Health

Heart attack study: more than a quarter of patients have no risk factors

Heart Research Australia's Professor Gemma Figtree and her team reviewed almost 700 heart attack patients at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital from 2006 to 2014.

They found the rate of otherwise healthy patients having heart attacks went up from 11 per cent to a surprising 27 per cent of patients over eight years.

"As interventional cardiologists we all remember the fit, young patient that comes through the door and looks up at you and says 'Why me?'" Professor Figtree said.

Adults need to be vaccinated too

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements in history, having drastically reduced deaths and illness from infectious causes.

Health issues affect men and women differently

The differences between men and women run deep. Very deep. Right down to the level of what goes on inside the billions of cells that make our bodies tick.

But the world of medical science, which you'd think would be on top of this, has been somewhat slow to recognise it.

For decades, most health research has been based largely on human studies of men only, or of male lab animals.

It wasn't done to deliberately shut out women and their differences.

India girl kills herself over 'menstruation shaming'

In a suicide note, she accused the teacher of "torturing" her.

Although the girl did not mention period shaming in her letter, the mother says her daughter was asked to leave the class because of the stain.

Menstruation is taboo in parts of rural India. Women are traditionally believed to be impure during their periods.

Police say they have registered a case of suicide and are investigating. The incident took place early on Sunday in Tirunelveli district in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Help! 11 tips to get kids to eat healthy

Countless parents have kids who just want to eat chicken nuggets, or pasta, or macaroni and cheese, or all of the above, and definitely without any vegetables.

It's a problem throughout the year, but at back-to-school time, it gets maybe a tad more stressful, as parents are looking to start over or at least give their kids lunches that pack a healthy punch and won't get traded away for Oreos or some other sugary snack.

How I became fit in my 60s

It came after decades of eating and drinking too much in a high-stress, sedentary job: "It was an explosion waiting to happen," he said.

For Graham, whose wife had become increasingly disabled through multiple sclerosis, the diagnosis was a wake-up call.

"I need to be able to help her - and I need to be around for longer," he said.

Graham is not alone in his diagnosis.

Public Health England estimates that 42% of 45- to 64-year-olds have a long-term health condition such as diabetes or heart disease.

Cinnamon: Pantry staple -- and medical powerhouse?

Harvested from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen plant, cinnamon has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory and digestive problems for centuries. Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon as a perfume during the embalming process, while Romans used it in funeral pyres to mask the stench of burning flesh.

The Bible mentions cinnamon several times, most commonly as a way to perfume bedding, clothes and anointing oil. The essential oil form is made from the bark, leaves or twigs of the plant.

Are energy bars healthy?

They are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, which can help fill nutritional gaps.

But, like many foods in a specific category, not all energy bars are created equal. Those that are low in saturated fat and sugars, with a decent amount of protein and fiber, can provide a nutritious, satisfying pick-me-up. Others can closely mimic a candy bar. For example, some bars covered in chocolate contain as much saturated fat as a Snickers bar; others contain almost as much sugar.

Health Minister restricts media access

In a circular number 66/2017 dated on August 15, 2017, Sir Puka said recent media statements released by health officials have created fear amongst the community.

He said such statements have not been reported out of proportion without careful thought and sufficient evidence.

"This has tarnished and defamed a lot of personal at all health levels.

"I now instruct and direct that no individual health worker or chief executive officer or management and boards at all levels shall provide any information of health matters and/or issues, to any means of media.

Law society: Please put health first

Representing the PNG Law Society, Deputy Solicitor General, Tauvasa Tanuvasa, made the plea today during the ceremonial sitting of the late Justice Salatiel Lenalia.

The country’s new Attorney General, Steven Davis, said three deaths in a space of almost three years for members of the judiciary has become a matter of national concern.

He said both the members of the judiciary and the National Executive Council are equally grieved at the passing of the late judge.