… AND THE BENEFITS OF A DAILY STROLL Medical Minutes by John Schieszer AT-HOME TESTING FOR COVID-19 INFECTION Researchers in the United States have developed a new type of multiplexed test with a low-cost sensor that may enable the at-home diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection through rapid analysis of small volumes of saliva…
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SHOULD WE BE WEARING MASKS?
By Rachel Garrod The wearing of masks during this COVID-19 pandemic still seems highly contentious. A number of issues influence our compliance with mask wearing: ideology, knowledge and, of course, cultural norms. Japan and other Asian nations have habitually worn masks for many years, particularly when travelling on public transport. But, for us Europeans,…
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COVID-19 UPDATE: Medical Minutes by John Schieszer
DEVELOPING A MULTI DRUG COCKTAIL AGAINST COVID-19 A new American study has identified 21 existing drugs that stop the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Scientists analysed one of the world’s largest collections of known drugs for their ability to block the replication of SARS-CoV-2. They identified 100 molecules with confirmed antiviral activity…
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HOW TO BE COOL with Your Breathing by Rachel Garrod
If you have breathing problems, this time of the year can be very tough. The heat – and we experience a lot of it here in Spain, even into earlyautumn – can adversely affect your breathing and make it difficult to keep active. Pollen allergies may be worse, especially during summer, and increased ozone in…
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THE FIRST BUILDING BLOCK OF ANTI-AGEING
Millions of euros are spent each year in Marbella on health and beauty treatments and products by the many women – and an increasing number of men – who want to retain a youthful appearance. However, one key ingredient is often overlooked: antioxidants. To retain a youthful appearance and live a long and healthy life,…
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THE GLOBAL QUEST for Coronavirus Treatments
NEW IDENTIFICATION OF GENETIC BASIS OF COVID-19 SUSCEPTIBILITY Italian researchers are reporting that they have been able to identify the genetic basis of susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. This has important implications for treatment and drug development. The clinical presentation of COVID-19 varies from patient to patient, and understanding individual genetic susceptibility to the disease is…
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MUSCLE STRENGTH AND OUR DIET – Gender Differences
We are cautiously emerging from lockdown. And now it seems like the time to take stock of our health again. I was fortunate to have access to a treadmill (it had not seen the light of day for a long time) so managed to maintain my cardiovascular fitness (pretty much). But I found it hard…
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Guidelines Issued for Older Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic – Medical Minutes by John Schieszer
Older adults are at elevated risk for complications from COVID-19 and are dying at higher rates than younger patients. In light of these concerns, researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine and colleagues have just issued guidelines and best practices for healthcare providers and family caregivers who are providing care for older adults during the…
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Diagnosing Depression…
and Motion-Detection for Smart Vision – Medical Minutes by John Schieszer A HAIR SAMPLE COULD DIAGNOSE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS It’s possible that a lock of hair can be used to help diagnose depression and monitor the effects of treatment, according to a new American study. Researchers looked for potential relationships between the concentration of the…
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Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella…
National Award for Women’s Diagnosis Hospital Quirónsalud Marbella has received first prize in the “Women’s Diagnosis” category and two special awards in the “Respiratory System” and “Global Results” categories in the first edition of the Best Spanish Hospitals Awards organised by consultancy company Higia Benchmarking. The awards recognise hospital excellence based on indicators of efficiency,…
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VAPING Controversy …
By Rachel Garrod Since I am writing this article in October, more commonly known now as “Stoptober”, I thought it was worth considering the discussion we are presently having around vaping. Vaping refers to the use of electronic cigarettes which mimics smoking but without burning tobacco. The vaporised product from an e-cigarette typically contains nicotine,…
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How to have an epic 2020
By Petya barr What can possibly make the beginning of the new decade different? Well, you will need the powerful engine that can take you towards success and accomplishment in all areas of your life: motivation. And sorry, you can’t order it in a box with a ribbon from Amazon. What is motivation and why…
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HEALTHY WORKPLACE RECOGNITION FOR ACTIU
Actiu’s headquarters in Castalla (Alicante) has become just the fifth complex in the world to receive the Well v2 certification. It is also the first industrial building to hold the two LEED and WELL Platinum, accrediting the furniture company’s headquarters as “a healthy and sustainable space that ensures the well-being of the people who work…
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Health & Beauty ···
Promising Research News for Cardiovascular Patients PATCHING UP A HEART ATTACK Researchers in England are reporting that they have grown heart patches in the lab that are safe to move into trials for people with hearts damaged by a heart attack. These patches could one day cure debilitating heart failure, which is a major killer…
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Free Bone Density Scans
Are you at risk of fracturing a bone? Did you know that 20 per cent of people who fracture a hip die within the first year? Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens the bones and it affects one in 10 women over the age of 60. With weakened bones a simple fall can easily result…
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Cutting-Edge Knee Surgery … AND PACESETTING THERAPY FOR ALZHEIMER’S – Medical Minutes by John Schieszer
SELF-POWERED KNEE IMPLANTS Researchers at State University of New York in the United States are now developing self-powered knee implants that could reduce the number of knee replacement surgeries. They are working on implants that can provide physicians with regular activity updates and are powered by the patient’s movement. Knee replacement surgery is the most…
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Exercise for the Brain
We all worry about our memory as we get older, and sadly it is true that after age 45 areas in the brain associated with memory, attention and perception do begin to shrink. But… it´s not all bad news! There is a large body of evidence now showing us how beneficial exercise is for the…
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Clean, Conscious & Mindful Eating FOR A “BIKINI BODY” By Natalia Belaiche
An increasing number of people understand that a more conscious way of eating could help them completely overcome weight problems. Ideally, you should learn how to understand your body’s needs and satisfy them with the right food. At Healthy Kitchen deli in Puerto Banús we hold nutrition workshops every Thursday to help you reach your…
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FAST AND EFFECTIVE FACIAL REJUVENATION
COSMETIC SURGERY Leading Costa del Sol cosmetic surgeon Dr Pietro di Mauro has expanded his services to include the latest non invasive aesthetic procedures for effective results. He is a specialist in the field of cosmetic surgery, and his treatments include a full range of non-surgical procedures including Botox and fillers to smooth wrinkles, rejuvenate…
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The Exercise Placebo Effect
By Rachel Garrod Is there such a thing as a placebo effect where exercise is concerned? We are probably all familiar with the concept of a placebo effect when related to medicines; it is the reason medical trials have to be so stringent and why people are often randomly assigned to a “treatment” group or…
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Improving Insomnia… AND CONTROLLING CHOLESTEROL
USING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO GET A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP A whole new approach to getting a good night’s sleep is now just a click away. A new study from the University of Oxford and Northwestern Medicine has found treating insomnia with digital programs can improve symptoms. In a year-long study involving 1,711 people, researchers found…
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Villa Paradiso, Serving clients and their families…
WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT AND PRIVACY Interview with Clinic Manager Geraldine Darby and Lead Therapist Matthew Idle What is Villa Paradiso? Villa Paradiso is a residential treatment centre specialising in providing treatment for addictions and trauma. Our experienced team offers effective addiction treatment in a very private, discreet and rejuvenating environment. We don’t publicly reveal the full address for…
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Alzheimer’s Hope… and Illness Detection
ASPIRIN USE MAY PROTECT AGAINST ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE An aspirin a day may help keep Alzheimer’s away. A regimen of low-dose aspirin potentially may reduce plaques in the brain, which will reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk and protect memory, according to researchers at Rush University Medical Center in the United States. They have just published a study…
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I Think I’m Going Gluten-Free?
By Rachel Garrod One of my latest rants concerns gluten intolerance. I’m not a dietician, but a physiotherapist, but I do take an interest in nutritional research and I find the rise in gluten intolerance remarkable – to say the least! Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley – it’s what gives bread…
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Stroke’s No Yolk
By Rachel Garrod Perhaps you have heard that eggs, because they are high in cholesterol, can increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart attack and stroke? For me, a huge lover of eggs, research showing that consumption of eggs seems largely unrelated to the risk of CVD made a pleasing read. Published…
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Vision Enhancement and Blood Pressure Relief
Medical Minutes by John Schieszer New Artificial Iris Helping Improve Vision The first stand-alone prosthetic iris is now helping improving vision for adults and children. The surgically implanted device is being to treat adults and children whose iris (the coloured part of the eye around the pupil) is completely missing or damaged due to a congenital…
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Falls Not an Inevitable Consequence of Ageing By Rachel Garrod
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is running a campaign highlighting the role of physiotherapy in the prevention of falls. Falling in older age is a huge problem; falls are a major cause of disability and the leading cause of death in the over-75s. Fortunately, most falls do not result in serious injury, but in…
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Medical Minutes with John Schieszer
Minimising Dental Pain… and Treating Diabetes Laser Zaps Gum Disease Dentistry is getting a little bit less invasive and less painful. Dentists are now armed with a minimally invasive laser, a tiny laser fibre about the thickness of three human hairs, to treat gum disease. The laser helps regenerate bone and tissue. It eliminates the…
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The Psychology of Growing Up Preparing Children for Kindergarten By Elena Gatsenko
Christmas Fears Santa’s visit (or Father Frost, Noel) is not the main source of most children’s fears. Only the little ones get scared when, in the kindergarten or at home, they are greeted by a loud stranger in a bright outfit as he invades their personal space.The main source of children’s fears and, quite possibly,…
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Crisalix Virtual Reality Innovative Technology at Dr Pietro di Mauro Clinic
A leading surgeon on the Costa del Sol is offering innovative new technology to his patients, allowing them to see the predicted results of surgery via 3D simulation. Dr Pietro di Mauro has invested in Crisalix – a ground breaking technology which uses virtual reality goggles to show women exactly what their enhanced breasts will look…
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Excellent Location and State-of-the Art Facilities
Interview with Dr. Ezequiel Panno Dr. Panno’s Hair Transplant ClinicWhat type of patients does your clinic receive? As we are based in an easy-to-reach part of Europe, which is blessed with a great climate and healthy atmosphere, we receive patients from all over the world – from Oslo to Cape Town and Boston to Dubai. However,…
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A Weekend of Pampering and Food for the Soul
MIND BODY & SPIRIT FESTIVAL A Weekend of Pampering and Food for the Soul Visitors attending the Mind Body & Spirit Festival in Marbella will be able to experience a variety of talks and demonstrations on mediumship, healing and tarot. There will also be holistic body and beauty massage treatments and reflexology available at the…
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FIVE TOP TIPS FOR RESIDENTS IN SPAIN
If you’ve just upped sticks, sold your home and moved to Spain, you are in good company. According to Regency for Expats, “You’ll be joining the ranks of millions of globally mobile people who have chosen to expand their horizons and are now enjoying the thrills and spills of life overseas.” The latest Office for…
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Change the Energy of Your Life
Toon Roijers gave a presentation at the Andalucía Lab in April about changing the energy of our homes in order to change the energy of our lives. According to Toon, “There is a relationship between people and spaces, and you can be influenced by the energy of a space and/or the space can be influenced…
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Harmonious Holistic Treatments in Elviria
The owner of a top dental practice in Elviria (Marbella) has opened an aesthetics clinic next door in order to provide a more comprehensive service to clients. Dr. Karl Wehmeyer, who has been working in Marbella as a dentist at Clínica Dental Dr. Wehmeyer since 1999, opened Clínica Estética Contur in January. Much of Dr…
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WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH Respiratory Health in Spain?
By Rachel Garrod As you may know I have a special interest in the physiotherapy management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This long-term condition is generally caused by cigarette smoking but can also have genetic factors. COPD leads to impairment in lung function with patients suffering breathlessness on exertion, particularly when going upstairs or…
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Cancer detection … And Mediterranean diet
Medical Minutes by John Schieszer BREATH TEST COULD DETECT CANCER A new study is suggesting that a breath test might help detect stomach cancer in a much earlier and more treatable state. A test that measures the levels of five chemicals in the breath has shown promising results for the detection of cancers of the…
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HEALTHCARE BENEFITS AND HEALTH CARDS
UNDERSTAND HOW THE SYSTEM IN SPAIN WORKS… Article supplied by global expat network Angloinfo Once registered with social security, a certificate entitling medical assistance is issued. This document can be used to apply for a health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual – TSI) at the local health centre, and once registered a SIP card will be…
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Cutting-edge Advice for Healthy Living
Vitamin D With Calcium Might Help Prevent Bone Fractures Taking a daily supplement of vitamin D with calcium, but not vitamin D alone, might offer some protection against the risk of bone fractures in adults age 65 and older, according to an updated review from The Cochrane Library. The researchers evaluated 53 studies with 91,791…
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