More on Happiness

Interesting Ted Talk about happiness; the earlier pessimism of it and Nancy's defining of it.
http://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_etcoff_on_happiness_and_why_we_want_it.html

Cognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff looks at happiness -- the ways we try to achieve and increase it, the way it's untethered to our real circumstances, and its surprising effect on our bodies.

WHO flu alerts to reflect severity as well as spread

Probably a good idea given the initial panic caused by the pandemic alert when H1N1 reached Malaysia and Singapore shores.

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GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) kept its pandemic flu alert at the second highest level on Friday but said that future changes would reflect how severe an outbreak was as well as how widespread.

The U.N. agency has been weighing how to revamp its pandemic alert scale to reflect both the severity of the flu as well as its geographic spread around the world.

This follows criticism that it may have caused undue panic about the new strain whose effects have been mainly mild apart from in Mexico, where it is known to have killed 103 people.

"There was a broad consensus on the importance of including information on severity in future announcements," said a statement issued after flu experts held hour-long talks.

The experts, meeting as WHO's emergency committee, made recommendations on a number of factors to be taken into account to assess the severity of an epidemic, it said, without giving details.

WHO's top flu expert Keiji Fukuda said this week that one idea was to add three severity notches to the highest marker of 6, so the overall level can reach the peak even if the flu's effects remain moderate, and then be adjusted again later if the virus causes more serious health problems.

The experts also maintained their advice against closing borders or restricting international travel to try to halt the continued spread of the H1N1 influenza virus, measures deemed ineffective.

Production of seasonal influenza vaccines should also continue for now, as work proceeds on developing a vaccine against the new strain, widely known as swine flu, it said.

The meeting, convened at the request of WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, did not consider crossing the threshold to the highest phase 6, according to WHO officials. That issue had not been on the formal agenda.

WHO's pandemic scale remains at the second-highest level, phase 5 on a scale of 1 to 6, meaning a pandemic is imminent.

Before Friday's changes, the WHO would have had to confirm sustained spread of the virus in one country in another region besides North America to declare a full-blown pandemic, although officials had made it clear they were already looking at how severe the epidemic was before going to the top level.

Earlier, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl told Reuters: "The director-general will use the occasion to ask the emergency committee members -- the 'flu gurus' around the world -- how and if we should have some sort of severity index within phase 6."

The experts discussed the latest findings about the virus and reviewed measures under WHO's International Health Regulations, which require countries to report promptly on outbreaks and intensify their surveillance for unusual signs.

The new strain has infected 21,940 people in 69 countries, killing 125 of them, according to the WHO. Mexico, the United States and Canada have borne the brunt of the illness and a case was confirmed in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Fukuda, the WHO's acting assistant director-general, said on Tuesday that the virus' spread in Australia, Britain, Chile, Japan, and Spain had nudged the world closer to a pandemic.

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSL5100610820090605?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=69

Happiness Has Nothing to Do with Wealth / Money Can Buy Happiness?

Interesting article about how pursuit of wealth often leads to more unhappiness than pursuing personal enrichment goals.

Article that follows is the flip side of that argument - a Study on How Money Can Buy Happiness.

Both articles are an interesting read.

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(Excerpt)
People's goals were divided into two categories: extrinsic (things like wealth, fame and personal image) and intrinsic (for example, meaningful relationships, health and personal growth). Achieving intrinsic goals led to higher self-esteem and a greater sense of well-being, the researchers statistical analysis revealed.

http://www.livescience.com/health/090528-goals-happiness-2.html

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Study: How Money Can Buy Happiness
(Excerpt)
You've heard many times that money can't buy happiness. That probably never stopped you from shopping. But a new study suggests you might want to spend more on doing things and less on stuff.

http://www.livescience.com/health/090207-money-happiness.html
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5 Keys to Happiness
http://www.livescience.com/health/080822-top5-keys-happiness.html

Mental Health: Understanding One Self

I believe part of overall health is how you take care of your own mental health. That includes trying to understand yourself and with that understanding, striving to be maybe be better and happier.

A friend of mine introduced this to me recently. This school of thought divides people into 9 personality types. You could possibly have spikes across several different traits. It does give some structure to your thought process and believe systems.

1 Reformer I do everything the right way. "produces order"

2 Helper I must help others. "humble goodness"

3 Motivator I need to succeed. "Succ-esssss"

4 Romantic I am unique. "tragedy queen"

5 Thinker I need to understand the world. "full of disclaimers"

6 Skeptic I am affectionate and skeptical. "fortress mentality"

7 Enthusiast I am happy and open to new things. "dizzy flirt"

8 Leader I must be strong. "I'm Stalin!"

9 Peacemaker I am at peace. "diversions"


What matters to us changes as the years pass and its interesting to take the test over time to see how these shifts are reflected in personality types.

To take the abbreviated test: http://www.9types.com/

To understand the personality types: http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

FDA takes issue with Cheerios health claims

The claims on the box are rather drug-like. I wonder if it does get classified as a drug, its gonna be Over The Counter or prescribed?

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Box labels suggest cereal can lower cholesterol and treat heart disease

Federal regulators are scolding the maker of Cheerios, saying it made inappropriate claims about the popular cereal's ability to lower cholesterol and treat heart disease.

The Food and Drug Administration says in a warning letter to General Mills that language on the Cheerios box suggests the cereal is designed to prevent or treat heart disease. Regulators say that only FDA-approved drugs are allowed to make such claims.
Among other claims, the labeling states: "you can lower your cholesterol 4 percent in six weeks."
Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

General Mills said the health claims on Cheerios have been approved for 12 years and the FDA's complaints deal with how the language appears on the box. The company said in a statement that the science was not in question.


Associated Press

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Read another guy's perspective on this: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/272571

Rx Scripts Spike in Wake of Swine Flu

This writer categorises the H1N1 flu as milder than originally perceived. Article is also about 45% increase in prescriptions of Tamiflu and Relenza.

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May 6th, 2009 by George Koroneos

The milder than originally perceived H1N1 “swine flu” might have government officials and physicians pondering the depth of its impact, but one thing that is hard to ignore is the impact the illness has had on the pharmaceutical industry’s new prescription figures.

According data issued on Monday by healthcare analytical firm SDI, new antiviral prescriptions jumped 19 times in the week after the H1N1 outbreak started getting mainstream media attention.

In the week ending May 1, more than 277,000 prescriptions of Tamiflu, Relenza, and other antivirals were dispensed at retail pharmacies. During the highest point in the 2009 flu season (week ending 2/27/2009), only 154,673 antiviral prescriptions were written.

Cervarix Get Better Immuno Response Than Gardasil

12 May 09

The results of the first head-to-head trial of the two cervical cancer vaccines has shown Cervarix, used in the national vaccination campaign, elicits a better immune response in women than Gardasil.

The trial of 1,110 US women aged 18-45 found Cervarix induced the production of 2.7 times more memory B cells – a key measure of immune response – than Gardasil for HPV types 16 and 18. Tolerability and safety results were similar for the two vaccines.


Dr Anne Szarewski, clinical consultant at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine said: ‘This study offers evidence for the first time that the two HPV vaccines do not generate the same level of response against the two most common cancer causing virus types.’

The results were presented at the International Papillomavirus Conference in Malmö, Sweden.

Glaxo is set to present other data supporting Cervarix, including potential evidence that it offers some protection against additional HPV types, and that its immune-response levels last for at least 7.3 years after vaccination. Merck previously had data suggesting Gardasil could protect against additional HPV types but the FDA declined to incorporate this into the prescribing label.

Separately, Merck is presenting data showing an experimental precursor to Gardasil, a vaccine targeting just one HPV type, had sustained efficacy for an average of 8.5 years after vaccination. In another study, Gardasil reduced the number of abnormal Pap tests and subsequent procedures designed to ward off cervical cancer. Pap tests screen for cervical cancer.

More details here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124178398935000581.html

http://www.ippf.org/en/News/Intl+news/Glaxo+Study+Cervarix+Immune+Response+Tops+Gardasils.htm
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4122666&c=2

Great Write-Up On A Positive Perspective

Really like this post a lot. It reminds me to constantly look on the positive side of things and to be grateful for all that happens.

When we are in that positive state, not just our mental health but our emotional and physical health benefit as well.

How we perceive things and the world around us in a large part determines whether or not we are going to be happy. Our perceptions, most often, are clouded by a set of assumptions which most often are not true at all.

Suffering Lies in Your Perception of the Fact and Not the Fact Itself
by HARRISON BARNES on MAY 11, 2009
http://www.aharrisonbarnes.com/2009/05/suffering-lies-in-your-perception-of-the-fact-and-not-the-fact-itself/

WHO H1N1 Update: 11 May 2009

11 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 11 May 2009, 30 countries have officially reported 4694 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 1626 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 48 deaths. The United States has reported 2532 laboratory confirmed human cases, including three deaths. Canada has reported 284 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (2, comprising 1 in China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 1 in mainland China), Colombia (3), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), France (13), Germany (11), Guatemala (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (15), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (95), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (47).

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO web site on a regular basis.

WHO H1N! Website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

H1N1 Headlines: H1N1 Flu tops 1,000 mark

Swine Flu H1N1 Dashboard - a good resource of information:
http://www.netvibes.com/cabialerts#CDC_and_WHO_Info

UNITED NATIONS - THE number of H1N1 flu victims topped the 1,000 mark on Monday as the United Nations' most senior health official warned a second wave of the virus could be far worse.

As Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, prepared for the reopening on Wednesday of restaurants and businesses shuttered by the virus, the number of affected countries climbed once again.
Mexico raised its confirmed swine flu toll to 26 deaths on Monday, but said the epidemic appeared to be slowing. The previous toll, given late Sunday, was 22 people dead and 568 infected.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/World/Story/STIStory_372502.html

REUTERS - VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - An Alberta girl has been hospitalized in Canada's first serious case of the H1N1 flu, as the country's confirmed cases climbed to 140, health officials said on Monday.

Officials had expected to discover people suffering more serious effects from the virus as the disease progresses, even though all other cases in Canada have involved only mild symptoms.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE5436DK20090504

SwineFlu H1N1 Update: First time WHO has declared a 1st Phase Five Outbreak

This is the first time, that WHO has declared a first Phase Five outbreak. This can be referred as the second highest level in the threat scale. According to Margaret Chan, the Director General of WHO, if the pandemic breaks out then it can be a threat to the entire humanity, but they are still not equipped with the answer that how severe the pandemic can be but they have taken it as a great opportunity to take all the necessary actions and combat it.

The virus, which is liable for spreading the disease has already been recognized and it is been found that, it happens to be a mix of the pig, bird and human genes. Human beings don’t have natural immunity to these breed of virus. The virus has already spread to about nine countries and is still spreading at a rapid scale.

The records of World Health Organization reveal that the first pandemic of Swine Flu occurred in the year 1968 and spread to eight nations and 11 states in USA.

WHO along with other health authorities are on their way to develop a Swine Flu vaccination. For, Swine Flu, although, there is a vaccine for the pigs, but no vaccination has been generated for human beings. It had also been specified by WHO, that they are well prepared to cope up with the situation, if the pandemic will hit Phase 6.

Map of latest outbreaks: http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/

WHO Alert Raised to Phase 5 for Swine Flu (H1N1)

Latest from WHO:
30 April 2009 -- From today, WHO will refer to the new influenza virus as influenza A(H1N1).

From the CDC:
In response to an intensifying outbreak in the United States and internationally caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009.

A Phase 5 alert is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”

The United States Government has declared a public health emergency in the United States.

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

From Reuters:
Mexico began shutting down all non-essential work and services on Thursday to slow the spread of a new flu strain as officials urged increased worldwide precautions against an imminent pandemic.

The World Health Organization said it would remain for now at its current alert level -- one step below full pandemic -- and that it would no longer refer to the H1N1 virus as "swine flu" to appease beleaguered meat producers.

New confirmed flu cases were reported in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Almost all infections outside of Mexico have been mild, only a handful of patients have required hospital treatment, and most global markets have shrugged off concerns.

Q&A On Swine Flu by BBC

SWINE FLU - THE BASICS

- Symptoms usually similar to seasonal flu - but deaths recorded in Mexico

- It is a new version of the H1N1 strain which caused the 1918 flu pandemic

- Too early to say whether it will lead to a pandemic

- Current treatments do work, but there is no vaccine

- Good personal hygiene, such as washing hands, covering nose when sneezing advised


How dangerous is it?
Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
These include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue.
It is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health: each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world.

So far, most cases of swine flu around the world appear to be mild, albeit with diarrhoea more common than is found with seasonal flu.

But lives have been lost in Mexico, and a single death - of a Mexican child - has been confirmed in the US.


WHO Pandemic Alert Phases

Phase 1: No infections in humans are being caused by viruses circulating in animals.

Phase 2: Animal flu virus causes infection in humans, and is a potential pandemic threat.

Phase 3: Flu causes sporadic cases in people, but no significant human-to-human transmission.

Phase 4: Human-to-human transmission and community-level outbreaks.

Phase 5: Human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. Strong signal pandemic imminent.

Phase 6: Virus spreads to another country in a different region. Global pandemic under way.

Post-peak: Pandemic activity appears to be decreasing though second wave possible.

Post-pandemic: activity returns to normal, seasonal flu levels.

For full article, please visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8021958.stm

Google Maps Track Swine Flu

Found this in one of the twitter feeds I'm following on Swine Flu.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&source=embed

updated: new tracker at: http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/

Developments On Swine Flu Worldwide from Associated Press on 28 Apr 2009
Key developments on swine flu outbreaks, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and government officials:

-Deaths: 152, all in Mexico, 20 confirmed as swine flu and rest suspected.

-Sickened: 1,995 people in Mexico got pneumonia but swine flu not yet confirmed. 51 confirmed in U.S., including 28 at one New York City school.

- Elsewhere, six confirmed in Canada; two confirmed in Scotland and seven suspected; 11 confirmed and 43 suspected in New Zealand; two confirmed and 25 suspected in Spain; two confirmed in Israel; one suspected in South Korea; one suspected in France; 13 being tested in Sweden; 12 being tested in Denmark; five awaiting test results in Norway.

-Worldwide: WHO raises alert to Phase 4 of 6, noting disease spreads easily but isn't pandemic.

http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/766146.html

Juggling & Brain Growth

This is a hobby I picked up about 9 months ago which I use now and then to destress.

Sometimes when I hit a road-block at brainstorms or when I'm cracking my head for solutions, I take a break and juggle away for a few minutes. A sense of release eases through my muscles and head. When I put my mind back to the solution later I'm sometimes surprised by different perspectives and ideas that come forth.

A 2004 report from the University of Regensburg in Germany found that learning to juggle causes certain areas of your brain to grow. So far it seems to be the only form of activity that causes brain growth.

The researchers discovered that absolute newcomers to juggling who juggled over a period of three months increased their gray matter in areas associated with visual motion.

The experiment's human test subjects' brains returned to their original size when they stopped juggling. 'The brain is like a muscle, we need to exercise it," said Dr Arne May.

"Our results contradict the traditionally held view that the anatomical structure of the adult human brain does not alter, except for changes in morphology caused by ageing or pathological conditions," their study says.

So for those who worry about decreasing brain matter as we age, here's something to try out.

http://learnhowtojuggle.info/

Reference and more information:
Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U. and May A. Neuroplasticity: changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427:311-312, 2004.

Quitting Smoking

After 17 years of smoking, I managed to quit in Sept 2007 (one and a half years now).

I keep getting asked how I've stayed off cigarettes so long so I'm writing this to share with all those who are trying to quit as well.

During those years puffing away on cigarettes, I had tried several times to stop. Most attempts lasted a few months and I'd usually pick up a cigarette again when I encountered stress, was out drinking or got emotional.

On my last attempt, I was struggling with the urge to smoke quite a bit when a close friend told me not to quit using the will power method as that was very likely to fail. Statistically, with no programme at all, 95% of quitters fail, and only 5% succeed*.

So it's wise to get help. Whether in the form of a book or a programme.

These books & programmes help us to learn to be smoke free. After years of thinking we need to smoke and being conditioned to want to smoke at specific situations, like after a meal, learning to be smoke free is often necessary in order to successfully quit.

What worked for me was the book by Allen Carr entitled The Easyway To Stop Smoking

Some quitters have opted for medication and the reported initial success rate is 36% upon completion of therapy. A follow-up study showed a 30% success rate, after one year*.

With Nicotine Replacement Therapy the initial success rate is less -- 23%, and only 15% after one year*.

When medication and NRT is used in combination under a physician's care, the success rate was 39%, and 35.5% at one year. This study was published in the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE in March, 1999.

Getting help to quit is key to successfully being smoke free.

As this blog puts it: "There is a difference between just trying to abandon smoking and learning how to quit smoking."

See: http://www.easyquitsystem.com/blog/quit-smoking-cold-turkey-success-rates/

So if you're thinking of quitting, try the book first to find out how to live life smoke free and release yourself from dependence on cigarettes.

Speak to your doctor or healthcare professional if that doesn't work.



More info:
Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking
Priced at RM49.50 at Kinokuniya Malaysia
Priced at $26.70 at Kinokuniya Singapore
Quitting Champ

* source http://www.tobaccofree.org/quitlinks.htm

Poll #1 : What's the best way to remind you to go to the doctor for your next appointment?

Was doing a poll for work and this was the response:

What's the best way to remind you to go to the doctor for your next appointment?
- SMS reminder from the clinic 41 (82%)
- Phone call reminder 10 (20%)
- Email / Calendar Note 9 (18%)
- Give you a sticker which you can paste in your diary 4 (8%)
- Written in a Clinic Appointment Card 6 (12%)

Number of responses: 50

Thanks to all who submitted a response.

WHO World Malaria Day - 25 April 2009

Malaria continues to haunt 40% of the world's population. It infects more than 500 million people per year and kills more than 1 million. The burden of malaria is heaviest in sub-Saharan Africa but the disease also afflicts Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and even parts of Europe.

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.

Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.

Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes.

Power Over Cervical Cancer Campaign (Singapore)

Just launched a campaign in Singapore to help raise awareness about Cervical Cancer with a NGO. Society for Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology of Singapore



Visit www.sccps.org or www.pocc.sg to find out more

You can also take the Cervical Cancer Risk Test at the website.

There's also a hotline you can call to talk to nurses to find out more about Cervical Cancer on Mondays - Fridays, 9.30 - 5.00pm.

Singapore Toll Free Hotline is: 1 800 762 7622

Follow Your Dream No Matter How Old You Are

I'm reminded that you're never too old to try something you've always been dreaming of as I watch 47 Year old Susan Boyle wow the judges with her performance in the auditions of Britain's Got Talent.

Watching the first minute when everyone was laughing at her, you are later reminded after her moving performance not to be so cynical and to be more open to being surprised in life. One should never be afraid to follow your heart.

Lowering Metabolism with Age

I was super active until 2 years ago when work demands kept me away from the gym and laziness also got the better of me.

Over time, several things prompted me to think that maybe my metabolic rate was slowing down. I was eating less food and feeling full faster. Regular snacking or suppers was starting to show up rather quickly. I didn't feel as energetic as previously but kept thinking I'd swing back into high gear once I hit the gym again. The gym was always next week or the next week.

A friend of mine who's doing some research & a study on Asian on metabolic rates for a health conference started chatting about his work and this is what I found out to my dismay!

- 60% of one's resting metabolic rate is determined by one's organs, not muscles
- when the trainers tell people to pack on more muscles so that the metabolic rate will go up and they can burn more and lose weight, it's all hogwash
- you can't exactly increase your basal metabolic rate
- it declines with age
- regular exercise maintains it

A lower metabolic rate means its easier to put on weight and you can become lethargic.

The weight part I understand but the lethargic part got me worried. There are still quite a few things I want to do like the Great Wall Of China and camper-vanning through New Zealand and they require an energetic and active state of being.

Argh! Now I'm on a mission to keep active regularly so I don't become used taking things easy, becoming lethargic and eventually a couch potatoe.

He did say that there is some new research to suggest that if it's vigorous exercise, it may be able to increase the metabolic rate.

So I'm putting my bets on vigorous exercise.

Ok. Maybe not that vigorous. But at least getting more exercise regularly.

This blog is inspired from this drive to keep myself healthy thus the name haleness.