Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study

Alcohol is more harmful than illegal drugs like heroin and crack cocaine, a new study by British researchers said Monday.

Scientists looked at the dangers to both the individual and to wider society and found that alcohol was the most dangerous substance, according to the study by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD).

The results fly in the face of long-held opinions about which drugs pose the greatest dangers, with the authors claiming they demonstrate "the present drug classification systems have little relation to the evidence of harm."

"They also accord with the conclusions of previous expert reports that aggressively targeting alcohol... is a valid and necessary public health strategy," said the authors.

Drug experts on the committee devised their own system to judge substances and believe their consensus provides a valuable assessment which could guide policymakers.

The research, published in medical journal The Lancet, looked at the how much a drug harms the human body as well as other factors such as what its use costs the health care and prison systems.

Heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine -- or crystal meth -- were found to be the most deadly. But when the wider social effects were factored in, alcohol was the most dangerous, followed by heroin and crack cocaine, said the study.

Substances were given a mark from zero to 100 based on certain criteria, with alcohol scoring 72 overall followed by 55 for heroin and 54 for crack.

One of the study's authors was David Nutt, a former British government drugs adviser during the previous Labour administration.

He was sacked after a disagreement with the government over the decision to upgrade the classification of cannabis.

The ISCD says its remit is to investigate and review scientific evidence relating to drugs, free from political concerns.

-MSN News

Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions

Word Classes	Description	Examples
Nouns	these are the names of people, things or ideas	man, cassette, Malaysia, beauty, danger
Verbs	these describe actions or states	actions: go, eat, attack states: relax, like
Adjectives	these describes nouns	an old man, a Malaysian cassette, a dangerous driver
Adverbs	these have several functions, but most of them describe when or in what way the action of a verb happens; most (but not all end in -ly	She sang beautifully. Please come back soon
Prepositions	most of these are short words, used before a noun to show time or place	at school, under the table, before breakfast

Say whether these words are nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs or prepositions. A few of them belong to two categories - for example, train can be a noun (a railway train) and a verb (Our team trained for a month.)

1. after
2. bread
3. dangerous
4. danger
5. dangerously
6. Malaysia
7. Malaysian
8. with
9. succeed
10. success
11. successful
12. important
13. importance
14. truth
15. true

If you are not sure about the class of a word, look in your dictionary. Most dictionaries show the class of a word and give examples to show how it is used in a typical sentence.

n. in a dictionary means nouns
v.(or v.i. or v.t.) means verb;
adj. means adjective;
adv. means adverb;
prep. means preposition.

Source: Richard Hughes, Carmel Heah (Common Errors in English, Oxford Fajar)

Difference between lessen and lesson

Lessen means to diminish or become less:

My broker says bond funds may lessen investment risk.


Lesson is something to be learned:

The new software helps teacher make detailed lesson plans.

Source: The Wrong Word Dictionary (Dave Dowling, Ar-Risalah, 2009)

Words - pull part 2

Pull off

1. You pull something off when you succeed in it or manage to achieve it:

1. Sometimes I would pull it off and other times nothing when right. 2. They were triumphant at having pulled off the deal.

2. You pull clothes off when you take them off in a hurry:

She helped him pull off his raincoat.

3. A vehicle or its driver pulls off the road when the vehicle leaves the road and parks, or joins another road:

He pulled off the main highway into a side road.


Pull on

You pull clothes on when you put them on in a hurry.


Pull out

1. A vehicle or its driver pulls out when it moves out from the side of the road, or moves to the centre of the road in order to overtake another vehicle going in the same direction.

2. A train pulls out when it leaves a station:

Just as the train pulled out of the station, a lorryload of soldiers drove in.

3. Someone pulls out of an agreement or undertaking when they withdraw from it:

1. The news that Earle had pulled out of the race left everyone aghast. 2. The Company announced its intention to pull out of Ireland.


Pull over

A vehicle or its driver pulls over when it moves closer to the side of the road, usually to park or to let other vehicles overtake:

"Pull over and park," Lorton said.

Words - pull part 1

Pull away

1 A vehicle or its driver pulls away when the vehicle starts moving after being stationary for a while, eg at the side of the road or at traffic lights:

The car pulled away into the wide street.

2 A person pulls away when they move back suddenly in alarm or suprise:

Lily pulled away from him and screamed.


Pull back

You pull back from something when you decide not to do it or not to be involved in it:

Jane disagreed, but pulled back from starting an argument


Pull down

A building or other structured is pulled down when it is deliberately taken down or demolished, eg to clear land or because it is unsafe:

1. People pull down lovely old houses because they're falling to pieces. 2. Most of the ancient city walls were pulled down twenty years ago.


Pull in or pull into

1 A vehicle or its driver pulls in or pulls into a place, when the vehicle leaves the road it has been travelling on and turns off or stops, eg at the side of of the road or at a filling station:

1. She pulled in on the opposite side of the road, and switched off the engine. 2. Pull into the side a minute and let's talk. 3. Eventually they pulled into the lane behind the house.

2 A train pulls into a station when it arrives there:

The train pulled into Woodburn, and Clare stepped out of the carriage.

Words - heyday

heyday / 'heidei / noun:heydays

The heyday of a person, place, organization or activity is the time when they are at their most famous, successful, powerful, important, popular or effective:

In her heyday she was the most popular star on Broadway.

Early warning signs of cancer

By Flora McCraith

Detecting cancer early can save your life. Here are some warning signs to look out for.

Many people associate the word cancer with a death sentence. However, this isn’t the case and early detection is a person’s best defence when it comes to cancer.

One in four Malaysians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85 and in 20 years it is expected to raise to one in three.

Experts estimate that nearly 40 per cent of all cancers are preventable and that the survival rate for many common cancers has increased by more than 30 per cent.

However, if cancer can be detected early through screening, the survival rate increases to over 80 per cent which means they have a chance of cure. Cancer can affect anyone, including children so knowing the symptoms is important.

Symptoms vary according to the type of cancer, and two of the most common symptoms are lumps and weight loss. Below are some of the most prevalent cancers and their early warning signs.


Change in bowel habits

Symptom associated with colon cancer

Rectal bleeding, blood in your stool or changes in bowel habits such as persistent diarrhea and or constipation are warning signs which should be investigated promptly.


Blood in urine and constantly needing the toilet

Symptom associated with bladder or kidney cancer

Needing the bathroom constantly and then not being able to go, a burning pain when urinating, blood in urine could be symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer. But, there may be other causes for these problems, so see your doctor for evaluation.


A sore that doesn’t heal

Symptom associated with mouth and throat cancer

A sore that does not heal may be related to cancer. Smokers and people who use chewing tobacco may develop oral leukoplakia. Oral leukoplakias are rough white patches which form in the mouth. These patches may develop into cancer.


Obvious changes in moles

Symptom associated with skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 1 million new cases will be diagnosed in 2010. Symptoms include ulcerations that never heal, moles that change colour, size, or appearance, and flat sores that look like moles.


Lump in the breast (or other part of the body)

Symptom associated with breast cancer

Change such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation, redness or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction, or a discharge other than breast milk, should be seen by your health care provider for evaluation.


Unexplained weight loss and vomiting

Symptom associated with stomach cancer

Unexplained tiredness and or weight loss of ten per cent or more with in a period of three to six month and vomiting blood or experiencing frequent indigestion and pain after eating may indicate stomach cancer... see your physician!

A bothersome cough

Symptom associated with lung cancer

Symptoms that do not improve within two weeks should be evaluated by a doctor as they may indicate laryngeal, hypopharyngeal or lung cancer. Other symptoms to report include sore throat, trouble swallowing, pain with swallowing, trouble breathing, ear pain that doesn't go away, lump or mass in the neck, coughing up blood, and chest pain.


Unusual bleeding or discharge

Symptoms associated with cervical, uterine and endometrial cancer

Sadly when it comes to ovarian cancer there are often no symptoms until it's in the later stages of development. However, for the three mentioned above, bleeding between menstrual cycles, any unusual discharge, painful menstruation, and heavy periods require consultation with your physician. If you have gone through menopause, it is especially important to report unusual bleeding or spotting to your health care provider.


Weight loss, fatigue, nose bleed and easy bruising

Symptoms associated with Leukaemia

Paleness, fatigue, weight loss, repeated infections, nosebleeds, bone or joint pain, and easy bruising are possible warning signs of Leukaemia which should be investigated.

- MSN

Cell Phones and Health

One of the most common sights we see these days, is that of people with their mobile phones next to their ears. A boon for better communication, cell phone usage nonetheless has many health hazards. Various studies indicate that the emissions from a cell phone can be extremely harmful, causing genetic damage, tumors, memory loss, and increased blood pressure and weakening of the immune system. This is alarming information, and one has to take into account all these factors.


CELL PHONES AND HEALTH
Though there is no evidence of cell phones causing cancer or any such illness, but the suspicion, or fear of the same is not baseless either. The electromagnetic radiation from cell phones does have a potential link to cancer. The fact that this radiation is invisible, intangible, and enters and leaves our bodies without our knowledge makes it even more intimidating.


Possible hazards:
* Two minutes of exposure to emissions from mobile phones can disable a safety barrier in blood causing proteins and toxins to leak into the brain, could increase chances of developing Alzheimer's multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. (Scientists at Sweden's Lund University)
* Scientists say exposure to the phones' low-level radiation causes red blood cells to leak hemoglobin and can lead to heart disease and kidney stones.
* Recent studies suggesting a link between cell-phone use and brain tumors, and the possibility that the microwaves could ignite petroleum fumes at gas stations.
* A cell phone unit, or communications tower, has so many of thee radiation emanating gadgets. This can be a problem for its immediate environment.


SPECIFIC HEALTH CONCERNS

Cancer / Tumors
Studies have been conducted suggesting that rats that have been exposed to microwaves similar to the sort generated by mobile phones but more powerful, showed breaks in their DNA which could indicate an adverse effect. Also, mice exposed to radiation for 18 months developed brain tumors. Though of course, these studies are not concrete proof.

Blood Pressure
It was observed that people using cell phones were prone to high blood pressure. Again, there isn't any concrete evidence of the same.

Pregnancy
A study at the University of Montpellier in France was carried out on 6000 chick embryos and suggested that the heavily exposed chick eggs were five times less likely to survive than the control group. This study raised questions about possible effects on pregnant women but it has not yet appeared in peer-reviewed scientific literature or been reproduced, so its findings are difficult to assess.

Headaches, Heating Effects, Fatigue
A study brought out that longer the people used mobile phones, the more likely they were to report symptoms such as hot ears, burning skin, headaches and fatigue.

The study did not include a control group (that is people who do not use mobile phones, to make a comparison); therefore the symptoms reported could have been caused by any number of other factors in the mobile phones users' environment, such as working with computers, stress, driving or reading.

Memory
There have been various studies into the connection between mobile phones and memory loss. A study looked into the effect of radiofrequency (RF) on the section of rats' brains that is linked with the memory. The results showed that RF could modify signals in the cells in a part of the brain that is responsible for learning and short term memory.

Posture (holding phone between raised shoulder and ear)
Some researchers claim that holding a mobile phone between the raised shoulder and the ear could have a damaging effect on muscles, bones, tendons and discs. These problems would apply equally to a cordless phone or a landline phone as to a mobile phone and are the effect of bad posture.

Mobile Phones and Children
Because of their smaller heads, thinner skulls and higher tissue conductivity, children may absorb more energy from a given phone than adults.


PREVENTION TIPS

* Cell phones should be used for emergencies, and not for long conversations.
* A small chip-like cell phone microwave radiation protection device is available, which has the ability to absorb electromagnetic energy waves from your mobile phone. It helps in reducing the potential harmful effects of these emissions to the human body.
* Using a mobile headset is a good idea, you don't have to hold phones next to your ears all the time
* Use a hands free mobile car kit while driving, without taking your hands off the steering wheel


THE WHO (World Health Organisation) RULES

* Mobile phone users should limit their exposure to harmful radio frequencies by cutting the length of calls.
* Hands-free devices cut exposure by keeping the instrument away from the head and body.
* Driving cum mobile phone talking should be banned.
* Mobile phones should not be used in Intensive Care Units of hospitals as they can pose a danger to patients by interfering with the working of pacemakers and defibrillators.
* People with hearing aids should not use mobile phones.
* Base stations, which have low powered antennae on their terrace to communicate with cell phones, should not be located near children's schools and playgrounds.


CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING
Studies indicate that a lot of car accidents have happened, while the driver was on the phone. This is because while driving, one obviously needs to concentrate, and talking on a phone doesn't help. Some countries like Portugal have banned the use of cell phones, which may not be very practical, as their main use is to be reachable while you are on the move. Thus, it is important to take certain precautions while driving:

* Position your phone within easy reach so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road.
* Get to know the features of your cell phone - speed dial, redial, voice mail, they can be your lifesaver. But don't dial and drive at the same time. Use a hands free kit.
* Avoid using a phone when road conditions are hazardous or traffic is heavy. You can let your voice mail take messages and then call back later.
* Don't engage in stressful conversations that may distract your attention from the road.
* Don't take notes or look up phone numbers whilst driving, wait till you can pull over.
* User abbreviated speed dialing. In fact, voice activated dialing is even better. It leaves both hands free. Frequently called numbers can be programmed.
* Have an answering machine installed that could take messages until you can return the calls. Let your co-passenger handle the calls if you are not travelling alone.

Copied from livehealthclub.com

Sentence.

There are four kinds of sentences.

1. Interrogative Sentence.
2. Imperative Sentence.
3. A statement.
4. Exclamatory Sentence.

Interrogative Sentence is a sentence that asks a question.  Examples of Interrogative Sentences:

a) What is your name?
b) Where did you live?

Imperative Sentence is a sentence that gives an order or makes request.  Examples of Imperative Sentences:

a) Please bring me the file.
b) Send the letter to Ali.

A Statement is a sentence that does not ask a question or give an order but only says something that is true examples:

a) That boy is fat.
b) The building is tall.

Exclamatory Sentence is a sentence that makes an exclamation or says something loudly or suddenly examples:

a) You are so pretty!
b) She is very filthy!

Words - agon

agon

Definition

1. A struggle or contest; conflict; especially between the protagonist and antagonist in a literary work.

2. An intellectual conflict or apparent competition of ideas.
     e.g. “Freud's originality stemmed from his aggression and ambition in his agon with biology” (Harold Bloom).
 
3. A contest in ancient Greece, as in athletics or music, in which prizes were awarded.
 

4. A two-player boardgame played with a hexagonally-tiled board, popular in Victorian times.  Also known as queen's guard.

Source: wiktionary 

Decoding your tongue

By Flora McCraith

Your tongue can tell you a lot about your general health. Do you know what it is telling you?

Your tongue helps you with all sorts of things from speaking, eating, chewing and tasting. However, did you know that it can also tell you about your general health? The colour, texture and moisture of your tongue can provide tell tale signs of what is going on inside your body which is why many doctors start a consultation by asking you to stick your tongue out. So stick out your tongue, say “aaah” and work out what the different tongue changes mean.


Red and inflamed

A red tongue is a sign of nutritional deficiencies particularly that you aren’t getting enough folic acid or vitamin B. Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells and necessary for energy and B vitamins are needed for energy metabolism, cell growth and proper functioning of the nervous system. If there are ulcers it could indicate an immunity problem.


‘Furry’

If the small bumps that cover the surface of your tongue become enlarged and abundant, it can make the tongue appear hairy or furry. This can similarly happen when the mucous membranes have thickened which is the result of a fever and throat inflammations are often accompanied by this inflammation as is chronic gastritis and constipation.


Pale and swollen

When the tongue is large and pale in colour, and has tooth mark indentations along the sides, the body is generally in a weak state. When your body is dealing with a lack of iron, your blood doesn’t have the necessary oxygen-carrying capacity to keep the tissues red.

A swollen tongue can also mean fluid is being retained by the body, or that the kidneys or spleen are not functioning well. It can also be a minor side effect due to a hangover or an allergic reaction to food or medication.


Cracked

Fissured tongue is a harmless condition in which deep grooves form on the tongue's surface and is actually an inherited trait. Geographic tongue on the other hand is characterized by smooth, bright red patches on the top. These patches can change location and size, with soreness and burning in some cases. This is usually triggered by stress or hormonal changes. A thick, white or brown cracked tongue coating can signify constipation or obstruction of the bowels.


Yellowish

A yellow tint to the tongue indicates that you could have a fungal or bacterial infection. It could also be that you have a liver or gallbladder disturbance which should be checked out by a doctor. Gastric reflux could also be a possible cause of this colouration.


Raised red spots

A strawberry like effect on the tip of the tongue can be caused by hot drinks. However, red spots and bleeding gums indicates a lack of bioflavonoids which is found in vitamin C and helps to strengthen the tiny blood capillaries in the skin.


Purple

This could mean that you are suffering from high cholesterol which could result in heart problems. It can also indicate chronic bronchitis which cuts down the efficiency in bringing oxygen to the bloodstream. If your tongue continues to be purple it is best to consult your doctor.

-MSN

Islam would have saved Michael Jackson, says brother

Converting to Islam would have saved the life of pop legend Michael Jackson, his brother Jermaine said in an interview to be aired Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the first anniversary Friday of the death of the "King of Pop" at the age of 50 from a prescription drug overdose, he told the BBC that his brother should have left the United States.

"I felt that if Michael would have embraced Islam he would still be here today and I say that for many reasons," Jermaine Jackson, who is a Muslim, told BBC World Service radio.

"Why? Because when you are 100 per cent clear in your mind as to who you are and what you are and why you are and everybody around you, then things change in a way thats better for you. Its just having that strength."

He added: "God is so powerful. He was studying. He was reading a lot of books, because I brought him books from Saudi Arabia. I brought him books from Bahrain.

"I was the one who originally put him in Bahrain because I wanted him to get out of America because it was having a cherry-picking time on my brother."

Jackson was found dead in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25 last year, a seismic celebrity death which triggered a global outpouring of tributes for the eccentric genius.

On Friday, Jackson fans are expected to pay their respects to their idol at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the LA suburb of Glendale, a star-studded cemetery where the singer's golden casket was entombed last September.

Jackson said his brother was not against converting to Islam.

"All of his security became Muslims because he trusted Islam, because these are people who would lay their lives down and also who were trying to be the best kind of human beings they could possibly be not for Michael Jackson, for Allah," he said.

"So having those people around, you knew that you would be protected because it is protection from God," he added.

The year since Jackson's sudden death had been "tough," he said.

"There arent no words to describe the feeling. Its a feeling that one would only know once they experience it. We are just learning to live with it. Well never get over it," he added.

- Agence France-Presse

Memory boosters

Take a look at easy ways to increase your memory.

By Flora McCraith

It doesn’t matter how much education you have had or how high your IQ score is, the fact remains that as we get older our memory doesn’t stay as sharp as it once was and we tend to forget things easier. This is mainly because the neurons in our brain that are responsible for memory lose elasticity over time. However, there are still tricks that you can do to improve and expand your brain which don’t have to be boring. We give you a few examples on how to flex that grey matter.


Write it down

Writing things down is a great way to increase your brain’s ability to remember things as it creates oxygenated blood flow to the areas of your brain that are responsible for your memories and literally exercises them. It tells your memory what it is important to remember. You should keep a diary, start a blog or write detailed emails to yourself.


Treat depression

Anything that causes major stress in life, including anxiety or anger will eventually eat away at the parts of the brain that are responsible for memory. Depression causes an increase in cortisol which diminishes certain brain areas, chief among them the hippocampus which is the clearing center for short-term memory, prolonged depression demolishes the brain's ability to remember anything new.


Eat fish

Fish is also known as brain food and that is because it actually speeds up brain waves and improves concentration. Coldwater fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for brain health as they provide the physical building blocks necessary for the development and maintenance of the structural and functional ability of the brain.


Brainstorm

A good brainstorming session to think of new, interesting ideas is a great way to enhance your brains ability to think resourcefully. Brainstorming is in fact a different way of thinking that will provide your brain with a quick creative boost.


Eat less

Eating too much food has the consequence of reducing blood flow to the brain and increasing blood flow to the digestive system. As a result if you are able to cut back on the full amount of food you are able to eat, you will have better brain functioning.


Ask questions

Asking questions is an extraordinary way to keep your brain in shape. The reason for this is that by asking questions can provoke new thoughts and ideas and asking them is a great way to build up brain power. Make sure that you get into the habit of questioning others and their thoughts.


Neurobic exercises

These will strengthen the neural pathways to the brain and consist of cognitive exercises and brain games which create new associations between different brain parts. Nuerobics include getting dressed or showering in the dark, using your opposite hand to brush your teeth, cooking foods that you haven’t cooked before or wearing your watch on your other arm.


Floss daily

Although this may sound like a strange one, flossing daily is actually essential when it comes to brain functionality because a build up of plaque between the teeth can cause an immune reaction that attacks the arteries, which then can’t deliver vital nutrients to the brain.


Do puzzles and play

Stimulating the brain causes measurable changes in the structure of the brain. New connections are made and new brain cells are grown. Intellectual play, as well as any playing that involves hand-eye coordination stimulates the brain. Similarly, crossword puzzles, lateral thinking puzzles, and even good riddles are a great way to get brain exercise. You can work on them while waiting for a dentist appointment, or on the bus, if you are short on time. Drawing stimulates the right-hemisphere of the brain and inspires creativity. Get out the colored pencils and begin drawing your way to a powerful brain.

- MSN

Problems with sleepless nights

How to get a good night’s sleep.

By Flora McCraith

It can be extremely hard to get a good night’s shut eye whether it is due to stress, sharing a bed with someone or your mind is simply just racing. Whatever the reason, it can be incredibly frustrating and most of the time we don’t get enough sleep. Or declining and erratic sleep pattern wreaks havoc on our health and therefore it is important to improve the quality and quantity of our sleep and to train the body into shutting down and switching off. It isn’t good enough waiting for your body to get tired and staying awake until you feel you are ready because chances are you already are and your just aren’t attune to it. We look at how to get a good night’s sleep.


Never nap

Do not take any naps the day after you've lost sleep. When you feel sleepy, get up and do something. Walk, make the bed, or do your errands. This will ensure you are tired at bedtime. If you just can't make it through the day without a nap, sleep less than one hour, before 3 pm.


Early to bed

Our systems, particularly the adrenals, do a majority of their recharging or recovering during the hours of 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. In addition, your gall bladder dumps toxins during this same period. If you are awake, the toxins back up into the liver which then secondarily back up into your entire system and cause further disruption of your health. Prior to the widespread use of electricity, people would go to bed shortly after sundown, as most animals do, and which nature intended for humans as well.


Bedtime schedule

First, try to go to bed at about the same time every night. Be regular. Most people get hungry at 7 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. because they've eaten at those times for years. Going to bed at about the same time every night can make sleep as regular as hunger. Until you start sleeping well at a reasonable hour (before 11pm) make sure that you get up and go to bed at the same time every day. Even on weekends! When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel better.


Feng shui

This Chinese art can optimise positive energy in the bedroom, helping it become the sanctuary that it should be. Avoid sleeping opposite a mirror, under a beam or under a toilet on an upper floor for example.


Personalise

What may suit you may not suit your partner so make sure that you get a mattress that you both find comfortable. Buy a king sized mattress rather than a standard double if you or your partner finds it hard sharing a bed and get two single covers if one of you is a constant wriggler.


Go solo

Snoring can be a big problem for couples and sometimes there can be no choice but to sleep apart. It isn’t very romantic but lots of people do it. Make sure that you have a master bedroom where the magic happens and when one of you is sleepy move to another room.


Determine root causes

When bad sleep patterns are adopted, a person feels that they can’t go to bed early and sleep and therefore have to wait up until all hours until they feel sleepy. However, this is all a mindset and it isn’t hard to get back to a good sleeping habit and routine. If you are aware of the damage it is doing to your health then it is something you should rectify immediately. In other words you need to re-train your mind and body to go to sleep at a better hour therefore adopting a better sleeping pattern.

- MSN

Beating Stress

Guidelines to help you beat stress.

By Flora McCraith

Stress seems to be more and more a part of people’s lives and one of the main reasons for it is work related problems. People are often pressured into working harder and for longer hours. However, it can also result from worrying about money issues, getting the children out from under your feet or just feeling as though there are never enough hours in one day.

Stress is also linked to many health problems such as asthma attacks and most recently, diabetes in men. Therefore it is important to know how to eliminate stress before it leads to bigger problems. Here are some top tips so that you can stay feeling happy and healthy.


Eat well

What we are eating can be the last thing that we think about when we are stressed and junk food ends up becoming the norm which will make you feel worse in the long run. Eating a balanced diet will help the body to cope in stressful situations and make it easier for you to sleep. Diet and blood sugar levels can have a dramatic effect on mood and mental health.


It’s all bad news

Do a voluntary news-blackout on a regular basis. Stop reading the newspaper and watching television for one day, a week or longer. A constant supply of bad news isn't healthy for our bodies. Our cells are designed to take in joy, not disaster!


Know your limits

We all have our limits which we have to recognize as we aren’t superhuman. Therefore, knowing when you are pushing yourself too far and taking a step back when things are getting out of control will beat the stress. Stress is the result of pushing your anxiety levels to the extreme. Learn to pull back early on, recognise your limits and modify your behaviour; it will pay off later on and ensure your ongoing health.


Don’t join successful companies

This may sound odd, but the theory behind this is that success breeds success is undermined by research showing that working for an expanding organization is more likely to make you ill. Change is stressful, and organisations that are growing rapidly impose greater demands on the workforce than those where there is less change and more stability, even when the change is positive and increases job security.


Return to sanity

You've read it countless times, but have you practiced it? Relaxing will lower raised blood pressure and slow down your breathing, metabolic, and heart rate, enabling your body to recover its equilibrium and it should only take 15 minutes.


Turn on the water works

Crying is a cleansing and very therapeutic experience. Deep sobs open the chest and diaphragm, releasing bound-up energy. This helps to free your heart of muscular tension. A good cry also enhances oxygen delivery to the cells and stimulates release of specific neurochemicals in the brain that promote relaxation. So don’t hold back; let those tears flow.


Budget

Finances are one of biggest triggers of stress. Money management isn't so difficult as long as you keep detailed accounts of your income and expenditure. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you know what's going on with your finances at all times. It might sound boring but by drawing up a monthly budget you'll avoid those nasty surprises that'll send your stress levels through the roof.


Grow older

One of the mysteries about stress is that those carrying the least responsibility, teenagers, suffer worst. A survey found that pressure had increased most on the young; with 70 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds saying they felt more stressed than they did five years ago. By the age of 65, however, people report less stress. In part, that reflects diminishing pressure from work and family, and more time for people to call their own. Age also brings acceptance, greater contentment with what you have and less striving for what you don't.

- MSN

Understanding Depression

Depression and all the problems it comes with.

By Flora McCraith

Everybody has mood swings; sometimes they’re the happiest people around and sometimes they can be the worst downer. But if that bad mood lingers for days at a time, it could be early signs of depression. Major depression is an episode of sadness that can be extremely hard to pull yourself out from and can be severe enough to disrupt daily activities. Depression doesn’t signify a person’s weakness but it is considered a health problem that can be treated.


Symptoms: Emotional

* Wreaks havoc on emotions
* Loss of interest in life
* A sense of worthlessness, guilt and lack of hope
* In some incidences thoughts of death or suicide occur
* Things and activities that were once pleasurable lose their appeal


Physical

* 65 per cent report that depression is accompanied by pain
* Headaches, back ache, tender muscles and sore joints are some symptoms
* Fatigue and low energy, dizziness and too much or too little sleep are also
common
* Changes in appetite and weight
* Persistent nausea, diarrhoea or constipation


Impact

Without treatment, depression can ruin a person’s career and relationships, which makes it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. It can also affects a person's sex drive and in some instances be life threatening as some sufferers are likely to commit suicide.


Suicide warning signs

A person who talks about death or suicide, threatens to hurt people or themselves or engages in risky behaviour is inadvertently sending out signals that they are possibly suicidal.


Who is at risk?

Anyone can be affected by depression, but genetics can sometimes play a role. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men and children can suffer from depression also. This may appear in behaviour known as “acting out” and without treatment they can also become suicidal.


Causes

Doctors aren’t sure what exactly causes depression but believe it is altered brain structure and chemical function which causes neurotransmitters to become unbalanced. It can also occur when a person goes through an intense time of stress of suffers from a traumatic experience.

Certain types of medication, alcohol and substance abuse are also known to trigger depression in some people, as well as hormonal changes and three out of four new mothers are affected by postpartum depression which is also known as 'the baby blues'.


Diagnosis and treatment

There is no test for depression and doctors rely on the patient's description of their symptoms to diagnose it. Therapy, medication, exercise, light therapy (phototherapy), St John’s Wort (for mild depression), pets and social support have all been proved to help in the treatment of depression.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) – when patients don’t respond to treatment a VNS is surgically implanted and is like a pacemaker for the brain.


Anyone who appears suicidal should be taken very seriously

If you know anyone or you yourself need to talk, see below

Lifeline Association Malaysia

Helpline 1: (063) 92850039 Helpline 2: (063) 92850279 Helpline 3: (063) 92850049

Befrienders Worldwide

- MSN

Salt shockers

By Flora McCraith

The bad effects of a high sodium diet.

A pinch and a dash of salt can easily add up to unhealthy levels of sodium, especially when many food already contain more than enough sodium. When it comes to eating, many of us are prone to reaching out for the salt shaker to season our food. Excess salt intake is associated with many health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney stones. It is also the reason that many people suffer from fluid retention.

The first thing that you should be aware of is the fact that sodium is necessary for a healthy person. It serves to keep the fluids balanced correctly in the body also influences the way the muscles relax and contract. It will work towards transmitting nerve impulses and it can be an important part of the way we can regulate our moods and cravings. However, we consume far too much of it isn't good at all.

Read on to find out the health problems associated with high salt intake, food to avoid and how to ensure you have a low sodium diet.

Salt intake in everyday diet

• Five per cent is added when cooking
• Six per cent is added after cooking
• 12 per cent comes from natural sources
• 77 per cent from process or prepared food 

Health problems

When a person has a diet that is high in salt, they are at risk of increasing their chances of certain health problems.

Increase of blood pressure - The more sodium in your blood, the more blood volume increases because sodium attracts and retains water.

Osteoporosis – Report shows that a high salt diet does reduce bone density.

Gastric (stomach) cancer – Associated with high levels of salt.

Heart problems - Researchers at the University of Naples, Italy, and the University of Warwick, UK, have found a direct relationship between high salt intake and strokes.

Electrolyte disturbance – This can cause neurological problems.

Kidney failure and heart disease – Salt is processed by the kidneys, but when we eat too much of it, none of it can be processed and the excess ends up in the blood stream. Because the mineral retains water, the volume of blood in the body increases. As a result, the circulatory system has to work harder to pump the blood. Over time, this added strain on the system can result in heart disease and kidney failure.

Death – Consuming large amounts of salt in a short time (1g per kg of body weight) can be fatal, salt solution was once used as a method of suicide in ancient China.

Food to avoid

• Canned foods (fish, soup and vegetable)
• Salty chips, nuts, pretzels
• Ready to eat cereals
• Cured and salted meats
• Butter
• Instant noodles
• Frozen foods
• Sauces – soy, fish, oyster and dressings
• Pickled foods

Low sodium diet

Having a diet that is low in sodium has many health benefits; however, salt shouldn’t be cut out entirely. This is because it is a necessary component of any diet and is required by the body to regulate water content. Drinking too much water, with insufficient salt intake, puts a person at risk of water intoxication (water poisoning).

It also aids the movement of muscles (one of the reasons it comes out in sweat), balancing body fluids and transmitting information in the nervous system.

The most important benefit of a low-sodium diet is cardiovascular health. The system works better when the blood is not full of excess salt, especially the heart.

How to cut salt?

Your taste for salt is an acquired one, so it's definitely reversible. To unlearn this salty savouring, decrease your use of it gradually and your taste buds will adjust to it eventually. Most people find that after a few weeks of cutting salt, they no longer miss it.

• Eat more fresh food
• Eat less processed foods
• Choose low-sodium products
• Remove salt from recipes when possible
• Limit salty condiments
• Use herbs, spices and flavourings to enhance food

MSN

Television bad for children: Canadian study

Early exposure to television is detrimental to children's health, academic achievement and social development,according to a Canadian study.

Researchers found that every additional hour spent watching television at 29 months, beyond US recommended guidelines, corresponded to small decreases in classroom engagement, math achievements, and time spent on physical activity in later years.

As well, it lead to increases in victimization by classmates, higher consumption of soft drinks and snacks, and more body fat by the time children reached the age of 10, according to the study.

"Common sense would suggest that television exposure replaces time that could be spent engaging in other developmentally enriching activities and tasks that foster cognitive, behavioral and motor development," the researchers said.

Past studies of adolescents' television viewing habits found this to be true. This study is the first to look at how television affects much younger children.

"Broadcasting has an educational orientation when targeting preschoolers, which might have some cognitive benefits," the researchers opined.

"Nevertheless, preschool televiewing remains a cognitively passive activity at a time when key experiences for developing attention and behavioral self-regulation are expected to occur."

Children in this "critical period," for example, learn how to process information, interact with their environment and eventually use logic to understand math and science.

Television watching had no impact on reading skills, the study noted.

The researchers asked parents to note their children's viewing habits at 29 months and 53 months of age. At 10 years, parents and teachers then reported on the 1,314 children's academic abilities, health and well-being.

The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages any television exposure during infancy and less than two hours per day beyond two years of age.

Children in the study at 29 months watched an average of 8.82 hours of television per week, rising to 14.85 hours by 53 months.

The study led by Montreal University's Linda Pagani was published in the current issue of the American Medical Association's Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

-Agence France-Presse

YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir on MCA, the future of Barisan and Beyonce

In the final part of his first interview with MSN Malaysia, the deputy minister of International Trade and Industry reflects on the future of our nation, and tells us he’s a big fan of the R&B diva!

YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir with his father, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia

On the current MCA drama...

MCA is the second largest party in the BN. (But) even one small part can damage the whole of BN. On one hand I'm glad that we're going through this painful experience early on, not two years down the road. On the other hand, I just hope that all the leaders who are at each others' throats now, are thinking of the interest of the people.

It's obvious that it's a race for positions in the party. It's come to the point where we don't see people willing to sacrifice self-interest for the party. If they assume to represent the Chinese community, I'm wondering whether they have the best interest of the Chinese community at heart.

Ironically, I don't think (MCA still speaks for the Chinese community). This is what happens when you forget your own mission in life. You don't realise your house is burning down and you're still squabbling. It happened in UMNO also. If you asked me the same question maybe a year and a half ago, I'd have said, "Yeah, the UMNO house was burning down, definitely." And yet, the infighting was just too much. Never in our history have we had such a long party election. It lasted 15 months, or something like that. Tussling. It was a marathon, one that was fraught with a lot of dirty tactics... all within one party. It's not like we're using this against the opposition; it's amongst ourselves. That seems to be happening to MCA right now. The more they're like that, the more support the DAP gets.

But solving the internal issue is only one problem. After that they have to try to convince the Chinese community, and all of Malaysia at large, that they're worthy of support. I haven't seen them do that just yet. Everyone's really turned off by what's going on there now.

On the future of UMNO...

(There's) still the perception that we have not addressed the issue of corruption. It doesn't seem to me like we have gone on an all out war to cleanse ourselves of this scourge. I feel very strongly that if we don't at least show some sincerity in doing so, support from our young people - our idealistic young people, particularly - will be pretty slow to come. You can talk about everything else with the youth, but if you have this shadow over your heads...it doesn't help.

 

On Beyonce and the West...

I believe that there is a balance to be struck between Western and Eastern values. It's absolutely possible to do that. I'd love to see Beyonce performing here. But I'd like, if I had the chance, to tell her that we enjoy her music and her voice, and it doesn't necessarily have to come with all the flesh.

As I understand it, she feels that it's a package - it's her music, show and the outfits - so it's "take it or leave it". We can't get her to change anything. That's disappointing because she's got a huge fan base here, myself included. I've seen her perform in Jakarta, and it's an enjoyable show, so I'd love to see her here. It's just local sensitivities, that's all.

And finally...

We (Malaysians) are survivors. I mean, how does a nation fail? It's not easy to fail. Of course it's even harder to succeed. I think the most important thing is the government has identified what the problems are. That's a major first move.
It's a work in progress. The clock is ticking; we don't have the time to while away. We really need to solve all these problems now.

copied from news.malaysia.msn.com

YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir on that fateful letter

An interview with YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir by MSN News

The deputy minister of International Trade and Industry puts to rest any confusion about the events leading to his call for Tun Abdullah Badawi’s resignation.

"It was the worst ever election result we ever had"

I contested as an MP representing the BN and won in Jerlun. I couldn't celebrate because we lost the state. This had never happened before. My state of Kedah fell to the opposition. Not only that, three other states fell also. And if you include Kelantan - which has (belonged) to the opposition for 19 years now - five out of 13 states fell to the opposition. It's the worst ever election result we've ever had. In Parliament we lost our two-thirds majority and that's never happened since 1969. To me, it all pointed to one cause.

I decided to call for a press conference in the State of Penang for some pretty obvious reasons. People got wind of my intentions and all sorts of pressure was put on me practically to block me from doing so. I realised that the situation could very easily get out of control.

At the venue where I was going to make a statement there were two opposing forces ready to get at each other. I didn't want to be the cause of any untoward incidents. Due to that I kind of watered down my statement and I said "The people have spoken in this General Election and the government should listen. I am sure the government will act accordingly and do something to rectify the matter."

"I came under undue pressure to leave my principles behind"

It turned out that the media, for whatever reason, kind of turned around the statement and said I supported the government; that I knew the government was going to do the right thing.

I was totally aghast! I didn't understand how they could make such a report. So, again, there was a lot of pressure. Some even said that, "Look, if you're thinking of saying anything else, please bear in mind that the Prime Minister is about to announce the new cabinet line-up. Surely you have ambitions to be on that list. Could you not postpone whatever intended statements you want to make and if and/or when you're already in the cabinet, then you may choose to affect change from within."

That was the, so called, 'party line'.

That got me even more fired up. (Laughs) What it meant was I was under undue pressure to basically leave my principles behind and go with the flow. First there (was) no guarantee I (was) going to be appointed (to) any position. Obviously I was not going to lobby for it.

Secondly, I don't understand this "change from within" concept. Once you've been appointed, how are you going to be critical of your own bosses, from inside? Whether you like it or not, you're going to end up being very obligated and you're going to have to tone down the language when it comes to things that you don't agree with.

"Singapore started it and it just blew up here"

I knew that the announcement (of the new cabinet line-up) was going to be made soon. I (wanted) to avoid any misconception that (because) the announcement was made and I was not on that list, I called for a resignation. It would sound as if I was a bad loser. So on the 12th of March I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, asking him to take responsibility for the dismal general election results and for him to hand over the reins of the government to his deputy.

It was a private letter. In good form, I cc-ed the Deputy Prime Minister, the two Vice Presidents in UMNO and the Secretary General. That was all I did. I didn't tell anyone about it. The Secretary General called me up that evening and asked me whether this was really my letter. I confirmed that (it was). He read it to me, I said, "Yeah, that's my letter." (Laughs) So, he said, "Okay." He didn't say anything more.

Next thing I knew, it was printed in (a) Singapore (newspaper). It came out online first. It was not a printing of the contents; it was a printing of the letter. For the life of me, I didn't understand how they got a copy of it. Singapore started it, and then it just blew up here.

In the aftermath...

The party line at that time was that we did not lose. The party line was, we still have the Parliament. To me it didn't matter, because from the best ever election results in 2004, within four years, it turned into the worst ever election results. What does that tell you?

(Since then) we have had a smooth transition of power to Datuk Seri Najib, which (was) a Godsend to me. That was what I called for and it happened. There was absolutely no way we could win the next general election if there was no change in the top leadership. And then you have a good Deputy Prime Minister...so the combination of the two is, to me, perfect. You have a party that's well on its way to mending fences and ridding itself of internal conflicts and troubles.

I'm talking about UMNO; BN (Barisan Nasional) is another matter.

I think the policies of the new government, led by the new PM, have been well received. Perhaps not in the beginning but now it's beginning to resonate with a lot of people. You don't want to have to go through an election with your number one being the core problem. There would be no end to the damage control and spinning just to turn the tide. It's a good start and I think we're well on our way to a full recovery. Confidence in the present government is improving. We're doing all right.

Copied from news.malaysia.msn.com

YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir on family and fulfilling a legacy

Interview with YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir by MSN News

 

On family...

It's been tough. You get to the point when you have to schedule in family time, literally scheduling in dinners and weekends. If not, there are others who decide what I should be doing with my time! Quite a number of people have access to my schedule so, before I know it, I look at the weekly or monthly calendar and there's not a single day I'm free. I try not to break promises to my family. It's been tough but they're beginning to understand and they know the kind of sacrifices they have to make.

On hopes of being PM...

Let's put it this way, I was the son of the Prime Minister for 22 years. I know what it's like to be the person responsible for the wellbeing of 27 million people. It's no joke. The kind of decisions you have to make on a daily basis are the types (of decisions) that would make you lose sleep, if you don't have a good conscience and you're (not) confident that you're making intelligent and informed decisions. So I, at this moment, cannot imagine assuming that position.

I know some people say, "Oh yeah, you know, I'd like to be Prime Minister." I think they haven't really given much thought to what that means. Sometimes people like the power but they don't see the responsibility that comes with it. I think that came from a very profound movie - Spiderman! (Laughs)

On saying what many shy away from ...

You're not outspoken just for the fun of it. You're outspoken when you see something that's not quite right and that needs to be righted. (It) would be irresponsible if you didn't say something about it. My statements have gotten (me) into trouble (but) I'd like to think that people understood why I had to say what I did. I'd also like to think that the majority of them agreed with me, if not then, then maybe perhaps now, in hindsight.

Copied from news.malaysia.msn.com

Interview with YB Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir by MSN News

 

On his new post...

It has been a very steep learning curve. Before as an MP, I was supposed to bring up difficult issues in Parliament; one of the things I used to harp on was FTAs (Free Trade Agreements). Now I'm on the other side where I have to actually respond, so it has not been easy, but it is a very interesting, very challenging ministry. To be able to contribute directly to the economic wellbeing of the country is a real privilege.
The other thing that I find is that I have to read a lot. From day one, the media expected me to know every bit about everything. It's been tough when they shoot me some really difficult questions (and) I've found myself trying to wing it, (but)I'm not allowed to do that actually because now I'm speaking for the ministry, I'm speaking for the government; I'm not speaking for myself.

On the global financial crisis...

We've been lucky in that we were somewhat insulated, due to the first experience we had in '97/'98, during the Asian crisis. The lesson we learned then was that we had too many banks - 30 at the time. So, to avoid a bloodbath, the government imposed on this 30, to start merging. Eventually we ended up with only 9 banks. We've built up again, so we now have about 17 but still, it's a far cry from the 30 we used to have. Financial governance has tightened.

I think that has helped us avoid some of the pitfalls of speculative type of lending. We were not at all exposed to the sub-prime crisis in the US, unlike some of our neighbouring countries. Due to that, we were affected only to a limited extent.

Out of 190 or so countries, we're the 19th largest trading country in the world. We were impacted, of course, by the slowdown in global trade. January was the worst month for us. Fortunately, it was not only the two stimulus packages that we launched that helped float the economy again. Interestingly enough, the stimulus package in China helped us directly, in that orders coming from China picked up, around the end of the second quarter. Factories in Penang and Johor started getting orders; some had to even re-hire some of their old employees. We are slowly picking up the pace, so the worst is over.

On pushing our potential...

For a long while, the economy has worked on enlarging the middle class and to a large extent we have succeeded in doing that. But it's been sort of five (or) six years now (and) we haven't really grown. It's what we call an 'upper-middle-income trap' - incomes have not been appreciating and on the other hand, the cost of living is coming up. We can't seem to push the envelope, so that we can move from an upper-middle-income to a high-income economy. We desperately need to do this, because we can't promote ourselves or market Malaysia as a low cost producer, as we have China and India right next door (and) we can't stay at middle-income, because we've got Indonesia and Vietnam also nipping at our heels. We definitely need to move up and find a new niche. The PM says that in order to do this, we need to be more innovative and more creative. We have to focus on higher value added industries and I think that it is a matter of survival for us to do this.

On Vision 2020...

If you listen to what the PM said, he said that if we dropped to 6% (annual rate of growth) for the next 10 years, the targets of 2020 will only be achieved in 2030. Having said that, to achieve 8% every year (the rate needed to be on course for 2020), for the next 10 years, is not going to be simple. It's going to take some really extraordinary measures to attract the kind of FDIs that's going to help us achieve 8%.

It's not the same as it was in the '80s. At that time Malaysia was seen as the darling for investors in this region. We didn't really have China and India competing in the same space, let alone Indonesia and Vietnam. Now, we're just one among many and the other guys seem to be very attractive, in terms of incentives and future potential. They have huge domestic market(s), which we don't. So we're up against some stiff competition. I'm not saying it's impossible, but we really have to put every resource together.

On China...

I think our economy is intertwined with China's. We can't help that. We've been trading with China for hundreds of years already and interestingly enough, they never felt compelled to invade us, in those hundreds of years (laughs) - unlike some other Western nations.

They consume anything and everything you can produce, especially raw materials. In our case it's palm oil, rubber, gas and petroleum products. One of the (other) big exports we have from here to them (is) electronic components. China-made products commonly consist of some Malaysian made components, especially computers. We definitely need to intensify the trade that we have with them. They are beginning to invest in Malaysia. I think there is a lot more potential there.

I'm in the midst of attracting a couple of Chinese private companies, which are of a considerable size, to invest here. The government has basically committed to approve a banking licence for a large Chinese bank to facilitate trade and investment as well. So I think that's going to be really good for us.

On 1Malaysia...

(1Malaysia means) moving away from this idea of 'tolerance' to 'acceptance'. The word 'tolerance' still has a negative connotation, in that you're forced to accept other people's differences. But 'acceptance' is something where you willingly accept how they are and they accept what you are too. Thereafter you move on to a next stage, which is to celebrate the differences.

Malaysia is not a melting pot. We don't assume to be one. We have never advocated a policy of assimilation, whereby anyone who immigrates to Malaysia gets assimilated into the dominant culture - in terms of language, culture, religion even - unlike some of our neighbouring countries. Some people say that there's a different approach and it may not be advantageous to us, if we continue to be (this) way. But we feel that it has been. Each of us has something good to put on the table. As long as we're taking advantage of everyone's positive points I think we could do well as a nation. I believe that's what 1Malaysia means.

On cyber communication...

I enjoy it (Twitter and Facebook) because I get almost an immediate response from anything I say. Whether it's positive or negative is another matter. As long as I know people out there are interested to know what I think, and they are willing to give me feedback, that is absolutely invaluable.
When the ministry announced the new automotive policy, it got all sorts of feedback (through FB and Twitter). Many were supportive but many too were critical of it, particularly on certain points of the new policy. We really took (them) into consideration. We discussed it in the ministry and we changed it.
I wanted to be committed to using technology as a means of communicating with people. (But) I felt that sometimes a blog seems impersonal or less committed, so a website would be more of a show of commitment that we're serious about this. That's why we came up with Mukhriz.com.

On blogger censorships...

I think it's important that we try to instil or imbue the right ethics so that it's self-regulated rather than imposed on them by governments. It's one thing to have freedom of speech in the conventional media but on the Internet it's automatically, free.

If we accept the fact that, even at this particular moment when it's quite free, there is more good coming out of it than those that are not good, that's good enough for me to not pursue this censorship thing.

Copied from news.malaysia.msn.com