<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Stay Healthy</title>
	<atom:link href="http://health.brainbloggers.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com</link>
	<description>Love Your Life And Keep It Strong</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:52:58 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Natural Way Of Treating Headaches</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/natural-way-of-treating-headaches.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/natural-way-of-treating-headaches.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:52:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Health Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=58</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Headaches seem to be something that many of us can’t get away from. They usually hit us during the worst times and can sometimes be difficult to get rid of. Stress is usually the number one cause for them and many of us hate to have to take medication and pain pills to repel them. [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Natural Way Of Treating Headaches", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/natural-way-of-treating-headaches.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Headaches seem to be something that many of us can’t get away from. They usually hit us during the worst times and can sometimes be difficult to get rid of. Stress is usually the number one cause for them and many of us hate to have to take medication and pain pills to repel them. There are more natural treatments that can be used that will not only rid you of the headaches - but also help to relax your whole body.</p>
<p>What you will need is coffee, bromelain, glucosamine sulfate, calcium supplement, lavender oils, peppermint oils,, and magnesium supplement. First you will need to give yourself a little mini massage when you can feel the headache start to hit you. Use the tips of your fingers and press gently and rub the back of your neck, shoulders, scalp, and temples. If possible find someone who can massage these parts for you.</p>
<p>Apply heat or cold, or alternate between the two. Take a hot bath or shower, or place a hot, wet washcloth or heating pad on the back of your neck. Place an ice pack on your forehead, the back of your neck or the top of your head. When you draw the bath place a few drops of lavender or peppermint oil into it. Also rub a few drops onto your temples, your hairline, and the nape of your neck.</p>
<p>When you have finished your bath drink some herbal tea of feverfew, peppermint, or chamomile. These help to calm your nerves and ease tension. If you have a congestive headache then you should drink strong coffee.</p>
<p>Take supplements if you get headaches frequently. Calcium and magnesium relieve muscular tension, the enzyme bromelain reduces inflammation, and glucosamine sulfate can help to relieve pain.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Natural+Way+Of+Treating+Headaches&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fnatural-way-of-treating-headaches.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/natural-way-of-treating-headaches.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Health Experts Worried By Nintendo Wii Fit Game</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/health-experts-worried-by-nintendo-wii-fit-game.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/health-experts-worried-by-nintendo-wii-fit-game.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Diets]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=57</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Nintendo Wii Fit game has quickly become popular among Nintendo gamers and is acclaimed to be an exercise game that is made up of activities using a Wii Balancing Board. The new game may be popular among gamers - but several health experts are mad at the game because it is telling kids that [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Health Experts Worried By Nintendo Wii Fit Game", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/health-experts-worried-by-nintendo-wii-fit-game.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Nintendo Wii Fit game has quickly become popular among Nintendo gamers and is acclaimed to be an exercise game that is made up of activities using a Wii Balancing Board. The new game may be popular among gamers - but several health experts are mad at the game because it is telling kids that it will help them to lose weight.</p>
<p>Experts warn that the game, which assesses players&#8217; fitness levels based on their body mass index, labels them underweight, ideal weight, overweight or obese. They say the game could cause eating disorders and self-esteem issues.</p>
<p>The game includes a weight- and motion-sensitive balance board, which players can use for yoga, muscle workouts, aerobic exercises and balance games. Adolescent weight management services have said the BMI index is not even ideal for measuring adult fitness, let alone that of children. Nintendo has admitted the BMI calculations were based on adult measurements and might not be accurate for children.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Health+Experts+Worried+By+Nintendo+Wii+Fit+Game&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fhealth-experts-worried-by-nintendo-wii-fit-game.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/health-experts-worried-by-nintendo-wii-fit-game.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Dad Tries To Save Son With Bone Marrow Drive</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/dad-tries-to-save-son-with-bone-marrow-drive.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/dad-tries-to-save-son-with-bone-marrow-drive.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:24:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Diseases]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=56</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[10 year old Brandon Rayner from Las Vegas has recently survived a brain tumor - but now he is facing yet another medical illness that could take his life. Brandon is now fighting off leukemia and needs bone marrow to help him survive. In an effort to save his son Moe Rayner has created a [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Dad Tries To Save Son With Bone Marrow Drive", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/dad-tries-to-save-son-with-bone-marrow-drive.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>10 year old Brandon Rayner from Las Vegas has recently survived a brain tumor - but now he is facing yet another medical illness that could take his life. Brandon is now fighting off leukemia and needs bone marrow to help him survive. In an effort to save his son Moe Rayner has created a bone marrow drive.</p>
<p>&#8220;He is my little super trooper,&#8221; said Moe Rayner. Moe himself was a trooper during Desert Storm and asked many of his fellow troopers to help him pull everything together. Brandon is collecting business cards to help his cause.</p>
<p>The event held on Tuesday was put together so that people could donate blood to find a match for Brandon and to be a marrow transplant for him. Over 100 people showed up to help save this young boy’s life.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Dad+Tries+To+Save+Son+With+Bone+Marrow+Drive&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fdad-tries-to-save-son-with-bone-marrow-drive.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/dad-tries-to-save-son-with-bone-marrow-drive.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Is High Blood Pressure</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-high-blood-pressure.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-high-blood-pressure.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:52:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Diseases]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Health Tips]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[What Is?]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=55</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Blood pressure is the forces in the bodies’ arteries when the heart beats and when the heart is at rest. Systolic pressure is when the heart beats and diastolic pressure is when it is at rest. Blood pressure is measures in millimeters of mercury. When taken the systolic number is always written on top of [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "What Is High Blood Pressure", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-high-blood-pressure.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Blood pressure is the forces in the bodies’ arteries when the heart beats and when the heart is at rest. Systolic pressure is when the heart beats and diastolic pressure is when it is at rest. Blood pressure is measures in millimeters of mercury. When taken the systolic number is always written on top of the diastolic number.</p>
<p>High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and is often found only in adults. The measurement of high blood pressure is greater or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure.</p>
<p>If after one reading you are told that you have high blood pressure you should not panic – but should try to fix your diet and learn to exercise and eat much healthier foods. Also try to reduce the amount of stress that is in your life. If you continue to have high blood pressure you might need to go on prescribed medication.</p>
<p>High blood pressure directly increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, especially along with other risk factors. High blood pressure can occur in children or adults, but it&#8217;s more common among people over 35. It&#8217;s particularly prevalent in blacks, middle-aged and elderly people, obese people, heavy drinkers and women who are taking birth control pills. It may run in families, but many people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are also more likely to have hypertension.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=What+Is+High+Blood+Pressure&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fwhat-is-high-blood-pressure.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-high-blood-pressure.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Testing Cholesterol Levels</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/testing-cholesterol-levels.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/testing-cholesterol-levels.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:51:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Diseases]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Health Tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=54</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is important that you test your cholesterol every few months to make sure that it is at a healthy level. The procedure that is used to test the cholesterol is called fasting lipoprotein profile. This test is done after a 12 hour period of not consuming any liquids, foods, or medications of any kind.
Doctors [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Testing Cholesterol Levels", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/testing-cholesterol-levels.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is important that you test your cholesterol every few months to make sure that it is at a healthy level. The procedure that is used to test the cholesterol is called fasting lipoprotein profile. This test is done after a 12 hour period of not consuming any liquids, foods, or medications of any kind.</p>
<p>Doctors recommend that anyone who is over the age of 20 take this test every 5 year. The results of the test is based on four different things; HDl, LDL, total blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.</p>
<p>• Maintaining a total blood cholesterol below 200 mg/dL is ideal, anything over 240 mg/dL is considered a high risk for heart disease.</p>
<p>• With HDL cholesterol, the higher the better. Levels of 60 mg/dL or higher offers protection while anything under 40 mg/dL increases your risk of heart disease. Smoking cigarettes, being obese and/or inactive can all result in lower HDL cholesterol.</p>
<p>• LDL is the best indicator of potential cardiovascular disease, lower is better. Levels less than 100 mg/dL are optimal while anything above 160 places you in the high risk category.</p>
<p>• Finally triglycerides, a form of fat, where less than less than 150 mg/dL is ideal and anything over 200 mg/dL is considered a high risk. Having a high triglyceride level is usually attributed to being overweight, being physically inactive, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and diets high in carbohydrates can contribute to a high triglyceride level.</p>
<p>Treatment for high cholesterol levels, other than lifestyle changes, most commonly is with medication known as statins. Statins are a class of drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood by blocking the enzyme hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, more commonly referred to as HMG-CoA reductase, in the liver.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Testing+Cholesterol+Levels&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Ftesting-cholesterol-levels.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/testing-cholesterol-levels.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>What Is Cholesterol</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-cholesterol.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-cholesterol.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:04:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[What Is?]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=53</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cholesterol is something that many of us have to be careful because of the crazy and hectic lifestyle that we live. Many of us will grab meals that are quick and also not healthy to our bodies despite how good they might taste.
Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that can be found in the bodies’ [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "What Is Cholesterol", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-cholesterol.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cholesterol is something that many of us have to be careful because of the crazy and hectic lifestyle that we live. Many of us will grab meals that are quick and also not healthy to our bodies despite how good they might taste.</p>
<p>Cholesterol is a soft, fatty substance that can be found in the bodies’ bloodstream and is important in the normal function of cells within the body. Cholesterol found in the blood originates from two main sources - dietary (through things we eat) and liver production.</p>
<p>• Dietary cholesterol comes mainly from meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. Organ meats, liver for example, are very high in cholesterol content while plants contain no cholesterol.</p>
<p>• The liver is capable of both removing and manufacturing cholesterol in the bloodstream. After eating meals the liver removes chylomicrons (metabolized balls of fat and cholesterol), while in between meals the liver manufactures and secretes cholesterol back into the blood circulation.</p>
<p>Cholesterol needs help to be transported through the bloodstream, as it’s insoluble in blood. It makes it’s way through the circulatory system with the help of lipoprotein, which helps to carry fats around the body. There are two major types of lipoprotein - low density (LDL) and high density HDL) that transport cholesterol from and to the liver.</p>
<p>• LDL (low density lipoprotein) is known as the bad cholesterol. LDL can slowly build up in the inner walls of the body’s arteries that feed the heart and brain and, together with other substances, can form plaque - a thick, hard deposit that can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, and increase the likelyhood that plaque will break off and form a clot thereby blocking an artery - which can lead to angina (chest pain), a heart attack or stroke.</p>
<p>• HDL (high density lipoprotein) is known as the good cholesterol as having high levels help to protect against atherosclerosis. HDL carries cholesterol out of the arteries and back to the liver, removing excess cholesterol from arterial plaque and slowing it’s buildup.</p>
<p>With that being said, having a high level of LDL cholesterol and a low level of HDL cholesterol is commonly known as high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), a risk factor for atherosclerosis, while having a low level of LDL cholesterol and high level of HDL cholesterol is ideal. Total cholesterol is the sum of LDL, HDL, VLDL (very low density), and IDL (intermediate density) cholesterol.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=What+Is+Cholesterol&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fwhat-is-cholesterol.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/what-is-cholesterol.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mosquito Spraying To Begin</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/mosquito-spraying-to-begin.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/mosquito-spraying-to-begin.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=52</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Central District Health Department released a statement concerning the mosquito spraying that they will be doing over the summer:
Grand Island -Beginning this week the Central District Health Department will begin spraying for adult mosquitoes. With recent rains and flooding the mosquito numbers have increased and now warrant the need for control. The spraying will [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Mosquito Spraying To Begin", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/mosquito-spraying-to-begin.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Central District Health Department released a statement concerning the mosquito spraying that they will be doing over the summer:</p>
<blockquote><p>Grand Island -Beginning this week the Central District Health Department will begin spraying for adult mosquitoes. With recent rains and flooding the mosquito numbers have increased and now warrant the need for control. The spraying will be conducted during the early morning and late evening hours when mosquitoes are most likely to be out. The spraying can only be conducted when there are perfect weather conditions and notices will be made whenever possible.</p>
<p>There have been no reported cases of West Nile virus reported in Hall County, but there is still a good chance that some activity will be reported in the area by the end of the summer. The greatest risk for infection is during late summer and early fall because the mosquito that transmits the virus increases in numbers throughout the summer. The illness is not spread person-to-person.</p>
<p>To reduce the risk of exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus:</p>
<p>-Avoid being outdoors during times that mosquitoes are most active-dusk and dawn.<br />
-While outdoors, cover up by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.<br />
-Use a mosquito repellant containing the active ingredient DEET.<br />
-Eliminate mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in tires, plastic containers, or similar water holding containers.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Mosquito+Spraying+To+Begin&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fmosquito-spraying-to-begin.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/mosquito-spraying-to-begin.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Soda Might Damage Bones</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/soda-might-damage-bones.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/soda-might-damage-bones.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:42:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Health Research]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=51</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of us have grown used to drinking soda and we don’t even think twice about giving it to our children. To us it is like drinking tea or juice – but it is time that we start cutting back on soda as well as most carbonated drinks. New studies show that carbonated drinks can [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Soda Might Damage Bones", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/soda-might-damage-bones.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many of us have grown used to drinking soda and we don’t even think twice about giving it to our children. To us it is like drinking tea or juice – but it is time that we start cutting back on soda as well as most carbonated drinks. New studies show that carbonated drinks can harm your bones.</p>
<p>3 reasons to think before you drink:</p>
<p>1. There’s research that links drinking certain types of soda with weaker bones—but carbonation doesn’t seem to be the problem.</p>
<p>2. Nutrition experts once believed caffeine could be the culprit. In a 2001 study out of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, people lost measurable amounts of calcium after drinking caffeinated sodas. Drinking decaffeinated sodas didn’t appear to have the same effect. As it turned out, though, people tended to make up for the losses by excreting less calcium later in the day. The researchers concluded that if sodas harm bones it’s probably because people drink them in place of milk.</p>
<p>3. But another study, reported in 2006 by researchers at Tufts University in Boston, suggests that colas, specifically, might be problematic. Among the 1,413 women whose dietary records and bone-density scans they reviewed, those who drank a diet or regular cola at least three times a week over five years had significantly lower bone densities than those who sipped cola once a month or less. No such effect occurred with other carbonated drinks, even after researchers factored in intake of calcium from foods.</p>
<p>The likely cause? Phosphoric acid, which is unique to colas, says Katherine Tucker, Ph.D., lead author of the study. When the body breaks down this compound, the acidity (or concentration of free hydrogen ions) of the blood increases. To neutralize acidity, hydrogen ions bind with minerals, including calcium and magnesium. If they’re not available in the blood, says Tucker, “the body draws calcium from bones.” The occasional-cola drinker probably needn’t worry. “The real risk is for those who drink cola every day,” says Tucker.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Soda+Might+Damage+Bones&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fsoda-might-damage-bones.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/soda-might-damage-bones.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FDA Orders Asthma Patients To Switch Inhalers</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/fda-orders-asthma-patients-to-switch-inhalers.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/fda-orders-asthma-patients-to-switch-inhalers.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 13:31:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=50</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The government has issued a statement that all of the old fashioned asthma inhalers that are made up of environment harming chemicals will no longer be sold to people by the end of the year. They are urging patients to switch out their inhalers before this time in order to get a head start.
Chemicals called [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "FDA Orders Asthma Patients To Switch Inhalers", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/fda-orders-asthma-patients-to-switch-inhalers.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The government has issued a statement that all of the old fashioned asthma inhalers that are made up of environment harming chemicals will no longer be sold to people by the end of the year. They are urging patients to switch out their inhalers before this time in order to get a head start.</p>
<p>Chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, once were widely used to propel the drug into the lungs. But CFC-containing consumer products are being phased out because CFCs damage the Earth&#8217;s protective ozone layer. As of Dec. 31, asthma inhalers with CFCs can no longer be made or sold in the U.S. Inhalers instead will be powered by ozone-friendly HFAs, or hydrofluoroalkanes.</p>
<p>The ozone layer shields the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Patients have been warned of the change for several years, but the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory Friday saying anyone still using CFC inhalers should ask their doctor about switching now.</p>
<p>The FDA warns that patients will face a learning curve: HFA inhalers may taste and feel different. The spray may feel softer. Each must be primed and cleaned in a specific way to prevent clogs. And they tend to cost more.</p>
<p>CFC-free albuterol inhaler options include GlaxoSmithKline&#8217;s Ventolin HFA, Schering Plough&#8217;s Proventil HFA and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals&#8217; ProAir HFA. Sepracor&#8217;s Xopenex HFA is also CFC-free, but it contains levalbuterol, a similar medication.</p>
<p>The FDA said Armstrong Pharmaceuticals is the sole remaining maker of CFC inhalers and is expected to stop production even before the deadline. A spokesman for Armstrong&#8217;s parent company wouldn&#8217;t say when production would stop, but sales of remaining inventory will continue until Dec. 31.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=FDA+Orders+Asthma+Patients+To+Switch+Inhalers&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Ffda-orders-asthma-patients-to-switch-inhalers.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/fda-orders-asthma-patients-to-switch-inhalers.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Howard Hughes Creates $600 Million Research Fund</title>
		<link>http://health.brainbloggers.com/howard-hughes-creates-600-million-research-fund.html</link>
		<comments>http://health.brainbloggers.com/howard-hughes-creates-600-million-research-fund.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2008 01:40:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>tonks</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Health Research]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://health.brainbloggers.com/?p=49</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is the United States largest private supporter in biomedical research. This week they revealed a five year initiative - $600 million – medical research fund that is full of 56 scientists that have been handpicked from all around the country.
The Chevy Chase-based nonprofit, which conducts biomedical research in collaboration with [...]<script type="text/javascript">SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Howard Hughes Creates $600 Million Research Fund", url: "http://health.brainbloggers.com/howard-hughes-creates-600-million-research-fund.html" });</script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is the United States largest private supporter in biomedical research. This week they revealed a five year initiative - $600 million – medical research fund that is full of 56 scientists that have been handpicked from all around the country.</p>
<p>The Chevy Chase-based nonprofit, which conducts biomedical research in collaboration with nearly 70 universities, medical centers and other research institutions, hopes to discover long-term medical advances in genetics and biology through the fund.</p>
<p>The research will include how global climate change affects the spread of infectious diseases and how aging contributes to neurodegeneration. &#8220;We think that kind of scientific daring is essential for long-term success. We&#8217;ve found over time that it really takes a while to translate discoveries into new therapies for people,&#8221; said Avice Meehan, vice president for communications and public affairs at the institute, which was founded in 1953 by Howard Hughes, the late aviator and film producer.</p>
<p>The scientists were chosen from more than 1,000 applicants in the institute&#8217;s first open competition where scientists could apply directly. &#8220;We thought that would generate a broader diversity of fields so that we would identify very promising scientists who are working outside traditional disciplines, like physicists and engineers,&#8221; Meehan said.</p>
<p>The 42 men and 14 women come from 31 universities and research institutions, including Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Cincinnati Children&#8217;s Hospital Medical Center. They will keep working at their current institutions while joining about 300 Hughes investigators, which include two Nobel Prize winners for their discovery of odorant receptors in 2004.</p>
<p>The Baltimore area has a strong base of Hughes researchers and grant recipients, with scientific discoveries funded by the organization ranging from vaccines and treatments to new genetic tests for cancers. The support is also leading to new patents and partnerships attracting life science businesses to Baltimore. With an endowment of $18.7 billion, the institute has invested more than $8.3 billion with scientists in the past 20 years. Biomedical research expenditures at the close of fiscal 2007 totaled $599 million.</p>
<p><a href="http://sharethis.com/item?&wp=2.5&amp;publisher=&amp;title=Howard+Hughes+Creates+%24600+Million+Research+Fund&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealth.brainbloggers.com%2Fhoward-hughes-creates-600-million-research-fund.html">ShareThis</a></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://health.brainbloggers.com/howard-hughes-creates-600-million-research-fund.html/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
