Risk for HPV May be Higher than Reported

It has long been reported that the risk of HPV progressing to a significant level of precancerous and subsequently cancerous lesion are very low. I have long been concerned regarding just how accurate this information may be.

The rates of cervical cancer over the past half a century have dropped dramatically as a result of cervical screening programs which can identify abnormalities in advance of their becoming cancerous. As a direct result of these programs, high-grade lesions (CIN2, CIN3 and CIS also known as carcinoma in situ) are routinely treated and removed in an attempt to eliminate the potential for cancer.

HPV however, like many other contagious conditions, is not a reportable infection like chlamydia or hepatitis. There is the potential for far more of these lesions to exist because there also is no repository from which to study and track the numbers of these high-grade lesions.

However HPV is known to cause multiple other cancers aside from cervical. One of the most significant is anal cancer. While this cancer has an extremely high cure rate if identified and treated early in its course, all too often it is misdiagnosed as bleeding hemorrhoids thus delaying a true diagnosis for months or even years.

Just like cervical HPV, anal HPV progresses from small changes within the cells and over time increasingly abnormal changes which eventually will result in cancer.

For the most part, HPV and the associated conditions have long been “women’s diseases” while recent studies in both North and South America have shown that 50 percent of men have HPV. Obviously this information is something which the public needs to know and for which men need to take responsibility since they can transmit the virus to women.

In recent studies referenced by Dr. Joel Palefsky, one of the leading HPV researchers and infectious disease specialists in the United States, anal HPV infection was shown to be present in 60 percent of normal healthy women, while only 50 percent were shown to have cervical HPV infections. This indicates that anal HPV infection is more prevalent than previously thought.

Water chestnuts

True to its name, c ủ năn (water chestnut) grows in water. A water chestnut is nearly 70 percent water, 19 percent starch, 2.25 percent protein, 0.19 percent fat, and 1.58 percent essential minerals.

In Oriental medicine, water chestnuts are used to cool the body, clear sputum, and treat fever, dehydration, sore throat, coughs, bronchitis and red eyes. They are diuretics and relieve urinary tract infection, according to doctors Hoang Khanh Toan and Nguyen Duc Quang. Dr. Toan adds that water chestnuts can stop the bleeding associated with hemorrhoids or severe dysentery.

Here are some simple water-chestnut remedies, the first five from Dr. Toan:

Recipe 1:

Wash and peel half a kilogram of water chestnuts, chop them roughly, juice them in a blender. Filter the juice through a seive or clean cloth into a glass. Then crush 250g rock sugar and mix it with the juice. This concoction cools the body, reduces excess sputum, and eases sore throat, bronchitis or tonsillitis.

Recipe 2:

For this you need 500g water chestnuts and 500g honey. Wash and peel the chestnuts, chop them into small pieces, juice them in a blender, and filter the juice through a clean cloth into a glass. Stir in the honey and drink this to cool the body, clear up sputum, and fortify the upper respiratory tract to keep it free of infection.

Recipe 3:

Take 200g water chestnuts, 200g lotus rootstock, 200g pear and 15ml honey. Begin by washing and peeling the chestnuts, lotus rootstock and pear. Chop everything into small pieces, juice together in a blender, filter the juice through a clean cloth into a glass, and stir in honey to taste. This drink cools the body, eases coughing, and prevents urinary tract infection, bronchitis, sore throat, hemorrhoids and water loss from fever.

Recipe 4:

Take 200g water chestnuts, 80g rock sugar, 350g sugarcane, and 200g carrots. Wash and peel the chestnuts, soak in salt water for 10 minutes, and rinse again. Peel and slice the sugarcane into medium pieces, soak in salt water for 10 minutes, and rinse again. The carrots should be washed, peeled and chopped into small pieces too. Place the lot with rock sugar in a pot, cover with water, cook for 30 minutes, then let stand until the liquid cools down. This beverage cools the body and gets rid of excess mucus. It’s also good for treating urinary tract infection, sore throat, retention of urine, chronic nephritis, and high blood pressure.

Recipe 5:

Take 100g water chestnuts, 100g fresh lemons and one liter of boiled water. Wash and peel the chestnuts, and slice them thinly. Wash and peel the lemons, and cut them into two. Simmer the chestnuts and lemons, with one liter of water for 15 minutes. This drink cools the body, treats upper respiratory tract infection and lowers blood pressure.

Dr. Quang suggests two remedies using water chestnuts:

Recipe 1:

Mix a half glass of water-chestnut juice and a half glass of light white alcohol. This drink is used to help treat bloody stools. Contact your doctor immediately if blood persists.

Recipe 2:

Wash, peel and chop 120g of water chestnuts, juice them in a blender, pour the juice into a glass and refrigerate. The cool juice is good for a swollen or otherwise sore throat.

A word of warning: water chestnuts are unsuitable for people with indigestion, watery defecation, cold limbs, or stomach pain from eating fresh and cold food.

Healthy Eating Beyond Meat and Potatoes

Preventing Heart Failure — A Serious and Increasingly Common Chronic Disease

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Heart failure happens when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The American Heart Association says heart failure is a growing epidemic. The June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers some reasons for the increased prevalence of heart failure and options to help prevent it.

Heart failure often develops after the heart has been damaged or weakened by other conditions. The dramatic increase in heart failure coincides with an aging population, more people with heart disease and increased survival rates for those who experience heart attacks.

Over time, a heart that is compromised by underlying disease changes and loses function. The ventricles, the main pumping chambers, may become stiff and not fill properly between beats. The heart muscle may weaken. The ventricles can stretch, decreasing pumping efficiency. High blood pressure, faulty heart valves, abnormal heart rhythms, diabetes and other factors also can contribute to heart failure. Signs and symptoms of heart failure can include shortness of breath and leg swelling.

Medication may be necessary to treat underlying conditions that increase the risk of heart failure. There are many options, including:

- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors — These medications relax the blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and decrease the heart’s workload. Examples include enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and captopril (Capoten).

- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) — ARBs offer many of the same benefits as ACE inhibitors and are an option when ACE inhibitors aren’t well tolerated. Options include losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan) and others.

- Digoxin (Lanoxin) — This medication improves the strength of heart muscle contractions and tends to slow the heartbeat.

- Beta blockers — These drugs slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure and may reduce the risk of some abnormal heart rhythms. Examples include bisoprolol (Zebeta), carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor).

- Diuretics — These medications cause frequent urination, keeping fluids from collecting in the body. Examples include bumetanide (Bumex), furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide.

Adopting a healthier lifestyle can help prevent heart failure. Important lifestyle factors include avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, limiting alcohol and staying physically active

Heart failure is a serious chronic disease. The rate of death five years after diagnosis is 50 percent in men and 46 percent in women.

Fall Prevention: Out with the Old Shoes, Old Habits

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The right choice of indoor and outdoor shoes can help keep older adults on their feet, according to the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Surveys show that old shoes and old habits can contribute to falls in older adults.

Older adults who wear athletic shoes around the house are much less likely to fall than those who go barefoot, wear socks alone or wear slippers. Outside of the home, older adults often opt for slip-on shoes without snug fasteners or laces. Lace-up or strap-on shoes with a snug fit offer the most support.

Surveys have shown that older adults often wear shoes that are worn out and have lost their cushioning or even have flopping parts. Or, some people persist in wearing shoes that are too small or narrow. Feet tend to elongate with age, and a bigger shoe size may be necessary. Poor-fitting or worn-out shoes increase the risk of falls and can contribute to foot problems such as bunions, corns, or pain under the base of the toe joints (metatarsalgia).

Older adults have many shoe choices, including the traditional rocker bottom shoes with a mostly flat sole and upward curve at the toes. There are many newer trends, including double rocker bottom shoes, foot gloves and shoes with negative heels.

Double rocker bottom shoes feature a sole that curves up at the toes and the heel. The sole looks like the bottom of a rocking chair. They can be effective for people with a fused ankle joint or advanced arthritis of the foot or ankle. Mayo Clinic doctors urge caution with this choice, as they require a level of balance that many older adults don’t have, increasing the risk of falling.

Foot gloves fit the foot like a glove and imitate aspects of going barefoot, but with protection from stepping on sharp objects. Originally designed for runners, they are increasingly popular for casual or around-the-house wear. Again, Mayo Clinic doctors urge caution for older adults. Natural foot cushioning diminishes with age, and it’s possible these products could raise the risk of injury in older adults.

Negative heels feature a heel lower than the toe box. For most people, this shoe design stretches the Achilles tendon more than normal with every step, potentially leading to discomfort and injury. Mayo Clinic doctors say the risk of injury from a negative heel shoe outweighs any potential benefits.

Good shoes that fit well aren’t the only factor in preventing falls, but selecting the right footwear can make a difference.

Healthy and Delicious Eating Beyond Meat and Potatoes

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy should be the star attractions of a healthy diet, with only cameo appearances by meat. A special section in the June issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, called “Beyond Meat and Potatoes, The Art of Eating Well,” offers ideas and recipes for an appealing, nourishing diet.

Here are some healthy eating tidbits from the Special Report:

Be a new omnivore: No need to swear off meat altogether. But because of the health risks associated with higher cholesterol and saturated fat, it’s best to limit meat consumption to less than six ounces a day.

Don’t forget the fiber: Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, includes all parts of plant food that the body can’t digest or absorb. It passes through the digestive tract relatively intact. So why bother? Because fiber aids bowel function (and reduces the risk of hemorrhoids), lowers cholesterol levels, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and helps with weight loss. High-fiber foods generally require more chewing time, giving the body time to register that it’s full.

Savory not salty: Limiting salt can help keep blood pressure under control, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney problems. Instead of reaching for the salt, consider adding dried or chopped fresh herbs to soup, salads or sandwich fillings. Flavor boosters such as garlic, fresh ginger, citrus zest and juices or flavored vinegars can lift foods from flat to interesting.

Pounds and calories: It takes about 3,500 calories above a person’s daily calorie needs to gain a pound of body fat. Likewise, it takes about 3,500 calories under the daily needs to lose a pound of body fat. But a few calories more or less every day start to add up. A person who eats just 100 extra calories a day can gain 10 pounds in one year. Conversely, by eating 100 fewer calories a day, a person can lose 10 pounds in one year.

What’s for dinner? The Special Section features 10 easy-to-prepare recipes that go beyond meat and potatoes. Options include broiled trout with tomato and red onion relish, sugar snap peas with fresh marjoram, spicy beef kabobs, grilled pineapple and fresh mixed berries with ginger sauce.

Though perhaps not horror per se

Dysfunctional is the new normal. There’s no such thing as a “normal” family anymore. Every family unit has its unique quirks and habits which may seem odd to an outside observer. Today’s “normal” family unit boasts more black sheep than white per generation, each generation diagnosed with ever more intricate psychological maladies, most of which can be blamed on the one that came before it. Only when someone claims to have come from a “totally normal family” should you worry about said someone’s mental health. Normal is horrifying, ripe with possibilities. Serial killers come from “normal” families. Normal people are walking time bombs, just waiting for the most normal moment in their banal existence to erupt into batshit insanity.

Case in point: the Dogtooth family is as far from normal as a family can possibly get and still exist in the same dimension as the rest of us. And no, “Dogtooth” is not the actual given surname of the family in question. No names are ever used to identify the mother and father or their three children: the eldest daughter, the son and the younger daughter. Ranging in age from seventeen to twenty one (approximately) the children are physically fit, pure as Ivory soap and blank as slates. Cut off from the rest of the world, the children have spent their entire lives within the family home and surrounding gardens, the high hedge fences which enclose the estate as effective as any high voltage razor wire barrier.

For reasons that are never revealed, Mother and Father have systematically brainwashed their children from day one, convincing them all that the airplanes that fly overhead are toys that will occasionally fall from the sky, that certain words like “sea” and “zombie” have definitions not found in any modern dictionary, and that the outside world can only be entered when one’s dogtooth (upper canines) falls out. The kids never question their parents rules or motives and, in turn, seemingly want for nothing. Even Son’s budding sexual desires are tended to with matter-of-fact efficiency. Father – who works a perfectly normal day job at a perfectly normal factory – pays a female security guard named Christina to drop by the house once a week for Son to fuck.

But with Christina comes a small window into the outside world, a window to which Eldest Daughter is drawn, at first unwittingly. Dissatisfied with Son’s robotic dry humps, Christina begins offering gifts to Eldest Daughter – a sparkly headband, hair gel, etc. – in exchange for cunningulus. Eldest Daughter is truly ignorant about sex and does not understand what she’s being asked to do, but she soon figures out that it’s worth more than a couple of $1 items in a beauty supply bargain bin. She demands that Christina hand over the VHS tapes in her bag, or else she’s going to tell Father about all the time she’s spent licking Christina’s “keyboard.” Reluctantly, Christina hands over her rented copies of Rocky and Jaws, both of which have a profound effect upon Eldest Daughter, who begins acting out scenes from both films and incorporating their dialogue into her everyday conversations. Alarmed by her behavior, Father takes drastic measures to correct the “bad influences” that Christina has inflicted upon his child, even going so far as to dismiss Christina from her sexual activities and offer Son his own sister as a substitution. But Eldest Daughter has had enough. She’s ready to lose her dogtooth and join the outside world, even if she has to force the process.

It was difficult not to draw comparisons between this film and the real life case of Josef Fritzi, the Austrian whackjob who kept his own daughter and their inbred children prisoner in a windowless basement for a quarter of a century. Granted, the Dogtooth family has a slightly more idyllic setting, but it’s like slapping Happy Face masks over the cast of a snuff film: there just ain’t no prettying up abuse.

With its stark white color scheme, antiseptic sets and lack of a streaming soundtrack, Dogtooth is like watching a documentary, or perhaps the worlds most twisted educational film: “How to Skull Fuck Your Family Into Irreversible Psychosis” for example. The reasons why this is happening are never offered. The parents are undoubtedly a team, working together to keep their children stunted and dependent through methods they know would be frowned upon by the rest of society. Is it possible that, considering their nonchalant attitude towards incest, that they themselves are brother and sister? It’s feasible, but not really important in the end. The simple fact of the matter is that they are outwardly normal (there’s that word again) and quite capable of functioning in the world they have declared off limits to their children. They could be your neighbors, your coworkers, your distant cousins. And if they were to visit your house, how sick and twisted would they find your daily routine?

Dogtooth is so deeply disturbing and horrifyingly warped that it’s ultimately very funny as well, if you like your humor blacker than the ace of spades, that is. Listening to Father announce that Mother will soon “give birth to two children and a dog” is only slightly less disconcerting than hearing Mother provide a new definition for the word “pussy” after one of the girls discovers a porno tape that Father has left lying carelessly out in the open. That no one bats an eye or cracks a grin during such moments makes it all the more amusing and far more upsetting than listening to your half senile grandaddy discussing his hemorrhoids at the annual family dinner.

Though perhaps not horror per se, Dogtooth is still undeniably horrific, a jarring tale of family dynamics gone wrong that will knock you right into WTF?! world for the entirety of its runtime. Think your family is fucked up? Sure, we all do. But if this crazy shit doesn’t put your own mediocre upbringing into perspective, then you were either raised by serial killers or you need to consider switching from Zoloft to Thorazine. Looking into the benefits of electroshock therapy might not be totally unwarranted either. Hell, maybe we should reinstate the transorbital lobotomy. It just might be the only thing that can save the Dogtooth children.