Inside Costa Rica » Health

Costa Rica could see up to 60,000 Zika cases, health official says

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 23:12:02 +0000

Medical epidemiologist and newly-appointed coordinator of Costa Rica’s National Disease Vector Control Program, Rodrigo Marin Rodriguez said that Costa Rica could see up to 60,000 cases of Zika infection in a worst case scenario in an interview published by the daily La Nacion on Friday.

The post Costa Rica could see up to 60,000 Zika cases, health official says appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Costa Rica’s Health Ministry confirms second imported case of Zika virus

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 22:22:22 +0000

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health confirmed a second imported case of the Zika virus on Friday.

The post Costa Rica’s Health Ministry confirms second imported case of Zika virus appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Zika virus could be a perfect storm in Latin America, millions could become infected

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 21:32:04 +0000

The WHO warns the Zika virus is spreading rapidly through the Americas and could affect as many as four million people.

The post Zika virus could be a perfect storm in Latin America, millions could become infected appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Plunging oil prices mean Venezuelan women are running out of birth control

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 09:00:20 +0000

The collapse in global oil prices isn’t just affecting stock markets, business bottom lines and economic growth rates. It’s also having a serious impact on the sex lives and health of many Venezuelans.

The post Plunging oil prices mean Venezuelan women are running out of birth control appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Costa Rica registers second highest in Central America for suicides

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:00:30 +0000

Costa Rica now ranks number two in Central America - behind only El Salvador - in terms of annual suicides, according to official statistics by the Ministry of Health, which now deems suicide as a public health concern.

The post Costa Rica registers second highest in Central America for suicides appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Blood pressure meds could benefit those without high blood pressure: study

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 07:30:42 +0000

Blood pressure drugs have the potential to save millions of lives, including those who don’t suffer from hypertension, according to new research published in The Lancet . Results from a meta-analysis led by cardiologists at the University of Oxford suggests these drugs should also be offered to people who face higher risk of heart attack and stroke, regardless of their blood pressure at the start of treatment.

The post Blood pressure meds could benefit those without high blood pressure: study appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Brazil declares emergency over mosquito-related brain damage births

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 09:00:51 +0000

Brazilian health authorities are expressing grave concern and have declared a state of emergency, following the birth of 2,400 babies with small heads and a condition that causes severe brain damage.

The post Brazil declares emergency over mosquito-related brain damage births appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

World’s first dengue vaccine could be good news for Costa Rica, Central America

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:00:43 +0000

The Philippines has granted approval for the sales of a new dengue vaccine, following Mexico as the first two countries to allow a treatment that could prevent the flu-like illness that threatens half the world’s population, including Costa Rica, where an average 3,500 cases are confirmed annually in country of 4.8 million where the mosquito-transmitted virus is common.

The post World’s first dengue vaccine could be good news for Costa Rica, Central America appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

Coffee, even decaf, could prevent premature death: study

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 08:00:22 +0000

Even decaffeinated coffee staved off death from cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes, and suicide, the researchers found.

The post Coffee, even decaf, could prevent premature death: study appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.

What makes those able to speak multiple languages different?

Inside Costa Rica Staff — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:00:39 +0000

Language is our human birthright. Children, barely able to feed or clothe themselves, quickly master the basics of languages they’re exposed to with next to no instruction. But while most can speak (or sign) at least one language, and a few of us may even know two or three, hyperpolyglots — those who can fluently speak about six languages or more — are few and far between. What makes them so special?

The post What makes those able to speak multiple languages different? appeared first on Inside Costa Rica.