14 November 2024, Edinberg Zoo – Zoo owners have linked the death of a red baby panda at Bonfire Night with fireworks, and called for stricter regulations. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns Edinburgh Zoo and is a wildlife conservation charity, blamed the death of a three-month old panda kit Roxie’s death on fireworks.

Ben Supple (RZSS deputy CEO) said that Roxie had just lost her mother Ginger, but she was responding well with specialist care provided by our team of experts and was eating independently.

Our vets think that she was likely reacting to fireworks. The noises were too loud for Roxie, who had access to her den. We’re also worried that fireworks stress other animals at the zoo.

Mr Supple called for the Scottish and UK government to tighten the regulations on fireworks, and supported a ban on the sale of these products to the general public. He said that fireworks can cause fear and anxiety in pets, livestock, and animals at zoos. Therefore, it is important for the UK and Scottish government to tighten restrictions regarding their sale and usage.

Watch Video

The post Baby Red Panda ‘Roxie’ dies of ‘firework stress’ at Edinburgh Zoo first appeared on Helios7.com.

Find some of the best Bond Cleaning Companies in Brisbane only on Helios7.com. We bring you some of the top-rated companies in Brisbane.

Bond Cleaning Service

Bond Cleaning is a commercial cleaning service which is done when a tenant moves out of a rented property. The goal is to return the property to the same condition it was before it was leased out.

Top Bond Cleaning Companies in Brisbane

Watch Video

The City of Brisbane includes the following major regions:

Inner suburbs

Total: 19

Northern suburbs

Total: 50

Southern suburbs

Total: 54

Eastern suburbs

Total: 27

Western suburbs

Total: 43

Moreton Bay

Total: 5

The post List of Top Bond Cleaning Companies in Brisbane first appeared on Helios7.com.

The largest search engine, Google, has launched a tool to bring users to know if they are depressed. People who search for clinical depressions will find a questionnaire in the results, which will indicate whether or not they have this disease.

Google has become aware of how common this clinical disorder is, but many of these people wait between six and eight years before asking for help, according to their calculations. According to the company itself, only 50% eventually do so.

So they have stated that if a questionnaire can make a superficial diagnosis about their mental situation, it will lead them to seek information or ask an expert. This tool is not intended to be a doctor, but a guide so that people do not delay their treatment anymore.

From now on, when users search for “clinical depression ” from Google’s mobile engine, they will be shown a panel with a “check if you’re clinically depressed” tab.

The questions consist of a verified clinical test called “PHQ-9” that also evaluates the degree of depression that the person suffers according to the symptoms. This initiative has been carried out together with the Mental Alliance on Mental Illness (Mental Alliance for Mental Illness).

The option is in principle addressed to residents of the United States, in the absence of a Spanish version. However, a global option in different languages ​​that might also land in Spain could soon be developed.

The post How does Google know if you are Depressed ? first appeared on Helios7.com.

Tying a tie can seem complicated at first, but with practice, it becomes easier. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to tie a basic four-in-hand knot, which is one of the most common tie knots:

HOW TO TIE A TIE

1. Start with the wide end of the tie on your right side and the narrow end on your left side. The wide end should hang lower than the narrow end, and the length should be adjusted according to your preference.
2. Cross the wide end over the narrow one, forming an X-shape below the collar.
3. Take the wide end behind the narrow end, bringing it to the right side.
4. Bring the wide end over the narrow one again, crossing from right to left.
5. Take the wide end up and through the loop around your neck, starting from the top.
6. Hold the narrow end with one hand and use the other hand to tighten the knot by pulling the wide end gently downward.
7. While holding the narrow end, adjust the knot by sliding it up towards your collar until it feels comfortable and looks symmetrical.
8. Tuck the narrow end and adjust the knot to achieve the desired shape.
   Remember, practice makes perfect. It may take a few attempts to get the knot right, but with time, you’ll become more proficient at tying a tie. Additionally, various other tie knots are available, such as the Windsor knot or the Half-Windsor knot, if you’re interested in exploring different styles.
   
   WATCH VIDEO

The post How to Tie a Tie first appeared on Helios7.com.

A study has found that administering a single dose of testosterone gel to healthy men improved how quickly they learned to perform prosocial tasks.

Testosterone is one of the main male sex hormones. It is produced mainly in the testicles, but also in the cortex of the adrenal gland. It plays a key role in the development of the male sexual organs, but it also produces other effects in the body. At puberty, it causes the growth of facial and pubic hair, the increase in the size and strength of muscles and bones, and the deepening of the voice. Testosterone plays an important role in regulating sexual desire, but it also contributes to baldness in later life.

Studies have linked elevated testosterone levels to increased aggression in animals. Despite the myth that testosterone produces the same effect in men, the relationship between testosterone and aggression in humans is less clear. Other human studies reported a positive association between testosterone levels and aggressiveness, but the effect is virtually negligible.

Recent studies have indicated that testosterone might also induce prosocial behaviors, such as making people more likely to offer fair deals or to cooperate better with others during competitions. To explain this link, scientists have proposed the so-called “social status hypothesis,” which suggests that testosterone promotes behaviors appropriate to achieving and maintaining social status. Thus, the effects of testosterone on behavior would depend on the context.

The post Testosterone Helps to Make Men More Socialable first appeared on Helios7.com.

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere is a developing technology that can help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change, already being tested in Norway

The technology of capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere (DAC) is now offering a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. In a DAC system, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere, reducing its concentration and mitigating its greenhouse effect.

Although DAC technology has great potential to help reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, it also has its own share of challenges. For the technology to be viable, large volumes of air are needed to process, making the process expensive. In addition, the low concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere (only 0.04%) means that a lot of energy is needed to extract this problematic gas.

Norway may be one of the countries where DAC infrastructure may make sense. The country has large volumes of geological storage on its continental shelf, favorable climatic conditions, and a wealth of know-how in the fields of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Several DAC projects are currently under evaluation or planning by Norwegian companies working in collaboration with foreign companies.

NORWAY and CO2 Emissions

Watch More: Norway funds massive project to trap and store carbon dioxide

The post How Capturing Carbon from Air Helps to Clean Environment first appeared on Helios7.com.

Smart buildings are buildings in which the facilities are managed in an intelligent and automated way. And today they represent the most widespread solution for the energy efficiency of buildings.

What are the Advantages of smart buildings/smart facilities?

Some of the major advantages are:

• Environmental benefit and cost savings. Smart buildings reduce energy costs by adjusting heating, cooling, lighting and other systems using real time based on changes in weather and building occupancy. Since they can be remotely monitored and adjusted, smart spaces reduce your carbon footprint while saving money in the process.
• Risk mitigation. Remote monitoring and controlling performance of smart building systems allows supervisors to detect problems earlier and often helps them avoid them. By anticipating or discovering early warnings of problems in heating, plumbing and other infrastructure, smart installations reduce the risk and inconvenience caused to users.
• A safer occupancy experience. Smart buildings employing surveillance and security systems enhance the experience of their occupants by offering a safer and better protected place to work and live. They also generate timely alerts that inform about the availability of certain services, such as training equipment for the convenience of users.

The Benefits of Smart Buildings

The post What are Smart Buildings and their Advantages? first appeared on Helios7.com.

Suicide is an important but often neglected public health problem, surrounded by stigmas, myths and taboos. Each case of suicide is a tragedy that seriously affects not only individuals, but also families and communities. Every year, more than 700,000 people take their own lives after numerous suicide attempts, which corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. The most widespread representation of suicide is associated with the image of an individual act with a clear purpose. However, this event of human life is increasingly considered in all its complexity, having a collective scope, as a health and social problem.

The third regional report on suicide mortality, published in March 2021, indicated that this problem remains a public health priority in the Region of the Americas. Suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based, and often low-cost interventions. In June 2021, WHO launched LIVE LIFE – VIVIR LA VIDA (in English and French), an implementation guide consisting of four key interventions, to prevent suicide worldwide. A multisectoral approach is essential to engage society and stakeholders in a collaborative effort.

Addressing the complexity of suicidal behavior begins by identifying risk and protective factors. Key risk factors range from health systems and society to the community, relationship and individual levels. These include barriers to access to health care, disasters, wars and conflicts, previous suicide attempts, etc. These factors often act cumulatively to increase vulnerability to suicidal behavior. Although the link between suicide and mental disorders is well established, many suicides can also occur impulsively in times of crisis, such as economic loss. Some protective factors are strong personal relationships,

Mitigating risk factors to reduce the means of suicide and enhancing protective factors to foster resilience can effectively reduce suicide rates. For example, impulsive suicide can be prevented by restricting access to lethal means. However, suicide prevention has not been adequately addressed in many countries due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health problem, which prevents people from seeking help. Underreporting and misclassification are more important problems in suicides than in other causes of death, due to their sensitivity and their illegality in some countries. The challenge is real and action must be taken.

It is important that you know

• Strong Antibiotics or wrong medication can also trigger suicidal tendencies – Sometimes certain medicines can trigger mental issues. If you are taking strong antibiotics or have recently started taking a new medicine and notice major changes in your mood, you must immediately seek medical help.
• The person who commits suicide does not want to die. The person who has suicidal ideas is going through a situation of ambivalence in her life, that is, she would like to die if his life continues in the same way, but would like to live if significant changes were produced in her.
• It is believed that he who says or threatens to take his own life does not do so, however , the majority of people who commit suicide made their purpose of ending their life known.
  Every person before committing a suicide attempt shows a series of signs that, if detected in time, can help prevent it. Suicide doesn’t just happen on impulse.
• Suicide or attempted suicide may or may not occur during a depressive process.
  Suicidal behaviors have been associated with depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses, as well as destructive and aggressive behaviors. However, this association should not be overestimated. There is no direct relationship between the suffering suffered by those who want to end their life and mental illnesses or illnesses.
• Talking to a person about their intentions to kill themselves does not increase the possibility of committing suicide. Talking about it reduces the possibility of committing it and can be an opportunity to help someone who is suffering.
• Suicide and attempted suicide should not be associated with actions of cowardice or courage, nor with romantic or heroic deeds . It is not minor to emphasize that the customary association that is made from the media of suicide with criminal acts when announcing them in the police sections, must be questioned.
• It is often claimed that children do not commit suicide . However, once a child acquires the concept of death she may commit suicide.
• Suicidality is not hereditary . What can be transmitted through education is the vision of suicide as a way of solving problems.

How to prevent it

• Recognizing the warning signs
  • Isolation
  • Persistence of negative ideas
  • Difficulty eating, sleeping, and working
  • hopelessness
  • inconsolable crying
  • Sudden change in behavior
• Showing interest and support
• Respecting different expressions of feelings
• Eliminating prejudices. Suicide is neither good nor bad, nor is it a criminal act, it is a situation of suffering

From home, from school, from every space, motivating people

• to talk about how they feel
• So that they have healthy friendships
• To make decisions autonomously
• To learn to handle stressful and difficult situations
• So that they learn to persevere when the occasion calls for it and to give up when necessary
• So that they have good self-esteem
• To develop skills and emotional intelligence to solve problems

WHEN TO SEEK HELP?

It is common for you to feel doubts about whether it is really necessary to ask for help or what is the reaction that others could have when talking about what happens to you. But seeking help is always good and can be the first step to start feeling better.

Some of the situations for which you should ask for help:

• You feel more worried than usual and irritable
• You find it very difficult to enjoy your life, you feel very sad or withdrawn
• You have thoughts and feelings that overwhelm you and interfere with your daily activities
• It makes it difficult for you to carry out daily tasks, even those that seem very simple (for example, preparing food, personal hygiene and others)
• You have tried to harm yourself or are planning to do so.
• You are skipping meals, using laxatives, or vomiting to lose weight
• You are using drugs or alcohol frequently and excessively
• You have dramatic changes in your mood, behavior, or sleeping habits
• You have intense fears and fears that prevent you from doing your activities.
• You feel very pessimistic about your future and your plans.
• You are going through a complex situation in your life and it is difficult for you to cope with it. For ex. academic or financial problems, a serious illness, the death of a family member or friend,
relationship breakup.

12 things to prevent suicide that parents/guardians can do

As children become teenagers, it becomes more difficult for parents to know how they are feeling and what they are thinking. When do mood swings become a concern?

Parents and family members can help tweens and teens cope when life seems too much to bear. Learn about factors that can increase your child’s risk of suicide and explore the 12 suggestions below. These steps will help you feel better prepared to offer the loving, nonjudgmental support your child needs.

1. If you notice signs that your child’s mental health is deteriorating, connect

Maybe your child is just having a bad day, but when signs of mental health problems last for weeks, don’t assume it’s just a passing mood. Studies show that 9 out of 10 teens who took their own lives had mental health issues like anxiety. But please note:

• Teens who have not been diagnosed with any mental health conditions may still be at risk. In part, this is because it can be difficult to identify mental health problems at an early age.
• Many teens who attempt suicide have no underlying mental health issues, but in most cases, they will give signs that they are considering ending their own lives.

Your goal should be to remain calm, alert, and ready to talk with your teen. Don’t wait for them to come to you. You could start by saying, “You seem sad. I’m open to talking about this, because I love you and I care what happens to you.” Here are more tips for starting mental health conversations with your child .

2. Listen to your child, even when you’re not talking

Don’t be surprised if your teen turns away when you first bring up the topic of mental health or suicide. Keep in mind that even if your child is quiet at first, actions can speak louder than words.

Watch for major changes in your child’s sleep patterns, appetite, and social activities. Self-isolation, especially for children who generally enjoy hanging out with friends or playing sports, can indicate serious difficulties. If your child is having more difficulty than usual with schoolwork, chores, and other responsibilities, these are additional signs that you shouldn’t ignore.

3. Consider that your child may face risks of suicide that you have overlooked.

Many parents wonder: Can this really happen to my child? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Youth of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, income levels, and community backgrounds die by suicide each year. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 10 and 24.

Here are some things that might make young people think about ending their lives:

• Loss of a loved one due to death, divorce, relocation, deportation, or incarceration
• Bullying or harassment, in person or online
• Discrimination, rejection or hostility due to gender identity or sexual orientation
• Racism, discrimination and inequities and related stressors
• Family history of suicide or mental health problems
• Stigma (the belief that it is wrong or shameful to talk about mental health or suicide)
• Easy access to firearms or other potentially deadly tools and substances
• Witnessing or experiencing domestic violence or abuse
• Financial instability that generates concern and insecurity
• Suicide in your school or group of friends

Get more perspective on your child’s specific risks .

4. Never dismiss suicide threats as typical teenage melodrama.

Never assume your child is exaggerating or playing a game if they say or write:

• “I want to die”.
• “Ya no me importa”.
• “Nada importa”.
• “I wonder how many people would come to my funeral.”
• “Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up.”
• “Everyone would be better off without me.”
• “You won’t have to worry about me much longer.”

Many children who attempt suicide will tell their parents ahead of time (although some don’t). These words indicate an urgent need for help.

Don’t risk being wrong about this. Take all claims about suicide seriously.

5. Respond with empathy and understanding

When your child talks or writes about suicide, they may feel shocked, hurt, or angry. He may even want to deny what he is seeing or argue with his son. These feelings are natural and valid, but it is essential to focus on your child’s needs first. Your goal is to create a safe space where your teen can trust you to listen and express her concern, but without judgment or blame.

Instead of reacting like this:

• “That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”
• “You have a great life, why would you end it?”
• “You don’t mean that.”
• “I can’t believe what I’m hearing!”

Manage your own feelings so you can respond with empathy:

• “It sounds like you are in tremendous pain and can’t see a way out.”
• “Perhaps you are wondering how life became so complicated and difficult.”
• “Right now, you’re not sure of the answers to the problems you’re facing.”
• “You must be really, really hurt inside to consider ending your life . “

6. Seek professional help immediately

If your teen is self-harming or feels at risk of attempting suicide, take them to the emergency department of your local hospital . Quick action is crucial when things have come to a head.

If you see signs of suicidal thoughts but don’t feel an immediate crisis, you still need to take action . Contact your pediatrician or local mental health providers who treat children and adolescents. Explain what you are seeing and hearing and schedule a mental health evaluation.

Health care providers can help you and your teen create a safety plan that covers:

• Warning signs or triggers your teen feels will lead to suicidal thoughts
• Possible steps to help them cope when they feel lonely
• Sources of support: family, friends, teachers, mentors, and others
• Emergency contacts and steps to take if things get worse

Videos

NIMH Experts Discuss Suicide Prevention Strategies

Secure home storage is the second best option . Locking and unloading all guns, with ammunition stored and locked in a separate space, reduces the risk of tragedy, but only if your teen doesn’t know the combination to the lock or where the key is hidden. Disassembling the guns and storing the components separately and under lock and key is another option.

Of course, guns aren’t the only means of suicide your child might seek . Prescription medications and over-the-counter medications can present dangers during a suicidal crisis. Families should lock up medications and, whenever possible, reduce the volume of medications available. Also consider buying over-the-counter medications in blister packs instead of bottles, to delay access to pills.

Other potentially lethal tools and substances you should consider locking up include:

• Alcohol
• Illicit drugs
• Household cleaners and other poisonous products
• Canned goods for sprinkling
• Inhale
• Antifreeze
• Knives, razors or other weapons
• Strings, belts or plastic bags

The job of removing or locking up these objects and substances may seem daunting, but your child’s safety is at stake . Suicide attempts are often impulsive and a moment of crisis can escalate very quickly. It is essential to make sure that your teenager cannot resort to lethal force at the wrong time.

8. As your child enters treatment, focus on building hope

Your child’s care team will likely recommend a combination of steps to reduce mental health symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Medications, talk therapy, and stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or journaling may be part of the plan.

Provide realistic reassurance to your child along the way. Remind them (and yourself) that tough times don’t last forever. People feel better when they receive effective treatment and support.

If your child expresses feelings of stigma or shame, you can remind them that 1 in 5 people have mental health symptoms at some point in their life . Mental health is part of total health, and seeking help is a sign of self-esteem and maturity.

9. Encourage them to see family and friends

Your child may be reluctant to spend time with other people, but you can explain that social support will help him feel better. While more quiet time may be needed at first, it helps to gently encourage them to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. Avoid power struggles around specific events or invitations, as your goal is to respect your child’s needs and minimize stress.

10. Suggest exercise

Physical activity relieves mental health symptoms and supports your child’s wellness plan. Whether it’s getting outside for a daily walk, working out at the gym, taking an online exercise class, or anything in between, exercise:

• It lifts your teen’s mood by stimulating the production of endorphins (natural substances in the brain and body that help balance stress and control pain).
• Supports higher levels of serotonin, another brain and body substance that leads to positive mood and restful sleep.

Experts recommend exercising 30 to 40 minutes 2 to 5 times a week. Any form of exercise is fine. What matters most is that your teen enjoys this activity and is motivated to do it regularly.

11. Encourage balance and moderation

Teens in crisis need to not be so hard on themselves. This means pacing yourself realistically and avoiding experiences that can be overwhelming.

Reassure your teen that self-care is never a sign of weakness . Everything we do in life is affected by our health, so giving ourselves time to heal is essential. Large tasks can be broken down into smaller, more manageable ones, and gradually, as your child’s confidence and strength grow, they’ll feel ready to take on more.

12. Remind each other that this will take time

You and your child will benefit from knowing that progress will come at your own pace. Setbacks can occur that are also part of the healing process. Encourage your child to be patient and forgive himself. You’ve been through a lot, but with the right care and support, you’ll both see improvement.

Remember

If you are concerned about your child, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (273-8255) . This free lifeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in the United States. Lifeline team members are there to listen and help you find the resources you need.

Music To Relieve Stress and Anxiety:-

Our body has magnetic properties and these magnetic properties alter through many external and internal factors. Listening to Good music uplifts your mood and if you notice there is any individual in your home showing symptoms of Suicide you must play good music, maintain cleanliness at home, burn soothing incense sticks to make your home or workplace more livable and full of energy.

Listen to Pure sounds of OM – The Sound of OM is considered as the Root sound of body. If you close your lips and mouth this is the only sound you can produce with closed mouth. It goes like AAA-UUUUUUUU-MMMMMM. When you combine all these sound patterns OM is formed. Listening to such music will not only uplift your mood but will also help to relieve stress.

READ RELATED NEWS

Popular antibiotics linked to growing number of suicide deaths, patients unaware of side effects

Reports of deadly side effects are on the rise in one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics on the market. I-Team investigator Jackie Callaway first exposed the dangers of Cipro and Levaquin in 2015. Now she reports on new hope in the fight to raise awareness.

Popular antibiotics linked to growing number of suicide deaths, patients unaware of side effects

Reports of deadly side effects are on the rise in one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics on the market. I-Team investigator Jackie Callaway first exposed the dangers of Cipro and Levaquin in 2015. Now she reports on new hope in the fight to raise awareness.

Why common antibiotics may trigger mental breakdowns

Alana Cutland, a 19-year-old Cambridge student, jumped to her death from a light aircraft 5,000 feet over Madagascar in July 2019 after taking doxycycline for 11 days.

The post How to Prevent Suicide – Guide, Tips & Strategies first appeared on Helios7.com.

The goals of atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) treatment begin with a proper diagnosis obtained through an in-depth examination by a physician. The examination usually includes questions about your history and often an EKG or ECG. For some patients, a comprehensive electrophysiological study may be required.

Prevention and risk reduction

Although no one can guarantee that a stroke or blood clot may never occur, but there are ways to reduce the risk of these problems.

After diagnosing a patient with atrial fibrillation, ideal goals may include the following:

• Restoring the heart to a normal rhythm (called rhythm control)
• Reduce excessively high heart rate (called rate control)
• Prevent clots (called prevention of thromboembolism, such as stroke)
• Control risk factors for stroke
• Prevent other heart rhythm problems
• Prevent heart failure

Get the groove back

In order to avoid atrial fibrillation, and thus reducing your risk of stroke, can be as simple as giving up your morning coffee. In other words, some cases of AFib are just as severe as the underlying cause. If hyperthyroidism is the cause, treating the thyroid disease may be enough to make the AFib go away.

Doctors can use a variety of different medications to help control the heart rate during atrial fibrillation.

“These drugs, like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, work at the AV node,” says Dr. Andrea Russo of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. “They slow down the heart rate and can help improve symptoms. However, they do not “cure” the rhythm disorder, and patients will continue to need medication to prevent stroke while they have atrial fibrillation.”

What are the treatment guidelines for atrial fibrillation?

Medical guidelines are written by a panel of experts to document the science that helps healthcare providers choose the right treatments. The guidelines spell out what is proven most helpful to the greatest number of people. Although the guidelines for atrial fibrillation are about 170 pages long, there are some basic decisions outlined in the treatment guidelines that every AFib patient should understand.

• • How will I prevent stroke?
    
    Depending on your risk, you will likely either need some type of antithrombotic medication (such as warfarin, one of the new direct-acting oral anticoagulants or DOACs – dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban or edoxaban) or maybe aspirin.
  • Do I need anticoagulant treatment?
    
    Are there other lifestyle changes that prevent strokes? What is my risk according to the CHA ₂ DS ₂ –VASc scale?
    • C : Congestive heart failure
    • H : Hypertension
    • A : Age (over 75)
    • Diabetes
    • S : Stroke (previous episode)
    • V : Vascular disease (previous heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, or aortic plaque)
    • A : Age 65-74
    • S : Sex (female)
  • Are there options to control my heart rate and this irregular heart rhythm?
    Depending on your medical history and risk of future stroke, there are several options that you and your health care professional should discuss in order to manage your AFib.

Watch Video: Living with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The severity, any other underlying medical issues you might have, and the length of the atrial fibrillation will determine the best treatment options for you. In addition to knowing your goals, you will want to discuss your treatment options and take an active role in your plan.

Treatment options may include the following:

• Medicines
• non-surgical procedures
• Surgical procedures

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are scientific studies that determine if a new medical advance can help people and if it has harmful side effects. Find answers to common questions about clinical trials in our Guide to Understanding Clinical Trials.

Non-surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF)

Electrical cardioversion – the rhythm reset

Electrical cardioversion is a procedure in which the patient is given an electrical shock to the outside of the chest (under mild anesthesia) through paddles or patches. The shock can be used to “reset” the heart to a normal rhythm. The procedure is similar to defibrillation, but much lower levels of electricity are used.

The decision to use electrical cardioversion

Your doctor may recommend transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a first step. TEE involves the patient swallowing a small ultrasound device that allows the medical team to see inside your atria to detect blood clots.

If you already have clots in the atria, you will need protection from increasing your stroke risk. For this reason, your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a *blood thinner before having an electrical cardioversion procedure. Electrical cardioversion often successfully restores regular heart rhythm, but for some patients their atrial fibrillation may return. In many instances, anti-arrhythmia medications are needed indefinitely to keep the heart’s rhythm and rate in the best range.

Radiofrequency ablation or catheter ablation

Ablation is done to treat cardiac arrhythmias when long-term medications or electrical cardioversion are not the best option or have not been effective. Before surgical ablation, electrical mapping of the heart is performed. An electrically sensitive catheter is used to map the heart muscle and the source of the heart’s “extra” electrical activity. The mapping tells the doctor which areas of the heart are generating the problematic electrical signals that interfere with normal heart rhythm.

How is an ablation performed?

A catheter (thin, flexible tube) is inserted into the patient’s blood vessels and slowly guided to the heart. The doctor carefully destroys the dysfunctional tissue with the energy (radiofrequency, laser, or cryotherapy) delivered through the catheter so that the areas that are causing problems heal. Scarred areas will no longer send abnormal signals. If the procedure is correct, the heart returns to normal rhythm. However, in some cases, atrial fibrillation may come back. On some occasions, it may be necessary to repeat the ablation procedure several times. This minimally invasive procedure generally has a short recovery period. Patients are usually given a short course of antiarrhythmic drugs until the procedure takes effect.

The most common types of ablation to treat AF include the following:

• Isolation of the pulmonary veins (ablation for AVP). In some patients with AF, fibrillation occurs due to extra electrical currents in the pulmonary veins. During this procedure, the tip of the catheter is used to destroy the tissue that is sending the extra current, and in most cases, normal heart rhythm is restored.
• Ablation of the AV node with a pacemaker. In other AF patients, the trigger for AF occurs at the AV node (the place where electrical signals pass from the atria to the ventricles). The catheter is placed near the AV node and a small area of ​​tissue is destroyed. A pacemaker is then implanted to restore and maintain the normal rhythm of the heart.

Surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF)

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small electrical device implanted in the body with wires that go to the heart to regulate the heartbeat. It is implanted under the skin near the collarbone and sends out an electrical signal to maintain a steady rate of contraction in the heart. Some pacemakers sense when the heartbeat is too fast or slow and send impulses that help the heart return to the proper heart rate and rhythm.

Open heart maze technique

Maze heart surgery is a complex procedure in which a surgeon creates small cuts in the upper part of your heart. The cuts are then stitched together and scar tissue forms. The scars interfere with the transmission of electrical impulses that can cause AFib. Normal heartbeat is then restored.

Lifestyle strategies for atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF)

What can I do to prevent or reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

To reduce your risk for the onset of AFib, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is always your best option. If you have been diagnosed with AFib, take medications if they are prescribed for you, and get proper treatment and management of your condition so you can reduce the risk of AFib’s harmful consequences.

What can I do to reduce the risk of having complications associated with atrial fibrillation?

• Get regular physical activity
• Follow a heart-healthy diet that is low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol
• Treat high blood pressure
• Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine
• No fume
• control cholesterol
• Maintain a healthy weight

All of these goals are helpful in preventing or reducing the risk of heart disease and will help keep your circulatory system in top condition.

Other underlying conditions may need treatment because they can contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Sleep apnea
• Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism)
• Diabetes
• chronic lung disease
• Other heart disease (heart attack , valve disease , or heart failure )
• Family background
• Obesity

What can I do to prevent or reduce the risk of having a stroke?

The risk of stroke in the AFib patient is as much as 5 times greater than that of the person without the heart disease.

Receive treatment

The treatment of AFib is essential to prevent and reduce the risk of suffering a stroke.

Learn about additional risk factors

Other examples of risk factors for having a stroke include the following:

• History of high blood pressure
• Advanced age
• Stroke or transient ischemic stroke
• Diabetes
• heart disease
• Family background
• Obesity
• smoking

Commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle

The good news is that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented. You can control risk factors through lifestyle changes and by following your doctor’s instructions for treating other conditions.

The post Atrial Fibrillation (Afib/AF): Prevention & Treatment Guide first appeared on Helios7.com.

The post The Secret Truth of God by Alan Watts first appeared on Helios7.com.