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The San Diego Monitor
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Phlegm and Mucus
Mucus and phlegm are different and can be good or bad. Find out how. Misconceptions abound about mucus and phlegm and about what their consistency and color mean. "This is probably one of the most common discussions that I have to have with patients as an ear, nose, and throat specialist," says Michael S. Ellis, MD, a clinical professor of otolaryngology at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans. "I call it the New Orleans nose. People in New Orleans think they have allergies causing their mucus problems, but that's wrong." These "mucus problems" aren't just plaguing New Orleans residents. People across the country are fighting runny noses, clogged noses, postnasal drip, and everything in between. Respiratory infections, the common cold, sinus infections, allergies, smoking, and even your environment all trigger changes in your mucus that can leave you frustrated and wandering the pharmacy aisles looking for the best solution. It's made by cells in membranes that run from your nose to your lungs. While you swallow most of it without noticing what’s left behind keeps your airways moist so that they work properly. However, Ellis explains, what most people think of as mucus in their nose and sinuses is a delicate balance of both mucus and watery secretions — fluid made by the cells of the nose and sinuses.
Usually these two substances work together smoothly, and you probably don't even notice them. "If you get an allergy or a cold and your nose is running like a faucet, you're making an excess of watery secretions," Ellis says. At the other extreme, thick mucus — the kind that leads to postnasal drip and congestion or gets crusty — is usually the result of being excessively dry. Ellis says 90 percent of the patients he sees are actually experiencing problems with thick mucus, not a runny nose due to the common cold. Phlegm is a slightly different substance. It's a form of mucus produced by the lower airways — not by the nose and sinuses — in response to inflammation. You may not notice phlegm unless you cough it up as a symptom of bronchitis or pneumonia. As is the case with mucus, phlegm that has a color such as green or yellow may indicate infection. And anytime you see blood in the phlegm you cough up, you should seek medical attention. Mucus, explains Ellis, helps protect the lungs by capturing dirt and dust as you inhale. The dirt, dust, and debris are passed out of your system. While a persistent yellow or green color, possibly accompanied by an unpleasant odor , is often a sign of infection, color does not always indicate a health problem, says Ellis.
What do they Want you to KNOW? What Everyone Needs to Know About 2020 Census Questions By law, the U.S. government is required to count the number of people living in the United States every 10 years. Getting an accurate count is important because census numbers impact daily life in the United States in many ways. For example, census data are often used to determine how much federal funding is allocated for important projects and services that benefit local communities. The census also plays a vital role in our nation’s system of government by determining how many representatives will be sent to Congress from each state.
Because getting an accurate count is so important, the process is designed to be fast, easy, and safe. On average, it takes no more than 10 minutes to answer the questions on the census. How Are Census Data Collected? During the first census in 1790, census takers visited nearly every U.S. home to gather data. In 2020, households will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. The Census Bureau expects many households to complete the questionnaire online, using instructions received in the mail. These instructions will also include information about how to respond by phone. Some households will receive a printed questionnaire which they can mail, postage-free, back to the
Be Counted! SDMNEWS’S Motivation Information
Census Bureau. A small percentage of households, primarily located in remote areas of the country, will be visited by a census taker who will help collect the necessary information to complete the form. Who Receives the Census Questionnaire and How Is It Filled Out? Most housing units in the United States that receive mail at their physical location will receive a letter by mail with instructions on how to complete the census questionnaire. Housing units include houses, apartments, cabins, mobile homes—pretty much any place where people live in the United States. In areas where the majority of housing units do not have mail delivered to their physical location, census workers will leave questionnaire packages at every identified housing unit. The census process also includes special provisions to count people who are homeless and those in other types of living quarters, such as college dorms, military barracks, ships, prisons, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. The person in the housing unit who fills out the census questionnaire or talks to the census taker is known as Person 1. Typically, Person 1 is the owner/co-owner or renter/corenter of the housing unit. READ MORE sdmonitornews.com
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The San Diego Monitor
OUTBREAK: 10 OF THE WORST PANDEMICS IN HISTORY Scientists and medical researchers have for years have differed over the exact definition of a pandemic (is it a pandemic, or an epidemic), but one thing everyone agrees on is that the word describes the widespread occurrence of disease, in excess of what might normally be expected in a geographical region. Cholera, bubonic plague, smallpox, and influenza are some of the most brutal killers in human history. And outbreaks of these diseases across international borders, are properly defined as pandemic, especially smallpox, which throughout history, has killed between 300-500 million people in its 12,000 year existence. A final note: The most recent outbreak of the Ebola virus, which has killed thousands of people, is still confined to West Africa. It may someday be pandemic, but for now, is considered an epidemic — and is therefore not included on this list. HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC (AT ITS PEAK, 2005-2012) Death Toll: 36 million Cause: HIV/AIDS First identified in Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976, HIV/AIDS has truly proven itself as a global pandemic, killing more than 36 million people since 1981. Currently there are between 31 and 35 million people living with HIV, the vast majority of those are in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 5% of the population is infected, roughly 21 million people. As awareness has grown, new treatments have been developed
that make HIV far more manageable, and many of those infected go on to lead productive lives. Between 2005 and 2012 the annual global deaths from HIV/AIDS dropped from 2.2 million to 1.6 million. FLU PANDEMIC (1968) Death Toll: 1 million Cause: Influenza A category 2 Flu pandemic sometimes referred to as “the Hong Kong Flu,” the 1968 flu pandemic was caused by the H3N2 strain of the Influenza A virus, a genetic offshoot of the H2N2 subtype. From the first reported case on July 13, 1968 in Hong Kong, it took only 17 days before outbreaks of the virus were reported in Singapore and Vietnam, and within three months had spread to The Philippines, India, Australia, Europe, and the United States. While the 1968 pandemic had a comparatively low mortality rate (.5%) it still resulted in the deaths of more than a million people, including 500,000 residents of Hong Kong, approximately 15% of its population at the time. ASIAN FLU (1956-1958) Death Toll: 2 million Cause: Influenza Asian Flu was a pandemic outbreak of Influenza A of the H2N2 subtype, that originated in China in 1956 and lasted until 1958. In its two-year spree, Asian Flu traveled from the Chinese province of Guizhou to Singapore, Cont. pg. 8
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The San Diego Monitor
SDMNEWS Must Read 2020 CA Census Guide Table of Contents Section 1: General Information (PDF) •
Initiative and Referendum Qualification Requirements
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Candidate Qualifications and Information
Section 2: Nomination Requirements (PDF) •
Presidential Candidates
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United States Representative in Congress, and Member of the State Legislature Candidates
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Nomination Documents – Nomination Papers and Declaration of Candidacy
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Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee
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Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee and/or Nomination Papers
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Ballot Designations
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In General
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Campaign Filings and Responsibilities
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Candidate Intention Statement
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Campaign Contribution Account
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Exceptions
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Additional Filing Information
Section 3: Candidate Filing Information (PDF) •
Required Filing Fees, Nomination Signatures
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Write-In Candidates for the Office of President
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Write-In Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices
In-Lieu
Signatures,
Section 4: Candidate Checklist (PDF) •
President of the United States
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United States Representative in Congress
For download please go to www.sdmonitornews.com
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Hong Kong, and the United States. Estimates for the death toll of the Asian Flu vary depending on the source, but the World Health Organization places the final tally at approximately 2 million deaths, 69,800 of those in the US alone. FLU PANDEMIC (1918) Death Toll: 20 -50 million Cause: Influenza Between 1918 and 1920 a disturbingly deadly outbreak of influenza tore across the globe, infecting over a third of the world’s population and ending the lives of 20 – 50 million people. Of the 500 million people infected in the 1918 pandemic, the mortality rate was estimated at 10% to 20%, with up to 25 million deaths in the first 25 weeks alone. What separated the 1918 flu pandemic from other influenza outbreaks was the victims; where influenza had always previously only killed juveniles and the elderly or already weakened patients, it had begun striking down hardy and completely healthy young adults, while leaving children and those with weaker immune systems still alive. SIXTH CHOLERA PANDEMIC (1910-1911) Death Toll: 800,000+
The San Diego Monitor Cause: Cholera Like its five previous incarnations, the Sixth Cholera Pandemic originated in India where it killed over 800,000, before spreading to the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Russia. The Sixth Cholera Pandemic was also the source of the last American outbreak of Cholera (1910–1911). American health authorities, having learned from the past, quickly sought to isolate the infected, and in the end only 11 deaths occurred in the U.S. By 1923 Cholera cases had been cut down dramatically, although it was still a constant in India. FLU PANDEMIC (1889-1890) Death Toll: 1 million Cause: Influenza Originally the “Asiatic Flu” or “Russian Flu” as it was called, this strain was thought to be an outbreak of the Influenza A virus subtype H2N2, though recent discoveries have instead found the cause to be the Influenza A virus subtype H3N8. The first cases were observed in May 1889 in three separate and distant locations, Bukhara in Central Asia (Turkestan), Athabasca in northwestern Canada, and Greenland. Rapid population growth of the 19th century, specifically in urban areas, only helped the flu spread, and before long the outbreak had spread across the globe. READ MORE SDMONITORNEWS.COM
EPIDEMIC VS. PANDEMIC
“An outbreak of this”, “epidemic of that”, “protect yourself against a potential pandemic of some horrible sounding disease”. Whether discussing disease in humans or animals, all are terms we hear on the news frequently, but do you know what the differences are between them? In this article, we take a look at the terminology used by epidemiologists and scientists to describe the occurrence and spread of disease.
Endemic Disease Endemic refers to a disease or the level of a disease which is present in a population or area all of the time, not as an exception to the rule. The endemic level is the baseline level of disease which is normal, although it may still not be the desirable level. The causative agents of an outbreak, epidemic, or pandemic may be classed as endemic in a country, like human influenza for example in the UK. Something like Ebola or yellow fever though are not endemic in the UK, any case that might occur would be an exception, likely as a result of infection outside the UK. Diseases that are not endemic in certain areas (i.e. the base level of cases is zero) are normally as a result of environmental factors preventing survival or spread of the transmission vector (as with malaria), geographic isolation from infected areas (as with strangles in Iceland), tight control measures (such as for rabies in the UK) or vaccination and eradication strategies (as with smallpox). If the endemic level of a disease in a population is persistently high, then It is referred to as hyperendemic. The term holoendemic refers to a disease with which essentially all individuals of a population are infected. However, it differs from hyperendemic disease in that typically, clinical signs are typically only shown in the younger population when they are first infected after which disease becomes asymptomatic.
Endemic vs Epidemic Whilst “endemic” is the baseline level of a disease, an epidemic refers to the, often sudden, rise in the number of cases of a particular disease above the normal endemic level. The number of cases varies according to the disease-causing agent, and the size and type of previous and existing exposure to the agent. The precise definition will depend on the literature in which it is presented, and there is no established threshold for the number of cases, duration of disease or geographical area affected for something to be deemed an epidemic. Seasonal influenza in people is often described as a seasonal epidemic. An epidemic of what is typically an endemic disease can arise for a number of reasons. Many factors relating to the host, cause of disease and environment contribute to the normal fine balance, so a shift in any of these may result in spikes in case numbers. Equally, a disease that was previously absent from an area or population may become endemic following an epidemic if these factors change. For example, changes in the environment may mean that a disease vector that previously was unable to survive in an area now can, as seen with malaria. Increased exposure to disease may change the immunological landscape of the host. The disease-causing pathogen may undergo mutations that mean it becomes better adapted to surviving in a new host population, as seen with the spread of zoonotic diseases. Outbreak definition – or just an epidemic synonym? The terms “epidemic” and “outbreak” are used interchangeably frequently, even in epidemiological and scientific literature. However for the purposes of risk communication to the general public, it has been proposed that the term “outbreak“ should be used to describe a more limited type of epidemic.
What Is the Dr. Sebi Alkaline Diet, and Is It Beneficial? The Dr. Sebi diet, also called the Dr. Sebi alkaline diet, is a plant-based diet developed by the late Dr. Sebi. It’s claimed to rejuvenate your cells by eliminating toxic waste through alkalizing your blood. The diet relies on eating a short list of approved foods along with many supplements. This article reviews the benefits and downsides of the Dr. Sebi diet and whether scientific evidence backs up its health claims. This diet is based on the African Bio-Mineral Balance theory and was developed by the self-educated herbalist Alfredo Darrington Bowman — better known as Dr. Sebi. Despite his name, Dr. Sebi was not a medical doctor and did not hold a PhD. He designed this diet for anyone who wishes to naturally cure or prevent disease and improve their overall health without relying on conventional Western medicine. According to Dr. Sebi, disease is a result of mucus build-up in an area of your body.
such claims. The diet consists of a specific list of approved vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, oils, and herbs. As animal products are not permitted, the Dr. Sebi diet is considered a vegan diet. Sebi claimed that for your body to heal itself, you must follow the diet consistently for the rest of your life. Finally, while many people insist that the program has healed them, no scientific studies support these claims.
How to follow the Dr. Sebi diet The rules of the Dr. Sebi diet are very strict and outlined on his website. According to Dr. Sebi’s nutritional guide, you must follow these key rules: Rule 1. You must only eat foods listed in the nutritional guide. Rule 2. Drink 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water every day.
For example, a build-up of mucus in the lungs is pneumonia, while excess mucus in the pancreas is diabetes. He argues that diseases cannot exist in an alkaline environment and begin to occur when your body becomes too acidic.
Rule 3. Take Dr. Sebi’s supplements an hour before medications.
By strictly following his diet and using his proprietary costly supplements, he promises to restore your body’s natural alkaline state and detoxify your diseased body. Originally, Dr. Sebi claimed that this diet could cure conditions like AIDS, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, and lupus. However, after a 1993 lawsuit, he was ordered to discontinue making
Rule 5. No alcohol is allowed.
Rule 4. No animal products are permitted.
Rule 6. Avoid wheat products and only consume the “naturalgrowing grains” listed in the guide. Rule 7. Avoid using a microwave to prevent killing your food. Rule 8. Avoid canned or seedless fruits.
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The San Diego Monitor
State Findings: California, 2019 Strengths: Low prevalence of smoking Low premature death rate Low infant mortality rate
Challenges: Low percentage of high school graduation High levels of air pollution Large difference in health status by high school education Highlights In the past year, excessive drinking decreased 8% from 19.2% to 17.6% of adults In the past year, disparity in health status decreased 14% from 37.1% to 31.8% Since 2012, physical inactivity increased 10% from 19.1% to 21.0% of adults Despite decreasing since 2012, air pollution increased 12% over the past three years from 11.4 to 12.8 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter In the past 10 years, chlamydia increased 43% from 388.3 to 553.4 cases per 100,000 population Since 1990, cardiovascular deaths decreased 37% from 377.0 to 236.7 deaths per 100,000 population
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