AIDS conference opens in Rome (AP)

ROME – The head of the United Nations AIDS program called Sunday for an increase in access to drugs that help treat or prevent the spread of the disease, saying it is "morally wrong" to keep millions of people off lifesaving medication.

Michael Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS, said the gap in access to HIV treatment should be closed both within and between countries.

Sidibe called for better delivery on the ground, a reduction in the number of years it now takes to turn scientific discoveries into actual progress for the poor, and increased cooperation among states, pharmaceutical companies and international organizations.

"We must use innovation to overcome social division and inequity," he said at the opening of an international AIDS conference in Rome.

In Africa, the hardest hit continent, 6.6 million people are now on AIDS medication, but 9 million people eligible for treatment are on waiting lists, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States, many state assistance programs that help people access AIDS medications also have waiting lists.

"Most of those people don't know what'll happen to them. Do we tell them that they should die?" Sidibe said. "Having 9 million people wait day and night with their families is morally wrong. It is socially unacceptable."

The conference opened a few days after the announcement of a significant scientific breakthrough in stopping the spread of the virus: Two studies conducted in Africa showed that an antiretroviral drug made by United States firm Gilead Sciences already known to help prevent the spread of the virus in gay men also works for heterosexual men and women, researchers said. One of the studies showed the drug lowered the risk of infection for those believed to be regularly taking the pills by roughly 78 percent, the researcher reported.

In both studies, participants were also offered counseling and free condoms, which may help explain the relatively low overall infection rate.

According to figures provided at the conference, more than 25 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses since the beginning of the pandemic 30 years ago, and an estimated 33.3 million people are currently living with HIV. Every day, 7,000 people across the world are infected, and more than 4,900 die from AIDS-related illness.

Even as conference speakers hailed the encouraging scientific advances, questions remained unanswered: How to make sure people remain on treatment, how to achieve universal coverage and how to reduce the risk of people abandoning condoms? Sidibe said these questions needed urgent answers.

And, he added, any discovery must be translated more quickly into policies accessible to those who need treatments, particularly in poor nations. Sidibe also said any trade agreement that would limit access to medication, especially generic ones, should be opposed.

That concern was shared by Elly Katabira, the president of the International AIDS Society and conference chair, who said: "I hope our voice will be heard in asking that access to all drugs, including generic drugs, will not be diminished by new laws or regulations anywhere in the world."

Gilead Sciences Inc., based in California, is a major producer of AIDS drugs. Two of its pills — Truvada and Viread — were used in the recent studies conducted in Botswana, Kenya and Uganda. The company has recently agreed to allow a range of its AIDS drugs to be made by generic manufacturers, potentially increasing their availability in poor countries.

The conference organized by IAS gathers some 5,000 researchers, scientists, clinicians and public health experts. It runs through Wednesday.

Magic of the “qi” in chinese medicine

Posted in Uncategorized - Written by on March 17, 2011

Chinese medicine has made significant contributions in the field of medicine and cure. There are many remedies that originated in China and have proved to be of great help in healing people across the world. According to the people of China, there is a universal life force or energy called “chi” or “qi” that pervades the entire human body. The “chi” flows via unseen energy channels known as meridians. As long as the flow of chi is smooth and unobstructed, the individual remains fit and healthy. But the moment there are irregularities in the circulation of chi, health of the person receives a setback. So in order to remain healthy, consistency in the current of chi should be maintained.

To have a sustainable flow of chi, Chinese medical philosophers devised several ways. Some of the best and eminent techniques are listed in this article.

Chinese traditional herbal remedies are great for hypertension and other cardiac problems. In case of deficiency of the heart a mixture of hawthorn, ginseng, Indian bread and Logan Aril is given.

Arthritis and Inflammation also find a good treatment in Chinese herbs. Medicines like Glabrous Greenbrier Rhizome and Snow Pear are found to be tremendously effective in this area.

Chinese doctors have always emphasized the importance of exercise. They also worked out a special method or style of exercising. This method was named as ‘qigong’. Qigong is deemed to bi-function as a fitness developing and enhancing scheme and also as a springboard for superior martial arts. A set of qigong exercises has acted as perfect medicine in many cases.

The Chinese herbs have something to offer in case of common cold, flu, fever and influenza etc. Isatis Root, Dyers Woad Leaf, Common Selfheal Fruit Spike is beat in averting cold or flu. It stimulates the production of infection resistant white blood cells in the body.

This however is not all. Chinese herbs and other remedies like exercises have a record-breaking significance in human life. They have largely contributed to the maintenance of a perfect health.

Injection Drug Users Most in Need of Treatment, Study Says (HealthDay)

FRIDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Injection drug users have the greatest need for substance abuse treatment, regardless of what types of drugs they use, according to a new study.

Since injection drug users suffer higher rates of abuse, dependence and other physical and psychological problems, researchers argued their findings could help treatment programs specialize their care to target these high-risk individuals.

"Our findings indicate that injection drug use is associated with substantially more substance abuse-related problems than non-injection drug use, including a higher prevalence of dependence, unemployment, and co-occurring mental and physical disorders," said the study's lead author Scott Novak, senior behavioral health epidemiologist at RTI International in an RTI news release.

"These problems appear to characterize a treatment-resistant population in need of specialized treatments," he concluded.

The study was published in the July issue of the Journal of Addictive Diseases.

To investigate injection drug use, the researchers compiled data from the National Survey on Drug use and Health, an annual U.S. survey of about 70,000 children and adults.

Among the study's findings, researchers revealed those living in rural areas were more likely to inject drugs than those residing in either urban or suburban areas. Injection drug users were also more likely than those using drugs in other ways to be aged 35 and older, unemployed, and to not have a high school diploma.

"This study confirms a longstanding belief that injection drug users are a unique population with their own treatment needs, regardless of what drug they inject," concluded Novak. "By learning more about how routes of administration are related to user characteristics, we could improve our ability to tailor substance abuse treatment and prevention strategies to individual users."

The study's authors also noted that injection drug users are more commonly arrested or jailed than other types of drug abusers. As a result, individualized treatment for injection drug users should extend to those who are incarcerated.

More information

The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides more information on substance abuse treatment.

Treat Hormonal Imbalances With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Every young teenage girl can't wait til they get their period, so they have experienced the right of passage into adulthood. Unfortunately, they are unaware of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Luckily, there is a cure to the cramps, fatigue and mood swings that does not involve amphetamines.? Asian cultures have been using Traditional Chinese Medicine? (TCM) to treat the hormonal imbalances that accompany menstrual cycle related symptoms for centuries. Chinese medicine calls this an imbalance of Qi in the reproductive and other related organs. Acupuncture and herbs can re-establish the flow of Qi and bring a balance to the?body allowing the body to function optimally without hormone regulators such as a birth control pills.? Often the underlying problem with PMS is the hormonal imbalance.?Estrogen levels are commonly to high in relation to progesterone levels.?What’s causing this imbalance??The most common cause is our diets.?Hormones are sensitive and overeating and obesity often lead to conversion of androgens to estrogen by aromatase. ?High fat diets, refined sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods and artificial sweeteners, dairy products and even commercially raised livestock are all a source of estrogen exposure.?Limiting our exposure of so called "artificial or xeno-estrogens" is not difficult, when eating a balanced healthy diet and ?hormone free meat. ? Not surprising, exercise helps keep the balance, whereas alcohol and constipation both disrupt the balance.Regulating hormone levels ?is a key component to combating PMS and?Chinese herbs ?can help maintain a hormone balance through several methods. (See PMS Relief Herbs Pac) Many Chinese herbs?have hormone enhancing properties.?? One such herb is Dang Gui.? Several new studies?have examined dang gui with a combination of herbs also called herbal formulas.? We know herb formulas or combination of herbs are very effective and since dang gui is? known as the?“women's ginseng” it's an indispensable herb for PMS symptoms. ?Although contradicting literature has been published on the phytoestrogen content in dang gui, it does have a plethora of?well established and proven actions. In TCM it is a blood tonic and has warming and dispersing actions.? Numerous studies prove dang gui and other Chinese herbs nourish our blood. Monthly blood loss take a toll on women over time,? a healthy diet, including herbs are the fuel necessary to replenishing the blood that is lost each month. Many Chinese herbs contain high amounts of essential fatty acids? which also help maintain our natural hormonal balance.? Some do this by improving liver functions. The liver is viewed as part of the reproductive system in Chinese medicine. ? It’s imperative to help the liver regulate the production of prostaglandins hormones and strengthen the?livers ability to synthesize?proteins and fat. This facilitates the bodies ability to regulate itself. Bupleurum and Rehmannia are two traditional Chinese herbs ?which have clinically tested and proven liver tonifying properties.? Strengthening liver functions is another way Chinese herbs helps an over-active uterus and therefore reduce PMS symptoms. Advil, Tylenol and other NSAIDS only cover up your pain and can cause more harm to your liver function.?Chinese herbs work at the root of the disharmony. A recent study of 549 women in Australia documented results on the severity of PMS and the effectiveness of Chinese herbs to reduce the severity.[1] By restoring the imbalance in the reproductive system, herbal medicine can prevent?monthly menstrual cramps, depression, PMS, and abdominal pain.?
Maintaining a healthy hormone balance (part of homeostasis) is essential throughout life and will undoubtedly also help PMS symptoms. Be in control of your body and how it functions.?Give yourself healthy foods and plant based medicine like Chinese herbs and you’ll naturally balance your body’s energy and restore your body’s natural hormone balance.For more information on this subject call us and talk to our Licensed Acupuncturist/herbalist. Go to Contact Page.Notes:?“When the balance of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are off, it causes?an inability of conversion from linoleic acid to GLA resulting in increasing the risk of over production of PGE2 and premenstrual pain and cramps.”[2]2.?? ?Dijsselbloem N, Vanden Berghe W, De Naeyer A, Haegeman G. Soy isoflavonephyto-pharmaceuticals in interleukin-6 affections. Multi-purpose nutraceuticals atthe crossroad of hormone replacement, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory therapy.Biochem Pharmacol. 2004;68(6):1171-1185. estrogen disruptors induce precocious puberty? Minerva Pediatr. 2006;58(3)3. Lee JM, Appugliese D, Kaciroti N, Corwyn RF, Bradley RH, Lumeng JC. Weight statusin young girls and the onset of puberty. Pediatrics. 2007;119(3):e624-e630.4.Steingraber S. Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment. Boston, Mass: Addison Wesley Publishing Co; 1997.5. Wiksten-Almstromer M, Hirschberg AL, Hagenfeldt K. Menstrual disorders and associated factors among adolescent girls visiting a youth clinic. Acta Obstet GynecolScand. 2007;86(1):65-72.?6. Halbreich U, Borenstein J, Pearlstein T, Kahn LS. The prevalence, impairment,impact, and burden of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMS/PMDD).Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2003;28 Suppl 3:1-23.

7.?Medical Herbology & Pharmacology by John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen?Art of??? Medicine Press, 2004

This post is proud to be part of? thekathleenshow.com Prevention not Prescription Tuesday's blog roll.

Category: Chinese Medicine, Herbs for PMS & Menstrual Cramps | Tags: Alternative Medicine, Chinese Herb, Chinese Herbs, Chinese Medicine, Menstrual cramps, natural pms relief, natural remedies, PMS, pms fatigue relief, PMS herbs, prevent menstrual cramps Comment ?

Medicare Part D sees falling drug costs: study (Reuters)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Cheaper generic drugs will continue to hold down costs for the U.S. government, insurers and patients enrolled in the federal prescription drug benefit, according to a report released on Friday.

Researchers said eight of the ten most commonly prescribed drug classes covered by the program known as Medicare Part D have fallen to an average daily cost of therapy of $1 in December 2010 from $1.50 in January 2006.

This trend toward cheaper generic drugs, as brand-name patents expire, is expected to continue through 2015, said the study by Murray Aitken of the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics and Ernst Berndt of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The study forecast the average cost of therapy to fall to 65 cents a day by the end of 2015, or 57 percent lower than it was in January 2006.

The findings could temper some of the concern over the growing costs of Part D that subsidizes medicines for seniors and disabled Medicare patients who pay some of the costs through insurance plans and out of pocket.

Part D went into effect in 2006 after being created under 2003 legislation passed by a Republican-led Congress and signed into law by then-President George W. Bush. It has been criticized for being insufficiently funded, a costly drag on the healthcare system and a contributor to the national debt.

Companies such as Aetna Inc, CVS Caremark Corp and Humana Inc sell the Part D plans, but are overseen by the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Last year, 34.5 million Americans were enrolled in Part D plans, receiving an average of $1,789 in benefits, according to a report issued in May by the Medicare Trustees.

The trustees said almost $62 billion was spent on Part D prescription drug benefits in 2010 and projected that this year's spending will reach $67 billion, growing to almost $157 billion by 2020 as the aging U.S. population sees more and more people enroll.

But the authors of Friday's study said that may be overstating the costs.

"The general conclusion we draw is that cost declines observed in the first five years of Medicare Part D can be expected to continue," the researchers wrote.

"The 2006-2015 decade is one of steadily decreasing average daily cost of therapy."

Berndt, a co-author, said CMS has fairly consistently over-projected future prescription drug costs.

"(It) doesn't properly take into account reasonably predictable patent protection expirations," he told reporters on a conference call.

Tumeric is a Sensational Spice

In India, Tumeric is one of the the most used herbs, and this herb is used extensively in Chinese Medicine. It is even gaining popularity as the “Alzheimer’s preventing? herb”.?? It is Dr. Oz approved! But what Dr. Oz doesn’t talk about? is the thousands years plus, of historical medicinal use of this “spice of life”.?? Chinese herb pharmacopoeia? categorizes turmeric as a blood regulator.?? What this means is turmeric’s? most? bio-active constituents called “curcuminoids”? have been documented as? blood movers.?? As such, it has a wide range of benefits one being an? excellent natural anti-inflammatory.? Studies show it benefits wound healing and helps speed the? remodeling of skin, so it’s great for minor cuts and burns.

In regards to Alzheimer’s disease, turmeric (Curcuma Longa) along with it’s commonly substituted ?Curcuma Aromatica from the same specie, ?may slow the progression of this disease by? removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain. ? Turmeric, which, as with many Chinese herbs is seen in at least three different? species in the same genus, is a natural antiseptic, antibacterial and antispasmodic.? Chinese Medicine has used turmeric for the treatment of depression ?and for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. ?It reduces cholesterol, helps liver function and stimulates bile production which aids digestion.? Turmeric has also been used successfully for? inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease. ? Turmeric should not be used by pregnant women,? it’s blood moving qualities make it contraindicated during pregnancy.

Now that Western researchers have conducted a number of well publicized studies on turmeric which prove scientifically it’s many benefits to health,? Chinese Medicine is vindicated for what it’s known for generations.? Hopefully one day Eastern and Western medicine will cease to be adversaries and form a partnership based on the integration of their knowledge and their? mutual goal of improving the health and well being of people everywhere. ?Until then, enjoy some turmeric in your food often ?to keep your cholesterol in check and ?to improve your overall health.? Food should be your first medicine.

I found this on the Mayo-Clinic web site, thought it might interest some people.

Health Tip: Controlling Your Diabetes (HealthDay)

(HealthDay News) -- Tight diabetes control means carefully managing your meals, exercise and medication to ensure that your blood glucose levels are stable.

The American Diabetes Association mentions these potential benefits of tight diabetes control:

Lower risk of diabetic eye disease, kidney disease and nerve disease.Reduced risk of any existing diabetes complications getting worse.Increased energy levels and simply feeling better.More flexibility with meal schedules.Reduced risk of birth defects in offspring if you become pregnant.