Medicine News Today

Understanding Liver Spots

2008-02-22T02:25:00.000-08:00

Liver spots are light brown patches of skin that commonly appear in people aged 40 and older. But they have nothing to do with the liver or liver function, the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) says.

Instead, these areas of increased pigmentation may be a normal result of aging, or exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light.

Liver spots are most often found on the backs of the hands, the forearms, shoulders, forehead, and elsewhere that is exposed to the sun, the NLM says.

Although they may be cosmetically unappealing, liver spots are harmless. Bleaching creams or lotions may help reduce their appearance, and freezing or laser treatments may destroy them, the NLM says.
Sourse - HealthDay News

Newborns tested for genectic disorders

2008-02-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

Good news for the nation's babies: Nearly 90 percent of newborns are getting tested for a host of rare but devastating genetic disorders.

Since 2004, specialists have urged that every U.S. newborn be checked for 29 conditions, to detect the few thousand who will need early treatment to avoid death, retardation or other serious problems.

The federal government hasn't issued national screening guidelines, but more states are following the advice on their own. As of June 1, 40 states required testing for more than 20 of those disorders, says a March of Dimes report issued Wednesday.

Having a male twin can reduce woman’s fertility

2008-02-22T02:19:00.000-08:00

Women who have a male twin are less likely to marry and have children, perhaps because of being exposed to their brother’s testosterone for nine months in the womb, researchers reported on Monday.

A study of Finnish twins showed that women were 25 percent less likely to have children if their twin was a male. Those who did have children gave birth to an average of two fewer babies than women who had a twin sister.

Based on an analysis of 18th and 19th century data, researchers found women who had a male twin also were 15 percent less likely to get married, Virpi Lummaa of the University of Sheffield in Britain and Finland’s University of Turku and colleagues reported.

Scientists shed new light on male infertility

2008-02-22T02:18:00.000-08:00

Scientists in Hong Kong and China have identified for the first time a protein in sperm from humans and from mice that could be responsible for many unexplained cases of male infertility.

Defective versions of the protein, called epithelial ion channel, have previously been reported to be responsible for female infertility.

Writing in the latest issue of the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences journal, the researchers said they detected the protein in sperm samples from mice and human subjects.

How to dispose of Rx drugs safely

2008-02-22T02:12:00.001-08:00

With the rise in prescription drug abuse, three federal agencies issued guidelines earlier this year for disposing of medications without harming the environment.

_Remove unused, unneeded or expired prescription drugs from their original containers.

_Mix prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, like used coffee grounds or cat litter, and put them in impermeable, nondescript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags.

_Throw containers in the trash.

_Don't flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless the accompanying patient information says specifically it is safe to do so.

_Return drugs to pharmaceutical take-back sites that allow consumers to return unused drugs for safe disposal.

Sources: White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency.

Thin people can be fat on the inside

2008-02-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

Some doctors now think that the internal fat surrounding vital organs like the heart, liver or pancreas — invisible to the naked eye — could be as dangerous as the more obvious external fat that bulges underneath the skin
According to the data, people who maintain their weight through diet rather than exercise are likely to have major deposits of internal fat, even if they are otherwise slim. “The whole concept of being fat needs to be redefined,” said Bell, whose research is funded by Britain’s Medical Research Council.

Without a clear warning signal — like a rounder middle — doctors worry that thin people may be lulled into falsely assuming that because they’re not overweight, they’re healthy.

Even people with normal Body Mass Index scores — a standard obesity measure that divides your weight by the square of your height — can have surprising levels of fat deposits inside

Still, most experts believe that being of normal weight is an indicator of good health, and that BMI is a reliable measurement.

Ulcer operation may be new way to treat obesity

2008-02-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

An old ulcer operation is getting new attention as a possible alternative obesity surgery: a quick snip of a nerve that helps control hunger.
It’s far from clear if cutting the vagus nerve really helps — initial pilot studies in a few dozen patients have just begun. Skeptics abound, and even proponents say it wouldn’t lead to nearly as much weight loss as more traumatic operations that shrink the stomach and reroute intestines.
More than 177,000 people underwent obesity surgery last year, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The most popular method is gastric bypass, stapling the stomach to create a tiny pouch. Options include placing an adjustable band around the stomach, or cutting off the stomach’s side and rerouting the intestines.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in seniors years

2008-02-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) develops slowly over many years sometimes before you notice symptoms such as “feeling short of breath.” Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. It can also be caused by breathing in lung irritants like pollutions, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is usually diagnosed in people 40 years old or older, and is a major cause of death and illness throughout the world. In the U.S.A., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the 4th leading cause of death. There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is not a contagious disease. Damage to airways and lungs cannot be reversed.

There are only things you can do to feel better and slow the damage to your lungs.

In a healthy person airways of the lungs are clear and open and the air sacs are small, elastic, and springy. In people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the airways and air sacs lose their shape and become floppy.

Causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:

Cigarette smoking (most common cause)
Breathing fumes and other pollutants that irritate and damage the lungs and airways
Pipe, cigar and other types of tobacco smoking can cause COPD especially if the smoke is inhaled.
People with a family history of COPD are more likely to get the disease if they smoke
Secondhand smoke plays a role in causing COPD
Frequent, severe lung infections in childhood may increase the risk for acquiring COPD later in life

Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease start years before the flow of air in and out of the lungs is reduced and include:

Cough with sputum production (most common is a cough that does not go away and coughing up lots of sputum)
Shortness of breath especially with exercise
Wheezing or whistling sound when you breathe
Tightness in the chest

It is important to note that not everyone who has a cough and sputum goes on to develop chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

A doctor looking for chronic pulmonary obstructive disease will examine you, listen to your lungs and ask you questions about your medical history. Physician questions will include what kind of lung irritants you may have been around for long periods of time and if you smoke.

A breathing test called “spirometry” may be used. It is painless and used to show how well your lungs work. Based upon this the spirometry test results, your doctor can determine if you have chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and just how severe it is. There are four levels of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease severity, they are:
People at risk for COPD
People with mild COPD
People with moderate COPD
People with severe COPD

Goals of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:

To relieve symptoms with no or minimal side effects from the treatments
To slow progress of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
To prevent complications from the disease
To improve overall health

The exact treatment plan for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be different for each person and is based on whether symptoms are mild, moderate or severe.

Treatments used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:
Medications such as bronchodilators that work by relaxing the muscles around the airways to open them up and make it easier to breathe. Bronchodilators are inhaled directly into the lungs via an inhaler
Pulmonary or lung rehabilitation
Oxygen treatment
Surgery
Treatments to manage complications or sudden onset of symptoms
Pneumococcal vaccine may be recommended to prevent pneumonia
Annual flu shot to avoid breathing complications from the flu

Surgery is usually done for patients with severe symptoms that do not improve from other types of

treatments, and have a hard time breathing most of the time. The two types of surgery that are considered in cases of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are:
A bullectomy to remove a large air sac that may compress a good lung
A lung transplant

Hospitalization may be needed if:
You have a lot of difficulty catching your breath
You have a hard time talking
Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray

What is Acne?

2008-02-21T09:02:00.001-08:00

As we all know, acne is a skin infection producing blackheads, whiteheads, spots or cysts that normally appear on the face, neck, back, chest and upper arms. If the acne is severe it can leave permanent scarring.
Acne hits at the worse time of a young person's life. Just when they are suddenly aware of the opposite sex and they are struggling to become independent individuals, their confidence is shattered by an eruption of pimples.

Merlot mouthwash? Wine can fight germs

2008-02-21T09:01:00.001-08:00

Drinking wine can maintain heart health, prevent cancer and even settle a mean case of diarrhea. Research now shows it’s also good for your teeth and throat.

According to a new study, a cocktail of compounds found in both red and white wine fights germs that can cause dental plaque as well as sore throats.

“Exposure to wine had a persistent antibacterial effect,” the authors wrote in their study, detailed in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Prior to their research, the authors said the effects of wine against germs found in the mouth hadn’t been studied.

Healthy Eating for Life for Women (eBook)

2008-02-21T09:00:00.001-08:00

By Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine,
Publisher: Wiley
Number Of Pages: 272
Publication Date: 2002-01-18

Book Description:
Eat your way to better health and well-being.
Making simple changes to your diet can significantly improve your health, from easing your menstrual and menopausal symptoms to strengthening your bones and protecting your heart. This book shows you how. Drawing from the latest medical and dietary research, Healthy Eating for Life for Women presents a complete and sensible plant-based nutrition program that will help you look and feel better, with more energy and vitality than ever before.

Women of all ages-daughters, mothers, and grandmothers-will be surprised to learn how what they eat affects so many aspects of their health. This guide explains how the right foods can ease menstrual and menopausal symptoms, strengthen bones, encourage weight loss, protect the heart, and even help prevent certain cancers. It includes 100 delectable recipes that make healthy eating simple for women and their families.

Health Tip: Endometriosis and Pregnancy

2008-02-21T08:59:00.001-08:00

Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium that lines the uterus attaches itself to organs outside the uterus. These implants continue to grow, causing abdominal pain and discomfort.

Other symptoms may include: painful menstruation or sexual intercourse, infertility, painful bowel movements, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, painful urination or lower back pain.

Although endometriosis can cause scar tissue that can make it difficult for some women to conceive, others have full-term, healthy pregnancies, the American Pregnancy Association says.

Proactive treatments have been successful in helping some women with endometriosis to become pregnant.

New "asthma gene" could lead to new therapies

2008-02-21T08:58:00.001-08:00

A gene that is strongly associated with a risk of developing childhood onset asthma was identified by an international team of scientists, whose findings are published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

In a genetic study of more than 2,000 children, scientists from the University of Michigan and colleagues from London, France and Germany found genetic markers that dramatically increase a child's risk for asthma.

These markers are located on chromosome 17, and children with this marker had higher levels of a new gene called ORMDL3 in their blood, which occurs in higher amounts in children with asthma. The presence of the disease-associated version of ORMDL3 increases the risk of asthma by 60-70 percent, the study suggests.

"In terms of an asthma gene, there have been quite a few reports but not one that can be clearly reproduced in samples," said Goncalo Abecasis from University of Michigan School of Public Health.
"I think eventually it will lead to new therapies because it points to a specific biological molecular pathway. Once we understand the biology and we know the players, it's possible to target with specific drugs."

Hunger protein links stress, obesity

2008-02-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

A neurotransmitter that acts as a central controller for appetite also regulates stress-induced obesity in the body's periphery, according to a paper in this month's Nature Medicine. The authors found that abdominal fat increased in stressed mice through the actions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and one of its receptors. Blocking this receptor's signaling prevented stress-induced obesity.

"It's really quite an important study, both from a basic point of view as well as for potential clinical applications," said Esther Sabban of New York Medical College in Valhalla, who was not involved in the work.

Students With Symptoms Of Mental Illness Often Don't Seek Help

2008-02-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

Studies show that the incidence of mental illness on college campuses is rising, and a new survey of 2,785 college students indicates that more than half of students with significant symptoms of anxiety or depression do not seek help.

This is despite the fact that resources are available at no cost on campus, said Daniel Eisenberg, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Eisenberg and doctoral students Sarah Gollust and Ezra Golberstein conducted the Web-based survey in an attempt to quantify mental health service use and factors associated with whether or not students seek help.

A study looking at the same issues at 12-15 universities nationwide will begin this fall, Eisenberg said.

For more on Eisenberg, see: http://www.sph.umich.edu/iscr/faculty/profile.cfm?uniqname=daneis

Osteoarthritis - Are You Preventing It?

2008-02-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

Prevention is extremely important with osteoarthritis.

It's much easier to prevent osteoarthritis than it is to treat it.

In my opinion, here is the biggest problem. As long as people are pain free they will see no reason to take preventive measures against it.

For example, how many times have you had back pain, and only once you get the back pain do you start to take notice of your posture.

It's the same with your joints. They get damaged before you feel it. Cartilage can be wearing away before you even get the slightest symptoms.

So, lets assume you're fairly active and you know your joints are being worked each day. You're aware that they are in need of protection so what can you do?

There are a number of things but by far the most important two are these:
1. Pacing Your Activity.
2. Nutrition. This one is really important. Without specific nutrition, the cartilage and other tissues in your joints will not be as healthy as they should be to start off with. For instance they will not be holding as much water in as they should for cushioning and they may not be as thick as they could be.

Secondly, the cartilage will not be repaired as well as it should be after wear or injury if the nutrients that provide the building blocks for it are not present in the body in large enough amounts.

A Little Daily Dark Chocolate Reduces Blood Pressure, New Study

2008-02-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

A new German study suggests that eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day could lower blood pressure without increasing weight or other health risks.

The study is published in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Eating large amounts of cocoa often increases other risk factors because of the higher intake of sugar, fat and calories. So the researchers, who are based at the University Hospital of Cologne, thought they would test the effects of a small daily portion of polyphenol-rich cocoa on blood pressure, since this should not increase the other risks.

The researchers recruited 44 adults aged from 56 to 73, comprising 24 women and 20 men, who had untreated upper range prehypertension (blood pressure ranging from 130/85 to 139/89) or stage 1 hypertension (140/90 to 160/100) to take part in the trial which lasted from January 2005 to December 2006. They had no other associated risk factors. All participants were attending one primary care clinic in Germany.

The participants were randomly assigned to take 6.3 g (30 calories) per day of dark chocolate (about the size of a Hershey's Kiss) containing 30 mg of polyphenols, or a matching dose of white chocolate that did not contain polyphenols for 18 weeks.

The results showed that:
Eating dark chocolate for 18 weeks reduced average systolic blood pressure (the top reading) by 2.9 mm of mercury.
It also reduced the average diastolic blood pressure by 1.9 mm of mercury.
These reductions were not accompanied by changes in body weight, plasma levels of lipids or glucose.
The proportion of participants with hypertension who ate dark chocolate went down from 86 to 68 per cent.
The dark chocolate group also had increased levels of plasma biomarkers: cocoa phenols and vasodilatory S-nitrosoglutathione.
The systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the participants who ate white chocolate did not change.
S-nitrosoglutathione is a precursor of nitric oxide, a compound that causes relaxation and dilation of blood vessels and is linked to decreased blood pressure. It is used as a biomarker for vasodilative nitric oxide.

The researchers concluded that:
"Data in this relatively small sample of otherwise healthy individuals with above-optimal BP indicate that inclusion of small amounts of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate as part of a usual diet efficiently reduced BP and improved formation of vasodilative nitric oxide."

Poorer Kids at Higher Migraine Risk

2008-02-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

Adolescents from poorer families are more likely to suffer from migraines than their better-off peers, a new study finds.

This relationship even applied to teens whose parents had no history of migraine, the researchers add.

The findings suggest that factors tied to low income -- such as stress, poor diet and limited access to medical care -- may contribute to migraines.

"Certainly if you look at some of the triggers for migraine being skipping meals, poor sleeping habits, stress, you can see where that would fall in with kids who may be worrying about where they're getting their next meal or getting to bed at a decent time," said Dr. Patricia Stewart-Foulks, assistant professor of pediatrics at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a pediatrician with Scott & White Hospital health centers.

When medicines fail

2008-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

What is sickness?
Sickness (any sickness) is just a lie. An sickness doesn’t have life in itself, it’s just the absence of health.
To better understand this concept, imagine that health is a complex ecuation written on a blackboard, and ilness is this ecuation with a few erased factors, and it can’t be understood (and the result, which is health, can’t be reached).
To restore the health state, the equation must be restored.
How to restore the equation?
This is done by medical means (modern oralternative), but it can also be done by spiritual means.
Some plants and medicines simply bring back the missing information, while others completely rewrite it.
Unfortunately, some modern medical means (ie surgery) only “solve” the problem by isolating the equation from the reader, which often leads to pain. This pain is be smaller than the initial one, but it’s still pain.
Sometimes body illnesses are results of spiritual illnesses, and it’s obvious that you can’t heal your soul by taking medicines.

Conclusion
If you understood this concept, here’s some food for thought:
If medicines don’t help you get better, maybe it’s your soul that needs healing and attention, not your body.
Many illnesses are a result of people not taking care of their spiritual side.

How to heal your soul? That’s another story, for another

Suicide Attempts Fall After Depression Treatment Begins

2008-02-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Suicide attempts dropped among people with depression soon after they started treatment, either with antidepressant drugs or psychotherapy, a study of more than 109,000 patients shows.

The study results come after a controversial 2004 recommendation on antidepressant labeling from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That move slapped a strong "black box" warning on the labeling of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Celexa, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.

Eye checks: Signs of later heart disease

2008-02-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

A study in Australia has shown that changes occur in blood vessels in the eyes of heavier and obese children from as young as six, warning signs that might be linked to cardiovascular disease in later life.

Previously, these changes -- widening of veins and narrowing of arteries -- were only observed in the retinas of heavy teenagers and adults, and this is the first time that such troubling signs have been seen in children so young.

Writing in the International Journal of Obesity, the researchers called for extensive monitoring of these subtle blood vessel changes as they can be an early indication of risks such as hypertension and stroke when the children enter adulthood.

The retina is a thin layer of neural cells that lines the back of the eyeball.

The study involved 1,740 six-year-olds from 34 schools in Sydney.

After accounting for differences such as sex, ethnicity, length of the eyeball, birth weight and mean blood pressure, the researchers found unique changes in minute blood vessels in the retinas of children who were over the mean weight.

10 Foods You Should Never Eat

2008-02-21T08:48:00.001-08:00

1. Artery Crust

Judging by the label, Pepperidge Farm Roasted White Meat Chicken Premium Pot Pie has 510 calories and 9 grams of saturated fat. But look again. Those numbers are for half a pie. Eat the entire pie, as most people probably do, and you’re talking more than 1,000 calories and 18 grams of sat fat. Then add the 13 grams of hidden trans fat (from the partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening) in each pie and you’re up to 31 grams of artery-clogging fat — that’s far more than a day’s allotment.

2. Strip Tease

McDonald’s Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips sounds healthy. In fact, ounce for ounce, the Selects are no healthier than the chain’s Chicken McNuggets. A standard, five-strip order has 630 calories and 11 grams of artery-clogging fat. That’s about the same as a Big Mac, except the burger has 1,040 mg of sodium, while the Selects hit 1,550 mg, even without the salty sauce.

3. Factory Reject

Each slice of The Cheesecake Factory’s 6 Carb Cheesecake has 610 calories – that’s the same as you’d get from a slice of its Original Cheesecake. Think of it as an 8-ounce prime rib for dessert — with 29 grams of saturated fat, a 1 1/2 days’ supply. The next time you step on the bathroom scale, you may never know that the carbs were missing.

4. Everlasting Dove

Dove squeezes some 300 calories and an average of 11 grams of saturated fat (half-a-day’s worth) into a tennis-ball size serving (half a cup) of its Dove Ice Cream. That puts it in the same ballpark as Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs. With names like “Unconditional Chocolate,” Dove is trying to link chocolate with romance. A scoop of its ice cream will fill your heart all right … but not with love.

5. Starbucks on Steroids

The Starbucks Venti (20 oz.) Caffè Mocha with whipped cream is more than a mere cup of coffee. Think of it as a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in a cup. Few people have room in their diets for the 490 calories and 16 grams of bad fat that this hefty beverage supplies. But you can lose all the bad fat and all but 170 calories if you order a tall (12 oz.) with nonfat milk and no whipped cream

6. Angioplasta

“Fresh, pulled white meat chicken, fresh steamed broccoli and penne pasta, tossed in parmesan cream sauce. Topped with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, then baked,” says Ruby Tuesday’s menu entry for its Fresh Chicken & Broccoli Pasta. Some patrons may know that the cheese and cream add saturated fat, but how much harm could they do? Enough to turn the dish into a 2,060-calorie megameal with 128 grams of fat. Since the fat is mostly dairy, roughly 60 to 70 of those fat grams are probably saturated. To equal 2,060 calories, you’d have to swallow two sirloin steak dinners — each with Caesar salad and buttered baked potato.

7. Snack Attack

Unless you’re suicidal, why on earth would you want to wolf down a Burger King Quad Stacker – 4 hamburger patties, 4 slices of cheese, 8 strips of bacon, plus sauce and a bun? That’s half-a-day’s calories (1,000), one-and-a-half-days’ worth of saturated fat (30 grams), 3 grams of trans fat, and more than a day’s sodium (1,800 mg). Urp!

8. Salt's On!

Campbell's Chunky, Select, and red-and-white-label condensed soups are brimming with salt: Half a can averages more than half of a person’s daily quota of salt. Instead, try brands like Healthy Choice and Campbell’s Healthy Request, which have about half as much sodium.

9. Tortilla Terror

Interested in a Chipotle Chicken Burrito (tortilla, rice, pinto beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream, and salsa)? Think of its 1,180 calories and 19 grams of saturated fat as three 6-inch Subway Steak and Cheese Subs. Plus, it has 2,900 mg of sodium! Getting the burrito with no cheese or sour cream cuts the saturated fat by two-thirds, but you still end up with 950 calories and 2,690 mg of sodium. Yikes!

10. Razzle, Dazzle 'em

A Mint Chip Dazzler at Häagen-Dazs stores (three scoops of ice cream, hot fudge, Oreos, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream) has 1,270 calories and 38 grams of saturated fat — that’s two days’ worth. Think of it as a T-bone steak with Caesar salad, and baked potato with sour cream. But that’s for dinner — yet many people have a Dazzler as a dessert after lunch or dinner!

10 Foods You Should Never Eat

2008-02-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

Practical Tips For Healthy Weight Loss

2008-02-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

Ever wish there was an easy-to-follow practical primer to tell you all the things you should and shouldn't do to help you lose weight? I'm not talking about food choices here - there are 'tons' of eating plans available. I'm referring to a simple list that you can follow in your everyday life to make it easier to stick to your diet. Here are a few tips that I've found works wonders to help avoid temptation and keep me on track.

Shopping Tips

1. Shop the outside grocery aisles.

Supermarkets are designed with the four basic food groups around the perimeter of the store. If you stick to the outside aisles, you'll find produce, bakery, dairy and meat - exactly what you should be buying. Avoid going up and down the aisles where processed 'convenience' foods lurk to tempt you from your good intentions.

2. Never ever shop hungry.

It's an old tip, but it works every time. When you're hungry, everything looks good - especially quick, empty calories. Make it a point to shop on a full stomach and you'll find yourself saving both money and calories.

3. Buy fresh, whole and organic whenever you can. Processing depletes vital nutrients and adds calories. If you have a choice, buy fresh vegetables and fruits and whole grain products. Skip the highly processed snack foods(twinkies and chips etc.)and 'convenience' dinners.

Setting Goals

1. Break your goals down if you have to. The thought of losing 100 pounds can be daunting. Instead, make it your goal to lose 10 pounds this month, or to get through the week without cheating on your diet. "Inch by inch life's a cinch; yard by yard it's hard."

2. Set reasonable, attainable goals for yourself. Remember that a healthy, sustainable weight loss is about 1-2 pounds per week. Setting the goal to lose 30 pounds by next month is setting yourself up for failure. Don't be taken in by the infomercials and false advertisements! Everyone is different! Being content with your progress will help you attain your goals. Discontentment leads to eating binges. Remember, you didn't gain the weight overnight nor will you lose it overnight.

3. Reward yourself! There's nothing more motivating than promising yourself a special treat when you reach a goal - but don't keep rewards just for big milestones. Make a list of positive reinforcers that you can dip into whenever you avoid temptation or need a little boost. I always make Saturday by treat day. I stick to my diet goals all week then on Saturday I reward myself with a treat. Plus, it just makes it easier to get through the week knowing that on Saturday I can have that banana split.

Measuring and Weighing

1. Measure your progress by dress size or pants size instead of pounds. Use a tape measure instead of the bathroom scales. Why? One of the by-products of eating healthy and exercising daily is converting fat to muscle. Muscle is denser, and weighs more than fat - but you're still getting smaller, and your clothing will tell you the truth.

2. Measure your day in steps - steps walked, that is. Counting the steps you walk each day and aiming to increase them to 10,000 steps daily is a great way to add exercise to your diet. By walking 10,000 steps a day, you can burn as many calories as you do when you do any of the following:

- Swim for 90 minutes
- Ride a bike for 70 minutes
- Play 10 holes of golf (without the cart)
- Walk 50 blocks
- Play soccer for 90 minutes
- Work for two hours in your garden

How do you fit in 10,000 steps? You can count every step you take during the day - clip on a pedometer first thing in the morning and take it off last thing at night. (Hint: Invest in a pedometer!)

3. Measure your food for the first month. Our concept of portion size has been greatly distorted by restaurants, magazine ads and our own eating habits. Invest a month in learning what a real portion looks like - weigh or measure everything. Stay away from buffets until you have reached your goals or for a special treat.

Attitude

1. Treat yourself well! Losing weight is something you're doing because you love yourself. Remember to reinforce yourself regularly for your hard work. You can do it! "If one man (or woman) can do it, another can!" (Anthony Hopkins in "The Edge")

2. Focus on your health, not your weight. Eat healthy, exercise sensibly, and focus on how you will feel when you reach your goal. See yourself the way you want to be, but be realistic.

3. If you slip, forgive yourself and start again. After all, just one banana split never made anyone fat. Every day is a new day, and every day brings you closer to the new you.

By: Bob Janeway

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

How often should you have sex

2008-02-21T08:45:00.000-08:00

Question 10: According to Dr. Oz, how often should you have sex?
A) Once a week
B) Twice a week
C) 10 times a month
D) 200 times a year or more

The correct answer is D.

"If you have more than 200 orgasms a year, you can reduce your physiologic age by six years," Dr. Oz says. He bases the number on a study done at Duke University that surveyed people on the amount and quality of sex they had. "They looked at what happened to folks that are having a lot of intercourse over time, and the fact is, it correlated."

Among the benefits of having sex often, Dr. Oz says, is that it can prove that your body is functioning as it is supposed to. "But in addition, having sex with someone that you care for deeply is one of the ways we achieve that Zen experience that we all crave as human beings," he says.

"It's really a spiritual event for folks when they're with someone they love and they can consummate it with sexual activity … seems to offer some survival benefit."

New sex-related infection passes gonorrhea

2008-02-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

A relatively new sexually transmitted infection has surpassed Neisseria gonorrhea in prevalence among young adults in the US, according to a new study.
Mycoplasma genitalium was first identified in the 1980s. It can cause inflammation of the urethra (the urinary passage from the bladder), in men, and inflammation of the cervix and the lining of the uterus in women, possibly leading to infertility. However, it seems many cases of the infection are symptom-free.
In the current study, researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, tested 1714 women and 1218 men between the ages of 18 and 27 years participating in Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
Results of the study are published in the American Journal of Public Health. The investigators found Mycoplasma genitalium infection in 1.0 percent of the participants. In contrast, the prevalence of gonorrhea was 0.4 percent. The prevalence of chlamydia infection was 4.2 percent.
The prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection was 11 times higher among individuals living with a sexual partner, seven times higher among blacks and four times higher among those who use condoms during sex.
None of the genitalium-positive individuals had any discharge.
"Many M. genitalium infections are asymptomatic, like chlamydial infections," principal investigator Dr. Lisa Manhart told Reuters Health. "However, unlike chlamydia, it is probably too soon to recommend widespread screening for M. genitalium."
There are no commercial tests to detect the organism, she explained. Furthermore, she and her colleagues note in their report that it is not clear "whether M. genitalium-infected persons require or benefit from treatment -- and if so, what antimicrobial therapy should be recommended."

Potential cure for HIV discovered

2008-02-21T08:42:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO (AFP) - In a breakthrough that could potentially lead to a cure for HIV infection, scientists have discovered a way to remove the virus from infected cells, a study released Thursday said
The scientists engineered an enzyme which attacks the DNA of the HIV virus and cuts it out of the infected cell, according to the study published in Science magazine.
The enzyme is still far from being ready to use as a treatment, the authors warned, but it offers a glimmer of hope for the more than 40 million people infected worldwide.
"A customized enzyme that effectively excises integrated HIV-1 from infected cells in vitro might one day help to eradicate (the) virus from AIDS patients," Alan Engelman, of Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, wrote in an article accompanying the study.
Current treatments focus on suppressing the HIV virus in order to delay the onset of AIDS and dramatically extend the life of infected patients.
What makes HIV so deadly, however, is its ability to insert itself into the body's cells and force those cells to produce new infection.
"Consequently the virus becomes inextricably linked to the host, making it virtually impossible to 'cure' AIDS patients of their HIV-1 infection," Engelman explained.
That could change if the enzyme developed by a group of German scientists can be made safe to use on people.
That enzyme was able to eliminate the HIV virus from infected human cells in about three months in the laboratory.
The researchers engineered an enzyme called Tre which removes the virus from the genome of infected cells by recognizing and then recombining the structure of the virus's DNA.
This ability to recognize HIV's DNA might one day help overcome one of the biggest obstacles to finding a cure: the ability of the HIV virus to avoid detection by reverting to a resting state within infected cells which then cease to produce the virus for months or even years.
"Numerous attempts have been made to activate these cells, with the hope that such strategies would sensitize the accompanying viruses to antiviral drugs, leading to virus eradication," Engelman wrote. "Advances with such approaches in patients have been slow to materialize."
New experiments must be designed to see if the Tre enzyme can be used to recognize these dormant infected cells, he wrote.
"Although favorable results would represent perhaps only a baby step toward eventual use in patients, the discovery of the Tre recombinase proves that enzymatic removal of integrated HIV-1 from human chromosomes is a current-day reality," he said.
The researchers who developed the enzyme were optimistic about their ability to design additional enzymes which would target other parts of the virus's DNA.
However they warned that there were significant barriers to overcome before the enzyme could be used to help cure patients.
"The most important, and likely most difficult, among these is that the enzyme would need efficient and safe means of delivery and would have to be able to function without adverse side effects," wrote lead author Indrani Sarkar of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden.

Tequila’s Medical Properties

2008-02-21T08:41:00.001-08:00

Its benefits include treatment of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and Crohn disease.

The compounds of blue agave (the cactus used for making tequila) showed nice results in studies performed at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico.

This development could be the first step in better treatments for ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions involving the colon.

The deliver of drugs in to the colon has been a challenge for the doctors dealing with colon and rectal diseases.

Many drugs are destroyed by acids at the stomach. This could be avoided by the compounds of tequila, a type of polysaccharide known as fructans (a fructose polymer). This compound resists the destruction in the stomach and could let that drugs reach the colon without problems.

“This study showed that the agave fruit is not good just for making tequila, but it’s good because of its medicinal value. Agave’s fructan is the ideal natural transporter of drugs”, said Guillermo Toriz.

Unusual dermatologic lesions

2008-02-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

A missionary in Eastern Europe recently reported an extremely rare (condylomatosis) skin condition. This disease is called Lewandowsky-Lutz dysplasia. This missionary wrote:

"I found this man, and other than his hands and feet, he looked and seemed in good health. As best as I could gather these growths began when he was 14 years old, and began in the area of his wrists. The skin on his wrists and the back of his hands resembles that of a hedgehog - hundreds of spike like growths. The problem is much more severe on his palms and fingers where the growths resemble very much that of nails infected with a fungus. The growths have that same texture, smell and feel. I cut a number of the largest growths off, most of witch did not bleed. Some of the smaller growths did bleed a small amount and he seemed much more sensitive to the cutting of the smaller growths.
It has grown slowly but steadily but has not spread to other parts of his body, just a bit below his knees on his legs. He has other skin growth (many would be skin tags) on his face, and some moles on his chest. The growths are not as bad on his feet but I was told that more than 10 years ago many we cauterized off his feet, and they did not return. I think with repeated soaking and cutting most could be removed but other parts will I think need to be burned away in some form."

He has 15 skin tags on his face, and a wart in one ear.

Birth defect-antidepressant link found

2008-02-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Infants born to mothers using common medications have a slightly higher risk of serious developmental problems, new studies say.

Infants born to women taking commonly prescribed antidepressants during the first trimester of their pregnancies have an increased risk of serious birth defects, though the danger remains tiny, according to two studies published today.

The reports in the New England Journal of Medicine found a higher risk of developmental problems affecting the intestines, brain and skull. Although life-threatening, all of the defects are rare and normally occur in no more than one in 2,500 births.

Antibiotic use in first year may increase asthma risk

2008-02-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

The use of antibiotics in the first year of life is associated with an increased risk for asthma at age 7, a new study has found, and the reason may be that antibiotics destroy not only disease-causing microbes, but also those that are helpful to the developing immune system.

Antibiotic use had a greater impact on children who would otherwise be considered at lower risk — children who lived in rural areas and those whose mothers did not have asthma — than on those who were already at increased risk because of an urban environment or genetic predisposition.

Studies of antibiotic use and asthma have been complicated. Because antibiotics are used to treat respiratory illnesses, which are often precursors of asthma, it has been difficult to determine the effect of antibiotics alone. But this study, of 13,116 Canadian children, found that the risk of asthma increased even in children treated with antibiotics for nonrespiratory illnesses in the first year of life. The study appears in the June issue of Chest.

Anita Kozyrskyj, the lead author and an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Manitoba, said the findings supported what scientists call the microflora hypothesis — that "you need good bacteria in your digestive tract for normal development of the immune system so that you don't end up with asthma," as she put it.

The researchers tracked medications by examining prescription records, and determined asthma status by treatment for asthma or any asthma drug use in the year following the seventh birthday. Six percent of the children developed asthma by age 7.

Cannabis Has "Clear Medical Benefits" For HIV Patients

2008-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

Cannabis Has "Clear Medical Benefits" For HIV Patients, Study Says -- Smoked marijuana produces “substantial and comparable increases in food intake … with little evidence of discomfort and no impairment of cognitive performance”

Investigators at Columbia University in New York assessed the efficacy of inhaled cannabis and oral THC (Marinol) in a group of ten HIV-positive patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All of the subjects participating in the study had prior experience using marijuana therapeutically and were taking at least two antiretroviral medications.

New Laser Hair Removal Promises Permanent Results

2008-02-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

When summer hits, we ladies think about it. Hair removal so our legs are smooth in shorts and bathing suits. But this year, there's a new option to get rid of that hair more permanently.. and less painfully.If you need unwanted hair to vanish for a long time it hurts. Whether you laser it, wax it, or use electrolysis. But now a simple new device is taking the hurt out of hair removal. Laser surgery technician Eric Bernstein tested it on many people including workout personal trainer Gretchen Corialos who wants her whole body to be smooth. Erin Elmore an investment banker who was on season 3 of the Apprentice, and joining the test, Kate Beaver a dancer for the Philadelphia 76-ers. They all bared their arm pits, and had regular laser hair removal under one arm.. and the new improved type under the other. Eric Bernstein says, "One of the drawbacks of laser hair removal is that it hurts. And the reason it hurts is because the hair takes up the light and produces heat. The more hair, the thicker the hair, the more it hurts."This is regular laser hair removal.
Erin Elmore says, ""I think the firing may have been more painful on my heart. This is more painful on my pits. Ha ha" Now the same lasering with this new invention. The PSF device that actually sucks up the skin. Kate Beaver says, "Definitely less pain. So which one would you pick next time. I would do this one again. The one with less pain. Definitely."How does it work? Eric Bernstein says, "Our skin is only allowed to feel one sensation at a time. So we can feel pressure or we can feel pain. Given the choice, we'd all choose pressure. So what this device does is it suctions the skin so we feel a pressure sensation and we can't feel pain."Once you have laser hair treatments three times, you'll only need a touchup once or twice a year to keep the hair away. The cost for both armpits, 150 to 250-dollars.

Some advice for reducing eye problem of computer users

2008-02-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

More than 50 percent of computer users experience eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches and other visual symptoms. Many of these problems can be reduced through an anti-glare screens and eye exercises. Spending too much time looking at a computer screen may raise your risk of the vision-robbing eye disease glaucoma.

When I finally went to get some glasses and I mentioned I used the computer allot. They gave me a separate prescription for "computer glasses" there was a special coating on the lens that actually relaxed my eye muscles when I wore them while working on computers. My eyes felt great and less stressed. I wear them so much that now I can't even look at a monitor without putting my glasses on because the screen actually hurts my eyes.

Some advice for reducing eye problem - Letting your eyes rest more often is definitely a good idea, too, no matter what the root of the problem is. If you keep fixed on a computer screen for several hours a day, your eyes will start to "protest". I would also recommend really going out every day, taking a walk and looking at things far away. This will starve your doctor and the medicine companies, but your eyes should recover, if you keep it up for several weeks. I sit at a computer all day. I frequently get up and walk around or go outside so that I give my eyes a rest and different depths to focus on. It definitely does help to do this.

Try to work only 2 hours straight then rest for an hour, and then go back to work. Exercise your eyes by looking up, down, left, right, round and repeat 3 times. Don’t wash eyes after using computer, and try to look at greenery and ocean once in a while.

If you have a CRT monitor, make sure it is operating at a refresh rate of 75Hz or above. Most default to 60Hz, which can be very hard on your eyes. I recommend 85Hz if your monitor can support it. You can change the refresh rate by right-clicking on your desktop, Properties -> Settings -> Advanced -> Monitor. Clean the screen regularly as they attract dust. The computer screen should be slightly below eye level. The expensive solution is to buy an LCD monitor; they're much easier on the eyes

UNAIDS Releases New Guidelines To Ensure Confidentiality Of People Living With HIV/AIDS

2008-02-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

UNAIDS on Friday released new guidelines that aim to ensure that the confidentiality of people living with HIV/AIDS is not compromised when collecting and storing information about the disease, UN News Service reports. The guidelines were developed through a workshop supported by UNAIDS and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (UN News Service, 6/22).

The guidelines, called the "Interim Guidelines on Protecting the Confidentiality and Security of HIV Information," provide principles, definitions and technical recommendations to maintain confidentiality, privacy and security when working with HIV-related information (UNAIDS release, 6/21). According to the guidelines, using information for public health purposes must be balanced against individual rights to privacy and confidentiality, UN News Service reports. The recommendations also include a call for countries to establish confidentiality and privacy laws to maintain that balance (UN News Service, 6/22).

"Good clinical information is required for optimum treatment and care for people living with HIV," Eddy Beck, a UNAIDS senior technical officer, said. He added, "Ensuring this information is securely stored and confidentiality maintained will avoid potential stigmatization and discrimination of individuals and communities, and enhance the quality of the information collected." According to UNAIDS, the guidelines will be field tested and additional training materials will be developed (UNAIDS release, 6/21).

Computerized Ordering Cuts Medication Errors

2008-02-21T08:32:00.001-08:00

U.S. hospitals that switched from using doctors' handwritten prescriptions to computerized drug ordering systems had a 66 percent drop in medication errors, say the authors of a review that looked at the results of 12 studies.
The findings are published online in the journal Health Services Research.

Almost 25 percent of U.S. hospital patients experience medication errors, such as receiving an incorrect dosage, the wrong drug, medication at the wrong time, or no medication at all. Each year, medication errors injure or kill more than 500,000 U.S. hospital patients, according to background information in the review.

Illegible handwriting on prescriptions and transcription mistakes cause as many as 61 percent of medication errors, the experts said.

"These medication errors are very painful for doctors, as well as the patients. Nobody wants to make a mistake," lead author Tatyana Shamliyan, a research associate at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said in a prepared statement.

She and her colleagues found that hospitals with the highest rate of medication errors -- more than 12 percent -- showed the most improvement when they switched to computerized drug ordering systems.

They also found that while the use of computerized systems reduced medication errors overall, there was no decrease in one type of error -- prescribing the wrong drug.

Currently, only about 9 percent of U.S. hospitals have computerized prescription systems, which can take 12 to 36 months to implement.

Video game addiction a mental illness?

2008-02-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

It may seem an obvious diagnosis for parents, but video games might not actually be addictive, the American Medical Association says.

A report recommending that internet and video gaming addiction be considered a mental disorder was watered down after a heated debate broke out among delegates at the association's annual convention in Chicago.

Some questioned whether there was enough scientific evidence to support claims that excessive game playing is similar to pathological gambling.

Others insisted on more study before advising that parents include video games in a recommended one- to two-hour limit on "screen time."

The report, prepared for the nation's largest doctors group, cited a wealth of studies showing the harm caused by excessive gaming.

It has been linked to increased aggressive and violent behavior.

Cought

2008-02-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

A cough is considered chronic if it persists for longer than 3 weeks. In the nonsmoker with a chronic cough who is not taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and who has a normal chest radiograph, one of three diagnoses is likely: postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS), asthma, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many patients have more than one cause (1,2,3 and 4).

I. Cough due to postnasal drip.

Presentation
Singly or in combination with other conditions, PNDS is the most common cause of all chronic cough. This syndrome is due to a variety of upper airway conditions including the common cold, allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, postinfectious rhinitis, rhinitis due to environmental or medication irritants, and acute and/or chronic (bacterial) sinusitis. These various entities overlap and may best be called rhinosinusitis.

Diagnosis
There are no definitive diagnostic criteria for PNDS. A favorable response to therapy is the best way to make the diagnosis. Allergy testing can be helpful in some patients, but positive skin tests do not prove that allergy is the cause. Direct nasolaryngoscopy may also be useful. A four-view sinus radiograph or, preferably, a sinus coronal CT scan will show the presence of chronic sinusitis, provided it is obtained at least 6 weeks after an acute episode to avoid false positives (3).

Management
Empirical therapy for PNDS should be tried before beginning an extensive diagnostic workup. For vasomotor or postinfectious rhinitis, the older generation of antihistamine/decongestants has been shown to be effective (4). To reduce side effects, initiate therapy at bedtime. The newer generation antihistamines, either alone or in combination with pseudoephedrine, have not been shown to reduce cough associated with the common cold. The use of ipratropium or azelastine nasal sprays (2 sprays in each nostril bid) may also be effective. For PNDS due to allergic rhinitis, all oral antihistamines, nasal cromolyn, and nasal steroids are effective. Nasal steroids are the drug of choice and their administration may be necessary for at least 3 months. Antibiotics used to treat chronic sinusitis include amoxicillin (Amoxil) 500 mg tid, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (Septra DS) bid, or erythromycin (Erythromycin Filmtab) 250 mg qid (all for 3 weeks); or azithromycin (Zithromax), two 250-mg tablets on day 1, followed by one tablet daily on days 2–5, with the regimen repeated after 1 week off. (See Chapter 8.5.) Nasal washes may also be helpful.

II. Cough variant asthma. (See also Chapter 10.1.)

Presentation
This entity is easily overlooked because breathlessness or wheezing may be minimal. A viral respiratory illness or a bacterial or atypical bronchitis may initiate this cough variant asthma. This postinfectious type of cough variant asthma is a common clinical occurrence. Seasonal or specific allergies can also precipitate this syndrome. The cough is usually nonproductive and occurs throughout the day and night.

III. Cough due to GERD

Presentation
Many patients with cough have typical gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as sour taste, heartburn, and regurgitation. However, some have no GI complaints, and the reflux is only discovered upon workup (5).

Diagnosis
In patients with typical GI symptoms or those in whom a GI cause is suspected, 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring is the best test. But first ask about a time of cought, if it is bedtime, you should think, GERD.

Treatment
The H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) 800 mg qd or ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg bid, are the mainstays of drug therapy (4). As some patients' symptoms may not improve for 2–3 months, long-term treatment may be necessary. Interestingly, both cough symptoms and reflux continue to be suppressed for more than 6 weeks after H2 blockers are stopped. Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg qd to 40 mg bid, are also used and may be tried if there is no response to or poor toleration of H2 blockers. It is difficult to predict which patients will respond to therapy. Antireflux surgery, now frequently done by laparoscopy, is reserved for patients with continued symptoms who fail medical therapy, including proton pump inhibitors.

Medications and supplements that can raise your blood pressure

2008-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

Various medications, supplements and other substances can trigger or worsen high blood pressure (hypertension). Sometimes these substances interfere with medications intended to lower blood pressure.

If you have patient tha have high blood pressure and it's not responding well to treatment, check substances patient are taking — including illicit drugs.

There are some Examples

Antidepressants
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR)
COX-2 inhibitors

Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Immunosuppressants

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
Tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)

NSAIDS
Some NSAIDs can also cause fluid retention and kidney problems, which may increase blood pressure — especially for people who already have high blood pressure.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Naproxen (Naprosyn)
Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- - in my practic i have found with Voltaren(diclofenac) injection

Acetaminophen
Heavy use of the pain reliever acetaminophen may increase the risk of high blood pressure. In a 2005 study, women who took an average of 500 milligrams or more of acetaminophen daily over several years were more likely to develop high blood pressure than were women who didn't take any acetaminophen. It's not known if the same holds true for men.

Herbal supplements
Herbal supplements aren't necessarily safe just because they're natural. Various herbal supplements can increase blood pressure or interfere with the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
Bitter orange
Ephedra (ma-huang)
Ginseng
Licorice
St. John's wort

Illicit drugs
Illicit drugs can raise blood pressure by narrowing the arteries that supply blood to your heart. This increases your heart rate and damages heart muscle.
Amphetamines, including methamphetamine
Anabolic steroids
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Phencyclidine (PCP)

Doctors want Pap test for gay men

2008-02-21T08:12:00.000-08:00

Pap test is basic exam that women do after 20 years old, this test help doctors spot precancerous lesions and wipe them out before they have a chance to turn malignant.

Dr. Joel Palefsky, director of the Anal Neoplasia Clinic at UCSF, encourages anal Pap tests for gay men and other groups at high risk of developing anal cancer.

"We haven't proven it yet, but we believe that we are likely to be preventing anal cancer," said Palefsky, who hopes this summer to publish results from a study on anal cancer prevention. "Our approach is to move forward on the assumption that we are preventing cancer and working in parallel to the kind of research studies that will convince everyone else."

Doctors Try New Surgery for Gallbladder Removal

2008-02-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

By DENISE GRADY

Doctors in New York have removed a woman’s gallbladder with instruments passed through her vagina, a technique they hope will cause less pain and scarring than the usual operation, and allow a quicker recovery. The technique can eliminate the need to cut through abdominal muscles, a major source of pain after surgery.

The operation was experimental, part of a study that is being done to find out whether people will fare better if abdominal surgery is performed through natural openings in the body rather than cuts in the belly. The surgery still requires cutting, through the wall of the vagina, stomach or colon, but doctors say it should hurt less because those tissues are far less sensitive than the abdominal muscles.

Interest in this idea heightened after doctors from India made a video in 2004 showing an appendix being taken out through a patient’s mouth. The patient had abdominal scars that would have made conventional surgery difficult.

Bar of soap gives caffeine kick in the shower

2008-02-21T08:09:00.000-08:00

Inventors have created a soap infused with caffeine which helps users wake up in the morning.

The soap, called Shower Shock, supplies the caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee per wash, with the stimulant absorbed naturally through the skin, manufacturers say.

Now you can sleep more in morning because you not having to wait for your morning(coffee) at the brew.
ask the makers, thinkgeek.com.

Control diabetes with your diet

2008-02-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

While there's no cure for diabetes yet, doctors say maintaining a proper diet is one key to controlling the condition. Taking advantage of natural compounds in foods is an alternative to prescription drugs, says Richard A. Anderson, lead scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, M.D. "We shouldn't be relying on drugs if we can alleviate or prevent diabetes simply by changing our eating habits."

Food Fixes
Tea: Chemicals known as polyphenols found in black, green, and oolong teas boost insulin activity.
Cinnamon: Less than half a teaspoon daily increases sugar metabolism in fat cells.
Buckwheat: Traditionally used to make soba noodles, buckwheat contains chemical compounds that reduce blood sugar levels.
Cherries: Contain chemicals called anthocyanins that increase insulin production.
Guava: Extracts from apple guavas lower blood-sugar levels.
Cocoa: Decreases insulin resistance.