ellaOne (5 day emergency contraceptive)

A recent topic that has interested me is the question raised about the 5 day contraceptive pill -AKA ellaOne. I'm sure you may have heard of the 72 hour pill or 'emergency contraceptive' that can be taken up to 3 days after conception, well ellaOne works basically the same apart from (you've guessed it) you can take it up to 5 days later!! I don't understand why anyone would wait that long, it is more effective to take it as soon as possible but I guess it's there just in case.
There has been speculation to whether or not ellaOne should be allowed to be sold over the counter alongside Levonelle. (right now I believe it is only available on prescription) It is being argued that making this emergency contraception more freely available will encourage sexual promiscuity.
In my personal opinion, seeing as the 72 hour pill is available for purchase already, I don't think adding an extra 48 hours will make very  much difference. Additionally I can only assume that if ellaOne were to be sold in chemists then it would more than likely be more expensive than that already available making it less desirable.
I think they need to give people some more credit too personally, who would want to pay around £30 on the one contraceptive pill when for the same price, you could avoid the entire problem and buy about thirty condoms for the same price!? It's just common sense really.
Finally, I just feel that as a young adolescent, that denying women the freedom to use this new contraceptive is limiting the rights we have over our own bodies. However I realize that this is not my strongest point as it is up to girls to take the responsibility to ensure that they are using the appropriate contraceptive in the first place. But we are humans all the same, and humans make mistakes, and if such mistakes can be solved, who can deny us the right to fix it?

-I cannot stress enough that I am merely just expressing my own opinion here, I do not wish to offend anybody. I would be sincerely interested to hear anybody else's point of view and encourage you to share it with me!
(It is possible that the ellaOne emergency contraceptive is now available to purchase in local chemists, to find out, I recommend using all mighty, all knowing google!! :P)

Can curing the Flu be far away!?

Scientists have recently discovered that the effects illegal drug methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) on exposed cells were far less susceptible to the virus and delayed replication considerably! Not at all what they were expecting!
However, it cannot be stressed enough by me, and 'The Daily Mail' who covered this story that Meth is NOT a cure for the flu. The negatives caused by meth, such as its highly addictive qualities, by far out way the positives we are beginning to discover.
I believe that this discovery is going to open up many doors. Further research can now be done to look at other substances like the methamphetamine drug, that are much safer.

For more information on this revelation visit; http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/11November/Pages/Could-illegal-drug-meth-hold-key-to-flu-cure.aspx

I will definitely be following this story further, so if you want to stay updated this is were to come!

Pain killers causing deafness in older women?

A recent report in the Daily Mail has confirmed that women who take ibuprofen or paracetamol (not aspirin) are more likely to suffer with loss of hearing.
A study took place to record the effects of painkillers and its link to hearing loss in over 60 000 women and came back with results that, women who take painkillers two to three days a week, risk increased by 13%. And by 24% in those when taken six or more times a week.
To find out more about this visit: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/09September/Pages/Painkiller-deafness-fears.aspx
No clear link between the actual drug and loss of hearing has been made. Personally I think that scientists should be looking into what causes these women to be taken painkillers so regularly. Perhaps that is where answers could be found.
I think, if researchers cannot find a link with the actual drug, then the reason behind taking it could be the answer. I find it really interesting that this problem is only occurring in women, and seems to have very little effect on men and children.
Perhaps another way to go about it would be to observe how a female body reacts to ibuprofen ans paracetamol and compare this to a male body.If such observations can be made...
I'd like to know what other people think about this, and some advice to any women who take painkillers regularly, if what you have read has disturbed or worried you, please consult a GP with your worries, they will advice you best one what actions to take.

GapMedics

Gap Medics is an organisation for sixth form students to have the chance to visit countries like Africa, India and more. If your interested in a career in medicine, or just to help others, this is an amazing experience!
The moment I was told about this in college, it was ALL I could think about! I've already started saving up any penny I could get my hands on! (news flash- the cheapest trip costs about £800 for a week!)
I was a little put off once I started to tot up the price and found out I had to save up £2000 to go to Tanzania. But at the end of the day, it's a life changing experience!
Gap Medics-Tanzania, allows you to travel over there and volunteer at their local hospital. You will meet loads of other students just as dedicated (and nervous) as you are. You will shadow some of the most hard working doctors and learn about common problems they will face on a daily basis. Even more exciting;18+ students would get to observe surgeries! Live and in person! So it's safe to say, this trip is not for the squeamish!
If the whole 'doing it for others' or 'being a better person' thing isn't quite convincing you to take an opportunity like this, consider how amazing it could look on your CV or your UCAS!? I certainly have!
The best thing about this trip is, you can go whenever you like. (In the school's holidays though of course!) You can organise it to suit you, be it be- once you have saved up your money, or just because your school holidays are boring. (like mine)
If you are as excited about the idea of this as I was then go strait to this link to find out more! :http://www.gapmedics.co.uk/?gclid=CNHk76__2rICFYXJtAod_xcA9Q

Maybe I will see you there :D !!

Drug Breakthrough-Progeria!

For those who don't know, Progeria is an extremely rare condition found in children, where their body is unable to make a properly functioning type of protein. Instead they make a defective version called 'progerin'. The progerin triggers a range of effects that cause serious damage to parts of the body, mimicking advanced aging.
Symptoms:
Weight loss, hair loss, hardening of the arteries, arthritis, weak bones, and heart disease.

Progeria is often re-labelled as the 'Benjamin Button disease. Given this name due to the novella and film called 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' - a child, born old and becomes younger throughout his life.
Researchers experimented with lonafarnib, which was believed to put a stop to some of the effects of progerin protein. It was tested on 26 children affected with the disease. (Quite a large sample, as of how rare this disease is.) One child passed during the course of this experiment from a stroke. The lonafarnib drug however showed promising results as its outcomes were so good. The children experienced improvements in at least one or more of their problems.
To read more about this breakthrough go to the link: http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/09September/Pages/Drug-breakthrough-for-children-with-premature-ageing-condition.aspx

I think that even though this disease is rare, those few who suffer with it deserve a better way of life. The Lonafarnib drug seems to be a very promising aid. I give credit to the researches and the funding given by the Progeria Research Foundation , the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and all the other charitable organisations for making this discovery possible.

What lonafarnib is doing for these fighters! In several cases:

Improvement on weight gain.

Improvements of blood vessel stiffness.

Improvements on bone density.

Improvements on hearing loss.