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Cambridge resident and comedy writer Rory McGrath is supporting a new Breathlessness campaign launched in the East of England.

With recent figures showing there is more than 122,000 people in the region who may be living with undiagnosed heart or lung disease, thePublic Health England (PHE)campaign aims to raise awareness that being short of breath while doing everyday activities can be a sign of these conditions.

People are encouraged to see their doctor if they experience breathlessness while doing everyday activities, such as mowing the lawn, walking up stairs or getting dressed. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart or lung disease have the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life of those living with long-term conditions

Rory, who himself has been affected by heart disease as both his mother and father suffered with heart conditions, hopes his support will help to increase the number of people diagnosed with these conditions and receive the treatment that they need.

My mother, now in her eighties, has been troubled with serious heart problems for many years and it was a heart attack which finally took my father from us, so I am no stranger to the devastating effects heart disease can have on peoples lives, he said.

We all put things off but we hope this campaign will give people who are affected by breathlessness the little nudge they need to visit their doctor.

Dr Daryl Freeman, GP Principal Norfolk and East of England SCN Clinical Director, said: Many people put feeling short of breath down to getting older, being unfit or overweight and therefore stop doing the everyday activities when they find it most affects them.

However, their breathlessness could be a sign of something more serious, such as a lung or heart condition that needs medical treatment, and would benefit from prompt correct diagnosis.

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Rory McGrath supports Public Health England Breathlessness campaign

Shenandoah man

hurt in accident

SHEPPTON A Shenandoah man suffered minor injuries when the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt he was driving crashed about 5:25 p.m. Monday on Main Boulevard, Route 924, just north of Green Mountain Road in East Union Township.

State police at Frackville said Vincent J. Zaccone, 28, was driving south when he lost control, went off of the road and hit a snow bank.

Police said, after hitting the snow bank, the car flipped onto its roof and came to a stop on the west berm of the highway.

Zaccone, who police said will be cited as a result of the crash, did not require transport to a hospital.

2 escape injury

in 1-vehicle crash

MOUNT CARBON Two people escaped injury in a one-vehicle crash that occurred about 10:45 p.m. Sunday on Route 61 in North Manheim Township.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said Kevin W. Kintzel, 26, of Tremont, was driving a 1997 Subaru Outback north in the right lane when he went off the road, onto the berm and struck snow and ice.

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Police log, Feb. 20, 2015

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Newswise If youve ever experienced intense, acute pain, you know what a relief it is when the pain finally subsides. But what if the pain doesnt go away? It was a question to which Charles Schofield was determined to find an answer.

Charles battled searing pain on the right side of his face that would start in his nose, cheeks, gums or teeth before traveling up to his eye and head. The pain was so powerful, it wasnt long before the most basic tasks became a challenge for the Fair Lawn, NJ, resident. If I took a shower, as soon as the water hit my head the pain would shoot into my head, Charles recalls. Sometimes it would take me a half hour to eat a sandwich. And forget about touching his face: The pain would stop me in my tracks, says Charles.

As time went on, the pain only intensified. Sometimes it would linger. And the more it occurred, the more it lingered, Charles says.

The search for answers Charles first sought the advice of his dentist, but the source of the pain wasnt his teeth or gums. His primary care doctor referred him to a neurologist, who diagnosed Charles with trigeminal neuralgia. In this condition, painful sensations in the face are triggered by the compression of the trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel in the brain. The pain is so intense it has been referred to as the suicide disease.

Charles doctor recommended medication as a first-line treatment, but its drowsy side effects made his job overseeing operations at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery difficult. I run equipment as part of my job, and I have to be alert, he notes.

Two conditions, one treatment Then, Charles heard about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery and the expert team at The Valley Hospitals Gamma Knife Center, located at the hospitals Robert & Audrey Luckow Pavilion in Paramus. The decision to consider treatment with the Gamma Knife turned out to be the right call for more than one reason: MRIs and a subsequent angiogram revealed an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a benign mass of arteries and veins, putting pressure on the trigeminal nerve.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a safe, effective outpatient procedure using highly focused beams of radiation designed to target specific areas without damaging surrounding tissue, says neurosurgeon Anthony DAmbrosio, M.D., Co-Director of Valleys Gamma Knife Center, and Associate Director of Neuroscience at The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ.

Charles underwent Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in April 2014 to shrink the mass of blood vessels, thus alleviating the pressure on the trigeminal nerve. Throughout the procedure, Charles was kept relaxed and comfortable by the centers specialized team. The doctors, nurses and everyone were really nice, and even better, I felt no discomfort during the procedure, he says.

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About Face: Finding Relief for Searing Facial Pain

By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - It's a question Jeb Bush gets often, and will surely get again, over and over.

At a meeting of Republican donors who helped pay for 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign, one wanted to know: How does the former Florida governor plan to distinguish himself from his brother, former President George W. Bush?

"He said we are bound by religious faith and our family's values, but have different interests, strategies and leadership styles," said Craig Duchossois, a Chicago-based investor and GOP donor who was at the meeting.

Others who have attended similar private events with Bush in recent weeks, as he aggressively seeks to raise a pacesetting amount of money before formally launching a 2016 campaign, say Bush has told them the same. His overriding message, although not one yet offered with many specifics: I am my own candidate.

"He dealt with that tough question like a champ," said another donor at the meeting, Terry Graunke. "He said, 'We may have the same principles and values, but everybody in our family is different.'"

Part of Bush's strength in the early days of the 2016 race undoubtedly comes from his family ties, including a robust fundraising network and connections inside the Republican Party built over generations - his father served as president, his grandfather as a member of the Senate.

In public, Bush offers nothing but love and respect for his older brother, a figure who still divides Americans more than six years since leaving office - but less so now than upon his exit from the White House. In private, the younger Bush notes that they differ and see the world differently.

"It's an interesting challenge for me," Jeb Bush told an audience earlier month, offering a public glimpse into his thinking about how the legacy of his family might impact his own campaign.

"If I have any degree of self-awareness, this would be the place where it might want to be applied," he told the Detroit Economic Club, earning a chuckle. "If I was to go beyond the consideration of running, I would have to deal with this and turn this fact into an opportunity to share who I am, to connect on a human level with people."

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Comparisons to brother 'interesting challenge' for Jeb Bush

A British study released Monday suggested that the risk of psychosis was five times higher for regular users of cannabis, adding to a growing body of evidence linking drug use and mental health disorders.

The six-year study published in the medical journal The Lancet reported on 780 people living in south London, 410 of whom were being treated for conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The reports lead author was Marta Di Forti from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at Kings College London, who warned about the growing use of skunk a powerful type of cannabis.

Compared with those who had never tried cannabis, users of high potency skunk-like cannabis had a threefold increase in risk of psychosis, she said.

The risk to those who use every day was even higher a fivefold increase compared to people who never use, she added in a statement.

Psychosis is a mental health problem and the symptoms include hallucinations and delusions.

In England, about one new case of psychosis is diagnosed for every 2,000 people every year.

This paper suggests that we could prevent almost one-quarter of cases of psychosis if no one smoked high potency cannabis, said Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at Kings College London and a senior researcher for the study.

This could save young patients a lot of suffering and the NHS (National Health Service) a lot of money, he said.

The study was based on 410 patients who reported psychosis between 2005 and 2011. A further 370 healthy participants from the same area of south London were included for comparison.

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Pot Smokers 5 Times More Likely To Develop Psychosis

Main bar at Club Med Nusa Dua.

I just got here too, says Tonky. I only arrived at Club Med Bali a couple of hours ago and Tonky, a.k.a. Supriyanto Dermawan, beat me here by just a week. Originally from Jakarta, hes the new the new Club Med Business manager here, but has been with the company since 2008, previously working elsewhere in the Indonesian archipelago at the companys Bintan Island property.

Club Med is a little bit unique, Tonky tells me as we set off on a tour around the resorts 14-hectare site, on the beachfront at Nusa Dua. Hes referring to the fact this is an all-inclusive resort: very nearly everything is included in the price, from meals and most drinks to the kids and teens clubs, sporting activities and airport transfers. (Extras like spa treatments, excursions and the Baby and Petit Club Med, for very small children, are not.)

Im staying in a plush suite thats as big as a decent-sized one-bedroom apartment, but Tonky also shows me a few of the more affordable room options. Some have balconies or terraces, and some interconnect for families with younger children. The resort has about 300 guest rooms, and renovations are currently taking place that will include a refresh to all of these rooms. Other new facilities include the new Baby Club Med and new childrens facilities including a music academy and art studio.

The main attraction here is really whats on offer outside the rooms, and the facilities are extensive.

Club Med is known for its sporting facilities, and includes instruction in various sports in the package price. Guests can take part in water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling at the public beach, and swim in the big family pool or new adults-only Zen Pool. There are five tennis courts, a soccer pitch and squash courts, plus archery targets and a nine-hole golf course. In the undercover sporting area, we find a father and son playing an energetic game of badminton, although this space can also be used for basketball, volleyball and futsal. There are also yoga and other fitness classes, a weights room, and a flying trapeze academy.

For something a little more sedate, the spa offers various treatments including its signature, the four-hands massage with two therapists. Tonky shows me the couples treatment rooms, which are housed in traditional-style thatched lumbungs and look out over the gardens. The spa also has a Quiet Pool with a jacuzzi and shower room, all of which guests can use for free when they come for treatments.

There are also various cultural activities on offer. Tonky shows me the Balinese amphitheatre, used for folklore dance performances, and my visit coincides with the weekly Balinese evening, which means that various local cuisine is on offer in the Agung restaurant, along with a Bahasa Indonesia language class. Theres also a boutique on site, live entertainment every evening, and a nightclub, and staff can organise day trips and outings.

With everything on offer, something about the resort reminds me just a little of a very spacious, very leafy cruise ship. Theres so much to do that you could quite happily spend your whole holiday within the resorts walls. And indeed many guests do just this Australians in particular, apparently.

The resort has a nine-hole golf course.

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Club Med Bali a little unique

Lawn care | Landscape Curb Appeal Make over | Perfect Leaf Management LLC
Welcome To Perfect Leaf Management LLC Would you love to keep your lawn a wonderful place where you can spend momentous times with your family or friends? Would you want to maintain the ...

By: Perfectleaf1975

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Lawn care | Landscape Curb Appeal Make over | Perfect Leaf Management LLC - Video

Trish Robichaud knew something was wrong with her three-year-old daughter Brielle even though a series of tests and visits to doctors and hospital in Red Deer didnt find any problems.

So on Jan. 22, when the registered nurse saw that her daughter had a stiff neck and back, and fearing meningitis, Trish decided to take Bri, as she is known, straight to the Alberta Childrens Hospital in Calgary.

They arrived at 8 a.m. Four hours later, doctors began a six-hour emergency brain surgery on the little girl. It would be the first of four surgeries shes had since arriving at the hospital.

Speaking to me Wednesday, on Day 21 as she called it, and an hour before Bri was to begin 18 months of chemotherapy, Trish said a CT scan and MRI in Calgary led to the discovery of a very large tumour growing in the middle of Bris brain that probably had been growing there for a long time.

Its in a bad spot of her brain, where her optic chiasm and hypothalmus are, and near her pituitary gland, said Trish. Thats all bad but what was even worse than that was the tumour was blocking the pathway of her cerebral spinal fluid ... filling her head with fluid ... which was threatening her life.

Neurosurgeons couldnt remove the tumour safely. It is considered benign but now has to be treated with chemotherapy to keep it from growing. Bri is too young to have radiation.

The location is so scary they have no choice but to treat it, said Trish, who hasnt left the hospital since the day they arrived there. Trish, 35, and husband Nick Robichaud, 36, assistant superintendant at Alberta Springs golf course, have one bed and a lawn chair to sleep in as they stay by her side.

Today were really happy because shes happy, said Trish. They are very glad the surgeries are over. Besides the initial surgery, Bri has also had a drain and shunt implanted, as well as a port that will enable the chemotherapy.

Obviously we have tears. Her and I. We both shed tears every single day and there are things that are very painful but shes such a good kid. Shes so easy-going and so likable. ... Everybody loves her. Shes the nicest little girl. She puts up with so much, a tired-sounding Trish said.

The parents of both Trish and Nick also live in Red Deer and are helping to look after the Robichauds other children sons Xavier, seven, and Taj, five.

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Girl on long road of treatment for brain tumour

Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) February 10, 2015

Pest can have a major impact on Colorado landscapes every year. With spring approaching, the damage created by these issues will start to become more apparent, if they have not already.

As Colorados lawn care and tree service experts, we are committed to keeping the community informed on possible threats to Colorado landscapes, so they have the opportunity to make informed decisions about what is best for their landscapes, said Swingle President John Gibson.

Emerald Ash Borer: Emerald ash borer was discovered in Colorado in 2013. EAB is the most destructive urban forest pest - killing any ash tree in its way. The wood-boring pest has infested ash trees in Boulder, resulting in many trees over several city blocks showing symptoms of infestation and eventually dying. The pest has not been found outside of the city. It is suspected EAB has been feeding on ash trees for six years in the affected area. It is believed that over the next 18 months, the borer will be found outside of the City of Boulder and will call for immediate action to be taken in order to save Colorado ash trees. It is best to work with a professional to determine ash trees at risk and hire a licensed applicator to protect trees.

Knowing predictions going into the spring can help homeowners prevent losing their trees or plants by taking proactive measures, says Steve Geist Swingle Senior Consulting Arborist.

Pine Wilt Nematode: States sitting to the east of Colorado have lost thousands of Scots and Austrian pines due to the pine wilt pest. A wood-boring insect (pine sawyer) spreads a tiny worm-like animal called a nematode to healthy pine trees. The nematode will multiply, clogging up water conducting tissues in the tree. Damage of the pine wilt is found in the late summer and fall when trees die rapidly from the pest. Swingle diagnosed a few trees in 2014 with pine wilt, meaning the nematode is still out there. A hot spring could lead to pines dying in the fall of 2015. Any high value tree should be protected. It is recommended to work with a certified professional to discuss treatment options.

Japanese Beetle: Japanese beetles tend to be present during the beginning of July. Japanese beetles need consistent soil moisture to mature especially in the winter. Abundant moisture results in seeing more beetle activity. Japanese beetles feed on plants such as roses, Virginia creeper (vine), linden trees and many other ornamentals. Adult Japanese beetles chew and defoliate plants in the middle of the summer. If the 2015 winter continues with consistent moisture, it is expected the beetles will be present. Spray treatment options are available, yet the treatment will not eradiate the insect but help control them. A licensed applicator can make recommendations on treatment options. As information develops and discoveries are made, the company will provide information about pests in our area and the best treatment options available for protecting Colorado landscapes.

About Swingle Lawn, Tree & Landscape Care Founded in Denver in 1947, Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care has grown to be the one of the largest residential and commercial lawn service and tree care companies in Colorado, employing more certified arborists than any other Colorado company. For information please contact Kellie Houghtaling khoughtaling@MySwingle.com (303) 337-6200 or visit http://www.MySwingle.com/contact. ###

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Denver Lawn Care and Tree Service Company Swingle Provides Pest Predictions for Colorado Landscapes

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 11, 2015

Even in the dead of winter, Philadelphia homeowners need to be alert for signs of damage on evergreens by harmful insects like Bagworms, Adelgid, Lacebugs and Borers. Giroud Tree and Lawn explains the warning signs of pest damage and tree service actions Philadelphia homeowners can take to stop pests from destroying valuable trees and shrubs.

Its easy to forget about your trees and shrubs when bitter winter weather keeps us inside, says Lou Giroud, President, Giroud Tree and Lawn and ISA Certified Arborist. Homeowners should bundle up and just stroll the yard to check how the evergreens are looking. The key is to find problems now before further damage is done.

Here are the steps homeowners should take: 1. Check valuable evergreens including: Eastern Hemlock, Arborvitae, Spruce, Pine, Juniper, Azalea and Pieris Japonica. 2. Look for: Discolored leaves/needles, cone-like bags, egg masses or unusual growths on twigs, browning or poor overall color. These are just a few of the warning signs that pests have invaded an evergreen tree or shrub 3. If a problem is discovered, contact a professional tree service company to inspect the tree or shrub.

Once an ISA Certified Arborist confirms the specific pest, treatment should be scheduled at the time of year when the pest is most vulnerable, says Lou Giroud. By catching and treating pest problems early, trees and shrubs have the best chance for long term survival.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, tree removal and lawn care programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal and traditional and 100% organic lawn programs to keep lawns healthy and green . Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award every year since 2005. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area. For more information, visit the company website at https://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

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Pest Damage on Trees Is Visible Now and Giroud Tree and Lawn Explains What Philadelphia Homeowners Need to Look For ...