Today's Wall Street Journal offers some less-than-encouraging news on one of the nation's leading killers and most-studied health problems: heart disease.
One article notes that for all the research that goes into heart disease, "just 11% of more than 2,700 recommendations approved by cardiologists for treating heart patients are supported by high-quality scientific testing," according to a new study published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association. The research says that much of the recommended advice for cardiac patients is based on subjective expert opinion.
Another article says that a hotel may be the worst place for your heart to stop beating, because of the lack of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The story explains that while AEDs have become standard equipment on airplanes, health clubs, and even some shopping malls, hotel chains are hesitant to adopt them because of concerns over liability. Some of the chains the Journal talked to either cited low percentages of defibrillators in their hotels, or didn't want to say how many they had.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Brain Research: New Alzheimer's Theory, and those "Brain Exercises"
Research on the brain and how it works has yielded some interesting findings related to cognitive function, namely how it may decline and whether popular techniques can really stave off this decline.
Scientists at the biotech company Genentech have offered a new theory of how Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells, a finding that could yield new ideas for developing effective treatments. The researchers "believe a chemical mechanism that naturally prunes away unwanted brain cells during early brain development somehow gets hijacked in Alzheimer's disease." A chemical called amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is a key part of the plaques found in the brain in Alzheimer's patients, is thought to be the "driving force" behind the process.
In another dementia-related finding, the author of a study on "brain exercises" that have been pitched to older adults says that these programs are not effective at warding off cognitive decline, at least not in healthy adults.
The programs, which range from Web sites to PC-based games, have seen sales skyrocket as older adults try to find ways to prevent Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Reuters Health quoted Dr. Peter J. Snyder of Lifespan Affiliated Hospitals in Providence, Rhode Island as saying, "These marketed products don't confer any additional benefit over and above being socially and intellectually active in one's normal daily life."
The study found that some types of "brain training" may be of use to patients who already have memory problems, but they haven't clearly shown a benefit to patients who don't have cognitive impairment.
Scientists at the biotech company Genentech have offered a new theory of how Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells, a finding that could yield new ideas for developing effective treatments. The researchers "believe a chemical mechanism that naturally prunes away unwanted brain cells during early brain development somehow gets hijacked in Alzheimer's disease." A chemical called amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is a key part of the plaques found in the brain in Alzheimer's patients, is thought to be the "driving force" behind the process.
In another dementia-related finding, the author of a study on "brain exercises" that have been pitched to older adults says that these programs are not effective at warding off cognitive decline, at least not in healthy adults.
The programs, which range from Web sites to PC-based games, have seen sales skyrocket as older adults try to find ways to prevent Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Reuters Health quoted Dr. Peter J. Snyder of Lifespan Affiliated Hospitals in Providence, Rhode Island as saying, "These marketed products don't confer any additional benefit over and above being socially and intellectually active in one's normal daily life."
The study found that some types of "brain training" may be of use to patients who already have memory problems, but they haven't clearly shown a benefit to patients who don't have cognitive impairment.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The "Dream Diet": How to Lose Weight through Sleep
Yes, it sounds too good to be true, but sleep can really help you lose weight. But what scientists have found is not really a "diet" per se, but rather new insight into the relationship between sleep and weight. In a nutshell, it has been found that the amount of sleep you get and the quality of that sleep can affect hormones in your body that have been found to impact appetite.
A number of studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect the levels of two appetite-related hormones, leptin and ghrelin. The studies have revealed that people who sleep less weigh more. The article noted above also examines another sleep-weight interaction, the relationship between weight and sleep apnea.
Of course, today's horrible economic times don't exactly encourage restfulness and a good night's sleep, but with the many real benefits of getting enough sleep, it's definitely a worthwhile thing to put at the top of even the longest to-do list.
A number of studies have shown that lack of sleep can affect the levels of two appetite-related hormones, leptin and ghrelin. The studies have revealed that people who sleep less weigh more. The article noted above also examines another sleep-weight interaction, the relationship between weight and sleep apnea.
Of course, today's horrible economic times don't exactly encourage restfulness and a good night's sleep, but with the many real benefits of getting enough sleep, it's definitely a worthwhile thing to put at the top of even the longest to-do list.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Intermittent Explosive Disorder - More Common Than Commonly Thought?
We've all seen scary cases when a person flies into a violent rage for no reason, whether it's road rage or a couple's overheated argument. What you may not know is that, for some people at least, a real disorder may be behind the problem: intermittent explosive disorder (IED). This is not your everyday type of angry outburst, but rather a violent reaction that is way out of proportion to the event that brought it on. Often the outburst involves throwing or breaking things or other injury to property or people.
An article on WebMD says that IED may be more common than we think, affecting as many as 16 million adults in the U.S. It note the results of a study that defined IED as "involving at least three incidents over a lifetime of anger attacks in which physical harm was done to other people or to property." And the incidents had to not be linked to factors such as drug or alcohol use or depression.
Before an incident of IED, sufferers may report feeling an increased energy level and irritability or rage. Episodes may be accompanied by physical sensations such as tingling, tremors, palpitations, or chest tightness. After an episode of intermittent explosive disorder the person may feel embarrassment, guilt or shame, various sources say.
An article on the Mayo Clinic's Web site talks about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatments for intermittent explosive disorder, and tells what medications can be effective in treating IED. Psychology Today also discusses what intermittent explosive disorder is and covers some of the same aspects of the disorder as the Mayo article.
If you feel you or someone you know may be affected by IED, consult a medical professional to learn more about the specific symptoms, causes, and characteristics of intermittent explosive disorder.
An article on WebMD says that IED may be more common than we think, affecting as many as 16 million adults in the U.S. It note the results of a study that defined IED as "involving at least three incidents over a lifetime of anger attacks in which physical harm was done to other people or to property." And the incidents had to not be linked to factors such as drug or alcohol use or depression.
Before an incident of IED, sufferers may report feeling an increased energy level and irritability or rage. Episodes may be accompanied by physical sensations such as tingling, tremors, palpitations, or chest tightness. After an episode of intermittent explosive disorder the person may feel embarrassment, guilt or shame, various sources say.
An article on the Mayo Clinic's Web site talks about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors, and treatments for intermittent explosive disorder, and tells what medications can be effective in treating IED. Psychology Today also discusses what intermittent explosive disorder is and covers some of the same aspects of the disorder as the Mayo article.
If you feel you or someone you know may be affected by IED, consult a medical professional to learn more about the specific symptoms, causes, and characteristics of intermittent explosive disorder.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Peanut Butter Recall: Troubles Continue as Number of Products Grows
The peanut butter recall is growing, and it's unclear how far it will go. U.S. News and World Report notes that more companies are pulling products off the shelves, from cookies to candies. This comes after the FDA warned on Saturday that consumers should avoid products that contain peanut butter or peanut butter paste while the investigation into salmonella contamination continues. (It should be noted that no jars of peanut butter are involved in the warning or recalls; the products concerned are things like crackers, cookies, and other prepared foods.)
General Mills and Kellogg are two of the most recent food makers to issue recalls; the Kroger grocery chain has also issued a recall for some of its private label products containing peanut butter. It seems most if not all of the contamination cases are linked to products from one supplier, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
Check out the FDA salmonella outbreak fact sheet for details on what products have been recalled, information on salmonella, and an update on the agency's investigation into the peanut butter salmonella outbreak.
The salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter products has now affected people in 43 of America's 50 states as well as parts of Canada. Nearly 500 people have become sick, and six deaths have resulted.
General Mills and Kellogg are two of the most recent food makers to issue recalls; the Kroger grocery chain has also issued a recall for some of its private label products containing peanut butter. It seems most if not all of the contamination cases are linked to products from one supplier, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).
Check out the FDA salmonella outbreak fact sheet for details on what products have been recalled, information on salmonella, and an update on the agency's investigation into the peanut butter salmonella outbreak.
The salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter products has now affected people in 43 of America's 50 states as well as parts of Canada. Nearly 500 people have become sick, and six deaths have resulted.
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