Brain-Eating Amoebas Found in Fresh Water

Brain eating amoebas have been known to pose serious threats to humans swimming in fresh water lakes, ponds, and under-chlorinated pools. Summer's long days and sultry nights of endless heat create the ideal environment for the amoeba known as the Naegleria fowleri, which likes to live in shallow fresh waters where the water temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Open passageways, such as the nostrils, gives this amoeba the perfect access it needs to eat away at juicy, nutrient-filled human brains.

Diving into infested waters can be life threatening if these “brain suckers” are present. According to the Center for Disease Control, the Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba most commonly found in the upper layer of sediment in the bottom of lakes and ponds with mud floors. However, infection occurs rarely. A little over 33 cases have been reported in the United States since 1998.


Once the amoeba enters the body through the nostrils, it travels straight to the brain and spinal cord. It may take a day to two weeks for symptoms to develop. However, illness resulting from this infestation has a rapid state of progression, and usually ends in death within 3 to 7 days.

Symptoms

• Headache

• Confusion

• Fever

• Loss of balance and bodily control

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Stiff neck

• Inability to focus

• Seizures and hallucinations

The symptoms of amoeba infestation are very similar to spinal meningitis. Therefore, it is important to inform a medical professional if you experience these symptoms after swimming in fresh water lakes, ponds, or under-chlorinated pools.



Prevention Methods

1. Wear a nose clip in fresh water lakes, rivers, and ponds.

2. Do not swim, jump or dive in warm, stagnant, fresh water, such as ponds, storm water and retention areas.

3. Immediately seek medical attention if symptoms develop or infection is suspected.

8 Daily Health Tips for a Better Life

Many people say they eat fairly healthy, exercise at least 2.5 hours a week (as recommended by the American Heart Association), and get at least 6-8 hours of sleep each night.

However, they still find it hard to wake up in the mornings, have regular bowel movements, keep their skin looking healthy and vibrant, and to maintain the appropriate energy needed to perform at their top level of efficiency.


In today’s hustle and bustle society sometimes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a good night’s sleep are simply not enough for the average active adult. Don’t wait until you find yourself “sleep working” before you decide to make a life change. Nor, should you wait until your boss finds you in that same embarrassing situation.

Start supplementing your diet with eight essential things that are guaranteed to make you a healthier and more energetic “super person”.

1. Water

Be sure to intake at least 64 ounces of water daily (8-8oz glasses). Increase your water intake on the days that you work out by an additional 24 ounces. More than two thirds of our body weight consists of water. It only takes a 2% drop in the human body’s water supply to trigger signs of dehydration. Our brains are made of 95% water, lungs 90%, and blood 82%. According to freedrinkingwater.com, an estimated seventy five percent of Americans have mild-to-severe dehydration. Signs of dehydration are:

• Daytime fatigue

• Fuzzy short-term memory

• Trouble with basic math

• Difficulty focusing on smaller print

2. Green Tea

Loaded with cancer fighting antioxidants, green tea is essential for increased energy and metabolic rates (metabolism). In addition, it also helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels, while assisting the arteries to help improve blood flow. The recommended dosage is no more than 3 cups.

3. Omega 3-6-9

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as Omega 3 and omega 6 are essential fatty acids that our bodies cannot manufacture, so they must be consumed in our diets. Omega 9, on the other hand, is not as essential because our bodies can manufacture it from other sources. The benefits of taking an Omega 3-6-9 supplement are:

• Lowered blood pressure

• Improved glucose metabolism

• Improved joint and muscle health

• Increased growth rate of hair and nails

• Improved skin health

• Improved cognitive function and emotional health

4. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is not just a super food. It is addressed as a “wonder food,” according to WebMD who considers it to be one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet! The main health qualities that makes flaxseed so nutritious is that it contains omega 3 fatty acids, lignans (containing plant estrogen and other antioxidant qualities), and both soluble and insoluble fiber. The health benefits of flaxseed are:

• Prevents and inhibits tumor and cancer growth

• Helps in regulating and normalizing the heart beat

• Helps with diabetes to improve blood sugar levels

• Reduces inflammation caused by Parkinson’s disease, asthma, clogged arteries, and damaged joints and muscles.

• Helps with woman’s hot flashes

Try adding flaxseed to your yogurt or breakfast smoothies.

5. Detox Supplement

Taking a detox tea or pill supplement at least once a week helps to cleanse the body of impurities consumed from daily diets, prescription medications, and air born toxins. Eliminating the body of excess impurities helps to maintain total body health and promotes weight reduction.

6. Vegetable Vitamins

We all want to think we are getting all of the servings of fruits and vegetables we need each day, but most of us are not. For the people that are, it is hard to get all the servings every single day.

Super Juice is a Daily Multi Phyto-Nutrient vitamin formula made from vegetables, fruit and botanical plants. It does not replace whole fruits and vegetables, but it is a supplement designed for people who may not be getting all the Phyto-Nutrients from their diets alone.

7. Emergency

This powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is designed to:

• Boost immunity

• Increase energy levels

• Increase metabolism

• Replace key minerals and electrolytes like potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium lost through perspiration and regular bowel elimination.

8. Aloe Vera Juice

When 2-4 ounces of Aloe Vera juice is consumed twice daily it can help to:

• Detoxify and cleanse the colon

• Detoxify the blood stream

• Heal stomach ulcers and help the digestive tract to work more smoothly

• Improve circulation

• Increase cellular growth and regeneration

• Prevent illness by acting as a antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent

Always purchase Aloe Vera juice made from 100% pure Aloe Vera.

Aloe juice can have a very bitter taste. However, some Asian aloe drinks are designed to be very tasty and somewhat enjoyable. Most farmers markets and Asian markets sell them for under $3 dollars.

Sinkholes: slowly but surely

Guatemala City 2010

Sinkholes, also called swallow or shake holes, form slowly but can have a dramatic effect once they occur. Very little change can be detected on the ground surface of a sinkhole in one’s lifetime.

Rocks beneath the earth’s surface, composed of materials naturally dissolved by water, such as salt, gypsum, anhydrite, limestone and dolomite, sometimes decompose to the point that they “give away” to the pool of water sitting beneath them.

Holes remain intact underneath the ground until enough erosion occurs, causing the land above it to sink abruptly. This sudden change has historically been devastating for many. Land collapses are sometimes small, and other times they are enormous and can occur in some of the worst places like where a building or house is on top.

US cities reported to have suffered the most damage from sinkholes are: Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Missouri.

However, on May 30, 2010, an enormous sinkhole appeared in heart of Guatemala City’s urban district, engulfing a large building along with the entire street intersection nearby. This 66-feet wide and 100-feet deep cylindrical hole finally gave in to its lack of underground reinforcement, when Tropical Storm Agatha swept through the city streets. Two teenagers and their father were killed as a result of the gigantic hole.

Sinkholes can occur naturally in areas where no manmade structures are present. They can also occur as a result of poor building practices, in which the proper drainage system is incorrectly developed, or in areas where the drainage system has been obstructed (such as the case in Guatemala City).

Due to an increase of sinkholes around the world, Scientists are currently researching early detection methods.