Health Track – October 2009
Kidney disease isn’t anywhere near as fatal as doctors believe.
Instead, sufferers are more likely to die from an inactive lifestyle. People with chronic kidney disease can dramatically extend their life expectancy just by getting off the couch and exercising, researchers have discovered. A study team from the University of Utah found that 28 per cent of people with kidney disease lead very inactive lives, more than twice as many as in the healthy population. Most kidney disease sufferers die before the condition becomes end-stage renal disease, which suggests they are dying from something else. Regular exercise seems to be the key, and their life expectancy could increase by 56 percent just by moving around more, the researchers found. They monitored the health and life expectancy of 906 kidney disease sufferers, and compared them with around 14,000 healthy controls.
Hang up
We’ve already heard the warnings about cell phone radiation causing changes in brain physiology and declines in sperm quality. New studies now link cell phone use to brain cancer, salivary gland tumors, behavioral problems, migraines and vertigo. Two independent research groups found a 50 to 90 percent increase in the risk for brain tumors in cell phone users. An Israeli study found a 50-60 percent higher chance of salivary gland tumors for those who have a high cell phone use. In a Danish study, children who used cell phones often were shown to have an 80 percent higher risk of emotional and hyperactivity problems. Mothers who use cell phones heavily during pregnancy had the same risks. Another Danish study linked long-term cell phone use with higher chances of migraines, vertigo, and hospitalization for those symptoms. The European Parliament has passed a resolution urging EU members to lower radiation limits for cell phones.
Does the vaccine matter?
Amid controversy over the new H1N1 vaccine for swine flu, The Atlantic magazine (Nov. 2009) has published an excellent article about the failure of flu vaccines. Written by Shannon Brownlee and Jeanne Lenzer, the article presents little-known facts demonstrating why seasonal flu vaccines are utterly worthless and why their continued promotion is based entirely on fabricated studies and medical mythology. Shannon Brownlee also is author of a phenomenal book on modern medicine entitled Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine Is Making Us Sicker and Poorer. Buy The Atlantic this month or read the full article online: www.theatlantic.com
IBS pain?
Blame it on your brain. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may not be just a gastro thing: Your brain may be to blame for some of the pain. Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles found that women with IBS have more intense brain responses to pain and a higher anticipation of pain, so they feel pain sooner and are more anxious about it. This can lead to more diarrhea, constipation, cramps and abdominal discomfort. The good news? Cognitive therapy such as hypnosis might help. Also, inhaling certain essential oils – Anise, Neroli, Peppermint , and Ylang Ylang – do help.
