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Household cleaning products may harm lung function in women

Women working as cleaners or using cleaning sprays or other products regularly at home are likely to experience a greater decline in their lung function, researchers have warned.

Women beware! Cleaning chemicals can damage your lungs

Women who clean at home or at work face increased lung function decline over time as compared to women who don't, according to a study.In "Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway Obstruction," researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway analyzed data from 6,235 participants in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.The participants, whose average age was 34 when they enrolled, were followed for more than 20 years."While the short-term effects of cleaning chemicals on asthma are becoming increasingly well documented, we lack knowledge of the long-term impact," said senior study author Cecile Svanes, MD, PhD, a professor at the university's Centre for International Health."We feared that such chemicals, by steadily causing a little damage to the airways day after day, year after year, might accelerate the rate of lung function decline that occurs with age."The study found that compared to women not engaged in cleaning:-Forced ...

Study finds link between chronic pain and diet change

A recent study suggests that dietary changes can cause major improvements in people with chronic pain.Preliminary research from a small pilot study carried out in Meru, in eastern Kenya, shows a link between chronic pain and consumption of glutamate, a common flavor enhancer found in Western and non-Western diets worldwide.Results demonstrated that when study participants cut monosodium glutamate from their diets, their symptoms improved."This preliminary research in Kenya is consistent with what I am observing in my chronic pain research here in the United States," said Kathleen Holton, lead author of the study. "We don't know what exposure is leading to this susceptibility to dietary glutamate, but this pilot study suggests the need for a large-scale clinical trial, since dietary change could be an effective low-cost treatment option for developing countries."As researchers study glutamate, they're gaining insights into how the chemical works in the human brain and body. In the ...

'Women working as cleaners face increased lung function decline'

Women who work as cleaners or regularly use cleaning sprays at home may experience a greater decline in lung function over time than women who do not clean, a study has found. "While the short-term effects of cleaning chemicals on asthma are becoming increasingly well documented, we lack knowledge of the long-term impact," said Cecile Svanes from the University of Bergen in Norway. "We feared that such chemicals, by steadily causing a little damage to the airways day after day, year after year, might accelerate the rate of lung function decline that occurs with age," Svanes said. For the study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the researchers analysed data from 6,235 participants. The scientists found that asthma was more prevalent in women who cleaned at home (12.3 per cent) or at work (13.7 per cent) compared to those who did not clean (9.6 per cent). They also found that the accelerated lung function decline in the women working as ...

Natco Pharma announces completion of USFDA inspection of API facility near Hyderabad

With Zero observations

Parrikar under observation at Mumbai hospital; condition fine

The condition of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is being treated for mild pancreatitis, is fine and he is under observation, a source close to him said today. He is being treated at the Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra under the care of noted oncologist P Jagannath. "Parrikar is doing fine. He watched the India-South Africa cricket match yesterday. He is on a liquid diet," the source said. The chief minister is undergoing tests at the hospital and a decision on his discharge will be taken later in the day, the source added. Parrikar, who was initially referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Panaji, was later taken to the Lilavati Hospital. Pancreatitis is a medical condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal gland situated behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The main function of the pancreas is to secrete hormones and enzymes that help with digestion and regulate blood sugar metabolism.

Special cell signature predicts asthma susceptibility

It has come to light that a special type of cells and their frequency can help predict asthma susceptibility.According to a La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology research, a special subset of T cells have been identified, whose frequency serves as early childhood immune signature that predicts the risk of developing asthma later on."We found what I would consider very strong biomarkers for those children who are most likely to develop asthma as they get older," said senior author Mitchell Kronenberg.The team's findings indicated that the presence of house dust components that stimulate the innate immune system decreases asthma risk, increased microbial exposure in the first years of life is protective for asthma, going consistently with the "hygiene hypothesis".Kronenberg added, "We are not advocating for dirt and we don't know enough about the microbiome to know which aspects are beneficial but as we learn more it is feasible that one day the protective components could even .

Female hormones may be linked to asthma: study

Fluctuations in female sex hormones could play a role in the development of allergies and asthma, according to scientists. Analysis of studies involving more than 500,000 women highlights a link between asthma symptoms and key life changes such as puberty and menopause. "Asthma and allergy symptoms are often affected by life events such as puberty and menopause, but the reasons behind this are unclear," said Nicola McCleary from the the University of Edinburgh in the UK. For the research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the scientists reviewed more than 50 studies of women with asthma from puberty to 75 years of age. They found that starting periods before turning 11 years old, as well as irregular periods, was associated with a higher rate of asthma. Onset of menopause - when periods stop and oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate - was also associated with a higher chance of having asthma compared with pre menopause. Many women report that their ...

Children spend more on soft drinks than games, toys

Children aged between seven and 15 spend more money on soft drinks than on games, toys and hobbies, a recent survey said.Youngsters on average spent 91p per week on soft drinks, compared with 77p on games, toys and hobbies, 57p on computer consoles and software and 54p on confectionery, SKY News cited an Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, carried out between 2015 and 2017, as shown.The figures relate to childhood obesity amid concerns that youngsters are consuming too many unhealthy snacks and soft drinks.More than half (56 percent) of children bought at least one soft drink in a typical fortnightly period and older children were more likely to do so.They spent 48 percent money on confectionery such as chocolate and sweets over two weeks.On average, children between seven and 15 spent 12.40 pounds a week, with seven-year-olds typically spending 7.40 pounds and 15-year-old spending 25 pounds.The biggest outlays were on clothes and shoes, followed by school dinners, and then ..

Organs donation helps save lives of 3 persons at PGIMER

Lives of three persons, suffering from end-stage organ failure, were saved at the PGIMER here, thanks to the decision of a family from Himachal Pradesh to donate the organs of their departed dear one. The retrieved corneas from the donor restored the sight of another two patients, thereby impacting five lives in all, with the magnanimous gesture of the donor's family at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research. A man, who had met with a road accident, was declared brain dead on the evening of February 12, the transplant coordinators at the PGIMER discussed organ donation with his family, to which they consented braving their own tragedy, an official said. Following the family's consent, the transplant staff at the departments of Nephrology and Hepatology began calling the recipients families to tell them about the matching organs. The news gave them a second chance at life, though bittersweet, Prof A K Gupta, Medical Superintendent cum Head, Department of Hospital

Fluctuation in female hormones may cause asthma

Researchers have found that fluctuations in female sex hormones can play a major role in the development of asthma and allergies.

Humans blink in response to environmental demands: study

Humans unconsciously trade off the loss of information during a blink with the physiological urge to blink, a study suggests. Blinking is an omnipresent involuntary process that maintains stable and healthy vision. With 15 blinks per minute on average it is one of the most frequent human actions, researchers from Technische Universitat Darmstadt in Germany said. However, during a single blink, our visual perception is interrupted for about a third of a second, they said. Although our conscious perception suggests a continuous and stable world, about 10 per cent of the time we are missing potentially important visual information from our surroundings. For this reason it is advantageous, whether for our ancestors roaming the savanna or the modern human crossing a busy road, to coordinate our blinking intelligently. Previous studies have revealed an intriguing multitude of additional factors influencing human blink rates. Blinking is closely intertwined with cognitive functions connected

Copper-coated uniforms may reduce infection outbreaks at hospitals

Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals could soon be wearing uniforms brushed with tiny copper nanoparticles to reduce the spread of bacterial infections and viruses at hospitals, a study has found. Researchers at the University of Manchester in the UK have created a 'durable and washable, concrete-like' composite material made from antibacterial copper nanoparticles. For the study, published in the Journal of Nanomaterials, the team also developed a way of binding the composite to wearable materials such as cotton and polyester, which has proved a stumbling block for scientists in the past. Bacterial infection is a major issue in hospitals across the UK and has been rising due to its spread on surfaces and clothing, the researchers said. Precious metals, such as gold and silver, have excellent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, but their commercial use in textiles is prohibitive due to extremely high costs. This made copper to be the best choice for researchers as it .

Asthma may lead to infertility in women: study

Women with asthma who only use short-acting asthma relievers take longer to become pregnant, a study has found. However, the research also shows that women with asthma who use long-acting asthma preventers conceive as quickly as other women. The results, published in European Respiratory Journal, provide reassurance for asthmatic women that using inhaled corticosteroids to prevent symptoms does not appear to reduce fertility. "Five to 10 per cent of all women around the world have asthma and it is one of the most common chronic medical conditions in women of reproductive age," said Luke Grzeskowiak from the University of Adelaide in Australia. "Studying the effect of asthma treatments in women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant is important as women often express concerns about exposing their unborn babies to potentially harmful effects of medications," said Grzeskowiak. The researchers examined more than 5,600 women expecting their first babies in the early stages of ...

Short kids may be at higher stroke risk: study

Children who are two to three inches shorter than average for their age are at an increased risk of suffering a stroke in adulthood, a major Danish study warns. The research, published in the journal Stroke, examined data of more than 300,000 Danish schoolchildren - born between 1930-1989. Scientists noted that boys and girls who were two to three inches shorter than average for their age were at increased risk of clot-related (ischemic) stroke in adult men and women and of bleeding stroke in men. "Our study suggests that short height in children is a possible marker of stroke risk," said Jennifer L Baker from the Center for Clinical Research and Prevention at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital in the US. "These children should pay extra attention to changing or treating modifiable risk factors for stroke throughout life to reduce the chances of having this disease," said Baker. While adult height is genetically determined, it is also influenced by factors such as maternal diet ...

Copper-coated uniforms may cut infection outbreak at hospitals

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals can help reduce the spread of bacterial and viral infections at hospitals by wearing a uniform brushed with tiny copper nanoparticles, new research has found.

Short kids at greater stroke risk in adulthood

Children with below-average height may be at higher risk of suffering a stroke in adulthood, warns a new study.

Heart surgery in infants may cause deafness

Children who have undergone heart surgery as infants may risk hearing loss by the age of four, in addition to poor language skills and cognitive problems, researchers have found.

Parrikar down with mild pancreatitis, to be discharged soon

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been hospitalised in Mumbai for mild pancreatitis, is expected to be discharged in a day or two, his office said today. Parrikar, who was initially referred to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here, was yesterday taken to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. "It's a case of mild pancreatitis. The chief minister is well and under observation. He is likely to be discharged in a day or two," the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said in a statement here. Parrikar (62) complained of stomach-ache on Wednesday night and visited the GMCH for a health examination. After the check-up, he was taken to Mumbai in a flight for further medical examination. Pancreatitis is a medical condition characterised by inflammation of the pancreas, an abdominal gland situated behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The main function of the pancreas is to secrete hormones and enzymes that help with digestion and ...

How asthma may affect your chances of pregnancy

Certain asthma medication, especially the "quick-acting" relievers, may affect women's ability to conceive, warns a new study.