Friday, March 27, 2009
latest medical breakthroughs
Gut Chemical - Anti Obesity
Image Source: buzzle.com
There is a discovery that will possibly pave the way for new approaches in dealing with obesity. It is in a form of a fatty substance made by the gut. What it does is it signals the brain when it is time to stop eating. The fat derived chemical is known as NAPE. And it is present in humans and animals alike. It has been observed that when the mice being tested were given a fatty set of meal, their Nape level shot up, the substance was then synthesized and injected to the animals greatly diminishing their appetites. After a five day testing and dose of Nape, the animals lost weight and their eating greatly reduced. Many see this as a viable solution to the worldwide fight against obesity. Scientists are working doubly hard to develop the new discovery.
A new treatment for brain cancer
Image Source: alternative-cancer.net
Nimotuzumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that works by binding and disabling the epidermal growth factor receptor. It is a protein that is thought to be a pivotal driver in tumour proliferation. It can be used as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is a mode of treatment for brain cancer that can be used alongside conventional therapies. It has a very low toxicity for a better quality life.
Nimotuzumab as a form of targeted therapy that binds with high specificity is thought to minimally affect normal tissues and have fewer toxic side effects. It is in fact proven safe cancer drug to be used on children with brain tumors in a clinical trial in Germany.
Dermabrasion: Skin Technology
Image Source:bucosmeticsurgery.com
Have you ever wondered why some older people have small holes in their face? It’s because during puberty they have severe acne that left them with scars. An acne refers to lesions or pimples caused when the hair follicles (or “pores”) on the skin become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Scars from acne can seem like double punishment, first you had to deal with the pimples, now you have marks as a reminder. Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne. The best way to deal with acne is to get treatment soon after the acne appears to prevent further damage. If you have nodules, see your doctor or dermatologist for treatment.
One of the medical breakthroughs for acne scarring is the treatment to diminish or remove the marks.There are various treatments for acne scarring. If you have serious bout of scarring from previous breakout one form of treatment is laser resurfacing. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The doctor will try to lessen any pain by first numbing the skin with local anesthesia. It usually takes between 3 and 10 days for the skin to heal completely. Another method for treating acne scarring is dermabrasion, which uses a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It may take a bit longer for skin to heal using dermabrasion it usually last between 10 days and 3 weeks. The newest form of treatment for acne scarring is called fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, because fractional laser therapy doesn’t wound the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. Fractional laser therapy is quite costly, and it’s not usually covered by insurance.
A person’s acne will need to be under control before having any of these treatments. After the treatment, we don’t’ have to be reminded of how bad are face was when we look in the mirror.
Diet the Effective way to loose weight
Image source: www.lhsc.on.ca
Diet has a very important role in man’s struggle against diseases and disability.
Latest research finds that eating enough quantities of nutritious diets in along with proper exercise are the major contributing factors to one’s physical fitness and health. The research was conducted to American people. It showed that one out of every three Americans is obese. These individuals who are obese are at greater risk for additional diseases, since obesity leads to other health problems, such as diabetes. A team of researchers has examined the effect of exercise on fat accumulation in a new study involving five obese women. In one session the women overate and did not exercise; in a follow-on session they overate and did exercise. The researchers found out that the body’s fat-burning oxidation rate was reduced after one day of overeating; conversely, just one session of exercise increased the rate of fat-burning oxidation; and exercise increased the amount of fat that would eventually be stored in the muscle.
Losing an arm or a leg - or worse, both - in an accident or because of a sickness can be a truly devastating experience. Once the initial shock wears off though, the greatest challenge for the survivors is how they could cope with their new life. Doing simple tasks that were often neglected before could prove to be difficult at first. But over time and with practice, most amputees learn to cope with their loss.
However, scientists from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University give new hope to amputees as a new study could one day enable them to feel with an artificial limb as though it were their own. In an experiment done with the help of two patients who lost their arms, scientists rerouted key nerves to their chests. According to the patients, they could feel their missing arms and hands when pressure, heat and cold, and electrical stimulus were applied in the nerve areas.
IMAGING TECHNIQUES TO CURE EPILEPSY
There are at least three million Americans that have epilepsy and 30 percent of this has seizures that cannot be controlled by medicine. But as of now, new imaging techniques have stridently increased the number of people who are possible candidate for epilepsy surgery. And the children have more benefits on this since their brain is still flexible. Surgery is the only way to completely cure epilepsy but this is crucial because many things can happen inside your brain during surgery that can cause further damages. And to accurately map the brain during surgeries, surgeons place dozens of tiny electrodes directly on the surface of the brain and these sensors allow a digital brain wave machine to generate a high-tech image of what is happening inside the brain.
PENUMBRA — brain vacuum cleaner
It is a disheartening fact that stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the US. But there is a new tool called Penumbra which is a device suction for blood clots from the brains of stroke patients. It gives possibility of life and cuts the risk of death and disability. A catheter is used as it goes from a small incision in the groin through blood vessels up to the brain where this is a blockage and Penumbra suctions out the clot thus, saving a stroke victim’s life. There is a new study in fact that shows it restored blood flow in 82 percent out of 125 patients.
HEART BREAKTHROUGH
It has always been believe that atherosclerosis which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, was irreversible. But this year, heart experts has done something that was thought to be almost impossible, they were able to shrink the fatty clogs blocking the heart’s arteries of patients by around 7 percent only with the use of maximum dosage of Crestor which is a cholesterol-lowering medication. Heart medications before are only taken to slow or stop the narrowing of arteries. But this new finding raises the possibility that you can actually reverse the plaque accumulation that starts even as early as childhood.
A fitting transplant
In organ transplants, patients need to take anti-rejection drugs after the operation. Otherwise, their body’s immune system shall reject the organ because it recognizes that the transplanted organ is a foreign one. The patient has to take the medicine for an undetermined length of time and it could be for the rest of his life including its side effects.
One way of avoiding the need for anti-rejection drugs, which is currently undergoing extensive study, is to infuse the donor’s marrow to the patient such that the latter’s immune system can recognize the new organ as its own. This approach had its initial taste of success but it’s not yet perfected. Patients who have undergone this treatment need to take the anti-rejection drugs for less than a year and have not needed to take them again.
Pacifier reduces risk of SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of babies aged one month to one year even if they appear to be healthy. It is also known as cot or crib death. The causes of SIDS cannot be determined with certainty although some have might have been identified as risk factors. The same thing goes for its prevention.
One way of preventing SIDS is by giving the baby a pacifier as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A study conducted in relation to the use of pacifiers showed that there is a 90% reduction of the occurrence of SIDS when babies are offered pacifiers. One reason attributed for the risk reduction is that the pacifier keeps the face of the infant away from the mattress thus suffocation is avoided.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
laser eye surgery---->general information
What Is Corrective Laser Eye Surgery?
In layman's term, corrective laser eye surgery is a way to fix your eyesight, without the use of glasses or contacts, and a way for you to be able to see the world as you are supposed to see it. Corrective laser eye surgery is considered as one of the newest and established technologies for eyesight correction.Laser Eye Surgery
A minimally invasive laser treatment which reshapes the cornea and helps the eye to focus properly is the laser vision correction of the eye. This treatment is effective enough to reduce or eliminate the use of contact lens or eyeglassesHow Corrective Laser Eye Surgery Works
The basis behind corrective laser eye surgery is just as it sounds. In the surgery process, lasers are utilized to operate on the cornea and fix the parts of your eyes that don’t work, so that your eyesight becomes clearer and much improved. The whole process usually takes only a few minutes, depending on the patient’s present state of health.
Depending on how poor your eyesight is, and what type of problems you have to cause your eyesight to worsen, you are going to see varying results in how much better your eyesight will get when you are finished with the corrective laser eye surgery treatments.
The Benefits Of Corrective Laser Eye Surgery
There are a lot of apparent benefits to corrective laser eye surgery. To begin with, you will no longer require glasses or contact lens, which are something that creates a lot of hassle for many people.
If you have a new born kid, you will realize how troublesome it is to wear glasses. Your baby always likes to pull your glasses, and break it if you are not careful! It's such a hassle. Contact lens is good, but you cannot be wearing your contact lens 24 hours 7 days a week!
Needing glasses and contacts also makes things like water sports difficult because you either have to chance losing your contacts, wear prescription goggles, or simply go without being able to see very well.
It is quite easy to see that corrective laser eye surgery is going to be beneficial to you and your life in many different ways.
Risks and Complications
Just like any surgical operation, there are risks involved in corrective laser eye surgery. We're all well-acquainted with the touted benefits of corrective surgery, but what about what the ads don't necessarily tell you? What are the risks associated with laser eye surgery? Any surgical procedure carries with it a certain amount of risk, and laser eye surgery is no different.
Some of the risks of undergoing such procedures include:
- Loss of vision. If things don't go as planned, some patients emerge from the procedure with vision that's worse than what they came in with.
- Development of new visual problems. Some patients develop a glare, halos, starbursts and double vision as a result of laser eye surgical procedures.
- Undertreatment/ Overtreatment- Reshaping the cornea is a delicate business. Sometimes the cornea is not reshaped enough—too little material is taken out; sometimes it's reshaped too much—too much material is taken out.
- Dry eyes. Many patients report having dry eyes after surgery. Although eye drops (plus a little time for healing) are usually able to correct or at least help the problem, in some more serious cases, special plugs are required to prevent tears from draining away from the eyes.
- Infection and other flap-healing problems. Cutting a flap into your cornea is like cutting any other part of your body. There is always the potential that it may get infected or otherwise not heal properly.
- Results may diminish with Time. Although technically not a “risk” of surgery, you should know that even with the best laser eye surgery, the results don't last forever. The cornea continues to age and change shape. Keep in mind that these procedures are still so new that no long-term data exists. In how many people will Lasik corrections last twenty years or longer? We don't really know. The first FDA-approved Lasik eye surgery was in 1998.
Are You a Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for laser eye surgery if you:- are at least 21 years of age for a Summit laser or 18 years of age for a VISX laser, since the eyes are still growing to this point
- have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease (refractive errors are considered eye disorders, not diseases)
- have mild to moderate myopia (nearsightedness) within the range of treatment (see your doctor to determine your range)
- have a way to pay for the treatment since laser procedures are costly and probably not covered by health insurance policies
- are fully informed about the risks and benefits of laser surgery compared with other available treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Eye Surgery
- Is it painful?
- There is little if any discomfort during surgery because the cornea and eye are anesthetized by drops. Some patients experience a "scratchy feeling." After the anesthetic wears off, the amount of discomfort varies with each individual, but any irritation is minor and usually disappears within a few hours. You may be sensitive to light for a few days.
- When will I be able to return to work?
- Most people can return to work one to three days following surgery, but a rule of thumb is to wait until you feel up to it. Most return to normal activities as soon as the day after surgery.
- What are the side effects and risks?
- The most common side effects are a halo effect and some glare at night around lights.
- How long does the treatment take?
- Laser treatment itself takes only about 15 to 40 seconds, based on the degree of correction necessary. Recovery is minimal, and usually the patient is able to be driven home after about 30 minutes. Typically, you will notice improved sight in 3 to 5 days following treatment.
- Is the treatment permanent?
- According to the results of the U.S. clinical trials and results reported internationally, the treatment appears to be permanent. As people age, however, their eyes change and re-treatment may be necessary.
- Are there any activity restrictions following surgery?
- Following surgery, do not rub your eyes. Other than that, patients can do whatever they feel up to as long as they follow their doctors' instructions.
- What if I move my head during surgery?
- This is the number one question that patients ask when undergoing laser treatment. The surgeon is skilled in the technique of removing his foot from the pedal that controls the ultraviolet beam as soon as a patient moves his or her head. This allows him to realign the beam with the corneal "target" and proceed with the surgery.
Recent Medical Studies on Circumcision
A sensitivity study of the adult penis in circumcised and uncircumcised men shows that the uncircumcised penis is significantly more sensitive. The most sensitive location on the circumcised penis is the circumcision scar on the ventral surface. Five locations on the uncircumcised penis that are routinely removed at circumcision are significantly more sensitive than the most sensitive location on the circumcised penis.
In addition, the glans (head) of the circumcised penis is less sensitive to fine touch than the glans of the uncircumcised penis. The tip of the foreskin is the most sensitive region of the uncircumcised penis, and it is significantly more sensitive than the most sensitive area of the circumcised penis. Circumcision removes the most sensitive parts of the penis.
This study presents the first extensive testing of fine touch pressure thresholds of the adult penis. The monofiliment testing instruments are calibrated and have been used to test female genital sensitivity.
Circumcision Results in Significant Loss of Erogenous Tissue
A report published in the British Journal of Urology assessed the type and amount of tissue missing from the adult circumcised penis by examining adult foreskins obtained at autopsy. Investigators found that circumcision removes about one-half of the erogenous tissue on the penile shaft. The foreskin, according to the study, protects the head of the penis and is comprised of unique zones with several kinds of specialized nerves that are important to optimum sexual sensitivity.
Taylor, J. et al., "The Prepuce: Specialized Mucosa of the Penis and Its Loss to Circumcision," BJU 77 (1996): 291–295.
Circumcision Affects Sexual Behavior
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that circumcision provided no significant prophylactic benefit and that circumcised men were more likely to engage in various sexual practices. Specifically, circumcised men were significantly more likely to masturbate and to participate in heterosexual oral sex than uncircumcised men.
Laumann, E. et al., "Circumcision in the U.S.: Prevalence, Prophylactic Effects, and Sexual Practice," JAMA 277 (1997): 1052–1057.
Researchers Demonstrate Traumatic Effects of Circumcision
A team of Canadian researchers produced new evidence that circumcision has long-lasting traumatic effects. An article published in the international medical journal The Lancet reported the effect of infant circumcision on pain response during subsequent routine vaccination. The researchers tested 87 infants at 4 months or 6 months of age. The boys who had been circumcised were more sensitive to pain than the uncircumcised boys. Differences between groups were significant regarding facial action, crying time, and assessments of pain.
The authors believe that "neonatal circumcision may induce long-lasting changes in infant pain behavior because of alterations in the infant’s central neural processing of painful stimuli." They also write that "the long-term consequences of surgery done without anaesthesia are likely to include post-traumatic stress as well as pain. It is therefore possible that the greater vaccination response in the infants circumcised without anaesthesia may represent an infant analogue of a post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by a traumatic and painful event and re-experienced under similar circumstances of pain during vaccination."
Taddio, A. et al., "Effect of Neonatal Circumcision on Pain Response during Subsequent Routine Vaccination," The Lancet 349 (1997): 599–603.
Circumcision Study Halted Due to Trauma
Researchers found circumcision so traumatic that they ended the study early rather than subject any more infants to the operation without anesthesia. Those infants circumcised without anesthesia experienced not only severe pain, but also an increased risk of choking and difficulty breathing. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Up to 96% of infants in some areas of the United States receive no anesthesia during circumcision. No anesthetic currently in use for circumcisions is effective during the most painful parts of the procedure.
Lander, J. et al., "Comparison of Ring Block, Dorsal Penile Nerve Block, and Topical Anesthesia for Neonatal Circumcision," JAMA 278 (1997): 2157–2162.
Circumcised Penis Requires More Care in Young Boys
The circumcised penis requires more care than the natural penis during the first three years of life, according to a report in the British Journal of Urology. The clinical findings of an American pediatrician showed that circumcised boys were significantly more likely to have skin adhesions, trapped debris, irritated urinary opening, and inflammation of the glans (head of the penis) than were boys with a foreskin. Furthermore, because there are large variations of appearance in circumcised boys, circumcision for cosmetic reasons should be discouraged.
Van Howe, R., "Variability in Penile Appearance and Penile Findings: A Prospective Study," BJU 80 (1997): 776–782.
Poll of Circumcised Men Reveals Harm
A poll of circumcised men published in the British Journal of Urology describes adverse outcomes on men’s health and well-being. Findings showed wide-ranging physical, sexual, and psychological consequences. Some respondents reported prominent scarring and excessive skin loss. Sexual consequences included progressive loss of sensitivity and sexual dysfunction. Emotional distress followed the realization that they were missing a functioning part of their penis. Low-self esteem, resentment, avoidance of intimacy, and depression were also noted.
Hammond, T., "A Preliminary Poll of Men Circumcised in Infancy or Childhood," BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 85–92
Psychological Effects of Circumcision Studied
An article titled "The Psychological Impact of Circumcision" reports that circumcision results in behavioral changes in infants and long-term unrecognized psychological effects on men. The piece reviews the medical literature on infants’ responses to circumcision and concludes, "there is strong evidence that circumcision is overwhelmingly painful and traumatic." The article notes that infants exhibit behavioral changes after circumcision, and some men have strong feelings of anger, shame, distrust, and grief about having been circumcised. In addition, circumcision has been shown to disrupt the mother-infant bond, and some mothers report significant distress after allowing their son to be circumcised. Psychological factors perpetuate circumcision. According to the author, "defending circumcision requires minimizing or dismissing the harm and producing overstated medical claims about protection from future harm. The ongoing denial requires the acceptance of false beliefs and misunderstanding of facts. These psychological factors affect professionals, members of religious groups, and parents involved in the practice."
Expressions from circumcised men are generally lacking because most circumcised men do not understand what circumcision is, emotional repression keeps feelings from awareness, or men may be aware of these feelings but afraid of disclosure.
Goldman, R., "The Psychological Impact of Circumcision," BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 93–102
Serious Consequences of Circumcision Trauma in Adult Men Clinically Observed
Using four case examples that are typical among his clients, a practicing psychiatrist presents clinical findings regarding the serious and sometimes disabling long-term somatic, emotional, and psychological consequences of infant circumcision in adult men. These consequences resemble complex post-traumatic stress disorder and emerge during psychotherapy focused on the resolution of perinatal and developmental trauma. Adult symptoms associated with circumcision trauma include shyness, anger, fear, powerlessness, distrust, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and sexual shame. Long-term psychotherapy dealing with early trauma resolution appears to be effective in healing these consequences.
Rhinehart, J., "Neonatal Circumcision Revistited," Transactional Analysis Journal 29 (1999): 215-221
Anatomy and Function of the Foreskin Documented
A new article describes the foreskin (prepuce) as an integral, normal part of the genitals of mammals. It is specialized, protective, erogenous tissue. A description of the complex nerve structure of the penis explains why anesthetics provide incomplete pain relief during circumcision. Cutting off the foreskin removes many fine-touch receptors from the penis and results in thickening and desensitization of the glans outer layer. The complex anatomy and function of the foreskin dictate that circumcision should be avoided or deferred until the person can make an informed decision as an adult.
Cold, C. and Taylor, J., "The Prepuce," BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 34–44.
Male Circumcision Affects Female Sexual Enjoyment
A survey of women who have had sexual experience with circumcised and anatomically complete partners showed that the anatomically complete penis was preferred over the circumcised penis. Without the foreskin to provide a movable sleeve of skin, intercourse with a circumcised penis resulted in female discomfort from increased friction, abrasion, and loss of natural secretions. Respondents overwhelmingly concurred that the mechanics of coitus were different for the two groups of men. Unaltered men tended to thrust more gently with shorter strokes.
O’Hara, K. and O’Hara, J., "The Effect of Male Circumcision on the Sexual Enjoyment of the Female Partner," BJU 83 (1999): suppl. 1: 79–84
Male Circumcision and Psychosexual Effects Investigated
Infant male circumcision continues despite growing questions about its medical justification. As usually performed without analgesia or anesthetic, circumcision is observably painful. It is likely that genital cutting has physical, sexual, and psychological consequences, too. Some studies link involuntary male circumcision with a range of negative emotions and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some circumcised men have described their current feelings in the language of violation, torture, mutilation, and sexual assault. In view of the acute as well as long-term risks from circumcision and the legal liabilities that might arise, it is timely for health professionals and scientists to re-examine the evidence on this issue and participate in the debate about the advisability of this surgical procedure on unconsenting minors.
Boyle, G., Goldman, R., Svoboda, J.S., and Fernandez, E., "Male Circumcision: Pain, Trauma, and Psychosexual Sequelae," Journal of Health Psychology 7 (2002): 329-343.
Surveys Reveal Adverse Sexual and Psychological Effects of Circumcision
A survey of the 35 female and 42 gay sexual partners of circumcised and genitally intact men, and a separate survey of 53 circumcised and genitally intact men, and a separate survey of 30 genitally intact men themselves indicated that circumcised men experienced significantly reduced sexual sensation along with associated long-lasting negative emotional consequences.
Boyle, G. and Bensley, G., "Adverse Sexual and Psychological Effects of Male Infant Circumcision,". Psychological Reports 88 (2001): 1105-1106.
Foreskin Reduces the Force Required for Penetration and Increases Comfort
Masters and Johnson observed that the foreskin unrolled with intercourse. However, they overlooked a prior observation that intromission (i.e., penetration) was thereby made easier. To evaluate this observation an artificial introitus was mounted on scales. Repeated measurements showed a 10-fold reduction of force on entry with an initially unretracted foreskin as compared to entry with a retracted foreskin. For the foreskin to reduce the force required it must cover most of the glans when the penis is erect.
Taves, D., "The Intromission Function of the Foreskin," Med Hypotheses 59 (2002): 180.
Survey of Men Circumcised as Adults Shows Mixed Results
Men circumcised as adults were surveyed to assess erectile function, penile sensitivity, sexual activity and overall satisfaction. Over 80% of these men were circumcised to treat a medical problem. The response rate was 44% among potential responders. Mean age of responders was 42 years at circumcision and 46 years at survey. Adult circumcision appears to result in worsened erectile function, decreased penile sensitivity, no change in sexual activity, and improved satisfaction. Of the men 50% reported benefits and 38% reported harm. Overall, 62% of men were satisfied with having been circumcised. Note: Results may be affected by the fact that there was no sample of normal, healthy, genitally intact men for comparison.
Fink, K., Carson, C., DeVellis, R., "Adult Circumcision Outcomes Study: Effect on Erectile Function, Penile Sensitivity, Sexual Activity and Satisfaction," J Urol 167 (2002): 2113-2116.
Survey Finds Circumcision Contributes to Vaginal Dryness
The impact of male circumcision on vaginal dryness during coitus was investigated. We conducted a survey of 35 female sexual partners aged 18 to 69 years who had experienced sexual intercourse with both circumcised and genitally intact men. Women reported they were significantly more likely to have experienced vaginal dryness during intercourse with circumcised than with genitally intact men.
Bensley, G. and Boyle, G., "Effects of Male Circumcision on Female Arousal and Orgasm," N Z Med J 116 (2003): 595-596.
Early Adverse Experiences May Lead to Abnormal Brain Development and Behavior
Self-destructive behavior in current society promotes a search for psychobiological factors underlying this epidemic. The brain of the newborn infant is particularly vulnerability to early adverse experiences, leading to abnormal development and behavior. Although several investigations have correlated newborn complications with abnormal adult behavior, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains rudimentary. Models of early experience, such as repetitive pain, sepsis, or maternal separation in rodents and other species have noted multiple alterations in the adult brain, correlated with specific behavioral types depending on the timing and nature of the adverse experience. The mechanisms mediating such changes in the newborn brain have remained largely unexplored. Maternal separation, sensory isolation (understimulation), and exposure to extreme or repetitive pain (overstimulation) may cause altered brain development. (Circumcision is described as an intervention with long-term neurobehavioral effects.) These changes promote two distinct behavioral types characterized by increased anxiety, altered pain sensitivity, stress disorders, hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder, leading to impaired social skills and patterns of self-destructive behavior. The clinical importance of these mechanisms lies in the prevention of early adverse experiences and effective treatment of newborn pain and stress.
What is a knee sprain?
A knee sprain is a joint injury that causes a stretch or tear in one or more of the knee ligaments. A sprain can be mild, moderate, or severe depending on the amount of damage to the ligament.
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. The knee joint is held together by the cruciate and collateral ligaments. These ligaments connect the thighbone (femur) in the upper leg to the bones in the lower leg. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments cross each other inside the knee joint and keep the thighbone from sliding or rotating over the tibia (one of the 2 main bones in the lower leg). The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are on either side of the knee and keep the knee from moving side to side.
Description of Knee Sprains
Most ligament injuries of the knee involve a tearing of either the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the medial side of the knee (medial means toward the midline of the body, and lateral means away from the midline), the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deep inside the joint, or both ligaments. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is much less likely to sustain an injury than the ACL.
Causes and Risk Factors of Knee Sprains
The most commonly sprained ligament is the medial collateral ligament (MCL). This ligament can be sprained by a blow to the outside of the knee, particularly if your foot is planted on the ground when you are hit. The blow causes the knee to move toward the inside of the body and stretches the ligament. You will feel tenderness and pain on the inside of the knee, and the knee will feel like it may buckle or give way to the inside. Anything more than minimal pain should be treated by a doctor.A sprain on the outside of the knee, the lateral collateral ligament, is caused by a blow to the inside of the knee, which forces the knee to the outside. This is much less common than an MCL sprain because it is hard to get hit on the inside of the knee. Usually, your leg gets in the way and takes the blow.
Athletic or occupational trauma is usually the cause of an ACL injury. Sports that involve sudden acceleration and deceleration, such as basketball, soccer, field hockey, football and skiing, are frequently associated with ACL injuries. Nevertheless, ACL injuries can occur in any sport if the knee undergoes acceleration-rotation-type movement. Disability may be immediate because of pain and (frequently) swelling, which sometimes appears as soon as 1 to 4 hours after injury. However, immediate disability does not suggest the degree or severity of a particular type of injury. Patients may report that the knee "gave way" or became unstable; an audible "pop" raises the specter of an ACL tear.
A good rule of thumb for these injuries is: if you receive a blow to the knee and the pain is on the same side of the knee that was hit, it is probably just a bruise, and the pain will go away rapidly. If the pain is on the opposite side of the knee, consider this a serious injury that needs careful treatment.
Treatment of Knee Sprains
Surgery is needed for patients who fall into the high or moderate risk category based on job, recreational, and/or athletic demands. Surgery may be considered for patients who are not at high risk but who experience symptoms during everyday activities, such as walking on uneven surfaces and performing simple twisting maneuvers. Before surgery, it is necessary to establish whether there is a full range of motion in the knee; if there is significant atrophy of the quadriceps and hamstrings, an intensive retraining period should be instituted before surgery.It is not uncommon for patients with ACL-deficient knees to have had multiple procedures to remove articular or meniscal cartilage fragments. With the loss of these secondary restraints, the knee becomes more unstable, and the patient may become a surgical candidate based on overall knee instability. Physical therapy may help enhance balance and proprioception.
Rehabilitation
If the MCL sprain is a mild one, an early rehabilitation program using a stationary bicycle and leg extension and curl exercises is all you need. Begin by riding the bicycle for 20 minutes. Keep the seat high so that the range of motion is minimal. Do not put any drag on the bike; you are simply interested in moving the knee. In the very beginning, you may not be able to pedal all the way around. Just pedal back and forth until you can come over the top.
Do the leg extension while seated at a bench or a table. Once you lift the weight, hold at full extension for three seconds, and then very slowly lower your leg. Concentrate on the slow movement down, which is the most important part of the lift. Muscle contraction against weight while the muscle is lengthened builds the most strength. Ten lifts make a set. Do five sets of this exercise and rest for 30 seconds or more, if needed, after each set.
Do the leg curl while lying on your stomach. Do 10 lifts per set for five sets. If you are using a weight machine, you should hold for three seconds with the leg bent. If you are using free weights, this is not necessary.
The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh (leg extensions) and the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh (leg curls). These muscles control the knee and must be restrengthened.
If you have a problem doing the leg extensions, that is, if your range of motion is too limited or you find it too painful, then do isometric quadriceps exercises first.
How long will it take to get better?
If you start participating in sports or other activities before you have completely recovered, you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Follow your health care provider's instructions and advice. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.
If you've had surgery, wait to return to sports or other activities until your provider has told you that you can safely return.
Self Care
The immediate treatment for a sprained knee is the standard RICE formula. This is an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps will help reduce swelling and pain, and speed the healing process. Rest the knee while it aches and ice it intermittently several times a day. Wrap it in an elastic bandage in between icings, and keep it elevated as much as possible.Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Knee Sprains
Saying you have a "knee sprain" is not a terribly useful diagnosis for two reasons:- First: it does not tell you which ligament is injured. This is important because different ligaments are treated very differently. For example, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries often need surgical reconstruction. On the other hand MCL (medial collateral ligament) injuries seldom require surgery.
- Second: it does not tell you how badly the ligament is injured. The reason this is important is that minor injuries usually require minor treatment. More severe injuries may require more substantial treatment, rehabilitation, and possibly surgery.
Where is the sprain located and how severe is it?
What treatment do you recommend?
What rehabilitation program do you recommend?
Will surgery be recommended?
Can conservative treatment be tried first?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
hamstring problems,assesment and treatment
What is a pulled hamstring or hamstring strain?
A hamstring strain or a pulled hamstring as it is sometimes called is a tear in one or more of the hamstrings muscles. Strictly speaking there are three hamstring muscles (Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris) which are known as the hamstring muscle groupThe role of the hamstring muscles is to bend (flex) the knee and to move the thigh backwards at the hip (extend the hip). Understanding how the hamstrings work give vital clues as to their modes of injury. Mild to severe hamstring strains are extremely common in sprinters and hurdle jumpers and in all sports that involve sprinting activities, such as football and rugby.
Symptoms of a Pulled Hamstring:
- A sudden sharp pain at the back of the leg during exercise-most probably during sprinting or high velocity movements.
- Pain on stretching the muscle (straightening the knee whilst bending forwards).
- Pain on contracting the muscle against resistance.
- Swelling and bruising.
- If the rupture is severe a gap in the muscle may be felt.
- Click here for information on how a hamstring strain is assessed.
Severity of a Pulled Hamstring:
Strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. Grade 1 consists of minor tears within the muscle. A grade 2 is a partial tear in the muscle and grade 3 is a severe or complete rupture of the muscle.
Grade 1: What does it feel like?
- May have tightness in the posterior thigh.
- Probably able to walk normally however will be aware of some discomfort
- Minimal swelling.
- Lying on front and trying to bend the knee against resistance probably won't produce much pain.
Grade 2: What does it feel like?
- Gait will be affected-limp may be present .
- May be associated with occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity.
- May notice swelling.
- Pressure increases pain.
- Flexing the knee against resistance causes pain.
- Might be unable to fully straighten the knee.
Grade 3: What does it feel like?
- Walking severely affected- may need walking aids such as crutches
- Severe pain- particularly during activity such as knee flexion.
- Noticeable swelling visible immediatel
Treatment of a Pulled Hamstring:
What can the athlete do?
It is vitally important that treatment for a pulled hamstring starts immediately following injury. The most important phase for treatment is the first 48 hours post-injury. In this time the following can be carried out by the athlete themselves:
- Use Cold Therapy (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) technique
- Use a compression bandage to minimize intra muscular bleeding.
- Early mobilization of the injured lower limb is vital for the correct rehabilitation of the muscle. This includes stretching and strengthening exercises throughout the pain free range. These can aid with decreasing the swelling in the area. In addition, exercise will ensure that any new material will be laid down in correct orientation thus reducing the risk of subsequent injuries.
- See a sports injury specialist.
What can a Sports Injury Specialist do?
- Use sports massage techniques to speed up recovery- these are extremely important in the rehabilitation of the injury as massage breaks down the new collagen network allowing for correct fibre realignment and minimizing scar tissue. In addition massage can increase the blood flow to the injured area. Visit
- out sports massage page to learn specialized massage techniques for a pulled hamstring.
- Use ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
- Prescribe a rehabilitation program
- Advise on specific stretches
- Provide mobility aids such as crutches
- Provide an MRI scan to ascertain the amount of damage sustained
- In severe ruptures surgery may be needed to repair the damage
How is the Hamstring Strained?
During sprinting the hamstring muscles work extremely hard to decelerate the tibia (shin bone) as it swings out. It is in this phase just before the foot strikes the ground that the hamstrings, become injured as the muscles are maximally activated and are approaching their maximum length. A pulled hamstring rarely manifests as a result of contact -if you have taken an impact to the back of the leg it should be treated as a contusion until found to be otherwise.
Preventing a Pulled Hamstring:
One of the most important methods of preventing a pulled hamstring is to warm up correctly- this has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of hamstring strain. This should consist of some light aerobic exercise followed by stretching and sports specific drills with gradually increasing intensity.
Other factors which increase the likelihood of suffering a hamstring strain include:
- Age: The older the individual the greater at risk to a pulled hamstring.
- Previous Injury: Prior injuries to the hamstrings or adductor muscles can greatly increase the chance of future injury.
- Flexibility: Research suggests that the greater the flexibility of the hamstrings the less prone they are to injury.
- Hamstring strength: Similarly studies have shown that lack of hamstring strength is strongly linked to hamstring injury.
- Lumbosacral nerve impingement: Nerve impingement in L5-S1 can lead to associated hamstring muscle weakness.
- Tiredness and fitness: When a player is fatigued he/she loses coordination between certain muscle groups. The biceps femoris muscle is known to become damaged due its two portions being innervated by two separate nerves. In states of tiredness, lack of synchronization between these two nerves can lead to a mismatch in firing resulting in a pulled hamstring.
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central control of bone formation
Bone mass regulation by leptin: a hypothalamic control of bone formation
Bone remodeling, the function affected in osteoporosis, the most common of bone diseases, comprises two phases: bone formation by matrix-producing osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. The demonstration that the anorexigenic hormone leptin inhibits bone formation through a hypothalamic relay suggests that other molecules that affect energy metabolism in the hypothalamus could also modulate bone mass.
role of leptin
Bone mass is maintained constant between puberty and menopause by the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts activity. The existence of a hormonal control of osteoblast activity has been speculated for years by analogy to osteoclast biology. Through the search for such humoral signal(s) regulating bone formation, leptin has been identified as a powerful inhibitor of bone formation. Leptin was initially proposed to be the antiobesity hormone. [Although leptin influences both energy balance and bone mass by acting on the hypothalamus, the two processes involve different proteins and neurons.]Now it is realised that leptin is more a signal molecule that communicates nutritional status to the brain, and that it is involved in bone formation by having an antiosteogenic action.Furthermore, by means of intracerebroventricular infusion of leptin, it has been shown that the effect of this adipocyte-derived hormone on bone is mediated via a brain relay, like all its other functions. Subsequent studies have led to the identification of hypothalamic neurons involved in leptin's antiosteogenic function. In addition, it has been shown that those neurons or neuronal pathways are distinct from neurons responsible for the regulation of energy metabolism. Finally, the peripheral mediator of leptin's antiosteogenic function has been identified as being the sympathetic nervous system. Catecholamine-deficient mice have a high bone mass and sympathomimetics administered to mice decreased bone formation and bone mass. Conversely, beta-blockers increased bone formation and bone mass and blunt the bone loss induced by ovariectomy.
treatment of osteoporosis via central control
Neuromedin U (NMU) is an anorexigenic neuropeptide that acts independently of leptin through poorly defined mechanisms. Here we show that Nmu-deficient (Nmu-/-) mice have high bone mass owing to an increase in bone formation; this is more prominent in male mice than female mice. Physiological and cell-based assays indicate that NMU acts in the central nervous system, rather than directly on bone cells, to regulate bone remodeling. Notably, leptin- or sympathetic nervous system-mediated inhibition of bone formation was abolished in Nmu-/- mice, which show an altered bone expression of molecular clock genes (mediators of the inhibition of bone formation by leptin). Moreover, treatment of wild-type mice with a natural agonist for the NMU receptor decreased bone mass. Collectively, these results suggest that NMU may be the first central mediator of leptin-dependent regulation of bone mass identified to date. Given the existence of inhibitors and activators of NMU action, our results may influence the treatment of diseases involving low bone mass, such as osteoporosis.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Doctors first identified Tennis Elbow (or lateral epicondylitis) more than 100 years ago. Today nearly half of all tennis players will suffer from this disorder at some point. Interestingly though, tennis players actually account for less than 5 percent of all reported cases making the term for this condition something of a misnomer.
There are 2 additional strain related conditions which are often mistaken for Tennis Elbow. These being Golfer’s Elbow & Bursitis. Before we delve into the details of what Tennis Elbow actually is and options that are available for relieving & preventing the pain...let’s look at the distinguishing characteristics of each of these 3 ailments.
| Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) Outside of Elbow Cause & Symptoms The onset of pain, on the outside (lateral) of the elbow, is usually gradual with tenderness felt on or below the joint's bony prominence. Movements such as gripping, lifting and carrying tend to be troublesome. | Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis) Inside of Elbow Cause & Symptoms The causes of golfers elbow are similar to tennis elbow but pain and tenderness are felt on the inside (medial) of the elbow, on or around the joint's bony prominence. | Bursitis Back of Elbow Cause & Symptoms Often due to excessive leaning on the joint or a direct blow or fall onto the tip of the elbow. |
Symptoms Of Tennis Elbow
- Recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm just below the bend of the elbow; occasionally, pain radiates down the arm toward the wrist.
- Pain caused by lifting or bending the arm or grasping even light objects such as a coffee cup.
- Difficulty extending the forearm fully (because of inflamed muscles, tendons and ligaments).
- Pain that typically lasts for 6 to 12 weeks; the discomfort can continue for as little as 3 weeks or as long as several years.
The damage that tennis elbow incurs consists of tiny tears in a part of the tendon and in muscle coverings. After the initial injury heals, these areas often tear again, which leads to hemorrhaging and the formation of rough, granulated tissue and calcium deposits within the surrounding tissues. Collagen, a protein, leaks out from around the injured areas, causing inflammation. The resulting pressure can cut off the blood flow and pinch the radial nerve, one of the major nerves controlling muscles in the arm and hand.
Tendons, which attach muscles to bones, do not receive the same amount of oxygen and blood that muscles do, so they heal more slowly. In fact, some cases of tennis elbow can last for years, though the inflammation usually subsides in 6 to 12 weeks.
Many medical textbooks treat tennis elbow as a form of tendonitis, which is often the case, but if the muscles and bones of the elbow joint are also involved, then the condition is called epicondylitis. However, if you feel pain directly on the back of your elbow joint, rather than down the outside of your arm, you may have bursitis, which is caused when lubricating sacs in the joint become inflamed. If you see swelling, which is almost never a symptom of tennis elbow, you may want to investigate other possible conditions, such as arthritis, infection, gout or a tumor.
Relief Of Tennis Elbow
The best way to relieve tennis elbow is to stop doing anything that irritates your arm — a simple step for the weekend tennis player, but not as easy for the manual laborer, office worker, or professional athlete.
The most effective conventional and alternative treatments for tennis elbow have the same basic premise: Rest the arm until the pain disappears, then massage to relieve stress and tension in the muscles, and exercise to strengthen the area and prevent re-injury. If you must go back to whatever caused the problem in the first place, be sure to warm up your arm for at least 5 to 10 minutes with gentle stretching and movement before starting any activity. Take frequent breaks.
Conventional medicine offers an assortment of treatments for tennis elbow, from drug injections to surgery, but the pain will never go away completely unless you stop stressing the joint. Re-injury is inevitable without adequate rest.
For most mild to moderate cases of tennis elbow, aspirin or ibuprofen will help address the inflammation and the pain while you are resting the injury, and then you can follow up with exercise and massage to speed healing.
For stubborn cases of tennis elbow your doctor may advise corticosteroid injections, which dramatically reduce inflammation, but they cannot be used long-term because of potentially damaging side effects. Another attractive option for many sufferers, especially those who prefer to not ingest medication orally, is the application of an appropriate and effective topical anti-inflammatory such as Penetrex.
If rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and a stretching routine fail to cure your tennis elbow, you may have to consider surgery, though this form of treatment is rare (fewer than 3 percent of patients). One procedure is for the tendon to be cut loose from the epicondyle, the rounded bump at the end of the bone, which eliminates stress on the tendon but renders the muscle useless. Another surgical technique involves removing so-called granulated tissue in the tendon and repairing tears.Even after you feel you have overcome a case of tennis elbow, be sure to continue babying your arm. Always warm up your arm for 5 to 10 minutes before starting any activity involving your elbow. And if you develop severe pain after use anyway, pack your arm in ice for 15 to 20 minutes and call your doctor.
TreatmentNonsurgical Treatment
In most cases, nonsurgical treatment should be tried before surgery.
Pain relief is the main goal in the first phase of treatment.
- The doctor may tell you to stop any activities that cause symptoms.
- You may need to apply ice to the outside part of the elbow.
- You may need to take acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory medication for pain relief.
Orthotics can help diminish symptoms of tennis elbow. The doctor may want you to use counterforce braces and wrist splints. These can reduce symptoms by resting the muscles and tendons.
Symptoms should improve significantly within four weeks to six weeks.
If symptoms do not improve, the next step is a corticosteroid injection around the outside of the elbow. This can be very helpful in reducing pain. Corticosteroids are relatively safe medications. Most of their side effects (i.e., further degeneration of the tendon and wasting of the fatty tissue below the skin) occur after multiple injections. Avoid repeated injections (more than two or three in a specific site).
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is considered only in patients who have incapacitating pain that does not get better after at least six months of nonsurgical treatment.
The surgical procedure involves removing diseased tendon tissue and reattaching normal tendon tissue to bone (figure below). The procedure is an outpatient surgery, not requiring an overnight stay in the hospital. It can be performed under regional or general anesthesia.
- Most commonly, the surgery is performed through a small incision over the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow.
- Recently, an arthroscopic surgery method has been developed.
So far, no significant benefits have been found to using the arthroscopic method over the more traditional open incision.
Prevention
To prevent tennis elbow:
- Lift objects with your palm facing your body.
- Try strengthening exercises with hand weights. With your elbow cocked and your palm down, repeatedly bend your wrist. Stop if you feel any pain.
- Stretch relevant muscles before beginning a possibly stressful activity by grasping the top part of your fingers and gently but firmly pulling them back toward your body. Keep your arm fully extended and your palm facing outward.
Caution!
To prevent a relapse:
- Discontinue or modify the action that is causing the strain on your elbow joint. If you must continue, be sure to warm up for 10 minutes or more before any activity involving your arm, and apply ice to it afterward. Take more frequent breaks.
- Try strapping a band around your forearm just below your elbow. If the support seems to help you lift objects such as heavy books, then continue with it. Be aware that such bands can cut off circulation and impede healing, so they are best used once tennis elbow has disappeared.
Call Your Doctor If....
- The pain persists for more than a few days; chronic inflammation of the tendons can lead to permanent disability.
- The elbow joint begins to swell; tennis elbow rarely causes swelling, so you may have another condition such as arthritis, gout, infection or even a tumor.
here comes ADULT ENERGY FOR MEN
Details
Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 23, 2009 -- With a family history of diabetes Brian Ayers, a former National Institutes for Health consultant and author, searched for an energy supplement to make the exercise and diet that is required to overcome diabetes easier. His discovery looks to be much more than a diabetes supplement. It could change the way men look at aging.
The newly launched natural liquid supplement Adult Energy For Men (http://www.AdultEnergyForMen.com) is designed to improve the testosterone output of men by giving the body the exact nutrition it needs. For years men were prescribed artificial testosterone through injections, patches or creams. These treatments ignore the body's ability to create its own testosterone and as a result produce several side effects. When the body has the correct nutrition it will create its own testosterone at the right levels just as it did all throughout a developing male's life.
Scientist has known for some time that testosterone loss is the cause of a great number of ailments for men as they age. For men who smoke, drink, don't exercise regularly and take multiple medications the loss is more dramatic. This means dying from a low testosterone related disease is higher. 
The testosterone levels in men drops by 1% per year on average. By the age of 50, most men have 30% less testosterone than they did at 20. Low testosterone levels have been linked to heart disease, memory loss, mood swings, loss of muscle mass, pot bellies, higher risk of Alzheimer's, higher risk of osteoporosis, declining sex drive and impotence.
New research shows that a high number of men with diabetes also suffer from low testosterone levels. This means Adult Energy For Men could provide a double benefit of energy and testosterone nutrition for men who suffer from diabetes or are pre-diabetic.
Mr. Ayers calls this product a game changer for middle aged and senior men. "No product is going to do away with exercise and healthy eating, but now there is an effective way to get the nutrition needed to directly stimulate testosterone without unwanted side effects."
Adult Energy For Men will be available for the first time on March 24, 2009 through http://www.AdultEnergyForMen.com.
About Adult Energy For Men
Adult Energy For Men is a unique natural liquid formula that was developed by a former NIH consultant to help men and some women who have noticed an overall decli
ne in vitality, mental alertness, stamina, strength and energy level as they have gotten older. It helps you produce testosterone at the right levels and gently increases circulation which can help you feel younger and more vital at the right times without unwanted side effects. This helps counteract the negative effects of testosterone reduction as you age.
Without Negative Side Effects?
Your body naturally creates testosterone from the nutrition in the foods you eat. By getting the right nutrition you can increase the amount of testosterone your body creates.
Testosterone loss is a natural part of the aging process. Its effect on men has been scientifically linked to illnesses such as diabetes, alzheimers, heart disease, obesity, muscle loss, loss of sexual desire, memory loss and high blood pressure.
While testosterone replacement has shown limited promise to help reverse these issues, it ignores the processes of the body and how it regulates hormone levels.
Adult Energy For Men is a non-prescription liquid formula that gives your body the nutrition it needs to increase its production of testosterone naturally.
How is Adult Energy different from other medicines and supplements?- Adult Energy is NOT testosterone replacement but a natural food supplement
- Adult Energy helps your body function as it normally would with the proper amount of testosterone available
- Adult Energy is a liquid formula that is easily absorbed by your body for optimum effect
- Adult Energy is all natural with each of its 8 herbs independently researched for effectiveness
- Adult Energy is designed for men but is also effective for women
The Benefits of Adult Energy include:
Memory
- Improves working memory
- Improves verbal memory
- Improves spatial memory
Mood
- Increases energy
- Enhances the feeling of well-being
- Helps alleviate depression
Sexual Health
- Increase in sexual desire
- Increase in frequency and firmness of erections
- Increase in sexual stamina
Body
- Enhances strength and energy
- Protects the cardiovascular system
Adult Energy & Your Body | ||
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