I've only recently heard of the device called the Stress Eraser (StressEraser), which claims to help alter a person's breathing in order to reduce stress. The Stress Eraser Web site says that it can reverse the effects of "ergotropic tuning," which it says is "a biological process that changes the way the nerves in your body respond to stress." The idea is that their device can give a person feedback on how to adjust his or her breaking to reduce ergotropic tuning, and thus stress.
Although I'm not familiar with this device, it reminds me of another device that claims to help lower blood pressure by helping the user adjust breathing rate. That device, called the RESPeRATE®, is a small, portable electronic device that guides the user to lowering the number of breaths they take per minute, which is said to lower blood pressure naturally. The RESPeRATE Web site has positive comments from the Mayo Clinic and from Dr. Andrew Weil. According to their Web site, the RESPeRATE breathing exercises work by "relaxing the constricted muscles surrounding the small blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more freely and yielding a significant and lasting reduction of blood pressure." RESPeRATE has been approved by the FDA.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Tay-Sachs Disease: Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis
Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal genetic neurological disorder that usually develops in children (and rarely in adults in their 20s or 30s). While babies can seem to develop normally at first, but then mental and physical abilities deteriorate over time. Eventually the child loses sight, hearing, and the ability to swallow; muscles atrophy; and paralysis results. There is no cure or treatment.
Tay-Sachs disease involves a problem with the storage of lipids (fats) in which harmful amounts of a particular fatty substance accumulates in tissues and nerve cells in the brain.
An article from the U.S. National Institutes of Health discusses what happens in Tay-Sachs disease, how it progresses, symptoms, treatment of symptoms, and prognosis.
Another article, from the National Human Genome Research Institute, offers a list of frequently asked questions about Tay-Sachs disease. And KidsHealth.org examines Tay-Sachs screening, who's at risk, prenatal diagnosis, and more.
Tay-Sachs disease involves a problem with the storage of lipids (fats) in which harmful amounts of a particular fatty substance accumulates in tissues and nerve cells in the brain.
An article from the U.S. National Institutes of Health discusses what happens in Tay-Sachs disease, how it progresses, symptoms, treatment of symptoms, and prognosis.
Another article, from the National Human Genome Research Institute, offers a list of frequently asked questions about Tay-Sachs disease. And KidsHealth.org examines Tay-Sachs screening, who's at risk, prenatal diagnosis, and more.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Uremic Poisoning: Causes and Symptoms
The kidneys are one of the main gatekeepers responsible for ridding the body of waste, and when they don't function properly a person can end up with uremic poisoning. And uremic poisoning is much more than just a kidney problem, because kidneys that aren't functioning properly can allow toxins to build up in other organs of the body, potentially creating a deadly situation if not noticed and treated quickly.
Uremic poisoning and related kidney problems can result from food poisoning and other illnesses even years after the those illnesses have come and gone, scientists have said in speaking to the Associated Press. The article notes that "E. coli and certain other foodborne illnesses can sometimes trigger serious health problems months or years after patients survived that initial bout." And with food poisoning cases being seem more often, researchers are concerned about the possible long-term health risks these people may face.
The article mentions cases of high blood pressure, kidney damage, and even complete kidney failure as long as 20 years after a person suffered from the initial illness.
The Web site of the American Association of Kidney Patients has an article explaining the symptoms of uremic poisoning, detailing the signs a person may notice when uremic poisoning affects the brain and nervous system, digestive system, heart and lungs, skins, etc.
Uremic poisoning and related kidney problems can result from food poisoning and other illnesses even years after the those illnesses have come and gone, scientists have said in speaking to the Associated Press. The article notes that "E. coli and certain other foodborne illnesses can sometimes trigger serious health problems months or years after patients survived that initial bout." And with food poisoning cases being seem more often, researchers are concerned about the possible long-term health risks these people may face.
The article mentions cases of high blood pressure, kidney damage, and even complete kidney failure as long as 20 years after a person suffered from the initial illness.
The Web site of the American Association of Kidney Patients has an article explaining the symptoms of uremic poisoning, detailing the signs a person may notice when uremic poisoning affects the brain and nervous system, digestive system, heart and lungs, skins, etc.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Did Ambien Play a Role in Heath Ledger's Death?
While it's not yet known what killed actor Heath Ledger, the cause is suspected to be an overdose of one or several medications. Police said what medications were found by his side when they discovered his body on Tuesday, including sleeping and anxiety drugs. Police on Wednesday reported finding a rolled-up $20 bill in the room, but said no illegal drugs had been found. Ledger had said in interviews that he had been taking the sleep medication Ambien, one of the most widely prescribed sleep drugs.
He said that some of the grueling acting roles he had taken on, including in the upcoming Batman film and in "I'm Not There," left him sleeping only a couple of hours a night.
Ambien (the trade name in the U.S. for zolpidem) has come under closer scrutiny in some countries for some unusual side effects that have been documented, including bizarre episodes in which people taking Ambien got out bed and drove their cars, prepared food, and even had sex while partially asleep. These people were usually not able to remember doing these activities once they woke up.
In addition, some cases of hallucinations have been experienced with some sleeping drugs, and of course any such drug can be dangerous when taken along with other medications, depending on the type of drug and the dosage taken.
Did Ambien play a role in Heath Ledger's death? It's too soon to tell, but it's possible that some kind of mix of drugs in the wrong combinations or the wrong dosages was at least a contributing factor in his death.
He said that some of the grueling acting roles he had taken on, including in the upcoming Batman film and in "I'm Not There," left him sleeping only a couple of hours a night.
Ambien (the trade name in the U.S. for zolpidem) has come under closer scrutiny in some countries for some unusual side effects that have been documented, including bizarre episodes in which people taking Ambien got out bed and drove their cars, prepared food, and even had sex while partially asleep. These people were usually not able to remember doing these activities once they woke up.
In addition, some cases of hallucinations have been experienced with some sleeping drugs, and of course any such drug can be dangerous when taken along with other medications, depending on the type of drug and the dosage taken.
Did Ambien play a role in Heath Ledger's death? It's too soon to tell, but it's possible that some kind of mix of drugs in the wrong combinations or the wrong dosages was at least a contributing factor in his death.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Coffee Drinking Can Double Miscarriage Risk, Study Says
There are new questions about the safety of drinking coffee during pregnancy, with a new study finding that even two cups a day potentially doubling the risk of miscarriage. What this new research means for expectant women is not clear however: some doctors say pregnant women should avoid caffeine, while others say caffeine in moderation is OK.
According to an article on MSNBC, "the connection has been controversial, with some experts arguing that the research didn't account for morning sickness. The nausea and vomiting of morning sickness, caused by elevated hormones, is generally a sign of a reduced risk of miscarriage — and also can lead women to stop drinking their usual coffee or other caffeinated drinks." There was a concern that if women reduced their caffeine intake, it would create the impression that caffeine was associated with miscarriage.
According to an article on MSNBC, "the connection has been controversial, with some experts arguing that the research didn't account for morning sickness. The nausea and vomiting of morning sickness, caused by elevated hormones, is generally a sign of a reduced risk of miscarriage — and also can lead women to stop drinking their usual coffee or other caffeinated drinks." There was a concern that if women reduced their caffeine intake, it would create the impression that caffeine was associated with miscarriage.
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