HIV/AIDS and Rights - Social Networking - The Vienna World AIDS Conference

To: Members of The CI Community Interested in HIV/AIDS and Communication
From: Warren Feek

Peter - Please Join: "HIV/AIDS Future Strategy" network at
http://groups.comminit.com/node/306528 - if you have not done so already.

Many best wishes.

I am writing in advance of the Vienna World AIDS Conference (July 18-23 2010) - an event summarised on The CI website - http://www.comminit.com/en/node/310758/347 - with an invitation to participate in dialogue on the themes of this important conference...whether you will be in Vienna or not!


The CI's Development Network Group called "HIV/AIDS Strategy: Future Directions" - http://groups.comminit.com/node/306528 - is the hub for our communication and media focused networking pertaining to the conference. This group presently has 489 members. This is complemented by the relevant HIV/AIDS Rights Knowledge within the HIV/AIDS theme site at http://comminit.com/en/hiv-aids.html

If you are not already one of them, please join the conversation! You can register here - http://groups.comminit.com/user/register - or, if already registered, join the group by going here - http://groups.comminit.com/node/306528 - and clicking on the red words "Request membership".

Thanks - it will be excellent to have you engaged.

To view communication- and media-related events happening at the Conference, please visit the HIV/AIDS Strategy: Future Directions Group's July calendar: http://groups.comminit.com/groups_calendar/306528/2010/07/all

Click on each event's name to read a description of what will be happening, where, and when. (Please note also the hyperlinked word "more"...click there to see the entire list of C4D-related events taking place each day). And please do add your own event description: Once logged in, just click on "Submit an Event" in the box on the right-hand side of the screen.

You can learn, for example, about:

* "Is AIDS Activism Dead?" (Monday July 19 2010, from 11:00-12:30, in Global Village Session Room 1)
http://groups.comminit.com/node/319719

* "Distance Based Learning Technologies: E-Health and Social Media for Clinical HIV" (Monday July 19 2010, from 14:30-18:00, in Mini Room 8)
http://groups.comminit.com/node/319802

* "'I Want My Rights Now" - A Toolkit for Young People to Advocate Successfully" (Monday July 19 2010, from 11:00-12:30, in Mini Room 3)
http://groups.comminit.com/node/319795

* and many more...

What is Hypothyroidism Symptoms,Causes

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Too little hormone slows down chemical reactions in the body. This slowdown causes mental and physical changes.

The thyroid gland is located at the lower front of the neck. This gland takes iodine from the food you eat to make hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The hormones control your metabolism (the process of turning the food you eat into energy). The thyroid gland is critical for maintaining body temperature and controlling heart rate, appetite, and digestive tract function. Too little hormone may cause you to gain weight. Also, your heartbeat slows down and your body temperature gets lower. Food moves through your intestines more slowly and your muscles contract more slowly.

How does it occur?
Causes of hypothyroidism include:
* Hashimoto's disease (thyroiditis): This condition is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. It is a disorder of your immune system (your body's protection against infection).
* Thyroid surgery for complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland
* Viruses: They can infect the thyroid gland and cause it to produce too little hormone. These infections do not usually cause permanent hypothyroidism.
* Radiation treatment for hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland): Radioactive iodine is commonly used to treat an overactive thyroid gland. Radioactivity often destroys the gland and its ability to make thyroid hormone. When this happens, the body needs synthetic thyroid hormone.
People who have had X-ray treatment for cancers of the head and neck may develop hypothyroidism if their thyroid was exposed to radiation during the cancer treatment.
* Iodine deficiency (rare): A lack of iodine in the diet is rare in the US because some foods, especially salt, contain added iodine.
* Medicines used to treat hyperthyroidism, such as lithium, or a dosage of antithyroid medicine that is too high
* Problem with the pituitary gland (rare): The pituitary gland normally stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones. The pituitary may fail to cause the thyroid gland to make enough hormone to meet your body's needs.
* Congenital hypothyroidism (rare): Some people are born either without thyroid glands or with glands that cannot make thyroid hormone.

Anyone can have hypothyroidism, but it happens most often in women over age 40. Some thyroid problems are inherited.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

* fatigue
* depression
* muscle weakness
* constipation
* weight gain
* feeling cold a lot of the time
* heavy and prolonged menstrual periods
* coarse, dry hair
* premature graying of hair in young adults
* thick, dry skin
* swollen eyelids
* deep, hoarse voice
* thick tongue
* thickened facial features
* slowed heart rate
* decreased sexual interest
* loss of hearing
* numb and tingling hands.

A condition that develops after several years of untreated hypothyroidism is called myxedema. Myxedema can cause you to become cold, slow to talk and move, and possibly drowsy. You might even fall into a coma.

How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. If your provider thinks that you may have hypothyroidism, you will have blood tests. The tests will measure the levels of thyroid hormone and your pituitary's thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH causes your thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone.

How long will the effects last?
Usually hypothyroidism improves within a week after hormone therapy is begun. All symptoms go away within a few weeks. In most cases, however, you must continue this treatment for the rest of your life.
Mild hypothyroidism may cause no symptoms. If the disease progresses, however, it can become disabling over a long time if it is not treated. Untreated hypothyroidism may cause the following problems:

* enlargement of the heart and heart failure (rare)
* slowing of mental processes
* loss of consciousness.

If the cause of hypothyroidism is thyroiditis and it is not treated, your thyroid gland may swell. This swelling, called a goiter, may cause a big bulge in your neck.

How can I take care of myself? Many people with hypothyroidism, especially older adults, don't seek medical treatment because they don't know they have a problem. They may accept their symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, dry skin, depression, feeling cold, and constipation as signs of aging. If you notice some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, see your healthcare provider.

When you have hypothyroidism, be sure to:
* Follow your provider's instructions for taking your medicine.
* Get your thyroid hormone level checked when your provider suggests.
* Keep your follow-up appointments.
* See you provider if your symptoms come back.

Hypertension Causes andSymptoms

Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure. he simple fact is high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a killer and needs to be treated as such.

Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, indicates that the heart is working harder than normal, putting both the heart and the arteries under a greater strain.This may contribute to heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and atherosclerosis.

If high blood pressure isn't treated, the heart may have to work progressively harder to pump enough blood and oxygen to the body's organs and tissues to meet their needs.
Hypertension Causes :-
High blood pressure can be caused by certain events in a person's life.

True hypertension exists only when a person has high blood pressure readings on a number of different occasions.

Hypertension can also be caused by a variety of medical conditions.

Other conditions that can cause hypertension include blood vessel diseases, disorders of the thyroid or other glands, alcoholism (see alcoholism entry), pregnancy, and the use of certain prescription drugs.

Hypertension Symptoms :-
Hypertension is a major health problem, especially because it has no symptoms. Many people have hypertension without knowing it.

But there are common symptoms are,

(1) Feeling Tired

(2) Blurred Vision

(3) Nosebleed

(4) Confused

(5) Heartbeat Irregular

(6) Blood in Urine

To reduce our hypertension and have a healthier life it is important that you make some changes such as diet and exercise.When we eat healthier less fatty foods,naturally our blood pressure rate will be lower.

Born HIV Free campaign announces 11 million views for "Baby in the Sky" creative film

Dear Writer and Blogger,

In our series of news related to the 6-month Born HIV Free campaign, we are delighted to send you a press release focussing on the specially created film "Baby in the Sky" created by Les Bonzoms for this campaign.

The film has attracted a great deal of attention through YouTube and other broadcasts, helping to make people aware about the campaign.

Thanks as ever for your support,

Brendan
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide France, Paris

“Baby in the sky”: a stunning new film made by Les Bonzoms specially for the Born HIV Free campaign attracts more than 11 million viewers on dedicated YouTube channel

Geneva, 6 July 2010 – The YouTube channel dedicated to The Global Fund’s Born HIV Free campaign which was launched seven weeks ago, has already been seen by more than 11 million viewers. The channel features an exceptional animation film called “Baby in the Sky”, created by the design team Les Bonzoms and with music of Amy Winehouse. Euronews, the international news channel, joins the campaign by also featuring the video until October.

“The purpose of the Born HIV Free campaign is to encourage millions of people to support The Global Fund so we can finally put an end to the tragedy of 430,000 babies being born HIV-positive every year, when we have the means and the expertise to prevent this.” says Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Global Ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS. “Hopefully this beautiful film will reach a wide audience because of its creative ingenuity, and inspire millions of people to support The Global Fund so we can finally put an end to this terrible injustice.”

“Baby in the Sky” is a highly creative and imaginative animated film that conveys the beauty of life ahead for an unborn child. The film artistically portrays an imaginary journey in a world full of adventurous landscapes and fantastic creatures. It ends with a call from Carla Bruni-Sarkozy for an HIV-free generation in which she says “Life is a beautiful journey. Don’t let AIDS kill it.”

The film owes its powerful soundtrack to multi-award winning and singer/songwriter artist Amy Winehouse, who offered the pro-bono use of her “Back to Black” song for the film.

“It was a question of finding a true resonance with the images in the film created by Bonzoms”, says musician / producer Julien Civange, who conceived the Born HIV Free campaign, about the use of Winehouse’s music. “We wanted to find a piece that was modern but also well known, something that carried the same sensibility as the film. The magic came with the soundtrack by Amy Winehouse, an artist that Carla considers one of the greatest and most talented of her generation and who was generous enough to participate in the campaign.”

The animation can be viewed on the Born HIV Free YouTube channel and will also be distributed through various social and mass media platforms during the course of the campaign.

Since June 20, Euronews, the international news channel, has been broadcasting “Baby in the Sky” on its network in 155 countries. The film is shown in 90-second slots an average of three times a day for the first month and then once a day thereafter. Broadcasting of the film will continue until 5 October 2010.

"All of us at Euronews are very proud to be associated with this initiative, which is supported by an incredible positive animated film" said Philippe Cayla, Chairman of the Executive Board of Euronews. "We are glad to open Euronews' influential and far-reaching network to such professionals and experts fighting to eradicate HIV transmission during pregnancy. We are mobilized to make a success of this campaign and we strongly believe that Euronews' viewers will be deeply moved and will want to participate in the Born HIV Free campaign," Mr Cayla added.

CNBC has also been broadcasting the video on its network in Europe, Middle East and Africa since the launch of the campaign.

Speaking about the distinctive nature of the “Baby in the Sky” project, Jack-Antoine Charlot, a designer from Les Bonzoms said: “It was necessary to stop playing with the notion of guilt as an incentive for people to act and instead to reinforce a sense of wanting to share and take part in something. In the case of mother-to-child HIV transmission, the medications already exist to stop it. The problem is one of mobilization.”

After the film, viewers are invited to show their support by signing their name on the campaign’s “virtual wall of support”, on the www.bornhivfree.org website. The campaign asks people - by the simple act of clicking a button - to register their support for the work of The Global Fund and for the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV by 2015.

Watch the videos on: www.youtube.com/bornhivfree

Editorial JRN. Coalition in leadership: Politics - the big picture and the big game

In the Journal of Research in Nursing, Veronica Bishop's editorial -

Coalition in leadership.
Politics - the big picture and the big game

- explores the state of the body politic in nursing. Bishop's focus is research, but the implications extend beyond the UK, to nursing globally. The body is indeed immersed in politics, but it seems the feet are dry and there is no one at home.

Considering that The Politics of Nursing by Jane Salvage was published c. 1991 political maturity is long overdue?

While the sexual politics of nursing have been campaigned for in the nursing media and vigilance is needed, it seems that a political birth for nursing needs to be induced. There is a political mentality there, there has to be. The future is too challenging, too fraught, too close to be mollified by appeals of "Anything for an easy life (and death)!."

Bishop begins with a quote:

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision. It’s got to be a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.
Theodore Hesburgh (1917–)

If you are familiar with the health career model then you know what is coming. ... In quantitative terms 25% of our deliberations using Hodges' model can be POLITICAL. This is not just the political dimensions of the patient, carer and the health and social care enterprise. The model includes the practitioner, but back to Bishop:

Having ‘power’ is a concept that sits uncomfortably with many nurses – it does not fit with the ideal of caring and many clinical nurses are quite open in their lack of regard for those in management, seeing them as power-seekers rather than power-movers. Clearly nurse leaders have in many cases failed to take their clinical colleagues with them in the drive to put nursing where it belongs, at the decision-making point that drives the agenda for health services, a point borne out by Stanley (2009).

How ironic that 'comfort' itself has been the subject of concept analysis and theorising in the nursing literature. If student nurses are exposed to the POLITICAL from the outset of their careers, then surely at the very least they will be more comfortable dealing with the guises and disguises of power?

Bishop refers to leadership and ownership and the two are frequently conjoined. The question of politics in nursing - in thought, practice, management and policy (research!) - makes me wonder ownership of what?

If the political domain is so frequently a vacant lot as far as nurses are concerned, then perhaps when we do put in an appearance we are not taken seriously. It really is a case of: what are you doing here?! As Bishop points out through -

Nurses are scientific. When they want to get to the core of a problem they always try to drill down. Yet politics are about the big picture. Nurses are agriculturalists in that they grow and nurture things but politicians are hunters – they’re always after the big game. It’s these kinds of differences nurses need to start to understand. (Cumberlege, 2007).

Nurses are there in the POLITICAL domain: they are constantly trying to complete the big picture.

... we were considering the best way for her [Baroness Cumberlege] to approach an interview the following day, and eventually, after we had viewed the uppermost issue of the day from every angle she said ‘Oh, nursing is so big!’. How right she was – there is hardly any aspect of life that it does not overlap or impinge on, so considering the big picture is a mammoth task! And again, she was right, we need leaders who have clarity and energy, and can cut through the detail and focus on the professional entity.

Yes, the big 'P'-icture is a mammoth task, hence the need to uncover, compose and frame it early. POLITICS is not just a matter of whistle blowing, industrial relations, policy, the system, us-and-them, banner headlines. ...

Politics is much more and crucial to research as Bishop attests. So, if our students do not reflect upon and articulate the politics of health: ill-health, well-being, equality and inequality, wealth and poverty ... then that professional entity will be a political ghost. A ghost playing a little game in an alien and alienating domain.

Veronica Bishop (2010) Coalition in leadership. Politics - the big picture and the big game, Journal of Research in Nursing; 15; 291.
DOI: 10.1177/1744987110374692

Obesity and its Causes

Obesity is more than just an excess in body fat.

Obesity is a certain condition when excessive amounts of fact accumulate in the body and start having negative influences on the person's life. There are certain stages of obesity.

Those include the earliest stages, when person's weight is 15-30% greater than the ideal weight. On the progressive stage, the person's weight is 30-50% greater than the ideal weight.

The latest stage can be characterized with 50-100% overweight. Finally, the stage of severe obesity is the condition, when the person's weight is twice or more greater than the ideal weight.

No one can deny the fact that a combination of sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits leads to higher rates of obesity. The problem of obesity is clearly a complex condition for which there is no clear cut cause or simple remedy for. In its simplest form you tend to gain weight when you take in larger quantities of calories than your body metabolism can effectively burn off.

This condition can be treated by losing weight.We can gain back your good health if you lose weight, but lose weight in a safe and natural way.

Excessive body weight or obesity can bring various diseases which include diabetes type 2, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.

Steroids tend to increase the amount of fluid in the body, and can thus lead to obesity. Migraine medications are also known to cause people to gain weight. Other medications with weight gain side effects include numerous antidepressants and mood altering drugs.

Most of Children whose parents are obese have a much greater chance of becoming obese themselves.

Obesity occurs when a person consumes more calories than he or she burns. For many people this boils down to eating too much and exercising too little. But there are other factors that also play a role in obesity like,
(1) Age
(2) Gender
(3) Genetics
(4) Environmental Factors
(5) Physical Activity
(6) Psychological Factors
(7) Illness
(8) Medication

Importance of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are present in almost all of our food stuffs. These are essential elements to making us healthy and strong individuals. Vitamins and minerals can be supplemented by vitamin tablets and other pills but the most efficient sources of these are natural organic foods. A good combination of these organic foods can supply individuals with the right amount of vitamins and minerals needed to get through the day and maintain our health.

Vitamins are essential for the growth and health of any living organism. Without the proper amount, the body does not assimilate any of them, and can't effectively do its job.

The definition of minerals is that they are inorganic elements that our bodies need to make and repair hard and soft body tissue and other functions of our body. There are two kinds of minerals in our body, trace elements and major elements. These vitamins and minerals go together to help maintain our bodies and keep it in prime condition.

Vitamins and minerals are needed by people to enable growth and repair of our tissues and muscles.

Here I want to share some common but very helpful importance of Vitamins and Minerals for our healthy life:-

(1) Women,especially at their pre-menopausal stage, need iron supplements the most. Fortified cereals, whole grains, dried fruits, nuts and seeds are important sources of iron. Red meat is also rich in iron but it should be taken only three servings per week. Combination of these iron supplements with ingredients high in Vitamin C will help your body absorb the iron properly.

(2)Vitamin D deficiency leads to rickets in children, and osteoporosis and other diseases in Adults.Vitamin D is very necessary for Cancer prevention.One needs to supplement the body with Vitamin D rich substances like vitamin D-fortified milk and milk substitutes, fatty fish such as salmon, and vitamin D-fortified yogurt.

(3) Calcium, along with Vitamin D, is necessary for bone health. Milk, fortified soy milk, dairy products, almonds, beans, sesame seeds and broccoli are Calcium rich food.

(4) Selenium is a lesser known mineral but it is never the less important. It supports the immune system, reduces inflammation and helps protect from cancer. Sunflower seeds, fish, shellfish, red meat and one Brazil nut daily will give you enough selenium.


(5) Lithium Orotatediffers chiefly from prescription strength lithium based on the ion it is bound to. Lithium orotate has also been used with success in alleviating the pain from migraine and cluster headaches, low white blood cell counts, juvenile convulsive disease, alcoholism and liver disorders.

(6) Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that is believed to protect the brain from damage caused by Alzheimer. It helps you to tackle stress better and also protects you from common cold. A glass of Orange juice, citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwifruit, papaya, broccoli, dark leafy greens and strawberries will provide you Vitamin C.

(7) Vitamin K plays an important role to strengthen the bones, avoid blood clotting and prevent hardening of arteries. Dark, leafy vegetables are good source of Vitamin K.

(8) Poly MVA is a water and fat soluble formulation and acts as a potent anti-oxidant. It increases the metabolism rate in the body acts as a nutritional supplement generating energy.

(9) Cancer fighting B vitamin folate reduces risk of Alzheimer. It is good for pregnant women as it reduces the risk of having babies with neural tube defects. Spinach helps you get folate. Other sources are beans, peanuts, broccoli, corn, lentils and oranges.

(10) The antioxidant Vitamin E fights free radicals and reduces risk of heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer. Daily intake of nuts and seeds such as almonds and sunflower seeds will provide you Vitamin E.

(11) Intramax is a very powerful therapeutic product and exceptional for those who are ultra hypoallergenic,100% carbon-bond organic microcomplexed liquid trace mineral supplement, plus an all-in-one multivitamin.

(12) The mineral Magnesium helps build strong bones and lower risk of diabetes by enhancing the action of insulin in your body. Beans, nuts, seeds and green vegetables such as spinach are great sources of Magnesium.

(13) Potassium helps to maintain blood pressure. It also helps reduce your risk of stroke. Beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, dried fruits, winter squash, cantaloupe, kiwi, orange juice, prune juice and avocados are good sources of Potassium.