillance and security issues associated with sewage monitoring that could be modified through educational programs. These findings will provide vital information for refining policy, application, and regulatory measures pertaining to wastewater-based epidemiology and improving public acceptance.

Study: Nationwide public perceptions regarding the acceptance of using wastewater for community health monitoring in the United States. Image Credit: Daniel Jedzura / ShutterstockStudy: Nationwide public perceptions regarding the acceptance of using wastewater for community health monitoring in the United States. Image Credit: Daniel Jedzura / Shutterstock

Background

Sewer monitoring has emerged as a potentially novel and cost-effective component of public health surveillance. Sewage monitoring involves the collection of pooled samples from sewage systems at the community or institutional levels. Sewers serve as an aggregate for human waste at the community level and a template for community surveillance. 

Sewer monitoring can provide valuable insights into what pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa are prevalent in a community. Regarding public health, wastewater-monitoring programs uncover infections and diseases that may have escaped or are underreported by standard surveillance systems and could potentiate outbreaks. 

For instance, wastewater monitoring has been used to detect and track outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the earlier phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, alterations in social constraints were implemented according to community infection levels. There were concerns about whether sewage monitoring data could be used as proof to change social behavior and isolation protocols.

The study

The present study explored whether public perceptions regarding sewage monitoring can be used as a public health surveillance tool – through a survey administered to a sample of individuals across the United States. 

The study aimed to evaluate sewer monitoring knowledge, awareness, acceptability, confidentiality, and the variables that affect an individual's awareness of the sewage monitoring agreement. 

The findings provided insights into sewer monitoring acceptance and can guide policy formulation about expanding sewer monitoring applications at national and local levels.

Participants were recruited online through Qualtrics XM – a national research panel provider randomly invited to participate in the survey. This survey consisted of three components – questions about knowledge on sewer monitoring and its acceptance; demographic questions, like age, gender identity, geography, race, ethnicity, educational level, and income; and a privacy attitude questionnaire (PAQ)to assess general privacy boundaries. 

The findings

Overall, 3,083 participants answered questionnaires about sewer monitoring as a public health surveillance tool that assessed their knowledge, perceptions, and privacy concerns. 

Approximately half of the respondents had no idea whether COVID-19 could be detected in sewage. People across the United States (U.S.) were generally less aware of sewer monitoring than other types of public health surveillance.

Respondents––as measured by the PAQ––showed moderate levels of privacy concerns, with higher levels of concern relating to personal information and lower levels for financial information. 

The majority of respondents supported sewer monitoring, particularly for identifying toxins, diseases, and terrorist threats, with a decreasing level of preference in the given sequence. While the support seemed to deteriorate for assessing behaviors and health statuses of the population, such as lifestyle, diet, and mental illness. 

There were no significant privacy concerns associated with sewer monitoring across the country. Notably, sampling at the city scale garnered greater support than that at a narrower scale. 

Sewer monitoring is an emerging technology, so in areas where public health surveillance is relatively unknown, educational programs may prove to be advantageous in modifying public perceptions. The findings of this survey depict that while knowledge and awareness related to sewer monitoring are low, the U.S. population is specific about what is and is not appropriate for monitoring; public opinion must be considered.

The study had some caveats – the fact that participants were self-selected and the nature of the survey was concealed until the participants met the inclusion requirements. Additionally, survey researchers may have had self-selection bias; the respondents were older, wealthier, better educated, and from the suburbs; residents of rural areas were excluded, and the research was limited to the U.S. 

More research is required to evaluate public attitudes toward the use of sewers for worldwide community health monitoring.

Journal reference:

LaJoie, A., Holm, R., Anderson, L., et al. (2022). Nationwide public perceptions regarding the acceptance of using wastewater for community health monitoring in the United States. PLOS ONE. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275075, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0275075

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1) This blog "Public perceptions of wastewater use for community health monitoring in the United States"  is originally published on https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221017/Public-perceptions-of-wastewater-use-for-community-health-monitoring-in-the-United-States.aspx

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Florida county sees spike in deadly infections caused by "flesh-eating" bacteria after Hurricane Ian : World Health Informatics Blog

 

Florida county sees spike in deadly infections caused by "flesh-eating" bacteria after Hurricane Ian : World Health Informatics Blog 

 

Recovery efforts are underway in southwestern Florida as communities face a range of new challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Along with the property damage that rendered homes inhabitable and displaced thousands of residents, people across the state are grappling with environmental hazards that could pose serious health threats. 

In Lee County — where Ian made landfall on Sept. 28 as a Category 4 hurricane — officials say storm surges and subsequent flooding led to a spike in potentially deadly infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a species of bacteria found in warm, brackish water that typically comes in contact with humans through raw or undercooked seafood. It can also enter the body through cuts and other open wounds, and can cause severe skin infections that may be life-threatening, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vibrio vulnificus is informally described as a "flesh-eating" bacteria because primary infections of the skin can devolve quickly into necrotizing fasciitis, a rare condition that causes tissue breakdown and at times requires amputation to prevent further spread. 

The infection itself, whether acquired through food or direct contact with contaminated water, "has the potential to cause severe illness or death," the Lee County health department said in a news release posted on Oct. 3, just after the hurricane.

People paddle by in a canoe next to a submerged car in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Orlando, Florida on Sept. 29, 2022.JIM WATSON/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

At the time, health officials were already beginning to see an increase in Vibrio vulnificus infections, which continued to climb over the next week. At least 29 cases and four deaths have been confirmed in Lee County this year as a result of such infections, according to state data that was last updated on Friday. All but two cases were diagnosed after the hurricane.

"The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is observing an abnormal increase in cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections as a result of exposure to the flood waters and standing waters following Hurricane Ian," a spokesperson at the county health department said in a statement to CBS News on Monday, which noted that community members should "always be aware of the potential risks associated when exposing open wounds, cuts, or scratches on the skin to warm, brackish, or salt water."

"Sewage spills, like those caused from Hurricane Ian, may increase bacteria levels," the statement continued. "As the post storm situation evolves, individuals should take precautions against and infection and illness caused by Vibrio vulnificus."

People with weakened immune systems, especially those who suffer from chronic liver disease or who take immunosuppressant medication, are at particular risk of developing serious complications from an infection with Vibrio vulnificus, the health department said.

 If it enters the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause sepsis, which happens when an infection triggers an extreme immune response that leads to organ failure and sometimes death. Early symptoms include fever and chills, while the illness in its later stages can cause a drop in blood pressure and blistering skin lesions.

Florida health officials track confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections and related deaths statewide throughout the year. Collier County, with three confirmed cases in 2022 and one diagnosed since the hurricane, is the only other area seeing an unusual increase in infections because of the storm.

 

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1) This blog "Florida county sees spike in deadly infections caused by "flesh-eating" bacteria after Hurricane Ian " is originally published on https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-ian-florida-flesh-eating-bacteria-infections-flooding-lee-county/

2) This Blog is for Education purpose only and not a treatment for any diseases