A former high school teacher who made headlines in 2012 when she had a baby with her student was discovered dead Monday morning inside her Harlem apartment along with her 4-year-old son.
Police officers were summoned to the crime scene at 640 West 153rd Street at around 8.15am and found the lifeless bodies of 36-year-old Felicia Barahona woman and 4-year-old Miguel Barahona.
According to investigators, Ms Barahona was lying on the living room floor with an electrical cord wrapped around her neck.
Her toddler son was found drowned in the bathtub, reported ABC Eyewitness News. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The superintendent of the building called 911 early Monday morning after he noticed a foul stench coming from the family's third-floor apartment and then saw the woman’s body in the living room through the fire escape.
A source with the NYPD told New York Post it is believed the mother’s body had been in the apartment for up to four days.
The city medical examiner will determine the cause of death for both victims.
Authorities are investigating to determine whether the deaths were homicides or a murder-suicide.
A hot shower or moist heat applied to the back of the neck may ease symptoms of infrequent tension headaches. Try a hot water bottle, a warm towel, or a warm compress. If you prefer cold, try wrapping an ice pack in a towel. Then put it where you hurt -- on your forehead, temples, or neck.
If you suffer from headaches or migraines, you’re far from alone. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, around 36 million Americans are affected. Headaches can have a profound impact on quality of life.
They might interfere with performance at school or on the job; it’s estimated that headaches and migraines cost U.S. employers around $13 billion each year in lost productivity. Social interaction may suffer, and people who have chronic headaches are three times more likely to be depressed than those who don’t.
The brain itself is incapable of feeling pain. Headaches actually start in the surrounding tissues and blood vessels or in the nerves of the neck, face and scalp. Tension headaches are most common. They usually creep from the neck to the back of the head and temples, marked by pressure and pulsing pain. Cluster headaches strike suddenly and are concentrated on one side of the head. Sinus pain due to infection and “rebound” headaches are other types. Rebound headaches, ironically, are due to overuse of headache medication.
Breakdown in the lymphatic system due to allergies or poor digestion is being investigated as a possible pain trigger. Since the neck is a major hub for lymph nodes and vessels, decreased blood flow could invite headaches, especially migraines.
Migraines are marked by relentless, blinding pain and are extremely serious. In a survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation, 30 percent of respondents said that they required bed rest during an attack and 90 percent couldn’t function normally. According to an in-depth New York Times health report, people who suffer from migraines are at increased risk for stroke and heart disease.
Untreated, attacks may last anywhere from four hours to three days. There are several warning signs to onset of migraine:
• Stiffness in the neck • Food cravings • Constipation • Irritability • Depression • Extreme fatigue • Sensory or language disturbances
Migraines may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
• Severe, pulsating pain on either or both sides of the head • Over-sensitivity to sound, light or smell • Feeling light-headed or fainting • Blurry vision • Nausea or vomiting
Results for non-pharmaceutical treatments have been mixed. Chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, lymphatic drainage therapy and a number of herbal remedies have proven effective in patient studies, but real scientific evidence lags behind.
Many migraine sufferers swear by such plants as peppermint, butterbur, horseradish and even raw potato. The University of Maryland Medical Center published a study of fever-few; over three months, 49 subjects who combined fever-few, magnesium and vitamin B had 50 percent fewer migraines.
Another favorite of migraine sufferers is rosemary. Although it hasn’t been scientifically proven to provide relief, there’s no harm in trying this home remedy, which is also an excellent diuretic.
How to use:
Use two sprigs of fresh rosemary approximately 5 inches long. Finely chop the leaves and place them in a large mug. Add boiling water and allow the tea to steep for 20-30 minutes as the leaf bits sink. Slowly drink the tea while applying a cool compress to your head.
Migraines should be considered a serious disease, but there are measures you can take. Certain foods, alcohol, caffeine and over-exercising are all triggers to migraine. Making significant lifestyle changes—especially in the way you cope with stress—can ward off headaches and improve your overall health.
1. Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet:an Individualized ApproachDr. Alexander Shikhman MD, PhD, FACR Institute for Specialized Medicine.
2. Psoriatic Arthritis Inflammatory joint disease found in up to 30% of patients with psoriasis Stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints and surrounding ligaments and tendons Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment can help prevent progressive joint involvement and damage Skin symptoms usually appear before joint symptoms, but not always.
3. Psoriatic ArthritisSymptoms to be aware of: Back pain/stiffness Pain in heel or bottom of foot Morning stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes Generalized fatigue Reduced range of motion Swollen fingers and/or toes
4. Psoriatic ArthritisIf you have psoriasis and are experiencing any symptomsof psoriatic arthritis, it is a good idea to: Tell your health care provider Consider seeing a rheumatologist Not wait for your symptoms to get worse before seeking medical advice and/or treatment
5. Psoriatic Arthritis is a Part of Spondyloarthropathies Ankylosing Spondylitis Reactive arthritis (Reiters syndrome) Enteropathic spondylitis or spondylitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis) Psoriatic arthritis Isolated acute anterior uveitis Undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (USpA)
6. Psoriatic Arthritis is a Part of SpondyloarthropathiesThe hallmark of thespondyloarthropathies, includingpsoriatic arthritis, is theinflammatory process affectingthe junction betweenligaments/tendons and theanchor bone called enthesitis
8. Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis There is no single test to diagnose psoriatic arthritisTypically, the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is based on acombination of: Patient’s history Physical examination Imaging of the joints (x-rays, ultrasound, MRI etc) Laboratory test results
9. Subtypes of Psoriatic Arthritis Asymmetrical mono- and oligoarticular arthritis (30-50% of cases) is the most common presentation of psoriatic arthritis Dactylitis presents as the so- called "sausage digit", diffuse swelling of the entire digit likely due to a combination of both arthritis and tenosynovitis.
10. Subtypes of Psoriatic ArthritisSymmetrical polyarticular arthritis(20-40% of cases) is the secondmost common form of psoriaticarthritis
11. Subtypes of Psoriatic Arthritis Distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint involvement (20-30% of cases) is nearly always associated with nail manifestations Nail involvement may be manifested as pitting, ridging, separation from the nail bed (onycholysis) or yellow-orange discoloration ("oil drop" sign)
12. Subtypes of Psoriatic Arthritis Axial arthritis (20-30% of cases) may be different in character from ankylosing spondylitis, the prototypical HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthropathy It may present as sacro-iliitis, which may be asymmetrical and asymptomatic, or spondylitis, which may occur without sacro-iliitis and may affect any level of the spine in "skip" fashion
13. Subtypes of Psoriatic Arthritis Arthritis mutilans (5% of cases) is characterized by resorption of the phalangeal bones
15. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and InfectionTHE FOLLOWING INFECTIOUS AGENTS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVATION OF PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS Streptococcus pyogenes group A Candida albicans Helicobacter pylori Atypical mycobacteria Mycoplasma pneumonia Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Hepatitis C
16. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Streptococcal Infection Early studies on T cells in the skin revealed the presence of oligoclonal T-cells which could indicate the presence of a common antigen as a major target of the psoriatic immune response. HLA-Cw*-0602 protein product binds peptide motifs that are shared between the M proteins of Streptococci and the keratins K16 and K17 in the skin. This provides a mechanism for psoriasis where Streptococcal infection leads to T cell activation.
17. Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis Symptomatic Therapy Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen Prescription strength products (diclophenac, indomethacin, sulindac etc)
18. Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs(DMARDs) may relieve more severe symptoms and attempt to slow orstop joint/tissue damage and the progression of psoriatic arthritis. Methotrexate (oral and injection) Leflunomide (oral) Sulfasalizine (oral)
19. Treatments for Psoriatic ArthritisBiologics approved by FDA for psoriatic arthritis:Etanercept (Enbrel®) Administered as a self injection once or twice weeklyAdalimumab (Humira®) Administered as a self injection with a pre-filled syringe typically once every other weekGolimumab (Simponi®) Administered as a self injection once a monthInfliximab (Remicade®) Administered as a self injection once or twice weekly
20. Most Advanced Drugs in Pipeline for Psoriatic Arthritis Name Sponsor Mechanism Route Development phase Apremilast Celgene Anti- Oral III inflammatory (PDE4 inihibitor) Cimzia UCB TNF blocker Injecta III (Certolizumab) ble Tofacitinib Pfizer Anti- Oral III inflammatory (JAK3 inhibitor) Stelara Centocor IL-12/-23 Injecta III (Ustekinumab) blocker ble Secukinumab Novartis IL-17 blocker Injecta II (AIN457) ble
21. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet Generic ApproachAvoid alcohol refined carbohydrates foods high in saturated fats processed foods gluten, dairy products, citrus, eggs, cornRestrict red meat consumptionConsume fresh fruits and vegetables moderate amounts of protein from fish and fowl fiber
22. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet Individualized Approach There are various diagnostic systems focused on determining of food intolerances and food allergies:Detection of Food Specific Detection of Food Specific Cell Antibodies ResponsesBLOOD Food based neutrophil activation Serum IgG Serum IgG4 Nontraditional Screening Systems Serum IgE Electrodermal screening VAS reflex based screeningSALIVA Applied kinesiology based screening Salivary IgA
23. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet Individualized Approach LAB: Institute for Specialized Medicine IgG4 Food Intolerance Screen (FIS-20) RESPONSE 0 - negative 1 - borderline 2 - mild 3 - moderate 4 - severe 0 1 2 3 4
24. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet Individualized ApproachInstitute forSpecializedMedicine:ElectrodermalScreening
25. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Diet Individualized Approach Most of the systems available for food intolerance testing have specificity around 75-80% Introduction of overlapping systems significantly increases reliability of the results The ultimate answer is based on foods elimination with their subsequent reintroduction (challenge test)
26. Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Food Supplements Commonly Used Remedies Orphan Remedies Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty Sea cucumber extract acids Indigo extract Black currant seed oil Vitamin D3 - do not use with Oregon grape (Mahonia Calcipotriene (Dovonex) aquifolium) extact Calcium Yucca Schidigera extract Turmeric Coleus forskohlii Boswellia Devil’s claw N-acetylglucosamine Probiotics
27. Psoriasis and Heart Attack Recent studies show that psoriasis, in and of itself, can cause cardiovascular risk The greater the psoriasis severity, the greater the risk Controlling inflammation associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis shows promising results for reducing cardiovascular risk
28. Atherosclerosis and Other Vascular Diseases Psoriasis is associated with increased risk of: Ischemic heart disease - 78% Cerebrovascular disease - 70% Peripheral vascular disease - 98% * after controlling for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and tobacco
29. Possible Causes for Increased Risk of Heart Attack in Psoriasis Uncontrolled inflammation leading to blood vessel dysfunction, altered blood lipids and vascular disease The use of drugs such as corticosteroids, acitretin, and cyclosporine that alter blood lipid levels The increased prevalence other risk factors: obesity, hypertension.
Did you know that osteoarthritis knee pain is caused by more than just cartilage loss?
In knees with osteoarthritis, the joint fluid also loses its ability to absorb shock, which can result in osteoarthritis knee pain. A visco supplement injection is a treatment that supplements your natural joint fluid to give your knee the lubrication and cushioning it needs to provide osteoarthritis knee pain relief.
What is Synvisc-One?
Synvisc-One is a one-injection treatment that supplements the fluid in your knee to help lubricate and cushion the joint. Synvisc-One is the #1 prescribed visco supplement; it provides up to six months of osteoarthritis knee pain relief with just one injection.
How do I know if Synvisc-One is right for me?
Synvisc-One is for people with knee osteoarthritis who have not received enough pain relief from diet, exercise, and over-the-counter pain medication. If you've tried these options and are still feeling knee pain, ask your doctor if Synvisc-One could help.
What is Synvisc-One made from?
The injection contains a gel-like mixture made from a substance called hyaluronan (pronounced hy-aI-u-ROE-nan) that comes from chicken combs. Hyaluronan is a natural substance found in the body and is present in very high amounts in joints. The body's own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint and is needed for the joint to work properly.
Will the injection hurt?
The doctor will likely apply a numbing agent before a Synvisc-One injection. You may feel some pressure.
Indication
Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics, e.g., acetaminophen.
Important Safety Information
Before trying Synvisc-One, tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, tongue or throat, respiratory difficulty, rash, itching or hives to SYNVISC or any hyaluronan-based products. Allergic reactions, some which can be potentially severe, have been reported during the use of Synvisc-One. Should not be used in patients with an infected knee joint, skin disease or infection around the area where the injection will be given, and should be used with caution when there is swelling of the legs due to problems with venous stasis or lymphatic drainage.
Synvisc-One is only for injection into the knee, performed by a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Synvisc-One has not been tested to show pain relief in joints other than the knee. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds – such as feathers, eggs or poultry – or if your leg is swollen or infected.
Synvisc-One has not been tested in children (≤ 21 years old), pregnant women or women who are nursing. You should tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant or if you are nursing a child.
Talk to your doctor before resuming strenuous weight-bearing activities after treatment.
The side effects sometimes seen after Synvisc-One include (<2% each): pain, swelling, heat, redness, and/or fluid build-up in or around the knee. Tell your doctor if you experience any side effects after treatment with Synvisc-One.
Crouch started ballet dancing when she was 11 and is currently in her sixth year of training. She’s currently a student in the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
“I originally started ballet … to help with my figure skating, to be a more graceful skater,” Crouch wrote to MTV News in an email. “I wasn’t very serious about ballet in the beginning.”
Now she’s now pursuing ballet full-time and posting amazing photos for the world to see along the way.
Crouch was diagnosed with scoliosis at 13, and she currently has three major curves in her spine. After her diagnosis, she wore a back brace for 18 to 20 hours per day and started physical therapy, she told us.
“My experience has been very positive; my mother wore a brace for four years when she was in her early teenage years so I had heard all the stories from her experience with a brace, as well as some inside knowledge,” Crouch said.
“Scoliosis impacts my training in a very mild way,” Crouch explained. “Some sections of my back are tighter than others, which can make some positions hard to achieve. I do not believe that anybody has doubted my abilities because of my scoliosis.”
Crouch trained with a brace for three years and is now brace-free. She got into Instagram two years ago and continues to dazzle her followers with amazing pics taken by herself, her friends and even professional photographers — an interest she’s exploring as well.
“When I am not dancing, I love exploring photography. I’ve always been intrigued by the stories pictures can tell,” Crouch revealed.
We can understand why. Seriously, this girl’s Insta should be displayed in a gallery somewhere. She’s posed for photoshoots galore, and the pics are absolutely stunning.
“I have one main piece of advice for others diagnosed with scoliosis: join together with others experiencing the same journey that you are,” Crouch told us. She called out the Curvy Girls group, which offers virtual and in-person support, for being “a huge part of [her] scoliosis journey.”
Crouch was also recently featured on Instagram’s official blog, where she spoke about the motivation behind her goals.
“I dance because it feels natural,” she wrote for the blog. “Working hard in class and seeing results gives me a feeling of absolute satisfaction … I hope that my pictures inspire others, and show them that nothing can stop you if you have passion.”
Mumps is a contagious viral disease that causes painful swelling of the salivary glands. As a result, people infected with mumps sometimes appear to have “chipmunk cheeks.”
Other symptoms include fever, headache, sore muscles, and fatigue. Serious complications are rare, and may include encephalitis (swelling of the brain), inflammation of the sex organs, and deafness.
The mumps virus is transmitted by contact with the respiratory secretions of an infected person. Like measles, mumps has a relatively long incubation period, with symptoms appearing more than two weeks after exposure.
There are no specific treatments available for mumps, but the disease can be prevented by immunization. Following the introduction of the mumps vaccine in 1967, reported mumps cases had declined to fewer than 1,000 per year in the U.S. In recent years, however, mumps cases have increased.
It is impossible to predict if your teen will or will not develop leukemia in his lifetime. However, understanding the risk factors will help you guide your adolescent towards a healthier lifestyle and also keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of leukemia.
The risk factors change depending on the type of leukemia your teen gets. But, some of the most common contributing factors include:
1. Age:
If you look at the statistics, people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of developing leukemia. It’s why you, the parent, may overlook the signs of leukemia in your teenager.
2. Demographics:
Statistics reveal white (Caucasian) males are more susceptible to leukemia than other males. However, statistics aside, anyone can develop leukemia, including your adolescent.
3. Exposure To Radiation:
Getting exposed to radiation can increase your teen’s chances of developing leukemia. It explains why some teens get other types of cancer in their adulthood. Radiation therapy is a common form of treatment for teen leukemia.
4. Prior Cancer Treatment:
If your child received chemotherapy or radiation therapy previously for cancer, it could increase the likelihood of him developing leukemia.
5. Genetic Disorders:
Certain genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and blood disorders, can increase the chances of your teenager developing leukemia.
6. Family History Of Leukemia:
Like all cancers, the chances of your adolescent getting leukemia increase if there is a family history of this cancer.
7. Environmental Factors:
Exposure to industrial solvents, pesticides, and tobacco smoke are other contributing factors for leukemia.
Based on this information, if you think your teenager is at risk for leukemia, you should consult your doctor immediately. And, you should note that leukemia often remains undetected in the initial stages, when the chances of recovery are greater. Request your doctor to take a blood sample of your teen. This is the only way to identify whether he has leukemia.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – “La La Land,” a musical about two dreamers falling in love in Hollywood, beat out gritty drama and true-life stories to lead the Golden Globe nominees on Monday.
“La La Land” scored seven nominations in all, including for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the lead comedy/musical acting categories, while writer-director Damien Chazelle received nods for best director and best screenplay.
“Moonlight,” the tale of an impoverished black boy in Miami struggling with his sexuality, scored six nods, including Barry Jenkins in the directing and screenplay categories and Naomie Harris and Mahershala Ali in the best supporting acting races.
The nominations underscored how “La La Land” and “Moonlight” are becoming the two front-runners in Hollywood’s annual awards race.
Both made the American Film Institute’s list of best movies of 2016. At Sunday’s Critics Choice awards, “La La Land” took home eight accolades, including best picture, while “Moonlight” picked up two.
“La La Land” is up against “20th Century Women,” the story of a free-spirited mother; raunchy superhero action movie “Deadpool”; singing comedy “Florence Foster Jenkins”; and teen tale “Sing Street” for best comedy/musical film at the Golden Globes.
“Moonlight” will face war drama “Hacksaw Ridge,” western crime story “Hell or High Water,” adoption tale “Lion” and “Manchester by the Sea,” which is about a working-class family dealing with tragedy, in the best drama film category.
More than 90 journalists in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association choose The Golden Globes. Winners will be announced on Jan. 8 at a televised ceremony hosted by Jimmy Fallon.
While the voters do not overlap with members of the film guilds who pick the Academy Awards nominees and winners, the Globes help build buzz for films leading up to February’s Oscars.
After a furor that erupted earlier this year because all 20 acting Oscar nominees were white, the Golden Globes feature numerous actors of color, including Ruth Negga of “Loving,” Ali and Harris of “Moonlight,” and Dev Patel, who is of Indian descent, for “Lion.”
Notable omissions from the best drama film category included “Jackie,” an in-depth character study of the widow of U.S. president John F. Kennedy in the week after his assassination. Lead Natalie Portman, however, received a best actress nomination.
“I had such a beautiful experience making this film with the most wonderful cast and crew, and particularly with our great director, Pablo Larrain, that it feels like icing on the cake to be nominated,” Portman said in a statement.
Martin Scorsese’s “Silence,” the tale of missionaries in 17th-century Japan, and “Fences,” a tense African-American family drama set in the 1950s, were also snubbed in the best drama film category.
“Fences” did bring nods for best actor to Denzel Washington and best supporting actress for Viola Davis.
In the best comedy/musical category, “Hidden Figures,” the true-life story of three black women who help NASA in the 1960s space race, was missing from the list, but star Octavia Spencer landed a best supporting actress nomination.
