Ginseng soup for some get-up-and-go
GINSENG is the root of a slow-growing perennial herb native to the mountain forests of northeastern China, the Korean peninsula, and the far eastern regions of the Russian Federation.
Dangers of later pregnancy warmed
LONDON - Despite the growing number of older mothers, Danish doctors advised women on Friday not to postpone pregnancy because the risks are still high and the chances of a successful outcome are poor.
Apple keeps doctor away
LONDON - The old adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away looks to have acquired an important scientific dimension. It might keep cancer away too.
Umbilical blood same as bone marrow
BOSTON - A new study of 2,165 blood and bone-marrow transplants in children has found that using a sibling's umbilical cord blood is less likely to cause the recipient's body to reject the donated material.
Facing death with dignity
THE mention of cancer seems a taboo for most cancer patients, because the disease used to indicate certain death.
Clay beads not 'plain Janes' of jewellery world
I USED to find clay beads dull and lacklustre compared with jewellery made with precious stones.
Look to winter fashion
SUMMER is still with us, but designers are preparing autumn/winter collections to be shown on September 26 to 28 at Shanghaimart for the China International Fashion Trade Fair for Casual and Career.
Bad breath and poor tooth care
By Ta Ta
LOCAL doctors hope regular dental cleaning, increasingly popular in Shanghai, will help improve people's teeth. "Unlike people in other countries, Chinese are not likely to have their teeth cleaned regularly, this means dental diseases occur and are not treated before becoming serious," said Xu Xiao, a specialist in dental treatment at Shanghai No 9 People's Hospital. She said people could avoid many dental diseases if they brushed their teeth three times a day three minutes after every meal. "But it is difficult for people, even for doctors, to do that," she said. Remains of food stick to the gums forming plaque which causes tooth decay. Bacteria forms easily around the plaque leading to inflammation of the gums and the disease gingivitis characterized by bad breath and bleeding gums. If not treated in time, gingivitis will lead to paradentis, serious inflammation of the gums and also the bone. Teeth will then become loose and might even drop out. People addicted to tea, coffee or smoking, or those who can't eat fresh vegetables for a long time, such as sailors, should have their teeth cleaned regularly by a dentist, doctor Xu said. "In some foreign countries, people have their teeth cleaned once every three or six months," Xu said. Dental establishments which do teeth cleaning: Many private dental clinics, which you can find on streets around Shanghai, now offer teeth cleaning services. But if you feel more comfortable going to a hospital, Shanghai No 9 People's Hospital is renowned for its dental and plastic surgery services. The hospital has a Sino-Canadian dental clinic and a special dental clinic in addition to ordinary dental clinics. Registration at the Sino-Canadian dental clinic is 30 yuan ($3.61) and teeth cleaning costs 300 yuan ($36.14). Registration at the special dental clinic is 200 yuan ($24.10). Teeth cleaning costs 68 yuan ($8.19) the first time, and 18 yuan ($2.17) on successive occasions. Shanghai No 9 People's Hospital, 639 Zhizhaoju Road, Tel: 6313-8341 ext 5278 (for the special dental clinic) and ext 5279 (for the Sino-Canadian dental clinic).
Copyright 2000 by Shanghai Star. All rights reserved.