Health

Mexico’s ‘heaviest man’ has surgery to halve his weight

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco, Mexico (Reuters) — A Mexican man who weighed more than half a ton had surgery in Guadalajara on Wednesday (November 22) in a bid to halve his weight. Juan Pedro Franco, 33, has been dubbed the world’s heaviest man. Earlier this year he reportedly weighed as much as 595 kilos (1,311 pounds). But after a three-month diet Franco has reportedly shed 175 kilos in a special clinic to allow him to have the […]

In US, 4 in 10 cancers due to ‘modifiable risk’: study

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — About four in 10 cancers in the United States are due to lifestyle choices — such as smoking and eating poorly — and other risks that might be avoidable, researchers said Tuesday. The goal of the study was to calculate “the contribution of several modifiable risk factors to cancer occurrence,” said the report in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. Factors that are known to raise the risk […]

US approves first pill with digital tracking device

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US regulators have approved the first pill that contains a digital tracking sensor to alert doctors and caregivers as to whether a patient is taking a medication as scheduled. The pill, called Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole tablets with sensor), is designed for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. A patient ingests the pill, and a sensor inside the pill activates when it […]

Eating variety of nuts linked to lower heart disease risk

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — People who regularly snack on a variety of nuts may face a lower risk of heart disease than people who don’t, said the largest study of its kind, which was released this week. Eating five weekly servings of walnuts, peanuts or other kinds of tree nuts was linked to a 14 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 20 percent lower risk of fatal complications due to hardened arteries, […]

High blood pressure is redefined as 130, not 140: US guidelines

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — High blood pressure was redefined Monday by the American Heart Association, which said the disease should be treated sooner, when it reaches 130/80, not the previous limit of 140/90. “High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130 mm Hg and higher for the systolic blood pressure measurement, or readings of 80 and higher for the diastolic measurement,” said the guidelines. Doctors now recognize that complications “can occur […]

UN labor body cuts ties with tobacco industry

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) – Bowing to public pressure, the UN’s labor body agreed Thursday to stop accepting funding from tobacco companies, a decision that cut the last remaining ties between the world body and the industry. The International Labor Organization (ILO) said it would adhere to a June resolution passed by United Nations Economic and Social Council “preventing tobacco industry interference.” The ILO’s governing body “agreed that no new funding shall be accepted by the […]

Nine of 194 countries keeping pledge to eradicate hepatitis: summit

by Paula RAMON Agence France-Presse SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP) – Only nine of 194 countries which pledged last year to eradicate hepatitis by 2030 are working towards that goal, according to figures revealed Wednesday at the second World Hepatitis Summit in Brazil. Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, The Netherlands, Australia, Qatar and Brazil are the only countries taking steps to overcome the disease, a liver inflammation which kills 1.3 million people every year. The three-day summit […]

Time off for good behavior: Japan firm rewards non-smokers

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Non-smoking employees at one Japanese firm are getting six additional days’ holiday to compensate for the time their colleagues spend puffing away at work. Piala, a Tokyo-based online commerce consulting and marketing company, kicked off the program in September after an employee complained about the time lost by smoking colleagues who frequently disappear to light up. “Because our office is located on the 29th floor … it takes at least 10 […]

Deadly plague slowing down in Madagascar: authorities

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AFP) — A plague that has claimed 128 lives in Madagascar has slowed down, health authorities on the island nation said Tuesday, citing a decline in the numbers of the infected and dying. “There is an improvement in the fight against the spread of the plague, which means that there are fewer patients in hospitals,” Dr. Manitra Rakotoarivony, Madagascar’s director of health promotion, told local radio. “There are almost no more deaths due […]

Know the signs of ADHD

EAGLE NEWS— Don’t mind him, “kulang lang sa pansin ‘yan!”   “Kulang sa pansin” is a Filipino slang we often hear when a person  describes a very naughty child who acts in a way different from how others act. But if your child displays unusual hyperactivity and impulsivity, better not dismiss it. It might be more than just “pagpapapansin.”  This could be a sign of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.   What is ADHD? ADHD […]

INFOGRAPHICS: Know more about Aortic Diseases

Last October 23, 2017, the Division of Vascular Medicine, of the Philippine Medical Center conducted a media and lay forum entitled “Ugat ng Buhay” The forum aims to spread awareness and information regarding aortic diseases. Also known as “vascular emergencies”, 3% out of 100, 000 persons die because of aortic diseases. About 1% of deaths related to cardiovascular disorders is because of these vascular emergencies. It is the number one cause of death in the […]

YOUNG VOICES SPEAK: Standing break

(Young Voices Speak is eaglenews.ph’s blank space for the youth to share their opinions, views, and perspective on any topic, issue, or matter)   By Precious Joshua Corpuz Young Voices contributor   Ever heard of a standing break? Businesses tend to have a fast-paced environment. Employees have little time to take breaks, and when they do, they sometimes don’t get to enjoy it. This can be a hazardous practice. Employee breaks are important for various reasons. By now, many […]