DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulitis is known as a western disease and extremely common

Diverticulitis occurs when the bulging sacs that appear in the lining of your large intestine, or colon, get acutely infected or inflamed.

The most common and severe symptom is sudden pain on the lower left side of the abdomen.

Drinking plenty of water and eating fibre-rich foods can help you avoid diverticulitis.

Diverticula are bulging sacs or small blisters that appear in the lining of your large intestine, or colon. This condition is called diverticulosis when the sacs first appear but aren’t yet inflamed or infected. When these sacs get acutely infected or inflamed, it’s called diverticulitis.

Diverticula are most common in the large intestine. However, they can develop anywhere in your digestive tract. Pain in the lower left side of your abdomen may indicate diverticulitis, especially when it’s accompanied by rectal bleeding as any rectal bleeding should be checked out by your doctor as there are a number of other conditions that cause this. Diverticulitis is treatable, but it can recur. Diverticulosis and recurring attacks of diverticulitis are the two components of diverticular disease.

Prevention is better than cure

Not eating enough fibre is a common problem in countries where much of the population eats processed foods.
Eating more fibre,  fresh vegetables and bran products can help.

Water is also important most people do not consume enough water is essential for all body processes

Constipation puts strain on your muscles during a bowel movement. Constant strain can increase your risk of developing diverticula in your colon. Once diverticula appear, it’s much more likely that bacterial infections or stool can get into the diverticula and inflame or infect them, causing diverticulitis.

Being obese increases your risk of getting diverticulitis. Studies have shown that a high body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement contributed to diverticular bleeding and diverticulitis.

Regular exercise is important to keep the abdominal muscles toned, this aids digestion and peristalsis i.e passage of food processed through the gut

People aged over 60 are more likely to develop diverticulitis, this could be related to the weakening of the bowels over time.

Symptoms

Sudden pain on the lower left side of the abdomen is the most common and most severe sign of diverticulitis. This pain can get worse over a few days.
Other signs of diverticulitis are:

• abdominal pain and tenderness, usually on the lower left side
• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• fever
• gas or bloating
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• rectal bleeding that’s usually bright red

Treatment

Because diverticulitis is an infection in the intestines, your doctor will suggest rest, antibiotics, and sometimes prescribe medication to relieve the pain. Often, the conventional remedy requires several days of bed rest while waiting for the infection to subside. It may be possible to relieve the pain associated with diverticulitis within hours, rather than days. An infection of the diverticula is an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. All bacteria compete for space in the intestinal tract. The more friendly bacteria that are present in the gut, the less prone you are to developing an infection.

Avoid all forms of sugar, even natural sugars as sugar affects the immune system’s response time. Sugar also feeds pathogenic bacteria so its a good idea to take Probiotics especially after and whilst taking antibiotics for antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as the bad and this can leave an unhealthy balance of bacteria in the gut. Probiotics come in different formats as in capsules taken at mealtimes or as a powder sprinkled onto food and some dairy products has probiotics added to them such as yoghurts.

Eat a diet with your primary source of protein being from fish & vegetables. Stay away from grains, seeds or nuts, as these foods can be hard to digest which results in bloating & gas. Other foods that should be avoided include dairy products, red meat, fried foods, spices, sugar products as well as processed & refined foods. Avoid foods such as celery and corn as these foods contain indigestible roughage and use bran to prevent constipation.

Establish a regular bowel routine by spending at least 10 minutes a day trying to have a bowel movement at approximately the same time.

In rare cases surgery may be needed where parts of the affected intestines require to be removed or an abscess excised

Astrid Brown (Author) › Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more

BECOMING VEGAN, IS IT HEALTHY?

I'm not against anything for I believe in moderation in all things and for some people they have no option but to use soya milk in their diet. One of my own daughters developed a cows' milk sensitivity after a severe viral illness as a toddler and we had no option but to give her soya. As Dr, Nestor Demosthenous says below it is deficient in calcium and to make up for this I had to supplement her diet with sesame seeds which I might add are the richest  source of calcium but I am diversifying. As human beings we are not biologically designed to be vegans.

There might be some advantages of a vegan diet:

It may help lower cholesterol,  One study into Diabetes carried out in 2007 showed that people with Type 2 diabetes who adopted a vegan diet reduced their LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol by 21 percent 

It may help lower blood pressure:  vegetarian eating is linked with decreased risk of death from ischemic heart disease. The report also concluded that people who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower LDL levels and less incidence of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes in comparison to non-vegetarians. Further studies need to be carried out for Veganism.

It increases antioxidant intake: Vegan eating usually increases intake of wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes and whole grains, which are a high source of antioxidants vitamins and minerals, and of course fibre.

There are I would say more disadvantages of a vegan diet:

For eating a vegan diet is a  radical change: eating becomes complicated if you are not allowed to eat certain ingredients

There can be potential interference with existing medical conditions: If you have a condition such as osteoporosis or diabetes, it is essential to get your doctor’s advice and a registered dietitian when starting  a vegan diet.

It can be difficult when dining out: Not many restaurants offer true vegan choices and often confuse Vegans with Vegetarians

 

There is the loss of essential vitamins and minerals: There is evidence to show vegan diets do not contain vitamin B12, an essential nutrient only found in animal products. Though some vegan products do add it as a supplement

Lastly unrealistic expectations: "A person might believe that by becoming vegan they are making themselves healthier but unless you have a good basic knowledge you may be doing the opposite. At the moment there isn’t enough data to state a vegan diet is the healthiest

As with anything in life there has to be a balance to get the best out of your body you have to treat it well, eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, regular exercise and of course give up smoking and avoid exposure to UV light whether it’s from the sun or a tanning bed. The two latter smoking and UV light are the worst culprits for damaging the skin

Article Below is from the DAILY MAIL

Is your soya latte ruining your FACE? Doctor reveals how a dairy-free diet can wreak havoc with your skin and bone structure

• Cosmetic doctor Dr Nestor Demosthenous highlights the pitfalls of going vegan
• Says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugar - can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure if you decided to cut out milk
• Some soya lattes will contain added sugar to match naturally-sweet cows' milk

By UNITY BLOTT FOR MAILONLINE

Each year more and more Brits undertake a virtuous vegan January in pursuit of healthier lifestyle.

But while dairy-free drinks might seem like a great alternative to cow's milk, is your soya latte actually doing more harm than good?

This year, as an estimated 50,000 of us try out 'Veganuary', a leading cosmetic doctor has warned that eschewing animal products can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure.

Scroll down for video 

In some cases, going dairy-free can mean missing out on the regular dose of calcium that many of us get from drinking cow's milk in takeaway coffees, on cereal, and in cups of tea 

Dr Nestor Demosthenous says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugars - are the main culprits.

The aesthetic doctor and specialist in non-surgical procedures, who also works from Harley Street’s PHI Clinic, ran FEMAIL through some of the potential pitfalls going vegan can have on your skin.

ADDED SUGAR 

'If you've gone dairy-free this January and are feeling suitably smug about your soya milk, consider this: soya milk is often sweetened with sugar (up to 12g of it per carton!) to match it to naturally-sweet cows' milk.'

Some soya milk will list 'evaporated cane juice’ as an ingredient which also contains sugar.

'Not only is this not ideal for your teeth or your waistline, but it can have a major effect on your face too,' explains Dr Nestor.

Going for a soya latte? Cosmetic doctor Dr Nestor Demosthenous says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugars - can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure

'Sugar molecules bind to proteins such as collagen in the skin, which causes a loss of firmness and the start of premature wrinkles forming.

'As collagen breaks down, skin becomes less elastic, thinner and drier. We lose our even skin tone. This all contributes to a dull, aged complexion.' 

Dr Nestor adds: 'This lack of collagen can affect the face in different areas. Losing the fullness in the cheeks and forehead is another side effect of the loss of collagen, which usually happens naturally as we age, but can be aggravated and accelerated by external factors.

Dr Nestor is an aesthetic doctor and specialist in non-surgical procedures

'The cheeks can atrophy [waste away] and fall down our face, deepening nasolabial folds and marionette lines, which gives us a sad look to the face.'

Dr Nestor suggests combating these effects by snapping up products containing ingredients like grapefruit oil (such as Ermana's Cleanse Balm) or vitamin C (like ZO Skin Health Ossential C-Bright Serum).

In severe cases, he suggests Botox and fillers as a way to lift the face and give skin a 'youthful boost'. 

LACK OF CALCIUM 

In some cases, going dairy-free can mean missing out on the regular dose of calcium (adults aged 19+ need 700mg a day according to NHS guidelines) that many of us get from drinking cow's milk - in takeaway coffees, on cereal, in that last cup of tea before bedtime.

And this lack of calcium can exacerbate the signs of ageing, according to Dr Nestor. 

'In the same way that our body loses bone density, so does our face,' he explains. 'Eye sockets expand, which makes the eyes look deep set, sunken and tired.

CELEBS GO VEGAN 

This is the fourth official year of the Veganuary campaign and, according to its organisers, it has grown from a mere 3,000 participants in 2014 to around 12,800 in 2015.

Its surge in popularity is due in part to high-profile vegans Beyoncé, Gwyeth Paltrow, Brad Pitt and Ellie Goulding, who have all raved about the benefits of an animal-free diet.

In 2013, Gwyneth famously boasted that she hadn't eaten red meat in 20 years, while Brad Pitt is an ardent animals rights activist. 

'There are two dynamics that happen in the ageing face, which can be exacerbated by dietary choices: bone expansion and bone resorption. We lose bone density in the maxilla and mandible [upper and lower jawbone respectively]. 

'This causes an appreciable reduction in facial height and a moderate increase in facial width and depth.' 

If you're concerned about keeping your jawbone defined and your face looking youthful, Dr Nestor recommends upping your calcium fix and opting for unsweetened milk - but a more extreme solution is to get fillers in the cheek, chin and under-eye area.

However if you've decided on a dairy-free diet, all is not lost: 'Calcium intake can be boosted with plentiful green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale, as well as almonds, figs and oranges,' says Dr Nestor. 

'For those who are cutting out major food groups, it's key to replace those lost vitamins and minerals wherever you can, for the good of your health, and of course, for the good of your skin.'

THE BENEFITS OF GOING VEGAN

There may be drawbacks but nutritionist Lily Soutter and Jane Land, the founder of Veganuary - the annual drive for people to try veganism in January - say there are plenty of benefits too.

WEIGHT LOSS

'There is ample research to suggest that vegan diets can be effective for weight loss,' says Lily.

'In one study, those following a vegan diet lost 2.52kg more weight than those following an omnivore or vegetarian diet. But the most interesting aspect of the study was that the vegan diets lead to a greater weight loss than the calorie-controlled diet, despite the vegan groups eating until they were full.

'It is likely that this effect is down to the rich fibre content of vegan diets. Fibre can delay stomach emptying, which balances blood sugar and delays feelings of hunger.'

REDUCED RISK OF CANCER

Jane says: 'Vegan diets tend to be higher in fibre, which decreases the risk of colorectal cancer. In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified the consumption of red meat as carcinogenic to humans. This association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.'

LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE

'High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease,' says Jane. 'In 2012, a cross sectional study in Public Health Nutrition compared the blood pressure of non-vegetarians, semi vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans. The results showed that vegans had the lowest risk for high blood pressure.'

REDUCED RISK OF ARTHRITIS

'Studies have shown that arthritis suffers who are following a vegan diet may experience less joint pain and swelling,' says Lily. 

LESS LIKELY TO DIE

Jane says: 'A recent study conducted by experts at the prestigious Oxford University's Oxford Martin School have found that by 2050, widespread adoption of plant-based diets would avert 8.1 million premature human deaths every year.'

Astrid Brown (Author) › Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more

BE GRATEFUL FOR OILY SPOTTY SKIN

I saw this, article below, today in the Daily Mail and found it interesting and I quite believe it to be true. If you suffer from acne you are more than likely to suffer from oily skin and whilst you may well moan about shine, blocked pores and your make up sliding off whilst your peers may be developing wrinkles you won't. Too much sebum (your natural moisturiser) will keep your skin supple as you age.

 Why being a spotty teenager stops your skin ageing: Acne sufferers' cells have built-in protection that keeps them looking younger 

• Suggestion comes after research on tiny structures called telomeres
• Caps on the ends of chromosomes protect the DNA in them from damage 
• Dermatologists have long noted acne patients seem to age more slowly 

If your teenage son or daughter is blighted by acne, they can take heart.

For while they may feel greasy and unattractive at the moment, by middle age they will be the envy of their peers.

British research shows that acne sufferers’ cells have built-in protection against ageing that is likely to keep them looking younger than their years.

So while their former classmates bemoan the appearance of crow’s feet and other wrinkles and crinkles, their skin is more likely to maintain a youthful lustre.

Acne sufferers’ cells have built-in protection against ageing that is likely to keep them looking younger than their years

The suggestion comes from King’s College London researchers who studied tiny structures called telomeres. 

These are caps on the ends of chromosomes that protect the DNA in them from damage, much like caps on shoelaces prevent fraying. Thought of as tiny biological clocks, telomeres get shorter as we age and eventually become so short that cells die.

Previous studies have found men and women with long telomeres tend to be biologically younger than those of the same age but with shorter ones. All in all, telomeres are considered so important that the scientists who discovered them seven years ago were awarded a Nobel Prize for medicine.

The King’s College study measured the telomeres in the white blood cells of more than 1,200 twins, a quarter of whom had suffered from acne. 

Telomeres were significantly longer in those who had a spotty adolescence, even when factors such as age were taken into account.

A second experiment looking at skin samples showed that a cluster of genes involved in cell death was less active in acne sufferers.

Dermatologists have long noted that the skin of acne patients seems to age more slowly, with wrinkles and thinning appearing much later.

It was thought excessive oil production contributed to their Peter Pan looks, but the rest of the biology was unknown.

Lead researcher Dr Simone Ribero said: ‘Our findings suggest that the cause could be linked to the length of telomeres which appears to be different in acne sufferers and means their cells may be protected against ageing.’

Co-author Dr Veronique Bataille added: ‘Longer telomeres are likely to be one factor explaining the protection against premature skin ageing in individuals who previously suffered from acne.’

Dermatologists have long noted that the skin of acne patients seems to age more slowly, with wrinkles and thinning appearing much later

Previous research from the same university has suggested adults with lots of moles may also look younger for longer. The latest study is reported in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Dr Bataille said that while teenage acne sufferers do not listen to her when she tells them they are going to look ‘fantastic in their 40s and 50s’, women in their 20s tend to be more interested.

Longer telomeres also tend to signal stronger bones and a less frail old age, meaning dealing with spots may have more than one silver lining. Dr Bataille said: ‘It’s nice to know that there’s a positive aspect to having acne.’

She added that learning more about the genetic process could lead to new acne drugs, as well as anti-ageing treatments.

All of the study participants were women but the finding is also likely to apply to men who suffered from acne as teenagers.

Astrid Brown (Author) › Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more

THE SILENT KILLER

SPHYGMOMANOMETER USED TO RECORD BLOOD PRESSURE

Known as the "silent killer", high blood pressure rarely has obvious symptoms.

Around 30% of people in England have high blood pressure but many don't know it. If left untreated, high blood pressure increases your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The only way of knowing there is a problem is to have your blood pressure measured. 

All adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If you haven’t had yours measured, or you don’t know what your blood pressure reading is, ask your GP to check it for you.

What is high blood pressure? (HYPERTENSION)

Blood pressure measures how strongly blood presses against the walls of your arteries (large blood vessels) as it is pumped around your body by your heart. If this pressure is too high it puts a strain on your arteries and your heart, which makes it more likely that you will suffer a heart attack, a stroke or kidney disease.

Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and it is recorded as two figures:

• systolic pressure: the pressure of the blood when your heart beats to pump blood out
• diastolic pressure: the pressure of the blood when your heart rests in between beats

For example, if your GP says your blood pressure is "140 over 90", or 140/90mmHg, it means you have a systolic pressure of 140mmHg and a diastolic pressure of 90mmHg.

You are said to have high blood pressure (medically known as hypertension) if readings on separate occasions consistently show your blood pressure to be 140/90mmHg or higher.

A blood pressure reading below 130/80mmHg is considered to be normal.

Who is most at risk?

Your chances of having high blood pressure increase as you get older. There is often no clear cause of high blood pressure but you are at increased risk if you:

• are overweight
• have a relative with high blood pressure
• are of African or Caribbean descent
• eat a lot of salt
• don't eat enough fruit and vegetables
• don't do enough exercise
• drink a lot of coffee (or other caffeine-based drinks)
• drink a lot of alcohol
• are aged over 65

If you fall into any of the groups listed above, consider making changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk of high blood pressure. Also consider having your blood pressure checked more often, ideally about once a year.

Prevention and treatment

You can take steps to prevent high blood pressure by:

• losing weight if you need to
• exercising regularly
• eating a healthy diet
• cutting back if you drink a lot of alcohol
• stopping smoking
• cutting down on salt and caffeine

If your blood pressure is found to be high, it will need to be closely monitored until it is brought under control. Your doctor will usually suggest changes to your lifestyle and, sometimes, medication to achieve this. Find out more about how blood pressure is treated.

INFORMATION FROM NHS CHOICES

Could you have high blood pressure?

At least 25% of adults have high blood pressure. Get tips on how to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.

Astrid Brown (Author) › Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more

IS OXIDATIVE STRESS THE CAUSE OF MIGRAINE

I found this article in the Daily Mail today, as a Migraine sufferer since my teens this is an interesting finding. I usually know my triggers and can catch it before it develops too bad. I eat a good diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and am very aware of consuming plenty of antioxidants. However Migraine doesn't just affect the arteries in the brain, the arteries in the abdomen are often affected. Many children who suffer from periodic tummy pains go on to develop Migraine and I often have both areas affected, the study seems to focus on headaches and Migraine isn't limited to headaches, so  the findings on more research will be interesting.

 

Migraine breakthrough as scientists discover the process that triggers EVERY symptom - paving the way for a cure

• Scientist at University of Maine examined a range of triggers, such as dehydration or air pollution, and compared how each of them affected brain
• He found surplus of free radicals, the corrosive molecules produced by our bodies as we process oxygen, were at the root of all headaches
• The surplus creates an imbalance in the body called ‘oxidative stress’

Migraines have a single cause that is to blame for every symptom ranging from pain to nausea, a new study has claimed. 

Scientists found that a surplus of free radicals, the corrosive molecules produced by our bodies as we process oxygen, were at the root of all headaches.

The surplus creates an imbalance in the body which is called ‘oxidative stress’, when there are not enough antioxidant defences to fend off the free radicals.

• 
  

The common theme behind all headaches is oxidative stress - and this is responsible for every symptom ranging from pain to nausea

The researchers said that their findings could one day help find a cure for migraines - which could be as simple as taking a vitamin.

Jonathan Borkum, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Maine, studied 2,000 papers on migraines to come to his conclusion.

He looked at a range of triggers, such as dehydration or air pollution, and compared how each of them affected the brain.

Professor Borkum found that the common theme behind all headaches was oxidative stress which he described as a ‘plausible unifying principle behind the types of migraine triggers encountered in clinical practice’.

Free radicals have also been linked to cancer and some experts believe they are the reason why we age.

The discovery means that headaches could be prevented or alleviated using supplements such as beta carotene and vitamin C which bind and shut down free radicals.

However they may have health risks and one study found that antioxidant supplements were associated with higher risk of death than those who did not take them.

An estimated one in 10 people suffer from migraines which can last for hours and can be so serious that patients are unable to function.

Elizabeth Loder, chief of the Division of Headache and Pain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who was not involved in the study, said that sometimes what people think is the trigger for a headache is actually a symptom.

She told the Boston Globe that some people think chocolate causes headaches, but the craving for something sweet may actually be a sign of a coming headache. 

The discovery means that headaches could be prevented or alleviated using supplements such as beta carotene and vitamin C which bind and shut down free radicals

Astrid Brown (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

HOPEFULLY A NEW GENERATION OF ANTIBIOTICS

I am glad to see this development as there has been no significantly new antibiotics for sometime. Over prescribing of antibiotics is something that really annoys me, it's all too easy to blame doctors but its the public who are at fault and its the public who have created the super bugs such as MRSA, through their ignorance, though there's been plenty of attempts to educate them on the use of antibiotics. Many countries sell antibiotics over the counter without a doctors prescription, this is wrong as taking antibiotics for relatively minor conditions leads to the bacteria developing resistance to the antibiotic. If you are ill enough to feel you need antibiotic please see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. Even ointments containing antibiotics, however how much are still antibiotics at the end of the day and the body does have the capacity to deal with minor infections, if the condition continues to worsen please see a doctor. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses or fungal conditions, so going to the doctor when you have a cold and asking for antibiotics is pointless. Doctors I have to say are now aware of this more. And one of the worse culprits for leading to resistance is failing to finish the course prescribed, this leads to the bacteria developing immunity to the antibiotic, so if you are prescribed an antibiotic finish the entire course even if you are feeling much better. When I was a young nurse I was trained to gown up i.e. to wear gloves, a mask and a protective gown when administering antibiotic injections, this was to prevent us becoming sensitive to the antibiotic, this no longer is the case, for the less we are exposed to antibiotics the less we are likely to develop allergies and for bacteria to become resistant. I hope in the future people will become aware to how valuable and wonderful antibiotics are and not take them for granted and listen to medical advice.

ARTICLE BELOW FROM THE DAILY MAIL

Could HORSE MANURE develop a new generation of antibiotics? Mushrooms on dung could be effective at killing bacteria

• Substance, known as copsin, can be found on the gray shag mushroom
• Scientists say that copsin has the same effect as traditional antibiotics
• It belongs to a different type of biochemical family because it is a protein
• As well as antibiotics, it may also be possible to use copsin in the food industry to tackle pathogens such as Listeria

Scientists claim the rise of untreatable bacteria is one of the biggest health threats facing the world.

To prevent minor infections killing people globally, researchers are in a race against time to develop new and better types of antibiotics.

Now scientists in Switzerland believe they have found one solution to the problem in an unlikely place: the gray shag mushroom that grows on horse dung.

+3

+3


ARE WE FINALLY WINNING THE WAR AGAINST SUPERBUGS?

Scientists in Switzerland believe they have found a substance that can lead to a new type of antibiotic in an unlikely place: the gray shag mushroom (pictured) 

The substance, known as copsin, has the same effect as traditional antibiotics, but belongs to a different type of biochemical family because it is a protein.

The researchers led by Markus Aebi, a mycology professor at ETH Zurich, discovered the substance in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea.

Copsin belongs to the group of defensins, a class of small proteins produced by many organisms to combat microorganisms that cause disease.

The human body also produces defensins to protect itself against infections. They have been found, for example, on the skin and in the mucous membranes.

The gray shag mushroom grows on horse manure. It contains a substance known as copsin, The three-dimensional structure studied by ETH researchers shows the compact form of copsin on the left

For Professor Aebi, the main focus of this research project was not primarily on applications for the new substance.

'Whether copsin will one day be used as an antibiotic in medicine remains to be seen. This is by no means certain, but it cannot be ruled out either,' he says.

The ETH professor is now looking at how fungi have used defensins and other naturally antibiotic substances for millions of years to protect themselves against bacteria - without becoming resistant. 

Scientists have created the first viable alternative to antibiotics, marking the next step in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs

Scientists have created the first viable alternative to antibiotics, marking the next step in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs.

A small test study has found the new drug is effective at targeting the bacteria that causes MRSA.

Researchers believe the likelihood of the bug developing a resistance to the new drug is 'very limited'.

A version of the drug is already used in specialist creams to treat conditions including acne, eczema, rosacea and skin irritations.

Dutch biotech firm Micreos claims Staphefekt is the first endolysin - a bacteria-killing enzyme - available for use on human skin.

While targeting MRSA and other strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, the drug's make up means it leaves 'good' bacteria unharmed - important in the case of long-term use.

The firm unveiled its discovery at the EuroSciCon meeting, Antibiotics Alternatives for the New Millenium, in London last week. 

'Fungi have internal instructions on how to use these substances without resulting in selection of resistant bacteria. How to decode these instructions is an intriguing problem for basic research,' explains Professor Aebi.

In addition to being used as an antibiotic in medicine, it may also be possible to use copsin in the food industry as well.

This is because copsin kills many pathogens including Listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning and is therefore feared, especially in the production of non-heat treated foodstuffs such as raw milk cheeses and dried meats.

Astrid Brown (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

WARNING THIS VIDEO MIGHT BE TOO GRAPHIC FOR SOME (LUNG REMOVAL OF A SMOKER)

This video shows the surgeon dissecting and removing cancerous lesions of the lung of a smoker

Now I have never been a smoker and probably being an Aquarian, I like to do my own thing and never had any desire to try it, so I have no idea what it tastes or feels like. As I was growing up I lost my grandfather and several aunts and uncles to lung cancer and had other relatives suffer heart disease and other lung diseases. When I went into nursing one of the first ward I worked on was one where there were several patients in the terminal stages of lung cancer. I guess therefore this instilled in me the dangers of smoking and what it can do to you. It's extremely distressing to watch patients suffer from lung cancer where upon death is a blessed release from the extreme suffering. Lung Cancer is avoidable unlike a lot of cancers, so why risk it by smoking. OK so you may want to risk it but research has proven not only are you risking your own health but on others by passive smoking, is this fair? In the UK our much cash strapped National Health System is under severe strain treating all those who indulge in smoking and you have to ask, why should others who take care of their health by not smoking pay for the treatment of those who do? Remember too it's not just lung cancer, but a whole range of ailments are caused by smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, throat and mouth cancers, oesphageal cancer, heart disease, arterial disease, leading to amputation, high blood pressure, strokes. Can you imagine the stresses on the NHS being reduced if all the smokers were to give it up? but more importantly think how healthier the nation would be and how younger they would look too. I can't think of one good reason why anyone should smoke and if smokers were true to themselves, I am sure they would share this view.

Astrid Brown (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

TAKE CARE OF BLISTERS

The reason I have posted this today is a warning to please take care of your skin especially blisters. Now I know you may think sepsis from a blister is rare but it is not as rare that it is unlikely to happen to you. I have experienced something similar myself, in my case it was a little crack in the dry skin of my foot and the infection spread from my heel to my thigh in a matter of hours and by that time I was very poorly. I've also come across a couple of students whom I was teaching, and noticed severe inflammation around a broken blister and advised them to visit their doctor straight away, both of whom were very glad I dismissed them from class to do so. 

All too often we neglect our poor feet, they work so hard for us so they do deserve the care you spend on your face.

STORY FROM THE DAILY MAIL BELOW

Schoolboy, 12, six hours from death after blister on his feet becomes infected and sends him into toxic shock - all because he was wearing shoes with no socks 

• Macenzie Campbell was rushed to hospital as his body began to shut down
• His mother thought sore was verruca but next day his temperature soared 
• He was just hours from death when he rung relatives to say his goodbyes
• After operation on his foot to remove infected tissue he is now recovering

Macenzie Campbell almost died after a blister on his foot became infected and sent him into toxic shock

A 12-year-old boy was six hours from death when a blister on his foot became infected and sent him into toxic shock after he wore shoes without socks.

Family members prepared to say goodbye to Macenzie Campbell after his organs began to fail and his body shut down.

His mother Joanne, 38, thought the potentially fatal infection started from a verruca and had applied a treatment, but the next day his foot had swollen and a red rash spread all over his body.

She rushed him to a doctor, as his temperature soared, and he was immediately admitted to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Staff warned him he may not survive and he phoned family members to say his goodbyes after the rash began turning black and his organs started shutting down.

The schoolboy said: ‘It was terrifying. I wasn’t only scared for myself, I was scared for my family. It had seemed like a normal blister, but I gradually started to feel worse and worse.

‘I felt sick, everything was blurry and my heart was racing. I didn’t know what was going on.’

His grandmother, Kate Campbell, said: ‘We thought we were going to lose him. He was ringing all of us in case he didn’t make it.

‘We were told afterwards he was only a few hours from death. The sepsis was gradually shutting his body down. We were distraught.’

HOW TO TREAT BURST BLISTERS 

• Do not peel off the dead skin on top of the blister - allow the fluid inside to drain and then cover the blister and the area around it with a dry, sterile dressing to protect it from infection until it heals.
• If the top layer of dead skin has already rubbed off, do not pick at the edges of the remaining skin.
• If the blister is on your foot, avoid wearing the shoes that caused it until it heals.

 

It is believed the blister actually appeared on his right ankle after he wore shoes without socks on in April and later burst.

His foot was operated on to remove the infected tissue and he was kept in hospital for just over a week.

Mrs Campell told The Sun: ‘Doctors said six to 12 hours later, he’d have been dead’.

Macenzie is now recovering at home.

Joanne Campbell thought the sore was a verruca at first and applied treatment but by the next day his foot had swollen, his temperature soared and he was covered in a red rash as toxic shock syndrome set in

Macenzie Campbell with his grandmother Kate who was was terrified she was going to loose her grandson

Astrid Brown (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Astrid Brown Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author