Panic buying of masks puts health care workers’ ‘lives at risk,’ WHO says

A doctor wearing a mask while working at El Alto International Airport in Bolivia. Photo by AIZAR RALDES/AFP via Getty Images A shortage of masks, gloves, and other protective gear “is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases” warned the World Health Organization (WHO) in a statement on Tuesday. A frightened public has been buying up masks and other equipment, leaving limited supplies for health care workers who need the gear the most. Masks can be useful for people who are sick with a respiratory virus to keep…

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Unhealthy food at work may up risk of lifestyle ailments

Employees who purchase unhealthy food at office may indulge in such diet outside work as well, increasing their risk of lifestyle ailments such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a study suggests. A recently conducted study demonstrated that employees at a large urban hospital who purchased the least healthy food in its cafeteria were more likely to have an unhealthy diet outside of work, be overweight and obese. They also were more likely to have risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, compared to employees who made healthier purchases. These…

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Shopping in ‘unhealthy’ locales up blood pressure risk: Study

The study using Pop-up health check stations in England found a possible link between “unhealthy’ shopping centres and the number of cases of suspected or diagnosed high blood pressure. Shopping in ‘unhealthy’ locales up BP risk: Study  |  Photo Credit: Thinkstock London: People who frequently indulge in shopping in “unhealthy” areas as compared to those who visiting “healthy” retail stores, were more likely to be at risk of high blood pressure, say researchers. The study using Pop-up health check stations in England found a possible link between “unhealthy’ shopping centres and…

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Strokes are linked to dementia, increases risk of the brain disease by 70%

People who have suffered a stroke are more likely to develop dementia, a study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School confirmed. The study involved an analysis of 3.2 million people across the world. Researchers found that the link between stroke and dementia persisted even after taking into account other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “We found that a history of stroke increases dementia risk by around 70%, and recent strokes more than doubled the risk. Given how common both stroke and dementia are, this strong…

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If you feel very sleepy during the day, you might be at risk of getting Alzheimer’s

People who feel very sleepy during the day are nearly three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who do not, a long-term study has found. The study, published in the journal SLEEP, found that adults who reported being very sleepy during the day were thrice more likely to have brain deposits of beta amyloid, a protein that is a hallmark for Alzheimer’s, years later. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US suggest that getting adequate nighttime sleep could be a way to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.…

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New blood test could predict second heart attack risk

A blood test that quickly and easily detects whether a person is at the risk of a secondary heart attack is being developed by scientists. The researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia have identified plasma lipid biomarkers (fats in the blood) that improve upon traditional risk factors in predicting heart disease and stroke. The blood test is proposed to be trialled in Australia over the next 2-3 years, said Peter Meikle, a professor Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. Eventually this test will help better assess a…

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