demographics

Are you getting enough vitamin D?

The sunshine vitamin: Researchers sound alarm over shortage among non-whites

MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT

Vitamin D tests conducted on a group of University of Toronto students have found that virtually all non-whites had insufficient levels of the sunshine vitamin, putting them at elevated risk of debilitating diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer and diabetes.

The research, which is awaiting publication in a medical journal, found that 100 per cent of those of African origin were short of vitamin D, as were 93 per cent of South Asians (those of Indian or Pakistani origin), and 85 per cent of East Asians (those of Chinese, Indochinese or Filipino origin, among other countries).  continue reading »»»

A diagnosis of MS can feel overwhelming, even terrifying. Though over 400,000 American's have received that diagnosis, succinct answers on the issues surrounding MS can be hard to come by. This guide is the definitive resource for those who need information on this debilitating disease. Organized in an accessible question-and-answer format, it includes information on diagnosis, epidemiology, and the condition's emotional, social, and economic aspects, as well as descriptions of common medications and helpful advice for managing symptoms.

A video from YouTube that describes what Multiple Sclerosis is and how it acts on the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Patsy Peebles: Patsy Peebles with her dad Bill, and mum, Joanna

HER body wracked with pain, brave schoolgirl Patsy Peebles wishes her only worries were boys and class work.

But shattering news from doctors has forced her to grow up fast.

At just 14, Patsy became one of the youngest people in the UK ever diagnosed with debilitating multiple sclerosis.

And the pupil at Gateshead's Thomas Hepburn School is the only under-18 to try out the MS wonderdrug Campath.

Specialists at Newcastle General Hospital waived the age limit on the new trials, allowing Patsy to undergo a five-day treatment.

She is determined to fight the condition and is campaigning for better support for teenage sufferers.

She suffered terrifying bouts of blindness, headaches and numbness for over eight months before specialists diagnosed her with MS, an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.

Patsy, who has now turned 15 , said: ?It started with horrific headaches. I took lots of tablets but nothing seemed to work.

?My hand started to go numb. It scared me. I didn?t know what was happening.

?My back started hurting and my mum couldn?t even cuddle me because of the pain on my skin. Eventually I was told by the doctor he was 60% sure I had MS but I clung to the 40% hope that it wasn?t.

?Now, the Campath has really helped. I feel 100% better. The first day of treatment was the worst because I suffered all the side effects we?d been warned about. continue reading »»»