Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyer

Chicago Mesothelioma Lawyer

Exposure to asbestos is common among blue collar professionals, and unfortunately, often those family members who have lived under the same roof with them. Over time, workers and their families can be continually exposed to asbestos, and effects of those hidden dangers do not show up for years or even decades. If one or more of your family members has suffered from the effects of ongoing exposure to asbestos, you have the right to seek just compensation from those responsible. Speak with an experienced Chicago asbestos and mesothelioma attorney right away who can advise you of your rights and help you recover full damages for your injuries.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that has been directly linked to exposure to asbestos. When the tiny fibers of asbestos are breathed in, they quickly move to the ends of the small air passages of the lungs and travel to the lining of the lungs, where they do damage to the lining, known as mesothelial cells. Mesothelioma may not occur until 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos, and early symptoms are easily confused with other lung illnesses, such as pneumonia. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos, whether on the job or at home via a family contact, and who presents any symptoms that could be possibly mesothelioma, should see their doctor immediately. Far too often, mesothelioma is diagnosed too late, treatment is delayed, and the condition becomes fatal.

Who is at Risk to Asbestos Exposure?

Low levels of asbestos are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil where our food comes from. However, most people do not become ill from the minimal levels of exposure they receive to this toxic substance. People who are exposed to high levels of asbestos on a regular basis for a sustained period of time are most likely to end up with mesothelioma and other health complications.

There are certain industries that pose a much higher danger of this ongoing exposure. These include:

Construction: Asbestos-based products have been used in many areas of general construction. Insulation, drywall, floor/ceiling tiles, shingles, texture coatings, caulk and other construction materials have been known to contain asbestos fibers.

Mining: Underground mines are widely known to pose ventilation problems and mine workers have been forced to breathe in large quantities of asbestos dust on a daily basis.

Industrial Plants and Factories: Industrial facilities of all kinds – from textile factories to power plants to oil refineries – have used asbestos extensively in the course of their operations.

Railroads: Railroad workers have had to deal regularly with replacing asbestos-based insulation while maintaining the steam pipes, boilers and other units critical to their operation.

Auto Mechanics: Brake pads, clutches and other auto parts contained high amounts of asbestos fibers that become airborne during regular inspections and installations.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the experienced Chicago asbestos injury lawyers at Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. to discuss your case. At HM&M, we have over 20 years of experience helping victims and their family members that have had a high level of exposure to asbestos leading to harmful health conditions such as mesothelioma. Our legal team works with investigators to determine the root cause of your illness and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma 

Asbestos is the term for six different, naturally occurring mineral fibers; they are Chrysotile, Anthophyllite, Grunerite (amosite), Riebeckite (crocidolite), Tremolite, Actinolite.

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Asbestos was used for decades in a wide variety of uses.  It was commonly used in fire retardant coatings, bricks, concrete, gaskets, pipe and ceiling insulation, drywall, roofing materials, and hundreds of other products.

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Unfortunately, manufacturers were unaware of the dangers associated with Asbestos.  The Asbestos fibers themselves are very small, hundreds of times thinner than a human hair.  When these fibers invade the lungs they often lead to Asbestos related Lung Cancer or Mesothelioma.  Although Lung Cancer can be caaused by many things other than Asbestos, Mesothelioma can only be caused by exposure to Asbestos.

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Mesothelioma is a rare cancer in which cells of the mesothelium (a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body) become abnormal and malignant.  Mesothelioma is very rare, only about 2000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.  Which type of mesothelioma or asbestos cancer have you been diagnosed with? Although it is technically a single membrane, parts of the mesothelium have been given different names in relation to the internal organs they surround. For instance, the membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity is called the peritoneum; the part surrounding the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity, the pleura; and the part of the membrane that covers and protects the heart is known as the pericardium.

Get with the programming

This book assumes that you are a new programmer with no prior knowledge of programming. So, what is programming? Programming solves problems by creating solutions—writing programs—in a programming language. The fundamentals of problem solving and programming are the same regardless of which programming language you use. You can learn programming using any high-level programming language such as Python, Java, C++, or C#. Once you know how to program in one language, it is easy to pick up other languages, because the basic techniques for writing programs are the same. So what are the benefits of learning programming using Python? Python is easy to learn and fun to program. Python code is simple, short, readable, intuitive, and powerful, and thus it is effective for introducing computing and problem solving to beginners. Beginners are motivated to learn programming so they can create graphics. A big reason for learning programming using Python is that you can start programming using graphics on day one. We use Python’s built-in Turtle graphics module in Chapters 1–6 because it is a good pedagogical tool for introducing fundamental concepts and techniques of programming. We introduce Python’s built-in Tkinter in Chapter 9, because it is a great tool for developing comprehensive graphical user interfaces and for learning object-oriented programming. Both Turtle and Tkinter are remarkably simple and easy to use. More importantly, they are valuable pedagogical tools for teaching the fundamentals of programming and object-oriented programming. To give instructors flexibility to use this book, we cover Turtle at the end of Chapters 1–6 so they can be skipped as optional material. The book teaches problem solving in a problem-driven way that focuses on problem solving rather than syntax. We stimulate student interests in programming by using interesting examples in a broad context. While the central thread of the book is on problem solving, appropriate Python syntax and library are introduced in order to solve the problems. To support the teaching of programming in a problem-driven way, the book provides a wide variety of problems at various levels of difficulty to motivate students. In order to appeal to students in all majors, the problems cover many application areas in math, science, business, financial management, gaming, animation, and multimedia. All data in Python are objects. We introduce and use objects from Chapter 3, but defining custom classes are covered in the middle of the book starting from Chapter 7. The book focuses on fundamentals first: it introduces basic programming concepts and techniques on selections, loops, and functions before writing custom classes. The best way to teach programming is by example, and the only way to learn programming is by doing. Basic concepts are explained by example and a large number of exercises with various levels of difficulty are provided for students to practice. Our goal is to produce a text that teaches problem solving and programming in a broad context using a wide variety of interesting examples and exercises. Sincerely, Download

Y. Daniel Liang y.daniel.liang@gmail.com www.cs.armstrong.edu/liang www.pearsonhighered.com/liang

Designing Orchestrator Runbooks

Introduction

Welcome to Microsoft System Center: Designing Orchestrator Runbooks. We believe that orchestration and automation are becoming increasingly important in IT organizations of all sizes and across all infrastructure types ranging from on-premises to cloud-based. Orchestration and automation can help reduce the cost of IT while improving consistency and quality of IT service delivery. Like any powerful technology. however, it can be both used and abused. 

Our objective with this book is to provide a framework for runbook design and IT process automation to help you get the most out of System Center Orchestrator 2012 and to help you utilize Orchestrator in concert with the rest of the System Center for an enterprise-wide and systematic approach to process automation. We will provide detailed guidance for creating what we call “modular automation” where small, focused pieces of automation are progressively built into larger and more complex solutions. We detail the concept of an automation library, where over time enterprises build a progressively larger library of interoperable runbooks and components. Finally, we will cover advanced scenarios and design patterns for topics like error handling and logging, state management, and parallelism. But before we dive into the details, we’ll begin by setting the stage with a quick overview of System Center 2012 Orchestrator and deployment scenarios. 

Microsoft System Center 2012 is Microsoft’s solution for cloud and datacenter management as well client device management and security. From its origins nearly 20 years ago as primarily a desktop management solution, System Center has evolved into a leading enterprise management solution across physical, virtual, and cloud infrastructure including devices, applications, and services. 

System Center 2012 is comprised of a suite of components, each focused on part of the infrastructure management lifecycle such as provisioning, monitoring, backup, and disaster recovery. From an IT process automation perspective, the System Center components are the “arms and legs” of the automation capability, which act on end systems while System Center Orchestrator, and the runbooks created within it, are the “brains” of the automation, controlling the order and flow of activities and responding to events during the automated process.   Download 

Learn to Code with Games

World leaders, governments, and organizations around the world are calling for citizens to learn to code. They have identified coding as an essential 21st-century skill for all people. Have you ever wanted to learn to code, but were turned off by the technical jargon? Are you an ambitious young coder or forging a new career path later in life? Have you ever dreamed of making your own games and software? Now is your time to shine. This book makes coding accessible to a broad audience of aspiring coders, including you.

Learn to Code with Games presents a novel approach to coding for the complete beginner. With this book, you will come to see coding as a way of thinking and problem solving, rather than a domain of obscure languages and syntaxes. If you’re looking to explore coding through a practical, hands-on approach, this is the book for you. This book will challenge you to code real game components and provide you with guidance along the way. With a little effort, you will come to think and act like the code hero that you truly are. Your quest begins today.

This book is structured as a series of challenges that help you learn to code by creating a video game. In each chapter, you will expand your coding knowledge by defining and implementing your own solutions to game development challenges. Guidelines and hints are provided along the way to help you put your ideas into code. Ultimately, your success as a coder is determined by you. This book puts you into the position to succeed today and in the future.

Goals 

Every challenge is accompanied by a set of goals. These are the coding techniques that you will be able to implement by the time you finish each challenge. They can be found in the Goals section at the beginning of each chapter.

Required Files 

Files have been provided for every challenge. You can find these in the Software folder for each chapter available at http://crcpress.com/product/isbn/ 9781498704687. The Challenge folder contains everything you need to code your own solution. The Solution folder contains a completed example project, which you can compare against your own solution. The Demo folder contains a playable version of the completed example project, which you can use to guide the development of your own solution. At the start of each challenge, the Required Files section describes exactly which files you will need to use.

Demo A demo is included for each challenge you will face in this book. It is a good idea to test the demo before attempting to code your own solution to each challenge. The demo will help you visualize what you are working toward. Both Mac and PC versions of each demo are provided.

Unity Game Engine 

The Unity game engine is used throughout the challenges in this book. The primary focus of this book is helping you learn to code by applying a variety of game development techniques. While the focus is not on learning Unity itself, you will become familiar with some of the basic features of Unity. This is because Unity is your gateway to rapidly coding and creating games. To complete the challenges in this book, you need to download and install Unity on your computer. Unity is free to use and available on both Mac and PC. You can download the Unity installer from http://unity3d.com. Once downloaded, open the installer on your computer and follow the step-by-step instructions. In no time at all, you’ll be ready to start making games.
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Auto Accidents

Everyday auto accidents occur across Texas. 

And each and every auto accident is different, each resulting in differing levels of damages, injuries and losses. While most auto accidents are caused by another driver's negligence or momentary lapse of attention, some accidents are caused by reckless behavior. Common acts of negligence include failing to yield the right of way, rear-ending a vehicle,  running a stop light or stop sign or an unsafe lane change. Common acts of reckless disregard occur when a driver operates a vehicle at extreme high speeds, drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs or races another vehicle. In Texas, if the other driver is negligent the injured individual should be entitle to property damage, medical bills and expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and/or lost income. If the negligent driver was also reckless the victim may be entitled to punitive damages or special damages, in addition to his or her actual damages.

Our Law Firm has represented individuals throughout Texas for more than 15 years.  Our Team of Lawyers understand not only the rules of the road and the special duties imposed on commercial and public carriers, but we also work on a regular basis with investigators and/or experts to determine answers to complex scientific and/or engineering questions that can form the underlying cause of a loss.  Over the years we have found that by determining these answers can sometimes unravel how an accident occurred on the roadways, highway, intersection and who was at fault. Our Lawyers are experienced handling car crash cases and auto accident losses involving:

• Drunk Driving Losses
• Rear End Collisions
• Intersection Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Passenger Injuries
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Semi-Truck and Tractor Trailer Crashes
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Uninsured Motorists

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or a personal injury, call the Law Firm of  Carabin & Shaw today. Our Law Firm always offers a free initial consultation on all cases and we are only paid if we win, which means that there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your case.

As with most liability claims, determining who is at fault in a traffic accident is determining who was negligent.  Fault issues can be complicated.  Call our Law Firm we can help.  Our experienced attorneys will help you determine who was at fault.  We will obtain the police report on your loss, review the traffic laws and interview witnesses in order to determine who was at fault for your accident.

Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers

It is unfortunate, but every day across the State of Texas drunk drivers are killing and injuring Texans. In our opinion drunk drivers should be punished for killing and injuring innocent victims.  It is important to understand that the victim and/or his family have the right to make a claim for actual damages and punitive damages.  

In addition to the intoxicated driver being held liable for the personal injuries he or she caused, a bar or night club can also be liable for damages if they served an obviously intoxicated guest, who then drove and caused an accident. The fact that the person who served the intoxicated driver alcohol may be held liable does not relieve the intoxicated driver of liability.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys know the laws governing legal responsibility and can help you identify who might be held responsible for your injuries, including people or businesses you may not have considered.

Every ½ hour, someone in this country dies in an alcohol-related accident or crash. Last year alone, over one million people were injured in alcohol-related accidents.

Accidents Caused by Defective Products

In some cases, accidents are caused by factors unrelated to the conduct of any particular driver. For example, an accident may occur due to a defect. In some auto accident cases, the loss is caused by a product defect.  In such cases, an automobile manufacturer or a supplier can be held responsible for injuries caused by a defect in the automobile under the law of product liability.

A product liability suit is a lawsuit brought against the seller of a product for selling a defective product that caused physical injury to a consumer or user. If a manufacturer of a product creates a defective product-either in designing, manufacturing, or labeling the product-the manufacturer is liable for any injuries the product causes, regardless of whether the manufacturer was negligent.

Accidents Caused by Highway Defects

Poorly maintained roads and/or malfunctioning traffic control signals can also contribute to cause an accident as well. Sometimes improper designs, maintenance issues, construction issues, signage issues, lighting issues or other highway defect issues, including poorly placed trees and utility poles, can cause serious or even deadly accidents. In cases such as this the road construction company or even the State can be held responsible. Special rules apply to claims and lawsuits brought against governmental entities.  Call our Law Firm, good legal advice is critical to preserving and winning such claims.

Reckless Conduct and Road Rage

A driver may also be found liable for an accident due to his or her intentional or reckless conduct or for his or her failure to act in accord with a reasonable driver under the same circumstances.

A driver who is reckless is one who operates his vehicle with "willful and wanton disregard" for the rights and well being of others. A driver can be found reckless, for example, if he or she drives in a threatening or harassing manner out of "road rage" and causes an accident.

The concept of “Road Rage” is defined as "an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or passenger(s) of another motor vehicle or an assault precipitated by an incident that occurred on a roadway."

Statistics compiled by NHTSA show that almost 13,000 people had been injured or killed since 1990 in crashes caused by aggressive driving. According to a NHTSA, more than 60 percent of drivers consider unsafe driving by others, including speeding, a major personal threat to themselves and their families.

Texas Law Enforcement Agencies are renewing efforts to identify and penalize aggressive drivers-those who speed, tailgate and engage in other dangerous driving practices.

Conclusion

In all of the above cases, it is essential that the victim or his or her family take prompt measures to preserve evidence, investigate the loss and have physicians or other expert witnesses evaluate the injuries and losses. If you have been a victim of an automobile accident, do not hesitate to call our Personal Injury Attorneys.  Our Team of Lawyers are skilled and experienced in motor vehicle accident cases.  Call our Law Firm to assess your situation and determine the best methods for you to obtain any compensation for your damages.

If you have been injured in an accident, please contact the Law Firm of Carabin & Shaw today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee basis, which means that there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your case.

QUICK GUIDE TO ONLINE SCHOOLS

Before exploring online schools, every potential student should read about and understand the basics of remote learning, financial aid, quality control and the institutions themselves. Let’s take a closer look at four critical elements that serve as the starting points for an online school decision.

Types of Online Schools

A number of different types of schools provide online learning options to students, earning them unofficial classification as an “online school”. Each has a variety of benefits and possible drawbacks of which students and parents should be aware.

Traditional colleges and universities

Both public and private higher education institutions have moved relatively quickly toward a more nimble learning mode, which includes some or all of their courses and materails delivered online. Many of these online colleges bring the same quality of education, resources and faculty experience to the virtual classroom. However, as with their campus-based programs, admission requirements could hinder some students from acceptance and enrollment.

Primarily for-profit online schools

Many colleges like DeVry University have long-standing traditions when it comes to online education. They crafted and developed online curricula as well as the tools and technology to deliver them. Unlike their traditional counterparts, barrier to entry can be much looser, opening up post-secondary educational opportunities to a wider segment of the population. Students should always beware of the cost, and make sure the institution has the proper accreditation to ensure quality standards and employer acceptance of their degree.

Community and junior colleges

Two-year colleges offer a unique value that many other online schools don’t: a combination of affordability, course quantity and academic integrity. The cost of online programs at community and junior colleges tend to be much lower than 4-year schools, yet their focus on diplomas, certificates and associate degrees limits how far a student can go without transferring.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Students at online schools looking for financial aid have a variety of options. It’s important to note, however, that qualification for aid, grants or scholarships require enrollment at an institution that’s accredited. Let’s go a bit deeper on the three main types of aid for students today. And for a more in-depth and expert-driven look at paying for college, read our full guide to financial aid for online schools.

Student loans

Student loans are money borrowed by a student from a lender that must be paid back, with interest, according to the terms of the loan contract. Student loans come from three primary sources: the Federal government, state governments and private lenders.

Student grants

Grants are similar to loans except a student does not have to pay the money back. Grants can be obtained from many sources, including state governments and directly from colleges and universities. The Federal Pell Grant program is among the most widely known; Pell Grants provide funds primarily to undergraduate students on a by-need basis.

Scholarships

Scholarships tend to be merit-based or dependent on criteria such as membership in a sponsoring organization or ethnic or minority group. Colleges, corporations and non-profits offer a majority of scholarships to students. The money does not need to be paid back.

Online Learning Modes

Not all online schools are the same, and neither are their students. Some students prefer more flexible learning environments, others want a program that helps them earn a degree and transition to a career as quickly as possible. These two primary delivery modes at online schools come with unique benefits for students.

Fully-online vs. hybrid

Hybrid (or blended) courses are those that combine online work with some level of in-person class or lab participation. The balance between online and on-site participation requirements can vary substantially from class to class depending on the nature of the course materials covered.

Synchronous vs. asynchronous

Synchronous courses require the instructors and students to be online at the same time for lectures, presentations and/or discussions. With asynchronous courses, instructors provide any or all of course materials for access by students at any time of their convenience. Time limits for completion of a particular session’s work may be required.

Accreditation

Every degree-granting institution in the United States must hold some sort of accreditation. The key is understanding which accreditation statuses matter the most and why. Let’s examine three of today’s most popular accreditation statuses.

Regional accreditation

The gold standard, regional accreditation denotes thorough vetting of a college and its programs by an established and independent third party. Each regional body visits and investigates the institutions within its purview for academic standards, faculty experience, resource availability and overall guiding principles.

National accreditation

Schools with national accreditation often concentrate on less academic disciplines, including vocational, trade and career-focuses programs and courses. This often means a vetting process with less emphasis on core academics (liberal arts) and more on the ability to train students in tactile skills.

Programmatic or subject accreditation

Programmatic accreditation is reserved for degree programs that focus on a specific subject. For example, quality business schools and their programs have earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

This Is the Surprising Risk of Working for a Toxic Boss

You probably don’t need a scientific study to tell you that working for a narcissistic boss can have negative effects on your performance and mental health. But that’s exactly what a new paper from the University of Manchester in the U.K. has determined—providing real evidence of what health experts (and pretty much anyone who’s ever had a job) have long suspected.

The new research found that people whose bosses display psychopathic and narcissistic traits not only feel more depressed, but they are also more likely to engage in undesirable behaviors at work—like being unproductive and acting rude themselves. The findings, which have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, were presented today at the British Psychology Association’s annual conference for occupational psychology in Liverpool.

To reach these conclusions, the researchers at Alliance Manchester Business School performed a series of three studies, including 1,200 people from a number of different countries and occupations. In each study, participants completed questionnaires regarding their psychological wellbeing, prevalence of workplace bullying, and their manager’s personality.

RELATED: 10 Signs You Might Be a Narcissist

Analysis showed that people working for managers with these “dark traits” (as they’re known in the psychology field) had lower job satisfaction and higher rates of depression. Incidents of counterproductive work behavior and workplace bullying were also higher under these types of managers.

The driving factor for these consequences seemed to be the way these bosses treated their employees. “Leaders high in dark traits can be bad news for organizations,” said lead researcher Abigail Phillips in a press release. “Those high in psychopathy and narcissism have a strong desire for power and often lack empathy. This toxic combination can result in these individuals taking advantage of others, taking credit for their work, being overly critical, and generally behaving aggressively.”

And their mean or manipulative actions can spill over, to more than just a person’s direct reports. “Workplace bullying is obviously unpleasant for the target but also creates a toxic working environment for all involved,” Phillips said. “In short, bad bosses—those high in psychopathy and narcissism—have unhappy and dissatisfied employees who seek to ‘get their own back’ on the company.”

RELATED: 19 Natural Remedies for Anxiety

So what do you do if you find yourself reporting to one of these horrible head honchos? Psychologist Ben Dattner, PhD, a New York City-based executive coach and author of Credit and Blame at Work, has a few suggestions.

First, set your expectations reasonably, says Dattner, who was not involved in the new study. “You’re not going to get any sort of positive support or encouragement or reassurance from a narcissistic boss,” he says, “so make sure you’re getting that elsewhere—from people like family, friends, community mentors, and coaches.”

Then, try to frame the situation in a positive light. “Consider that perhaps, over the long sweep of your career, it will be beneficial to suffer through this job,” he says. (Think The Devil Wears Prada.) “It will be emotionally draining, but even bad bosses can be technically talented and knowledgeable, and you might learn something from the experience.”

Helping narcissistic people look good in front of others can help put you on their good side, says Dattner. You may be able to do that by serving as a calm and strategic counterbalance to your boss’s impulsivity and reactivity.

“If you can protect your boss from himself or herself and you don’t appear to pose a threat, they’ll come to value you—and you might get yourself to a better place,” he says.  (And yes, sometimes that might mean doing the work and sharing the credit.)

Dattner says it’s no surprise that the new study found a link between narcissistic bosses and toxic environments. After all, it’s not the first research to find that rude behavior at work is contagious. And if you’re feeling bullied by your boss, it’s a good idea to watch out for your own conduct at work, too. 

“People who feel disenfranchised or exploited are much less likely to engage in positive behavior to be a good organizational citizen,” he says. “But don’t take the bait; don’t sink to their level. As tempting as it may be, acting on those feelings will hurt your own career and your future prospects.”

Instead, he says to acknowledge your emotions and make sure you have an outlet for them, and to channel your energy into something positive.

“Try to make yourself indispensable, to learn new skills and keep your network strong,” he says. “That will hopefully leave you open to alternatives—because the hardest thing when you’re dealing with a narcissist is feeling trapped.”

Still struggling? Luckily, this is a popular topic. Here are four more tips for dealing with a narcissistic boss, from psychotherapist Joseph Burgos, PhD. Good luck! 

Watch This Nike Run Club Coach Do Perfect Chin-Ups at 41 Weeks Pregnant

Nike Run Club coach Sara Wiss proves that pregnant women can be serious badasses. In this video on her Instagram page, the Swedish personal trainer displays some jaw-dropping strength: Not only does she crank out five chin-ups with impeccable form (a feat impressive enough on its own!), she does so at 41 weeks.

“Keep calm! I’m still pregnant…#week41 #weightedpullups” Wiss said in the caption. Unsurprisingly, her followers went wild, congratulating the mom-to-be: “Dang mama!!! Get it! So inspiring,” wrote one user. “Many can’t do a pull up and with the extra weight (thumbs up),” said another.

Wiss got you inspired too? 

If you can't make it through a single chin-up (yet!), there are a handful of exercises you can add to your routine to start building the strength required. The trick, says Tony Gentilcore, a Boston-based certified strength and conditioning specialist, is training on the floor first (think push-ups and stability ball roll-outs) before moving to the bar. "So many of my clients assume they will never be able to do [a chin-up], let alone multiple repetitions, but they can—it just takes work," he told Health in a prior interview. To get started, check out his top five exercises to get you closer to a chin-up. (Of course, if you're currently pregnant, be sure to run any new fitness plan by your doc.)

As for Wiss, the motivating mama gave birth on January 3, just two days after she posted her now-viral video. 

http://www.health.com/

How to Build a Healthy Meal That Actually Keeps You Full

Do you ever eat a healthy lunch only to find yourself starving by 3 p.m.? You're not alone. This a common frustration I hear from my clients, and in most cases, the explanation is the same: The meal was missing at least one key element that plays a major role in satiety, satisfaction, and energy. Luckily there's an easy fix: Use my simple formula for crafting meals that stave off hunger—but don't leave you feeling over-stuffed or sluggish. I've also included five simple examples that fit the bill below.

1. Add fiber-rich veggies

I highly recommend working veggies into every meal (even breakfast!). They're nutritious, full of antioxidants, provide very few calories per portion, and are packed with fiber—which is filling because it takes up space in your digestive system. Fiber also slows digestion, which means you'll have a steadier supply of energy over a longer period of time.

For breakfast, veggies can be added to an omelet, whipped into a smoothie, or eaten as a side. Many of my clients even enjoy salad at breakfast (dressed with citrus vinaigrette), or a serving of raw veggies that act as a palate cleanser at the end of the meal. All veggies provide some fiber, but a few top sources include artichokes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale.

RELATED: What is Clean Eating?

2. Choose lean protein

Aside from boosting metabolism, lean protein also wards off hunger better than carbs and fat, according to research. Be sure to include a lean source (think eggs, seafood, poultry, or Greek yogurt) in each meal. If you’re vegan, reach for pulses—the umbrella term for lentils, beans, and peas, like chickpeas and black eyed peas.

3. Don’t forget a plant-based fat

There’s no doubt about it: Fat is satiating. If you’ve ever eaten a salad with fat-free dressing versus one with olive oil, you’ve experienced the difference. Plus, the notion that eating fat makes you fat is seriously outdated. I tell my clients to include a healthy source in every meal. My favorites are avocados, nuts and seed (including ground-up versions like almond butter and tahini), extra virgin olive oil, Mediterranean olives, olive tapenade, and pestos made with EVOO and nuts or seeds.

RELATED: 13 Healthy High-Fat Foods You Should Eat More

4. Toss in a "good" carb

By now you probably know that eating a low-fat blueberry muffin for breakfast isn't exactly good for you. But did you realize it will likely leave your stomach grumbling an hour later despite the whopping 400 calorie count? That's because refined carbs and sugar cause a spurge in blood glucose that triggers a quick insulin response; the insulin spike then results in a drop in blood sugar, which means the return of hunger pangs.

But, that doesn’t mean you need to nix carbs altogether. Just opt for a small portion of a fiber-packed, whole food source. Good choices include whole grains like oats or quinoa, starchy veggies like skin-on potatoes and squash, fresh fruit, and pulses.

Start with a small serving—around half a cup (or the size of half a tennis ball)—and up your intake depending on your body's fuel needs. In other words, if you spend most of your hours sitting at a desk, a half cup is probably fine. But if you have an active day ahead, bump up the carbs a bit.

5. Be generous with herbs and spices

Natural herbs and spices are another category of satiety enhancers. I’m talking fresh or dried basil, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, zest, and pepper. Even vinegars like balsamic, and hot peppers like chili or jalapeno, count. Use them to add aroma and flavor, and raise your satisfaction level at each meal.

RELATED: You Should Probably Be Eating More Turmeric. Here's How

Now you may be wondering what a "complete" meal that follows all five rules would actually look like. If so, here are five examples of easy, stick-to-your-ribs, energizing dishes:

Veggie scramble

Sauté Brussels sprouts in low-sodium vegetable broth, along with more of your favorite veggies like onion and grape tomatoes, along with seasonings, such as a dried Italian herb mix, turmeric, and black pepper. Add one whole egg and three to four whites or one whole egg and three quarters cup whites to scramble. Serve over a half-cup of lentils, topped with half of a sliced avocado.

Turkey veggie stir-fry

Brown about four ounces of extra-lean ground turkey and set aside. Sauté broccoli florets and other veggie faves like bell pepper and mushrooms in low-sodium vegetable broth with minced garlic, fresh grated ginger, and minced chili pepper. Add the turkey back in to re-heat, serve over a small scoop of brown or wild rice, and top with sliced almonds.

Wild tuna salad

Mix canned wild tuna with herbed olive tapenade. Serve over a bed of greens and veggies, topped with cooked, chilled quinoa.

RELATED: How to Buy Healthy Food Without Looking at the Nutrition Label

Chilled egg salad

Toss a handful of minced kale with a chopped hard boiled egg and three whites. Fold in a tablespoon of dairy-free pesto and mix with a half cup of chickpeas.

Black bean and veggie platter

Sauté cauliflower and spinach in low-sodium vegetable broth, seasoned with minced garlic and fresh cilantro. Serve with small scoops of black beans and brown rice, topped with a dollop of guacamole and wedges of fresh lime.

Cynthia Sass is Health’s contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and consultant for the New York Yankees. See her full bio here. 

http://www.health.com

Having a Baby at Age 35 or Older? It May Help Your Memory

Women who have kids after they turn 35 may get a boost in brain power after menopause compared with women who start child-rearing sooner, researchers say.

Women who have children later in life are often warned about the risks, like pregnancy complications. But now there’s some good news for those who wait: According to a new study, moms who have their last child at age 35 or older may have better memories as they age compared with women who get pregnant when they are younger.

For women who don't want to have kids right away, or can't, this is the second bit of encouraging news in less than a week. A University of California San Diego study recently found that “older” moms (over 25 when they first gave birth) were 11% more likely to live to age 90, as well.

It's not clear why having a baby later in life would help your memory, but those women may experience a later-in-life surge of estrogen and progesterone, says lead author Roksana Karim, MD, assistant professor of clinical preventive medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. In animal studies, these hormones have been shown to benefit brain function and growth.

Scientists also know that, in humans, estrogen and progesterone decline after menopause. And often, so do cognitive skills like memory. Having higher levels of these hormones at an older age may have a protective effect, Dr. Karim and her colleagues hypothesized.

RELATED: 15 Factors That Affect a Woman's Fertility

In the study, the researchers gave 830 post-menopausal women a series of tests to measure different types of memory, attention and concentration, planning, visual perception, and reaction time. They also recorded their reproductive history, including when they began menstruating, got pregnant, and used birth control.

After taking into account other factors like age, race, ethnicity, income, and education, the researchers determined that women who had their last pregnancy after age 35 scored highest on tests of verbal memory (which involved repeating a list of words or retelling a story after being distracted). Women who were at least 24 during their first pregnancy also had better executive function—a measure of attention control, working memory, reasoning, and problem-solving—compared to those who got pregnant earlier.

This is the first study to investigate the link between last-pregnancy age and cognitive function in later life, says Dr. Karim. "Based on the findings, we would certainly not recommend that women wait until they're 35 to close their family,” she said in a press release. “But the study provides strong evidence that there is a positive association between later age at last pregnancy and late-life cognition.”  

The research, which was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, revealed other patterns, as well. The study also found that women who used hormonal birth control for more than 10 years, or who started their menstrual cycle before turning 13, also had better mental power after menopause.

RELATED: How Many Kids You'll Have (and When) May Be Written in Your DNA

"Starting your period early means you have higher levels of the female sex hormone being produced by the ovaries," Dr. Karim said. "Girls are receiving the optimal levels early, so it's possible that their brain structures are better developed compared to those who are exposed to estrogen levels associated with menstrual cycles at a later age."

And birth control pills or other hormonal contraception "maintain and sustain a stable level of sex hormones in our blood stream," Dr. Karim said. "Stable is good."

RELATED: 3 Delicious Meals Rich in Brain-Boosting Ingredients

Some research has suggested that women’s memory and thinking skills can suffer while they’re expecting—a phenomenon known as “pregnancy brain,” said senior author Wendy Mack, PhD, professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine. But she thinks these studies did not follow women for enough time afterward to determine long-term effects. 

“The many bodily changes and psycho-social stressors during pregnancy also can impact women's cognitive and emotional functions," she said, so it could be difficult to detect hormone-related benefits right away.

The observational study was only able to find an association between these reproductive factors and mental abilities—not a cause-and-effect relationship. And there are still plenty of reasons to not delay if you do want children: The older a pregnant woman is, the more risks she and her baby face, especially over age 40.

http://www.health.com

Mosquitoes May Infect You With More Than One Disease In A Single Bite

As if disease-carrying mosquitoes weren’t bad enough in the first place, scientists have found the pesky insects may be able to infect us with two viruses at the same time. 

A small lab study that exposed mosquitoes to blood infected with varying combinations of dengue, Zika and chikungunya proved that the mosquitoes were able to pick up two viruses — Zika and chikungunya — at the same time.

The results suggest that human beings could be infected with both the Zika virus and the chikungunya virus in one bite, but researchers need to conduct more studies to find out how this affects a person’s health and immunities to future disease. The research follows a previous experiment that found mosquitoes can also carry dengue and chikungunya at the same time. 

“We didn’t know what to expect, and now we know that [Aedes aegypti mosquitoes] are very susceptible to co-infection and can co-transmit at a relatively high frequency,” said lead investigator and Colorado State University researcher Claudia Rückert, who presented the study results at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on Monday. “This could mean that there are more co-infected patients than we thought.”

Scientists in Nicaragua recently estimated that one in five people who tested positive for one of the three viruses also had at least one of the remaining two. 

The question of simultaneous infection in both mosquitoes and humans is a vital one, as the viruses circulate in the same populations and can confuse diagnostic tests and delay treatment. For instance, patients who come down with fever, rash and joint pain in Brazil aren’t quite sure if they’ve got Zika, a relatively mild disease that has devastating results for a developing fetus, or chikungunya, which carries severe, disabling symptoms, or dengue, which is incredibly painful and potentially fatal.

There is no vaccine or cure for these viruses, and the treatment for all of them is the same: The only thing that people can do to get better is to rest, drink fluids and take fever and pain medication. However, being able to accurately pinpoint Zika virus, for example, could help pregnant women make faster decisions about prenatal care. But as things stand, diagnostic tests struggle to tell the difference between the three viruses.

Some researchers are also investigating the possibility that the viruses can compete with each other ― or exacerbate each other’s symptoms ― if one person gets them at the same time. Researchers from Emory Vaccine Center have found that people who had dengue virus develop antibodies that react with Zika virus, but they aren’t sure whether those antibodies neutralize Zika or enhance it’s effect on human cells. 

One study presented at the same conference found that two patients who had tested positive for multiple viruses also developed a rare disorder called “dancing eyes-dancing feet syndrome,” a condition that causes rapid eye movements and muscle contractions. This could suggest, said Rückert, that co-infections may be linked to serious complications beyond the symptoms of any individual virus. 

Another theory on the effect of co-infections is that dengue-Zika interactions could be the reason Brazil was hit particularly hard by cases of congenital Zika syndrome, a constellation of symptoms a baby is born with if they are infected with Zika in the womb. However, this is just one theory among many that could explain why some countries’s newborns were hit harder by congenital Zika syndrome than others.

As scientists continue to sort this out, it’s clear that disease-carrying mosquitoes can be really bad news in countries where serious viruses are circulating. The takeaway for readers, Rückert says, is that mosquito bites may carry not just the risk of one disease but several, and that these co-infections may stress your immune system more than just a single virus.

To prevent mosquito bites, experts recommend wearing long sleeves and pants, using mosquito repellant regularly and keeping doors and windows closed or screened. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

World COPD Day

World COPD Day: 8 things every Indian should know about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
November 19 is World COPD Day. Millions of Indians suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Here's what you need to know about this condition.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe a group of lung diseases which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. The main symptom that patients suffering from COPD complain about is breathlessness and coughing.  COPD can, however, develop over the years without any noticeable symptoms. But symptoms which appear later include tightness in the chest, persistent cough and wheezing other than breathlessness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally around 65 million people suffer from moderate to severe COPD. Out of this, 3 million succumbed to COPD in 2005 and experts estimate that by 2030 it will be the third most common cause of deaths.

Going by these shocking figures, lack of awareness about COPD in India is a major hurdle in bringing down morbidity caused by COPD. Many Indians are completely unaware about COPD and how it can affect their health in the long run. When it comes to your health, ignorance is not bliss. So here’s all that you need to know about COPD in India.

1. Studies estimate that nearly 30 million Indians suffer from COPD

Over the years, there have been several studies conducted in different parts of the country to figure out how many Indians are living with COPD. A 2012 study in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India says that crude estimates suggest there are 30 million COPD patients in India [1].  However, so far the prevalence estimates of COPD by experts are not completely accurate. In another study conducted in 2013, ‘Indian Study of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms and Chronic Bronchitis’ that included 85,105 men and 84,470 women from 12 urban and 11 rural sites estimated that the national burden is 14.84 million [1].

2. Biomass smoke and mosquito coils are major risk factors for COPD in India

The sad truth is that despite how fast cities are growing in India, 70% of the homes in rural and urban areas still use biomass fuel for cooking and heating purposes in poorly ventilated kitchens [1].  In fact, studies have found that 90% of rural households and 32% of urban households still cook their meals on a biomass stove. As only 25% of cooking is done with cleaner gases in India, exposure to biomass smoke is a major risk factor for COPD in the country.

However, just because you use LPG gas for cooking purposes, it does not mean you are safe from COPD. Another source of exposure in Indian houses is mosquito coils. In fact burning even one mosquito coil in the night to get rid of mosquitoes is capable of emitting particulate matter equivalent to around 100 cigarettes [1]. Switch to mosquito repellent lotions or other eco-friendly measures to keep your lungs healthy.

3. Bidi smokers are at the highest risk of COPD

It’s a known fact that smokers are at a far greater risk of suffering from lung diseases as compared to non-smokers. Doctors say that smokers are thrice as likely at the risk of developing COPD. However, bidi smokers were at a much higher risk of developing COPD (8.2%) as compared to those who smoke cigarettes (5.9%) [2].

4. Men are far more prone to COPD

As per data collected in various studies across the world, more men suffer from COPD as compared to women. For instance, the Global Burden of Disease study in 1996 predicted the global prevalence of COPD to be 9.34 per 1,000 for males and 7.33 per 1,000 for females of all ages [2]. A 2001 study published in the Indian Journal of Chest Diseases and Allied Sciences reported that the prevalence among men ranged from 2% to 22% and 1.2% to 19% in women [2].

5. You could suffer from COPD even if you’re a non-smoker

Just because you don’t smoke, it doesn’t mean you are completely safe from COPD. A 2012 study of 12,000 slum dwellers from Pune revealed that of the patients who were diagnosed with COPD, 69% were never smokers [2]. The doctors also observed that the prevalence rate of COPD was 8.5% in men and 4.5% in women.

6. COPD patients are at an increased risk of tuberculosis and vice versa

Studies have found that COPD patients are at a higher risk of developing active TB compared to the general population [3]. This is because COPD and TB have common risk factors like smoking and poor living conditions.

7. COPD patients could suffer from depression

Other than tuberculosis, COPD patients are also prone to depressive symptoms. A study published in the journal Chest in 2016 reported that one in four patients with COPD also suffer from depression. If depression goes undiagnosed in these COPD patients, it can reduce the effectiveness of their treatment. Another study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas found that 22.3% of patients had one or more psychological disorders.

8. Yoga and walking can benefit patients with COPD

If you’re a COPD patient, you can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and improve the overall quality of your life by walking three to six kilometres a day. The study was published in the journal Respirology in 2016. Another study found that practising yoga can help COPD patients.

References:

[1] Koul PA. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Indian guidelines and the road ahead. Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society. 2013;30(3):175-177. doi:10.4103/0970-2113.116233.

[2] Bhome AB. COPD in India: Iceberg or volcano? Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2012;4(3):298-309. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2012.03.15.

[3] COPD and the Risk of Tuberculosis – A Population-Based Cohort Study. Malin Inghammar ,Anders Ekbom, Gunnar Engström, Bengt Ljungberg, Victoria Romanus, Claes-Göran Löfdahl, Arne Egesten

Image Source: Shutterstock

Beware, mosquito coils add to the risk of chronic disease

It is reported, at least one fourth of patients suffering from COPD have never smoked.

Kochi:  When the World COPD day was observed on November 16 with various programmes, medical experts stressed the need to rewrite the traditional concept of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) being a smokers’ disease. Though the primary cause of COPD is believed to be smoking, a recent survey conducted in India indicates that COPD cases are more among non-smokers than among smokers. It is reported, at least one fourth of patients suffering from COPD have never smoked. Even in a highly urbanized state like Kerala, nearly 80 per cent of households still use biomass fuel for cooking, a major reason cited for the high rate of COPD.

While a strong correlation between cigarette smoking and COPD is an established fact, recent studies have shown that there are numerous other risk factors that trigger the disease in non-smokers. At least one fourth of patients suffering with COPD have never smoked. “The quality of air has deteriorated drastically over the years. With the presence of toxic nano particles in the air, the functioning of lungs is hampered the most. Respiratory ailments in urban areas due to the changed living condition are of major concern,” said Dr. Jacob Baby, consultant pulmonologist at Aster Medcity, Kochi.

A recent survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board indicated that lung function reduced in 40.3 per cent individuals in Delhi. Air pollution, use of kerosene stoves for cooking, lack of proper ventilation and use of mosquito coils also contribute significantly to the disease. Even in urban areas, 32 per cent households still use biomass stoves, 22 per cent use firewood, 8 per cent use kerosene and the rest use cleaner fuels like LPG.  Prolonged exposure to agricultural pesticides, which are being frequently used also contribute to respiratory problems, decreased lung function and COPD. Quitting smoking, use of pollution free means of cooking, proper ventilation in houses are a few measures recommended by experts to lower the risk of COPD.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com

Is Zika still a public health emergency?

On Nov. 20, 2015, the World Health Organization warned the spread of Zika virus in Brazil might be responsible for a surge in the birth of babies born with tiny heads and underdeveloped brains.

On Friday, almost a year to the day from that first warning, experts who advise the UN’s global health agency on Zika will grapple with the question of whether this most unusual of outbreaks still constitutes a crisis.

It won’t come as a huge surprise to the global health community if the experts tell WHO Director-General Margaret Chan that Zika, while still alarming, no longer meets the criteria for a “public health emergency of international concern,” as its known in the agency’s vernacular.

But some observers worry that if the WHO downgrades Zika’s status, an outbreak that continues to bedevil scientists and threaten the health of developing fetuses will slip further down the priority list for research funding. They are also concerned that efforts to detect and report spread around the world will ease.

“The international response to Zika has been lethargic, and if WHO called off the global emergency it would provide reason for governments and donors to pull back even more,” said Dr. Lawrence Gostin, an international health law expert at Georgetown University.

“That would be a recipe for the very lack of preparedness the world has seen time and again with infectious diseases.”

When the WHO’s expert panel on Zika first met on Feb. 1, it quickly urged Chan to declare Zika a public health emergency of international concern.

That designation meant that recommendations from the WHO aimed at curbing the spread of Zika, minimizing economic impacts or promoting collaborative research carried more clout among member states.

Chan has declared four global health emergencies during her tenure — the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, setbacks to polio eradication efforts, the West African Ebola outbreak and Zika. Two other expert panels have advised against the declaration of public health emergencies for the outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome virus, or MERS, and this year’s challenging yellow fever outbreak in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chan has never gone against the advice of an emergency committee.

Back when she declared Zika a global health crisis, the world was seized by tragic pictures of Brazilian babies with strangely misshapen heads. Reports suggested that 6,000 or more infants in that country alone had been born with the devastating condition, known as microcephaly.

The link to maternal Zika infection during pregnancy was suspected, but not proven. Scientists from around the globe set to work trying to figure out how a virus spread by mosquitoes could destroy fetal brains in the womb — and what percentage of women infected in pregnancy would give birth to an affected child.

An impressive number of scientific papers charting how the Zika virus destroys fetal brain tissue have been published since then.

But the question about how often this happens still remains to be answered. Rather than becoming clearer, the picture has become more blurred as time has gone on.

The early estimates of upwards of 6,000 affected births in Brazil have been revised sharply downward, to about 2,100 at last count. And predictions that waves of affected births would follow in Latin American countries where Zika spread after Brazil haven’t materialized to nearly the same degree. Of the 25 other countries that have reported cases of Zika-related birth defects, Colombia has recorded the second highest tally, 57. In most countries, the cases are in the single digits.

In fact, 92 percent of the recorded cases of Zika-related birth defects have been reported by Brazil.

Experts are at a loss to explain why there have been so many such births in Brazil and so few, relatively speaking, so far in other countries.

Abortions may be ending some affected pregnancies, but that kind of effect is very hard to capture, experts admit. Researchers are looking at whether some other factor present in Brazil contributed to the high numbers there. But these answers will take time.

The leadership of the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control has repeatedly called Zika the most complex emergency response the Atlanta-based agency has ever mounted. Scientists from many of the CDC’s centers have been called on to contribute — everyone from those who study birth defects and mosquito-transmitted pathogens to those who study diseases spread by sex.

“We have so much more to learn and so much more to do. But this mosquito” — Aedes aegypti, which transmits Zika —“and this virus doesn’t stop for us to finish the studies,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s principal deputy director, said earlier this week.

Schuchat sidestepped the question of whether she thinks Zika is still a global health emergency. Technical deliberations at the WHO would answer that question, she suggested.

But regardless of the outcome of Friday’s deliberations, she said the world must keep its eyes on Zika.

“This is a virus that can cause irreversible, catastrophic problems when certain women in pregnancy are infected,” Schuchat said.

“This needs to stay in the public arena so that people planning travel can prepare appropriately and so that we in the global community can re-enforce efforts to learn and act and protect pregnant women, wherever the virus is spreading.”

http://www.foxnews.com/health