Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Attention Deficit
Preschoolers’ motivation, temperament relate to attention skills, study finds
Categories:
* ADHD: Children
* ADHD: Medications
* Brain Development
* ADHD
* ADHD: Education
“The findings from this study suggest problems that arise from attention
difficulties are not limited to difficulty with concentration and sitting still,
but are related to how children approach challenging or new situations,” said
Chang. “Clearly, it is the case that much more needs to be understood about the
nature and implications of having an attention problem.”
Continue reading: Preschoolers’ motivation, temperament relate to attention skills, study finds
Thursday, March 03, 2005
22/12/04 - Health section
Aromatherapy oils could kill deadly superbug
Essential oils normally used in aromatherapy could be used to kill deadly MRSA bacteria, scientists say.
In tests carried out at the University of Manchester, three essential oils killed MRSA and e.coli bacteria within two minutes of contact.
Researchers believe the oils - chemical compounds found in aromatic plants - could be blended into soaps and shampoos to eradicate the spread of superbugs.
Revolutionary discovery
Peter Warn, from the University's faculty of medicine, who worked on the research, said the findings could help save lives.
He said: "We believe that our discovery could revolutionise the fight to combat MRSA and other superbugs but we need to carry out a trial and to do that we need a small amount of funding, around £30,000.
"We are having problems finding this funding because essential oils cannot be patented as they are naturally occurring, so few drug companies are interested in our work as they do not see it as commercially viable.
"Obviously we find this very frustrating as we believe our findings could help to stamp out MRSA and save lives."
The researchers tested 40 essential oils against ten of the most deadly bacteria and fungi.
Two of the oils killed MRSA and e.coli almost instantly, while a third was found to act over a longer period of time.
This means that any soaps made by blending the three oils would be effective through a course of treatment.
'Enormous benefit'
Jacqui Stringer, clinical leader of complementary therapies at Christie Hospital in Manchester, instigated the oils research.
She said: "Our research shows a very practical application which could be of enormous benefit to the NHS and its patients.
"The reason essential oils are so effective is because they are made up of a complex mixture of chemical compounds which the MRSA and other superbug bacteria finds difficult to resist.
"The problem with current treatments is that they are made of single compounds which MRSA relatively quickly becomes resistant to, so treatment is only successful in around 50% of cases."
She added: "While a wide range of products currently exist to help prevent the spread of MRSA these are often unpleasant for patients as their application can cause skin irritation.
"MRSA is often carried inside the nose which means that patients often have to insert treatments up their nostrils, whereas these essential oils can simply be inhaled to prevent the patient being at risk."
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=331698&in_page_id=1774
©2005 Associated New Media
Friday, February 25, 2005
Carotenoids May Protect Against Prostate Cancer
Reuters Health Information 2005. © 2005 Reuters Ltd.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
By David Douglas
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Feb 24 - Dietary lycopene and other carotenoids may be protective against prostate cancer, Australian and Chinese researchers report in the March 1st issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
This is the first time such findings have been reported in an Asian population, investigator Dr. Andy H. Lee told Reuters Health. The findings confirm those of other studies that have identified lycopene as a protective agent against some types of cancers.
Dr. Lee, of Curtin University of Technology, Perth, and colleagues note that there is a lack of evidence in Asian countries on the possible benefits of dietary carotenoids. Among reasons is the low incidence of prostate cancer.
To investigate further, the researchers conducted a case-control study in southeast China. Involved were 130 patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and 274 controls. The controls were hospital inpatients without prostate cancer or malignant diseases.
The subjects were interviewed about food consumption and a variety of other matters. After adjustment for factors including, age, total fat and caloric intake as well as a family history of prostate cancer, diet appeared to have an influence.
The risk of prostate cancer declined with increasing consumption of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Consumption of foods including tomatoes, spinach and citrus fruits was also inversely associated with cancer risk.
In particular, compared to those with the lowest intake of lycopene, those with the highest had an odds ratio for prostate cancer of 0.18. Corresponding odds ratios were 0.43 for alpha-carotene, 0.34 for beta-carotene, 0.15 for beta-cryptoxanthin and 0.02 for lutein and zeaxanthine.
The researchers call for further studies to establish whether these benefits are associated with whole foods or pure carotenoids. However, they conclude that "carotenoids in vegetables and fruits may be inversely related to prostate carcinogenesis among Chinese men."
Int J Cancer 2005;113:1010-1014.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Herbal Remedy as Good as Drug for Depression: Study
LONDON (Reuters) - An extract of the herbal remedy St. John's wort is as effective as a commonly prescribed drug for people with moderate-to-severe depression, researchers reported this week Friday.
They compared the extract called WS 5570, which is made by the German company Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, and the antidepressant paroxetine sold by GlaxoSmithKline Plc under the brand name Paxil or Seroxat.
St. John's wort is also known as hypericum perforatum. ...................................
They compared the extract called WS 5570, which is made by the German company Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, and the antidepressant paroxetine sold by GlaxoSmithKline Plc under the brand name Paxil or Seroxat.
St. John's wort is also known as hypericum perforatum. ...................................
Monday, February 14, 2005
St. John's Wort as Effective as Paroxetine for Major Depression
Feb 10 - Extract of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) is at least as effective as paroxetine (Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of moderate to severe major depression, while being better tolerated, Germany investigators report in the British Medical Journal, published online on February 10.
Dr. Meinhard Kieser, at Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals in Karlsruhe, and his associates enrolled outpatients in 21 clinics. All scored 22 points or higher on the 17-item Hamilton depression scale. A total of 125 were randomly assigned to hypericum extract WS 5570 300 mg t.i.d. and 126 to paroxetine 20 mg q.d. Doses were doubled after 2 weeks if depression score had not improved by at least 20%.
After 42 days, Hamilton depression scores declined by 14.4 points in the hypericum group and 11.4 points in the paroxetine group (corresponding to decreases of 57% and 45%, respectively), a difference that the authors call "clinically relevant."
Responder rates were 70% and 60%, respectively, and remission rates were 50% and 35%. The authors observed differences favoring hypericum in secondary measures, including Montgomery-Asperg depression rating scale, Beck depression inventory and clinical global impressions.
During the trial, there were 172 adverse events reported in 55% of those in the hypericum group, and 269 reported by 76% in the paroxetine group.
"Our results support the use of hypericum extract WS 5570 as an alternative to standard antidepressants in moderate to severe depression, especially as it is well tolerated," Dr. Kieser's group concludes.
BMJ 2005.
Dr. Meinhard Kieser, at Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals in Karlsruhe, and his associates enrolled outpatients in 21 clinics. All scored 22 points or higher on the 17-item Hamilton depression scale. A total of 125 were randomly assigned to hypericum extract WS 5570 300 mg t.i.d. and 126 to paroxetine 20 mg q.d. Doses were doubled after 2 weeks if depression score had not improved by at least 20%.
After 42 days, Hamilton depression scores declined by 14.4 points in the hypericum group and 11.4 points in the paroxetine group (corresponding to decreases of 57% and 45%, respectively), a difference that the authors call "clinically relevant."
Responder rates were 70% and 60%, respectively, and remission rates were 50% and 35%. The authors observed differences favoring hypericum in secondary measures, including Montgomery-Asperg depression rating scale, Beck depression inventory and clinical global impressions.
During the trial, there were 172 adverse events reported in 55% of those in the hypericum group, and 269 reported by 76% in the paroxetine group.
"Our results support the use of hypericum extract WS 5570 as an alternative to standard antidepressants in moderate to severe depression, especially as it is well tolerated," Dr. Kieser's group concludes.
BMJ 2005.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Red wine boosts good cholesterol
Now we all have the perfect excuse to crack open a bottle of red wine after a long hard day
- a glass of red wine increases good cholesterol and lowers levels of a blood-clotting chemical.
New research shows that a daily glass of red wine for four weeks increases HDL or good cholesterol by up to 16 per cent, and reduces the amount of the clotting compound fibrinogen by up to 15 per cent.
And the research shows that it's the alcohol in the wine that provides the beneficial effects. No similar effects were found among people taking the same amount of red grape extract.
Although red wine has been linked to health benefits, especially for the heart, it's not been known how the effects are achieved. Antioxidants and other non-alcoholic compounds have been suggested, but the new research points to alcohol itself.
In the research at the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen, men and women aged 30 to 74, were given either 300ml of red wine a day, or red grape extract or water for a month, after which their cholesterol and fibrinogen levels were measured.
The levels of good cholesterol went up by between 11 and 16 per cent in the wine drinkers, and the amount of fibrinogen went down by eight to 15 per cent.
HDL cholesterol is considered good because a high level of it seems to protect against heart problemspossibly because it carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. Fibrinogen is a bloodclotting agent and high levels are associated with an increased risk of heart problems.
"Moderate red wine consumption for four weeks is associated with desirable changes in HDL and fibrinogen compared with drinking water with or without red grape extract.
"The impact of wine on the cardiovascular risk factors thus seems primarily explained by an alcoholic effect," say the researchers.
Other research has shown that while red wine may be protective, other forms of alcohol are not. That, say the researchers, may be explained by other lifestyle differences between people who favour different kinds of drink.
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=336208&in_page_id=1774
©2005 Associated New Media
- a glass of red wine increases good cholesterol and lowers levels of a blood-clotting chemical.
New research shows that a daily glass of red wine for four weeks increases HDL or good cholesterol by up to 16 per cent, and reduces the amount of the clotting compound fibrinogen by up to 15 per cent.
And the research shows that it's the alcohol in the wine that provides the beneficial effects. No similar effects were found among people taking the same amount of red grape extract.
Although red wine has been linked to health benefits, especially for the heart, it's not been known how the effects are achieved. Antioxidants and other non-alcoholic compounds have been suggested, but the new research points to alcohol itself.
In the research at the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen, men and women aged 30 to 74, were given either 300ml of red wine a day, or red grape extract or water for a month, after which their cholesterol and fibrinogen levels were measured.
The levels of good cholesterol went up by between 11 and 16 per cent in the wine drinkers, and the amount of fibrinogen went down by eight to 15 per cent.
HDL cholesterol is considered good because a high level of it seems to protect against heart problemspossibly because it carries cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. Fibrinogen is a bloodclotting agent and high levels are associated with an increased risk of heart problems.
"Moderate red wine consumption for four weeks is associated with desirable changes in HDL and fibrinogen compared with drinking water with or without red grape extract.
"The impact of wine on the cardiovascular risk factors thus seems primarily explained by an alcoholic effect," say the researchers.
Other research has shown that while red wine may be protective, other forms of alcohol are not. That, say the researchers, may be explained by other lifestyle differences between people who favour different kinds of drink.
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=336208&in_page_id=1774
©2005 Associated New Media
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
the Mail online | Women & family | All you need to know about flu: "All you need to know about flu"
The winter months invariably bring a range of nasties with them. As the weather gets colder, our immune systems appear more vulnerable and colds and infection soon take hold.
Flu is one of the main illnesses to peak in winter, and it can be one of the more dangerous, too. It's infectious and in some circumstances, fatal, especially for the young, elderly and those with chronic conditions, such as asthma.
Here we take an in-depth look at what flu is and the best ways of avoiding, and treating it.
The winter months invariably bring a range of nasties with them. As the weather gets colder, our immune systems appear more vulnerable and colds and infection soon take hold.
Flu is one of the main illnesses to peak in winter, and it can be one of the more dangerous, too. It's infectious and in some circumstances, fatal, especially for the young, elderly and those with chronic conditions, such as asthma.
Here we take an in-depth look at what flu is and the best ways of avoiding, and treating it.
Reduced salt intake cuts heart disease risk
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/std/mHead2.gif
26/01/05 - Diet & fitness section
Reduced salt intake cuts heart disease risk
Older people could immediately cut the risk of suffering a stroke or a heart attack by reducing their salt intake, campaigners have claimed.
At least 26 million people in Britain regularly consume more than the recommended 6g of salt a day for an adult.
Eating too much salt can raise blood pressure but the danger generally increases with age.
Pressure group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has calculated over 60-year-olds could slash the chances of a stoke by up to 31% and a heart attack by 24% within days if they reduced their salt consumption to the 6g a day maximum.
Greater risks
It based the figures on papers published in two journals, one on a salt reduction trial in older people and the other looking at the relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. CASH plans to highlight the issue in its latest Salt Awareness Day tomorrow.
Salt manufacturers responded by claiming a recent study in Germany had shown a low-salt diet could be dangerous for older people.
One of the biggest complaints of health groups is that food manufacturers generally list sodium rather than salt on packets.
Shoppers need to multiply the sodium content by 2.5 to find the salt level.
A survey conducted by CASH of over 50-year-olds found that 63% were unaware that salt contains sodium or got the quantities wrong.
A further 69% of the 103 people questioned in September last year said the labelling of sodium was "incomprehensible"."
Graham MacGregor, chairman of CASH and a professor of cardiovascular medicine at St George's Hospital, London, said: "Older people will have dramatic reductions in strokes and heart attacks if they cut their salt intakes to the recommended levels.
"They are at greater risks and will have immediate and larger falls in blood pressure."
Prof MacGregor analysed the results of 23 patients referred to the blood pressure unit at St George's with hypertension, all of whom claimed to be cutting down on salt or ate none at all.
Just three of the group actually consumed less than 6g a day and one man had a reading of 23.7g.
Food industry targets
The Food Standards Agency say men consume an average of 11g of salt a day - equivalent to almost two level teaspoons - and while women have around 8.1g.
Around 75% of salt in diets comes from processed food with bread, breakfast cereals and biscuits among the worst culprits.
Peter Sherratt, general secretary of the Salt Manufacturers Association, said: "CASH has never acknowledged the fact that there are many experts who totally disagree with it on the suggested link between salt and blood pressure.
"This latest advice carries potential risk for older people. If they suffer from high blood pressure, they should consult their doctors rather than follow what CASH suggests is an 'immediate' cure.
Martin Paterson, deputy director general of the Food and Drink Federation, said: "UK food and drink manufacturers are committed to encouraging consumers to improve their own health through a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
"The industry has already made great strides in reducing the amount of salt in a wide range of processed foods, published a guide to help consumers understand more about salt and is committed to encouraging all its members to provide 'salt equivalent' on labelling as well as the legally required sodium information."
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/dietfitness.html?in_article_id=335467&in_page_id=1798
©2005 Associated New Media
26/01/05 - Diet & fitness section
Reduced salt intake cuts heart disease risk
Older people could immediately cut the risk of suffering a stroke or a heart attack by reducing their salt intake, campaigners have claimed.
At least 26 million people in Britain regularly consume more than the recommended 6g of salt a day for an adult.
Eating too much salt can raise blood pressure but the danger generally increases with age.
Pressure group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) has calculated over 60-year-olds could slash the chances of a stoke by up to 31% and a heart attack by 24% within days if they reduced their salt consumption to the 6g a day maximum.
Greater risks
It based the figures on papers published in two journals, one on a salt reduction trial in older people and the other looking at the relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. CASH plans to highlight the issue in its latest Salt Awareness Day tomorrow.
Salt manufacturers responded by claiming a recent study in Germany had shown a low-salt diet could be dangerous for older people.
One of the biggest complaints of health groups is that food manufacturers generally list sodium rather than salt on packets.
Shoppers need to multiply the sodium content by 2.5 to find the salt level.
A survey conducted by CASH of over 50-year-olds found that 63% were unaware that salt contains sodium or got the quantities wrong.
A further 69% of the 103 people questioned in September last year said the labelling of sodium was "incomprehensible"."
Graham MacGregor, chairman of CASH and a professor of cardiovascular medicine at St George's Hospital, London, said: "Older people will have dramatic reductions in strokes and heart attacks if they cut their salt intakes to the recommended levels.
"They are at greater risks and will have immediate and larger falls in blood pressure."
Prof MacGregor analysed the results of 23 patients referred to the blood pressure unit at St George's with hypertension, all of whom claimed to be cutting down on salt or ate none at all.
Just three of the group actually consumed less than 6g a day and one man had a reading of 23.7g.
Food industry targets
The Food Standards Agency say men consume an average of 11g of salt a day - equivalent to almost two level teaspoons - and while women have around 8.1g.
Around 75% of salt in diets comes from processed food with bread, breakfast cereals and biscuits among the worst culprits.
Peter Sherratt, general secretary of the Salt Manufacturers Association, said: "CASH has never acknowledged the fact that there are many experts who totally disagree with it on the suggested link between salt and blood pressure.
"This latest advice carries potential risk for older people. If they suffer from high blood pressure, they should consult their doctors rather than follow what CASH suggests is an 'immediate' cure.
Martin Paterson, deputy director general of the Food and Drink Federation, said: "UK food and drink manufacturers are committed to encouraging consumers to improve their own health through a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
"The industry has already made great strides in reducing the amount of salt in a wide range of processed foods, published a guide to help consumers understand more about salt and is committed to encouraging all its members to provide 'salt equivalent' on labelling as well as the legally required sodium information."
Find this story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/dietfitness.html?in_article_id=335467&in_page_id=1798
©2005 Associated New Media
Friday, January 21, 2005
Scented pillows help pre-met infants breathe!:
Sydney, Jan 9 : Vanilla-scented pillows could reduce the incidence of life-threatening respiratory difficulties in premature babies, a new study has found.
Pre-mature babies are often at risk of apnoea, a condition where they stop breathing for no apparent reason. Doctors believe the babies' immature respiratory centres means that they sometimes forget to breathe, particularly when they are sleeping.
Usually the condition is treated with drugs, but doctors at a hospital in Strasbourg, France, found that where drug treatment didn't work, a dab of vanilla essence on the pillows of the newborns reduced apnoea by 36 per cent on average in 12 out of 14 infants.
Pre-mature babies are often at risk of apnoea, a condition where they stop breathing for no apparent reason. Doctors believe the babies' immature respiratory centres means that they sometimes forget to breathe, particularly when they are sleeping.
Usually the condition is treated with drugs, but doctors at a hospital in Strasbourg, France, found that where drug treatment didn't work, a dab of vanilla essence on the pillows of the newborns reduced apnoea by 36 per cent on average in 12 out of 14 infants.
Researchers discover why olive oil lessens breast cancer risk:
: "Researchers discover why olive oil lessens breast cancer risk:"
Washington, Jan 10 : A team of researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, have revealed why Mediterranean diets, which include a lot of olive oil, reduces breast cancer risk in women.
The study, which has been published in the "Annals of Oncology" also found evidence that oleic acid, which is found in olive oil, may have a future role in treatment.
Washington, Jan 10 : A team of researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, have revealed why Mediterranean diets, which include a lot of olive oil, reduces breast cancer risk in women.
The study, which has been published in the "Annals of Oncology" also found evidence that oleic acid, which is found in olive oil, may have a future role in treatment.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
MedicineNet
Taking a trip to the doctor is not a fun thing to do unless you have some sort of fetish for pain and bad news. While all doctor visits don’t have to be horrible, the anxiety that is expended while you wait for the verdict is enough to make anyone go crazy. Some people think the answer is to just avoid going to the doctor altogether, but that usually leads to more problems than you originally planned for. If you’re starting to get that funny feeling that something is haywire in your body, you can do some research before you head to the Doc. One site that acts like a medical textbook is MedicineNet.
I'm no health expert, but this site appears to provide some comprehensive information on most anything that could ail you. If you're experiencing curious symptoms that you'd like to identify, the site lets you choose what you're going through, and will then give you suggestions about what the problem may be. You can also learn more about any type of disease that you or a friend may have. So many medications are on the market, and MedicineNet will help you figure out what does what. One of the biggest problems we peasants have to deal with is the inability to understand medical terms. Kiss this problem goodbye, because the site also has a dictionary that you can refer to in times of need. When you get that icky feeling inside, find out what the cause is with this Web site.
I'm no health expert, but this site appears to provide some comprehensive information on most anything that could ail you. If you're experiencing curious symptoms that you'd like to identify, the site lets you choose what you're going through, and will then give you suggestions about what the problem may be. You can also learn more about any type of disease that you or a friend may have. So many medications are on the market, and MedicineNet will help you figure out what does what. One of the biggest problems we peasants have to deal with is the inability to understand medical terms. Kiss this problem goodbye, because the site also has a dictionary that you can refer to in times of need. When you get that icky feeling inside, find out what the cause is with this Web site.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
the Mail online | Health | Revolutionary implants help injured children smile again: "Doctors are putting smiles back on the faces of seriously injured and deformed children with the help of a revolutionary new implant to help rebuild their looks."
Friday, January 07, 2005
New Clinical Guidelines Advise When to Treat Flat Feet in Children
CHICAGO, IL -- December 29, 2004 -- Are flat feet in children naturally corrected with age or does the condition require medical attention to prevent further foot problems" To help physicians and parents learn answers to this question and others, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) has released new clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric flatfoot.
According to co-author James Thomas, DPM, FACFAS, University of Alabama Birmingham, the bottom-line advice for parents from the new guidelines is to observe your child's gait regularly, with and without shoes, for signs of flattened arches and seek medical attention if the child complains of foot or leg pain or shows a sudden lack of interest in physical activities.
The guidelines appear in the current issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery and offer physicians diagnostic and treatment pathways to follow when evaluating pediatric flatfoot patients. "Recommendations in the guidelines will help foot and ankle surgeons, primary care doctors and parents differentiate various types of flatfoot conditions in children and make appropriate choices on treatment options," said Thomas.
Thomas added that a flattened arch is common in young children and usually is an isolated condition known as flexible flatfoot, in which the foot is flat when standing and returns to a normal arch in non weight-bearing positions. According to the ACFAS guidelines, most children with flexible flatfoot have no clinical symptoms other than the flattened arch and the disorder follows "a natural history of improvement over time."
"When parents notice flattened arches in their children they often don't know if the problem requires medical attention," Thomas noted. "Much of the time, treatment isn't required for pediatric flatfoot unless the child has pain in the foot or leg. So parents and their pediatricians should monitor children with flat feet for signs of progression, such as the onset or worsening of pain and possible adjustments in gait to compensate for it," he explained.
Further, the guidelines advise that if a child's flatfoot condition doesn't improve by the age of 10 (the age the arch should be fully developed), a foot and ankle surgeon should be consulted for exact diagnosis of the problem and appropriate treatment.
When medical treatment is required for flexible flatfoot, the ACFAS guidelines recommend first-line therapy that may include activity modifications or limitations, stretching exercises, shoe orthotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. If the patient's response to initial treatment is unsatisfactory, a variety of surgical procedures can be considered to relieve pain and improve foot function.
Another less common and more serious type of pediatric flatfoot covered in the guidelines is rigid flatfoot. This condition is somewhat rare and usually inherited. As the name implies, the arch is rigid and flat, with or without weight bearing, and there is limited motion in the foot. Normally associated with an underlying structural abnormality or deformity, rigid flatfoot requires diagnosis and treatment by a foot and ankle surgeon. Surgery often is required in these cases to correct underlying structural deformities.
For further information follow these links
Flexible Flatfoot
Painful Progressive Flatfoot (Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis)
According to co-author James Thomas, DPM, FACFAS, University of Alabama Birmingham, the bottom-line advice for parents from the new guidelines is to observe your child's gait regularly, with and without shoes, for signs of flattened arches and seek medical attention if the child complains of foot or leg pain or shows a sudden lack of interest in physical activities.
The guidelines appear in the current issue of the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery and offer physicians diagnostic and treatment pathways to follow when evaluating pediatric flatfoot patients. "Recommendations in the guidelines will help foot and ankle surgeons, primary care doctors and parents differentiate various types of flatfoot conditions in children and make appropriate choices on treatment options," said Thomas.
Thomas added that a flattened arch is common in young children and usually is an isolated condition known as flexible flatfoot, in which the foot is flat when standing and returns to a normal arch in non weight-bearing positions. According to the ACFAS guidelines, most children with flexible flatfoot have no clinical symptoms other than the flattened arch and the disorder follows "a natural history of improvement over time."
"When parents notice flattened arches in their children they often don't know if the problem requires medical attention," Thomas noted. "Much of the time, treatment isn't required for pediatric flatfoot unless the child has pain in the foot or leg. So parents and their pediatricians should monitor children with flat feet for signs of progression, such as the onset or worsening of pain and possible adjustments in gait to compensate for it," he explained.
Further, the guidelines advise that if a child's flatfoot condition doesn't improve by the age of 10 (the age the arch should be fully developed), a foot and ankle surgeon should be consulted for exact diagnosis of the problem and appropriate treatment.
When medical treatment is required for flexible flatfoot, the ACFAS guidelines recommend first-line therapy that may include activity modifications or limitations, stretching exercises, shoe orthotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. If the patient's response to initial treatment is unsatisfactory, a variety of surgical procedures can be considered to relieve pain and improve foot function.
Another less common and more serious type of pediatric flatfoot covered in the guidelines is rigid flatfoot. This condition is somewhat rare and usually inherited. As the name implies, the arch is rigid and flat, with or without weight bearing, and there is limited motion in the foot. Normally associated with an underlying structural abnormality or deformity, rigid flatfoot requires diagnosis and treatment by a foot and ankle surgeon. Surgery often is required in these cases to correct underlying structural deformities.
For further information follow these links
Flexible Flatfoot
Painful Progressive Flatfoot (Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis)
Friday, December 17, 2004
Successful Migraine Management
Successful Migraine Management
Certain clinical features of headache (associated symptoms, frequency, severity, and degree of disability) are considered highly sensitive for diagnosis of migraine. According to evidence-based guidelines, matching migraine treatment to headache characteristics and degree of disability can improve clinical outcomes. Ineffective treatment can lead to medication overuse, which has been linked to progression of migraine disorder. This article presents practical, reliable treatment strategies, including appropriate use of acute-care and preventive medications.
Certain clinical features of headache (associated symptoms, frequency, severity, and degree of disability) are considered highly sensitive for diagnosis of migraine. According to evidence-based guidelines, matching migraine treatment to headache characteristics and degree of disability can improve clinical outcomes. Ineffective treatment can lead to medication overuse, which has been linked to progression of migraine disorder. This article presents practical, reliable treatment strategies, including appropriate use of acute-care and preventive medications.
Brain Inflammation Found in Autism
NEW YORK, NY -- November 15, 2004 -- Inflammation in the brain is clearly a feature of autism, according to a new study published November 15, 2004, in online edition of Annals of Neurology (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/ana), the scientific journal of the American Neurological Association. The researchers found strong evidence that certain immune system components that promote inflammation are consistently activated in people with autism.
"These findings reinforce the theory that immune activation in the brain is involved in autism, although it is not yet clear whether it is destructive or beneficial, or both, to the developing brain," said senior author Carlos A. Pardo-Villamizar, M.D., at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
Autism is a disorder of the developing brain that appears in early childhood. It is estimated to afflict between 2 and 5 of every 1000 children and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Children with autism have difficulties in social interaction and communication and may show repetitive behaviors and have unusual attachments to objects or routines.
Autism has a strong genetic component, and in some families, autism tends to be more prevalent. In identical twins with autism both are usually affected. However, the number of children with autism appears to be increasing more than expected for a genetic disorder. This suggests to scientists that genetic abnormalities require the influence of other factors to cause the disorder. Birth complications, toxins, diet, and viruses and other pathogens have been suggested, though there is no strong evidence for any of these.
In recent years, there have been scientific hints of immune system irregularities in children with autism, but not all studies have confirmed this. Pardo and his colleagues sought a more definitive answer by looking not at the immune system overall, but at immune components inside the relatively sealed environment of the nervous system.
Led by first author Diana L. Vargas, MD, a post-doctoral fellow working in Pardo's laboratory, the researchers examined brain tissue from 11 people with autism, aged 5 to 44 years, who had died of accidents or injuries.
Compared with normal control brains, the brains of the people with autism featured immune system activation and inflammation in the brain.
"This ongoing inflammatory process was present in different areas of the brain and produced by cells known as microglia and astroglia," said Pardo.
When the researchers measured brain levels of immune system proteins called cytokines and chemokines, they found abnormal patterns consistent with inflammation.
"The pattern of cellular and protein findings indicate that they are part of the 'innate' immune system in the brain, and do not appear to be caused by immune abnormalities from outside the brain," said Pardo.
The findings in the brain tissue were corroborated by studies of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from six children with autism (ages 5 to 12 years), in which cytokines that promote inflammation were found to be elevated.
It is conceivable that signs of inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid could one day be used to diagnose autism, or even that doctors could treat inflammation to prevent or combat autism, however this is still speculative, according to Andrew W. Zimmerman, a pediatric neurologist at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore and co-author of the paper. For one thing, it is possible that the inflammation represents the brain's efforts to combat some other process damaging to brain cells.
"These findings open new possibilities for understanding the dynamic changes that occur in the brain of autistic patients during childhood and adulthood. Although they may lend themselves to development of new medical treatments for autism, much more research would be needed to establish the validity of this approach," said Pardo.
Among the next steps in this line of research, Pardo and colleagues are studying how the genetic background of patients and families may influence the development of immunological reactions in the brain that confer susceptibility to autism.
SOURCE: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
"These findings reinforce the theory that immune activation in the brain is involved in autism, although it is not yet clear whether it is destructive or beneficial, or both, to the developing brain," said senior author Carlos A. Pardo-Villamizar, M.D., at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
Autism is a disorder of the developing brain that appears in early childhood. It is estimated to afflict between 2 and 5 of every 1000 children and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Children with autism have difficulties in social interaction and communication and may show repetitive behaviors and have unusual attachments to objects or routines.
Autism has a strong genetic component, and in some families, autism tends to be more prevalent. In identical twins with autism both are usually affected. However, the number of children with autism appears to be increasing more than expected for a genetic disorder. This suggests to scientists that genetic abnormalities require the influence of other factors to cause the disorder. Birth complications, toxins, diet, and viruses and other pathogens have been suggested, though there is no strong evidence for any of these.
In recent years, there have been scientific hints of immune system irregularities in children with autism, but not all studies have confirmed this. Pardo and his colleagues sought a more definitive answer by looking not at the immune system overall, but at immune components inside the relatively sealed environment of the nervous system.
Led by first author Diana L. Vargas, MD, a post-doctoral fellow working in Pardo's laboratory, the researchers examined brain tissue from 11 people with autism, aged 5 to 44 years, who had died of accidents or injuries.
Compared with normal control brains, the brains of the people with autism featured immune system activation and inflammation in the brain.
"This ongoing inflammatory process was present in different areas of the brain and produced by cells known as microglia and astroglia," said Pardo.
When the researchers measured brain levels of immune system proteins called cytokines and chemokines, they found abnormal patterns consistent with inflammation.
"The pattern of cellular and protein findings indicate that they are part of the 'innate' immune system in the brain, and do not appear to be caused by immune abnormalities from outside the brain," said Pardo.
The findings in the brain tissue were corroborated by studies of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from six children with autism (ages 5 to 12 years), in which cytokines that promote inflammation were found to be elevated.
It is conceivable that signs of inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid could one day be used to diagnose autism, or even that doctors could treat inflammation to prevent or combat autism, however this is still speculative, according to Andrew W. Zimmerman, a pediatric neurologist at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore and co-author of the paper. For one thing, it is possible that the inflammation represents the brain's efforts to combat some other process damaging to brain cells.
"These findings open new possibilities for understanding the dynamic changes that occur in the brain of autistic patients during childhood and adulthood. Although they may lend themselves to development of new medical treatments for autism, much more research would be needed to establish the validity of this approach," said Pardo.
Among the next steps in this line of research, Pardo and colleagues are studying how the genetic background of patients and families may influence the development of immunological reactions in the brain that confer susceptibility to autism.
SOURCE: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Edheads - Virtual Knee Surgery - Total Knee Replacement - TKR
Virtual Knee Surgery: Take on the role of the Surgeon throughout a total knee replacement surgery. There is a Flash presentation that you can perform - and photos of an actual knee replacement operation (not for the weak of stomach).
Virtual Knee Surgery: Take on the role of the Surgeon throughout a total knee replacement surgery. There is a Flash presentation that you can perform - and photos of an actual knee replacement operation (not for the weak of stomach).
Monday, December 06, 2004
Concepts of Accountatbility
On 1st May 2001 Professor Malcolm Hooper and Sally Montague produced a paper entitled “Concerns about the forthcoming UK Chief Medical Officer’s Report on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), notably the intention to advise clinicians that only limited investigations are necessary”
On 1st May 2001 Professor Malcolm Hooper and Sally Montague produced a paper entitled “Concerns about the forthcoming UK Chief Medical Officer’s Report on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), notably the intention to advise clinicians that only limited investigations are necessary”
CNN.com - Study: Leukemia pill�has 86 percent remission rate - Dec 5, 2004
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A next-generation leukemia pill designed to help patients not cured by the successful drug Gleevec works even better than doctors had hoped, researchers said Sunday.
The new drug, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb put 86 percent of patients who tried it into remission -- meaning signs of their cancer disappeared, the researchers said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A next-generation leukemia pill designed to help patients not cured by the successful drug Gleevec works even better than doctors had hoped, researchers said Sunday.
The new drug, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb put 86 percent of patients who tried it into remission -- meaning signs of their cancer disappeared, the researchers said.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
5 Foods to Boost Your Health - Trustworthy, Physician-Reviewed Information from WebMD: "What if you could make a conscious effort to add five healthy foods to your plate and make an improvement in your longevity?
The key, say some researchers, is to outsmart your body, which, as you age, is busy half-forming or damaging your cells, rather than creating healthy new cells resistant to cancer, rapid aging, and other ills. These cells are damaged by 'free radicals,' a very reactive and unstable atom or groups of atoms with an odd, unpaired number of electrons. When free radicals bang into DNA in your cells, they can damage it, leading to bad cell behavior such as cancer."
The key, say some researchers, is to outsmart your body, which, as you age, is busy half-forming or damaging your cells, rather than creating healthy new cells resistant to cancer, rapid aging, and other ills. These cells are damaged by 'free radicals,' a very reactive and unstable atom or groups of atoms with an odd, unpaired number of electrons. When free radicals bang into DNA in your cells, they can damage it, leading to bad cell behavior such as cancer."
Friday, November 26, 2004
News - Short-Term Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Hot Flushes
While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may continue to play a role in managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, many women are seeking alternative therapies out of concern of increased health risks reported by the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study Follow-up (HERS II) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).
While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may continue to play a role in managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, many women are seeking alternative therapies out of concern of increased health risks reported by the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study Follow-up (HERS II) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).
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