1. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at least 60 different local authorities had recorded Covid infections caused by the new variant. He said the World Health Organization had been notified and UK scientists were doing detailed studies. He said there was "nothing to suggest" it caused the worse disease or that vaccines would no longer work. He told MPs in the House of Commons that over the last week, there had been sharp, exponential rises in coronavirus infections across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire. 

• "We've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.

• "We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."

• The changes or mutations involve the spike protein of the virus - the part that helps it infect cells, and the target Covid vaccines are designed around.

• It is too soon to know exactly what this will do to the behaviour of the virus.

• "It is something to keep an eye on.

• "Huge efforts are ongoing at characterizing the variant and understanding its emergence. It is important to keep calm and rational perspective on the strain as this is normal virus evolution and we expect new variants to come and go and emerge over time."

• There is a simple rule for understanding all "new strain" or "new variants": Ask whether the behaviour of the virus has changed.

• This is crucial as viruses mutate all the time, it's just what they do. And so far we've been given the "scare" but not the "answer".

• This is not the same as saying it "is causing" the rise and Mr Hancock did not say this virus has evolved to spread from person-to-person more readily.

• New strains can become more common for reasons that have nothing to do with the virus.

• One explanation for the emergence of the "Spanish strain" over the summer was tourism.

• So at the moment there are scary headlines everywhere, but still no scientific detail to know how significant this is.

• "Even though a new genetic variant of the virus has emerged and is spreading in many parts of the UK and across the world, this can happen purely by chance.

• "Therefore, we must study any genetic changes as they occur, to work out if they are affecting how the virus behaves, and until we have done that important work it is premature to make any claims about the potential impacts of the virus mutation."

Lastly, We encourage you to keep wearing a mask to protect yourself and your family from getting the infection.

Headache

What is the headache?

Headache can be defined simply as the pain originating in the head or face, and sometimes also includes pain in the upper neck.

You can also find better details about Headache in Arabic words from here.

Headache is a symptom, not a disease.

Headache needs the cooperation of many specialties in medicine.

It's worthy to know that not all patients with a headache seek medical advice, only 30% of males and 40% of females do.

What causes headaches?

There is an extremely large number of causes that may initiate the sensation of head pain.

·        Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles of your head and neck (or some combination of these factors) can play a role in causing headaches.

·        Genetics plays a crucial role in headaches, especially migraine headaches that tend to run in families. Most children and teens (90%) who have migraines have other family members who get them. When both parents have a history of migraines, there is a 70% chance their child will also have them. If only one parent has a history of these headaches, the risk drops to 25%-50%.

·        Doctors don’t know exactly what causes migraines. One theory suggests that a problem with the electric charge through nerve cells causes a sequence of changes that cause migraines.

Migraine

•       throbbing, aggravated by physical activity

migraine Phases: prodrome, aura, pain, resolution

·        The MOST common type of headache is the tension headache which is caused by spasms in the neck muscles and the muscles of mastication (chewing). Cluster headache and migraine along with tension headache form the most common three types of headache.

·        Causes of headache may include:

1. Stress can cause tight muscles in the shoulders and neck, which often leads to tension headaches. It's believed to start in the muscles. When tension headaches become frequent, the pain in the shoulder and neck muscles is felt by the brain as pain in the head. Stress is also a common trigger for migraines.

2. Diet: Hunger itself can trigger a migraine or tension headache. But eating certain foods may trigger migraines. It could be just one type of food — like beans or nuts — or many foods, such as avocados, bananas, cheese, chocolate, citrus, herring, dairy products, and onions.

3. Alcohol intake:  Alcohol is a common cause of migraine and cluster headaches. For some people, a few ounces of red wine are all it takes to provoke a headache, although any kind of alcohol can be a trigger. It's not clear if the alcohol itself is to blame or if another component in the drink causes the problem.

4. Environment: “Cluster headaches seem to be seasonal and often happen in the spring or fall,” Dr. Ashina says (A neurologist who specializes in headache treatment at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Bright light, smoke, humidity, intense scents, or cold weather may be associated with migraine headaches.

5. Hormones:  Changes in estrogen levels are associated with migraines in women, and women suffer from migraines more often than men. Menstrual cycles may be tied to migraine in younger women.

6. Caffeine withdrawal: If you normally consume caffeine in coffee or tea, stopping intake abruptly may trigger a migraine. This may be because caffeine causes blood vessels to constrict; without caffeine, the blood vessels widen and bulge out with each heartbeat — a chief reason for precipitating pain of migraines.

7. Lack of sleep:  A lack of sleep is associated with migraines and tension headaches. The correlation is established but the exact cause is still obscured.

8. Poor posture can cause a feeling of a headache.

9. Sinuogeic headache :

It tends to be localized over the affected sinus, dull, worse in the morning, aggravating by bending forward, straining, and coughing.

When to see the doctor? (Headache alarms)

·       Sudden onset first headache

·       Progressively increasing headache

·       Worst headache ever

·       Headache  with neurological signs

·       Headache with papilledema, vomiting

·       Headache with fever, rash, or stiff neck

·       Headache with mental changes

Treatment

As we said, it is just a symptom, so Tx will be directed to find the real cause and treat it. Sometimes there is no clear cause.

Symptomatic treatment is needed for non-tolerable pain.

You must determine what type of headache you have first.

Seek medical advice if you feel that you need

It's not our role to say drugs, but there are few tips for tolerating your headache:

1.      Drink water
2.     Take some Magnesium
3.     Sleep well
4.   Avoid food high in histamine: It’s found in certain foods like aged cheeses, fermented food, beer, wine, smoked fish, and cured meats.
5.   Use essential oils
6.   B-complex vitamins
7.   Sooth pain with cold compresses
8.   Take Coenzyme Q 10 ( potent antioxidant)
9.   Relaxing methods, consider YOGA
10. Get some breathing exercises, and adopt a headache diet.

If you identify a particular trigger, avoid it for some time and see if the headaches reduce.

• Minerals are inorganic nutrients, usually required in small amounts from less than 1 to 2500 mg per day, depending on the mineral. As with vitamins and other essential food nutrients, mineral requirements vary with animal species. For example, humans and other vertebrates need large amounts of calcium for construction and maintenance of bone and normal function of nerves and muscles. Phosphorus is an important constituent of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nucleic acid and is also essential for acid-base balance, bone and tooth formation. Red blood cells cannot function properly without iron in hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells.

• Iron is also an important component of the cytochromes that function in cellular respiration.

• Magnesium, copper, selenium, zinc, iron, manganese and molybdenum are important co-factors found in the structure of certain enzymes and are indispensable in numerous biochemical pathways.

• Vertebrates need iodine to make thyroid hormones. Sodium, potassium and chlorine are important in the maintenance of osmotic balance between cells and the interstitial fluid.

• The interactions between nutrition and diseases, nutrition and drug metabolism have been reported. Excessive intake of some minerals can upset homeostatic balance and cause toxic side effects. For example, excess sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure and excess iron can cause liver damage.

•  Also, severe shortages or self-prescribed minerals can alter the delicate balance in body functions that promotes health. The knowledge of the biochemistry of the mineral elements is also essential because individuals suffering from a chronic illness or taking medications that affect the body’s use of specific nutrients need to be enlightened.

• The aim of this paper is to review the biochemical functions and the importance of the mineral elements in health and disease conditions of humans, animals and plants as this will assist in the prevention of nutrition-related diseases and maintenance of good health for humans and animals that depend on plants for food. This paper could also serve as a ready source of literature review for researchers involved in nutritional sciences.

Calcium

• Calcium is that the most abundant mineral within the body. It makes up 1.5-2% of our weight, with bones making up about 99% of the body's calcium content. the foremost function of calcium is to create and maintain healthy bones and teeth; however, it's also involved in much of the body's enzyme activity moreover as regulation of cardiovascular function. it's recommended that each one individual consumes about 1000 mg. of elemental calcium daily, which the 100% is usually recommended daily value for this nutrient.

Magnesium

• Magnesium is involved in additional biochemical functions than the other mineral within the body. Over 300 metabolic reactions involve this important nutrient so it's prudent to confirm your daily intake is sufficient. Magnesium is additionally extremely important in regulating heart rhythms. The recommended daily value for magnesium is 400 mg. and most dietary surveys indicate that almost all individuals only get 220-320 mg. per day, a suboptimal level. it's important, however, to not over consume magnesium since excess amounts of this mineral have a laxative effect.

Potassium

• Potassium could be a mineral necessary permanently health and organ function, though most individuals' potassium requirements are met by their diet. Additional supplementation outside of the diet isn't recommended. Because life-sustaining functions are regulated by potassium and upsetting the analytical balance of this nutrient can be life-threatening. For this reason, potassium isn't found in significant quantities in dietary supplements.

Phosphorous

• Phosphorous is a crucial macromineral within the body, but, like potassium, the diet usually supplies adequate levels. Phosphorous deficiency and also the need for supplementation are rare because most foods are rich during this mineral, including carbonated beverages. Some nutritional supplements may contain a tiny low amount of phosphorous as a security factor, but that supplementation is seldom required.

Sodium

• Sodium is another mineral that's obtained from the food we eat and therefore the salt that's accustomed help season our foods. Sodium deficiency is rare, and the general public even have excessive levels. Individuals who have excessive levels are often advised by their physician to chop down their salt intake because excessive sodium may result in edema, high pressure, potassium deficiency and kidney problems.

Copper

• Copper is a necessary trace mineral in human and animal nutrition. Copper aids within the formation of assorted human tissues and red blood cells. It also works synergistically with zinc and antioxidant within the formation of skin protein. Though rare in humans, copper deficiency can prevent normal growth and development. most people consume enough copper in their diets so additional supplementation isn't necessary. In fact, excessive copper intake can result in copper toxicity and a come by zinc and vitamin C levels. For this reason, copper supplements don't seem to be common. If a copper supplement is taken or if copper is included in an exceedingly multiple mineral preparation, the dose mustn't exceed 1-3 mg. daily. The recommended daily value is 2 mg.

Selenium

• Selenium is a vital tract element in humans and animals. it is involved during a healthy system, the detoxification process and also has high antioxidant activity. It works synergistically with antioxidant and ascorbic acid in preventing the formation of free radicals.

Iodine

• Trace amounts of iodine are vital to human nutrition by functioning primarily in assuring a healthy ductless gland. An iodine deficiency can cause goiter, a condition characterized by a grossly swollen ductless gland. Goiter is rare nowadays because the general public consume enough iodine by using iodized salt in their diet. Other foods high in iodine content include seafood, kelp, asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, Swiss chard, greens and sesame seeds. The daily requirement for iodine is 0.15 milligrams and most multiple vitamin/mineral products contain that quantity. Individuals on a coffee sodium diet might not consume enough iodized salt to induce their daily requirement, so those individuals will have to confirm they take a supplement or eat iodine rich foods.

We all need to know about dieting and nutrition that can help us to prevent COVID infection and its tremendous outcomes. We are going to talk about some strategies to help that in this article.

• Five to 10% of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, i.e., with new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are presenting with an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring urgent respiratory and hemodynamic support in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, nutrition is an important element of care. 

• The international recommendations on nutrition in the ICU should be followed. Some specific issues about the nutrition of the COVID-19 patients in the ICU should be emphasized. We propose a flow chart and ten key issues for optimizing the nutrition management of COVID-19 patients in the ICU.

• The nutritional assessment and the early nutritional care management of COVID-19 patients must be integrated into the overall therapeutic strategy, as with any critical illness and rehabilitation program. As there is a COVID-19 GI and liver involvement, it may have an effect on nutrition delivery. This review is intended to help ICU health professionals to optimize nutrition management of COVID-19 patients, especially those with ARDS.

•  This article was written in the emergency of the epidemic by an expert group, based on the international recommendations on nutrition in the ICU on March 29, and will be updated according to new knowledge about the COVID-19.

Strategies for Nutrition Support Allocation during the COVID‐19 Pandemic

• Worldwide, we have witnessed that even the best healthcare facilities have suffered from shortages in almost all health sectors in providing adequate patient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic, such as inadequacy of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of ICU beds, scarce ventilators, and medication shortages, to name a few. Nutrition care also suffered the brunt of the COVID‐19 crisis.

• Small community healthcare centers that are not used to manage critically ill patients are also providing medical treatment and nutrition care to these patients. Barrocas et al recently discussed the strategies that could be implemented for allocation of the nutrition resources during the COVID‐19 crisis, keeping ethical factors into consideration.

• Protein is one of the most important macronutrients to meet the nutrition need of critically ill patients (both COVID‐19 and non–COVID‐19). At our center, we frequently used modular for our patients (with a composition of 15 g per 30 mL protein modular). 

• Based on chart review and laboratory results, typically, the RDN would order the protein modular a day ahead. This allows Nutritionists to adjust the timing of giving the modular along with the other scheduled medications to avoid unnecessary exposure. Usually, we would give two 30‐mL modular at a time. Our facility prepared for the potential shortage of feeding pumps and ordered the gravity feeding sets as a backup. 

• So far, we have been able to feed all our patients via the pump and have not required gravity feeding. However, instructions have been provided to the RDNs in the facility for gravity feedings, in case this is needed in the future.

Use of Micronutrients and Vitamins in Patients with COVID‐19

• Vitamins and micronutrients play an indispensable role in various body functions, enzymatic reactions, and immune functions. Many clinical trials are underway to study the benefit of vitamin and mineral supplementation in COVID‐19 patients.

Conclusion

• In conclusion, it is apparent that there is no one‐size‐fits‐all medical nutrition therapy for critically ill patients with COVID‐19. This Review is to provide an outline of what we do currently know and to explore the potential areas of study. Consistent monitoring, evaluation of trends and constant communication with the multidisciplinary team seem to be some of the most effective ways to assure timely and adequate nutrition is being provided to our COVID‐19 patients. 

• The COVID‐19 pandemic is a fluid situation, and more literature and recommendations regarding nutrition support in COVID‐19 patients are expected to publish in the coming few weeks. It is imperative that the ICU team, including the dietitian, keep abreast of these studies daily to provide optimal care for patients.

Insomnia is defined as an experience of insufficient or poor quality sleep, characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: difficult initiating or maintaining sleep, early awakenings, and poor restorative sleep. And here are more medical details about insomnia in Arabic words.

In this article, we are going to talk about some studies and habits about how to deal with insomnia by dieting that will improve your sleeping pattern and overall health condition.

The Mediterranean diet was related to sleep quality in older adults. On the idea of self-reported questionnaires evaluating sleep quality, lifestyle factors, and dietary intake, the Mediterranean diet was inversely related to insomnia symptoms (difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early morning awakening) in women but not in men. Data from the 2007–2008 NHANES showed that difficulty maintaining sleep was related to lower food variety and adhering to a special diet; however, this was now not significant after adjusting for covariates. Increased caloric intake was related to daytime sleepiness.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

We discussed it here before, but briefly, it is considered to be a way of eating supported the normal cuisine of states bordering the Mediterranean. While there's no single definition of the Mediterranean diet, it's typically high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and oil.

A diet that contains a high amount of refined carbohydrates may raise the likelihood of developing insomnia, according to a 2019 study.

Often remarked as “empty” calories, refined carbs include sugars and processed grains that are stripped of nutrients. Samples of refined carbs include the staff of life, cookies, cakes, sodas, and more. Consuming highly refined carbs can cause a rapid spike in blood glucose. But what goes up must come down. Researchers believe that the peaks and crashes in blood glucose are liable for triggering insomnia.

Foods with a coffee glycemic index (GI) value raises glucose levels more slowly than other foods. Such as many fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, and other foods that don’t include processed ingredients or added sugars. Low GI foods don’t cause the rapid call in blood glucose that's linked to awakening from sleep.

While this study analyzed only postmenopausal women, researchers suspect the findings may hold true for the broader population moreover.

 A DASH of Insomnia

This finding is supported by a recent study that explored the link between insomnia and therefore the DASH diet. “Dietary approaches to prevent hypertension” — also referred to as the DASH diet — could be a dietary pattern aimed toward preventing and controlling high pressure. This heart-healthy eating style includes foods like whole grains, nuts, low and nonfat dairy, fruits, and vegetables.

 A 2019 study of adolescent girls found that adherence to the DASH diet was related to lower odds of insomnia. The results that have been shown out by these studies suggest that a diet low in sugar-sweetened foods may have a beneficial effect on sleep. Identifying dietary triggers that will cause insomnia may prevent more people from experiencing this disorder.

The treatment for insomnia depends on its underlying cause. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and practicing healthy sleep styles may help. Insomnia will be treated with the assistance of the sleep team at an accredited sleep center.

Food makes you sleep better

1. Nuts especially walnuts

2. Food contains vitamin B6 such as:

- Fish

- Chicken

- Bananas and vegetables

3. Food that is rich in melatonin as cherry juice.

4. Milk.

5. Sources of magnesium like in leafy green vegetables.

One of the oldest cultivated vegetables, green beans have many types you'll pick from - String beans, French beans or Snap beans are all rich in vitamins A, C, and K, they're an honest source of pteroylmonoglutamic acid and heart-protective calcium and fiber you will have hated seeing them in your lunchbox, but the actual fact is that green beans are a number of the foremost nutritional vegetable children can eat. And your parents knew that well. they're a decent source of folate and heart-protective calcium and fiber. Harvesting green beans is a motivating process. The book ‘Healing Foods’ writes, “fresh green beans are edible pods picked early within the plant’s growth cycle. As they mature, the pods become tough, fibrous and inedible”. 

Here are 7 Health benefits of green beans you ought to know 

1. Green Beans for Energy

Green beans contain about twice the number of iron as compared to spinach. Iron may be a component of red blood cells that's essential to move oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body. If you're battling anemia, dripping energies, or low metabolism - then green beans are that the magical food you wish.

We talked in the previous article about foods that boost and enhance your mood.

Now we will talk about foods that can cause depression or make it worse.

As we all know, Food is known to be the best medicine. It is important to survive and supplies your body with essential elements.

High sodium foods

Excess salt can cause water retention which produces irritability

Alcohol 

It is well known as one of the central nervous system depressants causing brain functions to be slower.

Caffeine 

Excessive intake can reverse the benefits of coffee. It may cause a disturbance in your sleep patterns, agitation, irritability, and anxiety.

All of the above can cause depression and mood swings easily. 

Note: some types of energy drinks are bad as they may contain caffeine equivalent of fourteen cans of soda.

Processed foods

They are any type of food not good for your waist. 

Consumption of processed CHO like fried food, white bread, and excessive amount of junk food cause spikes in your blood sugar level which will give you initially energy boost, then eventually leaving you fatigued, irritated, and depressed.

Hydrogenated oils

Especially those types containing unhealthy trans fats. 

Consuming artery plugging trans-fat can easily increase the risk of depression by as much as 48% according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

So, stay away from French fries, fried cheese sticks, and fried chicken.

Gluten

The glue-like protein found in wheat. Some grains contain proteins that are identified by our bodies as gluten.

In addition to inflammation that gluten causes in your gut, it is linked to seizures, depression, headache, anxiety, and Attention-deficient-hyperactivity-disorder. It is linked to over 200 conditions.

Genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) 

As they are treated with lots of herbicides and pesticides.

Beverages 

 Excessive intake of beverages can affect your health badly in a way similar to that we have discussed with caffeine.

Sugar 

Excessive consumption of candies, juices, pastries, cookies, ketchup, cakes, desserts, and biscuits causes rising in blood sugar level which eventually makes you feel depressed. 

An article was published by BMJ to talk about the Moderna vaccine that reached 95% effectiveness through its early trials.

• The UK government has secured five million doses of the covid-19 vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 from US biotech company Moderna after an interim analysis of its phase III clinical trial showed it absolutely was 94.5% effective. If the vaccine meets standards of safety and effectiveness and is approved by the medicines regulator, the vaccine may well be delivered to the united kingdom and Europe as early as spring 2021 with the potential to procure more doses next year, a government statement said. The trial data Safety Monitoring Board—which was appointed by the US National Institute of Health—carried out the analysis supported 95 covid-19 cases, of which 90 were observed within the placebo group and five were reported within the vaccine group. 

• The trial enrolled quite 30 000 US participants, including 7000 aged over 65 and 5000 under 65 with high-risk chronic diseases. quite one third (37%) of the trial, participants are non-white, with 6000 participants identifying as Hispanic and over 3000 identifying as black. Of the 95 cases, 15 were in adults over 65, and 20 identified as being from diverse communities (12 Hispanic, four black, three Asian American, and one multiracial).

•  Moderna intends to submit the interim safety and efficacy data to the Food and drug administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization within the next few weeks, following an end of 151 cases and a median follow-up of over two months. The trial is being distributed together with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The news comes just over per week after pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced that its covid-19 vaccine candidate was quite 90% effective, following its interim analysis.1Neither Pfizer nor Moderna have published their full results yet, only releasing information through press releases. As well as meeting the first endpoint of the trial (prevention of symptomatic covid-19 disease), the monitoring board checked out the secondary endpoint—prevention of severe disease. There were 11 severe cases of covid-19 reported, all of which occurred within the placebo group. Professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London Peter Openshaw, who sits on a ScientificAdvisoryGroup for Emergencies subgroup, said, “This news is exciting and boosts optimism that we are going to have a choice of vaccines within the next few months.

•  “Moderna has announced that the vaccine is kept in a very conventional freezer for up to 6 months and that once thawed may be kept for up to 30 days in a standard refrigerator. This makes the vaccine much easier to deliver.” Openshaw added that while more details are needed, this announcement “adds to the final feeling of optimism about vaccines for covid-19. What we still don’t know is how long any protective immunity may last.” the UK government has to this point secured deals for seven vaccine candidates, including Moderna’s. A deal has been secured for the Pfizer vaccine, although concerns over logistics are raised, as it has been reported that it must be stored at −70°C. No significant safety concerns for the Moderna vaccine candidate are reported and a review of solicited adverse events found that the vaccine was generally well tolerated. Eleanor Riley, professor of immunology and infectious disease at the University of Edinburgh, said, “The safety data also look promising.

•  The side effects of vaccination appear to be in line with those typically seen for other adult vaccinations, including the seasonal influenza vaccination which is administered in many scores of doses once a year. “One important unknown is whether or not this vaccine or any of the vaccines currently in trials prevents disease transmission. vaccines that prevent symptomatic disease will likely reduce the duration and level of infectiousness, and thus reduce transmission, but we don’t yet know if this effect will be large enough to form any meaningful difference to the spread of the virus within communities. “Overall, this can be good news. Having over one source of an efficient vaccine will increase the global supply and, with luck, help us to induce back to something like normal in 2021.

• We all hope this will be the initial steps of eliminating this virus or at least the effects it makes.