Brazil issues first license for sale of a cannabis-based drug

Brazilian healthcare regulator Anvisa on Monday said it had issued the country’s first license for sale of a cannabis-based drug in the country after years of legal wrangling with patients. The multiple sclerosistreatment, an oral spray derived from marijuana and developed by Britain’s GW Pharmaceuticals PLC, is known as Sativex internationally and will be sold in Brazil under the brand name Mevatyl. The legal status of cannabis-based drugs has been a thorny issue in Brazil for years, with several patients fighting in the courts to circumvent prohibition. Anvisa has loosened…

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Tobacco Exposure Ups Behavioural Issues, Dropout Rates in Children

Children exposed to tobacco smoke in early childhood adopt anti-social behaviour, engage in proactive and reactive aggression, and face conduct problems at school, even drop out at age 12, a research has showed. Exposure to tobacco smoke is toxic to the developing brain at a time when it is most vulnerable to environment input, the researchers said. “Young children have little control over their exposure to household tobacco smoke, which is considered toxic to the brain at a time when its development is exponential,” said lead author and Professor Linda…

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Air Pollution: Delhi Issues Health Advisory

In the wake of alarming air quality in the national capital, the Delhi government on Monday issued a health advisory asking the residents to avoid visiting high pollution area. “People with chronic airway diseases like bronchial asthma and lung disease should avoided outdoor activities including morning and evening walks,” said the advisory. “In case of breathlessness, giddiness, chest pain or chest constriction or irritation in eyes, please visit the nearest hospital or dispensary or any physician,” it added, also appealing to people not to panic and help the needy patient…

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Women Face Same Drink-Related Health Issues Like Men

Women face same health related problems from alcohol consumption as men, finds a new study. According to the study, women are catching up with men in terms of their alcohol consumption and its impact on their health. The trend, known as ‘sex convergence’, is most evident among young adults, the findings show. Historically, men have been far more likely than women to drink alcohol and to drink it in quantities that damage their health, with some figures suggesting up to a 12-fold difference between the sexes. In a bid to…

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Triphala Churna: A Fuss-Free Way to Get Rid of Your Digestive Issues

  Ayurveda is a goldmine of remedies that promise a cure for some of our everyday health woes. The age-old science comes studded with the discovery and exploration of rare and potent ingredients and herbs. These are often teamed with many commonly available items to create healing, health-benefitting concoctions. Triphala churna has existed in the Ayurvedic repertoire for centuries now. The churna is a mix of amla (Indian gooseberry) powder with two other fruits that are dried and powdered. Ayurveda recommends taking equal quantities of amla powder, bibhitaki – alternatively…

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Pain drugs in pregnancy tied to behavior issues in kids

When the kids were 5 years old, more than 80 percent of the women and their partners used acetaminophen. Women who take the common pain reliever acetaminophen during pregnancy may be more likely to have children with behavior problems than those who don’t use the drug, a British study suggests. Researchers analyzed survey data from about 7,800 mothers and found more than half of them took acetaminophen at some point during pregnancy. Overall, about 5 percent of their children had behavior problems by age 7. The odds of hyperactivity, conduct…

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