Archive for the ‘Health News’ Category
Most ‘natural’ weight loss products available in South Africa are herbal or nutritional supplements that are formulated to assist with weight loss. The benefits are often not substantiated with clinical trials but these all natural weight loss products are among the more popular over-the-counter (OTC) products available in pharmacies and health shops. Herbal or natural weight loss products should be used cautiously and despite claims of being ‘100% safe’ or without side effects, they could cause serious medical complications.
As medical aids in South Africa tighten their belts, many new policies will be implemented that may upset some of its members. The GP-specialist referral system is one of those policies as many medical aids now restrict their members from visiting a medical specialist directly without a referral from their GP. Despite objections from medical aid members, many schemes are forced to implement this system not only for monetary reasons but also to offer the patient a complete managed healthcare service.
Heatstroke is a serious condition that occurs when your body’s core temperature increases significantly. The normal human body temperature is 37 degrees celsius and when your temperature passes 40 degrees celsius, you can suffer with a heatstroke. A heatstroke is caused by high environmental temperatures and when this is due to excessive sun exposure, it is known as a sun stroke.
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.