Dr. Dominique Garcia — Photo courtesy of Hanoi French Hospital Viet Nam News By Dr. Dominique Garcia* What is otitis media with effusion (OME)? OME is a chronic collection of non-infected fluid in the middle ear. The middle ear is an air cavity closed to the outside by the eardrum and ventilated through the eustachian tube connecting the ear to the upper part of the back of the throat, which leads up into the nose. The tube helps to equalise the pressure between the air around you and the middle ear, and to drain fluids. If it gets blocked, fluids cannot drain and may accumulate behind the eardrum. OME is more common in children between 6 months and 3 years old but can also occur in younger schoolchildren. It usually resolves itself within 1 to 2 months. However, especially with a long cold season as in Hanoi, fluid may persist for longer and cause temporary hearing impairment. Signs and symptoms are neither acute nor dramatic, and OME is often overlooked. What … [Read more...] about Otitis media with effusion
Allergies 7 month old
DHA supplements during pregnancy don’t raise kids’ IQ
Children of women who took DHA supplements during pregnancy are no smarter than peers whose mothers didn’t take the supplements, a recent study concludes. In the third follow-up of children born during a trial of DHA supplementation in pregnancy, there were no significant differences in IQ or other cognitive processes at age 7 – the same result researchers found in earlier rounds of testing. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, an important nutrient for the brain, and is needed for development during pregnancy, said lead study author Jacqueline Gould, of the Child Nutrition Research Center at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide. “The main source of DHA for the growing baby is the mother’s diet. However, the exact amount of DHA that needs to be eaten by the mother is unknown,” Gould told Reuters Health in an email. “DHA-rich fish oil supplements have been marketed by manufacturers as beneficial … [Read more...] about DHA supplements during pregnancy don’t raise kids’ IQ
EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 16-31 (daily updated)
The 3rd Comics Festival Conference on comics: Thu 31 May, 9 am Festival Opening: Fri 01 Jun, 6 pm Exhibition: 01 - 08 Jun 2012 Hanoi Library 47 Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi You are invited to the 3rd Comics Festival. This is a chance for those who love comics and also a chance for everyone to enjoy fun activities to celebrate the International Children Day! On 31st May, a conference on comic books will be organized with the participation of Mr Jean Auquier - Director of Belgium Comic Center. The subject of the conference is on "The History of Comic Books"; "Literature, comic books and films"; "From the authors to the readers". The Festival will be organized from 01 - 10/06 with the opening of 2 exhibitions "From Ideas to Comic Books" (Viet Nam) and "The journey in the 9th art: comic books of Wallonie Bruxelles" Exhibition "The journey in the 9th art: comic books of Wallonie Bruxelles" showcases works of more than 40 comic writers in Belgium. They are the reflection of beauty and creative … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 16-31 (daily updated)
EVENTS SCHEDULED ON APRIL 1-15 (daily updated)
Improvisational Theatre Show with Les Xinpromptus Sat 14 Apr 2012, 8 - 10 pm Hanoi Cinematheque 22A Hai Ba Trung Str, Hanoi "Les Xinpromptus" is a French-speaking troupe practicing and performing improvisational theatre in Ho Chi MInh city since 2008. During the improvisational theatre show, 2 teams made of Xinpromptus members will play together in building short scenes following a topic given by the audience and a style that could be singing, riming, Shakespeare's or Molière's… Free admission. The show will be in French but open to any curious people!Music Night with Jordan Senior Sat 14 Apr 2012, 8 pm Hanoi Social Club 6 Hoi Vu Str, Hanoi Every so often a musician wanders into the cafe looking for a gig. Very rarely is that musician as accomplished as Jordan Senior. Playing crisp melodies with rolling, summery and urban lyrics, Jordan will take you to a place where the sun shines through your bedroom window on a lazy weekend afternoon. Polished, professional and smart - come and … [Read more...] about EVENTS SCHEDULED ON APRIL 1-15 (daily updated)
Over 6,500 Old Quarter households to be relocated
Over 6,500 Old Quarter households to be relocated Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district People's Committee opened an exhibition at the Old Quarter Information Centre (28 Hang Buom Street) on October 8 to introduce the city’s Old Quarter relocation project. The project was approved by Hanoi authorities in January at a projected total cost of nearly VND6.5 trillion (US$305.5 million). A total of 6,550 households and 26,200 residents are to be relocated to the city’s new urban areas, including those living in historical sites, temples, schools, old mansions of special value and degraded apartments. The project’s objectives are to preserve and promote the distinctive cultural and historic values of the area and to improve the living conditions of its residents. Under the first phase of the scheme, around 1,530 houses will move to the newly-built 11.1-hectare Viet Hung residential area in Long Bien district by 2015. The remaining 5,020 households are expected to be … [Read more...] about Over 6,500 Old Quarter households to be relocated