Tongue piercing may be trendy, but it can lead to speech impediments, breathing problems, infections and broken teeth, warns the British Dental Authority. Infection can cause the tongue to swell, blocking or restricting the airway. If piercing equipment is not properly sterilised, potentially fatal infections such as HIV and hepatitis can be passed on. Other dangers include deep cyst formation, damage of veins and nerves, and neuromas (overgrowths of nerve tissue). (BBC)
Experiencing a burglary in your home or domestic violence can be very traumatic. Support is available from the voluntary organisation Victim Support. This charity would like to improve its service and is requesting help from people who have experienced such crimes. If you would be willing to talk about it in small groups, call Aisling on 01-8780870. Confidentiality is assured.
A US Federal court has temporarily barred the drug company Eli Lilly from making promotional claims that its osteoporosis drug Evista (raloxifene) has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. A spokesperson for rival drug company AstraZeneca which sells Nolvadex (tamoxifen), a drug which has been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer among high-risk women, said the court "accepted AstraZeneca's position that Eli Lily's dissemination of false information has created a `grave public health risk' ". Studies have indicated Evista might have the potential to prevent breast cancer, but, according to one expert, the drug needs two more years of testing before it could be approved for cancer risk reduction by US regulators. (Reuters)
Obesity in childhood, a growing problem in western countries, increases the risk of heart disease in later life. A German survey of almost 10,000 children found the risk of obesity at the ages of five to six could be reduced by 35 per cent if children were exclusively breastfed for three to five months, and the risk can be reduced further if breastfeeding continues longer than five months. (British Medical Journal)
Cancer-control programmes at places of work can significantly improve the nutritional habits of its participants, according to the Working Well trial, which involved 9,000 people over three years in the US. The trial promoted increased access to healthy foods, introducing vending machines with low-fat, high-fibre snacks, healthier cafeteria meals, prominent nutritional information, and low-fat recipe competitions and taste tests. (Eureka Alert)
Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attack (with heart disease accounting for 40 per cent of all deaths of diabetes sufferers) but new research shows one or two alcoholic drinks a day could reduce this risk in people with type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Surprisingly, the study found these people benefited more than the general population from light alcohol intake, but scientists also pointed out that alcohol may worsen diabetes by interfering with the action of insulin or by worsening diabetic neuropathy, a complication which leads to loss of sensation in the feet. It is recommended that people with diabetes consult their doctor about alcohol intake. (Journal of the American Medical Association)