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 3 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. And 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 developing measles. Misinformation, confusion, 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 backpain
A great news of relief to those with back pains. 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 U.S. 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 pain, 40 million with hip pain, or the 654 million with knee pain, around the world, all from osteoarthritis.
Simple urine test
Early detection of prostate cancer is still a huge clinical challenge today because of lack of reliable biomarkers. This disease is highly treatable when diagnosed in its early stage. 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 high rate of surgical cure. This new simple urine test will lead to early detection which translate to saving maximum of lives, not possible before.
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 grain (rice, quinoa, bread, preferably non-wheat, and a quarter with protein (either plant-based or animal based). Most veggies contain polyphenols, health ntioxidants, which protects body cells from damages, reduces inflammation, has neuro-protection for the brain, and lowers the risk for common chronic diseases. It is also good for our icrobiome, gut-health, especially some fermented foods.
The less red meat we eat the better. Avoiding processed foods (like those in a deli like 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. 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 increases the risk for gut issues and inflammation, creating havoc to 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.) are healthy food items for everyone. In some people, oatmeal causes blood sugar spikes, the phytic acid in oat hinders mineral absorption, and the oats has gluten in them and some could contain mold toxins.
Choose gluten-free oatmeal, soak them 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) adults around the world will develop shingles, actually a re-activation of the varicella-zoster virus in them, which causes chickenpox, to which they have been exposed to before, most during their childhood. Shingles infection could lead 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 shingles vaccine also lower the risk for dementia and cardiovascular ailments, like heart attack and stroke, which protection could last up to eight years.
Home apnea test
Medical, engineering and technological progress are not only mind-boggling but make life more comfortable and convenient for the world. For those with sleep apnea (prolonged breath-holding, with oxygen deficient blood, and waking us gasping for breath), they 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 cheaper than the sleep study in a hospital. And definitely more convenient for everyone worldwide.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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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 recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a 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: [email protected].
