Smileband General News

TODAY'S THE DAY -- AN ASTEROID WILL HAVE A CLOSE CALL WITH EARTH A large flying object expected Dec. 16 has caught NASA's attention, but it isn't Santa Claus' sleigh.

Instead, an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon is projected to come close enough to Earth that it's been classified as "potentially hazardous" by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. NASA expects Phaethon to be the closest to Earth on Dec. 16, when it's projected to be more than 6.4 million miles away. That's about 27 times the average distance between Earth and the moon, which is 238,855 miles. 

It will be the closest this asteroid has been to Earth since Dec. 16, 1974, when it was just over 5 million miles away, according to NASA. But humans weren't aware of its presence until later; the asteroid was first discovered in 1983.

It's not expected to be this close to Earth again until 2093, when it's projected to pass more than 1.8 million miles away.

While the "potentially hazardous" classification may sound alarming, CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood said there's really no reason to worry about this asteroid hitting Earth.

"Any body that's bigger than about 500 feet across and its orbit carries it within about 4.6 million miles of Earth at any point in its orbit is classified as a 'potentially hazardous' object," he explained. "Meaning over millennia — lots and lots of time — gravitational interactions with the outer planets, you know, other objects in the solar system might perturb the orbit enough that it could actually impact the Earth."

He continued, "Now in the case of this asteroid, that's not the case. They think this asteroid — and its orbit is very well known — will never get closer than about 1.8 million miles of the Earth. "The 2017 apparition is the closest to Earth since the asteroid's discovery, so it may be possible for optical observers to detect new activity," NASA said. The space agency is planning radar observations and said it hopes to obtain detailed images as the object zooms by. At its closest approach, Phaethon may be visible with a small telescope in dark skies.

3200 Phaethon is named for a figure in Greek mythology. According to legend, Phaethon, son of the Sun god Helios, lost control of his father's chariot and nearly set the Earth on fire. 

Smileband Health issues

A mother-of-five is raising money to pay for pioneering treatment after she was diagnosed with terminal breast  cancer and given just 12 weeks to live.

Karen Land, 39, from Nottingham, had just finished training for her dream job to become a firefighter when she was told she has just three months to live.

She said: 'It's all happened so quickly. Nine weeks ago I was fit and healthy and training for my dream job and now I have three months left. 'It is almost surreal, I think I am still in shock.'

Ms Land now hopes that immunotherapy treatment will give her more time with her children Luke, 23, Jamie, 19, Adam, 18, Samuel, 8 and Ruby, 6.

The treatment is only available privately, or at a clinic in Germany where each treatment is £5,000 - so Karen is raising funds to pay for it.

'The older children understand more, and it is very upsetting for them,' she said. Sam and Ruby know I'm poorly but they don't really understand what is happening. I don't want to scare them.'

Immunotherapy - which works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells - is being trialled on the NHS and has already been approved for use with skin cancer. Ms Land said: 'This treatment is not going to cure me, but it will give melonger than chemotherapy might.

'I am still thinking that if the treatment works I will still be able to go back to work. If immunotherapy allows me to do that, it would be fantastic.'

Her partner Kevin Brett, 55, is a firefighter at Newark Fire Station, Nottingham. Ms Land, who has spent a lot of a life as a stay-at-home parent, had just finished training for her dream job as a firefighter when she was diagnosed.

'This job meant everything to me. It was so hard to get on the training course, and I put so much work into it.

'Just when I finally passed and achieved my dream, it was all snatched away,' she added.

Before the diagnosis, Ms Land was assigned to Retford Fire Station, and hopes to go back to work there if the treatment works. Ms Land is hoping to raise £100,000 and has so far raised over £9,000.  To donate, visit her JustGiving page. 

Smileband Health issues

Researched information on Semen color
Semen is considered normal when it is white or a light gray color. Semen that does not fall in this range of color may indicate a medical condition. Unusual colors like yellow or green indicate that you may have a prostate infection, and should speak with your medical provider as soon as possible to determine if an infection is present and if antibiotics are needed.

Yellow semen may also indicate urine in the semen. This can be an issue that requires attention from a fertility specialist, as it may indicate infertility. Pink or reddish-brown semen suggests that you may have some bleeding from or inflammation of your prostate. Most doctors will advise consulting with your provider in order to determine if a change in semen coloration requires testing or treatment.

Semen texture/consistency
The texture and consistency of semen is also important. Typically, semen is thick immediately after ejaculation and thins over time. If you find that your semen has changed to a runny or overly sticky texture, then a medical condition may be present.

When to speak with a physician
Often, a change in semen is temporary and will resolve itself on its own after a short period of time. However, a change in semen could indicate a medical condition. If changes in your semen last for more than one week, or if these changes are accompanied by sexual dysfunction, blood in urine, pain, itching, or fever, then it’s best to contact your provider. If your doctor determines that a medical issue is present that affects your fertility, Dr. Bastuba of the Male Fertility & Sexual Medicine Specialists (MFS) can provide a somen analysis in order to determine the best course of treatment for your situation. 

Smileband General News

Saudi Arabia has 'no excuse' for blocking aid to Yemen, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said as she warned that 'using starvation as a weapon' was a breach of humanitarian law.

The UK is set to provide an emergency £50 million aid package to help feed millions of Yemeni people caught in 'the world's worst humanitarian crisis'.

Ms Mordaunt, who was visiting Djibouti and Saudi Arabia, promised food vouchers for 3.4 million Yemenis for one month, 106,000 tonnes of grain, and fuel to keep hospitals running and pump clean water. Yemen has been embroiled in a bloody civil war since 2014 when rebels took over the capital city of Sanaa.

In recent months there has been an escalation in fighting and restrictions on aid access threaten to push Yemen into a 'catastrophic famine', Ms Mordaunt warned.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels have imposed restrictions in an effort to prevent supplies reaching their enemies.

Speaking in Djibouti, from where UK aid is shipped to Yemen, Ms Mordaunt said: 'The harrowing stories I have heard from Yemenis and aid workers today are a powerful reminder of the human tragedy of the world's worst humanitarian crisis where three quarters of the population are in desperate need.

'Every day, parents are carrying their malnourished children to hospital because they haven't eaten in days, and families are watching as loved ones die needlessly from treatable illnesses because they do not have access to medical care. This builds on the Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia last month, where she reiterated the need to ensure full access across Yemen, renewed calls for all sides to find a peaceful solution and emphasised the importance of full humanitarian and commercial access through the port of Hodeida.

Ms Mordaunt said: 'The UK Government is calling on all parties to this conflict to immediately restore full access for humanitarian and commercial imports and find a peaceful solution to this conflict to stop Yemen falling into a catastrophic famine.'

The UK is the second largest donor to the UN appeal and this new package of support will bring the total UK aid to Yemen to £205 million for 2017/18, making the UK the third largest donor overall. 

Smileband Health issues

It could be: Arterial disease. If the fuzz on your toes suddenly disappears, it could signal poor blood circulation caused by peripheral arterial disease (PAD). “Signs of PAD can include decreased hair growth on the feet and ankles, purplish toes, and thin or shiny skin,” says a health specialist , DPM, a podiatric surgeon at North Shore University Hospital in New York. A buildup of plaque in the leg arteries, PAD affects about 8 million Americans. Symptoms are subtle, but doctors can check for a healthy pulse in the foot or spot PAD on an X-ray. “If I take an X-ray of a broken foot, and I see a hardening of the arteries, 99 percent of the time, the same thing is happening in the heart blood vessels,” says Gary A. Pichney, DPM, a podiatric surgeon of The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center. It could be: Diabetes. Uncontrolled glucose levels can damage nerves and cause poor circulation, so blood doesn’t reach the feet. When blood doesn’t get to a wound caused by, say, irritating shoes, the skin doesn’t heal properly. “Many, many people with diabetes are diagnosed first because of foot problems,” says Reid. Other signs of diabetes may include tingling or numbness of the feet. Ask your doctor about getting your blood sugar levels tested. It could be: A heart infection. Red streaks underneath the toenails or fingernails could be broken blood vessels known as splinter hemorrhages. These occur when small blood clots damage the tiny capillaries under the nails. They can signal endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining. People who have an existing heart condition, have received a pacemaker, or who have chronically suppressed immune systems (such as cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, HIV patients, and diabetes patients) are at higher risk of developing endocarditis. The infection can result in heart failure if left untreated. If you notice splinter hemorrhages on your toenails or fingernails, and haven’t experienced any recent trauma to the nail, see your doctor to check your heart and blood circulation.   It could be: Lung cancer or heart diseases .Another symptom that appears in both toes and fingers, clubbing is often associated with lung cancer, chronic lung infection, heart disease, or intestinal disease. Lung cancer and heart disease decrease vascular resistance, which means blood flow to the small arteries in the toenails and fingertips will increase. Tissue swells and results in the “clubbed” appearance (rounder, wider fingers and toes). Though patients are typically aware they have a disease that is causing the clubbing, it’s best to get checked if you see any abnormalities. (Here are some smart habits to prevent lung cancer -and it’s not just not smoking.) It could be: anemia  or lupus . Do you have a depression in the toenail deep enough to hold a water droplet? Also known as koilonychias, spoon-shaped toenails or fingernails can indicate iron deficiency, as well as hemochromatosis (overproduction of iron), Raynaud’s disease (which affects blood supply to the fingers and toes), and sometimes lupus (an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks cells, tissues, and organs). Spooned nails occasionally appear in infants, but normalize in the first few years of life. If you notice spooning, contact your physician, who will administer a blood test to identify the exact cause.

Smileband Health issues

Bowel Conditions & Symptoms

The first and most important point to remember is that everyone with a bowel problem can be helped and many can be completely cured.

If you have been diagnosed with bowel (faecal) incontinence, IBS, Colitis, Crohns, constipation or other bowel problems you can search the down menus below to find out more information about your specific condition or problem. If you have not been diagnosed by a health professional, the following questions about your symptoms should help you find the information you are looking for.

• Do you find it difficult to have a bowel movement or have a bowel movement less than 3 times a week and have to strain
• Excessively or do not feel completely empty? You may be constipated 
• Do you pass watery or very loose stools more than 3 times in a day? You may have diarrhoea  
• Do you have abdominal pain (in the lower left part of the abdomen) and a change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhoea or alternating between both), with a mild fever and nausea and vomiting? These are symptoms of diverticulitis diseases 
• If you have diarrhoea, weight loss and abdominal pain, these could be signs of crohn diseases .
• Do you have bloody diarrhoea or diarrhoea containing mucus and the constant urge to go to the toilet even though nothing comes out, with or without abdominal pain? These are symptoms of Ulcerative colitis 
• Do you leak faeces without being aware of it? This could be bowel or faecal incontestable If you experience any of the following symptoms, you must see your GP as soon as possible:
  • bleeding from your back passage
  • blood in your stools (faeces), which can make them look bright red, dark red, or black
  • a change in normal bowel habits lasting three weeks or more
  • unexplained weight loss and tiredness
  • an unexplained pain or lump in your tummy
  Once you have a clearer idea of what your problem may be or if you have been diagnosed you can visit our treatment section to see what your options are for managing your symptoms or condition. Information dealing with the more practical and emotional side of coping with bowel problems can be found by visiting the support section. 

Smileband General News

A council has plans to allow people to dispose of loved ones' bodies through water cremation, a new and environmentally friendly way to get rid of human remains.

The process involves putting a body is put into a steel vat with an alkaline solution that accelerates the natural breakdown of the body, turning all but the bones into liquid that gets poured down the drain.

Sandwell metropolitan borough council, near Birmingham, hopes to become the first in the UK to use the cremation technique, which is already used in parts of Canada and the United States. The council has given permission to Rowley Regis crematorium to fit a £300,000 Resomator, or water cremation device into their facility.

But water company Severn Trent has refused to give the council a 'trade effluent permit', arguing that the permit only covers waste disposal.

Rowley Regis needs permission from Severn Trent before it can dispose of waste down the drain, The Sunday Times reported.

Sandwell council, Resomation and Water UK are working to 'explore all the options' to allow the device into Rowley Regis. Alkaline hydrolysis was originally created to dispose of animal carcasses, but it is now being used in parts of North America as a more environmentally friendly way of disposing of loved ones' bodies.

Alkaline hydrolysis uses a metal hydroxide, 572F (300C) heat and huge amounts of pressure to destroy bodies in big stainless-steel cylinders that look similar to pressure cookers. The process involves submerging the body in a solution of water and potassium hydroxide, which is then pressurised and heated for two-and-a-half to three hours.

This leaves a green-brown tinted liquid containing amino acids, peptides, sugars and salts and soft, porous white bone remains which are easily crushed into ash and given to the family in an urn.

The liquid waste, meanwhile, is flushed down the drain. Per body, there is about 330 gallons (1,500 litres) of liquid waste.

It also eliminates concerns about crematorium emissions, including carbon dioxide, which can be released into the air as part of the process.

The process is considered to be a new way to 'green-ify' death, as concern grows over the carbon footprint that is left by burials and standard cremations. Resomation's founder, Sandy Sullivan, 61, said 'dozens' of crematoriums across the UK are interested in the water cremation devices, which are built in West Yorkshire.

He said he hopes Rowley Regis will have the cremation device in operation by springtime.

'There is no technical reason why the liquid can't go down the drain,' he told The Sunday Times. 'It is a very treatable organic liquid. It is sterile and there is no DNA in it.

'We are copying nature. The body dissolves by soil bacteria and it is a very long process. All we are doing is taking the exact same chemistry and applying heat, which speeds it up. This is a third option, other than cremation and burial.'

While it would be a first in the UK if Rowley Regis is able to start using the process, the Crematory Association of North America (Dean is a board member) added alkaline hydrolysis in 2010 to its definition of cremation.

The cremation industry itself has already been undergoing rapid change in recent years; according to CANA statistics, the cremation rate in the United States jumped from 26.2 per cent in 2000 to 48.6 percent in 2015.