2,500-year-old Pythagoras theorem helps to show when a patient has turned a corner

 

A medical researcher at the University of Warwick has found the 2,500 year-old Pythagoras theorem could be the most effective way to identify the point at which a patient's health begins to improve. In a paper published in PLOS ONE, Dr Rob Froud from Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick worked with his colleague Gary Abel from the University of Cambridge. They made the discovery after looking at data from ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curves. These curves were initially developed during World War II for the analysis of signals to help operators decide whether a blip on the screen was an enemy target or allied forces ships or aircrafts. In the 1980s, the curves were adopted by epidemiologists to help them decide at what point an individual has recovered from an illness. Dr Froud said: "It all comes down to choosing a point on a curve to determine when recovery has occurred. For many chronic conditions, epidemiologists agree that the correct point to choose is that which is closest to the top-left corner of the plot containing the curve. As we stopped to think about it, it struck us as obvious that the way to choose this point was by using Pythagoras theorem." Pythagoras theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the sum of the squares of the two right-angled sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse (i.e the longer diagonal that joins the two right angled sides). This means that one can determine the length of the hypotenuse given the length of the other two sides. Dr Froud said: "We set about exploring the implications of this and how it might change conclusions in research. We conducted several experiments using real trial data and it seems using Pythagoras' theorem makes a material difference. It helps to identify the point at which a patient has improved with more consistency and accuracy than other methods commonly used. "The moral of the story is that before you throw out the old stuff in the attic -- just go through it one last time -- as there may be something in there that is still relevant and useful," Dr Froud added. Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by University of Warwick. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference: Robert Froud, Gary Abel. Using ROC Curves to Choose Minimally Important Change Thresholds when Sensitivity and Specificity Are Valued Equally: The Forgotten Lesson of Pythagoras. Theoretical Considerations and an Example Application of Change in Health Status. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9 (12): e114468 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114468

Brain health

 

Health

From Elizabeth Scott, M.S., your About.com Health Editor

When we think of things we can do to improve our health, we often turn the focus on our bodies more than our brains. However, brain health and mental sharpness are perhaps more important than any other type of fitness, and definitely deserve our focus. This newsletter brings resources to aid mental fitness, cognitive sharpness, and overall brain health. Enjoy!
--Elizabeth Scott
Want more from About.com Health? Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our Pinterest page for healthy living tips for you and your family.

Boost Your Brain Health

• Top 10 Ways To Improve Your Brain Fitness
• How Healthy Relationships Change Our Brains
• How To Learn a New Skill for Brain Health

Search Related Topics:  being positive healthy aging mental fitness

Tips For Mental Sharpness

• 7 Nutrition Tips for Increasing Brain Power
• How To Meditate for Brain Health, Mental Fitness and Energy
• Natural Ways to Improve Memory

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The Importance Of Sleep

• Top 10 Health Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep
• How Sleep May Improve Your Memory
• The Link Between Stress and Sleep

Search Related Topics:  longevity boosters lifestyle change energy creation

Habits For A Healthy Brain

• Top 10 Websites and Games for Brain Exercise
• Brain Training: How To Keep A Healthy Brain
• How Physical Activity Affects Brain Fitness

Search Related Topics:  staying young aging tips fun ways to live longer

Better Sleep Guidelines

 

Top 10 Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep Tonight

By Brandon Peters, M.D.

Updated March 11, 2013

There are simple guidelines that will help you have better sleep tonight. At some point in their lives, for any number of reasons, nearly all Americans will have difficulties sleeping. This can lead to significant distress, but have no fear! There are simple steps to take that will help you to sleep better tonight.

1. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends.

   We are creatures of habit, and our sleep is no exception. By consistently going to bed and getting up at the same time, we condition our body to follow a regular pattern of sleep. This allows our body’s natural clock, called a circadian rhythm, to help initiate and maintain our sleep.

2. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, cool, and comfortable.

   Studies find that sleeping in a cool environment is most conducive to sleep. By eliminating excess noise and light, we can minimize the disruptions that might wake us up. In addition, the bedroom should be a relaxing place and not a source of stress.

3. Bedrooms are for sleeping and sex, not for watching television or doing work.

   Somehow we have managed to make the bedroom a multipurpose room. All electronics must be removed! Televisions, gaming systems, computers, telephones, and various other gadgets are stimulating and disruptive to sleep. Don’t allow them in your bedroom and don’t use them in the brief period before going to bed. Even the small amount of light from a computer screen in the evening hours can stimulate your brain into thinking it is time to be awake. Moreover, do not use the bedroom to do work as these activities are likewise stimulating and will disrupt your sleep.

4. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine 4-6 hours before bedtime.

   Caffeine can be found in expected places like coffee, soda pop, or tea, but also in unexpected foods like chocolate. As a stimulant it will keep you awake, even if used nearly six hours before bed. Likewise, nicotine will disrupt your sleep. And contrary to common practice, an alcoholic “nightcap” can actually make your sleep worse. Though it may cause you to become drowsy, alcohol fragments the stages of your sleep and makes it more disrupted.

5. Don’t take naps.

   The period of time that you are awake adds to something called “sleep drive.” The longer we stay awake, the more we want to go to sleep. By taking a nap we can relieve this desire to sleep, but it will also make it less likely that we will be able to easily go to sleep later. Adults should have a consolidated period of sleep at night without additional naps. If there is excessive daytime sleepiness and desire to nap, in spite of adequate sleep time, this might suggest a sleep disorder warranting further evaluation.

6. Exercise every day, but avoid doing it 4 hours before bedtime.

   Staying active and physically fit is an excellent way to ensure a good night’s sleep. However, exercise too close to bedtime may actually cause difficulties in getting to sleep as your body will still be revved up.

7. Develop sleep rituals which include quiet activities, such as reading, 15 minutes before bedtime.

   Just like we maintain for children, adults need daily sleep rituals prior to going to bed to allow us to unwind and mentally prepare for going to sleep. These rituals should include quiet activities such as reading, listening to relaxing music, or even taking a nice bath.

8. If you are having trouble getting to sleep, don’t struggle in bed or you will train yourself to have difficulties there.

   Individuals who have difficulty initiating sleep often toss and turn in bed and try to force sleep to come. As this is repeated, night after night, this sets up a situation where we associate our bed with the anxiety of not being able to sleep. If you are unable to get to sleep within 15 minutes, go to another quiet place and lie down until you feel ready to fall asleep, and then return to your bedroom to sleep.

9. Avoid eating or drinking in the few hours right before going to bed, as these might lead to disruptions of your sleep.

   Discomfort with heartburn or acid reflux as well as needing to get up multiple times to urinate can be very disruptive to a good night’s sleep. It is best to avoid setting up these situations by not eating or drinking in the few hours just prior to bedtime.

10. Make sleep a priority: don’t sacrifice sleep to do daytime activities.

    The most important advice is to respect that your body needs to sleep. Too often we are likely to allow our sleep time to be infringed upon when our daytime obligations take longer than we expect. Additionally, opportunities to engage in pleasurable activities—visiting friends, watching television, playing on the internet, eating out, and any number of others—quickly cut into our sleep time if we allow them to. It is important to schedule your sleep time and keep to that schedule, no matter what might come up during the day.

_Source:

National Sleep Foundation.

Boost Your Longevity With Healthy Habits

 

Healthy habits - click link

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

 

 

Understanding the Ways of the Bed BugPreventing Bed Bugs From Entering the HomeKnowing Your Home Has a Bed Bug InfestationPreventing Bed Bugs From Spreading

Edited by Jack Herrick, Ectocritterz, Gabrielle, Flickety and 28 others

Unfortunately, bed bugs are on the rise across North America, Europe, and Australia, reaching "epidemic proportions".^[1][2] Given that almost any environment under 120ºF (48.89ºC) will provide a thriving environment for bed bugs, your home could be next.

These steps suggest ways to prevent bed bugs from entering your home and ways to prevent an infestation in the event that some bed bugs do get in.

Part 1 of 4: Understanding the Ways of the Bed Bug

1. 

   Know how to identify a bed bug. Bed bugs are reddish-brown with a flat, oval body that measures approximately ¼ of an inch (6.35 mm) long. Bed bugs usually hide close to the bed but can spread to other areas of the room or home over time.

   • Bed bug colors can range from nearly white after they molt, a light tan, a deep brown, to a burnt orange.^[3]

2. 

   Although bed bugs are generally found on or near the bed, most insects found there are not bed bugs. Before beginning pest control efforts to rid a home of bed bugs, confirm the identity of the pest. ^[4]

3. 

   Know how bed bugs are able to get into your home. Bed bugs enter a home through many possible ways, the most common being hitching a ride on your luggage, computer, clothing or other belongings after you have stayed somewhere else, or traveled where bed bugs are present, including on public transportation. Moving time is another possible way to get into a new home, as they catch a ride in the moving boxes.

4. 

   Know the most likely places where bed bugs can be found once they get into your home.

   • Bed bugs are more likely to be found in buildings where many occupants sleep or where there is frequent turnover, such as a hotel or college dormitory.
   • Bed bugs tend to congregate where people sleep more than any other part of the home. They love hiding out in the bed frame, mattress, and box spring.^[5]
   • Given their flattened body shape, bed bugs hide out in cracks and crevices within a room, the furniture, and other objects.^[6]
   • Bed bugs can wander from apartment to apartment using the voids between walls and wire/pipe holes.^[7]
   • Bed bugs like warmth. They are known to enter laptops, netbooks, and DSL ports, which are also very portable objects that you might inadvertently carry around to other rooms and homes!
   • Occasionally, bats and birds introduce bed bugs.^[8]

Part 2 of 4: Preventing Bed Bugs From Entering the Home

1. 

   Check for bed bugs before unpacking during a trip away from home. Change rooms or hotels immediately if you see any evidence of bed bugs.

   • Pull back the sheets from the mattress and look for bugs along the seams or tiny blood spots on the mattress.
   • Look along the edges of the box springs and in the seams of the bedding.
   • Inspect the headboard and behind it.
   • Examine wood or upholstered furniture, especially along crevices and seams. Bed bugs seem to prefer wood and fabric to plastic and metal.
   • Don't put your baggage on the bed. Use the suitcase holder if provided, or leave your luggage in the bath tub or outside until you have inspected the room.

2. 

   Take care of bed bugs that may have hitched a ride on clothing.

   • Separate laundry into plastic bags so the clothes can be placed directly in the washer without bugs escaping. Wash and dry the clothes on the highest setting that the fabric can withstand or take items to the dry cleaners.
   • Undress on a hard surface floor rather than on carpet if you suspect bed bugs are on your clothing. Bed bugs do not travel on people like lice do. Wipe off the floor to capture any bed bugs that fall off the clothes.

3. 

   Inspect luggage and other personal items for bed bugs. Vacuum off luggage and items that cannot be washed. Hand wash other items with hot, soapy water. Use a brush to scrub items, especially where bugs and eggs may be hiding in the seams and folds.

4. 

   Take care when bringing used furniture and clothing into your house. Wash clothing immediately. Furniture, however, should be inspected carefully before even bringing it into your home:

   • Check the crevices, behind moldings and other embellishments, and any cracks.
   • Avoid bringing home used mattresses.
   • Wash and dry all soft furnishings, such as curtains, at high temperatures before using.

Part 3 of 4: Knowing Your Home Has a Bed Bug Infestation

1. 

   Consider bed bugs if any member of the household is complaining of being bitten during the night.

2. 

   Check for signs of bed bugs:

   • Fecal staining (dark brown or reddish spots) can be seen by the naked eye on bedding, the mattress, and even the walls near the bed.^[9]
   • A heavily infested house may smell like coriander.^[10]
   • Read wikiHow's more detailed article on How to Recognize Bed Bugs.

3. 

   Confirm the identity of bed bugs if you're not sure. Drop a sample in to an entomologist for verification.

Part 4 of 4: Preventing Bed Bugs From Spreading

If bed bugs have invaded your home, it's important to act quickly to curtail their invasion.

1. 

   Fix your bed. There are several things you can do to make the bed a less desirable residence, or harder to get to:

   • Vacuum mattresses and box springs to remove bugs and eggs.
   • Cover box springs and mattresses with zippered, vinyl covers for at least a year, as adult bed bugs can survive a year or longer without a meal. Seal any tears with duct tape.
   • Pull beds away from the wall.
   • Use a commercial ClimbUp® interceptor. This is a cup-like talc-filled item that sits under each bed leg that captures bed bugs trying to climb up and down. You can make a do-it-yourself version using plastic cups filled with a little mineral oil and placed under each bed leg. Remember to empty frequently.

2. 

   Deal with your bedding. The bedding needs to be treated and cared for appropriately as well:

   • Wash bedding in hot water and then dry on a high heat setting on a weekly basis. Place pillows and other non-washable items in the dryer for 20 minutes on high heat.
   • Keep bedding from touching the floor.

3. 

   Eliminate bed bugs on carpet, fabric drapes and upholstered furniture by vacuuming weekly.

   • Dispose of the vacuum contents carefully in a plastic bag that you can seal and remove from your home immediately.

4. 

   Minimize the number of hiding places for bed bugs.

   • Caulk cracks along the baseboards and molding.
   • Seal holes in areas where pipes or wires go through the wall.
   • Reduce clutter in the bedroom, especially near the bed and on the floor.

5. 

   Hire a pest control service to routinely treat the home and prevent a bed bug infestation.

   • Ask for references.
   • Ask for eco-friendly solutions if wished.
   • Talk to their customers about their satisfaction with the treatment process.
   • If you are renting, contact your landlord immediately to get a solution implemented quickly.

Cigarette Smoking Is Going Up On A Global Scale

 

January 20, 2014 |  by Eric Lyday  |  Health

Smoking has been cool for a long time. From the earliest days of advertisement, cigarettes were the ultimate indicator of normalcy, coolness, rebellion, and sexuality. Though cigarettes still may have these connotations, we all now know how harmful cigarette smoke can be for first-hand or even second-hand inhalations and the allure of cigarettes has somewhat died away. Or has it?

Almost 50 years after the U.S. Surgeon General declared cigarettes to be harmful for your health, a study from Washington State has found that cigarette smoking has gone up on a global scale. A staggering 1 billion people worldwide are still smokers. Between the years 1980 and 2012 the number of adult smokers went from 721 million to about 1 billion. In comparison, the approximate number of cigarettes smoked went from 5 trillion to 6.25 trillion.

You may ask yourself, “Well that doesn’t make sense, there seems to be less people smoking today than before.” If you’re living in the U.S. at least, you would be correct. The number of U.S. smokers has declined from 52 million to 38 million people in the same time period. The issue instead lies within third-world and other poorer countries where cigarette smoking has been embraced more fully, likely due to the lack of restrictions of cigarette companies in these areas.

What really makes these numbers truly staggering is that the World Health Organization estimates that 5 million people die every year from tobacco-related illnesses. This number trumps deaths related to AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined!