not a bad review - 80% of carp readers approved of the udget measures- QJ
CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada: "Budget 2009: CARP's Full AnalysisBudget 2009: CARP's Full Analysis"
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The healing potential of stem cells — XCell-Center
The healing potential of stem cells — XCell-Center: "The healing potential of stem cells
No matter how big a human becomes, it all began with an ovum and a sperm cell. This means that cells exist which have the potential to form a complete human. The first cells to arise from a fertilized ovum are described as totipotent ('potent for everything'). After a few days in the womb, the blastocyst forms. The cells contained in it are called embryonic stem cells. They are still very unspecialized and have the ability to divide endlessly and to develop into all of the 220 human cell types. However, a whole human cannot arise from these few cells. They have lost their toti-virility and are described as pluripotent ('potent for a lot'). As soon as the human's development is completed, these former all-arounders will have changed into mature, differentiated cells taking over a specific function in our body, for example neurocytes which conduct electric impulses, muscle cells which contract and the ß-cells of the pancreas which produce insulin.
However, skin renews itself throughout adulthood, injuries heal and hair grows. Right to the end of our lives, we have cells which are very unspecialized, can divide often and help the organism to regenerate and repair itself. These cells are called adult stem cells. To date, adult stem cells have been found in nearly every body tissue, for example in the skin, the brain, the blood, the liver and the bone marrow."
No matter how big a human becomes, it all began with an ovum and a sperm cell. This means that cells exist which have the potential to form a complete human. The first cells to arise from a fertilized ovum are described as totipotent ('potent for everything'). After a few days in the womb, the blastocyst forms. The cells contained in it are called embryonic stem cells. They are still very unspecialized and have the ability to divide endlessly and to develop into all of the 220 human cell types. However, a whole human cannot arise from these few cells. They have lost their toti-virility and are described as pluripotent ('potent for a lot'). As soon as the human's development is completed, these former all-arounders will have changed into mature, differentiated cells taking over a specific function in our body, for example neurocytes which conduct electric impulses, muscle cells which contract and the ß-cells of the pancreas which produce insulin.
However, skin renews itself throughout adulthood, injuries heal and hair grows. Right to the end of our lives, we have cells which are very unspecialized, can divide often and help the organism to regenerate and repair itself. These cells are called adult stem cells. To date, adult stem cells have been found in nearly every body tissue, for example in the skin, the brain, the blood, the liver and the bone marrow."
Weeky respite program a good idea
We have heard of artificial bed gridlock ,cutting nurses in the "supposed golden age " of Canadian medicine in what appears to be a badly mismanaged misaligned care system in constant crisis that alway sneeds more money to provide less community or customer services. It is encouraging to see occasional light in the darkness with programs that work for the customers in need - PR
John Noble Home pilot project offers weekly respite for seniors dealing with early stages of memory loss Posted By HEATHER IBBOTSON, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Thursdays are days to remember for a group of seniors coping with the early stages of memory loss. The 11 current participants in the John Noble Home Day & Stay program enjoy informal chats, games, outings and activities that encourage them to stay engaged with a world that is slowly slipping away.
"If you're alone, you're in a cocoon," said group member John Stulen.
"A group like this is a real lifesaver. It gives you confidence."
The participants are outpatients in the early stages of memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
The Day & Stay program is a pilot project that began last July. It has already piqued the interest of other facilities across the province, said program co-ordinator Carol Howarth.
"It's unique. There's not one like it in Ontario," she said.
Each Thursday, a John Noble Home van picks up participants at their homes and delivers them to the facility for an afternoon of friendship, recreation, entertainment, activities and dinner.
The program's purpose is to improve the quality of life for people in the early stages of memory loss by providing resources, support and socialization opportunities.
"It gives them back some control," Howarth said.
It's also "the highlight of the week," according to Stulen.
"We learn from each other," he said. "Being together makes you feel better."
Norma Wilson, a former nurse who once worked with dementia patients, said she has learned a lot from the program after being diagnosed herself last year.
There is also the all-important sense of camaraderie, said Mary Pongrac.
A diagnosis of dementia carries with it a huge stigma and participants need to learn that it is OK to talk about the condition and its impact on their lives, Howarth said.
The idea used to be to hide the condition and "put it in the closet," she said.
The group's focus is to speak out and put a spotlight on the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and cialization, she said.
Memory loss is "not contagious," said group member Bruce Kyle.
Members talk with each other and with program counsellors about the frustration and loss of control over one's life that comes with memory loss.
"It's a shock to find out there's something wrong that can't be repaired," Stulen said.
Robert Nelles, a volunteer at John Noble Home, said his wife has termed the experience "frightening and overwhelming."
Nelles had already been volunteering at the John Noble Home for two years, spending time with patients in more acute stages, when his wife Marion was diagnosed last fall with a type of advancing memory loss.
Nelles, who lives near Waterford, said that both he and his wife had started to notice something was off.
He said the clincher came when an ordinary shopping trip turned frightening. Marion, who also suffers from the pain and exhaustion of polymyalgia, had driven to Simcoe alone to buy groceries. When she trundled the cart to her car, she found herself unable to unload the bags and she had to ask a stranger for help.
Tired and stressed, she finally settled in the driver's seat and put the key in the ignition, only to realize she had no idea how to get home.
"She sat there for 10 or 15 minutes before it dawned on her," her husband said.
Marion is now also a member of the Thursday Day & Stay group and Robert has added Thursdays to his volunteer rotation.
"I think the group has gelled, like a ball team," he said, adding that members seem at ease talking with each other and sharing their stories.
"When they do that, everyone learns," he said.
- - -
MORE INFORMATION
If you are looking for more information, call the Day & Stay program at 519-754-4065 or the Alzheimer Society of Brant at 519-759-7692.
more information - backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
John Noble Home pilot project offers weekly respite for seniors dealing with early stages of memory loss Posted By HEATHER IBBOTSON, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Thursdays are days to remember for a group of seniors coping with the early stages of memory loss. The 11 current participants in the John Noble Home Day & Stay program enjoy informal chats, games, outings and activities that encourage them to stay engaged with a world that is slowly slipping away.
"If you're alone, you're in a cocoon," said group member John Stulen.
"A group like this is a real lifesaver. It gives you confidence."
The participants are outpatients in the early stages of memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
The Day & Stay program is a pilot project that began last July. It has already piqued the interest of other facilities across the province, said program co-ordinator Carol Howarth.
"It's unique. There's not one like it in Ontario," she said.
Each Thursday, a John Noble Home van picks up participants at their homes and delivers them to the facility for an afternoon of friendship, recreation, entertainment, activities and dinner.
The program's purpose is to improve the quality of life for people in the early stages of memory loss by providing resources, support and socialization opportunities.
"It gives them back some control," Howarth said.
It's also "the highlight of the week," according to Stulen.
"We learn from each other," he said. "Being together makes you feel better."
Norma Wilson, a former nurse who once worked with dementia patients, said she has learned a lot from the program after being diagnosed herself last year.
There is also the all-important sense of camaraderie, said Mary Pongrac.
A diagnosis of dementia carries with it a huge stigma and participants need to learn that it is OK to talk about the condition and its impact on their lives, Howarth said.
The idea used to be to hide the condition and "put it in the closet," she said.
The group's focus is to speak out and put a spotlight on the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and cialization, she said.
Memory loss is "not contagious," said group member Bruce Kyle.
Members talk with each other and with program counsellors about the frustration and loss of control over one's life that comes with memory loss.
"It's a shock to find out there's something wrong that can't be repaired," Stulen said.
Robert Nelles, a volunteer at John Noble Home, said his wife has termed the experience "frightening and overwhelming."
Nelles had already been volunteering at the John Noble Home for two years, spending time with patients in more acute stages, when his wife Marion was diagnosed last fall with a type of advancing memory loss.
Nelles, who lives near Waterford, said that both he and his wife had started to notice something was off.
He said the clincher came when an ordinary shopping trip turned frightening. Marion, who also suffers from the pain and exhaustion of polymyalgia, had driven to Simcoe alone to buy groceries. When she trundled the cart to her car, she found herself unable to unload the bags and she had to ask a stranger for help.
Tired and stressed, she finally settled in the driver's seat and put the key in the ignition, only to realize she had no idea how to get home.
"She sat there for 10 or 15 minutes before it dawned on her," her husband said.
Marion is now also a member of the Thursday Day & Stay group and Robert has added Thursdays to his volunteer rotation.
"I think the group has gelled, like a ball team," he said, adding that members seem at ease talking with each other and sharing their stories.
"When they do that, everyone learns," he said.
- - -
MORE INFORMATION
If you are looking for more information, call the Day & Stay program at 519-754-4065 or the Alzheimer Society of Brant at 519-759-7692.
more information - backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
Thursday, January 08, 2009
- The 10 Biggest and Deadliest Heart Myths - siegholle@gmail.com
http://mail.google.com/mail/?account_id=siegholle%40gmail.com#inbox/11eb653ec832a22f
How Many of These Deadly Fairy Tales Do You (and Your Doctor) Still Believe?CAUTION: Ignorance may be very hazardous to your healthWhy has the number of heart attacks increased by 27 percent over the past 20 years? What's going on here?Don't we know more about how to prevent heart attacks than ever?Haven't we been swallowing our statins, lowering our cholesterol, and eating fat-free foods?Could we be mistaken about some things?Dr. Michael Mogadam certainly thinks we are. His research -- proven by his amazing success with even high-risk patients -- is turning conventional wisdom about heart health upside down.Word is getting out.
But the medical community is slow to change.That's why, if avoiding a heart attack or stroke is important to you, I want you to be among the first to know...
The 10 Biggest and Deadliest Heart MythsMyth #1 -- Heart disease and heart attacks are an inevitable part of aging.Myth #2 -- Cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease and heart attacks.Myth #3 -- Blood pressure drugs help you avoid heart problems and live longer.Myth #4 -- Aggressive, "type A" behavior increases your risk of a heart attack.Myth #5 -- Low-fat, low cholesterol diets are good for you and your heart.Myth #6 -- Any exercise is always good for your heart.Myth #7 -- There are two kinds of cholesterol: Good and bad.Myth #8 -- You should eat less salt.Myth #9 -- You should lose weight if you're "overweight."Myth #10 -- There's no way to absolutely, positively avoid a heart attack.If you believe any of these outdated fairy tales, this Special Report will be a real eyeopener. And possibly a real lifesaver.
Because the truth is...Truth #1 -- Your risk of a heart attack does NOT have to increase as you age. (In fact, keep reading and you'll learn how to completely eliminate it!)Truth #2 -- Most people who die of heart disease have low or normal cholesterol levels. Focus on cholesterol and you can easily overlook much more important risk factors. Truth #3 -- Blood pressure drugs usually don't help you live longer or lower your heart attack risk (unless you follow the advice in this Special Report).Truth #4 -- Being an aggressive, "type A" personality is perfectly harmless to your heart. But certain overlooked emotions do skyrocket your risk.Truth #5 -- Low-fat, lowcholesterol diets are even worse than useless (and so depressing). They can actually harm you. (We'll tell you how.)Truth #6 -- Strenuous exercise can actually increase your risk of heart disease by 10,000 percent.Truth #7 -- There's good, good cholesterol and bad, good cholesterol. Likewise, there's bad cholesterol and REALLY bad cholesterol. (Many die because they don't know this information.)Truth #8 -- Only some people benefit from eating less salt. Eating too little salt can actually be harmful.Truth #9 -- Likewise, only some people considered "overweight" really need to lose weight for their heart health. It depends on one factor.Truth #10 -- You can absolutely, positively eliminate any risk of a heart attack for yourself and those you love
How Many of These Deadly Fairy Tales Do You (and Your Doctor) Still Believe?CAUTION: Ignorance may be very hazardous to your healthWhy has the number of heart attacks increased by 27 percent over the past 20 years? What's going on here?Don't we know more about how to prevent heart attacks than ever?Haven't we been swallowing our statins, lowering our cholesterol, and eating fat-free foods?Could we be mistaken about some things?Dr. Michael Mogadam certainly thinks we are. His research -- proven by his amazing success with even high-risk patients -- is turning conventional wisdom about heart health upside down.Word is getting out.
But the medical community is slow to change.That's why, if avoiding a heart attack or stroke is important to you, I want you to be among the first to know...
The 10 Biggest and Deadliest Heart MythsMyth #1 -- Heart disease and heart attacks are an inevitable part of aging.Myth #2 -- Cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease and heart attacks.Myth #3 -- Blood pressure drugs help you avoid heart problems and live longer.Myth #4 -- Aggressive, "type A" behavior increases your risk of a heart attack.Myth #5 -- Low-fat, low cholesterol diets are good for you and your heart.Myth #6 -- Any exercise is always good for your heart.Myth #7 -- There are two kinds of cholesterol: Good and bad.Myth #8 -- You should eat less salt.Myth #9 -- You should lose weight if you're "overweight."Myth #10 -- There's no way to absolutely, positively avoid a heart attack.If you believe any of these outdated fairy tales, this Special Report will be a real eyeopener. And possibly a real lifesaver.
Because the truth is...Truth #1 -- Your risk of a heart attack does NOT have to increase as you age. (In fact, keep reading and you'll learn how to completely eliminate it!)Truth #2 -- Most people who die of heart disease have low or normal cholesterol levels. Focus on cholesterol and you can easily overlook much more important risk factors. Truth #3 -- Blood pressure drugs usually don't help you live longer or lower your heart attack risk (unless you follow the advice in this Special Report).Truth #4 -- Being an aggressive, "type A" personality is perfectly harmless to your heart. But certain overlooked emotions do skyrocket your risk.Truth #5 -- Low-fat, lowcholesterol diets are even worse than useless (and so depressing). They can actually harm you. (We'll tell you how.)Truth #6 -- Strenuous exercise can actually increase your risk of heart disease by 10,000 percent.Truth #7 -- There's good, good cholesterol and bad, good cholesterol. Likewise, there's bad cholesterol and REALLY bad cholesterol. (Many die because they don't know this information.)Truth #8 -- Only some people benefit from eating less salt. Eating too little salt can actually be harmful.Truth #9 -- Likewise, only some people considered "overweight" really need to lose weight for their heart health. It depends on one factor.Truth #10 -- You can absolutely, positively eliminate any risk of a heart attack for yourself and those you love
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