‘Measles is a very contagious viral illness that mostly affects unvaccinated children but adults who are unvaccinated are also potential victims.’
THE current measles outbreak has targeted North Dakota, having its first case since 2011. The count went up to 1001 on May 9, 2025, more than three times in all of 2024, reports the CDC. More cases are expected.
The 3-month outbreak in Texas owns the vast majority of cases, with 702 confirmed. This viral infection has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Two unvaccinated children died from measles-related disease in West Texas, the epicenter. An adult in New Mexico, who was unvaccinated, died from the complications of Measles.
Many other states are reporting cases of measles. In 2019, there were 1,261 cases of measles in 31 states. Unvaccinated people, when exposed, are very prone to develop measles. Misinformation, confusion, and complacency all account for the lowered vaccination rate and for the outbreak.
Measles is a very contagious viral illness that mostly affects unvaccinated children but adults who are unvaccinated are also potential victims. It is more serious among adults and babies. Measles, a potential killer, is easily preventable by a vaccine.
Shoes and back pain
A great news of relief to those with back pain. Two studies presented at the 2025 World Congress on Osteoarthritis in Incheon, South Korea, have this report: “A shoe-based biomechanical intervention worn for a short time each day may achieve greater improvements in low back pain and greater reductions in the risk for total knee replacement surgery than standard physical therapy, according to two studies.”
The US FDA has cleared this shoe-based intervention, “which alters the foot’s pressure points to reduce loads, minimize symptoms, and promote neuromuscular control training using adjustable, convex pods under the sole, according to the researchers.”
Those special “biomechanical” shoes will be heaven-sent to those 619 million with back pains, 40 million with hip pains, or the 654 million with knee pains, around the world, all from osteoarthritis.
Simple urine test
Early detection of prostate cancer is still a huge clinical challenge today because of the lack of reliable biomarkers. This disease is highly treatable when diagnosed in its early stages.
A new study, posted in the journal Cancer Research, reports that early-stage prostatic cancer can be detected using a new simple urine test. The new set of urine-based biomarkers can accurately find both the presence and severity of prostatic cancer. “The study combined artificial intelligence and detailed genetic analysis and could potentially offer an alternative to current PSA testing,” said the report.
Cancer of the prostate is one of the most frequent cancers in men and early detection leads to a high rate of surgical cure. This new simple urine test will lead to early detection, which translates to saving lives.
Plant-based diet
There is no question that what we eat affects our health and longevity to a significant extent. For a healthy diet, half of our plate should have plant-based foods, such as colorful vegetables and fruits, a quarter with whole grains (rice, quinoa, bread, preferably non-wheat, and a quarter with protein (either plant-based or animal-based). Most veggies contain polyphenols, health antioxidants, which protect body cells from damage, reduce inflammation, have neuro-protection for the brain, and lower the risk for common chronic diseases. It is also good for our microbiome, health, especially some fermented foods.
The less red meat we eat, the better. Avoiding processed foods (like those in a Deli, bacon, sausages, etc.) could lower our risk for cancers. And so with grilled foods (meat or veggies) with charcoal-burnt surfaces, which should be trimmed or scraped away. Red meat consumption is linked to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke) and cancer. A plant-based diet, together with fish, is a healthy diet.
About 20-35 percent of our total calories should be fats, healthy fats, from olives, extra virgin cold-processed olive oil, mild olive oil for cooking, avocados, seeds, and nuts.
Finally, diet-wise, let’s stay away from foods containing gluten and lectin, which increase the risk for gut issues and inflammation, creating havoc in our microbiome (bacterial balance in our gut), which is fundamental to our health and well-being.
We used to think oatmeal and soy products (tofu, etc.) were healthy food items for everyone. In some people, oatmeal causes blood sugar spikes, the phytic acid in oats hinders mineral absorption, and oats have gluten in them, and some could contain mold toxins.
Choose gluten-free oatmeal, soak it first for a few minutes before cooking to reduce phytic acid and buy whole, unflavored old-fashioned (not instant) oatmeal, preferably steel-cut.
Shingles vaccine
Thirty-three percent (one out of 3) of adults around the world will develop shingles, actually a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in them, which causes chickenpox, to which they have been exposed before, most likely during their childhood. Shingles infection could lead to serious, chronic, bothersome complications. Those who are 50 and over can significantly benefit from the shingles vaccine, which provides 90 percent protection.
Lately, studies revealed that the shingles vaccine also lowers the risk for dementia and cardiovascular ailments, like heart attack and stroke, with protection that could last up to eight years.
Home apnea test
Medical, engineering, and technological progress are not only mind-boggling but also make life more comfortable and convenient for the world. For those with sleep apnea (prolonged breath-holding, with oxygen-deficient blood, and waking up gasping for breath), no longer have to go to the Sleep laboratory in Hospitals for a Sleep Study, where dozens of sensors are connected to you while you spend the night in that hospital.
The amazing miniaturization of sophisticated technological devices now allows people to conduct a basic sleep test in their own bed at home. Besides you, insurance companies and physicians love it too. The home sleep apnea test costs at least 20 times less than the Sleep Study in a hospital. And definitely more convenient for everyone worldwide.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a cardiac surgeon emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, health advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later presidential candidate Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
