Hard to believe, or maybe not, but a new British study has named alcohol as the number 1 “most harmful drug”  from a list of 20, in a study published by the Lancet yesterday. The conclusion was reached after a panel of experts combined the overall physical, psychological and social problems that were caused by each drug.

The group of British scientists who came up with a new scale numbered from 1-100 evaluating the harms caused by the drugs, included the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (ISCD) and an adviser from the European Monitoring Committee on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Harms taken into consideration included things such as “drug-specific or drug-related death, damage to health, drug dependence and loss of relationships, while harms to others included crime, environmental damage, family conflict, international damage, economic cost, and damage to community cohesion.” Alcohol scored a whopping 72 out of 100; heroin and crack cocaine were ranked as the second and third most harmful, with scores of 55 and 54, respectively. Tobacco scored 26, marijuana received a 20 and ecstasy scored a 9 which were all much lower on the list. Experts found that heroin, crack cocaine, and methamphetamines were the most harmful to individuals, while alcohol, heroin and crack cocaine were most harmful to others.

Antibiotic use in commercially produced farm animals has become the norm in modern farming practices; however, the government may be finally placing a cap on the amount that producers are allowed to feed to their animals. Interestingly enough, this will only come in the form of guidelines, and not regulations meaning they will not be mandatory, although these will be the strongest guidelines that the FDA has ever issued (here is the official statement from the FDA). They will attempt to end the use of antibiotics simply for enhanced growth and enforce stronger veterinary oversight.

Most farmers feed their animals, particularly piglets and calves, antibiotics for weeks after weaning to ensure they are healthy especially since they live in such overcrowded pens, but then continue this practice for several more months to ensure faster growth. These new guidelines are much needed as medical experts say that many bacteria such as some strains of E.coli and salmonella are becoming antibiotic resistant, for the very reason that so much of our food comes pre- pumped with antibiotics. 

       It is nice treating yourself to a manicure, but does it raise a lot of health issues?  The answer would be yes.  One major thing is the cutting of the cuticles.  Many manicurists will ask if you want them pushed or cut, and you should always go with pushed.

       The cuticle is the seal between where the new nail is forming.  It is a sensitive part of the nail and if it is cut or torn, bacteria can enter the skin and cause infections and other unpleasant things.   It is also important to make sure the nail salon uses sterilized tools.  Having tools repeatedly used on people fingernails and toenails can create a big mess of bacteria’s and other unwanted infections and fungus.  

For more medical support groups, check out www.medichatmd.com.

Everyone knows that when you sleep better, you feel better.  There are many ways to lead to a better nights rest.  While looking around and trying to figure out tricks and tips, I found several helpful hints.

First, you cannot control your sleep.  It is just a fact – we do not have control over sleep.  Once you have realized and accepted this fact, the stress to sleep will slowly dissipate.  

Second, set yourself a bedtime, but remember to not get upset when you are not exactly asleep at this set time.  Be sure to be in bed and relaxing at your set bedtime.  It will help calm your body and create a better sleeping atmosphere.