11 months ago
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has identified six most vulnerable groups that are recommended to take the developed coronavirus vaccine by booking an appointment through its Sehhaty application. The ministry recommended that pregnant women; those aged 50 years and above; health practitioners who deal directly with patients; those who have chronic immunosuppressive diseases, including active cancer, and those who have risk factors due to excessive obesity. According to the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), the developed Covid-19 vaccine is used to prevent complications from coronavirus, and its effectiveness includes prevention of the prevailing variants. It is available for those above 18 years of age, and it can be taken regardless of the number of doses taken in the past. Weqaya recommended the groups more vulnerable of infection to take the jab in order prevent or reduce complications of the disease.
11 months ago
Why do we age? It’s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer. But with the help of modern biotechnology, scientists have been able to slowly piece together the biochemical basis of this long-held mystery. Our cells are like tiny molecular factories, working to carry out all of the essential processes our bodies need to survive. However, like factories, the machinery in our cells gets worn out over time, which is what causes our cells to age. Our cellular machinery is split into different substations, called organelles. And, when it comes to aging, two organelles are particularly important: a) the mitochondria—the energy-producing powerhouses of the cell, and; b) the lysosomes—the cell’s internal garbage disposal station. During the energy-making process, mitochondria can produce dangerous waste products, which build up over time and damage our DNA. Lysosomes, meanwhile, contain a soup of digestive enzymes that breakdown worn-out cellular components. If the lysosomes themselves become damaged, these enzymes can leak out into the rest of the cell and cause havoc on the remaining healthy cellular components. Therefore, damage to either of these cellular stations has been associated with aging, cell death and many age-related diseases. Clearly, keeping these organelles in ship shape is essential for […]
11 months ago
The list of health benefits that come along with regular exercise may have grown with a new study uncovering a link between staying active and the size of parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning capabilities. The exercise doesn’t have to be overly intense or prolonged to have brain boosting effects, according to the experts behind the study. The team included researchers from the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Brain Health Center (PBHC) at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and Washington University in St. Louis. The study looked at magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) brain scans of 10,125 people, finding those who said they regularly engaged in some kind of physical activity – like walking, running, or sports – had larger brain volumes in specific areas. Those areas included the ‘decision making’ frontal lobe and the hippocampus – a part of the brain that’s important in how memories are stored and handled. The study also measured the total volume of each brain’s gray matter, which helps the brain process information, the its connective white matter. “We found that even moderate levels of physical activity, such as taking fewer than 4,000 steps a day, can have a positive effect on brain health,” says psychiatrist and neuroscientist David Merrill from the PBHC. “This is much […]
1 year ago
Explore the King Hamad American Mission Hospital and its wide range of services offered through a modern healthcare facility. “We now serve as a tertiary care centre, from our fifth, our largest, and our newest hospital facility,” says Dr George Cheriyan, the Chief Executive of the 120-year-old American Mission Hospital network. From March 2023, the new King Hamad American Mission Hospital, a state-of-the-art futuristic facility in A’Ali, has been receiving patients, both, in its 125 bedded in-patient facility as well as in its outpatient clinics. With a well-equipped and well-manned Emergency Medicine department, admission of critically ill patients into the intensive care units, and their treatment, is being done quickly and efficiently. “This hospital strives to be a centre of excellence for surgical services,” says Dr Deepak Abraham, the chief of medical staff and the medical director of the King Hamad American Mission Hospital. “The modular operating rooms along with a skilled surgical workforce are well equipped to handle joint replacements of both the hip and the knee, advanced general surgery (both open and minimally invasive), bariatric surgery, minimally invasive urological procedures and stone diseases”, he adds. The facility has a fully manned ENT department providing care in outpatient as […]
1 year ago
There was good news for fans of weight loss drugs this weekend, when Novo Nordisk unveiled details from a closely watched study that supports the use of Wegovy, its blockbuster weight-loss drug, to cut the risk of death by 18% in a trial that the Danish pharmaceutical company hopes will convince more health systems and insurers to pay for the treatment. Novo Nordisk on Saturday said the heart protective benefits of its wildly popular Wegovy obesity treatment are due to more than weight loss alone, according to new data presented at a major medical meeting on Saturday. Early data from the Danish drugmaker’s Select trial released in August demonstrated that Wegovy, which has been shown to help patients lose an average of 15% of their weight, also reduced incidence of heart attack, stroke or death from heart disease by 20%. The full results from the study, presented at the American Heart Association annual scientific meeting in Philadelphia in front of a standing room only crowd and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest the drug has other beneficial effects beyond the known health benefits from losing weight. The heart risk difference between patients who received Wegovy, known chemically […]
1 year ago
Having recently received a life-changing diagnosis of stage 3 lymphedema that’s currently incurable but manageable, I’m now actively running down the road to wellness. Since receiving the test results, I’ve been working hard on my fitness. The toll of daily hospital visits, lymph system treatments, and four hours a day in a specialised machine had me dreaming of a perfect paradise of peace—Marhaba Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva Som! Wellness Redefined Located on the stunning coastline of the northern quarter of Qatar, Zulal is a luxury retreat that truly redefines the wellness experience. A tranquil and idyllic haven, Zulal’s well-being philosophy perfectly blends Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine (TAIM) with a holistic, bespoke health and well-being approach. My initial assessment began before I even arrived at the 280,000 square metres of luxurious beauty that was to be my home for five days. The Zulal team took great care, with gentle guidance, to help me understand my wellness goals and it was clear that my focus had to be on reconnecting with myself and on mindfulness for long-lasting lifestyle impact while also having specialised treatments for my condition. Set around a beautifully tranquil circle planted with herbs used not only by […]
1 year ago
In the spirit of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bentley Bahrain, in collaboration with other brands from Behbehani Brothers W.L.L., organised an awareness drive. The event aimed to shed light on the alarming statistics surrounding breast cancer and to empower women with knowledge about prevention, early detection, and self-examination. The awareness drive commenced with a series of health checks conducted by trained medical professionals, ensuring that attendees had the opportunity to monitor their breast health and identify any potential concerns. Following the health checks, an engaging and informative lecture was delivered by Dr. Bushra Al Sharraf from Al Hilal Hospital, who shared valuable insights on prevention strategies, emphasised the importance of early detection, and provided guidance on self-examination techniques. “Breast cancer remains the most prevalent form of cancer among females in Bahrain, accounting for a staggering 37.2% of all cancer cases in Bahraini women,” said Semreen Ahmed, the Marketing Manager at Bentley Bahrain. Breast cancer awareness initiatives play a pivotal role in reducing mortality rates and improving the overall quality of life for individuals affected by the disease. Participating brands included Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, VW, Skoda, Jeep, Fiat, and Dodge.
1 year ago
The government-enforced lockdown of schools and months of forced remote learning during Covid have devastated the education of America’s future leaders. New data on ACT college admissions tests shows high school students’ scores have plunged to the lowest in over three decades. According to data published by ACT, the nonprofit organization that administers the college readiness exam, the average composite score on the ACT test fell to 19.5 for the class of 2023, a decline of .3 points from 2022. The average scores in mathematics, reading, and science subjects were below ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, indicating fewer seniors than ever are ready for college. “We are also continuing to see a rise in the number of seniors leaving high school without meeting any of the college readiness benchmarks, even as student GPAs continue to rise and students report that they feel prepared to be successful in college,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin wrote in a statement. One of the best examples of a school system caught in a grading scandal is the Baltimore City Public Schools system. Investigative journalist Chris Papst of Fox45 News’ Project Baltimore has found dozens of schools with very few kids proficient in critical subjects on state exams despite some earning satisfactory […]
3 years ago
By Dr. Damien Ng, Next Generation Research Analyst at Swiss Wealth Manager, Julius Baer Bringing together physical and mental well-being Our personal well-being is closely intertwined with the state of our health. For this reason, sages of the ancient world have long taught about the importance of the art of living a balanced lifestyle that combines fitness and health with emotional well-being and relationships. Despite the passing of time since such knowledge was discovered, healthy living remains as relevant as ever for the present-day world. Due to the increasing demands of the modern way of life, however, chronic diseases and other health conditions have been on the rise. An increase in office-work environments and the frequent use of smartphones and computers, add to the growing prevalence of inactivity, not helped by the easy availability of processed foods rich in sugar, salt, saturated fats, and calories, while more stress and anxiety arising from the frantic rush of everyday life, ultimately takes its toll on our mental well-being. “More people are turning to healthier lifestyles to keep their immune systems strong.” Indeed, physical and mental well-being constitute two important components of overall health. Not only can individuals be debilitated by chronic physical […]