a healthier life

Rapid HIV evolution avoids attack

HIV is evolving rapidly to escape the human immune system, an international study has shown.

Source:Rapid HIV evolution avoids attack

Doodling 'may help memory recall'

Doodling may look messy, but it could in fact be a sign of an alert mind, a study carried out by Plymouth University suggests.

Source:Doodling 'may help memory recall'

Gene modifies lung disease impact

Researchers have discovered a gene that modifies the severity of lung disease in people with the lethal genetic condition cystic fibrosis.

Source:Gene modifies lung disease impact

Ameilia's chance

Gene test tailors her cancer treatment

Source:Ameilia's chance

Lifestyle 'doubles stroke risk'

Unhealthy lifestyles are associated with more than double the risk of a stroke, a UK study reports.

Source:Lifestyle 'doubles stroke risk'

Pain Relief

I apparently come from a family of people who suffer from a lot of pain. Between my brother and my mother, there are many discussions at our family gatherings about the various forms of pain relief. Though it may be something that people everywhere talk about here and there, there are times when I feel like it’s all they ever talk about. I know being in pain is not fun, but it seems that they are dwelling on it entirely too much.

Pain relief is important though, and I do understand that. When something happens to me I am glad there are a variety of things to take and I am glad the choices are out there. I have a little of the common things in my home, but I certainly do not have the pharmacy that my mom had. She had a bad back for quite a while and it seemed that her doctor tired every form of pain relief known to man while trying to help her get better. She eventually had back surgery and she doesn’t have to take what she used to take, but she occasionally needs something. For some reason though, she keeps most of the empty bottles. It might just be that she is a pack rat.

The good thing about that though, is when I need pain relief I can generally get a good idea from her what I should take. She knows just as much about over the counter pain relief as she knows about her prescription medications. Though she doesn’t have to take much of anything any longer, she still remembers what worked best for her and what she should have not bothered buying. I know what to do for headaches and other regular problems, but when I have a knee pain or perhaps my back hurts, she can always tell me what to take for pain relief.

You do have to be careful with pain relief though. Medications can be addictive. Though this is most common with prescription drugs, there are some over the counter remedies that you shouldn’t take on a daily basis. There are some forms of pain relief that can also harm your stomach in the long run, and you have to keep an eye on what you are taking. When you can, you should try other forms of pain relief like heat pads or even creams, just to give your body a break.

In-flight health issues 'on rise'

Older passengers and longer flights means the likelihood of health problems in the skies is increasing, researchers suggest.

Source:In-flight health issues 'on rise'

Breastfed baby risk investigated

Doctors are launching a first comprehensive study into the scale of potentially fatal dehydration in breastfed babies.

Source:Breastfed baby risk investigated

HIV gene therapy trial promising

One of the first attempts to use gene therapy to treat HIV produces promising results in preliminary clinical trials.

Source:HIV gene therapy trial promising

Light 'could detect Parkinson's'

A light as bright as a million-watt bulb could help identify early signs of Parkinson’s disease, British researchers say.

Source:Light 'could detect Parkinson's'