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- Can sleep trouble cause diabetes
Researchers have identified a possible new risk factor for diabetes: not getting a good night's sleep.
In a small study, University of Chicago researchers tested the theory on nine healthy young adults in a sleep lab.
For three nights, researchers prevented volunteers from getting the deepest and most restorative type of sleep.
Afterward, volunteers' bodies did not use insulin as well as before: they needed more insulin to dispose of the same amount of a sugar solution.
This reduced insulin sensitivity was comparable to the effect of gaining 20 or 30 pounds.
Earlier studies found that not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. - See Can sleep trouble cause diabetes for the complete report.
Submitted by:
George Snedrow
Reverse Phone Directory
Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:47:37 GMT
- Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Ear -- and Nose and Throat
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is offering some tips to protect the health of your ears, nose and throat in the new year.
"Ear, nose, and throat health problems are some of the most common ailments that Americans face," Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. "From colds and the flu in the winter to allergies in the spring, a few simple tips can help people enjoy a more productive, healthful 2008."
More than 37 million American adults suffer from the common respiratory condition sinusitis, and 45 million children and adults struggle with recurring seasonal and perennial allergies. Each season can bring a variety of ear, nose, and throat problems, the academy said.
The otolaryngologists -- doctors trained to treat conditions of the ear, nose, and throat -- recommend following these tips: - See Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Ear -- and Nose and Throat for the full article.
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:55:43 GMT
- High Blood Triglycerides Linked to Stroke Risk
High blood levels of the fats called triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of stroke, a new study finds.
"There's a lot of evidence emerging that they have a strong effect on vascular [blood vessel] risk as a whole," said study senior author Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele, associate professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
The study of more than 1,000 people treated for ischemic stroke -- the kind that happens when a clot blocks a blood vessel of the brain -- found that those with the highest levels of triglycerides were more than twice as likely to suffer such a stroke.
The findings are published in the Dec. 26 issue of Neurology. - See High Blood Triglycerides Linked to Stroke Risk for the complete report.
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:26:37 GMT
- Avastin Improves Survival in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: Study
Avastin (bevacizumab), a drug that inhibits the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors, slows the progression of metastatic breast cancer and prolongs survival, researchers wrote in the Dec. 27 issue of theNew England Journal of Medicine.
Their study of 722 women with recurrent breast cancer found that women who took Avastin combined with standard chemotherapy had progression-free survival of 11.3 months, compared to 6 months on standard chemotherapy alone.
"This therapy is a one-two punch! You hit the tumor with the chemo and sabotage new blood vessel growth by restricting its oxygen supply with Avastin," Dr. Melody Cobleigh, a study co-author and director of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Breast Center at Rush University, said in a statement. - See Avastin Improves Survival in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: Study for the full report.
Submitted by:
Mike Richardson
Political International And Religious Issues
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:13:45 GMT
- State court puts limits on health insurers' policy cancellations
Health insurers can't wait until a policyholder is sick or injured to investigate the person's medical history and then abruptly cancel the policy on the grounds that important information was left out of the original application, a state appeals court has ruled.
On Monday, the Fourth District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana called a halt to a practice that lawyers for policyholders claim is widespread. Known as "post-claims underwriting," it has led to numerous lawsuits - mostly unsuccessful so far - and state enforcement actions against insurers.
The court stopped short of a strict pro-consumer standard advocated by state regulators and plaintiffs' lawyers. But the justices said health insurers can rescind policies after the fact, because of misinformation on the application, only by showing that they conducted a reasonable investigation before issuing the policy, or that the applicant deliberately lied.
California law requires insurers to verify applicants' health information before issuing a policy, rather than waiting until they file a claim, the court said. The purpose is "to prevent the unexpected cancellation of health care coverage at a time coverage is needed most," said Justice Richard Aronson in the 3-0 ruling.
The ruling, the first by an appellate court on the issue, sets a precedent for - See State court puts limits on health insurers' policy cancellations for the complete report.
Submitted by:
Dan Thiel
National Lawyers Directory
Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:08:34 GMT
- Medical myths
Physicians understand that practicing good medicine requires the constant acquisition of new knowledge, though they often assume their existing medical beliefs do not need re-examination. These medical myths are a light hearted reminder that we can be wrong and need to question what other falsehoods we unwittingly propagate as we practice medicine. We generated a list of common medical or medicine related beliefs espoused by physicians and the general public, based on statements we had heard endorsed on multiple occasions and thought were true or might be true. We selected seven for critical review:
People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day
We use only 10% of our brains
Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser
Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy
Mobile phones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals.
We used Medline and Google to search for evidence to support or refute each of these claims. Because "proving a negative" can be challenging, we noted instances in which there was no evidence to support the claim.
People should drink at least eight glasses of water a day
The advice to drink at least eight glasses of water a day can be found throughout the popular press.w1-w4 One origin may be a 1945 recommendation that stated: A suitable allowance of water for adults is 2.5 litres daily in most instances. An ordinary standard for diverse persons is 1 millilitre for each calorie of food. Most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.w5 If the last, crucial sentence is ignored, the statement could be interpreted as instruction to drink eight glasses of water a day.w6
Another endorsement may have come from a prominent nutritionist, Frederick Stare, who once recommended, without references, the consumption "around 6 to 8 glasses per 24 hours," which could be "in the form of coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, beer, etc."w7 The complete lack of evidence supporting the recommendation to drink six to eight glasses of water a day is exhaustively catalogued in an invited review by Heinz Valtin in the American Journal of Physiology.w8 Furthermore, existing studies suggest that adequate fluid intake is usually met through typical daily consumption of juice, milk, and even caffeinated drinks.w9 In contrast, drinking excess amounts of water can be dangerous, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia, and even death.
We use only 10% of our brains
The belief that we use only 10% of our brains has persisted for over a century, despite dramatic advances in neuroscience. In another extensive expert literature review, Barry Beyerstein provides a detailed account of the origins of this myth and the evidence disputing it.w10 Some sources attribute this claim to Albert Einstein, but no such reference or statement by Einstein has ever been recorded.w10 This myth arose as early as 1907, propagated by multiple sources advocating the power of self improvement and tapping into each persons unrealised latent abilities.w10-w13
Evidence from studies of brain damage, brain imaging, localisation of function, microstructural analysis, and metabolic studies show that people use much more than 10% of their brains.w10 Studies of patients with brain injury suggest that damage to almost any area of the brain has specific and lasting effects on mental, vegetative, and behavioural capabilities.w14-w16 Numerous types of brain imaging studies show that no area of the brain is completely silent or inactive.w10 w17 w18 The many functions of the brain are highly localised, with different tasks allocated to different anatomical regions.w19 w20 Detailed probing of the brain has failed to identify the "non-functioning" 90%.w10 Even micro-level localisation, isolating the response of single neurones, reveals no gaps or inactive areas.w10 w21 Metabolic studies, tracking differential rates of cellular metabolism within the brain, reveal no dormant areas.w10
Hair and fingernails continue to grow after death
Morbid information about the body captures the imagination and reinforces medical mythology. In All Quiet on the Western Front, the author describes a friends fingernails growing in corkscrews after the burial.w22 Johnny Carson even perpetuated this myth with his joke, "For three days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off."w23 To quote the expert opinion of forensic anthropologist William Maples, "It is a powerful, disturbing image, but it is pure moonshine. No such thing occurs."w24
This myth does have a basis in a biological phenomenon that can occur after death. As Maples and numerous dermatologists explain, dehydration of the body after death and drying or desiccation may lead to retraction of the skin around the hair or nails.w24 The skins retraction can create an appearance of increased length or of greater prominence because of the optical illusion created by contrasting the shrunken soft tissues with the nails or hair. The actual growth of hair and nails, however, requires a complex hormonal regulation not sustained after death.w25 w26
Shaving hair causes it to grow back faster, darker, or coarser
Another common belief is that shaving hair off will cause it to grow back in a darker or coarser form or to grow back faster. It is often reinforced by popular media sourcesw27 and perhaps by people contemplating the quick appearance of stubble on their own body.
Strong scientific evidence disproves these claims. As early as 1928, a clinical trial showed that shaving had no effect on hair growth.w28 More recent studies confirm that shaving does not affect the thickness or rate of hair regrowth.w29 w30 In addition, shaving removes the dead portion of hair, not the living section lying below the skins surface, so it is unlikely to affect the rate or type of growth.w26 Shaved hair lacks the finer taper seen at the ends of unshaven hair, giving an impression of coarseness.w31 Similarly, the new hair has not yet been lightened by the sun or other chemical exposures, resulting in an appearance that seems darker than existing hair.
Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight
The fearful idea that reading in dim light could ruin ones eyesight probably has its origins in the physiological experience of eye strain. Suboptimal lighting can create a sensation of having difficulty in focusing. It also decreases the rate of blinking and leads to discomfort from drying, particularly in conditions of voluntary squinting.w32 w33 The important counterpoint is that these effects do not persist.
The majority consensus in ophthalmology, as outlined in a collection of educational material for patients, is that reading in dim light does not damage your eyes.w34 Although it can cause eye strain with multiple temporary negative effects, it is unlikely to cause a permanent change on the function or structure of the eyes.w34 Even in patients with Sjögrens syndrome (an autoimmune disease that features inflammation in certain glands of the body), decreased functional visual acuity associated with strained reading improves when they stop reading.w35
One review article on myopia concludes that increased use of ones eyes, such as reading in dim light or holding books too close to the face, could result in impaired ocular growth and refractive error.w36 The primary evidence cited was epidemiological evidence of the increased prevalence of myopia and the high incidence of myopia in people with more academic experience.w36 The author notes that this hypothesis is just beginning to "gain scientific credence." In the past reading conditions involved even less light, relying on candles or lanterns, so increased rates of myopia over the past several centuries does not necessarily support that dim reading conditions are to blame.w37 In contrast to that review, hundreds of online expert opinions conclude that reading in low light does not hurt your eyes.w38
Eating turkey makes people especially drowsy
The presence of tryptophan in turkey may be the most commonly known fact pertaining to amino acids and food. Scientific evidence shows that tryptophan is involved in sleep and mood control and can cause drowsiness.w39 w40 L-tryptophan has been marketed as a sleep aid.w41
The myth is the idea that consuming turkey (and the tryptophan it contains) might particularly predispose someone to sleepiness. Actually, turkey does not contain an exceptional amount of tryptophan. Turkey, chicken, and minced beef contain nearly equivalent amounts of tryptophan (about 350 mg per 115 g), while other common sources of protein, such as pork or cheese, contain more tryptophan per gram than turkey.w42 Any effects of the tryptophan in turkey are probably minimised by consuming it in combination with other food, which would limit its absorption according to expert opinion.w43 In fact, consuming supplemental tryptophan on an empty stomach is recommended to aid absorption.w44 Other physiological mechanisms explain drowsiness after meals. Any large solid meal (such as turkey, sausages, stuffing, and assorted vegetables followed by Christmas pudding and brandy butter) can induce sleepiness because blood flow and oxygenation to the brain decreases,w45 and meals either high in protein or carbohydrate may cause drowsiness.w46-w51 Accompanying wine may also play a role.w52 w53
Mobile phones create considerable electromagnetic interference in hospitals
In a search by www.snopes.com we could not find any cases of death caused by the use of a mobile phone in a hospital or medical facility.w54 Less serious incidents, including false alarms on monitors, malfunctions in infusion pumps, and incorrect readings on cardiac monitors, have occasionally been reported. Although no references or dates are given, one government website published an anecdote in 2002 describing how use of a mobile phone in an intensive care unit resulted in an unintended bolus of adrenaline (epinephrine) from an infusion pump.w55 After publication of a journal article citing more than 100 reports of suspected electromagnetic interference with medical devices before 1993,w56 the Wall Street Journal published a front page article highlighting this danger.w57 Since that time, many hospitals banned the use of mobile phones, perpetuating the belief.
Despite the concerns, there is little evidence. In the United Kingdom, early studies showed that mobile phones interfered with only 4% of devices and only at a distance of <1 meter.w58 w59 Less than 0.1% showed serious effects.w58 At the Mayo Clinic in 2005, in 510 tests performed with 16 medical devices and six mobile telephones, the incidence of clinically important interference was 1.2%.w60 Similarly rigorous testing in Europe found minimal interference and only at distances less than 1 meter.w61 Recent technological improvements may be lessening even this minimal interference. A 2007 study, examining mobile phones "used in a normal way," found no interference of any kind during 300 tests in 75 treatment rooms.w62 In contrast, a large survey of anaesthesiologists suggested that use of mobile phones by doctors was associated with reduced risk of medical error or injury resulting from delays in communication (relative risk 0.78; 95% confidence interval 0.62 to 0.96).w63
Conclusions
Despite their popularity, all of these medical beliefs range from unproved to untrue. Although this was not a systematic review of either the breadth of medical myths or of all available evidence related to each myth, the search methods produced a large number of references. While some of these myths simply do not have evidence to confirm them, others have been studied and proved wrong.
Physicians would do well to understand the evidence supporting their medical decision making. They should at least recognise when their practice is based on tradition, anecdote, or art. While belief in the described myths is unlikely to cause harm, recommending medical treatment for which there is little evidence certainly can. Speaking from a position of authority, as physicians do, requires constant evaluation of the validity of our knowledge.
By: Rachel C Vreeman and Aaron E Carroll
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/335/7633/1288
Submitted by:
Dan Thiel
National Lawyers Directory
Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:53:49 GMT
- Breast reconstruction often not discussed
Women with breast cancer faced with treatment decisions are often not told by their surgeons about the possibility of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, a study confirms. When these conversations do occur, many more women choose mastectomy, researchers found.
In a survey of 1,178 women who had breast cancer surgery, only 33 percent reported that their surgeon had discussed breast reconstruction with them during the surgical decision-making process.
"We found it surprising that very few patients were informed about their options for breast reconstruction, and that information regarding reconstruction was more likely to be given to younger women who were more educated," Dr. Amy K. Alderman of the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, told Reuters Health. - See Breast reconstruction often not discussed for the full report.
Submitted by:
Barry Arcant
Legal Resources And Services
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:34:00 GMT
- Denosumab fortifies bone in breast cancer patients
The osteoporosis drug denosumab increased bone strength in women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer, drug maker Amgen Inc said Friday.
The results of a phase III study of denosumab showed a 5.5-percent increase in bone strength in drug-treated patients after 12 months.
Amgen announced in July that the company-funded study showed denosumab strengthened bones thinned by estrogen-depleting breast cancer drugs known as aromatase inhibitors.
Researchers said denosumab, which is administered by injection twice a year, increased bone density in the spongy part of the bone. It also strengthened - See Denosumab fortifies bone in breast cancer patients for the full report.
Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:42:20 GMT
- 2007 World Cancer Deaths Top 7 Million
The American Cancer Society today predicted that worldwide in 2007, more than 12 million people will be diagnosed with cancer and 7.6 million will die of cancer.
That's about 20,000 global cancer deaths per day, according to the American Cancer Society's first "Global Cancer Facts & Figures" report.
The report shows a gap in cancer survival among economically developed nations and economically developing countries.
Part of that gap is due to infection and lack of access to medical care in the developing world. Lifestyle factors also play a role. - See 2007 World Cancer Deaths Top 7 Million for the complete article.
Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:39:19 GMT
- How Heart Disease Is Different In Women
In the last couple of years we have seen an increase in the emphasis of heart disease in women. Somehow the perception has been heart disease is "just a man's problem". Not so! In women, heart disease can act differently but it is just as serious.
Many know the classic symptoms of a heart attack - crushing chest pain and pain radiating into the left arm or back. Did you know these classic symptoms are more common in men that women? True, chest pain is still a very common symptom, but women often experience other symptoms. These symptoms can be extreme fatigue, shortness of breath (with or without chest pain), pain in the upper back or stomach, nausea and vomiting. Because heart disease can present itself so differently and go unrecognized, it's valuable for women to learn about the risks and learn to recognize these symptoms in their own bodies as something that may be serious and need immediate attention.
Important Statistics About Heart Disease
How really big a risk is heart disease for women? If you think it's not really so important consider this:
About half a million women die each year from cardiovascular disease
This means more lives are lost to heart disease and stroke in women than to the next SIX causes of death put together
Each year about 435,000 women have heart attacks, and there are SIX TIMES as many women dying every year from heart attack as from breast cancer
Eight million women are currently living with heart disease of some sort. Let's put it another way--10% of all women ages 45 - 64, and 25% of women over the age of 65 have heart disease.
Who is At Risk?
Several risk factors play an important part in the development of cardiovascular disease. I'm sure you may have heard them all before, but we'll review the causes anyway. They are important to know, and important to control if at all possible. It's so much better to try and prevent cardiovascular disease than to treat heart attacks and strokes after they happen.
High Blood Pressure - causes damage to both the heart as a pump and to the blood vessels themselves. One third of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and about one in 10 have high blood pressure and do not even know it. Untreated high blood pressure will lead to cardiovascular disease.
Obesity - being overweight puts an extra load on the heart. Over time the obesity can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes. Keeping your weight under control will reduce the risk of heart disease.
Diabetes - having diabetes is now recognized as conferring the same risk for a major heart event (such as a heart attack) as someone who is already known to have heart disease. What does this mean? Well, women with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have a heart attack than someone who does not have diabetes.
Smoking - if you smoke you have a chance of having a heart attack as much as 19 years sooner than you otherwise would. STOP SMOKING NOW!
Race - the rate of heart disease is higher is African American women, with the rate of heart attack being twice that of Caucasian women ages 55 - 64. And Pacific Islanders, Latinos and American Indians have a higher rate of diabetes and therefore more cardiovascular disease as well.
Cholesterol - high cholesterol levels are a major risk factor in both men and women. It contributes to a build up of plaque on the inner wall of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to heart attack and strokes. Cholesterol levels tend to creep up in women after menopause when hormone levels fall.
How Can I Get My Risks Under Control?
Most of us know how important it is to keep a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet high is veggies, fruits and grains. I can't tell you there is an easy path to good health without doing all of these things, because it's all still true. They are just as important as they ever were. But set realistic weight goals, and try for consistency. After all, losing a pound a week means in one year you will have lost 52 pounds! That's a lot even if you are really, really overweight.
Be sure and visit your Health Care Professional regularly for screening of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. You must find out early and take immediate action to control these risk factors. The Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study confirmed those who achieved lower blood pressures - 120-125 mmHg systolic (the top number) and 80-85 mmHg diastolic blood pressures (the bottom number) on treatment had better outcomes that those with higher blood pressures. If you are a diabetic try to get that systolic pressure number below 125 mmHg. This is much lower than the 140/90 mmHg we have previously heard was the "magic" number. The study showed even lower number to be important in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Women have a much higher incidence to thyroid problems as well. A low thyroid can contribute to weight gain, higher cholesterol, and higher triglycerides, which is turn can increase cardiovascular risk. Women especially need to get a thryoid panel as part of their screening, especially as they age.
Don't forget the fiber! The average American eats only 10 - 15 grams a day of fiber when you should have about 30 grams. Whole wheat breads, cereals, and soluble fibers (such as barley grains) will increase the fiber content of your diet. Even so, we have trouble getting that much fiber into their daily diet.
It's important you identify your own risk factors and change your life style to control what risks you may have, and of course feel better in the process.
By: Sylvia Seamands
Sylvia Seamands,MD--Dr. Seamands is a retired physician who spent years as a practicing Internist and medical director for several managed care organizations. She authors information articles for and co-owns http://www.womenshealthshoppe.com which offers natural nutritional supplements for women and their families.
Submitted by:
Tory Anderson
Fitness - Diet And Exercise
Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:56:29 GMT
- Test may spare many women chemotherapy
A gene test can help doctors determine which breast cancer patients are likely to benefit from chemotherapy, even for those whose tumors are relatively more advanced, researchers reported Thursday.
The finding needs to be confirmed in clinical trials, but experts said the test could already be used to spare some women from the debilitating side effects of cancer drugs.
The research study, among others being presented at the 30th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, is part of a trend away from one-size-fits-all medicine. - See Test may spare many women chemotherapy for the full report.
Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:36:23 GMT
- Study finds little strokes lead to big strokes in a week
Mini-strokes lead to a major stroke within a week in one out of 20 people and should be treated as a medical emergency, British doctors said on Sunday.
They said people who were immediately treated for the small strokes, called transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, had almost no risk of a major stroke soon afterward.
But people who did nothing about a TIA had an 11 percent risk of a major stroke within a week, Dr. Matthew Giles and Peter Rothwell of the Stroke Prevention Research Unit at the University of Oxford reported.
For their study, published in the Lancet Neurology, Giles and Rothwell combined results from 18 different groups of patients, a total of more than 10,000 people. - See Study finds little strokes lead to big strokes in a week for the full article.
Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:19:18 GMT
- Lipitor ups risk of bleeding stroke: study
Pfizer Inc's cholesterol fighter Lipitor may raise the small risk of the less common type of stroke, involving bleeding in the brain, in people who previously have had a stroke, researchers said on Wednesday.
The researchers said this risk must be weighed against the larger overall benefit provided by Lipitor in cutting the risk of the more common type of stroke and other cardiovascular conditions in people who already have had a stroke.
Lipitor, known generically as atorvastatin, is a multi-billion dollar seller for Pfizer. It is in a class of drugs known as statins. - See Lipitor ups risk of bleeding stroke: study for the complete report.
Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:17:03 GMT
- Good physical functioning tied to lower stroke risk
Middle-aged and older adults who manage to stay agile may be less likely to suffer a stroke than their less-nimble peers, researchers reported Monday.
In a study of more than 13,000 men and women, British researchers found that those who reported good physical functioning at the study's start -- having little problem climbing stairs or carrying groceries, for instance -- were less likely to have a stroke over the next seven years.
The findings suggest that measures of physical functioning could help identify "apparently healthy" people who are at increased risk of stroke, the researchers report in the journal Neurology.
The study included 13,615 adults who were between the ages of 40 and 79 at the outset. They each underwent a routine physical exam, answered questions on their lifestyle habits and completed a standard questionnaire on health-related quality of life. - See Good physical functioning tied to lower stroke risk for the full report.
Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:13:56 GMT
- Studies show how fruits and veggies reduce cancer
Just three servings a month of raw broccoli or cabbage can reduce the risk of bladder cancer by as much as 40 percent, researchers reported this week.
Other studies show that dark-colored berries can reduce the risk of cancer too -- adding more evidence to a growing body of research that shows fruits and vegetables, especially richly colored varieties, can reduce the risk of cancer.
Researchers at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, surveyed 275 people who had bladder cancer and 825 people without cancer. They asked especially about cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage.
These foods are rich in compounds called isothiocyanates, which are known to lower cancer risk. - See Studies show how fruits and veggies reduce cancer for the full report.
Submitted by:
Glenda Teranova
Fitness - Diet And Exercise
Sat, 08 Dec 2007 03:35:16 GMT