Day: December 30, 2016

Mum of poorly youngster to volunteer at Florida resort

THE mother of a six-year-old girl with a life-threatening condition said her family will volunteer at a resort for sick children. Sasha-Marie Gill, mother of Harlee-Jae Procter, will work at ‘Give Kids The World Village’ in Florida, a non-profit retreat that provides free holidays for sick children and their families.

Flu bug biting Southern Oregon hard

In Jackson County, 4.77 percent of all emergency room visits last week were to treat flu-like illnesses, more than double the statewide average of 2.1 percent the same week, according to numbers provided by Jackson County Health and Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority. Jackson County Health Officer Dr. Jim Shames said this year’s flu vaccine is a “good match” for the strain going around, identified as Influenza A H3N2.

Mesa cancer survivor graduates from HS

A student who made national news after not being allowed to graduate after battling cancer has finally gotten the chance to get his diploma. Dwyer withdrew from school during his junior year to receive a bone marrow transplant for leukemia.

Mental illness linked to increased risk of long-term opioid use

Washington D.C. [USA], Dec. 31 : A study has found that pre-existing depression or anxiety disorders and the use of psychoactive drugs can increase the risk leading to long-term use of opioid pain medications. [NK Health] The findings showed that increases in rates of long-term opioid use ranged from 1.5 times for patients taking medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, to about three times for those with previous substance use disorders other than opioids, to nearly nine times for those with previous opioid use disorders.

Saying Grace: Become spiritually fit in 2017

… us set goals and make New Year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions involve weight loss. Millions of will join health clubs or start using their gym membership. We will try low-carb, no-carb, paleo, vegan and countless other diets in an …

Stop smoking in the new year

The first five-week series will be held at 10 a.m. to noon on each Tuesday beginning Jan. 24 and running through Feb. 21. The classes will be at in the Arbor Room of the Foley Cultural Center, 1499 N. Camino Alto, in Vallejo. The second five-week series will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on each Thursday beginning on March 2 and running through March 30. The classes will be held at 275 Beck Ave., in Fairfield.

Highly pathogenic strain of bird flu found in cats

A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu was discovered in two dead cats on Saturday, a provincial government official said, marking the first infection of the virus found in mammals in two years. The H5N6 strain of avian influenza which has infected chickens across the country was found in the bodies of the cats in Pocheon, some 46 kilometers north of Seoul, the official said, citing information from health authorities.

County steps up heroin fight with education

… the Northern Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, Planning and Development Services and the Northern Kentucky Health Department to make sure residents know help is available for drug addiction. Volunteers are taking a break for the cold winter …

Carolina’s Bickell determined to return to hockey despite MS

Carolina’s Bickell determined to return to hockey despite MS Bryan Bickell says he doesn’t want to let multiple sclerosis end his hockey career Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hBoMGT The Carolina Hurricanes forward said during the first intermission of Friday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks that “my mindset is to get back on the ice, and I think I can do that.” He says his treatment includes a round of medication once a month, which he began taking “a couple of weeks ago.”

Halifax utility takes extra water precautions ahead of annual polar bear dip

A Halifax utility has taken special precautions to keep harbour bacteria levels within swimming guidelines ahead of the annual New Year’s Day plunge – although water-quality issues don’t seem to faze the brave souls willing to leap into the icy ocean. Halifax Water shut off its ultra-violet lights – the final component in the sewage and wastewater treatment process – in November at four of its plants to lower energy bills over the winter.

FL2Plymouth15:00Crawley

Plymouth boss Derek Adams has no fresh injury worries as they prepare to welcome Crawley in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday. Defender Gary Sawyer is edging closer to a return to the first-team squad after recovering from a stomach injury which has kept him out for over four months.

Aetna Fight for Humana Awaits Court Ruling in U.S. Merger Case

Aetna Inc.’s fight to complete it purchase of Humana Inc. is now with a federal judge who must decide whether the combination of the two health insurers should be blocked because it risks raising costs for consumers. U.S. District Judge John D. Bates in Washington heard final arguments Friday from the companies and the Justice Department about the $37 billion deal, which the government says should be stopped.

New rules to limit Medi-Cal ‘death fees’

… estate recovery program collected close to $70 million, says Tony Cava, spokesman for the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers Medi-Cal. That’s up from roughly $53 million in 2011-2012. Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, points …

Antibiotic-Resistant Infections Reported in Venice

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today was investigating reports of multiple cases of antibiotic-resistant infections in Venice. The action comes as a community group known as the Venice Stakeholders Association , long critical of the area’s homeless situation, announced that six cases of “apparent MRSA” have been reported.

Woman with disability cooks for a bigger purpose

Kim Webber adds a dash of experience, a pinch of passion and a heaping helping of love when making her favorite dishes, but what her YouTube subscribers won’t find in any of her recipes is the special reason she loves to cook. “I was kind of sick and spent a lot of time watching YouTube on the big screen, and I thought, ‘Well, I see something,'” said Webber.

Obama, Democrats to Consider Ways to Save Affordable Care Act

President Barack Obama will meet with Democrats in Congress on Wednesday to discuss ways to protect his signature health care law, which Republicans have threatened to repeal. The president and Democratic lawmakers hope to devise a strategy to delay the Republican-controlled House and Senate from repealing much of the Affordable Care Act without providing a replacement plan.

Ireland confirms bird flu case, carrying out tests

Ireland has found the H5N8 bird flu strain in a wild duck in the south eastern town of Wexford, the agriculture department said on Friday. Several European countries have found cases of H5N8 bird flu in recent weeks and Ireland ordered poultry flocks be kept indoors last week after an outbreak was confirmed in Britain.