Tuesday, February 28, 2012

10 What is health?


This question may seem obvious, but have we ever asked ourselves what do we define as "being healthy"? I've just finished my MSc degree in Biochemistry and now have started my medical (MBChB) degree. We've recently had a series of lectures on this very topic. A few days ago our lecturer posed the question:
WHAT IS HEALTH?

The answers that came out were:
1) A sense of wellbeing
2) Absence of disease and illness

Are the two the same thing or are they different? As pointed out by our lecturer, "wellbeing" indicates a state that must be attained, so although we may not have any illness, we still may not be "well". Definitions of health vary depending on a number of factors, especially socio-economic ones. Impoverished people may define health on a more "functional" level, whereas more affluent people look beyond being functional and look toward "optimal" and physical fitness as being "healthy".

I think the 2 answers really highlight the road of medicine. Already, in 3 weeks of being at medical school I can see how our thinking can be changed and drawn toward certain notions. The majority of work as a junior doctor, especially during the intern years will be treating people who are already sick, those who already have disease, those who have come to hospital to be healed. They are already unhealthy.
Much of a doctor's career will be spent making people better, ridding them of illness.

However, this is not why I got into medicine. I do not want to only focus on making sick people better, I want to focus on preventing healthy people getting sick. We do not want people to get to the point where they land up in hospital, on an operating table, having a triple bypass. People who get sick cost the government billions each year - the drugs and medication needed, the rehabilitation needed, time off work, ultimately resulting in fewer work force for the country. We need to stop people getting to this place. We need to keep people healthy, functional, and able to work to create a stronger economy.
I got into medicine to help people attain the "ideal" - optimal health. However, as discussed in our lecture, the "ideal" is not a state of reality, sadly. BUT we have to work towards this, it is the only option.
Treating the symptom (heart attack) without treating the cause (bad lifestyle) is not going to fix the problem. It's going to mask it, put a plaster on it, and give people a fake sense of hope that everything will now be OK.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
We need to educate people. Plain and simple as that. It needs to be aggressive, proactive, extensive and easily accessible. It needs to be community orientated, goal-driven, cheap and motivational.

So where can we start? Let's start at looking at: What is healthy?

Is this healthy?


I don't doubt, 100% of you will say NO.


What about this? Is this healthy?

Again, 100% of you will say NO. 

And this?
The first picture, everyone would most likely agree, this model is severely anorexic. What about the next? Very thin, but some would consider this look attractive and desirable. Modern day pressures to look a certain way have escalated and in our obsession to "fit the ideal", have we destroyed our concept of "ideal health" and what it should look like? 

Is this healthy?


With an incredible amount of media focussing on physical appearance, diets, exercises to burn calories, tone tummys, melt fat, lift saggy areas in magazines, newspapers and tv shows, it's no wonder our primary concept of "health" revolves around "physical health".

What health really is, is shown below:
Physical health plays only 1/6 of the picture (16.67%!) yet we seem to place >90% of our image of "health" in this one small area. Let's be real for a second: it's probably because it's the area we know most about how to become healthier. But is it enough?
Can we transform our bodies and be healthy? Is that enough? Why did we become unhealthy in the first place be it over- or under-weight. Where does the real problem lie? Because let me tell you, junk food and being lazy are not the answers.

The REAL answer to all forms lies in SELF ESTEEM. 


I am by no means an expert in this field, but it is our duty to try and make a difference to help others help themselves, right? So, this is what I can share with you (based on what we have studied at medical school).

In my opinion, like all things in life, improvement only comes from practice. But how do you practice your self esteem? Has anyone ever thought of this before? Have YOU thought about how you can practice improving your self esteem?

A very interesting book that I read by clinical psychiatrist Dr Robin Skynner (co-authored by John Cleese) called Life: And how to survive it,  explains that there are in fact very few mentally very healthy people in the world. The degree to which, they described as "how many Olympic gold medalists do you know?" Well, exactly. Mentally/Psychologically very healthy people can be placed on par with the number of Olympic gold medalists: very very rare, with few and far between! Like Olympic athletes, a LOT of training must go in to achieving such a title. Sadly, I feel we neglect training our emotional minds - either from lack of awareness of its importance, lack of knowing how, or just lack of capacity to tackle it on one's own.

The BIG million dollar question is for today: HOW DO YOU IMPROVE SELF ESTEEM? There is a lot of mumbo jumbo out there about "accepting yourself" and so on and on, BUT HOW?! How do you do this?  Hundreds and thousands of obese and overweight people who suffer from extremely poor self worth end up dying from physical ailments such as heart attacks, although the root cause may have been psychological.
I vividly remember one anorexic on the Oprah show crying in desperation for help because she did not know HOW to accept herself. She eventually died.

Here is HOW according to our medical notes:

First and foremost, low self-esteem needs to be addressed. You have to work on it because your performance in life (work-wise, relationship-wise, happiness-wise, everything life-wise) is followed proportionally to your self-esteem.

"If you believe you can do something, or if you believe you can't, you are right in both cases." - Henry Ford

Knowing yourself is a prerequisite for good self-esteem.


You have to discover your values, what you believe in and what you live by. The closer your values are to your actions, the happier you will be. 


"You become which you think about most."


So, step number one, establish some values.
What do you value? Write some down. Loyalty? Honesty? Integrity? Ambition?

Knowing yourself increases your self-awareness and so the more intune you become to your attitudes and behaviour, weaknesses and strengths, thoughts and prejudices as well as your potential and future self.

Next, ask yourself, how much do you believe in yourself? 100%? 75%?
And what would happen if you believed in yourself that 25% more? And why not? It's free!

Ways in which self esteem are built and destroyed


This is important to be aware of, because you need to be able to identify when you are doing which:

Building self esteem comes when:


You find a GOOD role model
You give praise and compliments (to yourself and others)
You focus on the positive
You keep criticism to a minimum (of yourself and others)
You set goals and achieve goals.

Destroying self-esteem happens when:


You compare yourself to others.
You put yourself and others down
Drug abuse

Finally, what I would like to end off with is:
TIPS FOR BUILDING GOOD SELF ESTEEM


Identify with people that build your self esteem
Build others - give sincere compliments often
Think positively
Set and achieve goals
Do something challenging every day
Look your best
Eat correctly
Do something for someone else
Learn a new skill
"Act as if" you possess traits you would like to have e.g. confidence
Handle things one at a time
Use criticism constructively
Ask for help - take advantage of learning experiences
Improve your personal living space (clean up, declutter etc)
Allow patience and personal growth time
Post self improvement messages or reminders in obvious places
Do not say negative things about yourself
Reward yourself
List your accomplishments each evening
Volunteer to share your skills with others


Find me on Facebook on Nutrition Through Science or Fitnessfacts100

Monday, February 27, 2012

How to care for a Burn

Burns demolish skin, which can guide to us losing heat as well as losing significant bodily fluids.

Burn Accident
Plus, burns can make us susceptible to infection. While minor burns on fingers and hands are not terribly dangerous, burns on even relatively small areas of skin are capable of developing serious complications. If you think a burn of any type is significant, stop reading this and call 911 immediately.

For a video demonstration of burn treatments, watch How to Treat a Burn. To understand how deep burns look and what they do to skin.
1. Stop the burning process. Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes. Minor burns can be cooled with tap water over the sink. Don't be afraid to rinse bigger burns with a hose outside. Don't spray severe burns with high pressure, just let the water run over the burned area for as long as you can.

If an ambulance is coming, continue running water over the burned area until the ambulance arrives.

2. Look for blistering, sloughing, or charred (blackened) skin.
Blistering or sloughing (skin coming off) means the top layer of skin is completely damaged and infections are likely. Here is a picture of burned skin coming off.

If the blistered or charred skin is all the way around a wrist, arm, leg or ankle; if it covers most of a foot or hand; or if the blisters cover an area the size of the belly, call 911 immediately. Also call 911 if the burn is around the mouth, nose or eyes, or if the burn is on the genitalia.

3. Minor burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn ointment or spray to reduce pain. Ointments should be water soluble.

Cool water (not ice cold or warm) may also help with pain.

DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN! Butter or lard may feel cool because it comes out of the refrigerator, but the oils will trap heat and make the burn deeper over time.

4. Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a mild burn (typically redness only). If stronger pain relief is needed, call a doctor or go to the emergency department.

Tips:

1. While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.

2. Burns destroy skin and the loss of skin can lead to infection, dehydration and hypothermia (loss of body heat). Make sure that burn victims get emergency medical help if experiencing any of the following:
* dizziness or confusion
* weakness
* fever or chills
* shivering
* cold sweats

Thanks:firstaid.about.com

Halloween Costumes

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Polio Vaccine

Polio Introduction

Poliomyelitis (polio, for short) is a severe illness that can basis paralysis (when you can’t move your arms and legs) or even death.

Polio Vaccine

Polio is caused by a virus. The virus can be increase by drinking water with the polio virus in it. It can also be passed by close contact, such as kissing, with an infected person. Before the first polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s, thousands of children got polio every year. Fortunately, the use of the polio vaccine has made the disease very rare in most parts of the world.

How can polio be prevented?

You can keep your children from getting polio by making sure they get the polio vaccine.
What is the polio vaccine?

A vaccine is used to protect you from getting a disease. The polio vaccine, also called IPV, is given by injection (a "shot"). (It used to be given by drops in the mouth.)

When should my child be vaccinated?

Most children get 4 doses of polio vaccine on this schedule:

* First dose when they are 2 months old.
* Second dose when they are 4 months old.
* Third dose when they are 6 to 18 months old.
* Last dose when they are 4 to 6 years old.

Are there reasons not to get polio shots?

Your child should not get the polio shots if he or she is allergic to these medicines: neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin B.

What are the risks of the vaccine?

Most people have no problems. Some people will have some pain or redness where the shot was given. Vaccines carry a small risk of serious harm, such as a severe allergic reaction.

The polio vaccine doesn’t cause polio.

What if my child has a reaction to the vaccine?

If your child has any reaction after getting the polio vaccine, call your doctor as soon as possible. In addition, if your child gets hives (swelling, itching and a burning sensation of the skin), has problems breathing, or goes into shock (becomes weak, faint, cold, clammy and sweaty), call 911 or take your child to a hospital emergency room. Be sure to tell the doctors caring for your child the day and time your child received the vaccine. Ask your doctor to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form with the CDC, or you can do it yourself by calling 800-822-7967.

Thanks:familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/vaccine

Halloween Costumes

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Have a Look here before Getting A Knee Replacement

If knee pain continuously bothers you, the viewpoint of joint replacement surgery can be appealing.

knee replacement
In fact, a new study shows that more and more women younger than sixty are opting for knee replacements. Why the popularity? And are they a good idea? We get the scoop from top arthritis experts...

Knee osteoarthritis. It can start out as an occasional twinge that eventually becomes a constant pain, making it difficult to walk, stay active or just get through the day.

And when joint degeneration starts affecting your life, you may start thinking about surgery.

You’re not alone. Knee replacements have become increasingly common among younger women, according to a January 2012 Finnish study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Researchers at Helsinki University Central Hospital found that in Finland, the number of knee replacements in people ages 30-59 in 2006 was 130 times more than it was in 1980. And women had as many as 2.4 times more replacements than men.

The numbers jibe with American figures: More than 600,000 total knee replacements were performed in the U.S. in 2009, says an editorial accompanying the Finnish study co-written by Jeffrey N. Katz, M.D., professor of medicine and orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School.

The number has doubled since 1999, according to a February 2012 presentation to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which said that 5.3% of women and 4.1% of men over 50 currently have total knee replacements.

The fastest-growing age group was 45-64, Katz says.

Read on to learn what you need to know about knee replacements.
Knee Replacement Fact #1: Why They’re Becoming More Popular
Joint replacement surgery is so popular, experts say, because of reasons that include:

Technological advances. Surgeons have become more comfortable performing these operations on younger people.

“Thirty years ago, surgeons wouldn’t do knee replacements in people under 60,” says Douglas Garland, M.D., medical director for orthopedics at MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California.

But now, “our equipment is better, and we don’t worry about [knee replacements] wearing out like we did 30 years ago.”

In the past, knee replacements used cement that commonly broke down, but today’s metal and ceramic parts are more durable, he says.

In fact, 90%-95% of knee replacements now last 15 years or longer, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Osteoarthritis strikes at an earlier age. Younger women are developing arthritis pain, possibly because of the strain of carrying extra pounds, Garland says.

Nearly two-thirds of American women are overweight or obese, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Obesity is the No. 1 cause of knee osteoarthritis,” he says. “And the younger and fatter you are, the earlier your joints will wear out.”

Each step puts a force on your knee equal to six times your body weight, Garland says. So gaining 10 pounds adds 60 pounds of pressure to the joint.

Women have worse knee problems than men. That’s partly because estrogen plays a role in the laxity, or looseness, of joint ligaments, researchers say. They point to rising levels of the hormone during pregnancy, which allows pelvic ligaments to loosen for childbirth.

“[Women] have a laxity in the joints [related to] estrogen, and less muscle mass than men,” Garland says. “So their joint is less stable than a man’s.”

That makes women more prone to micro-trauma – tiny injuries to the bone – which is the second-leading cause of knee osteoarthritis, Garland says.

Baby boomers want to stay active. That means older adults are suffering more activity-related knee injuries that increase arthritis risk, says rheumatologist Nathan Wei, M.D., director of the Arthritis Treatment Center in Frederick, Md. At the same time, they’re more willing than previous generations to have joint replacement surgery if they think it will keep them going.

“Boomers have a sense of entitlement to a more active lifestyle,” he says. “They’re not going to let something [like knee pain] stand in their way.”

A lack of other choices. When it comes to knee pain, there’s isn’t much that can be done between conservative treatment – such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections – and the more drastic joint replacement surgery, Wei says.

“Nothing fills in the gap,” he adds. “Until we have something, like stem cells, that’s proven to regenerate cartilage and prevent [the need for surgery], we’re going to continue to see a surge of knee replacements in active people.”
Knee Replacement Fact #2: You May Be Able to Prevent It
If you want to prevent or postpone joint replacement surgery, there are steps you can take now:

Drop pounds. “Weight loss may help avert severe osteoarthritis,” Katz says.

Not only does added body weight put extra pressure on your knees, the fat tissue itself secretes protein messengers called adipokines that stimulate inflammation, Wei says.

People with knee osteoarthritis who lost 11.4%of their body weight experienced nearly 50% less pain, according to 2011 research at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Exercise. “I give patients a simple formula: Good medications, ideal weight and regular exercise equal good-feeling knees,” Wei says.

If you’ve never exercised, he advises starting out just a minute or two a day, then building up gradually. Incorporate three types of exercise: cardio (aerobic exercise that increases your heart rate), strength training and stretching.

Women with the strongest thigh muscles were 50% less likely to develop knee pain compared with those with the weakest, a 2009 University of Iowa study found.

“You need to do some type [of exercise] every day, working up to as much as you feel comfortable with,” Wei says. “Make sure it’s a habit, like brushing your teeth.”

Garland advises his patients to walk 20-30 minutes every day to strengthen the muscles in their legs and knees.

“And if you want to lose weight, walk for an hour,” he says.

But avoid high-impact exercises like jogging or basketball, which can make knee pain worse, Wei warns.

If you like tennis, play doubles, Garland suggests. “You’re not [twisting] the knees as much.”

You can find exercises designed specifically to strengthen the knees on the AAOS’ website.

Also, check out 5 Pain-Relieving Arthritis Exercises.
Knee Replacement Fact #3: It May Not Be Permanent
Knee replacements don’t necessarily last a lifetime. At some point you may need another operation, known as a “revision.”

“If we look at people who’ve had knee replacements for 10 years, 95% have had no problem,” Garland says. “But right now, we really don’t know the lifespan of knee replacements.”

The need for a second replacement is greater among younger women.

“Rates of failure leading to revision in younger patients are two-fold higher than in older patients,” says Elena Losina, Ph.D., associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Orthopaedic and Arthritis Center for Outcomes Research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

That’s because they run a greater risk that the first implant will fail – and, of course, they have more time to outlive the first joint replacement, she says.
Knee Replacement Fact #4: You May Not Need a Total Replacement
In total knee replacements, all three “compartments” in the knee, which are formed where the various bones meet, are removed and replaced. But partial knee replacements – in which the surgeon removes and replaces only the damaged areas of knee cartilage in one compartment – are also increasingly common.

In the short term, a partial replacement is more likely to make it easier for you to do things like climb stairs or kneel.

“Partial knee [replacement] may have better functional outcome and earlier recovery after surgery,” says Jarkko Leskinen, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland and lead author of the Finnish study.

But it’s also more likely to require a second operation, or revision, than a total knee replacement. And at that point, the joint is likely not to function as well as it would have after a single total replacement operation.

Talk to your doctor about which kind of surgery is best for you.
Knee Replacement Fact #5: How to Care for Your Knee
If you do opt for joint replacement surgery, here's how to make your knee last as long as possible:

Stay at a fighting weight. The same things that prevent knee osteoarthritis from getting worse also slow down the wear on your replacement, Garland says.

“If you’re 50 and overweight, your risk of revision will be high,” he says. “[But] if you can maintain a near-ideal body weight, that’s the best thing you can do for your joint.”

Keep leg muscles strong. “Good muscle tone [is also important] to avoid another joint replacement,” Garland says.

Many joint replacement programs, including the one at MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center, get patients up and walking the same day of surgery, he says.

Physical therapy can help, he adds. Following surgery, “we start an outpatient therapy program on machines so patients can start building their muscles back.”

But skip leg squats and lunges. “Deep knee bending isn’t good for the knee, before surgery or after,” he says. “It’s hard on the joints.”

Avoid triathlons. Physical activity is important to overall health, but when it comes to knee replacements, moderation is key, says Losina, who co-wrote with Katz the editorial in Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Thanks: news.peacefmonline.com/health/201202

Halloween Costumes

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Clothes That Monitor Health

health and cloth
A new scrap could one day watch a person's fitness using minuscule sweat model. The square is being urbanized by Biotex, a grouping of European explore institutes and companies, including the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM).

Most clothing designed for health monitoring focuses on physiological measurements, such as body temperature and heart rate. This is one of the first attempts to continuously analyze biochemical signals using clothing. The team employed a novel approach for monitoring: a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic yarns woven together to channel the sweat to the sensors. By utilizing natural attraction and repulsion actions to move the sweat, the method also circumvents the need for additional power sources, which would add bulk to such a device and make it less convenient for everyday use.

Once the fabric has directed a few milliliters of sweat into the patch, the sensors determine the amount of potassium, chloride, or sodium present. Measuring these electrolytes can provide insight into a person's metabolism. By comparing the electrolyte amounts to reference measurements, such a system could indicate if the user is overexerting herself or stressed, says Jean Luprano, project coordinator at the CSEM.

Once the tiny reservoirs are full of sweat, the user throws away the chemical part of the patch, which is about 5 to 10 square inches. The patch-embedded band or shirt can be washed, and the monitoring electronics reused.

Thanks:technologyreview.in

Halloween Costumes

Tom Hardy workout routine



Scope out this new video of Inception actor Tom Hardy training with Patrick Monroe, aka P-Nut, for his role in 2008’s biopic Bronson.

The 32-year-old British actor piled on 40 pounds of muscle to fill the giant frame of “the most violent prison in Britain” Charles Bronson. If you missed it, Tom and Pnut recently talked a bit about training for Inception and Tom’s other movie, Warrior.

In the film Tom has traps that make him look very scary and you presume are the result of shrugging a small elephant for days on end. In the Tom Hardy Warrior workout he did not lift excessively heavy. In actual fact what he did do was lift often. In training he would exercise on average 3-4 times a day. Obviously he couldn’t lift really heavy as your body would just not be able to recover.

When looking at the fundamentals it’s quite easy to see how lifting often can stimulate muscle growth. The body will adapt to changes placed on it. If you take on the Tom hardy warrior workoutand lift 4 times a day, putting repeated stress and muscle stimulation, the bodies natural response is to increase muscle mass.

All of Tom’s workouts were done in a no rest routine of three exercises.



Tom Hardy Warrior Workout Routine 1

His first routine involves working the chest and shoulders. The set ranges from 10 reps to 7 reps and then a final set of 5 reps. The exercises are ones you can easily do at home, with the first being a set of press ups, standard width. The next exercise is a lateral shoulder fly. Using light weight dumbbells start at your hips and then with move them vertically to your shoulders. The final exercise is a dip, this can be done on the edge of a chair. Put your hands by your side while sitting on the chair straighten your legs and then move your bum off the chair and lower yourself until you elbows are at 90 degrees then push yourself back up. A very simple routine and remember in the tom hardy warrior workout you have now breaks between each set, keep it intense.



Tom Hardy Warrior Workout Routine 2


His second routine involves working the core to give those chiselled abs. The rep ranges and rules still apple from routine 1. The first exercise is a sit up with straight legs. Moving onto a leg raise. Keeping your shoulders on the ground and your legs straight raise your legs to your chest in a controlled manner. The final ab exercise is a crunch with your feet 6 inches from the floor.



Tom Hardy Warrior Routine 3

In his final routine he worked his biceps and forearms, again in the same fashion as in routine’s 1 and 2. Starting with a basic set of bicep curls with the elbow fixed at your side. Moving onto a forearm exercise in which you place your forearm on a bench and have your wrist at the end and you flex your wrist while holding a dumb bell to exercise the forearm. Finally he finished of the exercise with a set of preacher curls.



In the Tom hardy warrior workout it’s important to remember tom was also doing fighting training as well. It’s easy to notice there are no legs workouts mentioned here, he worked his legs primarily while performing his fighting training.



Building muscle quickly

Everybody wants to build muscle but unfortunately there just isn't that much time in the day for many people. Because of this it seems everybody is hunting for the ultimate solution to building muscle quickly and unfortunately there just isn't an answer at this time. Each person's body builds muscle in a unique way so there just isn't a single one workout fits all approach that can be used by everyone.



Many people believe that simply loading up on protein is the best way to build muscle; in many cases that is a very quick way to go about it but only if your body reacts in a positive way to the protein boost. It's also important to consider the type of workout or weight lifting you are doing too; many weightlifting routines simply aren't effective at building certain muscles and as a result they are probably wasting your time.



If you want to find out what the quickest and most effective way for you to build muscle then there are really only two options. The most basic way to determine this is to simply try a variety of workout routines and diets until you find one that works as quickly as you desire. Obviously this could take quite a few attempts and in the process you could waste weeks or months; eventually however you will in fact find the most effective method for you to continue using. The other alternative is to consult a professional trainer or workout advisor that will be able to help pinpoint exactly what you need to do to accomplish the things you want to accomplish. Probably the biggest downside to this is that it can be very costly and the results still aren't guaranteed to happen immediately. As long as you're willing to work patiently and diligently with a trainer you will eventually be able to build muscle quickly and effectively using a finely tuned diet and workout regimen that your trainer worked out.



In the end it really all comes down to expectation. If you are hoping to become incredibly buff in a few short weeks then basically any diet or workout plan you try is going to provide results that are below your expectation. However, if you go into your workout with the hopes of finding a completely attainable goal then you'll likely be able to find a method that does in fact work well for you. No matter what anybody tells you online there just isn't any incredibly fast way to build muscle so you'll need to be patient and diligent with your workout methods. Eventually things will start to work out for you as long as you are patient and keep actively working on your muscle building plan. Most important you should always consult a trainer or expert about your workout plan in order to make sure everything is safe and healthy; there is no sense in risking your well being just to build a little bit of extra muscle.



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Mobile World Congress 2012 -MWC12 Parties and Events List









BARCELONA- Mobile fever is about to take over the city of Barcelona as we head into those crucial couple of weeks before the mobile kermesse of the Congress kicks off once again.



There are literally hundreds of networking parties and events being planned during the MWC week -too many to mention in one blog post, so here are some of the most popular ones below (courtesy of Lisa Whelan):






Sunday, 26 February, 2012:



  • About: “The seventh annual Mobile Sunday – the now classic meet-up of mobile influencers, developers, investors and entrepreneurs will be taking place in Barcelona on the eve of this year’s Mobile World Congress.”

  • Time: 26 February, 2012: 7pm CET

  • Location: City Hall, Rambla de Catalunya 2-4, 08002 Barcelona (right next to the Plaça Catalunya)

  • RSVP: Required. Please register here.

  • Cost: Attending Mobile Sunday is free. Registration required.




  • About: “GoMo  News will be hosting a lounge with the fabulous mobile advertising company Lumata on February 26th from 8pm at Mobile World Congress.  This is an invitation only event and is only for mobile marketers or highly connected gurus. It is going to be relaxed and chilled an ideal opportunity to do network ahead of the show with “same page” individuals.  If you would like an invite – please email bena at: benagomogmailcom”

  • Time: 8:00-11:00pm

  • Location: Provided with invitation.

  • RSVP: This is an invitation only event and is only for mobile marketers or highly connected gurus. It is going to be relaxed and chilled an ideal opportunity to do network ahead of the show with “same page” individuals.  If you would like an invite – please email bena at: benagomogmailcom

  • Cost: Free



Monday, 27 February, 2012:



  • About: “Don’t miss your chance to witness the best of the best from the AppCircus 2011 World Tour –  46 winners from 30 countries will take part at this year’s Mobile Premier Awards on February 27th.  You will have a rare chance to meet developers from all over the world competing for the best app of the year. The competition is the largest open and global cross-platform app competition in the mobile industry, it provides the point of reference for the startup and developer community during Mobile World Congress. Why attend?

    • Discover up and coming apps from all over the world

    • Learn how the app business ticks by watching our international jury of experts analyzing the apps live on stage

    • Profit from great networking opportunities  with an audience made up of developers, industry experts, investors”



  • Time: 4:00-8:00pm

  • Location: SALA APOLO, C/ Nou de la Rambla 113, 08004 Barcelona (a jewel of the classic dance hall design!)

  • RSVP: Sign up here.

  • Cost: Free! Registration required.




  • About: “After The Mobile Premier Awards – We aim to Party!  … and you’re invited! Come celebrate with us (from 8.30pm till midnight) at the AppCircus party supported by Mozilla; in the Beautiful Sala Apolo, Barcelona – a jewel of classic dance hall design.  Unwind, mingle and do your thing to some great music! Enjoy the hosted bar, delicious tapas, and be prepared for some live entertainment surprises!”

  • Time: 8:00pm – 11:30pm

  • Location: SALA APOLO, C/ Nou de la Rambla 113, 08004 Barcelona (a jewel of the classic dance hall design!)

  • RSVP: Registration is required, sign up here.

  • Cost: Free! Registration required.




  • About: “Join us for the Mobile Marketing Mixer powered by Smaato and sponsored by Adfonic, Celtra, Mobile Marketing Magazine and Poynt.  Come out and start Mobile World Congress with the first night out in a proper way!  Join us at the lovely and legendary Incognito Bar in Barcelona – we will have great drinks, open bar and the most important thing – fun people like you the whole night long!”

  • Time: 6:30-11:00pm

  • Location: Incognito Bar, Calle Fusina 6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

  • RSVP: Required here.

  • Cost: Free




  • About: “New this year! Join the GSMA for casual “Networking by Moonlight” events at the Magic Fountain.  Included in all passes at no additional cost, these events provide attendees the opportunity to network and enjoy drinks & light bites before their evening plans. In addition to the spectacular fountain display, entertainments will include music and a stunning aerial dance performance taking place right over the audience.  Whether you stop by for a few moments before leaving the venue or stay until your dinner plans begin, don’t miss this fun opportunity to network with fellow attendees! More details coming soon.”

  • Time: TBA

  • Location: TBA

  • RSVP: TBA

  • Cost: Free for MWC pass holders.



Tuesday, 28 February, 2012:



  • About: “Velti is the headline sponsor of The GoMo News BlenderFebruary 28th 2012 at Mobile World Congress.  Diffusion PR will sponsor the cocktails and the event will be a full on get down and excited about mobile marketing event.  If you are in mobile, keep your tie on; get your business cards out and make sure you do some great business!  We look forward to welcoming you to our open bar!  We start at 6pm local time!”

  • Time:  6:00-11:00pm

  • Location: Marmalade Bar Barcelona, Riera Alta 4-6, 08001 Barcelona Barcelona, Spain

  • RSVP: Register here.

  • Cost: Free



Wednesday, 29 February, 2012:



  • About: “We’re holding another one of our famous parties in a great new venue on the Wednesday night of MWC. Be sure to register now to get on the list — you won’t want to miss out on the great crowd and networking, free food and drinks, and of course, JAMEOKE. And this year the WIP party meets the Android Barcelona User Group!  One more year Mobile World Congress is coming and Android Barcelona User Group is ready for the Android party. This year inside the WIP party, join the Android corner to meet  all the major players of the Android ecosystem as well local developers.”

  • Time: 7:00-10:00pm

  • Location: Museu del Rock, 4th floor, Arenas de Barcelona (the big round btilding across the Plaza from MWC), Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373-385, local PC2 CP08015 Barcelona

  • RSVP: Register here.

  • Cost: Free. Registration required.




  • About: “Like our previous events, this is a relaxed evening, no formalities, no presentations, no business cards thrust in your face as soon as you arrive. Just come whth an open mind, be prepared to see friends old and new, talk nonsense, enjoy a drink or five and have yourself a good time. Oh, and leave the ties, the corporate personas and the sales spiel at the door please. The Swedish Beers crew will be on hand – Helen, Jenny, Gabriel, Shafiq, Cat, Sarah, Russell – and the friendliest bar staff in town are all waiting to welcome you.It is likely to get a bit busy at times. But don’t worry, people will be coming in and out all evening. That’s kind of the point as we know there’s always a lot going on and you might want to check out more than one party. If it’s very busy, there’s no need to queue to get in. Just check out one of the other bars nearby and come back a little later when it’s a bit less frantic.”

  • Time: 7:00pm-2:00am

  • Location: Dos Trece, 40 Carrer Carme, Barcelona, Spain

  • RSVP: No need to RSVP unless you want to. There’s no guest list, no tickets and there’s no guaranteed entry. Just come and go as you please.

  • Cost: Free



Thursday 1 March, 2012:



  • About: “You are invited to the second MLOVE @ MWC the final after work party!  So let’s paint the town RED and maybe even dance the night away, please check-in to reserve your space in the cool Incognito club in the hip El Born neighborhood.  SURPRISE:  We are preparing a launch of a new service together with TREND ONE that night – please stay tuned.  SPONSORED by Mobile Marketing Magazine & TrendOne.  To become a sponsor for this exclusive party event, feel free to contact: sponsor@mlove.com.”

  • Time: 6:30pm – 2:00am

  • Location: Incognito Cocktail Bar, Calle Fusina 6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

  • RSVP: On Facebook.

  • Cost: Free