January 2008 - Healthoma

Raltegravir, A New Drug For HIV Patients

It is estimated that around 73,000 people in Britain are infected with HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, which culminates in Aids. Although HIV infection is still considered serious, an early diagnosis and treatment can allow a patient to live a relatively normal lifespan.

HIV continually changes and can become resistant to treatment, leading to a continuing search for new drugs.

A new class of drug for people with HIV is being introduced in Britain today, which researchers describe as a huge step in treating the deadly infection.

The new drug is named Raltegravir and it is available in tablets form which is to be taken twice a day. It is approved for use with other antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV in about one in ten patients whose therapy has stopped working. Continue reading “Raltegravir, A New Drug For HIV Patients”

Stay Healthy Use Heart Healthy Monounsaturated Cooking Oils

I may be straying off actual illnesses at the moment but I think what we eat is equally important to keep us healthy and keep the illnesses at bay.

Today I am going to talk about fats and oils which all of us use almost daily.

We know that high cholesterol is bad for the heart, and some fats and oils can clog the arteries these are saturated fats. diets high in saturated fat increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Some foods that are these categories are butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil, cottonseed oil and palm kernel oil.

Dairy products are also included in this section, cream, cheese, meat, chocolate and various prepared ready meals.

Vegetable oil has long been promoted as being heart healthy, but don’t be misled into believing that you can use it liberally. Oil is still oil and it still contains fat and calories. Continue reading “Stay Healthy Use Heart Healthy Monounsaturated Cooking Oils”

Living a Long and Healthy Life with Apricots

Have you ever wondered why some people live to great age and others die much younger?

Is it what they eat, where they live, or does their job have any thing to do with it?

What does rule our life span and are we in a position to change the rules and live a long and happy life?

In many different areas of the world it is a known fact that people do live longer. For instance in the Himalayas, in a place called the Hunza Valley centenarians are nothing unusual. Is it the air or the food they eat that aids their long life?

Apricots are one of the staple diets of these people, along with other fruits like cherries and mulberries.

Apricots are not as common in some countries but even dried apricots or apricot jam and other preserves are very beneficial to your diet, they bring health and longevity which is what every one is aiming for. Continue reading “Living a Long and Healthy Life with Apricots”

Fainting – How Common Is It and What Can Be Done about It

Fainting is a curious phenomenon that a person could lose control of their functions and the body temporarily suspend consciousness. Under what circumstances could this happen?

Well, there are many: if a person is disposed to hysteria the slightest excitement could trigger a fainting episode; fright or hunger; during menstruation for women; weak and anemic people could have fainting spells; chills or exertion, strenuous physical activity; exposure to poisonous fumes; underlying diseases can cause fainting such as high blood pressure, heart failure, hemorrhage; or if any organ or the brain has been injured; dehydration; low blood sugar; a stroke or seizure; and so on.

Fainting occurs because of a decrease in the blood flow to the brain and so there is a temporary loss of consciousness. It is known medically as syncope and can occur in anybody of any age from a child to an elderly person. Continue reading “Fainting – How Common Is It and What Can Be Done about It”