Search This Blog
Sunday, February 28, 2010
경상도 사투리
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Danger of Daily Aspirin
By ANNA WILDE MATHEWS
If you're taking a daily aspirin for your heart, you may want to reconsider.
For years, many middle-aged people have taken the drug in hopes of reducing the chance of a heart attack or stroke. Americans bought more than 44 million packages of low-dose aspirin marketed for heart protection in the year ended September, up about 12% from 2005, according to research firm IMS Health.
Now, medical experts say some people who are taking aspirin on a regular basis should think about stopping. Public-health officials are scaling back official recommendations for the painkiller to target a narrower group of patients who are at risk of a heart attack or stroke. The concern is that aspirin's side effects, which can include bleeding ulcers, might outweigh the potential benefits when taken by many healthy or older people.
"Not everybody needs to take aspirin," says Sidney Smith, a professor at the University of North Carolina who is chairing a new National Institutes of Health effort to compile treatment recommendations on cardiovascular-disease prevention. Physicians are beginning to tailor aspirin recommendations to "groups where the benefits are especially well established," he says.
Doctors generally agree that most patients who have already suffered a heart attack or ischemic stroke, the type caused by a clot or other obstruction blocking an artery to the brain, should take regular low-dose aspirin. But for people without heart disease, the newest guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force spell out much more clearly than before when aspirin should be administered.
The guidelines, announced last year, suggest aspirin for certain men 45 to 79 years old with elevated heart-disease risk because of factors like cholesterol levels and smoking. For women, the guidelines don't focus on heart risk. Instead, the task force recommends certain women should take aspirin regularly if they are 55 to 79 and are in danger of having an ischemic stroke, for reasons that could include high blood pressure and diabetes.
The panel urged doctors to factor in conditions that could increase a patient's risk of bleeding from aspirin, which tends to rise with age. The group didn't designate a dose, but suggested that an appropriate amount might be 75 milligrams a day, which is close to the 81mg contained in low-dose, or "baby," aspirin. The task force didn't take a position on aspirin for people who are 80 and older because of a lack of data in this age group.
Aspirin Advice
Doctors have been scaling back their aspirin recommendations for people who don't already have heart disease. Here are the current guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Aspirin recommended for:
- Some men 45 and older with risk factors for heart disease, assuming no history of ulcers or other bleeding dangers.
- Some women 55 and older with risk factors for stroke, and no history of bleeding danger.
Aspirin not recommended for:
- Men younger than 45, and women younger than 55.
- Anyone 80 and older.
Related Health Video
- News Hub: Even Thin People Face Health Risks (01/26/10)
- News Hub: Why You Can Die of a Broken Heart 02/08/10)
- Study: Heartburn Drugs-Plavix Mix Worrisome (04/22/09
Other medical researchers dispute the idea that there should be different guidelines for men and women. Still, many experts agree that doctors may have been recommending aspirin to people for whom the risks might outweigh the benefits.
Aspirin acts as a blood thinner, which is believed to account for much of its benefit of protecting against heart attacks and strokes. But that same action, along with a tendency to deplete the stomach's protective lining, can lead to a danger of gastrointestinal bleeding and possibly bleeding in the brain.
The task force issued its latest guidelines after reviewing the evidence from a number of studies on aspirin's benefits and risks. The recommendations update the panel's previous guidelines from 2002, which were more broadly written. Those suggested aspirin use for people of any age who were at elevated risk of heart disease.
"We would like doctors to re-look at their patients who are on aspirin and consider recommending stopping it where the chance of harm outweighs the benefit," says Ned Calonge, a Colorado public-health official who serves as the task force's chairman. He notes, however, that in studies of healthy people taking aspirin, the actual rates of bleeding and of prevented heart attacks were very low.
Not all patients accustomed to taking aspirin will want to stop. Maxine Fischer, 55 years old, recently figured out that under the new U.S. guidelines, she wouldn't be encouraged to continue with the drug. Using an online calculator, which factored such data as her age, blood pressure and medical history, she learned she had just a 1% likelihood of a stroke in the next 10 years. Under the guidelines, only women in her age group with at least a 3% or higher stroke risk should take aspirin.
Ms. Fischer, who works as a manager for seniors' lobby AARP in San Diego, has taken aspirin daily for two years after reading it could reduce the risk of stroke. For the moment, she says she'll keep it up, partly because she's more worried about strokes than ulcers. Strokes are "the big scary thing," she says.
Other patients say they would stick with aspirin because of other benefits attributed to the drug; past research has suggested that regular aspirin may reduce the risk of colon cancer, for instance. Virginia Douglas, 64, a retired trade-association executive, takes aspirin a few times a week. In addition to the possibly reduced risk of stroke, Ms. Douglas hopes to avoid colon cancer, which affected her father and grandfather. "There's always a new study with a new recommendation," says Ms. Douglas, of Sacramento, Calif. "You have to do what's best for you."
In a separate analysis, published in medical journal Lancet last May, an international group of scientists reached a broadly similar conclusion as did the U.S. task force—that doctors may have been recommending aspirin too widely. "You really have to have a clear margin of benefit over hazard before you should be treating healthy people," says Colin Baigent, a professor at Oxford University who coordinated the Lancet analysis.
What Aspirin Does
Aspirin's effects in the body can have good and bad implications.
- Blood thinner: It inhibits clotting, which helps reduce the risk of heart attack and ischemic stroke but increases the danger of bleeding.
- Inflammation reducer: It lessens pain and fever by preventing production of the hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. But this can also deplete a protective layer in the stomach and increase the risk of ulcers.
What You Can Do
If you want to figure out if the newest guidelines recommend aspirin for you, here's where to check:
- At ahrq.gov, type 'aspirin and prevention' into the search box, and the new guidelines will come up in the results. Click on 'clinical summary' for a table that explains what people of different ages should do, and includes links to online calculators to help you figure out your risk of heart attack or stroke. You should also speak to your doctor.
- An analysis published in the British journal the Lancet, which reached somewhat different conclusions.
- A letter from the task force responding to the Lancet authors' findings.
Still, the Lancet authors disagreed with the U.S. panel on some important details, particularly about who should be taking aspirin. The two groups examined evidence largely from the same studies of the drug, although the international team analyzed the data differently. In the end, the international team of scientists, unlike the U.S. officials, concluded that aspirin's effects on men and women were mostly the same.
Another disagreement between the two groups also emerged: The U.S. task force said that age is the biggest factor determining a person's risk of internal bleeding from aspirin. But the international team said other factors, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, also play a significant role. Unfortunately, the scientists noted, the same factors that increase patients' risk of bleeding also increase their risk of developing heart disease. This, in turn, can make it more difficult to calculate whether the benefits of aspirin would outweigh the risks of side effects.
The U.S. task force responded with a letter to the Lancet, defending its finding that men and women's results did appear different. There is a "wealth of evidence that men and women have different cardiovascular disease manifestations and respond differently to aspirin," the letter said. The panel also reiterated its position that bleeding risk is best parsed by age.
Amid the debate, some individual doctors are finding their own position. Rodney Hayward, who codirects a Veterans Affairs research center in Ann Arbor, Mich., says he's not convinced that aspirin's effects on men and women are so different. He says he continues to recommend aspirin for certain patients of both sexes with significant heart risk.
Write to Anna Wilde Mathews at anna.mathews@wsj.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704511304575075701363436686.html?mod=yhoofront
Monday, February 22, 2010
What are the Longest-Lasting Batteries?
What are the Longest-Lasting Batteries?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Store brands may save you money on household necessities, but generic batteries might not be your best bet, according to recent tests comparing name brand and store brand batteries.
Getty Images |
CVS AA Long Lasting alkaline batteries didn't actually last longer than other batteries tested under the same conditions by Consumer Reports. In fact, those generics had less than half the power as Panasonic Evolta alkaline batteries, Consumer Reports found.
Among the longest-lasting AA batteries overall were Energizer's Ultimate single-use lithium batteries, which took 678 pictures before dying, compared with 92 shots taken with a camera using the CVS batteries. As a group, lithium batteries lasted the longest, but budget-friendly rechargeable batteries performed nearly as well, Consumer Reports said.
More from MainStreet.com: • The Best Stuff to Buy in February • Make Money by Searching Online (Really) • Which Web Sites Would You Pay For? |
And rechargeables like those made by Energizer and Duracell could be your best bet for use in digital cameras and favorite toys, Consumer Reports suggests.
For remote controls, flashlights and other devices, alkaline batteries might be your best bet since their charge could last you several years, while rechargeable ones can lose their charge over time, as MainStreet previously reported.
Consumers may not want to rule out store-brand batteries completely, however. Kirkland Signature AA batteries, sold at Costco only in packs of 48, lasted nearly as long as the Panasonic batteries, according to Consumer Reports.
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108870/what-are-the-longest-lasting-batteries
Saturday, February 20, 2010
지구 최후의 상형문자, 이건 무슨 뜻? 출처 : 지구 최후의 상형문자, 이건 무슨 뜻? - 오마이뉴스
| ||
|
나시족이 이상한 그림문자를 써 온 역사는 천년이 넘는다. 나시족은 기원전부터 만물의 형상을 그림으로 그려 사용해왔다. 지구상에서 그림을 그려 원형 그대로의 상형문자를 쓰고 있는 민족은 현재 나시족이 유일하다.
목씨 족장 저택의 담에는 이상한 모형의 둥파문자가 새겨져 있다. 둥파문자는 비단 담벼락뿐만이 아니라 처마, 옷, 기념품 등 어디에서나 볼 수 있다. 리장은 매력은 나시 건축뿐만 아니라 그들만의 독특한 문화와 생활 풍속에 있다.
"저 벽에 그려진 그림이 참으로 신비하군요!" "지상에 마지막 남아있는 상형문자인 나시족의 둥파문자라는 군."
아내는 담벼락에 이상한 그림으로 새겨진 둥파문자를 보고 매우 신기해 한다. 나시족이 이상한 그림문자를 써 온 역사는 천년이 넘는다. 나시족은 기원전부터 만물의 형상을 그림으로 그려 사용해왔다. 지구상에서 원형 그대로의 상형문자를 쓰고 있는 민족은 나시족이 유일하다. 가장 유명한 나시 문서로는 둥파의 고전인 <창조>가 있다. 티베트에서 남쪽 윈난으로 대이동을 거치는 동안 둥파문자는 오늘날 1400여 개 글자가 확인되고 있다.
<둥파東巴>는 원래 문자를 관리하고 사람과 영적 세계 사이를 중재하는 나시족의 종교사제이다. 둥파교는 석가모니 이전의 본교(불교 이전의 티베트 주술종교의 한 종파)로서 출발, 후에 티베트 불교, 이슬람교 그리고 도교와 혼합종교로 발전하였다.
당초 칭하이(靑海) 성과 간쑤(甘肅) 성 일대에 살고 있었던 나시족은 9세기에 생존을 위한 엑서더스를 감행하여 11세기 초 쓰촨성을 거쳐 남하하여 윈난성으로 들어왔다. 송나라 말기와 원나라 초기에 바오산을 거쳐 바이샤(白沙)에 거주하던 나시족은 입지가 좋은 지금의 리장고성에 정착하여 지금의 나시족 촌을 건설하였다.
그러나 나시족의 삶은 순탄하지 못했다. 13세기 쿠빌라이 칸의 정벌로 부와 정권을 잃었으며, 청나라의 중앙통치하에 나시토호정권 붕괴를 겪어야 했다. 1966년 문화대혁명 때에는 "남녀 모두 양가죽을 걸치는 남녀가피양피(男女皆披羊皮)"라는 유목민족 고유의 생활풍습까지 금지를 당하는 수모까지 겪어야 했다.
그러나 그런 압박 속에서도 나시족들은 자신들의 문화와 풍속을 고집스럽게 지켜왔다. 그 중에서 가장 두드러진 것이 티베트 족 강(羌)어계에 속하는 둥파문자(東巴文字)이다. 둥파문자는 매우 원시적이고 직설적이다. 남녀가 서로 사랑을 하여 혼례를 치르고 교접을 하여 아이를 낳고, 늙어서 죽는 인간의 생로병사 등 만물의 표현을 모두 그림으로 그렸는데, 그 그림을 보면 누구나 쉽게 해석을 할 수 있다.
남녀가 서로 <사랑>(愛)을 하는 모습은 나란히 대등하게 서 있는 모습이다. 사랑을 하다가 결혼을 하는 <혼례>(婚禮)의 표현은 둥파 신 앞에 무릎을 꿇고 인사를 드리는 장면이다. 부부가 되어 살아가는 모습, 그리고 서로 교접(交接)을 하는 남녀 성애의 표현도 아주 직설적이며 혜학적이다.
어머니가 임신을 하여 어린애를 가진 모습은 어머니의 배에다가 불룩 내민 주머니 같은 모양에 아기의 모습을 그려 넣었다. 아기를 잉태를 하여, 늙어서 죽는 표현도 아주 적나라하다.
둥파경을 유네스코지정 세계기록유산으로 등재할 정도로 동파문자는 끈질긴 생명력을 가지고 이어져 왔다. 그러나 중국이 개방화의 길로 접어들면서, 몰려든 한족들의 상업화는 리장의 둥파문자를 점차 생활에서 사라지게 하는 위기를 가져오고 있다.
둥파교는 더 이상 나시족들이 성스럽게 받드는 종교로서의 지위가 약해지고, 점차 돈벌이의 수단으로 변질되고 있다. 우주와 인생에 대하 고뇌, 현세와 내세에 대한 철학을 담아온 나시족의 정신세계를 기록해 왔던 둥파문자도 한족들의 돈벌이를 위한 기념품, 티셔츠, 장식 등 관광용으로 전락, 사라질 위기에 처해 있어 안타깝다.
둥파궁(東巴宮)에서 둥파 전통 가무 쇼를 관람했다. 중국 정부에서 관리하는 둥파궁은 전설 속의 나시 고대음악과 가무를 공연한다. 나시족의 말에 의하면 정통이라기보다는 중국식으로 재해석을 한 퓨전에 가깝다고 한다. 그러나 슬프고도 몽환적인 늙은 영웅들의 연주는 여행자들에게 아직도 심금을 울려주기에 충분하다.
둥파궁에서 나온 우리는 기념품점에서 둥파문자가 새겨진 티셔츠를 리장 여행 기념으로 몇 개 샀다. 티쳐츠에는 인간의 생로병사가 둥파문자로 새겨져 있었다.
"이 티셔츠를 입으면 언제나 리장고성의 골목길이 생각나겠지요?" "그렇고말고. 인간의 생로병사를 담은 이 셔츠 한 장이 우리네 삶을 이야기해주고 있어요."
(뉴스게릴라 찰라) |
Blog Archive
-
▼
2010
(284)
-
▼
February
(19)
- 경상도 사투리
- The Danger of Daily Aspirin
- What are the Longest-Lasting Batteries?
- 지구 최후의 상형문자, 이건 무슨 뜻? 출처 : 지구 최후의 상형문자, 이건 무슨 뜻? -...
- "MBC 아마존의 눈물, 내 존재감 앗아가"
- supernova
- 대구지하철 화재 7년..고통받는 생존자 도울 길 없나
- 운동선수들 허벅지 두께
- Protect Your Heart at Every Age
- 육지동물 랭킹.jpg
- 깜찍한 표정으로 잠든 아기 '포착'…"천사가 따로 없네"
- Top 10 UEFA Club Goalscorers Of All Time
- 여성은 어떤 남성을 선택하는가
- JOKER
- 새벽에 빵빵 터졌음 ㅋㅋㅋ옆집서 전화오겠다 ㅋ [스압] 강추 !! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
- 모니터를 볼 땐 턱을 당겨라
- UFO 구름, 외계 우주선?
- 평소에는 무표정, 주인만 나타나면 활짝 웃는 개
- [사진] 한국을 세계에서 가장 포르노에 돈을 많이 쓰 는 나라로 꼽아
-
▼
February
(19)