Medical Symptom Treatments Diagnosis

COPD Symptoms

2010-10-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

Shortness of breath - dyspnea is the most common symptom of COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. People with COPD commonly describe this as: "I feel out of breath," or "I can't get enough air in". People with COPD typically first notice dyspnea during intensive exercise when the demands on the lungs are greatest. Over the years, dyspnea tends to get gradually worse so that it can occur during milder, everyday activities such as housework. In the advanced stages of COPD, dyspnea can become so bad that it occurs during rest and is constantly present.

Colloidal Silica Gel

2010-05-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

Qsilica - colloidal silica gel was launched by Australian natural health distributor Planet Health in the UK, and was part of the company’s exhibition at the annual Natural and Organics Products Europe trade show in London. Qsilica is mineral silica in a highly dispersed colloidal form, and is said to be a “scientifically researched ingredient for healthy skin, hair nails and connective tissue”. It’s available as a gel, capsules and as a combination CoQ10 Rejuvenation Masque, and just two months after being accepted into the exclusive Harrods outlet is now the pharmacy section’s third highest selling product.

Aerotitus - ears pain

2010-03-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

When you fly on the airplane it is possible to get a sudden acute ear pain, or even a temporary hearing loss on takeoff or landing. Some people have acute pain in their ears while flying or even experience temporary hearing loss. This condition is called aerotitus and one third of all passengers will experience this ear pain at least once. As the aircraft climbs or descends passengers may experience discomfort or acute pain as gases trapped within their bodies expand or contract. The most common problems occur with air trapped in the middle ear (aerotitus) or paranasal sinuses by a blocked Eustachian tube or sinuses. Pain may also be experienced in the gastrointestinal tract or even the teeth (barodontalgia). Usually these are not severe enough to cause actual trauma but can result in soreness in the ear that persists after the flight and can exacerbate or precipitate pre-existing medical conditions such as pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

If you have an ear infection, congestion, or allergies you can be more prone to aerotitus. Your Eustachian tubes are already clogged enough and then to add the changes in air pressure of flying can really clog them more, causing great pain. If you have scarring in your middle ear from chronic childhood ear infections your Eustachian tube may be unable to adjust to the changes in ear pressure. The scarring may make the Eustachian tube less elastic or smaller. Maybe this ear pain is why some people hate flying, while it doesn’t bother others.

There are many things you can do to keep your Eustachian tubes working during a flight. Avoid flying if you have an ear infection, congestion, allergies or a stuffed up head. If you can’t avoid it, you can take some steps to make your flight more comfortable and maybe avoid aerotitus ear pain. Take a decongestant every 6 hours for 24 hours before and after your flight. This will shrink the swollen membranes in your sinus and ear canal. You can use a pediatric nasal decongestant spray immediately before you board the plane to shrink the nasal membranes and clear the sinus. Chewing gum during the entire flight, not just on take off and landing, will open up the Eustachian tubes and keep them open. There are also ear plugs available that decrease ear pain during flight. About half an hour before landing you can start to use the pediatric decongestant nasal spray every few minutes to keep nasal passages open.

Gallstones attack

2009-05-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

A main symptom of gallstones is called gallstone attack, in which a person will experience intense pain in the upper abdominal region that steadily increases for approximately twenty minutes to several hours. A victim may also encounter pain in the back, ordinarily between the shoulder blades, or pain under the right shoulder. Sometimes, vomiting or nausea may occur. In some cases, the pain actually develops in the lower region of the stomach, nearer to the pelvis, but this is less common. One way to alleviate this feeling is to drink a full glass of water at the start of an attack to regulate the bile in the gallbladder, but this does not work in all cases. Often, these attacks occur after a particularly fatty meal and almost always happen at night. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating, intolerance of fatty foods, belching, gas, and indigestion. If the above symptoms coincide with chills, lowgrade fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and/or clay-colored stool, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Some people who have gallstones are asymptomatic and do not feel any pain or discomfort. These gallstones are called "silent stones" and do not affect the gallbladder or other internal organs. They do not need treatment.

Gilbert's syndrome

2008-10-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Gilbert's syndrome is a common hereditary cause of increased bilirubin. The main symptom is jaundice caused by elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood. Reasonable levels of bilirubin can be beneficial to the organism. Evidence is being gathered that suggests bilirubin can protect tissues against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Statistical analysis of people with high normal or slightly elevated bilirubin levels in blood shows that they have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In infants it is not very common for the spleen to destroy red blood cells faster than the liver can conjugate the bilirubin. The effect of this would be increased bilirubin levels in the blood plasma.

Orthostatic intolerance

2008-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Orthostatic intolerance occurs in some humans while standing upright. This action is a fundamental stressor and requires rapid and effective circulatory and neurologic compensations to maintain blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and consciousness. When a human stands, approximately 750 mL of thoracic blood is abruptly translocated downward. People who suffer from orthostatic intolerance - OI lack the basic mechanisms to compensate for this deficit. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and cerebral blood flow that produce OI "may be related to abnormalities in the interplay between blood volume control, the cardiovascular system, the autonomic nervous system and local circulatory mechanisms that regulate these basic physiological functions.

Calcium supplements

2008-03-20T00:55:00.000-07:00

There is debate going on about safety of calcium supplements. The study published in British Medical Journal claims that taking calcium increases the risk of heart attacks. One of the other studies was showing a 40 per cent increase in the risk of heart attacks from the women who took calcium. Calcium supplements are often prescribed by doctors and have long been associated with better bone health, with many international trials showing a regular intake of calcium helps to cut the risk of broken bones in the elderly by almost a quarter. However buildup of calcium in blood vessels and heart valves increases a person's risk of heart disease but until now, the relationship between dietary calcium and cardiovascular problems is remaining uncertain.

Jugular Venous Pulse

2008-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

Jugular venous pulse also known as jugular venous pressure - JVP can only be assessed when the patient is lying down and is used to estimate the right atrial pressure. The elevated JVP is the sign of venous hypertension which relates to right-side heart failure.
There are number of conditions which can cause elevated jugular venous pressure including: bradycardia, constrictive pericarditis, fluid overload, hyperdynamic circulation, obstruction of the superior vena cava and tricuspid valve disease.

Arthritis pain quiz

2007-06-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

How well are you controlling your arthritis symptoms?
But taking this simple online quiz:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/arthritis/QZ00060
you will find out if you're doing all you can to keep your arthritis pain under control. It is suggested that joints pain may have more of an emotional impact and stronger association with fear and distress since osteoarthritis pain is processed in areas of the brain that also control emotions and fear.

Rise in Atrial Fibrillation

2007-03-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

The study conducted in Minnesota has revealed that incidence of atrial fibrillation rose about 12 percent between 1980 and 2000. "This is a major problem for our country," said Dr. Teresa Tsang, senior author of the study to be published in Circulation: Journal of The American Heart Association. "Unless we are able to prevent atrial fibrillation, it will exact a major toll on our healthcare resources in the coming years."
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two upper heart chambers (the atria). It is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm originating in the atria. Instead of the impulse traveling in an orderly fashion through the heart, many impulses begin and spread through the atria and compete for a chance to travel through the atrioventricular node. This causes a rapid and disorganized heartbeat.

The risk of developing atrial fibrillation increases with age. An individual may spontaneously alternate between AF and a normal rhythm (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or may continue with AF as the dominant cardiac rhythm without reversion to the normal rhythm (chronic atrial fibrillation). Atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic, but may result in palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or even heart failure. These symptoms are especially common when atrial fibrillation results in a heart rate which is either too fast or too slow. In addition, the erratic motion of the atria leads to blood stasis which predisposes to blood clots which may travel from the heart to the brain and other areas. Thus, AF is an important risk factor for stroke, the most feared complication of atrial fibrillation.

Rhythm control medications (antiarrhythmic drugs) help return the heart to its normal sinus rhythm and later maintain normal sinus rhythm. There are several types of rhythm control medications, including: Quinidex (quinidine); Pronestyl (procainamide); Norpace (disopyramine); Toprol, Lopressor (metoprolol); Tambocor (flecainide acetate); Rythmol (propafenone); Betapace (sotalol); Tikosyn (dofetilide) and Cordarone (amiodarone). These medications are effective in around 50 percent of patients, but may lose their effectiveness over time.

HDL Cholesterol News

2006-06-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

Merck & Co., Inc. is conducting a new study to see if an experimental drug that boosts HDL cholesterol can prevent heart attacks and strokes, possibly strengthening its position in the $25 billion cholesterol industry even as a key blockbuster teeters on the brink of patent expiration.
In the late-stage study, the experimental drug MK-0524A will be combined with niacin, a vitamin also known as B-3. Oxford University is coordinating the $78 million study and plans to recruit 20,000 patients from the United Kingdom, China and Scandinavia. "This is an important cardiovascular outcome study," said Merck spokeswoman Janet Skidmore. "It's going to determine whether this compound (MK-0524A) could prevent heart attacks and strokes."
The MK-0524A-niacin combination will be tested to see how much it increases high-density lipoprotein, known as HDL or good cholesterol because it seems to prevent heart attacks.

Restless Leg Syndrome

2006-04-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

Restless legs syndrome (RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome) is characterized by frequent leg movements and painful sensations in the body's extremities. In benign form the sensations may be caused by decreased blood flow through some vessels in the legs. But in more serious cases the painful sensations may be the result of nerve damage.
In 2005, The Food and Drug Administration approved ropinirole to treat moderate to severe Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). The drug was first approved for Parkinson's disease in 1997. In February 2006, the EU Scientific Committee issued a positive recommendation for approving pramipexole (Sifrol, Mirapexen in the EU) for the treatment of RLS in the EU. US FDA approval is expected sometime in 2006. Another dopamine agonist, rotigitine delivered via a transdermal patch, is currently in process for US FDA and EU approval for RLS.
Dopamine agonists (DAs) which are drugs that act like dopamine may cause augmentation. This is a medical condition where the drug itelf causes symptoms to increase in severity and occur earlier in the day. Dopamine agonists may also may cause rebound, when symptoms increase as the drug wears off.

Patient Decision Aids

2006-03-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

Patient decision aids help a person being treated for medical problem and their practitioner to make appropriate decisions about taking a medical test or any kind of diagnostic procedure. When facing multiple options, or uncertain outcomes and harms the decision aids help patients choose the optimal path they should take with their care by making decisions based on their personal preferences and values.

Example below is an Australian screening mammography decision trial where researchers from the University of Sydney have compiled the available evidence in the area of mammography screening and created the patient decision aid. The intention is to provide you with unbiased information so that you can make a decision after considering the evidence.
http://www.mammogram.med.usyd.edu.au

Other Personal Decision Guides are available on the Ottawa Health Research Institute website.
http://decisionaid.ohri.ca/index.html

Grape Juice or Wine

2006-02-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Grapes and red grape juice contain flavonoids and antioxidants which reduce the risk of heart disease. Grape juice scores higher in natural plant antioxidants than any of the other juices or beverages tested including red wine and cranberry juice cocktail on a per serving basis. The antioxidants, called proanthocyanidins, are part of a larger family of plant compounds known as flavanoids that have been linked to lower risk of heart disease and cancer.

Red wine also contains a resveratrol, which reduces the risk of blood clots. Resveratrol is found in the skin and seeds of grapes. However, eating small amount of grapes may not provide enough resveratrol to have a significant health benefit.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

2006-01-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer, usually associated with previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face. These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Cholesterol Checkup

2006-01-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Is your cholesterol under control? Visit Healthscout.com and see the tools section to rate your cholesterol and few other health indicators.
My results were not too bad:
Thank you for taking the cholesterol mini-checkup!
Your answers indicate your recommended LDL cholesterol is 160 mg/dL or less. Consider seeing your physician to determine if your LDL level should be lower.

If you appear to have too much "bad" LDL cholesterol (usually, it should be under 130), see a doctor. It can clog your arteries and prevent blood from flowing freely. Worse, the clog may eventually break loose and cause a heart attack or stroke.

In many people, a low-fat diet and exercise can dramatically reduce bad cholesterol levels. But some people have too much LDL no matter how hard they try to lower it. That's when a medication may be necessary. Work with your doctor to figure whether you need to improve your cholesterol and, if so, how.

Blood Type Diet

2006-01-08T17:06:00.000-08:00

In the blood type diet, foods are divided into 16 categories from meat, poultry, seafood to herbal teas. It has been advocated by Peter D'Adamo and outlined in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type. Its basic premise is that blood type is the most important factor in determining a healthy diet. The recommended diets for the four blood types are:
Blood group O, the hunter, is believed to be the earliest human blood group. These people should eat a meat-rich diet.
Blood group A, the cultivator, is believed to be a more recently evolved type dating back from the dawn of agriculture. Members of this group should eat a diet free of red meat which emphasises vegetables.
Blood group B, the nomad, is associated with a strong immune system and a flexible digestive system, and is believed to be the only blood type which can thrive on dairy products.
Blood group AB, the enigma, is believed to be the most recently evolved type. In terms of dieterary needs, it is intermediate between A and B.
Based on Wikipedia

Longevity Protein Sir2

2005-12-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

Extra copies of the gene called SIR2 - heterochromatin component - appears vital in longevity and are capable of extending the lifespan of both worms and flies. The mechanisms by which Sir2 homologues in higher organisms regulate lifespan is unclear, but the human SIRT1 protein has been demonstrated to deacetylate p53, Ku70, and the forkhead family of transcription factors. SIRT1 can also regulate acetylates such as CBP/p300, and has been shown to deacetylate specific histone residues.
Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in the skin of red grapes, has been also shown to extend the lifespan of yeast, worms, and flies.

Resveratrol Extract

2005-12-12T17:36:00.000-08:00

Resveratrol extract found in the skin of grapes is available as a dietary supplement. Resveratrol is clasified as polyphenol or polyphenolic phytoalexin which is produced in plants with the help of the enzyme stilbene synthase, which has antifungal properties. It is a stilbenoid, a derivate of stilbene. Besides red grapes it occures in peanuts, blueberries, some pines (Scots pine, eastern white pine) and the roots and stalks of Japanese knotweed (hu zhang in China) and giant knotweed. Resveratrol was first isolated from an extract of the Peruvian legume Cassia quinquangulata in 1974. It is now available as a mass-produced nutritional supplement but not as a therapeutic agent (though it is now registered as an investigational drug). The supplement, first sourced as ground dried red grape skins, has shifted somewhat to include certain of the knotweeds as a raw material.

Resveratrol is often referred to as a nutraceutical, along with other bioactive plant compounds that are being studied for potential clinical applications such as curcumin, EGCG and silibinin, among others.

The amount of resveratrol in food substances varies greatly. Red wine contains approximately 5 mg/L, depending on the grape variety, whilst white wine has much less - the reason being that red wine is fermented with the skins, allowing the wine to absorb the resveratrol, whereas white wine is fermented after the skin has been removed.

Nimodipine and Vascular Dementia

2005-11-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker class of drugs and it was originally developed by Bayer for the treatment of high blood pressure. It also has shown good results in preventing a major complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Recent study concluded that Nimodipine has some short-term benefits in the treatment of patients with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, or mixed Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular disease. It seems to be well tolerated with few side effects. Around 500 patients participated in several randomized controlled trials. The rationale for its use is to restrict the influx of calcium ions into neurons, and, by vasodilatation, to improve blood flow to the brain. New research is needed to focus on longer term outcomes.

Immunosuppressive Drugs

2005-11-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

Tacrolimus (Prograf) is one of the frequently used immunosuppressive drug whose main role is to reduce the activity of the human immune system. It has similar immunosuppressive properties to cyclosporine, but is much more potent in equal volumes. Also like cyclosporine it has a wide range of adverse interactions, including that with grapefruit which increases plasma tacrolimus concentration. Tacrolimus is used for people who have had liver or kidney transplants to keep their bodies from attacking their new organs. Researchers hope tacrolimus can help people with rheumatoid arthritis by stopping T cells from causing inflammation in joints.
Protopic or tacrolimus is a recent topical treatment of eczema, particularly atopic eczema. It suppresses inflammation in a similar way to steroids, but is not as powerful. An important dermatological advantage of tacrolimus is that it can be used directly on the face; topical steroids cannot be used on the face, as they thin the skin dramatically there. On other parts of the body, topical steroid are generally a better treatment. A common side effect of tacrolimus ointment, if used over a wide area, is to cause a burning or itching sensation on the first one or two applications.

Arthritis and Emu Oil

2005-10-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

Laboratory experiments and analysis of emu oil in Australia and in the US are suggesting that it has the ability to reduce inflammation of the joints. Emu oil naturally contains a high level of linoleic acid, (a substance known to ease muscle ache and joint pain) and oleic acid, which provides a local anti-inflammatory effect. Some of the other properties claimed by the emu oil include: cholesterol reduction, bacteriostatic activity, arthritis swelling reduction and wound healing. It is also an excellent emulsifier.

CREST syndrome

2005-10-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

CREST syndrome is a subset of scleroderma, which is a rare, chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of collagen. Scleroderma leads to thickening, hardening and tightening of your skin and connective tissue. Typically the skin appears reddish or scaly in appearance. Blood vessels may also be more visible. Where large areas are affected, fat and muscle wastage will weaken limbs and affect appearance.

The seriousness of the disease varies between cases. The two most important factors to consider are, the level of internal involvement (beneath the skin), and the total area covered by the disease. For example there are cases where the patient has no more than one or two lesions (affected areas), perhaps covering a few inches. These are less serious cases and tend not to involve the internal bodily functions.
Cases with larger coverage are far more likely to affect the internal tissues and organs. Where an entire limb is affected, symptoms will almost certainly have serious consequences on the use of that limb. The heart and lungs will be affected when the disease covers this area of the torso. Some patients also experience gastrointestinal problems, including heartburn and acid reflux. Internal scarring may sometimes spread beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. There is discoloration of the hands and feet in response to cold. Most patients (>80%) have Raynaud's phenomenon, a vascular symptom that can affect the fingers, and toes. Systemic scleroderma and Raynaud's can cause painful ulcers on the fingers or toes, which are known as digital ulcers.

Mammography Screening

2005-10-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mammography is the process of using low-dose X-rays (usually around 0.7 mSv) to examine the human breast. It is used to look for different types of tumors and cysts. Only mammography has been proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer. In some countries routine (annual to five-yearly) mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer.

Like all x-rays, mammograms use doses of ionizing radiation to create this image. Radiologists then analyze the image for any abnormal growths. Despite continuous improvements and innovations, mammography has garnered a sizable opposition in the medical community because of an error rate that is still high and the amount of harmful radiation used in the procedure. (Gofinan)

At this stage mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer. It is the gold-standard for other imaging methods such as ultrasound and NMR-tomography. CT has no real role in diagnosing breast cancer at the present. Ultrasound, Thermography, and Magnetic resonance are alternatives to mammography.

In a Swedish study of 60,000 women, 70 percent of the mammographically detected tumors weren't tumors at all. These "false positives" aren't just financial and emotional strains, they may also lead to many unnecessary and invasive biopsies. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of all positive mammograms do not, upon biopsy, show any presence of cancer.

At the same time, mammograms also have a high rate of missed tumors, or "false negatives." Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, in his book, The Politics Of Cancer, claims that in women ages 40 to 49, one in four instances of cancer is missed at each mammography. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) puts the false negative rate even higher at 40 percent among women ages 40-49. National Institutes of Health spokespeople also admit that mammograms miss 10 percent of malignant tumors in women over 50. Researchers have found that breast tissue is denser among younger women, making it difficult to detect tumors. For this reason, false negatives are twice as likely to occur in premenopausal mammograms.

Toxic Car Smell

2005-10-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

"One of the best things about having a new car could be bad for you. New research finds that much loved "new car" smell is produced by harmful chemicals." According to a recent study, the pleasurable scent has been linked to harmful chemicals - volatile organic compounds (or VOC)- which releases chemicals from glues, paints, and vinyl. The smell inside the cabin of the new car can trigger headaches, sore throats, and drowsiness.
Japan's top five car makers have already rolled out cars with lower VOC levels. Gardner thinks that's great as long as they don't completely get rid of the scent that represents pride and satisfaction for so many consumers as they drive off the lot. A group that represents US automakers says it does not follow the issue of volatile organic compounds. The EPA has no stance on the issue either.

Cholesterol Function

2005-09-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

Cholesterol is an important component of the membranes of cells, providing stability; it makes the membrane's fluidity stable over a bigger temperature interval. The hydroxyl group on cholesterol interacts with the phosphate head of the membrane, and the bulky steroid and the hydrocarbon chain is embedded in the membrane. It also reduces the permeability of the plasma memebrane to proton and sodium ions (Haines 2001). It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D, of the various steroid hormones, including cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and of the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Further recent research shows that cholesterol has an important role for the brain synapses as well as in the immune system, including protecting against cancer. Recently, cholesterol has also been implicated in cell signalling processes, where it has been suggested that it forms lipid rafts in the plasma membrane.

In conditions with elevated concentrations of LDL particles, especially small LDL particles, cholesterol promotes atheroma plaque deposits in the walls of arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. (In contrast, HDL particles have been the only identified mechanism by which cholesterol can be removed from atheroma. Increased concentrations of large HDL particles, not total HDL particles, correlate with lower rates of atheroma progressions, even regression.)

There is a world-wide trend to believe that lower total cholesterol levels tend to correlate with lower atherosclerosis event rates. Due to this reason, cholesterol has become a very large focus for scientific researchers trying to determine the proper amount of cholesterol needed in a healthy diet.However, the primary association of atherosclerosis with cholesterol has always been specifically with cholesterol transport patterns, not total cholesterol per se. For example, total cholesterol can be low, yet made up primarily of small LDL and small HDL particles and atheroma growth rates are high. In contrast, however, if LDL particle number is low (mostly large particles) and a large percentage of the HDL particles are large (HDL is actively reverse transporting cholesterol), then atheroma growth rates are usually low, even negative, for any given total cholesterol concentration.

Multiple human trials utilizing HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins, have repeatedly confirmed that changing lipoprotein transport patterns from unhealthy to healthier patterns significantly lower cardiovascular disease event rates, even for people with cholesterol values currently considered low for adults; However, no statistically significant mortality benefit has been derived to date by lowering cholesterol using medications in asymptomatic people, i.e., no heart disease, no history of heart attack, etc.

Some of the better recent randomized human outcome trials studying patients with coronary artery disease or its risk equivalents include the Heart Protection Study (HPS), the PROVE IT trial, and the TNT trial. In addition, there are trials that have looked at the effect of lowering LDL as well as raising HDL and atheroma burden using intravascular ultrasound. Small trials have shown prevention of progression of coronary artery disease and possibly a slight reduction in atheroma burden with successful treatment of an abnormal lipid profile.

The American Heart Association provides a set of guidelines for total (fasting) blood cholesterol levels and risk for heart disease:

Level mg/dL Level mmol/L Interpretation
<200 <5.2 Desirable level corresponding to lower risk for heart disease
200-239 5.2-6.2 Borderline high risk
>240 >6.2 High risk

However, as today's testing methods determine LDL ("bad") and HDL ("good") cholesterol separately, this simplistic view has become somewhat outdated. The desirable LDL level is considered to be less than 100 mg/dl (2.6 mmol/L), although a newer target of <70 mg/dl can be considered in higher risk individuals based on some of the above-mentioned trials. A ratio of total cholesterol to HDL —another useful measure— of far less than 5:1 is thought to be healthier. Of note, typical LDL values for children before fatty streaks begin to develop is 35 mg/dl.

Patients should be aware that most testing methods for LDL do not actually measure LDL in their blood, much less particle size. For cost reasons, LDL values have long been estimated using the formula: Total-cholesterol − total-HDL − 20% of the triglyceride value = estimated LDL.

Increasing clinical evidence has strongly supported the greater predictive value of more-sophisticated testing that directly measures both LDL and HDL particle concentrations and size, as opposed to the more usual estimates/measures of the total cholesterol carried within LDL particles or the total HDL concentration. There are three commercial labs in the United States that offer more-sophisticated analysis using different methodologies. As outlined above, the real key is cholesterol transport, which is determined by both the proteins that form the lipoprotein particles and the proteins on cell surfaces with which they interact.
Based on Wikipedia

Osteoporosis Treatment

2005-09-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

There is a new experimental non-drug treatment for osteoporosis. The method involves standing on the special little oscillating bathroom scale for ten minutes per day which is sending an appropriate signal to the regions like your hip bone, or the spine which are at risk of fracture for osteoporosis.

"The vibrations are very slight," notes Stefan Judex, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, who worked on the research. The plate vibrates at 90 Hz (1 Hz = 1 cycle per second), with each brief oscillation imparting an acceleration equivalent to one-third of Earth's gravity. "If you touch the plate with your finger, you can feel a very slight vibration," he added. "If you watch the plate, you cannot see any vibration at all."

Although the vibrations are subtle they have had a profound effect on bone loss in laboratory animals such as turkeys, sheep, and rats. The results show that the vibration treatment maintained normal bone formation rates.

Calcium channel blockers

2005-09-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

Calcium channel blockers are a class of drugs effectting the muscle of the heart and the muscles of the rest of the body. The main action of calcium channel blockers is to lower the blood pressure. Most calcium channel blockers decrease the force of contraction of the myocardium. This is known as the negative inotropic effect of calcium channel blockers. They are avoided in patients with cardiomyopathy because of the negative inotropic effects.

Many calcium channel blockers also slow down the conduction of electrical activity within the heart, by blocking the calcium channel during the plateau phase of the action potential of the heart. This causes a lowering of the heart rate and may cause heart blocks. This is known as the negative chronotropic effect of calcium channel blockers. The negative chronotropic effects of calcium channel blockers make them a commonly used class of agents in individuals with atrial fibrillation or flutter in whom control of the heart rate is an issue.

Calcium channel blockers work by blocking voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the heart and in the blood vessels. This prevents calcium levels from increasing as much in the cells when stimulated, leading to less contraction.

This decreases total peripheral resistance by dilating the blood vessels, and decreases cardiac output by lowering the force of contraction. Because resistance and output drop, so does blood pressure.

Unlike with beta-blockers, the heart is still responsive to sympathetic nervous system stimulation, so blood pressure can be maintained more effectively.
Wikipedia

Anxiety and Nutrition

2005-09-04T21:12:00.000-07:00

Anxiety is a psychosomatic symptom which is the combination of the feeling of fear, apprehension and worry often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. It may exist as a primary brain disorder or may be associated with other medical problems including other psychiatric disorders.

A chronically recurring case of anxiety that has a serious effect on your life may be clinically diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The most common are Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder, phobias, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

There are several natural medications which are used for their anti-anxiety properties. Kava Kava is a popular herbal treatment, small doses can be taken regularly through the day, or when early symptoms are noticed. Valerian Root is also reputed to have anti-anxiety and sedative properties, as is Passion Fruit, Hops, and Chamomile.

Anxiety can be caused by intake of certain foods - Chinese Food Syndrome or lack of some aminoacids see Lysine Deficiency.

Tocotrienol as Antioxidant

2005-09-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Tocotrienol belongs to the group of Vitamin E, however is far more potent than the common forms of Tocopherol. Vitamin E is a generic term for both Tocopherols and Tocotrienols derivatives and consists of eight different compounds.

There are significant differences in their chemical structures which make them act very differently in humans. Besides free radical scavenging effect, the antioxidant function of tocotrienols is also associated with lowering tumor formation, DNA damage and cell damage. Tocotrienols have been shown to be a powerful antioxidant with anti-cancer and cholesterol lowering properties. Experimental work and clinical studies have confirmed that Tocotrienol activity as an antioxidant, anti-cancer and cholesterol reducing substance to be much stronger than Tocopherols.

The market of Tocotrienols is limited by supply and its antioxidant power has been proven to be much stronger than Tocopherol. Tocotrienols are obtained from natural sources. Commercially available Tocotrienols are mainly derived from palm or rice bran oil.

Much attention has been given by pharmaceutical companies to develop new cholesterol lowering agents. Recent research programs provided insight and significance to Tocotrienols. Especially δ- and γ-Tocotrienols were shown to be effective nutritional agents to treat high cholesterol. In particular, γ-Tocotrienol appear to act on a specific enzyme called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA) involved in cholesterol production in the liver. Tocotrienols suppress the production of this enzyme, which may result in less cholesterol being manufactured by liver cells.

Lysine Deficiency

2005-09-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

The insufficient intake of lysine in the diet can lead to a poor appetite and anaemia. It may also cause anxiety, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Lysine deficiency in the body has also been associated with reduced ability to concentrate, pneumonia, nephrosis, and acidosis, as well as with rickets in children.

The main sources of lysine are leafy vegetables, pulses and legumes, meat, poultry, milk and milk products, and ripe fruits. Lysine inhibits the growth of viruses. Along with vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A, it helps in eliminating some of the viral infections. Vitamin C protects lysine in the body, so the combination of lysine and vitamin C has a much stronger anti-virus effect than if either is used separately.

Lysine is considered to be a natural remedy for cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes.

Lysine is generally available in 500 mg capsules or tablets. The usual dose is 1-2 daily, just before mealtimes. In case that you have herpes, lysine supplements (L-lysine) in doses of 3-6 grams daily - plus lysine rich foods - are strongly recommended. For cold sores or fever blisters prevention take 500 to 1000 mg L-lysine daily, between meals.

Chinese Food Syndrome

2005-09-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Chinese Food Syndrome was first described in 1968 in people who had eaten Chinese food with added MSG (monosodium glutamate). The syndrome occurs in small number of people. Their symptoms may include headache, throbbing of the head, dizziness, lightheadedness, a feeling of facial pressure, tightness of the jaw, burning or tingling sensations over parts of the body, chest pain, and back pain. Large amounts of MSG may cause arterial dilatation (widening of arteries). Many Chinese do not believe in the existence of the Chinese restaurant syndrome. In some people it may be a hypersensitive (allergic) reaction. It should be also noted that foods with added MSG do not necessarily contain more glutamate than what is found naturally in some other foods.

MSG is a sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid that enhances the flavor of certain foods. Originally isolated from seaweed, MSG is now made by fermenting corn, potatoes and rice. It does not enhance the four basic tastes (bitter, salty, sour, sweet) but it does enhance the complex flavors of meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. MSG is an important ingredient in the cuisines of China and Japan and is used commercially worldwide in many types of foods. It is naturally present at high levels in tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. In China, MSG is also known as wei jing, which means flavor essence.

PharmaBlogging

2005-09-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

PharmaBlogging Conference is hosted by Pharmaceutical Education Associates, the conference will take place November 14-15, 2005 at the Sheraton University City Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

PharmaBlogging is the first national event to provide healthcare communications professionals with a means to identify key strategies to promote their brand and company image through blogs. The conference will provide insight into why blogs are important for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and outline the steps of building a success blog. In addition, the seminar will highlight the negative effects of blogs, including unapproved blogs about your brand/company and risk management techniques.