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Murdoch eyes TV bid as Australia gets ready to relax ownership rulesIndependent on Sunday, The , Oct 17, 2004 by MIRANDA McLACHLANRupert Murdoch`s aspiration to add a television network to his Australian media portfolio has received a fillip from the country`s recent election results. The freshly re-elected right-wing government is likely to gain control of both houses of parliament and is gearing up to push through controversial reforms which will relax cross-media ownership laws. The most likely target of Mr Murdoch`s News Corporation is the Ten Network, a terrestrial TV channel. But it could make a bid for the Seven Network. In April, Mr Murdoch said he would continue to lobby for the media ownership reforms despite his plans to shift his media empire`s headquarters to the US. David Mantell, an analyst with Loop Capital Markets in Chicago, said such an acquisition "strategically makes sense". "It would appear to fit News Corp`s dual content and distribution strategy - and increase its share of the strong advertising market in Australia," said Mr Mantell. Mr Murdoch had previously acquired control of an earlier incarnation of Ten but had to divest his stake once he became a US citizen. Ten`s executive chairman, Nick Falloon, said this week that Canadian group CanWest, which owns 56.6 per cent of the station, would dilute its stake for the right deal. Ten had already entered talks with potential partners, he said. Australia`s communications minister, Helen Coonan, said that the government would push ahead with its media reforms, which have already been watered down once by the senate. The government is likely to take control of the senate when the new term starts in mid-2005. But it may give priority to the full privatisation of telecom provider Telstra so that it can participate in any media rationalisation. Another media mogul, Kerry Packer, is also expected to take advantage of the reforms and may launch a bid for newspaper group John Fairfax, publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald. Copyright 2004 Independent Newspapers UK Limited Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved. ConstipationEncyclopedia of Medicine by Maureen HaggertyDefinitionConstipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated. DescriptionConstipation is one of the most common medical complaints in the United States. Constipation can occur at any age, and is more common among individuals who resist the urge to move their bowels at their body`s signal. This often happens when children start school or enter daycare and feel shy about asking permission to use the bathroom. Constipation is more common in women than in men and is especially apt to occur during pregnancy. Age alone does not increase the frequency of constipation, but elderly people (especially women) are more likely to suffer from constipation. Although this condition is rarely serious, it can lead to:
Chronic constipation may be a symptom of colorectal cancer, depression, diabetes, diverticulosis (small pouches in the muscles of the large intestine), lead poisoning, or Parkinson`s disease. In someone who is elderly or disabled, constipation may be a symptom of bowel impaction, a more serious condition in which feces are trapped in the lower part of the large intestine. A doctor should be called if an elderly or disabled person is constipated for a week or more or if a child seems to be constipated. A doctor should be notified whenever constipation occurs after starting a new prescription, vitamin, or mineral supplement or is accompanied by blood in the stools, changes in bowel patterns, or fever and abdominal pain. Causes & symptomsConstipation usually results from not getting enough exercise, not drinking enough water, or from a diet that does not include an adequate amount of fiber-rich foods like beans, bran cereals, fruits, raw vegetables, rice, and whole-grain breads. Other causes of constipation include anal fissure (a tear or crack in the lining of the anus); chronic kidney failure; colon or rectal cancer; depression; hypercalcemia (abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood); hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland); illness requiring complete bed rest; irritable bowel syndrome; and stress. Constipation can also be a side effect of:
An adult who is constipated may feel bloated, have a headache, swollen abdomen, or pass rock-like feces; or strain, bleed, or feel pain during bowel movements. A constipated baby may strain, cry, draw the legs toward the abdomen, or arch the back when having a bowel movement. DiagnosisEveryone becomes constipated once in a while, but a doctor should be notified if significant changes in bowel patterns last for more than a week or if symptoms continue more than three weeks after increasing activity and fiber and fluid intake. The patient`s observations and medical history help a primary care physician diagnose constipation. The doctor uses his fingers to see if there is a hardened mass in the abdomen, and may perform a rectal examination. Other diagnostic procedures include a barium enema, which reveals blockage inside the intestine; laboratory analysis of blood and stool samples for internal bleeding or other symptoms of systemic disease; and a sigmoidoscopy (examination of the sigmoid area of the colon with a flexible tube equipped with a magnifying lens). Physical and psychological assessments and a detailed history of bowel habits are especially important when an elderly person complains of constipation. TreatmentIf changes in diet and activity fail to relieve occasional constipation, an over-the-counter laxative may be used for a few days. Preparations that soften stools or add bulk (bran, psyllium) work more slowly but are safer than Epsom salts and other harsh laxatives or herbal laxatives containing senna (Cassia senna) or buckthorn (Rhamnus purshianna), which can harm the nerves and lining of the colon. A woman who is pregnant should never use a laxative. Neither should anyone who is experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. A warm-water or mineral oil enema can relieve constipation, and a non-digestible sugar (lactulose) or special electrolyte solution is recommended for adults and older children with stubborn symptoms. If a patient has an impacted bowel, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and gently dislodges the hardened feces. Alternative treatmentInitially, alternative practitioners will suggest that the patient drink an adequate amount of water each day (6 to 8 glasses), exercise on a regular basis, and eat a diet high in soluble and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers include pectin, flax, and gums; insoluble fibers include psyllium and brans from grains like wheat and oats. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain both soluble and insoluble fibers. Castor oil, applied topically to the abdomen and covered by a heat source (a heating pad or hot water bottle), can help relieve constipation when used nightly for 20-30 minutes. AcupressureThis needleless form of acupuncture is said to relax the abdomen, ease discomfort, and stimulate regular bowel movements when diet and exercise fail to do so. After lying down, the patient closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. For two minutes, he applies gentle fingertip pressure to a point about two and one-half inches below the navel.
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