HealthOnTrack

Causes of sight loss vary tremendously. The thought of experiencing slow or sudden sight loss is horrific. Losing the ability to see the world as you have for your whole life is terribly bitter pill to swallow, and although extensive research and treatments have been on going, most of the time it is not possible to completely halt the process. Diabetes is one such cause of sight loss and up until now it was just as devastating as any other cause. Recently UK regulars have just been given the go ahead to administer a new treatment that aims to improve sight in diabetic patients with vision loss.   Read more... (334 words, 2 images, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

Transporting valuable cargo requires special preparations and precautions, and in the process of medical shipping these are especially important. If a shipping company specialises in transporting items like medical vaccines, x-ray machines and examination kits, it goes without saying that this cargo should be treated with the highest standards of care throughout collection, shipping, storage and delivery. There are three key factors that require special attention:  Read more... (343 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has urged President Obama not to eat junk food in public and to rather indulge in burgers, pizzas and hotdogs in the privacy of his own home. The PCRM is a non-profit advocacy group that consists of doctors, researchers and dieticians that promotes preventative medicine, particularly good nutrition and food logistics, conducts clinical research, and ensures that high clinical ethical standards are met.  Read more... (314 words, 1 image, estimated 1:15 mins reading time)

A recent US medical proposal that is likely to become law this year, will allow for the fast tracking of breakthrough drugs that exhibit successful early results in patients with serious or life-threatening diseases. According to the proposal, breakthrough drugs usually take longer to approve, however the new law could give the US public faster and cheaper access to effective therapies.  Read more... (271 words, 1 image, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)

We all love those health and safety sessions that we have to attend every time we start a new job at a new company, or as a kid, when we start out at a new school. Many establishments however sometimes take a few health and safety myths a little too seriously and actually implement them in their health and safety guidelines for those involved. The HSE website has actually published 10 of the most common health and safety myths that are genuinely implemented in certain establishments around the UK. I didn’t want to go into all ten myths, but I did think I’d cover what I think are the 3 most ridiculous mythical health and safety regulations. Check it out…  Read more... (478 words, 1 image, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)

While teleconferencing continues to be a driving force in global business, education is finally beginning to reap the benefits of this technology. Live surgery is being broadcast in Australia and is becoming an essential tool in surgical teaching and education as hospitals are starting to make use of audio visual technology. These new developments are not simply for the benefit of educational facilities but also for remote area that do not have access to the latest up to date information, these live broadcasts enable doctors in smaller towns to stay up to date with the latest techniques and skills. While the focus is on live surgery, all medical persons need to be aware of the developments and the technology will soon be leveraged for other medical applications.  Read more... (353 words, 1 image, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Although with winter safety clothing with the purpose of warmth is quite a natural response to the changing seasons, but when summer comes around we tend to be a tad bit too relaxed. There is just as much a reason to stay vigilant during the fun in the sun season as there is to remain warm in winter. It’s easy to slip up during summer because we associate it with good times and fun, but there’s never a reason not to be safe on the job. While you may find sweaty hands to be uncomfortable, don’t forgo wearing your rigger gloves for example. Just because it’s sunny out, don’t neglect to wear your hi-vis safety clothing. There are just a few of the things we may be tempted to ignore because of the sense of carefree summer bestows upon us.  Read more... (351 words, 2 images, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

Recent studies have shown that Amish children living on farms in northern Indiana are less predisposed to contracting allergies and asthma than Swiss farm children. The Amish, most of who are descendants of the Swiss. Seem to be more protected than the European children of common farms according to the study.

Dr. Mark Holbreich, lead research author, acknowledges that they haven’t yet identified what it is that causes this difference in asthmatic and allergic prevalence distinguished between animal-exposed children on both Swiss farms and Amish farms.   Read more... (368 words, 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

When it comes to medical research, the incentive of finding a cure or vaccine for any obstacle to quality of life is a noble enough reason to slave away in a lab but passion has never alone paid the bills. So when the European Commission decides to put a €2 million prize up for grabs for breakthroughs in vaccine storage and transportation, it goes a long way to further motivate and excite the field of medical or clinical research. The object of the ‘competition,’ to put it at its basest description, is to break any weak links in the cold-chain for vaccine storage and transportation; the problem with vaccines is their temperamental nature around temperature funny enough. Many of those direly needing vaccines in tropical regions are unable to benefit from them due to hot climates that damage and threaten delicate vaccines. Now an action towards medical research has been taken and although we all like to have a romantic ideal of medical scientists developing breakthroughs for the love of humanity, €2 million will certainly help fast forward developments.  Read more... (373 words, 3 images, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

If you’re planning your next vacation for this summer, consider an active holiday that will have you looking tanned and toned on your return. Not all vacations have to be spent lounging in a sun chair in order to be relaxing. Active holidays have many benefits to the mind and body that are often overlooked in favour of lazing around. This article outlines these benefits and provides examples of fun and healthy holiday activities.  Read more... (334 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)