Friday 21 December 2012

Think breast implants are safe?



Israeli model Orit Fox was posing with a snake for a radio show when the reptile suddenly sunk its fangs into her left breast. The model was treated at a hospital and is okay, but the snake later died of silicone poisoning.

STOMPer SnakeEyes sent in the video and says:

"This video has been going the rounds on Facebook.

"Based on the principle of schadenfreude, naturally some of us will think the video is amusing.

"However, it was found out that the snake later died of silicone poisoning.

"How could a poisonous snake die from something that is seemingly safe and done by so many around the world?

"Ladies, before you get a boob job, please think twice.

"It may seem safe, but is quite toxic.

"On another note, perhaps a new 'armour' could be made from silicone when people go wandering into jungles with poisonous snakes..."
  Click on thumbnails for larger image
                     


Snake dies after biting silicone breast

Indo-Asian News Service, Updated: March 15, 2011 13:55 IST

London:  A huge snake died of silicone poisoning after it bit the enhanced breast of a model during a photoshoot.

Israeli Orit Fox was at a photoshoot in Tel Aviv in which she alluringly used the boa constrictor. The snake suddenly lunged at her and bit her breast, the Daily Mail reported Monday.

Fox was initially comfortable with the snake and wrapped it around her legs, waist and neck.

She then licked the snake, loosening the grip on its neck. The snake then sank its fangs into her left breast.


The model screamed for help, and an assistant struggled to pull off the determined snake. After a few seconds, the snake released its grip.

Though Fox needed a tetanus shot in the hospital, it was the snake which came off worse as it died from silicone poisoning. 

Nail fungus


Nail fungus

 Nail fungus is a fungal infection in one or more of your nails. An infection with nail fungus may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges — an unsightly and potentially painful problem.
An infection with nail fungus may be difficult to treat, and it may recur. But medications are available to help clear up nail fungus.

 There are different classifications of nail fungus — depending on type of fungus and manifestation — which may have somewhat different signs and symptoms. In general, however, you may have a nail fungal infection — also called onychomycosis (on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis) — if one or more of your nails are:
  • Thickened
  • Brittle, crumbly or ragged
  • Distorted in shape
  • Dull, with no luster or shine
  • A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail
Infected nails also may separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. You may feel pain in your toes or fingertips and detect a slightly foul odor.

When to see a doctor
Once a nail fungal infection begins, it can persist indefinitely if not treated. See your doctor at the first sign of nail fungus, which is often a tiny white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail.


 Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections.
What are fungi?
Fungi are microscopic organisms that don't need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses, while others cause illness and infection.
All of these microscopic organisms:
  • Live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools and showers
  • Can invade your skin through tiny visible or invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed
  • Cause problems only if your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture — conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungi
Toenails vs. fingernails
Nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails.
  • Toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes — where fungi can thrive.
  • Diminished blood circulation to the toes as compared with the fingers makes it harder for your body's immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.
RISK FACTORS

Aging is the most common risk factor for nail fungus for several reasons, including:
  • Diminished blood circulation
  • More years of exposure to fungi
  • Nails may grow more slowly and thicken with age, making them more susceptible to infection
Nail fungus tends to affect men more often than it does women, particularly those with a family history of this infection.
Other factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
  • Perspiring heavily
  • Working in a humid or moist environment
  • Having the skin condition psoriasis
  • Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don't absorb perspiration
  • Walking barefoot in damp public places, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower roomsHaving diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system
 Nail fungus can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. It also may lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia or AIDS or organ transplant recipients.
If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. You're also at greater risk for cellulitis, a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.

 You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to either a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist) or one who specializes in foot conditions (podiatrist).
To make the most of your time with your doctor, it's good to prepare for your appointment.
What you can do
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.
For nail fungus, your questions might include:
  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take home? Are there websites you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions you have.

 Your doctor will likely examine your nails first. To test for fungi, your doctor may scrape some debris from under your nail for analysis.
The debris can be examined under a microscope or cultured in a lab to identify what's causing the infection. Other conditions, such as psoriasis, can mimic a fungal infection of the nail. Microorganisms, including yeast and bacteria, also can infect nails. Knowing the cause of your infection helps determine the best course of treatment.



  • Having athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
  • Having a minor skin or nail injury, a damaged nail, or another infection
 Nail fungus can be difficult to treat, and repeat infections are common. Over-the-counter antifungal nail creams and ointments are available, but they aren't very effective. If you have athlete's foot as well as nail fungus, you should treat the athlete's foot with topical medication and keep your feet clean and dry.
Oral medications
To treat nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication. Studies have shown the most effective treatments to be terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox).
Your doctor is likely to recommend oral medication if you:
  • Have diabetes or other risk factors for cellulitis
  • Have a history of cellulitis
  • Are experiencing pain or discomfort from your nail infection
Treatments

These medications help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected portion of your nail. You typically take these medications for six to 12 weeks, but you won't see the end result of treatment until the nail grows back completely. It may take four months or longer to eliminate an infection. Recurrent infections are possible, especially if you continue to expose your nails to warm, moist conditions.
Antifungal drugs may cause side effects ranging from skin rashes to liver damage. Doctors may not recommend them for people with liver disease or congestive heart failure or for those taking certain medications.


Other treatment options
Your doctor may also suggest these nail fungus treatments:
  • Antifungal lacquer. If you have a mild to moderate infection of nail fungus, your doctor may prefer to prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). You paint it on your infected nails and surrounding skin once a day. After seven days, you wipe the piled-on layers clean with alcohol and begin fresh applications. Daily use of Penlac for about one year has been shown to help clear up some nail fungal infections.
  • Topical medications. Your doctor may also opt for other topical antifungal medications. You may be advised to use these creams with an over-the-counter lotion containing urea to help speed up absorption. Topical medications usually don't cure nail fungus, but they may be used with oral medications. Your doctor may file the surface of your nail (debridement) to lessen the amount of infected nail to treat and possibly make the topical medication more effective.
  • Surgery. If your nail infection is severe or extremely painful, your doctor may suggest removing your nail. A new nail will usually grow in its place, though it will come in slowly and may take as long as a year to grow back completely. Sometimes surgery is used in combination with ciclopirox to treat the nail bed.
 Sometimes, because current treatments can take a long time to work and aren't always effective, people turn to home remedies. Two remedies purported to help nail fungus are vinegar and Vicks VapoRub.
  • Vinegar. While there's no direct evidence that a vinegar soak can cure nail fungus, some studies have shown that it can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. Experts suggest soaking your feet for 15 to 20 minutes in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts warm water. Be sure to rinse well and pat your feet dry when you're done. You can soak your feet like this daily. But if your skin becomes irritated, try soaking only two to three times a week.
  • Vicks VapoRub. As with vinegar, there have been no controlled clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of Vicks VapoRub on nail fungus, but there have been numerous anecdotal reports that it works. There's no consensus on how often to apply this product, so check with your doctor before using it on your nails.
Treating nail fungus with a laser or photodynamic therapy — intense light irradiates the nail after it's been treated with an acid — may also be successful. However, this new treatment may not be available everywhere.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nail-fungus/DS00084/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies

Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staff
To help prevent nail fungus and reduce recurrent infections, practice good hand and foot hygiene.
  • Keep your nails short, dry and clean. Trim nails straight across and file down thickened areas. Thoroughly dry your hands and feet, including between your toes, after bathing.
  • Wear appropriate socks. Synthetic socks that wick away moisture may keep your feet dryer than do cotton or wool socks (you can also wear synthetic socks underneath other socks). Change them often, especially if your feet sweat excessively. Take your shoes off occasionally during the day and after exercise. Alternate closed-toe shoes with open-toe shoes.
  • Use an antifungal spray or powder. Spray or sprinkle your feet and the insides of your shoes.
  • Wear rubber gloves. This protects your hands from overexposure to water. Between uses, turn the rubber gloves inside out to dry.
  • Don't trim or pick at the skin around your nails. This may give germs access to your skin and nails.
  • Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.
  • Choose a reputable manicure and pedicure salon. Make sure the salon sterilizes its instruments. Better yet, bring your own.
  • Give up nail polish and artificial nails. Although it may be tempting to hide nail fungal infections under a coat of pretty pink polish, this can trap unwanted moisture and worsen the infection.
  • Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. Nail fungus can spread from nail to nail.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nail-fungus

Tuesday 11 December 2012

13 Dangerous (and Stupid) Ways Teens Get High

13 Dangerous (and Stupid) Ways Teens Get High Posted: May 31st, 2012 Potentially lethal activities kids do that every parent and educator must know
Some things never change: teens have always been risk takers, thrill seekers and want to fit in. But oh the “creative” ways adolescents try to get high these days… like soaking tampons with liquor and inserting them, infusing alcohol into gummy bears and popping them anyplace and anytime, and drinking hand sanitizer.

They even have clever ways to store their stash these days like in sandals that come with a handy small canteen and bottle opener on the side, in small flashlights or emptied marking pen holders. But some kid crazes are flat-out dangerous: pouring Vodka into your eye (which could burn your cornea or even cause blindness) or even lethal such as mixing Robitussin DM cough syrup with Sprite and a Jolly Rancher.

Many items kids use are right in your home from hairspray, whipped cream, deodorant, glue, nail polish remover, and even cleaning spray. Youtube videos are plentiful and not only sensationalize the craze but provide kids with play-by-play directions.

 Many of these crazes are not new, some are trending in only certain geographic areas, and a few are just mind-boggling. Regardless, do let your teen know you’re aware of these activities. While there are no guarantees, studies show that when teens know they’re being monitored, their risky behaviors often decrease. Meanwhile, keep repeating this mantra to your kid over and over:

“Getting high – no matter how you do it – has health risks that could be permanent. There are “no take backs.” Here are 13 dangerous ways kids and teens are getting high that every parent and educator needs to know. Vodka Eyeballing or Eyeballing Let’s start with the unbelievable craze .. “I can’t believe a kid would do that”…but they do. It’s called eyeballing and it’s when a teen holds a vodka bottle to his eye and pours the alcohol directly into the eye.

The alcohol is quickly absorbed and enters the bloodstream quickly (through the veins at the back of the eye). It gives teens a fast high and disguises the smell of the alcohol. Dangers: The alcohol could scar and burn the cornea and cause blindness. Purple Drinks or Purple Drank (Sizzurp, Drank, Barre, Purple Jelly, Lean, and Syrup) Purple Drank is a slang term for a recreational drink combining over the counter cough syrups (such as Robitussin DM, which contains dextromethorphan with codeine) to a soft drink (usually Sprite, Mountain Dew or 7-Up) and a candy – generally Jolly Ranchers. The purplish tint of the drink comes from the dyes in the cough syrup. The candy, soft drink and cough syrup combo creates a quick tension or aggression “cure.”

An extra-strength version of the drink is to use prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine which teens order from online pharmacies or borrow from their medicine cabinets. A University of Texas study found that 8.3% of second school students in Texas took codeine syrup to get high. The drug trend is most popular in the South (particularly Texas and Louisiana) and is celebrated in rap songs. Beware: only 45 percent of teens believe that abusing cough medicine to get high is risky. Talk! 

Dangers: In large doses the combination can cause hallucinations as well as drowsiness, an inability to concentrate, slowed physical activity, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and slowed breathing. Just a single drink could be lethal.

Overdosing on prescription syrup is potentially fatal. Alcohol Soaked Tampons The craze is soaking a tampon with your liquor of choice (rum or vodka appear to be most popular), and then inserting it vaginally or rectally. The tampon contains about a shot of alcohol which quickly absorbed into the blood stream to produce a rapid intoxication.

 Teens cite a few reasons for the craze: “It’s a fast way to get high,” “The alcohol gets quickly into your system,” “You don’t throw up,” “It doesn’t take as much alcohol to get high,” ”You can’t smell it on your breath,” “It’s easy to carry.” “Butt chugging” is another trend among the male set in which guys insert beer bongs rectally, and then get high on the alcohol. Dangers: Physicians say that the alcohol can burn or damage the vagina or rectum. The craze also can cause alcohol poisoning and have life-threatening consequences. If the teen passes out or loses consciousness the mental health professional may not know the reason (or know where to look), and delay critical treatment. Dexing, Skittling, Robo-Tripping Although Dextromethorphan–or DXM–(the ingredient found in most popular nonprescription cold and cough medicines) can be safely taken in 15 to 30 milligram doses, when taken in significant doses can produce euphoric highs and even hallucinations. And many kids are taking sometimes as much as 25 to 50 times the recommended dose to get that high.

 One out of every fourteen kids aged 12 to 17 (more than 2.4 million) admit using cold or cough medicine “fairly recently” to get high. Only 45 percent of teens believe that abusing cough medicine to get high is risky. Check this blog to learn the signs of cold and cough syrup addiction. Cough syrup is readily accessible in stores and online, but most kids say they easiest place to get it is right in their own medicine cabinets at home.

 Dangers: The American Medical Association released a warning to parents that when kids take this in large amounts it can become a dangerous, even deadly mind-altering drug, and intake is on the rise.Perhaps because medicines containing DXM are easily accessible in drug stores (or medicine cabinets) and is legal, cold-and cough syrup abuse has soared in recent years.

Vodka Gummy Bears, Boozy Bears, or Gummy Bear Shots Infusing candy such as gummy bears with alcohol is a popular fad. The bears are soaked in vodka or other liquor in small bowls or plastic baggies), and then stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Websites and YouTube videos (which get huge hits) teach kids the process. Teens then carry the gummies in their pockets or in plastic baggies, and then pop them in their mouths whenever convenient- including with friends, at school, at parties and at home. The gummies are cheap, very accessible, easy to hide, and have no odor.

The candy sweetness disguises that harsh liquor taste so it makes it easier for the teen to consume the alcohol.

 Dangers: Teen risk-taking increases with the consumption of alcohol including car accidents, drowning, falling, or being in unsafe or uncomfortable situations. Drug and alcohol counselors worry liquor-soaked gummy candy could make it more appealing for teens to take their first taste of alcohol, and the earlier kids have their first drink the higher the risk for substance abuse. Drinking Hand Sanitizer Yes, hand sanitizer, the over-the counter cleanser, and teens are using it to get high. It’s cheap, easily accessible and contains 62 percent ethyl alcohol. Some teens use salt to separate the alcohol from the sanitizer, making a strong concoction that is similar to a shot of hard liquor. (Distillation instructions can be found on the Internet). 

Dangers: Teens are showing up in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning after drinking hand sanitizer. Watch your supply! Alcoholic Whipped Cream This is a new whipped cream product called “whipohol” or “alcoholic whipped cream” that is sold in stores. The cream is infused with 15 percent alcohol. Though the cream may seem tame, what concerns substance abuse counselors is that younger kids are partaking, and the earlier a child has their first drink the more likely the problem for substance abuse later. Dangers: The alcoholic taste is concealed with a cream and sugary sweetness taste so alcohol abuse is easy. Too much or any alcohol, especially on a younger body and brain, can have deadly consequences. Prescription Drug Abuse or Medicine Abuse One of the riskiest teen behaviors is right in your own medicine cabinet. More than 3.1 million teens ages 12 to 17 report abusing prescription drugs which is a particularly popular habit during exam time.

One in ten teens say they have used Vicodin a potentially habit-forming painkiller. OxyContin, stimulants like Ritalin, inhalers (all prescription medications) are also widely used. “Borrowing” prescription drugs from parents or siblings-especially Ritalin-continues to be a hot trend. Watch, count, and, if needed, “lock up” your medications. Also, check your credit card statement since teens admit that prescriptions drugs are easy to purchase online. Pharmacies and drug stores are now locking these medicines up to fight off kid theft. 

Dangers: Taking and abusing any prescription drug can have potentially lethal consequences.When mixed with liquor they become a toxic combo. Bath Salts (“Purple Wave,” “Zoom,” “Vanilla Sky,” and “Cloud Nine”) Bath Salts sound lovely and relaxing, but they’re deadly, and already illegal in some states. They are very different from the product you put into a bath – this type packs as much punch as cocaine or methamphetamines and are highly dangerous. The man-made chemicals most often found in bath salts are methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV, mephedrone and methylone.

 The products contain clear warnings on their labels that state: “Do not ingest” and “Not for human consumption.” They usually are contained in a small packet and can be purchased over the Internet, in convenient stores (packaged as “vitamins” or “energy boosters,”), head shops, smoke shops or in gas stations.

 Beware: Not all packages are marked “Bath Salts.” Related drugs have been sold as plant feeder, insect repellent and stain remover. Teens ingest bath salts by snorting them through the nose, taken orally or smoking the substance. Dangers: Teens say the product gives them “energy” and alertness, but it can also stop their hearts (literally!). Side effects include chest pain or erratic or increased heart rates, hallucinations, confusion, euphoria, nausea, extreme paranoia, and violent behavior, suicidal tendencies. Long-term effects of the drug are unknown. Huffing or Inhalant Abuse Inhalant abuse (called “huffing”) is intentionally inhaling a chemical vapor of some type to attain a “high” or euphoric effect. The primary population of inhalant abusers are kids 12 to 17 years old, and the activity is more common than you may realize.

 Hundreds of common household products have the potential to be inhaled. Spray paint, rubber cement, whipped cream canisters, hair sprays, deodorant, hair care products, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), paint thinner, glue, nail polish remover, cleaning sprays (like Dust-Off) felt-tip markers, or even gasoline are just a few examples of products kids have been inhaled. Males and females are equally likely to initiate inhalant use. Huffing is the third most abused substance by teens.The 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that 18% of eighth graders admitted having used inhalants (huffing) at least once in their lifetime. Watch for missing or empathy chemical containers left around the house or in the garbage. The abuser often has symptoms such as drunken-like appearance, glassy eyes, chemical smell on clothing or breath, slurred speech, or restlessness, nervousness or mood swings.

 Dangers: Huffing effects can be both short and long term depending upon the substance abuse and in what concentrations they are abused. Huffing can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and brain. Huffing can also lead to cardiac arrest, asphyxiation, aspiration or suffocation from inhalation as well as death. Serious consequences can occur after just the first time of use. Marijuana (MaryJ, Pot, Weed, Reefer, Hay, MaryJane, Grass) Marijuana use among teens is on the rise. The study by the Partnership at Drugfree.org found, sponsored by the MetLife Foundation, found that nearly 1 in 10 lighting up at least 20 or more times a month. Besides the traditional way of rolling weed in paper like a cigarette, putting it into a pipe (a bubbler is a hand-blown glass pipe that with a pouch for water) or a bong and then smoking it, there are other methods teens are get high.

 Vaporizing it: The process involves heating up the weed in a vaporizer (a variety of different kinds are available at various price points) to a temperature below its burning point but still high enough to vaporize for inhalation. The Internet provides the directions and YouTube offers the video version which advise teens that “varporizing marijuana is “safer” alternative to smoking marijuana traditionally” and there is no smoke! Eating it:

Not new, but still a hot trend is baking the pot in brownie or cookie batter (or most anything else), and then eating it for a quick high. “Hookahing” it: Teens add marijuana to flavored tobacco, which can disguise the scent, and then smoke the combination (or pot alone) in a hookah.

 Dangers: Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug by teens.

Do note the word “illegal” – a record could seriously jeopardize your child’s job prospects or future. The new marijuana is also stronger. There are more than 400 chemicals in marijuana, which stay in the body for a few weeks and the impact of those chemicals on a teen’s body and brain is a big unknown. There are also many synthetic varieties available.
Spice/K2 (Blaze, Bliss, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, Pulse, Hush, Mystery, Earthquake, Serenity, Red X Dawn Stinger, Zohia, Summit, Genie) Spice or K2 is a type of synthetic marijuana which is a mixture of herbs or plant materials that have been sprayed with artificial chemicals. The chemicals in these products are very potent and content can vary greatly. The goal is to try and create the safe effects of THC, the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana.

 Teens generally smoke this drug so signs to look for include: a strong clove smell, pipes or other drug paraphernalia, or a coffee grinder (which may be yours but has a different smell other than coffee) used to grind the product into a fine powder. Many teens are under the assumption that because Spice is synethetic it is harmless, and nothing could be further from true. K2 or Spice is solid online and in convenience stores and often marketed as incense. Dangers: Physical symptoms of use are troubling: a loss of physical control (including seizures, or a lack of pain response), paranoia, and dysphoria. At this point the long-term effects are unknown. Calls to poison control centers for exposure to this drug have doubled in the past two years. 

The Choking Game (Fainting Game, Pass Out Game, Space Monkey, Flatliner, Airplaning, California-Choke, Cloud-Nine, Space-Cowboy, and Black Out) The basic game rule of the Choking Game is “asphyxiation” or for a child to get a desired ‘floaty’, ‘tingling’ or ‘high’ sensation achieved by shutting off oxygen/blood to the brain. It is a lethal activity and glorified in YouTube tapes. Techniques to achieve a high include pressing the thumb or hand tightly on the neck; tying a rope, necktie, belt around the neck; hyperventilating by holding the breath “hard”; or putting a plastic bag over the head until you become unconscious. A secondary ‘high’ is achieved when pressure is released and oxygen/blood returns to the brain.

 The Choking Game can be “played” as a dare game in a group and has become popular at slumber parties. Kids take turns “choking” each other or another kid gives a hard bear hug from behind or applies pressure under the child’s heart (usually with the head of the other participant) until the victim passes out. Many kids say they actually become addicted to the feeling repeating the thrill again and again.

 Dangers: The “game” has lethal consequences. Brain damage or permanent neurological disabilities due to the lack of oxygen is a possibility and each year is responsible for a large number of juvenile deaths. Stay educated! Keep talking to your child.