Surviving in the Hospital (Available medical technology to help you survive)

(Submitted to Anna Lim via email, as part of the requirements of the job as content writer- 012105.)

By: Granny's Mettle

More than having a comfortable, temporary residence in the hospital, it is important that one not only survive but come out of the hospital, alive and whole.

According to a study, medical errors in hospitals cause more deaths each year than vehicle accidents, cancer or even AIDS. A recent study reported that there are up to 100,000 deaths each year caused by medical mistakes. Hence, medical mistakes are reported as the eighth leading cause of death among Americans.

The causes of medical mistakes are many and varied. They can arise from the physician, specialist, hospital administration, nursing staff, pharmacists, and many other places. The type of medical mistakes also varies. These include misdiagnosis, medication errors, surgery errors, laboratory test errors, and administrative errors.

With the onset of cosmetic surgery, there have been many cases where patients come out of the hospital worse than when they entered. Even so-called minor operations are not without risks anymore.

According to ABC7, one patient was supposed to have a common surgery to fix a hernia. But because of a series of mistakes, he found himself in a situation that nearly cost him his life. The patient was supposed to have his blood vessel cauterized as part of the procedure. However, one of the interns failed to do so. They then punctured his spleen. Then they had to get the blood out of the lung cavity. But by doing so, they caused the patient's lung to collapse instead.

In an effort to reduce errors, some hospitals turned to technology. Instead of using the traditional recording of communication, hospitals nowadays utilize electronic record.

Computers are also common sights in hospitals. Nearly everyone uses a computer. Doctors have portable stations where new and old medical records can be accessed with just a click of the mouse.

Aside from a system of electronic checks and balances, pharmacy mistakes are reduced with the presence of bar-codes in all drugs and paraphernalia.

Armbands are also introduced. Nurses are now able to scan the patients' armband and match it with the electronic record, thus, reducing errors.

Despite technology's assistance, it is still advised that patients should not rely solely on technology. Doctors recommend that the patients themselves should be responsible enough to check their own record and ask their physicians hard questions beforehand.

Knowing the extent of your illness, surgery and operation might just be the ticket to saving your own life.

Why do we get fever?

(Submitted to Anna Lim via email, as part of the requirements of my job as content writer- 012105.)

By: Granny's Mettle

God provided us with an ingenious body that knows what to do when something unwelcome invades it. As an animal must defend itself against enemies, so does our body fight bacteria or viruses when they try to occupy our system.

The normal body temperature of a healthy man is 98.4 degrees Fahrenheit. When bacteria, viruses, or even fungi, invade our body it usually results to an infection. When our body gets infected, its natural response is to activate cells in the immune system. These cells are called white blood cells. When they are activated, they fight these bacteria in many ways, one of which is to raise the body temperature. That's when you have a fever.

When the virus or bacteria enters the body system, they produce toxins that can directly set the body's temperature up. Meanwhile, these toxins also trigger the white blood cells to emit substances that can also increase the body temperature.

Fever then, fights off toxins when we are sick. Toxins are usually weaker than normal cells and have low tolerance to heat. When we start to sweat because of the fever, our body starts to detoxify from the viruses, tumors and other toxic cells that caused the infection. Moreover, blood circulation and respiration increases during fever. Both these processes help the body fight off the poisonous germs present in our body when we have infection.

However, fever that is persistent for a longer period of time is not good. There is a tendency for a disorder to set in the brain when the temperature continues to be high. It is therefore a big mistake to ignore fever.

So at the first signs of chills, loss of appetite, and a feeling of weakness, don't delay. It is our body's way of telling us that we are sick. It's time to go to the doctor for a dose of medical treatment and tender loving care.

The Benefits of Green Tea

(Submitted to Anna Lim via email as part of the requirements of the job as content writer- 012105)

By: Granny's Mettle

Green tea's popularity in the United States continues to grow as the number of new medical studies increase, showing that green tea is a rich and natural source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect the body from accelerated ageing and increased risk of major diseases.

Medical Benefits:

Among the many medical benefits of green tea, here are a few diseases that green tea is reputably able to prevent from occurring: (1) cancer, (2) rheumatoid arthritis, (3) high cholesterol, (4) cardiovascular disease, (5) infection, and (6) impaired immune function.

The last ten years have seen the wide support of green tea's cancer-preventive effects from various medical studies and research. Many studies have shown that green tea possesses antioxidant properties. In a study published in November 2004, in an issue of Mutation Research, it was found out that the leaves' effects are 120% stronger than those of vitamin C. In addition, it helps starve cancer by inhibiting the development of new blood vessels. The blood vessels are known to supply the cancer cells with nutrients. Without them, cancer cells would not be able to increase its strength, thus, reducing its effect on the body.

In 1994, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published results of a study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly 60%. On the other hand, researchers from the University of Purdue made conclusions from their study that a compound in green tea reduces the growth of cancer cells. In addition, another research indicated its effects of lowering total cholesterol levels, as well as improve the growth of good cholesterol in the body.

Green tea is also known to lower blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension. In a study published in an issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, it was found out that among persons consuming tea regularly for at least one year, the risk of developing high blood pressure was 46% lower among those who drank ½ cup to 2 ½ cups per day. And for those consuming more than 2 ½ cups per day, there is 65% less risk.

Other Benefits:

• Promotes weight loss- There are new evidence that green tea can help dieters. The leaves of green tea plants help raise metabolism in the body. Researchers found during a study that men who were given green tea extract with caffeine burned more calories than those given only caffeine. By increasing the amount of calories burned in a 24 hour period, green tea promotes weight loss.

• Prevent tooth decay and bad breath- Green tea can help prevent tooth decay by destroying bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, in a recent study in the University of Illinois, researchers have discovered that an element found in green tea decreases the growth of odor-causing bacteria by 30%. They say that drinking a cup or two of green tea may help maintain fresh breath.

• Reduce smoking risks- Studies have shown that cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea daily reduces their susceptibility to risks caused by the toxins emitted in cigarette smoke. In a 1997 study in the University of Kansas, they were able to conclude that green tea may be the reason why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, despite 75% of them are smokers.

• Beauty remedy- Green tea may be used to freshen up the face and sooth tired or strained eyes. It can be applied to spots and blemishes to lessen their visibility. Meanwhile, beauty remedies containing green tea (such as deodorants and creams) are finding their way in the market.

• Antiseptic properties- Green tea is also known to treat minor cuts and rashes, and is an effective treatment for sunburn.

Good News For Smokers: The Leaf Can Help You (revised)

(Submitted to Anna Lim via email, as part of the requirements of the job as content writer- 02105)

By: Granny's Mettle

Since ancient times, the Chinese have known of the medical benefits found in green tea. From headaches to depression, they have been using the leaf to treat illnesses and diseases. In fact, it was known that green tea was used as medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

In the United States, green tea continues to grow in popularity amongst the health conscious, as well as those who wants to be one, because of its vast medical effects. Scientific research suggests that green tea extract is a rich natural source of antioxidants that help protect the body from accelerated ageing and increased risk of major diseases.

According to medical journals, green tea is rich in catechu polyphenols that are considered as powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants provide protection from life-threatening diseases like cancer. Besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it also kills the cancer cells without harming healthy tissues in the body. It has also been affective in lowering cholesterol levels, and reduces the abnormal formation of blood clots.

Aside from the medical benefits, did you know that green tea also reduces the effects of cigarette smoking? This is good news indeed for smokers out there!

Studies have shown that cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea a day suffer 40 to 50 percent less damage from the toxins caused by cigarette smoke. By reducing the toxins, potential diseases associated with smoking-- cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease, among others—will be substantially lowered.Another interesting information about green tea is that it hastens the discharge of nicotine from the body. With less nicotine, less likely that you would be suffering from an adrenaline rush which causes rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and rapid, shallow breathing— all symptoms of an increased incidence of heart attack and stroke.

Here are some information on the effects of green tea to other illnesses related to cigarette smoking:

• Esophageal Cancer- In 1994, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported a lowered risk of esophageal cancer by those who drank green tea. The study conducted on women indicated that those who drank green tea were protected from the cancer compared to those who did not. It was also concluded that the more the women drank, the more protected they become. The study was conducted in different locations and used medical records of patients aged 30-74 years old who were diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

• Lung Cancer- In a 1996 issue of Fundamental & Applied Toxicology, it was reported that mice bred to develop lung tumors were protected against lung cancer by green tea. Researchers found out that mice that has green tea added to their daily diet developed fewer or no lung cancer tumors compared to those who did not have green tea in their diet.

Exposure to pollution, smoking and excess sunlight increases our susceptibility to ageing and illnesses. With the antioxidants found in green tea, we have much to thank for because not only does green tea promote good health, but also makes us look younger and healthier.

So drink up and protect yourself. The leaf may just save your life especially if you are a smoker!

Good News For Smokers: The Leaf Can Help You

by Granny's Mettle
(Submitted to Anna Lim via email as part of the requirement of the job as content writer- 012105.)

Since ancient times, the Chinese have known of the medical benefits found in green tea. From headaches to depression, they have been using the leaf to treat illnesses and diseases. In fact, it was known that green tea was used as medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

In the United States, green tea continues to grow in popularity amongst the health conscious, as well as those who wants to be one, because of its vast medical effects. Scientific research suggests that green tea extract is a rich natural source of antioxidants that help protect the body from accelerated ageing and increased risk of major diseases.

According to medical journals, green tea is rich in catechu polyphenols that are considered as powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants provide protection from life-threatening diseases like cancer. Besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it also kills the cancer cells without harming healthy tissues in the body. It has also been affective in lowering cholesterol levels, and reduces the abnormal formation of blood clots.

Aside from the medical benefits, did you know that green tea also reduces the effects of cigarette smoking? This is good news indeed for smokers out there!

Studies have shown that cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea a day suffer 40 to 50 percent less damage from the toxins caused by cigarette smoke. By reducing the toxins, potential diseases associated with smoking-- cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease, among others—will be substantially lowered.

Here are some information on the effects of green tea to other illnesses related to cigarette smoking:

• Esophageal Cancer- In 1994, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported a lowered risk of esophageal cancer by those who drank green tea. The study conducted on women indicated that those who drank green tea were protected from the cancer compared to those who did not. It was also concluded that the more the women drank, the more protected they become. The study was conducted in different locations and used medical records of patients aged 30-74 years old who were diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

• Lung Cancer- In a 1996 issue of Fundamental & Applied Toxicology, it was reported that mice bred to develop lung tumors were protected against lung cancer by green tea. Researchers found out that mice that has green tea added to their daily diet developed fewer or no lung cancer tumors compared to those who did not have green tea in their diet.

Exposure to pollution, smoking and excess sunlight increases our susceptibility to ageing and illnesses. With the antioxidants found in green tea, we have much to thank for because not only does green tea promote good health, but also makes us look younger and healthier.

So drink up and protect yourself. The leaf may just save your life especially if you are a smoker!