We know them and occasionally overtake the old aged drivers in our roads.it is important to know that they need patience and yelling or hooting does not help but confuses them in the [process– these are after all our Gogos and Mkhulus who still like driving. It’s a fact older drivers have a greater risk of death or serious injury in crashes for a number of reasons. As some people age, they experience vision and hearing impairments that can affect their ability to drive safely.Increased frailty can lead to a much higher risk of being killed or seriously injured if a crash does occur and some illnesses that are more common with age, and the medicines taken to treat them, can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. If you’re over 65 years of age, it’s time for you to think about how you drive, and the sorts of things that might make driving more difficult for you. Assessing your driving skills, and being aware of early warning signs is the best way to make sure you’re not putting yourself, and those you love, at risk on the road.

MoT hints for safer driving n plan your travel route to your destination and avoid very busy or confusing intersections n If you know you have a slow reaction time, avoid dangerous road and traffic conditions such as driving in:  8 rain or poor light  8 heavy traffic and poor road conditions   8 higher speed roadsn If your joints ache after an hour or more of driving, keep trips short whenever possible or take frequent stops to rest and recover n If you find it hard to turn your head to see over your shoulder, take steps to improve the flexibility of your neck by consulting your doctor or a physiotherapist n Take lots of rest breaks and if you have a long way to drive, share the driving if possible n Consult your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping as tiredness can lead to poor concentration or falling asleep at the wheel. n If making right turns at busy intersections makes you stressed or agitated, choose routes and times of travel that are easier. you may be able to find a route that has yield sign left turns at intersections.n Consult your doctor or optometrist to deal with possible vision problems. n Warning signs include – finding it harder to see at twilight, trouble seeing pedestrians, difficulty in seeing objects in the distance, strong reactions to glare n do not wear tinted glasses when driving at night without the approval of your eye specialist n Take note of your doctor or pharmacist’s advice about the possible side effects of new medicines including drowsiness and/or poor concentration. If you experience such symptoms, it is strongly advised that you not drive n a refresher course in driving and road laws may be a good way to check your capabilities as a driver and update your knowledge and skills.

Different stages of pregnancy and driving

No two pregnancies are alike so it is best to discuss your health and ability to drive during pregnancy this with your doctor.  However MoT would suggest the following:8 Travel during pregnancy can be very tiring, but if your pregnancy is normal, you should be able to travel during the first and second trimesters without too many adjustments – however each pregnancy is different.8 do take into account that morning sickness plays a vital role to your ability to drive, so monitor it and keep that in mind when adjusting your normal driving around to work or just on errands.8 be aware of problems with swelling (particularly of feet and ankles) which can adversely affect your driving experience and endanger both yourself, unborn child and other road users.8 Remember that your body undergoes major adjustments during pregnancy some of which you may not feel, so consider avoiding driving during stressful situations and weather conditions such as bad weather conditions (rain, fog, etc).8 Driving at night can also be stressful to mothers-to-be as eyesight could be diminished during pregnancy which requires the body to use extra energy, thus causing stress and fatigue.8 If you have not had any problems with your pregnancy and there are no medical reasons highlighted by your doctor or obstetrician against driving, then it is up to you and how you feel.However, during the third trimester, labour could begin at any time, your water could break or other problems could occur, so don’t plan a trip during your last month of pregnancy or drive as you normally would.  it is advisable to consult your doctor before driving during your third trimester.by the time you reach the final stages of your pregnancy, your baby bump may have gotten so large that it is very close to the steering wheel.  this is neither comfortable nor safe and it will be time for you to consider getting someone else to drive you around.

Wearing seatbelts when pregnantMany expectant women complain that safety belts create additional discomfort and are not keen to wear restraints during pregnancy.it is illegal not to wear a seat belt and no matter what stage of your pregnancy you are at, it is vital that you always wear a seat belt.Pregnancy does not automatically provide exemption from the law.Restraints are just as necessary during pregnancy, as they are when you’re not pregnant and although there is no evidence that the use of safety restraints increases the chance of fetal or uterine injury during a crash, there is still a risk of losing your baby, even if you sustain minor injuries during an accident.Wearing a safety belt will not harm your baby, which is cocooned in protective amniotic fluid.Research shows that unbelted pregnant women are more than three times likely to lose their baby in a crash, and two times as likely to have excessive maternal bleeding.Even in a minor accident, where injuries are not as severe, you still have a 5 % chance of losing your baby if unrestrained.there are medical complications that can occur to the mother as well as the baby.such as abdominal pain, complications from blood clots, fractures, and internal injuries if involved in a crash while unrestrained.How to wear a seatbelt during pregnancyIt is a common concern during pregnancy that if you wear a seatbelt it may put too much pressure on your stomach and your baby, especially in the event of an accident.However it is safer for both mum and baby if you do wear a seatbelt and is much more dangerous not to wear one at all.Whilst wearing a seat belt during pregnancy may not be comfortable, it will improve safety for both mother and baby.Moms -to-be must learn to place the seat belt in the correct position – yes, there is a correct way to wear a seat belt during pregnancy.Here’s how:place the lap-belt part of the restraint under your abdomen and across your upper thighs so it is snug and fits comfortablyDo not place the lap belt on or above your belly.As the belt will have been pulled lower than normal, adjust your sitting position so the belt crosses your shoulder without cutting into your neck.the shoulder belt should cross over your collar bone and lie between your breasts. be sure to position it so that it does not cut across your neck.Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm as this renders the restraint ineffective.when travelling in cars fitted with air bags, the front seat (whether it be the driving seat or the passenger seat) should be pushed as far back as practical.the safety belt should be worn as tight as possible (but not be uncomfortable) so that in the event of an accident, the forces applied in a sudden impact can be absorbed by the body’s frame.

Common injuries for unborn babies and their mothersInjuries unique to pregnant occupants of cars involved in collisions include:Placental abruptionUterine rupture or lacerationDirect fetal injuryThe most common type of injury is a separated placenta.  the placenta then becomes partially or completely detached, meaning that the baby cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients, which can be fatal for the baby.Potential injury risks for unborn babies in car crashes:1. Non-fatal but possible long-term consequencesSeparated placenta (most documented) Fetal distressEarly delivery Breathing and nervous system disordersDirect fetal injury Arm and leg injuries2. FatalDeath of motherSeparated placentaRuptured uterusBaby skull fracture

The air bag and pregnant driversAir bags are meant to work with seat belts to protect both driver and passengers.An inflated air bag creates a protective cushion between the driver or passenger and the steering wheel, dashboard, and windscreen.when travelling or driving, just remember to move the seat as far back as possible and tilt it slightly backwards, as this will maximise the distance between your chest and tummy and the rest of the car (dashboard, steering wheel, windscreen).As an added precaution, mums-to-be should not sit in the front seat of vehicles, but rather in the back seat (with seat belts on), which is the safest place to travel in any car.Avoid leaning or reaching forward, but rather sit back in the seat and keep the seat belt as taut as possible as this will reduce your forward movement in a crash and allow the airbag to inflate correctly.

Should you accessorise your car?

We all like being different when it comes to cars from personalised registration numbers, to mag wheels, cars that have the perfect loud system and your neighbour cannot afford to a well pimped car. well pimping your ride always sounds like a good idea at the time, but as many have found out – that joy often turns to cries of poverty when it  is time to sell that pride and joy. this warning may have come to late for other drivers but at the right time for me and some readers of MoT.South Africa’s giant auctioneer Burchmores, has cautioned that: “Car buyers are often tempted into buying alluring or sexy accessories – anything and everything from spoilers to fancy sound systems. there is a common misconception that, when the time to sell comes, this will improve the resale value of the car. but that’s simply not true!” the company’s Managing Director Darryl Jacobson warns that motorists should never expect to recoup their “investment” in accessories. “Aftermarket accessories are not investments; you should enjoy them for what they are, and never expect them to boost the value of your car,” he advises. according to Jacobson, sellers are often disappointed when – after investing E30 000 in a fancy sound system – they are only offered book value for their car. “they believe that their car should be sold for E30 000 above book, but this just doesn’t happen in the real world; a buyer will never pay a huge premium for a car with expensive accessories – we are trading in an extremely price-sensitive market,” he reveals. where accessories do assist, however, is in securing a deal. “they may well make the car easier to sell,” comments Jacobson. “After all, if the buyer can choose between two identical cars in similar condition – one with and one without a CD, it’s obvious which one he or she will select.” the one exception to this rule is a navigation system. “they are extremely popular and buyers are prepared to pay a premium. “However, it is rare to find a used car with an aftermarket navigation system; the sellers normally remove these systems and transfer them to their new cars.”  Mag wheels are also popular amongst used car buyers. “but once again, they will generally only swing a deal – a buyer won’t pay substantially more for a used car with mags,” Jacobson warns. the message therefore is clear: “If you want to spend a small fortune on aftermarket accessories, then do so – by all means. Take, for instance, the example of the sound system: invest the E30 000 and enjoy the spectacular sound that it delivers. but understand fully that, when the time comes to sell, you won’t get that E30 000 back,” the Burchmore’s MD concludes.

MoT Drivers Quiz

Driving on rainy weather, do you…?

A. Drive fast and ignore speed limit B. Overload because there are less roadblocksC. Follow road speed limitD. Drive slowly and keep a safe following distance

SEND ANSWERS TO: or sms to 7603 6934

April is Autism Awareness Month. as part of its commitment to the autism community, educational technology company Rethink Autism is helping to educate parents through a new video series on their home page, “Every Day Counts, Everyone Can help.”

Developed by Rethink Autism’s clinical team and hosted by Rethink Autism’s Director of Research and Training, Dr. Hannah Hoch, the series provides an overview of autism, video examples of early warning signs, and research-based teaching strategies that they can start using immediately.

For parents and educators, Rethink Autism is also extending their one-week free trial to last for the entire month of April. After filling out a brief assessment, parents can gain access to individualized video-based exercises, printable lesson plans, and a complete series of ABA training videos.

With autism estimates in the U.S. reaching 1 in 110 (Centers for Disease Control), there has never been a more critical time for parents and educators to be able to recognize the early signs of autism. For children who go undiagnosed and untreated, daily activities such as school, play, and family life can become increasingly difficult. Studies show that children who receive early, intensive treatment based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can make substantial gains in language, IQ, academic performance and social behavior.

“So many times parents and educators search online for information about autism diagnosis, but unless you’re a trained clinician, it’s difficult to understand how these symptoms present in children,” said Jamie Pagliaro, EVP of Rethink Autism, and Founding Executive Director of the new York Center for Autism Charter School. “This dynamic video series shows exactly what to look for, and offers practical strategies for everyone – family members, teachers, and caregivers – to get involved in the treatment process.”

To see “Every Day Counts, Everyone Can Help” visit the company’s website at rethinkautism.com

About Rethink Autism (rethinkautism.com)

Rethink Autism, inc. seeks to ensure that every child on the autism spectrum has access to effective and affordable evidence-based treatment options by providing professionals, parents, and family members with the tools and information necessary to teach children with autism in a way that is easy to understand and apply. Rethink Autism was founded in 2007 and has its headquarters at 19 West 21st Street in new York City.

A quarter of cancer sufferers are being sent away by GPs with their early warning signs dismissed as minor ailments, a study reveals toTens of thousands of patients are initially told that their symptoms are ‘nothing to worry about’ or advised to take painkillers or antibiotics for months.day.

Tens of thousands of patients are initially told that their symptoms are ‘nothing to worry about’ or advised to take painkillers or antibiotics for months.

Missed disease: Thousands of cancer sufferers are forced to make repeat visits to their doctor before their symptoms are correctly identified and can be treated

They have to make repeated trips to their doctor before being given a correct diagnosis, the report concludes.

Britain has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in Europe despite billions being invested in treatment over the last decade.

Experts blame late diagnosis for the alarmingly high death rates and say many tumours are spotted only when it is too late for successful treatment.

More than half of those with rarer cancers – which comprise 50 per cent of all cases – are being forced to see their GP repeatedly before they are finally referred to a specialist.

Almost two thirds wait longer than three months between making an appointment to see their family doctor and being told that they have cancer. For many patients this delay proves fatal.

Rarer cancers comprise all forms of cancer except breast, bowel, lung and prostate, which are known as the ‘top four’.

They include kidney, thyroid and gall bladder cancer, and cancers of the blood such as myeloma, leukaemia and lymphoma. these illnesses can be difficult to diagnose as symptoms such as pain, tiredness, weight loss and lack of appetite can be explained by many other illnesses.

The study by the Rarer Cancers Foundation found that a quarter of patients are diagnosed only once the disease has already spread to other organs, by which time it is often terminal.

Last month the Coalition promised to save up to 5,000 lives a year by giving GPs the power to refer patients directly for scans and tests rather than going through a cancer specialist.

But experts warn that if family doctors do not even suspect patients have cancer, they will simply send them home reassured without asking for these tests.

RARE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS

Many Britons with genetic diseases are ‘left in the dark’ by medics, a report claims today.

Almost half of those with a so-called ‘rare diseases’ wait more than a year for diagnosis, while a further 20 per cent see at least six doctors before finding out what is wrong with them.

The delays lead to a deterioration in health, inappropriate treatment and medication and significant distress, the charity Rare Disease UK says.

A rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer than five in 10,000 of the general population.  But, while individual conditions are uncommon, together they affect 3.5million Britons – or one in 17 people at some point in their lives.

Examples include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anaemia and muscular dystrophy.

Rare Disease UK, a coalition of more than 130 patient groups, wants research to be better funded and better co-ordinated, doctors to be better-informed of symptoms and better access to drugs, where they are available.

It also wants a national plan for the treatment of rare diseases to stress the importance of psychological support, not only for patients, but for their families too.

Dr Peter Corry, a paediatrician at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, said: ‘Diagnosis is often difficult and the complex treatments required may involve several specialists.‘Frontline medical staff need good sources of up-to-date information and access to the appropriate experts.’Research into the treatment of rare diseases will be showcased an open afternoon and evening at Royal Holloway, University of London today.   

Andrew Wilson, chief executive of the Rarer Cancers Foundation, said: ‘if patients are going to have the best chance of beating cancer then they need to be diagnosed as early as possible. too many opportunities to diagnose cancer are being missed, leaving patients feeling let down by their GP and the NHS.

‘The Government wants to save an additional 5,000 lives by 2014/15 and half of these should come from rarer cancers. if this goal is to be achieved, then GPs will have to raise their game. we are calling for GPs to be paid according to their performance on diagnosing cancer.’

Experts say that while GPs are very good at spotting lumps in breast of prostate cancer or recognising the symptoms of lung or bowel cancer, rarer cancers often do not have such obvious early warning signs.

Eric Low, chief executive of Myeloma UK, said: ‘they are very difficult to diagnose. we shouldn’t have a bash at GPs – we need to provide them with the resources and background information to enable them to make these diagnoses.’

Many people have told the Rarer Cancers Foundation how symptoms were misinterpreted by GPs.

One man said his wife had died of a rare cancer of the bile duct after being told by her GP to stop taking her HRT tablets.

When she returned eight months later complaining of a bad back the same doctor prescribed painkillers. less than week later she was taken to hospital and diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Another patient was told by his GP that the lump on his neck was a swollen gland. He was finally diagnosed with thyroid cancer three months later.

One woman said her mother was given a course of antibiotics after complaining of severe diarrhoea, weight loss and lack of appetite.

Her GP even appeared to chastise her for making an appointment saying: ‘There’s stuff you can buy over the counter for that.’

She saw at least three different doctors before being diagnosed with terminal cancer of the gall bladder.

Angela Skeffington, 44, died of stomach cancer after claiming her GP and ten A&E doctors missed signs of the disease. The mother of three was told she was suffering from anorexia, depression, period pain and even indigestion, and was prescribed paracetamol.

When the cancer was finally diagnosed, it had spread to her liver and lymph nodes.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:‘we know that earlier diagnosis is critical to achieving better survival rates, so we’re taking action in this area where the previous government failed.’

Missed diagnosis: Mother-of-three Angela Skeffington died of stomach cancer after a GP and team A&E doctors failed to detect the disease

* A TREATMENT that causes deadly breast cancer cells to self-destruct by flooding them with a poisonous gas is being developed by British scientists.

In experiments, the gene-based therapy killed 80 per cent of breast cancer cells within two days, the International Journal of Pharmaceutics reports.

If it continues to fulfil its early promise, it could be given to women in as little as five years.

The innovative treatment is likely to be aimed at women with ‘metastatic’ cancer that has spread through the body and has stopped responding to conventional treatments.

Researcher Helen McCarthy of Queen’s University, Belfast, said: ‘For patients in this position the outcome is bleak. There is a pressing need for new and alternative therapies.’

Dr McCarthy’s research centres on inserting a gene into cancer cells.

Once inside the cells, it pumps out nitric oxide, a toxic gas that kills many of the cells outright or makes them more vulnerable to chemo and radiotherapy.

Previous research shows that flooding tumours with the poison makes them twice as sensitive to radiotherapy.

Crucially, the gene therapy method is expected to have no effect on normal healthy cells, cutting the odds of side-effects from nausea and vomiting to loss of hair.

Dr Lisa Wilde, of the Breast Cancer Campaign, which funded the research, said: ‘Gene therapy could potentially be an exciting avenue for treating breast cancer.

‘although at an early stage, Dr McCarthy’s research shows that this system for delivering toxic genes to tumour cells holds great promise.’  

Pancreatic Cancer – Pancreatitis Diet – Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer occurs more frequently in men, affecting African American and Jewish populations. People who ages 45-65 are most likely to develop pancreatic cancer. Factors that contribute in the development of pancreatic cancer are chemical carcinogens (petroleum, dry cleaning chemicals), cigarette smoking, high-fat diet and diabetes mellitus. Prognosis of pancreatic cancer is normally poor because symptoms of pancreatic cancer do not occur, not until the tumor is big enough to be detected.

Click here for Pancreatitis Diet best Deal Now!

What are the symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer? Abdominal Pain and weight loss are the first symptoms that will occur, the early warning signs that you might have the cancer. Dull upper abdominal pain which radiates to the back is to be felt, digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and belching, Anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting. Jaundice (yellowish discoloration) occurs when the tumor growth results in common bile duct obstruction. Most symptoms depend on the location of the tumor growth. Most pancreatic tumors are adenocarcinomas and half of it occurs in the head of the pancreas.

Aside from the symptoms of pancreatic cancer, you can diagnose pancreatic cancer by determining the levels of laboratory tests like Serum lipase, bilirubin and serum amylase. they are usually increased in pancreatic cancer. Diagnostic tests like ultrasounds, Computed Tomography or CT Scans, and  Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) which examines the pancreas at a closer view.

Treatment for Pancreatic cancer is aimed to control the symptoms of pancreatic cancer since the symptoms are not seen not until the cancer has developed radically. if the cancer has not metastasized to other organs yet, surgery is suggested. Whipple’s procedure is so far the most common procedure to treat pancreatic cancer. the head of the pancreas, duodenum, distal portion of the stomach, and distal segment of the common bile duct is removed by the surgeon. Total pancreatectomy is a procedure that removes the entire pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, gallbladder, spleen, and lymph nodes. also, radiation therapy to reduce the tumor and chemotherapy for the cancer cells to be destroyed. Drug Therapy with pancreatic enzymes, insulins, bile salts which are necessary after surgery is also used.

It is good to detect pancreatic cancer early, so that it can be managed immediately. Early detection is vital to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. once you manifest changes in your weight, diet and appetite as well as other symptoms of pancreatic cancer, it is proper for you to have yourself checked for pancreatic cancer.

Local legal community mourns loss of Brent ZookR. Brent Zook, who had served as an attorney in the Elkhart County Public Defender’s office since 1978, died Thursday at Goshen General Hospital after a 14-month battle with cancer. he had turned 59 just six days earlier.

Dr. Benzinger from secondopinion.org with health information on pancreatic cancer.Video Rating: 4 / 5

More : Pancreatic Cancer

I also heard that abnormal bleeding is an important symptom. is it possible to have ovarian cancer symptoms without the abnormal bleeding?

PS I JUST GOOGLED EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER AND THERE IS a SITE THAT NAMES AT LEAST 6 SYMPTOMS THAT MAY GIVE AN INDICATION THAT YOU MAY HAVE OVARIAN CANCER. THE PROBLEM THAT LIES WITH THE SYMPTOMS IS THAT MOST MDS TAKE 2-3 MONTHS TO DIAGNOSE IT AS OVARIAN CANCER—PLEASE GO TO THE WEBSITE= IT IS UNDER EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER AND IT LISTS ALL THE SYMPTOMS.

Call and get an immediate appointment at an ob/gyn, and only they can tell you. It takes various tests.
However, you know something is wrong, so call immediately.
This cancer is extremely fast moving, so please, please don't delay.

Thanks………and there are many signs that you need to discuss only with your doctor–ob/gyn.

I have heard that you don't need a checklist of symptoms because there are no specific symptoms. so you can probably have symptoms without the bleeding.