Valley fever: An incurable illness in the dust!

San Joaquin Valley, California. Children of migrant agricultural workers. - NARA - 521811 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cases of an incurable illness called valley fever are multiplying at a mystifying rate in the American south-west. Six states are affected, and Mexico too, but few places have been hit as hard as one remote city.

Even in sweltering heat, the wind brings no respite to Avenal.

The gusts are warm, like a hair-dryer, and they carry an invisible threat that has claimed and disrupted many lives

The tiny city of 14,000 people, nestling in a dip in the floor of the San Joaquin Valley, California, is what experts refer to as a "hot zone" for coccidioidomycosis - an illness caused by the inhalation of tiny fungal spores that usually reside in the soil.

Described by the Centers for Disease Control as a silent epidemic, 22,401 new infections were recorded across the US in 2011, mostly in the south-west, up tenfold from 1998.

Although two-thirds of those infected suffer no symptoms, and the illness is not contagious, about 160 people die each year when the fungus spreads beyond the lungs to the brain.

Avenal is at the centre of the epidemic. While millions flock to the famous Californian beaches a couple of hours to the west and to Yosemite National Park to the east, they rarely linger in the San Joaquin Valley, the state's agricultural heartland. Avenal has the air of a forgotten place.

Courtesy of the BBC News - Valley fever: An incurable illness in the dust:

'via Blog this'

The posts and articles provided by our news desk our not always our own personal views.Tweet at Tweet us at #AceHealthNews or email us at News & Views or visit us at Ace News Group

Thank you, Ian [Editor]

Related articles

• Task force created to help combat Valley Fever(fresnobee.com)

  ---

• Valley Fever outbreak at California prisons(calcoastnews.com)

  ---

• Monsoon storms bring Valley Fever(abc15.com)

  ---

• 'Silent epidemic' of valley fever afflicts thousands of Californians(sacbee.com)

  ---

• 3 tips to beat Valley Fever(abc15.com)

  ---

Smoking moms' offspring more likely to be treated for mental problems. — Environmental Health News

Smoking moms' offspring more likely to be treated for mental problems. — Environmental Health News

Overall, this is the first study to report a link between prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke and mental health problems during late childhood and adolescence. Measuring the use of prescription medications is a good indicator of psychiatric health effects, and with this study, allowed researchers to examine effects on milder mental health problems that don't require hospitalisation.

In addition, the more a mother smoked, the more her children used medications. Exposure to smoke from more than 10 cigarettes per day related to longer continuous use of the drugs – specifically the stimulants. More cigarettes were also associated with the increased use of multiple drugs by the same individual.

Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure is related to a variety of negative health outcomes in the fetal, including low or delayed foetal growth and development. Long-term health issues can include behavioural problems, attention issues and mental health problems. These effects are known because young adults exposed to smoking while in the womb have increased hospital care for mental health disorders.  

This is our opinion and feelings about the the posts added to this blog by ourselves and writers who have asked to write on our blog network and does not necessarily represent our agreement or disagreement with the writers concerned.Please add #AceHealthNews to your tweets and or email us at News and Views with your opinions! 

Thank you, Ian {Editor} 

Banned Pesticide Use Remains High in CA Strawberry Fields - New America Media

Banned Pesticide Use Remains High in CA Strawberry Fields - New America Media

An analysis of state pesticide-use data revealed that in Monterey County, the state’s main strawberry production area, methyl bromide use has fallen only 24 percent over the decade, from roughly 1.7 million pounds in 1999 to to 1.3 million pounds in 2009. 

Adjacent Santa Cruz County, another top strawberry-producing region, saw a similar percentage drop in usage, to about 400,000 pounds from 564,000 pounds in 1999. San Luis Obispo County actually saw an up tick, to roughly 125,000 pounds in 2009 from 110,000 pounds a decade earlier.

“While overall the use of methyl bromide has declined in recent years in California, [its] use in certain crops, including strawberries, has declined very little," said Michael Marsh, a Salinas-based attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., a public interest law firm  that advocates on behalf of farmworkers. "And when you look at overall use of fumigants, including methyl bromide, chloropicrin and Telone, you find that the amount of dangerous fumigants used is much higher than it was 20 years ago."

This is our opinion and feelings about the the posts added to this blog by ourselves and writers who have asked to write on our blog network and does not necessarily represent our agreement or disagreement with the writers concerned.Please add #AceHealthNews to your tweets or email us at News and Views with your opinions!  

Thank you, Ian {Editor} 

UV blocker curtails male hormone made in human cells, mice. — Environmental Health News

UV blocker curtails male hormone made in human cells, mice. — Environmental Health News

Benzophenone (BP) chemicals absorb and thus filter out ultraviolet light. The one known as BP2 is added to cosmetics and personal care products to prevent sunlight from breaking down the products. Perfumes, lipstick, hair and skin care products and plastics for packaging can contain BP2. People can be exposed as BP2 has been detected in human urine.

This is our opinion and feelings about the the posts added to this blog by ourselves and writers who have asked to write on our blog network and does not necessarily represent our agreement or disagreement with the writers concerned.Please add #AceHealthNews to your tweets or email your News and Views on health care!  

Thank you, Ian {Editor} 

Common plasticizer alters an important memory system in male rat brains. — Environmental Health News

Common plasticizer alters an important memory system in male rat brains. — Environmental Health News

This is the first research to connect phthalate exposure at a critical time of development with these cell and nerve effects in the hippo-campus. Although not measured in the study, the brain effects may result in impaired cognitive functioning and could result in significant behavioural changes throughout life. In people, disruptions in development of the hippo-campus may result in poorer memory, which can impact learning ability and even IQ.

This is our opinion and feelings about the the posts added to this blog by ourselves and writers who have asked to write on our blog network and does not necessarily represent our agreement or disagreement with the writers concerned.

Please add #AceHealthNews to your tweets or email us your News and Views on healthcare.

Thank you, Ian {Editor} 

Supreme Court rules Drug Companies exempt from Lawsuits

Supreme Court rules Drug Companies exempt from Lawsuits:

In 2004, Karen Bartlett was prescribed the generic anti-inflammatory drug Sulindac, manufactured by Mutual Pharmaceutical, for her sore shoulder. Three weeks after taking the drug, Bartlett began suffering from a disease called, ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’. The condition is extremely painful and causes the victim’s skin to peel off, exposing raw flesh in the same manner as a third degree burn victim.

Karen Bartlett sued Mutual Pharma in New Hampshire state court, arguing that the drug company included no warning about the possible side effect. A court agreed and awarded her $21 million. The FDA went on to force both Mutual, as well as the original drug manufacturer Merck & Co., to include the side effect on the two drugs’ warning labels going forward.

Now, nine years after the tragedy began, the US Supreme Court overturned the state court’s verdict and award. Justices cited the fact that all generic drugs and their manufacturers, some 80% of all drugs consumed in the United States, are exempt from liability for side effects, mislabeling or virtually any other negative reactions caused by their drugs. In short, the Court ruled that the FDA has ultimate authority over pharmaceuticals in the US. And if the FDA says a drug is safe, that takes precedent over actual facts, real victims and any and all adverse reactions.

'via Blog this'

The posts l provide are my views of good recipes and also are shared from a number of contacts, news and blogging services. They are not always tried and tested by me unless it states that l have cooked any myself,whereby it will be noted on the post accordingly. Please tweet at #AceFoodNews or email News & Views Thank you, Chris [Chef]

Related articles

• Supreme Court rules Drug Companies exempt from Lawsuits(jhaines6.wordpress.com)

  ---

• Drug companies granted total immunity against all lawsuits from patients harmed by side effects(steveblankfitness.wordpress.com)

  ---

EWG releases Online Guide to Healthy Cleaning

Even if you don't get headaches from conventional cleaning products, the chemicals used in them aren't good for the environment and they aren't good for your health – especially if you have allergies. To help out people who want to use healthier ...

See all stories on this topic »

Mother Nature Network (blog)

This is our opinion and feelings about the the posts added to this blog by ourselves and writers who have asked to write on our blog network and does not necessarily represent our agreement or disagreement with the writers concerned.Tweet at #AceHealthNews and email your " News & Views" to our "Ace News Desk" be published in featured posts.

Thank you, Ian [Editor]