Echinacea is one of the best-selling herbal products in the U.S. Many people believe that Echinacea can help boost the immune system and reduce the length and severity of colds. In a recent health study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed no significant reduction in the length or the severity of cold ailments with the use of Echinacea.

This study consisted with over 700 patient between the ages of 12 and 80. This blind study had individuals taking Echinacea, a placebo or no pills at all. In the end patients taking Echinacea did report a slight improvement of about 1/2 day in the duration of the symptoms. They also reported a slight reduction in the severity of the cold symptoms.

The researchers found that these slight patient improvements did not achieve enough of a statistical difference to prove the claim that Echinacea helped in the reduction or severity of a cold.

Although the benefits of Echinacea for the common cold are in doubt, the risks seem to be low and a small increase in white blood cell production has been documented. But there are some mild side effects to consider. The most common side effect is upset stomach. Some people have allergic reactions to Echinacea.

This can cause:
• Rashes
• Worsening asthma (if you have asthma)
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening emergency that can cause difficulty breathing)

If you or your loved one starts to experience any of these side effects, consult your physician . If loss of consciousness or difficulty in breathing occurs, call 911immediately.

Hard to believe that a college basketball tournament can have an effect on your sexual health. But recent studies have shown that scheduled vasectomies increased 3-fold during the month of March. Especially during the weeks of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament known as “March Madness”.

Many men have found out that the first week of the NCAA Basketball Tournament is a great time to schedule an outpatient vasectomy procedure. Post-operative care of a vasectomy, is at least 3 to 4 days of non-stress related work or movement. Time scheduled off work and a reprieve from the honey due lists, makes this a perfect time to sit in front of the TV and watch a sporting event.

Several urologist have even taken to offering discounts, free pizzas and a bag of frozen peas to reduce swelling, starting before the first round of games. If you’re contemplating a vasectomy, you may want to begin calling early to reserve your spot before the NCAA tournament starts in mid-March.

MATTHEW PHILLIPS – SR DIRECTOR OF SALES,
SOUTHEASTERN US/ LATAM / Federal

I am fired-up to announce that Matthew Phillips has been promoted to Sr. Director of Sales for the Southeastern United States & Latin America for XtremIO, effective immediately.

Matt has a Master’s Degree in kicking the crap out of Pure Storage and demonstrated an intense level of operational command over his business, achieving the #1 Global leadership position across nearly all metrics in 2014. Prior to EMC, Matt had racked up over a decade of top performances in both the start-up world, and integration space in the Silicon Valley.

A core favorite, he’s won the hearts and minds – as well as the respect of his peers through unparalleled passion, and tactical execution. We look forward to him spreading that love across the Southeast in 2015 as he and his team go to market. When he’s not engaging EMC’s enemies, Matt can be found at home in the Carolinas with his wife Melanie, and newborn son Cooper.

Michael J. Wing
Global Vice President

Though we never plan on going to the emergency room, but if we did, it would help to know the following:

1. Try to avoid Mondays, they are the worst and busiest day.
2. The busiest time during each day is 6pm.
3. Best time to go, between 3am and 9am when traffic is slow.
4. Vomiting will get you a room asap.
5. Never lie to the RN, he/she can make your visit last forever.
6. Don’t minimize your symptoms. They are evaluated and given a priority. Minimizing chest pain could make the difference of living or dying.
7. If you haven’t had your child immunized, admit it. That’s important information for the doctors/nurses to have.
8. Tell the doctors or nurses if you take any herbal treatments. Some side effects of these products, like turning your urine red, can cause you to suffer from a myriad of test and their expense.
9. Save your complaints about your prior doctor(s). This will not endear you to these medical professionals. The more you say, the less they want to deal with you.
10. Don’t be in a hurry. The average time spent in the emergency room is 2 hours, 40 minutes.

Dying from a broken heart is an actual medical condition. The loss of a loved one from death or the end of a romantic relationship, may lead many surviving partners to suffer from a heart attack or even death.

There is a specific heart condition called stress cardiomyopathy, also been known as the “broken heart syndrome”. Cardiologist began to notice their patients, who suffered from the loss of a loved one or spouse, began to show symptoms closely resembling a heart attack.

Further investigation found that during these stressful times, their body released a flood of chemicals, including adrenaline. This deluge of hormones and body chemicals can have an effect the heart and make it unable to pump blood properly. Left untreated, many patients developed heart failure.
Though the signs are very similar to a heart attack – chest discomfort, shortness of breath and sweating – the treatment for this condition is different. Research suggest that about 2% of people who seem to be having a heart attack, may in fact be suffering from broken heart syndrome. Among women the number is suggested to be even higher at around 5%.
Make sure to share how you are feeling with your doctor and any unusual symptoms you may be experiencing. With proper treatment, both medical and psychological, and lead to more pleasurable and productive life.

Can kissing your lover cause them serious harm or even death? Kissing has left some of us weak in the knees, but for some it almost cost them their life.

In one example, the kissing sessions it started very innocently. A male student began to passionately kiss his lover and gently suck on her neck. Commonly referred to as giving a “hickey”. The suction of his “love bit” caused bruising and physical trauma to his lover’s blood vessels. A small clot was formed and eventually ended up in her brain, causing her to have a minor stroke.

Having a blood clot develop and move to your brain from receiving a hickey is rarity, but oddly injuries during the heat of passion are not all that rare. Take care when kissing, touching or grabbing soft tissues areas of the body especially around a major artery or vein.

There are more bacteria in the mouth than anywhere else in your body, and many of them end up on your toothbrush. These germs can include the flu virus, staph bacteria, yeast fungus, E. coli and the strep virus. Here they can multiple, grow and impact your health.

Bathrooms are the perfect place for bacteria to grow — they are moist and steamy. In addition, it’s not helpful that most toothbrushes sit next to the toilet. Just like you wouldn’t store your dining plates and glasses next to your toilet, you shouldn’t do the same with your toothbrush. Every time you flush, an invisible plume of vapor is released from your toilet and can hang in the air for several minutes. These contaminated water vapors easily travel and can end up on surfaces that are close by, such as your toothbrush.

To stay in good health, put these helpful tips into practice:

• Wash your hands before and after brushing.
• Change your toothbrush every three months or whenever you have the flu or a cold. You should also change when the bristles become worn.
• Alternate between two brushes to make sure you use a completely dry brush.
• Store your brush away from the toilet, and close the lid before flushing.
• Do not share brushes and avoid storing toothbrushes together.
• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after every brush with hot water. For a more effective rinse, submerge your brush in hydrogen peroxide or alcohol-based mouthwash.
• Let your brush air-dry before putting a cap on the head or storing it away.
• Use a different tube of toothpaste if you or someone else in your family is sick.

Good oral hygiene not only helps in the care and appearance of your teeth, it can also have an effect on your heart, but that is for another article.

Many Emergency Rooms are familiar with the Superbowl Syndrome. High emotional sporting has shown to increase the number of heart attacks. Watching sporting events that have a high emotional effect can increase the release of adrenaline into your body. This rush of adrenaline can have serious detrimental effects upon those of us with previous or undiagnosed heart problems.

Best thing you can do to try and minimize your heart attack risk is:

1. Try to remain as calm as possible during the big game. Root for your team, but try and keep the emotional aspect down to a minimum.
2. Refrain or greatly reduce the amount of cigarettes or cigars you would normally consume. Smoking causes reduced circulation by narrowing the blood vessels (arteries) and puts a greater stress on your cardiovascular system.
3. Many Superbowl parties put out extensive spreads of high calorie foods. Try to avoid overeating especially on chips, dips or other unhealthy foods. Overeating will cause an additional burden upon your digestive tract.
4. Try to moderate your consumption of alcohol. Enjoy a drink or two during the game but try not to over consume and never drink and drive.
5. If you begin to show signs of a heart attack such as feeling a tightness or heaviness in your chest, difficulty in breathing or sweating uncontrollably, do not
   hesitate – call 911 immediately.

The key is moderation. You can still play an active part in the celebration of the Superbowl but try and not overdue it.

Bluish color to your fingernails may be a sign of a lack of oxygen in your blood, due to coldness or possible disease. If normal color returns by warming your fingers or through massage, then the bluish color is due to cold. If not, then it could be due to several possible diseases.

• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Emphysema
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

A simple non-invasive test by your doctor can be done to measure the oxygenation of your blood or more advance blood gases test can help determine the contributing factors to your blue fingernails.

If breathing difficulties are present, call 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise see your physician soon to determine the underlying factors and a course of treatment.

Echinacea is one of the best-selling herbal products in the U.S. Many people believe that Echinacea can help boost the immune system and reduce the length and severity of colds. In a recent health study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed no significant reduction in the length or the severity of cold ailments with the use of Echinacea.

This study consisted with over 700 patient between the ages of 12 and 80. This blind study had individuals taking Echinacea, a placebo or no pills at all. In the end patients taking Echinacea did report a slight improvement of about 1/2 day in the duration of the symptoms. They also reported a slight reduction in the severity of the cold symptoms.

The researchers found that these slight patient improvements did not achieve enough of a statistical difference to prove the claim that Echinacea helped in the reduction or severity of a cold.

Although the benefits of Echinacea for the common cold are in doubt, the risks seem to be low and a small increase in white blood cell production has been documented. But there are some mild side effects to consider. The most common side effect is upset stomach. Some people have allergic reactions to Echinacea.

This can cause:
• Rashes
• Worsening asthma (if you have asthma)
• Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening emergency that can cause difficulty breathing)

If you or your loved one starts to experience any of these side effects, consult your physician . If loss of consciousness or difficulty in breathing occurs, call 911immediately.