Ugandan Medical Male Circumcision Program Launched to Prevent HIV Transmission

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jul 12,2009

First Program in Uganda to Provide Circumcision Services

Uganda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to register a drop in adult national prevalence in HIV. The epidemic, however, remains serious as approximately one million Ugandans are HIV positive. Experts in the field have begun promoting a low cost and powerful weapon against new HIV infections: voluntary medical male circumcision.

Three trials in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa have demonstrated that male circumcision reduces the rate of HIV infection in heterosexual relationships by 50 to 60 percent. Male circumcision has received endorsements by the World Health Organization and the Uganda Ministry of Health as a proven safe way to prevent the spread of HIV.

Yesterday, the Kayunga District Hospital and Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) opened the Kayunga District Medical Male Circumcision Program, the first free, non-research male circumcision program in Uganda. They marked the grand opening on July 9th at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a renovated clinic.

Dr. Ahmed Matovu, Kayunga District Hospital Superintendent added, “Circumcision must be utilized in combination with Uganda’s existing HIV sexual prevention messages, which include condom use, faithfulness, or abstinence.”

“The Kayunga District Medical Male Circumcision Program, which has already circumcised more than 220 men, represents hope and progress in the fight against HIV,” said MUWRP’s Mark Breda.

Representatives from the Kayunga District Health Authority, Kayunga District Hospital, Uganda AIDS Control Program, Uganda AIDS Commission, and the U.S. government commemorated the day along with musical performances and a tree planting ceremony. The entire Kayunga community was invited. Participation included the males that have already been circumcised, ranging in age from 13-60, with the average age being 19.

The program is funded using President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) country operational funding. Kayunga is a rural district located in the mid-central part of Uganda, with an estimated population of 320,000 (Uganda population census 2002). The overall estimated prevalence of HIV infection in the district is 9.9%.

MUWRP is a non-profit partnership with Makerere University and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP). While its primary focus has been on developing a globally effective preventive HIV-1 vaccine, MHRP is actively committed to and engaged in providing effective prevention, care and treatment programs in the communities where they conduct research.

Source: U.S. Military HIV Research Program

Insightful handbook for Alzheimer’s caregivers

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jul 11,2009

Seasoned Professional Caregiver Deanna Lueckenotte Offers Tips, Techniques and Heartfelt Stories

Growing in the number of those afflicted, Alzheimer’s takes more loved ones every year. In the new guidebook for caregivers, “Alzheimer’s Days Gone By: For Those Caring For Their Loved Ones” (published by AuthorHouse), Deanna Lueckenotte weaves a heartfelt mix of personal experience and sound advice on a myriad of topics related to the care of loved ones during the descent into dementia.

Concise, insightful and effortlessly readable, Lueckenotte purposefully leaves out the clinical underpinnings of Alzheimer’s and instead focuses on creating a “compass to help the caregiver find what ‘tool’ they are looking for at that very moment.” Covering a variety of issues and concerns that can arise at any moment on any day along an Alzheimer’s caregiver’s journey, “Alzheimer’s Days Gone By” includes topics on how to take care of yourself, common behaviors, communicating, research, an overview of dementia, home safety, a holiday survival guide, external resources, daily activities and much more.

Overflowing with valuable information, “Alzheimer’s Days Gone By” also offers advice on the overlooked aspects of caregiving, included in chapters like “Forget me Knots,” discussing topics of driving, sexual issues, funeral home arrangements and lifestyle enhancement. The area of lifestyle enhancement is neglected by other books within the genre because of the assumption that the caregiver is unable to assess the patient’s quality of life or improve it. Lueckenotte dispels this notion and elaborates upon different areas in which readers can improve their loved ones’ quality of life in a failure-free environment. Lastly, chapters like “Light in the Tunnel” feature a compilation of touching stories that any reader will relate to and benefit from reading.

Ideal for caregivers, nursing students, paramedics and pastors, “Alzheimer’s Days Gone By” arms readers with the tools they need to survive their caregiving journey and not lose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. Motivated to learn more about the disease when her grandmother developed dementia during the ’90s, when relatively little was known about Alzheimer’s, Lueckenotte gives readers the information they need to face the disease with strength and courage.

Deanna Lueckenotte received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of North Texas in Denton and plans to continue her education and pursue opportunities in the geriatric field. She has spent nine years working with patients in long term care, receiving her social work license, assisted living certification and license for work as a nursing facility administrator. She works closely with Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers and currently works as an executive director of an Alzheimer’s assisted living center in central Texas. She and her husband, Bryan, have a 10-year-old son, Taylor, and two Labrador Retrievers.

Source: AuthorHouse

Oral piercings pose potential health care risks

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jul 10,2009

Like clothing and hairstyles, oral piercings give teens and adults a way to express themselves.

While trendy, this fashion statement poses a number of potential oral and overall health care risks. It’s also important to note that oral piercings most commonly involve the tongue, and also the lips, cheeks, uvula or a combination of sites. Oral piercings have been implicated in a number of adverse oral and systemic conditions.

“Anyone considering an oral piercing should consult a dentist to discuss the possible adverse effects,” says Dr. George Koumaras, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Virginia, “or if you already have an oral piercing, make sure to schedule routine dental exams so a dentist can check for potential problems.”

Known complications of oral piercings include:
Pain – People who have oral piercings cite pain as the first thing they notice after the procedure.
Swelling – Piercing may cause swelling of the tongue. According to the American Dental Association, in extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can actually close off the airway and restrict breathing.
Prolonged bleeding – A blood vessel punctured during piercing may cause severe bleeding.
Damage to the sublingual salivary glands – An improperly placed tongue piercing may damage the sublingual salivary glands (salivary glands under the tongue), which produce five percent of saliva entering the oral cavity.
Aspiration (choking) - Jewelry may become loose in the mouth, creating a choking hazard.
Plaque buildup – Plaque may build up on piercings, requiring more frequent cleanings.
Damage to the teeth and gums – Jewelry may come in contact with both the teeth and gums, causing chipped or cracked teeth or gingival (gum) recession.
Allergic reaction – Jewelry containing certain metals may cause an allergic reaction.
Nerve damage – A piercing that penetrates a nerve may cause nerve damage, leading to numbness or loss of sensation at the piercing site.
Infection – The wound from the piercing, coupled with bacteria in the mouth, creates an increased risk of infection.

“If you decide to get an oral piercing and complications arise, schedule an appointment with your dentist,” says Dr. Koumaras. “Dentists are trained to monitor and manage oral health problems and will work with a physician to manage more serious conditions.”

Also, make sure to follow any home-care instructions, including cleaning, provided by your dentist or piercing specialist. This may help prevent immediate, short-term or long-term complications. Your dentist can prescribe an antimicrobial rinse to help keep the pierced site and jewelry clean.

“Whether a piercing is through the cheek, lip or tongue, proper oral hygiene measures are critical,” continues Dr. Koumaras, “and may help reduce the risk of some damaging adverse effects of oral piercing.”

Source: ProAct Public Relations LLC

Basic facts and statistics about Lupus

• Author: Health Informer
• Filed under: Health News
• Date: Jul 10,2009

In response to a recent increase in media interest in lupus, the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is providing a fact sheet about the disease.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any tissue or organ in the body. Its health effects include skin lesions, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, miscarriages, and organ failure.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

The most common symptoms include severe joint pain and swelling, overwhelming fatigue, fevers, skin rashes, pain in the chest on deep breathing, hair loss, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Symptoms come and go and can change over time, and range from mild to life-threatening.

What are the different forms of lupus?

There are several forms of lupus, the most common being cutaneous and systemic. Cutaneous lupus is limited to the skin and is often identified by a rash or skin lesions that appears on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the scalp, face, neck, hands, and arms. Cutaneous lupus accounts for approximately 10% of all cases. Systemic lupus is usually more severe and can affect almost any organ or system of the body, including the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, heart, nervous system, and brain. Approximately 70% of lupus cases are systemic. In about half of these cases, a major organ will be affected.

Who develops lupus?

Ninety percent of the people with lupus are women. The disease develops most often between the ages of 15 and 44, although males and females of any age can be affected. Lupus is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, and Asians, than among Caucasians. Based on several nationwide telephone surveys, the LFA estimates that approximately 1,500,000 Americans have a form of the disease.

What causes lupus?

The exact causes of lupus are unknown. Researchers believe that certain environmental factors play a role in triggering the disease in people who are genetically susceptible to developing lupus. These environmental triggers include infections, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, antibiotics and certain other drugs, and hormonal changes. Hormonal factors may explain why lupus occurs more frequently in females than in males. Despite some statements in the media recently, there is no known connection between childhood abuse and lupus. Lupus is NOT infectious, rare, or cancerous. It is not related to or like HIV/AIDS.

Source: Lupus Foundation of America