Mental Health affects all of us. We should be mindful of others suffering from any type of mental health problems. It has no face. Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.~ WHO Key facts Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health. Mental health is more than the absence of mental disorders. Mental health is determined by socioeconomic, biological and environmental factors. Cost-effective public health and intersectoral strategies and interventions exist to promote, protect and restore mental health.  ~WHO Mental health is an integral and essential component of health. The WHO constitution states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” An important implication of this definition is that mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities. Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Mental health and well-being are fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, emote, interact with each other, earn a living and enjoy life. On this basis, the promotion, protection and restoration of mental health can be regarded as a vital concern of individuals, communities and societies throughout the world.”~ From WorldHealthOrganization “The Mental Health Foundation reports that this is not only a problem among adults but across the lifespan. In fact, 10% f children and youth aged 5-16 years have a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, yet 70% of them who experience mental health issues have not had appropriate interventions at early on. There are many factors that influence mental health, but among the top 5 factors are: discrimination, participation in meaningful activities, relationships, physical health and poverty. This year on World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization is focusing on the theme of “Dignity” for those with mental illness.  There is much we can do to accept, understand, respect and preserve the dignity of those with mental illness as much as those with a diagnosis such as diabetes or heart disease.” taken from Adventist News Network “Millions of Americans live with various types of mental illness and mental health problems, such as social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, drug addiction, and personality disorders. Treatment options include medication and psychotherapy.” read more about Mental Health here at...

Coffee and Multiple Sclerosis: MedlinePlus Health News http://m.medlineplus.gov/videos/news/Multiple_Sclerosis_022715.html Transcript For all the coffee lovers out there… here’s some health news that may keep you brewing! A new study finds that drinking java may reduce your risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Researchers analyzed data from two clinical trials that included patients with MS and people without the disease. One was conducted in Sweden, the other in the U.S. The researchers found that high coffee consumption in both studies was associated with reduced odds of MS. For the Swedish study, high consumption translated into at least 6 cups of coffee per day. For the U.S., it was 4 or more cups per day. “There is a growing recognition of potential health benefits of coffee. There are benefits on cardiovascular, or heart disease. There are benefits on diabetes and there even appear to be benefits on other neurologic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.” I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV…with health information for healthier living. Medline Plus Health...

What Are the Symptoms of Ebola: The following symptoms can appear from two to 21 days after exposure: Fever Headache Diarrhea Vomiting Stomach pain Unexplained bleeding or bruising Muscle pain Generally, after 21 days, if an exposed person has not developed symptoms, he or she will not become sick, the CDC said. However, the Ebola virus has been found in semen for up to three months after exposure, so those who have recovered from the virus are advised not to have sex, or else only to have sex using condoms, during that time, according to the CDC. How Long Does the Ebola Virus Live: The virus can survive for a few hours on dry surfaces like doorknobs and countertops, according to the C.D.C. It can, however, survive for several days in puddles or collections of body fluid at room temperature. It is not clear how long it may survive in soiled linens and clothing. A thorough cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach) will kill Ebola. How Can Travelers Protect Themselves: The CDC said travelers can do several things to protect themselves when visiting the area where the outbreak is occurring, including:  Wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Do not touch the blood and body fluids of an ill person or the body of someone who has died from Ebola. Do not touch bats and nonhuman primates or their blood and fluids and do not touch or eat raw meat prepared from these animals. Avoid hospitals where Ebola patients are being treated. The U.S. Embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on facilities. Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever (temperature of 101.5oF/ 38.6oC) and any of the other following symptoms: headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bruising or bleeding. There is no vaccine for the Ebola virus, but researchers are currently testing two. Source...

Ebola can only be spread by infected people who show symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. If an exposed person does not develop symptoms within 21 days of exposure, the person will not become sick with Ebola, according to the CDC. “There is no risk to people who have been in contact with those who have been sick with Ebola and recovered, or people who have been exposed and have not yet shown symptoms,” the CDC’s director Dr. Thomas Frieden explained. How Ebola Is Spread: Once a person is infected, the CDC said there are several ways Ebola can spread to other people: Touching the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, including but not limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit and semen. To become infected with the virus, you would need to get some of the ill person’s bodily fluids into your mouth, nose, or eyes, or into your body via a cut or a needle stick. Doctors say that there is no evidence anyone has ever been infected via sweat. Touching objects contaminated with the virus, like syringes or other medical equipment Touching infected animals, by contact with blood or fluids or infected meat A cough from a sick patient could infect someone close enough to be sprayed with droplets of mucus or saliva. People dealing with anyone who may be ill are told to stand at least three feet away, preferably six. Being within three feet of a patient for a prolonged time, without wearing protective gear, is considered direct contact, according to Frieden. Direct contact through broken skin or mucus membranes is key, as the CDC said Ebola cannot be spread through the air (the virus doesn’t drift through the air like germs that cause measles or tuberculosis) or by water or food. However, that may not have been the case in some cases in Africa, where Ebola may have been spread through the handling of wild animals hunted for food and contact with infected bats, according to the...

Ebola Outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone About Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is one of numerous Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola HF is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebolavirus species was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ebola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically. There are five identified subspecies of Ebolavirus. Four of the five have caused disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans. The natural reservoir host of ebolaviruses remains unknown. However, on the basis of available evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is zoonotic (animal-borne) with bats being the most likely reservoir. Four of the five subtypes occur in an animal host native to Africa. A host of similar species is probably associated with Reston virus, which was isolated from infected cynomolgous monkeys imported to the United States and Italy from the Philippines. Several workers in the Philippines and in US holding facility outbreaks became infected with the virus, but did not become ill. Transmission Transmission Because the natural reservoir of ebolaviruses has not yet been proven, the manner in which the virus first appears in a human at the start of an outbreak is unknown. However, researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected animal. When an infection does occur in humans, there are several ways in which the virus can be transmitted to others. These include: direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected secretions The viruses that cause Ebola HF are often spread through families and friends because they come in close contact with infectious secretions when caring for ill persons. During outbreaks of Ebola HF, the disease can spread quickly within health care settings (such as a clinic or hospital). Exposure to ebolaviruses can occur in health care settings where hospital staff are not wearing appropriate protective equipment, such as masks, gowns, and gloves. Proper cleaning and disposal of instruments, such as needles and syringes, is also important. If instruments are not disposable, they must be sterilized before being used again. Without adequate sterilization of the instruments, virus transmission can continue and amplify...