Medication
The human swine influenza (H1N1) is being treated with antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is a tablet while Relenza is to be inhaled.

Not only do these drugs ease the symptoms, but also prevent further spread of the infection. Plus, they cut down the duration of illness by a day.

Availability
Since Tamiflu and Relenza are the most effective treatment options for swine flu, governments are releasing stockpiles of the two drugs. Most of the stock was built up over three years after the 2006 Avian flu scare. A large chunk of the US stock was built in 2007-2008.

In the UK, the NHS signed contracts with pharmaceutical companies Roche, which manufactures Tamiflu, and GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures Relenza, to double its storage.

Vaccine
Despite scientists working feverishly to develop a vaccine against swine flu, the process will take at least six months, according to the European commission briefing in Luxembourg recently.

Word of Caution
Swine flu is extremely contagious. Those affected need to make sure they don’t pass on the infection to others. If you suspect you have swine flu, you will need a lab test as there’s no other way to confirm.

Geneva, April 30: A total of 148 confirmed swine flu cases have been reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN agency said.

As of Wednesday, cases were reported from nine countries, including 91 from the US with one death and 26 from Mexico with seven deaths, the agency said in its latest update.

The other seven countries that have reported laboratory-confirmed cases with no deaths include Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and Britain (5), the agency said.

Mexico City, April 30: The number of confirmed swine flu infections in Mexico climbed from 49 to 91, with eights deaths caused by the new strain, Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova has said.

The latest figures came shortly after the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva raised the pandemic alert for swine flu by one level to phase 5.

The declaration of phase 5 by WHO Director General Margaret Chan Wednesday night is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent, but not inevitable. The second-highest phase is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries in one WHO region.

There have been close to 160 deaths and nearly 2,500 infections in Mexico’s flu outbreak. Of these, more than 1,300 people remain in hospital, but most have not yet been identified as swine flu cases.

Apart from Mexico, which is the epicentre of the outbreak, WHO reported confirmed swine flu cases in Canada, the US, Israel, Spain, Britain and New Zealand. Costa Rica said it had two confirmed cases and 25 suspected cases were pending testing.

Chan said all countries should activate pandemic flu plans and called on governments and health authorities to be on high alert for influenza-like illnesses and pneumonia.

“The situation remains serious,” Cordova said, adding that all non-essential state and federal government offices and private businesses would be closed until May 6. Only essential service providers such as hospitals, transport, supermarkets and garbage collectors were to remain open.

Mexico City’s Finance Minister Mario Delgado told a press conference Wednesday that the government would give 50 pesos (about $4) per day to those workers who have suffered because of the limitations on movement and closure of several establishments.

Those hospitalised were to be compensated with 3,000 pesos (about $200), he said.

On Tuesday, Mexico City banned restaurants from serving food on their premises, although they can sell take-away meals. The move affected an estimated 35,000 restaurants and some 450,000 jobs.

Argentina suspended flights to and from Mexico from Wednesday until at least Monday, as it awaited test results of three suspected cases of swine flu.

Cuba Tuesday suspended flights to and from Mexico. The measure was to last 48 hours, but was later extended indefinitely, according to an official statement published Wednesday in Communist Party daily Granma.

Germany, April 29: More evidence of the global spread of the swine flu emerged Wednesday as German authorities confirmed three swine flu cases.

The three cases confirmed by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s national disease control center, include two women, aged 22 and 37, and a man in his 30s. All had recently traveled to Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak.

With this, Germany becomes the third European country, after Spain and Britain, where the disease has surfaced.

In Mexico, 159 people are believed to have died from swine flu. Another 1,300 people are reportedly hospitalized, some of them “critically” ill, US health authorities revealed.

According to latest reports, 65 cases have been confirmed in the United States, 14 in New Zealand, 13 in Canada, one in Costa Rica, two in Spain, two in Britain, and two in Israel. Nations with suspected infections are Australia, Austria, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Hong Kong, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Colombia, Switzerland and Thailand.

With the threat of a pandemic looming large, the World Health Organization said it may raise its pandemic alert level to Phase 5 — the second highest. The Mexican authorities have already declared the 2009 swine flu outbreak as a public health emergency.

The custom authorities worldwide have also stepped up the health screenings vigil. Visitors from countries where the outbreak has been reported are being closely screened. Also, travelers are being urged to cancel trips.

Swine Flu, also called swine influenza, is a respiratory disease seen in pigs. Caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in swine (most commonly the type A influenza virus), the infection is typically characterized by symptoms like chills, running nose, sore throat, cough, fever, severe headache and body ache and a general feeling of discomfort.

As the virus spreads easily through air and touch, preventive actions like washing hands, covering coughs with an arm or shoulder, can cut risk manifold. Keeping inside and avoiding contact with infected persons is the key.

Having already claimed lives of over 159 people in Mexico and infected nearly a dozen others in the U.S., swine flu has become a cause of grave concern for human race.

The disease has already been declared a “public health event of international concern” by WHO. The global organization’s director-general, Dr. Margaret Chan, has appealed for increased stronger worldwide surveillance for curbing any outbreaks of such illness.

Global Measures
Governments of various countries around the world are on high alert to check for any flu like symptoms.

Following warning from WHO (World Health Organization) that the swine flu could grow into a pandemic, many countries across Asia, including Mexico, U.S., Russia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, are imposing health checks at airports to screen patients with flu symptoms.

Argentina has already declared a health alert and has directed passengers arriving on flights from flu-hit Mexico to report if they have any flu-like symptoms. China, too, has made it compulsory for those coming from flu-affected places to report immediately at ports of entry if they felt flu-like symptoms.

Russia has made it compulsory for all those coming from U.S. or Mexico to get their temperatures checked. “All airline passengers from Mexico and the United States will be passing through a contact-free heat sensor,” informed Gennady Pnishchenko, head of the Federal Consumer Protection Service, Russia.

Measures in Mexico
“[We are] monitoring minute by minute the evolution of this problem across the whole country,” Mexican President Felipe Calderon said as health officials counted suspected infections in six states from the tropical south to the northern border.

In Mexico, nearly 159 people have lost their lives to the swine flu. Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova stated that there are more than 1,300 cases being examined for any suspected infection.

The Mexican government has set aside an amount of $450,000 to take adequate measures to fight the flu. Meanwhile, President Calderon has already given special powers to the government to conduct tests on suspected cases and keep them isolated to curb the spread of flu.

People, especially tourists, have been urged to wear surgical face masks in Mexico. Museums have been closed and churchgoers have been asked to stay home. Stadiums, nightclubs and theaters have been closed by the authorities. Schools in the Mexico State, city and San Luis Potosi have been closed until May 6.

Aloe Vera is well-known for its ability to help burns heal. But that isn’t all this remarkable plant can do!

There are hundreds of species of Aloe found all over the world, but not all are used in herbal healing. In fact, most should not be used at all, as some are quite toxic to humans. The most common Aloe species used for healing is aloe vera barbadensis, and this article will concentrate on the uses of that plant.

History shows that Aloe was used by Cleopatra as a cosmetic aid for her skin, which was said to be of legendary beauty. This places the plant in use at least as early as 1500 BC. Arab traders spread it far and wide around the 6th century, trading it as far as Asia. It is said that Alexander the Great conquered areas where the plant grew so that he could use the medicine for his soldiers, other reports state that he kept one particular island for growing aloe for his soldiers. Mention of this remarkable plant is made in 12th century German medical records as well as in the Compendium of Materia Medica to the Chinese Ming dynasty. The Greek physician Dioscorides wrote of using it externally for treating wounds of all sorts. Columbus carried it on board his ships during his ocean voyages. Everywhere it has been used, it has become a very important part of healing.

Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera

The gel of the inner part of an aloe leaf is used to treat burns, skin rashes (including poison oak and ivy), acne, insect bites, ringworm, bedsores, herpes simplex, and painful shingles, as well as chafed nipples from breastfeeding, when applied to the affected area externally. If used for this purpose, please remember to cleanse the area of aloe prior to the baby nursing, as the aloe if ingested by infants can cause diarrhea and/or serious intestinal cramping.

Internally it can be used to keep the bowels functioning smoothly, or when there is an impaction, although it can cause intestinal cramping when taken internally, and there are other herbs that do this job better. It is not recommended as a general laxative. There is a mixture commercially available that is a combination of various Aloe species that is then concentrated after blending. It is called Aloin, and is used as a laxative. I would not recommend it for general daily use, or the body may become dependent. Using aloe internally is not always a good choice for those with IBS, colitis, or ulcers, as it can irritate these conditions from its strong actions, so do seek guidance from a health care professional to determine if aloe is right for your specific case. People without these kinds of problems usually tolerate aloe internally without a problem. Aloe has also been used internally to treat mouth sores and for thrush (candidiasis).

It aids in healing wounds by drawing out infection, and preventing infection from starting. It has been shown to promote wound healing by increasing the availability of oxygen to the wound as well as increasing the strength of the collagen needed to rebuild the damaged tissues. The gel dries into a sort of “bandage” that aids in healing open wounds. This also makes it a good treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and other such skin problems.

Aloe has been used to treat radiation burns and acid burns as well as frostbite. In cases of sunburn or frostbite, you can add one or two cups of fresh aloe juice to a tub of lukewarm water. Soak, and then reapply aloe gel to the affected areas after the bath. For those little kitchen mishaps, you can cut off a small piece of a leaf and apply the fresh gel directly to the burn or cut. The plant will heal itself by sealing off the cut. Another useful remedy is to peel the outer leaves off the inner gelatinous parts, and place in a blender with 500 milligrams of vitamin C per cup of gel. Mix well, then store in the refrigerator. This salve is very soothing to mild burns. Serious burns and deep wounds may require other treatments first, and then aloe applications, so you should check with a health care professional in these cases.

A newly discovered compound in aloe, acemannan, is currently being studied for its ability to strengthen the body’s natural resistance. Studies have shown acemannan boosts T-lymphocyte cells that aid the immune system. There are various studies being conducted at this time involving HIV and AIDS internal treatment with aloe. This is not a treatment that should be attempted without professional guidance at this time, however.

Aloe should not be used internally by pregnant women as it can cause cramping that will bring on uterine contractions. For this reason it should not be used during the menstrual cycle, either. It should never be used internally by those who have difficulty with intestinal cramping. Avoid its internal use for children under the age of 12.

Aloe is found in thousands of commercial products for hair, skin, and overall beauty for people and animals. Americans have typically been taught to use it only externally, while the rest of the world uses it for a wide range of treatments, including skin cancers, eye inflammations, hemorrhoids, gall bladder problems, ulcers, abscesses, and many other uses. Check with your health care professional to see if this herb is right for you.

Aloe’s actions are purgative, laxative, immune-enhancing, mucilaginous, bitter, vulnerary, demulcent, emollient, emmenagogue, and astringent.

Spiritual Uses of Aloe Vera

Growing an aloe vera plant in the kitchen is said to help prevent burns and mishaps while cooking. It is also believed to help to prevent accidents in the home, bring good luck to the home, and guard against evil. It is used in healing rituals, services, and spells all over the world.

It is reported to have been used to embalm the body of Christ. In Africa the aloe is hung over houses and doors to drive away negative forces and draw luck to the home. In some parts of old Mexico, large wreaths made of whole garlic bulbs strung on wire are decorated with pictures of saints, sprigs of healing herbs, clumps of freshly-cut aloe, and other such items, and then hung in the home for protection, luck, and prosperity.

Growing Aloe Vera

This plant is originally native to Africa. Those living in the deep South, such as in southern Texas or southern Florida and other warm, arid regions in the world, can grow aloe outdoors. For the rest of the world, growing indoors in pots is preferred and simple. Remember that Aloe is a succulent, not a cactus, so it needs regular watering to keep the leaves fleshy and juicy, but do not over water. It prefers bright light to grow properly, and really appreciates a sandy, well-drained soil.

There are many different kinds of tea enjoyed around the world for pleasure, taste, and medicinal use. In this article, I will focus on the uses of what is commonly known as Green Tea on the market today.

Green tea, Black tea, and Oolong tea all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. What makes the difference between these teas is the way the leaves themselves are processed. Green tea is made by steaming and drying the leaves only, while black tea is made by withering, rolling, fermenting, and then drying them. Since green tea is not fermented, like black and oolong, its active constituents remain largely unaltered. Black tea is considered by most to have too many tannins, a known carcinogen, to be a useful medicinal beverage.

Tea as a beverage has been enjoyed in the Orient for well over 3000 years, and has been used in Chinese medicine for nearly as long. According to Chinese legend, tea was discovered accidentally by an emperor around 4,000 years ago, when leaves from the Camellia sinensis fell into a cup of hot water that was to be used to brew a different drink. And thus the history of green tea began.

Medicinal Uses of Green Tea

Green tea has recently come into prominence as an effective anti-oxidant. It has been shown to reduce the risk of many forms of cancer, including breast cancer, and it has the ability to stabilize blood lipids, making it a valuable part of an overall cardiac care regimen. Active plant constituents called polyphenols are believed to be responsible for these actions. It aids in treating high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension, and stimulates immune functions. Green Tea may actually lower the risks for arteriosclerosis. Research has shown that it guards against cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels, improving the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, reduces platelet aggregation (clumping or clotting of blood cells), and lowers blood pressure.

This herb eases mental fatigue and has been used in treating digestive tract infections. The Chinese often use it to treat migraine headaches. It can also help to prevent plaque buildup on the teeth, and since the leaves contain a natural fluoride, may be helpful in preventing tooth decay. It can help to promote the burning of fat in the body, as well as help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.

Green tea bags or leaves are used as a poultice for baggy eyes and tired eyes. The infusion is used externally to bathe sunburn to soothe, as well as to ease the discomfort of insect bites.

People who are sensitive to, or cautioned to reduce or avoid, caffeine, can still use the decaffeinated form of Green Tea, which is still shown to have some of the same medicinal properties and qualities, although a single cup of regular green tea is not usually considered to be harmful, having half the caffeine of a cup of coffee. Don’t use in large quantities while pregnant or nursing due to the caffeine levels, although again a single cup should be safe.

Green tea’s actions are considered to be anti-viral, antioxidant, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, analgesic, astringent, caridiotonic, digestive, nervine, and carminative.

Spiritual Uses of Green Tea

Green Tea is used in prosperity rituals, and to honor various deities around the world. The leaves are burned to ensure future prosperity and are included in talismans to give courage and strength to the one who carries it. Tea ceremonies of a spiritual nature are very popular and a valuable part of life and culture in Eastern countries (such as the well-known Japanese Tea Ceremony).

Growing Green Tea

Camellia sinensis is grown in various temperate climates around the world, so check with your local county extension service to see if a species will grow in your area. Tea plants are native to Southeast Asia, and have been planted widely in tropical and subtropical areas. Some species can tolerate light frost. Camellia sinensis is a small evergreen tree with a strong taproot, growing to around 6 to 8 feet tall, most often pruned back to shrubs in tea cultivation. Seedlings are usually shaded until they are 6 to 12 months old. They can typically tolerate varying moisture conditions, including drought. The leaves are hand-picked at harvest, and then are steamed and heated to dry the natural sap and prevent oxidation for green teas.

Healthy Aging is getting good nights sleep

As we grow older, we need to stay active to keep our bodies and system in shape. The older a person gets the less our bodies want to function so keeping it in shape is very important for all of us, even the younger people.

Sleeping is very important to all of us as we are aging. Aging brings on a different sleep pattern and we need to learn how to control it so when it is time to sleep we sleep well. It is normal as we age that it becomes harder to get a good nights sleep and feel rested when we wake up. Sleeping is as important as our diet and activities.

Did you know that it is hard for woman to sleep more so than men in their aging years?  Women have more tendencies to feel stressed out more and they sometimes are just too busy to get themselves into an exercising routine. If you don’t get enough sleep at night, it will reduce your alertness during the day because you’re tired. Long periods of sleepless nights can cause high blood pressure and isn’t good for the heart either.

There are many reasons why some people can’t achieve a restful nights sleep. Sometimes you might sleep but it is a light sleep and we need to have a deep restful REM sleep. Sometimes you may awaken during the night from pain perhaps caused from arthritis. Sometimes you may experience heartburn, which causes you to get less sleep. Snoring or feeling depressed sometimes can also cause you to loose sleep. You may have a stressful day followed by the lack of sleep. Muscles spasms can also cause a person to loose sleep.

How you can reduce the problems that cause you to loose sleep:
Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can cause us to lose sleep. Try not to drink liquids before going to bed, and stop smoking.  Smoking not only harmful to your body but it can cause you to lose sleep. Excessive noise in the house, the TV or radio in the bedroom and snoring are some more reasons that can keep us from sleeping. Don’t try to go to bed and watch TV or listen to the radio; this will only keep you awake longer. You can learn to enjoy exercises to reduce muscles spasms and/or arthritic symptoms. You can also reduce eating unhealthy foods that cause heartburn, or drinking caffeine-based substances before you go to bed to improve your sleeping pattern.

Do you have a pet that sleeps with you?  Even though you think they are giving you comfort it could cause you to lose that precious sleep you need. You may not realize it but everytime your pet moves, maybe snores; you can hear this while sleeping. Maybe you might have to get your pet a bed and let him sleep on the floor next to you. If you have allergies, your pet may be the cause, which can make you loose sleep as well.

Napping is not good if you take one during the day for more than 25 minutes. I realize that maybe your not getting enough sleep during the night and you get tired in the afternoon. However, when you lie down during the day and sleep for a long time, when it is time to go to bed, you’ve had just enough sleep that you’re not as tired.

Before you lie down to rest, you should also consider drinking a warm glass of milk. Studies have shown that warm milk helps a person to relax.

The quality of healthy aging

From the day we are all born, we age everyday. As a young person, we don’t think about the later years in our life. We live in a very fast pace world today and it causes a lot of stress in our lives and as time goes on, the stress will affect us increasingly.

Everyone young and old, we all need to take care of our bodies and minds. By taking care of ourselves, it keeps us thinking, moving and helps prevent major illnesses such and cancer and many other diseases. We all have to work at keeping ourselves healthy and there is no better time than right now. The younger you start taking care of yourself the better it is; by starting early your catching things before they have time to progress.

So right now, start of by eating healthy. Keep an eye on that diet and make sure your not overeating, but eat enough to get vitamins you need to have. A good multivitamin is a good way to start adding supplements to what you don’t get in your food.

Food doesn’t always have the amount of vitamins anymore like they use to, and that starts at the farmer’s level. Don’t blame the farmer for this because they are just doing their jobs the same way we all go to ours everyday. The farmer has to add fertilizer, chemicals and even water to their crops to make them grow bigger, faster and for beauty too. Adding all these chemicals eat up all the natural vitamins that you need. Water has chemicals in it too; one reason why your water needs to be tested at least once a year especially if you have well water. Once the food is grown and ready to be shipped it is polished, coated to keep it nice and fresh looking during shipment, which is why this will take away some of the vitamins as well. Try to eat as much, homegrown food as you can and not processed foods. Fresh homegrown food is the best, since you get natural vitamins.

A good multivitamin isn’t going to hurt anyone. It is known that people who take a multivitamin everyday is in better health than someone who doesn’t. Sometimes your doctor may want you to take extra vitamin, as we grow older because our bodies change and sometimes require more of something. In addition, as we grow older our eating habits change and we don’t eat as much or we want to lose weight and don’t eat the right foods.  Nevertheless, remember you can lose weight and still eat right.

As we grow older our bodies and mind change. All the stress we had growing up and continue through out our lives. Relieve that stress as much as possible because it can do a lot of harm to us. Stress is known to be a major factor for poor heart conditions, strokes, and it will lower our immune system, as we grow older.

A regular exercise program is good for all ages and helps relieve stress at the early ages as well.  If only families took time out maybe as a family with their children and made it a part of their lives that would help relieve it during the younger years.

A person who learns and enjoys exercising on a daily basis will keep during it, as they grow older as well.

Exercising will help the older person to keep those bones more flexible so they don’t get stiff and weak. The heart gets benefit from exercising too. Exercise will cause the heart to produce naturally, by working it harder to keep it highly flavored. Exercising helps to keep our bodies toned up and helps us to lose weight, or at most keeping the weight maintained.

Remember starting early can help later in years to make your life healthier and more contented.

As per the statistics Male Pattern Baldness Is observed in 95% of Suffering men .

If your observing receding hairline at the front and thinning at the top you are likely to suffer Male pattern baldness .As time will pass the thinning will develop into a bald spot surrounded by hairs on the side and back .

In spite of these conditions, if you have even a single hair left on your head you can have a stylish looks.

So would you like to know what hair styles are available for you ??

If yes! Let’s start it now….

The classical style which is done for ages is “combing over”.You can glow one side Hairs a bit long so as to comb over the bald parts of head .Since this one is very common , I have some Amazing Tips for you !

1. Try getting a more natural look by using some good conditioners .
2. Growing the remaining hairs in order to get layers is also a good option.

3. Growing the front Hairs and combing them to back looks very good .

4. One of my favorite is Shave off the head or get a close trim .Scince this works very good I shall explain it in detail.

Cut all the hairs, when brought to roots give a smoother shave using razor and a shaving gel. It is recommended that Have a look in mirror while doing every steps . Doing this is not required everyday but u can do it 2 to 3 times a week .

5. It is very easy to take care of you head . Try washing your head with some soap . Apply some good quality Moisturizer .In summer use use moisturizer with factor 15 .