Sibutramine is a chemical that is used in weight loss products to suppress the appetite and moderately increase the metabolism. In South Africa, this chemical is present in prescription weight loss drugs like Reductil although minute doses may be found in over-the-counter (OTC) slimming products. Since early 2000 there has been much hype in the United States surrounding the use of sibutramine in the popular scheduled drug Meridia. This prompted many consumer safety groups to petition the FDA and request a ban on the sale of this drug. (Public Citizen : Sibutramine).
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The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway made up by the bones of the wrist through which nerves and tendons run to and from the hand. These structures are responsible for movement of the hand and fingers (the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the bones in the hand) and carries sensation from the hand back to the central nervous system. In carpal tunnel syndrome, there is increased pressure on the median nerve – this nerve has both sensory (sensation) and motor (motion) functions.
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The past two years (2008, 2009) have seen a few small medical aids in South Africa becoming insolvent and filing for dissolution before the year end. This has left their members in the lurch, despite promises to pay outstanding medical bills to doctors and other practitioners. While medical aid members may claim to be ignorant, the warning signs should be evident to any attentive member. In these cases, it is best to switch over to a more stable medical aid rather than waiting for your medical aid to go bust.
Your BMI (body mass index) is the measure of your weight in relation to your height. This will give you an idea of whether you are underweight, of a normal weight or overweight.
Out-of-hospital medical aid benefits are not unlimited and most members would have experienced a situation where their medical aid funds were exhausted. Once your funds are depleted for the year, you will have to wait for the following year in order to qualify for the new benefit allocation. This is every medical aid member’s nightmare especially if it occurs early in the year but with careful planning, you can avoid this scenario.
The breastbone (or breast bone) is the long flat bone located at the centre of the chest to which the ribs and clavicle (shoulder bone) attach. Pain of the breastbone (sternal pain) is a symptom that most of us will experience in life and while it may often be due to a minor cause, breastbone pain may also be indicative of serious medical conditions requiring emergency treatment.
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