Sufferers of frequent migraine headaches often find them debilitating, and may even experienced nausea and extreme sensitivity to light during the attacks. Traditionally, pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin have been used in an attempt to mitigate the pain associated with migraines — often with poor results. But a researcher at Ohio State University Medical Center believes that magnetic pulses have the potential to “zap” the headache pain away.
Yosef Mohammed, MD, professor of neurology at Ohio State, recently presented the results of a study conducted using a small handheld device that produces pulses of magnetic energy designed to alleviate the symptoms of migraines. The device, called a transcranial magnetic stimulation device (TMS) produces pulses which interrupt the hyper activity of neurons found in the brains of migraine sufferers.
More and more, researchers believe that migraine headaches are brought on by an over “excitability” of brain neurons. The TMS device is used to calm this over-stimulation of neurons, relieving the effects of the migraine headache.
Yousef and his research team studied 201 migraine headache sufferers of various ages, gender and backgrounds. Some of the study’s participants took home a fully functioning TMS device; while others were unknowingly given a placebo device, which looked and sounded exactly like the real TMS, but produced no magnetic pulses.
The results of the study showed that participants who used the real TMS device to control migraine headache pain had far greater results than those using the “sham” device. Specifically, 39% of patients using the real machine were migraine free at least two hours after using the device — compared to only 22% of patients using the fake TMS, which produced no magnetic pulse at all. Additionally, migraine related symptoms such as sensitivity to light and nausea were decreased in the group using the real TMS device.
According to Dr. Yousef, the device works by interfering with nerve cells in the area of the brain associated with migraines. Because migraines can be caused by a hyper-excitability of nerve cells which spread from one cell to the next like a chain reaction, the goal of the TMS device is to interrupt the process, bringing brain neuron activity back down to normal levels — and in theory, reducing migraine headache symptoms.
The Ohio State study was funded by Nueralieve, a medical research company which plans to seek FDA approval to market the TMS device to the public as a non-medicinal migraine headache therapy. If the device is approved, it could represent a quantum leap forward for chronic migraine sufferers, providing a safe and drug-free remedy for an age-old problem.
Related Directory Categories:
More and more research continues to pour in that suggests that plain old vitamin D may be more important to our health and longevity than previously thought. A new study conducted in Austria found that people with a deficiency of vitamin D in their bloodstream or more likely to die (of any health-related cause) than others.
The Austrian study is just the latest in a growing volume of research suggesting that vitamin D has tremendous health benefits, and is instrumental in protecting against heart related problems, cancer, and even tuberculosis. The researcher in charge of the study, Dr Harald Dobnig of the University of Graz in Austria, is quoted by Reuters as saying, “this is the first association study that shows a vitamin D affects mortality regardless of the reason for death.”
The most common source of vitamin D is sunshine. The skin naturally synthesizes vitamin D when exposed to the sun. Vitamin D can also be found in fish, milk and other foods, but in smaller amounts. Approximately 10 minutes out in the sun is enough for most people to absorb a healthy daily dosage of vitamin D. Fair skinned individuals may need even less time in the sun, as their skin pigment tends to be more efficient at producing vitamin D.
Recent studies by Harvard University Medical Center and other esteemed organizations have shown the health benefits of vitamin D. The research suggests it can protect against arterial and heart disease, as well as cancer, tuberculosis and even diabetes. Researchers in the United States are even claiming that vitamin D can extend the lives of individuals affected by colon or rectal cancer, regardless of their prognosis.
With all the good news being reported about the benefits of vitamin D, many doctors in the United States are calling on the FDA to raise the recommended daily allowance (RDA) from 400 units to 1500 units or more.
The recent Austrian study provides evidence that this simple RDA change could save many lives; it found that the risk of death was twice as high for those with low levels of vitamin D in their blood, even when other factors such as pre-existing heart conditions, daily exercise and environmental factors were accounted for.
A growing number of doctors now believe it is important to have between 20 and 30 ng per milliliter of vitamin D in the bloodstream on a daily basis. This is especially important for people who live in low-sunlight northern latitudes, and those who work indoors and do not get sufficient natural sunlight on a daily basis.
Researchers say it is not clear how vitamin D protects against cancer, high blood pressure, and other illnesses; but it is becoming increasingly evident that getting plenty of vitamin D (even from supplement tablets) is one of the best ways to increase overall health and longevity.
Related Directory Categories:
If you’ve ever been in a bathroom with a new PVC shower curtain you may have noticed a strong and unusual chemical smell. The Center for Health Environment and Justice (CHEJ) has just released a report claiming that PVC shower curtains release an excessive amount of toxic chemicals that may pose a serious health risk.
The nonprofit CHEJ published a report last week, which suggests that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtains can be harmful to humans when first unpacked, and the dangerous compounds continue to fill the air for more than a month. PVC shower curtains are sold by all major retail outlets in North America, including Target, Sears, Kmart and Wal-Mart, and are used by millions of Americans every day.
In a 44 page report, the CHEJ outlined the results of scientific research conducted to determine the toxicity of PVC shower curtains. The study used curtains purchased from a variety of outlets, including Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and Wal-Mart. The results of the study indicated that PVC curtains carry a variety of chemical compounds known to pose health risks to humans.
The shower curtains were tested both for the concentration of chemical compounds inherent in the PVC, and volatile organic compounds that are present when the plastic shower curtains are unwrapped and used. The report specified that more than 108 potentially harmful organic compounds were present in the PVC curtains, and traces of them were still detectable in the surrounding air 28 days later. Many of the compounds in question have been linked to reproductive diseases, cancer, and central nervous system disorders.
The study also determined that a warm and humid environment (like most bathrooms) further promoted the release of the harmful compounds, resulting in abnormally high levels of toxic chemicals present in the air after the shower has been used.
But not all scientists agree with the report by the CHEJ. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has so far withheld passing judgment on the PVC curtains, despite immense pressure from the CHEJ and other consumer protection organizations. Consumer advocates have charged that the government is playing politics with the health of the public by refusing to ban PVC shower curtains out right.
But even without a full-on ban, many retailers are voluntarily pulling PVC shower curtains from their shelves. IKEA, for example, has begun phasing out the sale of PVC curtains and replacing them with environmentally friendly alternatives.
As consumer pressure mounts, the government may finally be forced to take action and ban the curtains. In the meantime, several consumer protection organizations are recommending that individuals do not buy the curtains, and replace any PVC shower curtains already in their home.
Most people tend to equate watching the news with being intelligent. So the theory goes, if you are an intelligent, thoughtful person, you will surely want to be kept up-to-date on news, politics, business and cultural happenings in the world.
But the problem with this theory is that, more often than not, we tend to be inundated with an overabundance of news stories and updates, the majority of which are predominantly negative, and by nature stress-inducing.
A new research study from Sweden demonstrates that young adults tend to experience news fatigue and are overwhelmed with information from news outlets. Yahoo news is reporting that the study found the news consumption habits of young adults to be significantly different from other generations.
Particularly, the news consumption habits of 18 to 34 year-old adults were analyzed by the researchers. Participants in the study came from the United States, India and Great Britain and were from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The study was funded by the Associated Press, which is seeking a new model to present news media to young adults in the digital age.
The results of the study were in some ways surprising; young adults were looking for more detail and in-depth analysis in news reports. Simultaneously, it was discovered that most young adults tend to access news while performing other activities, such as carrying on conversations, or checking their e-mail, and can easily feel overwhelmed with to much non-necessary information. The study noted that this represents a major shift from previous models of news consumption, where individuals sat down specifically to watch the evening news or to read the day’s paper.
The new study also suggested that news media outlets must compete with a host of other activities, as young adults become more adept at multitasking, and have only limited time to access the news.
But even though younger adults rarely devote their undivided attention to the news, they still demand a great deal of detail and analysis in their news stories. While this may seem like a contradiction on the surface, researchers are looking at ways in which the most important details and analysis of a news event can be listed quickly at the top of an article.
The use of bullet points and other lists which have become so popular online, could also provide a new model for presenting the news in both the print media and broadcast and cable television.
The bottom line is that younger adults want more in-depth news coverage, but presented in a more user-friendly manner, which enables them to get the information they need quickly. Without being overwhelmed with extraneous information and endless updates.
A new study has examined the effectiveness of Massachusetts’ new statewide health care program and found that, overall, the program was meeting its specified goals. Currently, approximately 95% of Massachusetts taxpayers have health insurance, a higher percentage than any other state in the nation.
Massachusetts instigated the new statewide health care plan in 2006, and by law all Massachusetts citizens were required to purchase health insurance by July of 2007, excepting only those living below the poverty level or otherwise unable to afford coverage.
The study found that in 2007, approximately 2% of Massachusetts taxpayers (or 62,000 people) did not earn enough to be required to purchase health care. Another 3% were fined by the state for failing to purchase health insurance without obtaining a hardship waiver.
The program has so far been a great success. The rate of uninsured citizens dropped by well over 50% after the new health-care law was passed. Additionally, the study found that residents are paying less in so-called “out-of-pocket” health care expenses, and noted that low income adults in particular are more likely to get regular checkups under the new program.
Although Massachusetts universal health care has the greatest effect on the poor, the research shows that the new law is also having a positive effect on wealthier citizens. Even among families earning 200,000 or more annually, there was a small decline in the number of uninsured individuals.
For the poorest Massachusetts citizens who cannot afford to purchase health insurance, a new subsidized program has been created to help ensure that everyone gets covered. While the goal of covering 100% of Massachusetts citizens has not been reached yet, the study’s authors concluded that it was “a very positive first year” for the ambitious program.
While California and other states are considering similar programs, both of the Democratic nominees for president, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are pushing for a national universal health care program, similar to the one already in place in Massachusetts.
The positive impact of the Massachusetts program during its first year may help to turn the nation’s attention to the importance of universal health care, and perhaps more importantly, prove that universal health care can be provided efficiently and economically, without jeopardizing the quality of services.
European nations, and even our Canadian neighbors, have had universal health care programs in place for decades. And many of these programs, particularly those of the Scandinavian countries, offer the highest quality of healthcare, and very reasonable out-of-pocket co-payments to citizens.
The United States is finally poised to join the rest of the industrialized world in creating a “more perfect union,” where every individual is guaranteed access to health care– and progressive states like Massachusetts are leading the way.
The popular prescription drug known as Chantix has been linked to a series of traffic accidents, according to the Los Angeles Times. Chantix is prescribed to help smokers kick the habit, but several users of the medication have reported unusual symptoms, such as eyes rolling back in the head, and “blanking out” while driving like an animal caught in the headlights.
Last week, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices said that Chantix has been linked to over 20 recent driving accidents, and reported their findings to the Food and Drug Administration. The Institute theorizes that possible side effects from the drug can be causing a type of seizure in patients which affects driving skills.
The FDA has already issued a warning concerning Chantix, claiming that the medication can cause suicidal thoughts and behavior. The administration is now considering whether it’s warning about the medication should be strengthened. The makers of Chantix, the Pfizer pharmaceutical company, have added a warning on the medication to exercise caution while driving until the patient can ascertain how the medication will affect them.
But Pfizer’s own warning, along with those by the FDA and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has gone mostly unnoticed by doctors, who continue to prescribe the stop-smoking drug in record numbers.
Until last week, Chantix was even approved for commercial pilots and is still considered OK for long-haul truckers, though the FDA admits that this is a problem. The military, on the other hand, has banned Chantix for its flight and missile crews, and is considering whether to extend this ban to all military personnel, according to the Pentagon.
Chantix was approved by the FDA in 2005. It helps smokers gradually quit by blocking the pleasure receptors that receive nicotine in the brain. This has the effect of reducing cravings for nicotine, and gradually weaning the patient off of cigarettes altogether.
Although there is no doubt that any medication that helps people quit smoking is useful, and can potentially save lives; it is also important to assess the risk involved in using the drug. After all, quitting smoking doesn’t really improve your health if you’re involved in a fatal car accident!
For now, Pfizer is still selling Chantix, and it continues to be the most popular anti-smoking medication on the market. But the FDA is making it clear that doctors need to be very careful when prescribing the drug, and patients may need to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while using Chantix.
It’s been known since the ancient times that our state of mind affects our physical health to some degree; but recent studies have shown that our “thinking habits” are more responsible for good health than most people realize. Case in point: a new study quoted in the Washington Post indicates that pregnant mothers with elevated stress levels are more likely to give birth to a child with asthma or allergy problems.
The studies author, Roslyn Wright, from Harvard Medical School and a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that stress made women more vulnerable to allergens, so that even exposure to a relatively low level of allergens could cause a major reaction in highly stressed individuals.
Even worse, the study found that pregnant women experiencing a great deal of stress could also pass down a compromised immune system to their newborn babies. The study followed the pregnancies of 315 women, and used standardized stress inventory questionnaires to determine the women’s general state of mind.
The result of the study indicated that mothers with three or more stress factors (as reported on a standardized questionnaire) had a 12% greater chance of giving birth to a child with elevated levels of IgE in their blood, which is typical of children who develop asthma and allergies later in life, though there can also be other factors.
The researchers involved in the study caution pregnant women to not be overly concerned about the correlation between stress during pregnancy and asthma or allergies in children. In fact, in some ways it is counterproductive for expectant mothers to even know that their stress levels can affect the health of their unborn child.
Think about it: an expectant mother might read about the new research and immediately began to worry that she might harm her child’s health if she becomes anxious or stressed — but by worrying about this she is doing the exact thing that causes the problem in the first place, so it is a bit of a Catch-22 situation.
Rather than increase the problem by worrying about worrying, many doctors are suggesting that pregnant mothers use relaxation exercises, meditation and yoga during pregnancy to help them keep a sunny disposition, while avoiding stress-inducing situations, high-drama television programs and even awkward conversations with family members.
And it’s not just pregnant women that can benefit from adjusting their attitude — more and more research is demonstrating that stress and anxiety are strong contributors to many diseases and disorders. So when it comes to taking care of your health, the golden rule seems to be, “take care of your state of mind first — your body will follow.”
For many people, one of the most annoying aspects of growing older is the prospect of a failing memory. With the American population “graying,” and the baby boomer generation becoming senior citizens, there is a huge interest these days in keeping the brain alert and active, and preventing the onset of dementia or just plain old “senior moment” forgetfulness.
With this in mind, many software manufacturers are pouring research money into exercises and programs to keep the mind sharp and the memory intact. Research has consistently shown that human memory is a “use it or lose it” proposition. We either continue to exercise our cognitive functions, or they decline.
New studies also suggest that the human brain is more agile and “plastic” than once thought, meaning that cognitive function can be improved greatly with consistent exercise, the same way that muscle tone can be improved by working out at the gym.
With millions of baby boomers now reaching the age where they are concerned about the effects of aging, the market for brain health programs and products is a huge one indeed. Nintendo has jumped on the bandwagon by introducing their “Brain Age” video game, which uses progressively more complex math and memory exercises to develop and improve cognitive ability, including memory function.
Other companies aren’t far behind; MindFit is a software program combining over a dozen “thinking exercises” and cognitive skill assessment in a highly personalized training environment. The program measures current cognitive function, and lays out a clear plan for improving memory, spatial thinking and creativity.
These types of software programs and web sites will likely become more and more popular over the next few decades as the boomer generation ages. And when you consider that the physical training industry sells for approximately $16 billion a year in the United States, it’s easy to see how “cognitive fitness” could also be a huge moneymaking industry in the next few years.
Already, experts claim that “cognitive fitness” related products and software are growing in popularity by approximately 50% annually. Sales in this sector are expected to be as high as $2 billion per year over the next seven years.
With so much money at stake, it is inevitable that we will begin seeing dozens of new products, software and services designed to “work out” the brain. And with research continuing to show the value of exercising the mind on a daily basis, it may not be long before cognitive training sessions become as common as going to the gym for work out.
Due to respecting the wishes of the West family, plastic surgeon, Jan Adams walked off of an interview with Larry King on November 20, 2007. The show began with a panel of editors for daily tabloid and celebrity magazines discussing Donda West, her charitable nature, and her funeral and all rallied around Kanye West and his family. The family is requesting that media attention be diverted from Donda’s case. It is obvious that the family is in a deep time of mourning as Kanye West broke down on his last concert in Paris. The spotlight has shifted focus to Dr. Jan Adams as reports and suspicions are beginning to indicate that Donda West died as a result of plastic surgery procedures that were performed when Donda had not met previous health requirements.
Though people are respecting the West’s request and apparently Dr. Jan Adams received a letter from the West’s family attorney before he was set to speak on Larry King, the issues regarding the safety of plastic surgery must be addressed. Donda West died one day after having a tummy tuck and breast reduction. Reports are surfacing of other doctors declining to work on Donda because they feared that her health was not at a safe level to handle the surgeries. Apparently, Dr. Adams disagreed and went ahead with the surgery. The issue however stems to how many people are getting plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures and are at increased risk of serious adverse side effects and complications due to poor health.
With all of the television shows that feature dramatic before and after plastic surgery, more people than ever before are going under the knife in an effort to change their lives by improving their physical appearance. However, the television shows only show the best surgeries and of course, if there were any complications or problems, these are often edited out of the final show.
Any surgery has risks and complications. These may be a direct result from anesthesia or sedation. Some possible complications include stroke, heart attack, nerve damage, paralysis (temporary paralysis may occur until anesthesia or other drugs have worn off completely), abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots, brain damage, malignant hyperthermia, and obstruction of the airway. Blood loss may be a complication that may be indicated by low or dropping blood pressure.
A very serious complication is aspiration. Aspiration is vomiting after surgery and occurs when the vomit is pushed into the lungs. This can lead to many serious complications and may cause pneumonia. These complications are common with anesthesia and there are additional complications that pertain to cosmetic procedures alone. These include Necrosis or skin infections. This is often seen in smokers and is literally when the skin begins to die from infection or hematoma. Sometimes there may be errors in the surgery and these can result in asymmetry, dimples, and irregularities. This may be a result from poor healing or it can be the fault of the surgeon. It is critical that those who are contemplating plastic surgery are in good health. This means that for women they cannot take oral contraceptives, or take hormone replacement therapy, and in general patients must not be overweight, smokers, have a previous history of cancer, issues with blood clotting, or have experience recent injuries.
A little girl with eight limbs is undergoing forty hours of surgery. Lakshmi Tatma was born with four arms and four legs. The additional limbs are the result of a conjoined twin that failed to develop. The twin has no head, but does have a torso and limbs. There are nearly thirty surgeons who are undertaking the endeavor and working round the clock to give Lakshmi a chance at a normal life. However, the surgery is not without its risks, nor is it without controversy. You see, many villagers believe that Lakshmi is the reincarnation of the Hindu goddess for whom she was named.
Little Lakshmi was also born during the time of a Hindu holiday season.
In Sanskrit, Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and has four arms. When Lakshmi was born to her parents, many in the surrounding villages were convinced that not only was little Lakshmi the reincarnation of the goddess and they are not welcoming the news of the surgery. In fact, when news regarding Lakshmi spread throughout the village, many people brought gifts to bless the child. Unfortunately, some even tried to exploit her for money. Lakshmi’s parents were propositioned to display the little girl in the circus.
Though her parents admit that they do believe that Lakshmi is the reincarnated goddess and that they worshipped her as well, they also state that they want her to live a normal life, therefore they are adamant in regards to the surgery.
The surgeons will work in eight-hour shifts until the surgery is completed. In addition to the eight limbs, Lakshmi also has two stomachs, two chest cavities, and four kidneys. Doctors have stated that the most difficult aspect of the surgery will be operating on veins and blood vessels that both Lakshmi and her underdeveloped twin share.
Lakshmi’s health has not been the best. In fact, from the time she was born she has been very sick and has suffered from frequent infections. The surgery is vitally important, as the lifespan for those who are conjoined with a parasitic twin are not promising.
Her parents had been trying to find medical help for her since she was born, but they do not have much financial means. In fact, the doctors who are performing the marathon surgery on Lakshmi are working without pay. They have all volunteered for the job and are giving a great deal of their time in an effort to help Lakshmi.
The surgery is very risky, however the doctors are very optimistic regarding Lakshmi’s survival. There is a 20% chance that things could go drastically wrong and that they could ultimately lose Lakshmi, but so far the surgery is going well. The surgeons have reported that they have successfully removed the parasitic twin’s pelvis and are working on removing the additional limbs. The extra limbs have caused Lakshmi great distress and she is unable to stand or walk. The doctors are hoping that after the surgery she will be able to live a normal life.
Related Internet Directory Categories:
Comments