The Daily Telegraph investigation exposes corrupt practices in the metal on metal medical devices saga

Journalists from the Telegraph have been investigating the scandal of the faulty 'metal on metal' hip implants. These implants have caused increased pain and disability for patients, some of whose experiences are highlighted in this article. All too often the agencies that the public looks to to safeguard our health and well-being turn out, as in this case, to do the opposite - at great cost in personal suffering to the patients involved and in financial cost to the NHS and the wider economy. In this article we read:

 

"The European system of regulation has prompted widespread concern over whether medical experts are really at the vanguard of deciding which devices can be implanted in patients. 

 The Daily Telegraph and the British Medical Journal therefore decided to investigate the rigour of the licensing process, amid allegations that dozens of private companies are competing with one another to offer licences for medically questionable devices. Was profit being put before patient safety?"

And of course when you read the article you cannot but conclude that profit is indeed being put before patient safety. This is but one of the many undesirable consequences of our present membership of the EU, notorious as it is for corruption and waste. The Telegraph carries an analysis of the flawed regulatory system, written by Carl Heneghan. I urge you to read it, and to put yourself in the place of the innocent victims of this chicanery.

Thomas Szasz has died

The Telegraph carries an excellent obituary of this great man. Thomas Szasz was a Professor of Psychiatry who did not 'believe in' mental illness. Many of his books are about what he described as "the myth of mental illness" and about the great harm that is done by a belief in mental illness (or the pretence of believing in it). I read most of his books in the 80's and I found them compelling reading. I regard him as the foremost writer on psychiatry and I have written about him before. (See HERE.) His books display an incisive intelligence and a mordant wit, as he sought to protect the victims of psychiatric labelling from the harm that such labels do in the hands of medically-qualified knaves and fools supported by a misbegotten legal system.

Antipsychotics kill five UK dementia sufferers every day

The Telegraph reports that antipsychotics kill five UK dementia sufferers every day and that at last meaningful action is being proposed to instruct doctors to review all antipsychotics prescriptions and to seek to reduce them by finding “therapeutic alternatives” to these harmful drugs.

New warning about prescription drugs, shampoos and skin products polluting water supplies

See Telegraph report.

Pang Ya: Poor little BIG toddler!

In the Telegraph's Pictures of the Day today, the very first picture is of a two year old Chinese girl, Pang Ya, who weighs a massive 41.5kg (6.5st), although she was normal weight at birth.

I hope you can recognise the tell tale signs of thin skin and huge fluid retention? - Her poor vastly swollen face is beetroot red, which is a clear indication that the skin is thin and is so overstretched as to be near transparent, and that we are really seeing the vastly distended blood vessels beneath. Her poor eyes are barely able to open. And see how terribly swollen her poor feet are beneath their covering? - From my own experience, I can tell you without needing to see the feet themselves, that like her face, the skin will be taut and overstretched, and that dark red veins near to the skin's surface will be making her feet look red or purple or near-black. And I can tell you that they will be very painful, especially if she ever tries to walk on them, with her heavy weight pressing on those swollen veins. And when she lies down the pressure on her face will increase. Poor, poor girl! Her problem is massive fluid retention/salt sensitivity/morbid obesity/oedema/abnormally high blood volume. She must be in constant pain from those swollen veins and thin skin. She needs to be fed food that has NO ADDED SALT. She will certainly not live long if she is fed salty food and she will be in preater and greater pain.

Salty food is what causes babies and toddlers to become fat. But Pang Ya's obesity is so extreme that I strongly suspect that sometime in her short life she has been treated with one of the many prescribed medications that cause fluid retention and are even more harmful to children than to adults. Doctors around the world tend to be very ill-informed about the side-effects sodium retention and water retention which inevitably cause obesity unless salt intake is kept very low indeed.

See Child Obesity

And see Sodium in foods

Anti-depressants can make young people more than twice as likely to feel suicidal

Kate Devlin in the Telegraph reports that antidepressants can make young people more than twice as likely to feel suicidal. - Crazy, isn't it? - The times I've heard doctors boasting about 'saving people's lives', when actually they have been talking about prescribing antidepressants! - not about saving lives at all: just about prescribing pharmaceutical junk! - We don't want young people being made to feel suicidal from taking this junk that purports to be treatment for depression! The only people who benefit from this are the drug companies and their shareholders et al.

A major cause of 'depression', especially in young people, is dieting or otherwise eating an inadequate diet. It is not necessary or desirable, or even safe, to diet. - To lose excess weight safely and quickly, without drugs or side-effects, give up dieting completely and just concentrate on cutting down on salt and salty food. This reduces fluid retention, the initiating cause of excess weight. This also reduces depression.

Actually there is no good reason to prescribe anti-depressants to anyone. - See Anti-depressants 'no better than dummy pills' about research by a Hull University team led by Prof Irving Kirsch.
Lose weight, reduce your risk of most cancers, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, vascular dementia, stroke, osteopenia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, liver damage and kidney problems, and improve your health in many other ways without drugs, hunger or expense by eating less salt! - Try it! - You will feel so much better! See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.
Read my Mensa article on Obesity and the Salt Connection

And see Sodium in foods and
http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/story.html - my 'political' page

amitriptyline

prescribed steroids and HRT

See advice for pregnant mothers
Children and Obesity

Associated health conditions
and FAT RETENTION

Do you use an insect repellent? Could it be harming you?

Do you use an insect repellent? Could it be harming you? - The Telegraph reports that "According to scientists the active ingredient in many insect repellents, N-diethyl-m-toluamide, better known as DEET, could be toxic to the central nervous system". - That's your central nervous system, not just the insect's central nervous system...

Premature Baby Boy Dies of Dehydration from being put on a Saline Drip.

The Telegraph reports that a baby boy died earlier this month in the Queen's Medical Centre hospital in Nottingham after being put on a saline drip which apparently left him dehydrated.

This absolutely APPALS me. - A saline drip is a means of putting salt (sodium chloride) and water into the bloodstream by way of a vein. Doctors appear to believe that this hydrates the body. - It doesn't. -

A saline drip dehydrates the body. This dehydration could also be described as Salt Poisoning.

Salt is extremely harmful to small children and especially to babies, and this poor baby was premature and so even more vulnerable to harm from salt. I hope that those responsible for putting this baby on a saline drip will be named and will be severely punished so as to draw attention to the serious harm that salt causes to babies.

I believe there are horrifying parallels between this tragedy and the death of 3 year old Christian Blewitt in December 2002. - See the Saturday, March 03, 2007 entry on http://aboutsalt.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html See also the Wednesday, October 15, 2008 entry on http://aboutsalt.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

In both of these sad deaths a saline solution was administered to a small child in hospital. In both cases the child died because of too much salt in the body. Health professionals seem unaware of the lethal possibilities of intravenous administration of saline solution to babies and small children.

I have a website about how salt is harmful to groups of people who are vulnerable to it. One of the vulnerable groups is children. - Here is an extract from my webpage http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/children.html about children and salt:

"When children become fat it is essentially because they are eating salty food. Children are especially vulnerable to salt because of their small size and small blood volume, and because their blood vessels are weaker than those of adults. Salt, and the water it attracts to it, can more easily distend weak blood vessels than fully mature ones. The resulting increase in blood volume and other fluid retention results in weight gain, as well as higher blood pressure and many other undesirable consequences. The smaller the child, the less salt they should have - and a baby, of course, should have no salt at all. - Babies can die if they are fed salty food."

Here is a highly disturbing extract from the Telegraph report:

"Peter Walsh, the chief executive of Action against Medical Accidents, said

"This is a worrying incident. Research shows us that around 10 per cent of hospital admission result in adverse incidents. These are very alarming statistics.

"But more alarming is that the real figure is even higher since many errors go unnoticed by hospital staff. ""

The Telegraph reports that playing music to premature babies can help them feel less pain.

The Telegraph reports that playing music to premature babies can help them feel less pain.

The Telegraph's investigation allows us to read and marvel at the troughing of some of the honourable members of the pigsty

See, for example, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...he-system.html

Congratulations to the Telegraph for shining a light on the MPs' expenses scandal!

The Telegraph is to be congratulated and thanked for the diligence with which it has pursued the matter of MPs making a mockery of claims for expenses

Almost everyone in Britain is disgusted at the blatant greed and dishonesty that has been exhibited by MPs in this matter.

By the way, it is not true that some MPs have been claiming expenses for living in a matchbox, their main residence, within a stonesthrow of Westminster...(o:

Zoologist Desmond Morris admits that his latest study has left him in awe of the power and potential of the human infant.

Oh baby you're amazing
This is the link to read the article by Desmond Morris in the Telegraph. I found it very interesting indeed.

Self-cleaning wool and silk developed using nanotechnology

Self-cleaning wool and silk developed using nanotechnology

Extracts from the Telegraph:

"Wool socks, skirts and silk ties may soon clean themselves of smells and stains in the sunshine, researchers in Australia and China suggest.

The secret is a nano particle coating, one already used to keep windows clear, that could lead to "self-cleaning" versions of wool and silk fabrics.

Wool and silk, which are composed of natural proteins called keratins, are among the most prized and widely used fabrics in the clothing industry. However, they are difficult to keep clean and are easily damaged by conventional cleaning agents.

In the new study, scheduled for publication in the journal Chemistry of Materials, Dr Walid Daoud of Monash University, Victoria, Australia, and colleagues prepared wool fabrics with and without a nanoparticle coating - particles around five nanometres across (five billionths of a metre) composed of anatase titanium dioxide, a substance already used as a pigment that is known to break down and destroy contaminants upon exposure to sunlight.

"The self-cleaning technology in our work uses titanium dioxide photocatalyst that when triggered by light, it decomposes dirt, stains, harmful microorganisms and so on," says Dr Daoud.

The researchers then stained the fabric samples with red wine. After 20 hours of exposure to simulated sunlight, the coated fabric showed almost no signs of the red stain, whereas the untreated fabric remained deeply stained, the researchers say."

"As for when self-cleaning socks could be on the market, Dr Daoud tells The Telegraph: "It is anticipated that as soon as the technology receives the approval technically and economically, you will then be able to see the product in the market. Currently, industrial testing and mill trials of this patent-pending technology are being conducted."

He adds: "I believe that self-cleaning property will become a standard feature of future textile and other commonly used materials to maintain hygiene and prevent the spreading of pathogenic infection. Particularly since pathogenic microorganisms can survive on textile surfaces for up to three months.

"Self-cleaning technology can also help in reducing the consumption of chemicals, such as detergents and dry-cleaning solvents, water, and energy.""

Babies kept out of the sun may be at risk of developing rickets.

Keeping babies sun-free increasing rickets risk - Telegraph

Extract:

"Protecting babies against skin cancer by keeping them out of the sun is putting them at risk of the crippling bone disease rickets, doctors have warned.

Breastfed infants need a top-up of vitamin D because they are no longer exposed to sufficient sunlight to generate the daily requirement themselves."


Also safeguard your children's health by feeding them meals low in salt. - See http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/children.html

One in four local NHS organisations in England is failing to comply with basic hygiene standards, reports Healthcare Commission.

Quarter of hospitals miss superbug targets - Telegraph

Extracts:

"A Healthcare Commission report shows 99 of 394 healthcare trusts admitted to failing to have adequate infection control, safely decontaminate reusable medical equipment or keep their facilities clean."

"Katherine Murphy, of the Patients' Association, said: "We are killing more people with C. difficile than on our roads. The death toll with MRSA is equivalent to two train crashes every week.

"These are avoidable infections. Every week there is a different priority for the Government. Infection control has never been given a high priority.""

"Compliance with two standards on treating patients with dignity and respect, and privacy and confidentiality, also fell slightly."

"Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "It is shocking that after countless Government initiatives the number of hospitals failing to protect patients from these infections has doubled."

• To view the full report, visit www.healthcarecommission.org.uk"

"Four trusts reported failing to meet any of the three hygiene standards. They were:

• Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
• Sheffield PCT
• Sutton And Merton PCT
• Wiltshire PCT"

What do you think should be done about this deplorable state of affairs?

Do you fear to go into hospital because of the lack of cleanliness and hygiene there? Or because of the way you are treated there? Dare you remonstrate with a doctor or nurse who hasn't washed their hands when they should have done? - Have you written to your MP about your concerns? Has s/he done anything about the matter?


Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

A wooden computer!

The wooden computer that adds up to zero - Telegraph

Extract:

"PC World is to produce a "zero carbon" computer made from wood and aluminium - and no, it's not an abacus.

The retailer will remove the PC's fans - which use up most of the power - and use an aluminium casing that has large ventilation slats that allow the heat to escape and uses fewer materials.

Computers are one of the most energy intensive machines in the household, costing about £40 in energy bills each year to run. PC World says its machine, which will retail at £599, will cut that bill to as little as £12."


Lose weight by eating less salt! - Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Children should wear sunglasses because their eyes are more vulnerable to damage from the sun than adults' eyes are.

Children should wear sunglasses from three - Telegraph

Extract:

"Children as young as three should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes, according to opticians.

Industry figures claim parents are putting their children's eyes at risk by ignoring the dangers of the sun's harmful rays.

Their comments follow new research which shows that, by the age of 18, children will have absorbed 80 per cent of their lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

Children's eyes are more vulnerable to damage from the sun than adults' eyes because the cornea, lens and fluids are clearer, allowing more light to reach the retina.

Exposure to UV light increases the risk of cataracts (the clouding of the lens), pinguecula (the thickening of the white of the eye) and pterygium (a growth over the surface of the cornea)."

It would be best to read the whole article as there is quite a lot of detail.

Cataracts are also one of the many conditions that are often linked to salt sensitivity and fluid retention, and can be prevented or made less severe, or their progress slowed down, by lowering salt intake.

Improve/safeguard your health and lose weight by eating less salt! - Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Teenagers are in the grip of a sexual health crisis fuelled by a "celebrity culture" that condones alcohol abuse, drug addiction and promiscuity...

Teenage sex crisis 'due to drink and drugs' - Telegraph

Extract:

"Teenagers are in the grip of a sexual health crisis fuelled by a "celebrity culture" that condones alcohol abuse, drug addiction and promiscuity, Government-funded advisers warn today.

A daily diet of celebrities in sexualised poses, taking drugs and getting drunk has led to increasing numbers of children "defining their lifestyle" around drugs, alcohol and sex in their early teens, with Britain now having the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and sexual infections in Europe, they say.

Despite this, Government campaigns have failed to make the link between drugs, alcohol and sexual health - even though many drugs increase sexual desire, leading to more sex and more drinking, the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) on Sexual Health and HIV reports.

At the same time, "distorted messages" mean young boys wear football shirts emblazoned with alcohol brands while girls read magazines portraying them as sex objects, or purchase "sexualised" dolls.

The strongly-worded report concludes that there is "no national and joined up Government approach" to deal with the problems."

"In a single act of unprotected sex with an infected partner, adolescent girls have a one per cent chance of acquiring HIV, a 30 per cent chance of getting genital herpes, and a 50 per cent chance of contracting gonorrhoea.

Caroline Flint, the health minister, said the Government would examine the report."

A daily slimming pill, Acomplia, taken by about 10,000 British patients may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and other psychological symptoms.

Slimming pill 'linked to thoughts of suicide' - Telegraph

The pill is rimonabant, also known as Acomplia and as Zimulti.

Extract:

"A daily slimming pill taken by about 10,000 British patients may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and other psychological symptoms.

The drug rimonabant, sold as Acomplia in the UK and available only on prescription, was hailed as a "wonder drug" when it was approved for use in Europe last year.

Research suggested almost four in 10 overweight people who take it lose 10 per cent of their body weight.

However, it emerged yesterday that the drug was unlikely to be approved in America because of fears over the possible psychological effects on users. Dr Amy Egan, an American medical officer, told experts advising the Food and Drug Administration that medical trials had suggested that patients taking the drug report side-effects including depression and anxiety."

There is no need at all to take slimming pills to lose excess weight. - You can lose weight fast, safely and easily, without hunger, by simply cutting out salt and salty food from what you eat. - This reduces fluid retention, which is the cause of obesity.

Lose weight by eating less salt! Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!
See my website http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/
Read my Mensa article on ~Obesity and the Salt Connection
(The site does not sell anything and has no banners or sponsors or adverts - just helpful information.)

Time-sensitive label that tells you when food is unfit

Label that tells you when food is unfit - Telegraph

Extract:

"Manufacturers can pre-set the device so the ink line reaches the far side of the lid when the product is no longer fresh.

This could vary from three days to 28 days, and is based on the correct storage temperature and lifespan of each product. The label was created by Stephanie Prichard, an industrial design student at Brunel University, as a way of reducing household food waste.

She hopes a manufacturer will adopt her design.

Stephen Green, a lecturer at Brunel University's school of engineering and design, said: "With supermarkets and food manufacturers constantly striving to enhance their environmentally friendly policies, I am sure there will be a great deal of interest in this product.""


Lose weight by eating less salt! - Go on! - Try it! - You will feel so much better!