Daily Health Tips

Archive for the ‘Health Therapy’ Category

Reduce consumption of sweetened beverages (soft drinks, fruit juices with added sugar) reduces blood pressure, according to a study published in the journal Circulation.

Dr. Liwei Chen at Louisiana State University and colleagues analyzed data on 810 people aged 25-79 who for 18 months, were intended to lose weight and reduce their blood pressure by exercising and following a healthy diet. At baseline they drank on average one third of a liter of sweetened beverages per day. They have reduced this amount by half.

This reduction was accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure. After taking into account the usual factors of risk of hypertension, a decrease of consumption per day was associated with a decrease of 1.8 points in systolic blood pressure (top number reading) and 1.1 mm the diastolic (bottom number) over a period of 18 months.

Although weight loss accounted for a portion of the decrease in blood pressure, decreased consumption of sweetened beverages exerted an independent effect, the researchers said. This effect could be explained by the sodium (salt) often contained in large quantities in these drinks. Sugar may also increase the levels of catecholamine hormones that can increase blood pressure. The corn syrup high fructose also increases levels of uric acid, Bakri says George of the University of Chicago, president of the American Society of Hypertension, which has been linked to increased blood pressure .

Previous studies have linked soft drinks to obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. A study, published this month, also showed that the. sugar influences the levels of cholesterol.

Driver fatigue would be involved in 22% of fatal accidents and 20% of all injury accidents, according to statistics of 2008 in Quebec, said the Société de l’assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) to ‘Day provincial awareness of driver fatigue. Fatigue was responsible for 5 deaths on the roads in 2008. It is the third leading cause of road accidents, according to the speed and alcohol.

A long period of awakening, some times of the day and sleep deficit are factors that increase risk.

Driver Fatigue

Studies have shown that:

– 40% of fatigue-related accidents, the driver had been awake for more than 17 hours;

– It is early afternoon, between 13 pm and 15 pm, and night, between midnight and 6 am, the risk of falling asleep at the wheel are the highest. Episodes of drowsiness are 8 times more frequent at night, “because the body follows a daily cycle that includes moments” hollow “during which metabolism slows, alertness and reduces fatigue is felt;

– Half of all drivers involved in accidents related to fatigue had slept less than 6 hours the day before the accident.

Moreover, sleep disorders exacerbate the problems of driver fatigue and the effects of fatigue are greatly exacerbated by even minimal alcohol, certain medications or other drugs.

SAAQ recalls in particular to stop in a safe place to rest at the first signs of fatigue driving.

An editorial in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association warns against dangers of codeine, a painkiller commonly used. Often regarded as a safe painkiller, codeine, however, can be fatally toxic, even at recommended doses, for some people with particular genetic profile.

Codeine

The drug has never undergone safety studies such as new medicines suffer because its goes back 200 years, say the signatories.

Codeine is converted into morphine by the liver. However, in some people, this conversion is too fast, leading to a fatal accumulation of morphine. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable.

Associations and hospitals should change their guidelines and warn doctors of potential risks until studies have been conducted, the editorial recommends. The drug should be used cautiously especially in children, infants and nursing mothers. Already in April, the Hospital for Sick Children has stopped administer codeine to patients after a committee has raised concerns about the metabolism of codeine.

According to Dr. Noni MacDonald, one of the signatories, morphine is a better alternative because it is easier to predict the levels being found in the patient’s system. “Why would we use it even when codeine is metabolized into morphine anyway?, Asks her.

Codeine is found particularly in certain specialties sold without a prescription such as syrups for colds for adults and some formulations of Tylenol and Aspirin.

It is an opioid painkiller called weak or (minor), level 2 according to WHO classification. In Canada, tramadol is the only alternative to opioid analgesics low, according to Lori Montgomery Center Chronic Pain of Calgary. The more powerful drugs (tier 3) include morphine, oxycodone (Oxycontin) and hydromorphone.

Botox may improve mood by preventing frowning brow and a recent study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

By paralyzing the facial muscles, Botox prevents the physical expression of negative emotions. Based on previous research that suggests that facial expressions not only reflect but also influence our moods, the study sought to determine whether, by preventing the expression of negative emotions, Botox may improve mood.

The study was conducted with 25 people who underwent cosmetic surgery, 12 of which have been injected with Botox or similar neurotoxins and other received other treatments for wrinkles. Two weeks after treatment, participants completed a questionnaire assessment of depression and anxiety and they assessed the success of their treatment.

Those who received Botox showed less depression, anxiety and irritability, says Michael Lewis, professor of psychology at Cardiff University, lead author of the study. At what point they thought the treatment had improved their appearance was similar in both groups, suggesting that the difference in mood was not related to differences in aesthetic results.

In a previous study conducted in 2006 by Eric Finzi, a cosmetic surgeon, 9 out of 10 women with major depression had seen their symptoms disappear after injections of Botox around the mouth and forehead wrinkles, the Times reported.

This latest research and most recently have been conducted with small groups, it is therefore premature, warns Lewis to consider Botox injections to be beneficial for mood.

Research published last month showed instead that preventing the expression of negative emotions, botox could prolong the emotions and the authors arguing that it could well encourage a downward spiral.

“The problem is that the botox paralyzes the muscles used for communication, then it is difficult to predict the overall consequences,” says Lewis.

The High Authority for Health (HAS) has launched its website a public consultation on the management of transsexualism with the health system in France. The consultation ends on May 31 HAS THE seeking the opinions of a report that addresses medical care – diagnosis, hormone therapy and reassignment surgery – as well as socio-cultural and legal.

The ICD10 described transsexualism as “the desire to live and be accepted as a person belonging to the opposite sex. This desire is usually accompanied by a feeling of discomfort or inadequacy towards his own anatomical sex and a desire to undergo surgery or hormone treatment to make her body conform as nearly as possible to the desired sex. ”

The prevalence of transsexualism is estimated between 1 / 10000 and 1 / 50000 of the population.

Transsexualism should be differentiated from intersex (hermaphrodite) accompanied by physical and hormonal characteristics such as the person is anatomically and physiologically, between man and woman. Intersex could reach 2% of births. In the therapeutic approach to intersex, now expected that the sexual identity of the child develops before resorting to surgery arbitrary irreversible. This position is supported by failures related to the “imposition of a gender identity” from 2 years. It recognizes that the brain is a neurodevelopmental factor in gender identity, beyond the genital characteristics and social role assigned in infancy, the report said.

Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain transsexualism. It is regarded as resulting from biological, psychological and social interfering with the construction of sexual identity. The importance of these factors varies from one person to another. The report summarizes these different explanatory approaches.

The report describes the approaches used at different stages of medical care and the social and legal aspects of transsexualism.

A new study confirms that the contraceptive pill could reduce libido. Women who use hormonal contraceptives such as pills or patches are more likely to have symptoms such as decreased sexual desire and decreased sexual arousal than those who use non-hormonal methods of contraception or n ‘ to use none, according to this German study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Lisa-Maria Wallwiener University of Heidelberg and his colleagues conducted the study with 1,000 young women medical students.

Those who used non-hormonal methods of contraception were those who felt the least sexual difficulties. The analysis shows that this association was independent of other factors that may affect sexuality.

The study establishes a link between hormonal contraception and sexual dysfunctions and does not prove that the link is causal. The biological mechanisms that may explain this link are unclear, says Alfred W. Mueck, co.

Hormonal contraception decreases blood levels of testosterone available and, although it is still uncertain, it is considered that testosterone plays a role in libido in women, says Kim Wallen of Emory University. The latter notes that a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1978 showed that women taking the pill did not experience the normal increase in the motivation for sex hormone midcycle. But since the issue has been under-studied and the results of studies inconsistent.

What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? A survey by Ifop for the Foundation for Assistance to Research on Multiple Sclerosis (ARSEP) on the occasion of World Day of September (which took place this Wednesday, May 26) shows that the disease remains relatively little known to the French.

Approximately 44% (60% of those under age 35) feel, wrongly, that multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inherited disease (1). Some 11% think it is a disease that is spread by a virus.

Nearly 7 out of 10 French (69%), but 1 of 2 (51%) in less than 24 years, know that MS is a neurological disease. The other, not knowing the illness, would rather say it is a blood disease (19%), skin (10%) or respiratory (2%). Women are better informed than men: 73% know it is a neurological disease against 65%.

Some 35% of respondents reported knowing someone with the disease in their surroundings. These are the people best informed: 83% of them know it is a neurological disease compared to 61% of French people not familiar with.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease, autoimmune, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in which the immune system attacks myelin, a protective sheath of nerves. It is estimated that 80,000 people are living in France and 350,000 in Europe.

This survey was conducted by Ifop online questionnaire with a sample of 1004 people.

(1) A study published last April just confirmed that if genes play a role in the development of disease, environmental factors play a key role.

In terms of the precautions to be taken, the skin is one of the key areas which we must pay close attention, especially in the case of external beam radiation, which penetrates through it. Some steps are:

* Avoid tight garments like girdles and stockings, in the treated area, ideally are cotton garments.

* Prevent sun exposure as this can further irritate the skin. It is important to protect its rays even during the year after completion of therapy, because even then the skin is particularly sensitive. Any other source of heat or cold can also damage your skin, including high temperature water or ice packs.

* We do not recommend using any type of cologne, perfume, lotion or gel without previously asking the doctor, some of these products are very aggressive to the skin, especially weakened as a result of radiotherapy.

* If you must shave the treatment area is recommended that you do with an electric shear and knife, as this can cause injuries that hamper treatment.

* If necessary, bandage the treated area, use paper tape or cloth, but never sticky. It is always advisable to ask the nurse who will tell you what should be the materials used.

But not only the skin, the entire organ will be affected and weakened, so too we must take into account the following measures:

* At least during the treatment period is necessary to avoid harmful habits such as alcohol or smoking. It has been shown to stop the snuff increases the efficacy of radiotherapy, while reducing the chances of developing a second cancer.

* Radiation therapy can make you feel weak or less energy than usual so keep a complete diet and good sleep is essential. Intake of fluids and stay well hydrated also play a role.

* If you use any type of medications and even dietary supplements, or want to start taking them, has to explain to your doctor with full details.

Meditation is one of the main ways of “re-connection”, to calm the disorder of the mind and enhance our own qualities, “divine.” Furthermore, as a direct result, brings many benefits to our health, both physically and emotionally and mentally.

Previous studies have proven “empirically” its beneficial action on hypertension, cancer and even about the side effects from treatment of such chronic diseases, including AIDS.

A few years ago that is becoming more obvious the need to stop viewing the human body as a “single entity”, traditional medicine has chosen to take a broader, more complete human being, and in all its dimensions.

That stress, tension and negative thinking are great enemies of our health is not new. Although hard to admit, sometimes we are the architects of our own health, whether good or bad. Both from a conscious point of view as, in many cases also more difficult to detect, unconscious.

One of the most common or accessible in the Western world entering this maetría of meditation is through yoga. A study that was published some time in the Gazette of Medicine Association of the United States concluded that those patients who practiced this discipline earning profits on disease control, among whom were diabetes, arthritis or chronic stress tables.

Either way and despite not suffering from any serious disorder, yoga and meditation are ideal tools to stay calm, attentive and focused, and to prevent precisely this type of disease.

Another area in which meditation is often helpful is in reference to the care of heart, constant psychological stress is one of the clearest indicators of risk of cardiac complications, as assured by researchers at the Mayo Clinic (U.S. ).

Also, a study that conducted the Harvard Medical School (USA) revealed that heart attack victims who learn to remain calm during emotional conflicts halved the risk of having another similar episode.

The Heart Association of the United States, meanwhile, advises patients who suffer from hypertension treatment to complement conventional techniques of meditation. A study supported by this institution found that those who meditated at least twice a day for twenty minutes each session, managed to significantly reduce blood pressure.

More evidence: as other work done by researchers at the Faculty of Medicine, Morehouse University, Atlanta (USA), and presented at the XV International Interdisciplinary Conference on Hypertension and Risk Factors among Ethnic Groups held in Puerto Rico, meditation sessions have a positive impact on blood pressure, helping to normalize levels.