Health

Temperatures During Songkran to Hit 43 Degrees Celsius

The Meteorological Department has warned that temperatures in Thailand could reach 43 degrees Celsius in some regions during Songkran 2023 Festival.

The Department of Health warns of food poisoning and diarrhea caused by eating stale food during the summer because food-borne bacteria develop quicker in warm temperatures. Summer temperatures in Thailand can reach 35-45 degrees Celsius in some regions, according to the department’s director-general.

Food spoils quicker in the summer because microbes (bacteria and viruses) grow faster. Food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid, and cholera can all be caused by contaminated or old food. According to him, 410,699 diarrhea cases were recorded from January to September of last year, with two deaths.

He advised consumers to purchase food from reputable sources or that has been certified by state agencies. Meat and fresh seafood necessitate cool keeping below 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

People should avoid purchasing ready-to-eat food packaged in plastic containers that show indications of food spoilage, such as rising air bubbles. People are also advised to consume hot, clean food and to avoid raw meat dishes.

Songkran Water Fights Banned on Bangkok's Famous Khaosan Road

Thailand’s New Year, Songkran 2023: The Good and the Bad

Songkran is derived from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, which translates approximately as “astrological transition.” The term “Farmer’s Market” refers to the sale of farm products in the United States.

It’s a time for spiritual purification, merit-making, and staying cool in the midst of scorching heat. It’s also a chance for families to gather and enjoy freshly prepared meals.

Thais deep-clean their homes and public places, including workplaces and schools, in preparation for the holiday. Parks and sidewalks are also beautified. People get up early to worship at temples and present monks with food, robes, and donations.

As an expression of gratitude and devotion, youthful family members pour rose and jasmine water over the hands and feet of elders at home.

Songkran is also a moment to remember and honour ancestors.

The theme of splashing water to symbolize the washing away of sins and bad luck runs throughout the celebration. The concluding day is known as Wan Payawan, or Buddha Bathing Day.

As a sign of respect, temple goers carefully trickle water down the backs of monks, after which the chief monk blesses those assembled. People also pour water on statues and figurines to wash away the misfortune of the previous year.

Thailand Readies for a Serge in Covid-19 After Songkran

Small bowls of water were traditionally tipped over family and friends to symbolize the cleansing process. This has developed into the more exhilarating “throwing of water” that Thailand is renowned for, and the good news is that water splashing will return in 2023, after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Preparation is essential for anyone intending to participate. Participants should keep valuables in a waterproof zip lock container to keep them dry during the “hostilities” in addition to purchasing a water gun and Din Sor Pong, a form of talcum powder. The difference between the two is that the former has a different name than the latter.

Stock up on sunscreen, have a bottle of drinking water available and invest in a pair of cheap swimming goggles. donning a swimsuit makes sense, as does donning good-grip shoes. The roadways become extremely slick.

Thailand Prepares for Songkran Festival After 3 Year Hiatus

You’re now prepared to drench as many individuals as possible and smear them with talc. You’ll undoubtedly win a few battles, but you’ll be outgunned by firemen wielding powerful hoses and elephants spraying water from their trunks.

Don’t presume that just because you don’t have a gun means you won’t be soaked. The majority of parties will enjoy it even more. Only monks, babies, and the elderly are exempt from being doused – if you unintentionally saturate someone you shouldn’t, apologize profusely and move on.

The water war is a national event, but the atmosphere is particularly lively in Bangkok, the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest water-gun fight was broken in 2011 with 3,477 people fired water at each other for 10 minutes.

In Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, the moat surrounding the old town offers an endless source of ammunition for water guns during Songkran, while, DJ’s and bands play in the background.

Songkran is also a time for friends to get together for a social beer or two, assuming they can locate a venue away from the chaos. “They can squirt whoever they want – as long as they don’t get water in my beer,” one expat forum member put it.

Excessive alcohol consumption, rather than the occasional watered-down beer, has long been the most difficult task for police during the holiday season. Despite numerous safety efforts, traffic accidents skyrocket during the annual “seven dangerous days.”

Songkran Holiday Kicks Off With 538 Road Accidents

Last year, between April 11 and 16, 278 persons were killed and 1,869 were injured in traffic accidents. Drink Driving led to more than 60% of the reported fatalities, with motorcycles and pickup trucks being involved in the overwhelming majority of incidents.

The original meaning of Songkran has been lost for many Thais, especially the older generations, and the celebration has become commercialized and boisterous. The practice of respectfully sprinkling small amounts of water on monks, friends, and family has given way to what is being billed as the world’s wildest water battle.

Every year, the guns get larger and the fire hoses get more deadly – unleashing powerful jets on (inebriated) motorcyclists is a recipe for disaster.

In a survey performed by Thailand’s Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation, half of the women and girls polled reported being groped or sexually harassed during Thai New Year water festivals.

Increased police presence, designated safe zones, and encouraging victims to report instances have all done little to change such inappropriate conduct.

Street Water Fights Officially Banned from Songkran 2021

Infections are still a problem – the brown Chiang Mai moat water is of questionable quality, so shield your eyes and avoid swallowing it. Because buckets and water guns are filled from unfiltered sources, tourists frequently experience stomach issues after Songkran.

Furthermore, frequent changes in body temperature caused by overexertion during the hottest time of year, as well as being doused with buckets of iced water, result in an April cold and flu pandemic. Pneumonia is not uncommon.

Even when phones are wrapped in zip-lock bags, they can get damp. To save a water-damaged device, online troubleshooters suggest using silica gel packets to absorb moisture, followed by a quick professional clean before corrosion sets in.

Songkran marks the end of the dry season and the start of the monsoon rains, assuming they come. To emphasize the importance of tourism to the Thai economy, tourists are urged to pour water on each other, while others are expected to limit their consumption.

During a severe drought in 2016, farmers, rather than revelers, were told to reduce their water use and, in some areas, were subjected to tap water rationing. Calls for a calm Songkran were met with silence.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP