(this shows articles from Health Sections in newspapers and magazines. Disclaimer)
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Whilst another page deals with helpful links to do with Health this
page
is devoted mainly to articles which regularly appear in newspapers and
magazines
describing drugs and procedures, some of which are still under
trial.
Again, I wish to state quite categorically that I am in no way
qualified
medically and I am merely quoting things that I have found reported.
Nevertheless, behind the headlines, rapid progress is being
made in
areas such as pharmaceuticals, stem cells, genetics and the
understanding
of DNA and it would be unwise to ignore these developments, though it
may
be some time before they can be administered widely. The ideas come so
rapidly
it is just possible that your doctor is not aware of what is happening
with
regard to a particular condition.
Surprise, surprise. In a survey doctors overwhelmingly said that the increasing number of patients who self diagnose was "Not helpful" (BBC Report)
These days there are ways of getting in
touch with doctors using a mobile phone, tablet or other
computer. I am able to contact my surgery with one click of a
shortcut and, after entering a password I am able to order a repeat
prescription, which is delivered to my door by a local pharmacy. That is much more efficient than the old days. So,
ask your surgery how to do it.
There are other applications that allow
you to do this. e.g. MyGP, GPatHand, NowGP, Echo and
Pushdoctor. Some make a charge
More recently I understand that the http://www.family-doctor.org.uk/default.aspx
has welcomed the idea that people should check the internet before
trying to make an appointment at their local surgery. It must be
a relief for many doctors to discover that some patients are remarkably
well informed about various illnesses. Gone are the days when we would
accept everything we were told by a doctor.
Links to newspaper Health sections :
Mail (Tuesdays) Telegraph Express
Some of the following describe procedures (operations) or treatments which are not currently available on the National Health in the UK. Some are dependent on unproved 'science' such as Homeopathy. I am not against anything that people feel help with their condition. Medicines have existed for hundreds of years which people swear by. The fact is that many aches and pains will go away given time and, if a placebo makes you feel better, why not ? A lot of it is in the mind. But the science of medicine does seem to be going ahead in leaps and bounds. This is helped along by the understanding of the genetic basis for much ill health but also by the vast profits that can be made by companies if they can develop that new 'cure all' drug. Thousands of millions are being spent on medical research. With luck a company can do very well. Without it, and with a bad press, a company can be on its knees overnight.
The dangers of self diagnosis ! : From Three Men in a Boat (1889) "THERE were four of us - George, and William (Harris), and myself, and Montmorency (the dog). We were sitting in my room, smoking, and talking about how bad we were - bad from a medical point of view I mean, of course. We were all feeling seedy, and we were getting quite nervous about it. Harris said he felt such extraordinary fits of giddiness come over him at times, that he hardly knew what he was doing; and then George said that HE had fits of giddiness too, and hardly knew what HE was doing. With me, it was my liver that was out of order. I knew it was my liver that was out of order, because I had just been reading a patent liver-pill circular, in which were detailed the various symptoms by which a man could tell when his liver was out of order. I had them all. It is a most extraordinary thing, but I never read a patent medicine advertisement without being impelled to the conclusion that I am suffering from the particular disease in its most virulent form. The diagnosis seems in every case to correspond exactly with all the sensations that I have ever felt".
A great blog site by Dr Ben Goldcare, who takes pleasure in puncturing the egos of people and organisations which claim all kinds of medical knowledge but who rarely quote the scientific evidence. See www.badscience.net I agree with some of the contrary comments made about him; that he is opinionated and paints a one sided view. But it is interesting to see that over 80% of the comments are four or five star, showing that the vast majority of readers favour his views. I go along with his explanations of why we are so keen to accept poorly researched cures. There is always a market for 'snake oil' cures, driven by hope, panic and the persuasiveness of the press.
OVERdiagnosis ? The
article suggests
that over the last few years there has been an emphasis on earlier
diagnosis
of illness, rather than waiting until symptoms appear. While this may
have
saved lives in some cases, Dr D H Gilbert Welch (Dartmouth Institute of
Health
Policy, Virginia, USA) has written a book which suggests that in many
cases
people are being treated when they are, and may remain, perfectly
healthy.
This has led to unnecessary procedures and vastly increased medical
drug
use. Overdiagnosis is increasing as international
recommendations about
such things as cholesterol, obesity and blood/sugar levels. More is
being
discovered by MRI and CT Scans - and now DNA testing, which suggest
that
almost everyone has abnormalities, even though they are untroubled by
them
and may continue in that way. There is even a suspicion that that
breast
cancer screening may be over diagnosing.
As an aside I do wonder if the medical profession and the
pharmaceutical
industry may have something to do with this, especially in the USA. No!
I
don't just WONDER. And there have been salesman for "Dr Good" and
'Snake
Oil' in one form or another for thousands of years. It depends on
WITCH doctor you believe.
OVERprescription ? The article indicated "The problem is that GPs are judged according to the number of patients they put on tablets" ! Cases were quoted where one woman had 25 pills, patches and creams. Another where reducing the number of drugs from 12 helped an old guy's health improve. These included statins and things for stomach acid and nerve pain. Although it was recognised that people should not reduce their pill intake without consulting their doctor they could ask for a review. The doctor felt that people prescribed over 5 pills should at least have an annual review.
It is well known that the frequent use of antibiotics causes the resistance of bacteria and that there is serious concern that we are not developing them faster enough to win the race.. It is also well known that antibiotics have no effect on viruses. They are useful (as the name implies) to fight bad bacteria. But one of the problems is that they take a scatter gun approach and kill even the good bacteria which help us, esespecially with the digestion process. Th article pointed out when it was necessary to use antibiotics, and when not/ Doctors have been advised to try to reduce the number of such prescriptions and they are doing so. Most of the advice was based on the LENGTH of time an infection continued and whether the temperature was above normal for more than a couple of days. Also children and the elderly should be monitored more closely, while fit adults often recover because their own immune system.
The latest news on Statins is that NICE, which is often slow to approve drugs, is now to authorise their widespread prescription, even for people who are not imminently like to have have cardiovascular disease (strokes/heart trouble) This means that 40% of adults over 60 may be offered them if changes of lifestyle are having no beneficial effect . Many doctors feel that this another case of overprescription
But by 2021 Statin pills are now history ! The NHS is to offer a cholesterol-lowering drug that could save tens of thousands of lives over the next decade. It is hoped that Inclisiran, described as a “game-changer”, will prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes in the coming years. It will be offered to hundreds of thousands of people with high cholesterol or mixed dyslipidemia - abnormally high levels of fats in their blood - who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke.
However : The ISABEL Diagnostic System http://www.isabelhealthcare.com/home/system_faq. This is available mainly to medical practices for a fee. It has proved very successful in suggesting possible illnesses based on the symptoms and a vast database of information. As a Careers Advisor I was acutely aware that no human could possibly hold in his head all the various factors that could lead to a reasonable suggestion of an occupation. The same applies to doctors and the sooner all doctors have this program at their fingertips the better !
************
MYTHS On
good authority (if you believe the Daily Mail...)
1. Once a heart has no activity whatsoever no amount of defibrilating with restart it. You have to use it quickly - and know how.
2. Vitamin C does not prevent or cure colds
3. Sugar may help kids get fat but it doesn't make kids
'hyper'. There are other causes - such as being young and full of
energy.
Blood tests are given for many things. That wise old bird Doctor Scurr (Daily Mail) suggests that, if taking your blood is difficult or painful make sure your arm is kept warm until the last moment. If it really proves to be difficult ask for a hospital appointment with a phlebotomist
COVID As we all know Since Spring 2020 most countries have suffered from the pandemic. It has mutated over that time from being an infection which has damaged the lungs in many (but not all) people, to the extent that it has taken the lives of several million people around the word. Whilst the latest mutations have been even more transmissible than the first it has resulted in fewer hospitalisations than the earliest versions. For whatever reason it appears to travel in waves whatever actions are taken by the health authorities. The pattern is not even as seasonal as are colds and influenza.One of the reasons for the 'phases' may be due to patterns of behavior such as attendance at schools, universities, churches etc. Young children tend not to show symptoms but are liable to take the infection home with them.
Due to the levels of infection (at times up to one in
ten people are infected) and the program of vaccinations it is now
thought at that that over 90% of the adult population of the UK have
Covid antibodies in their blood. Whilst this appears to slow the spread
of the virus, the effects of the vaccine wear off after some months.
Even with a program administering three vaccinations people can be
infected and re-infected. Many people feel no effect of the
infection (even though a test may show they have the infection). But
one of the worrying aspects of the infection is that it can have long
term effects. One of these is unusual tiredness - in some cases making
it difficult to return to work. It is therefore still wise to avoid
Covid if that is possible. Isolating oneself if you suspect you are
infected helps to reduce the spread. Avoid being indoors with large
numbers of people especially in situations where you might breathe in
droplets of their breath. Using the soaps provided in many places and
washing your hands after being out all helps.
ASTHMA Can be very serious.and is common (5.4million in
the UK). 1400 people in the UK die of it annually and the numbers are
rising. We have the worst record of childhood deaths from asthma
in Europe. Most sufferers have TWO types of inhaler. A brown preventer
and a Blue reliever. You are advised to not use more than 12 relievers
per annum. If they are having to use a reliever type more than 3 times
a week they should ask the doctor for a review. Tests (recommended by
NICE in November 2017) will reduce the 30% of patients wrongly
diagnosed. But there is conflicting advice. For more information
go to www.asthma.org.uk
TIREDNESS. A good article HERE on the excellent American AARP site about medications known to be the cause of tiredness. But, as ever, consult your doctor before stopping using medications.
PAIN RELIEF I read an article on controlling pain. So I searched this page for the word PAIN. It appeared in practically every paragraph ! (as did the word HEART). Meanwhile aspirin (read this link) is back in favour (see Bowel Cancer below) for pain relief, fever and, in regular small doses, as an anti-coagulant (blood thinner) to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. However, due to this effect, there is a greater tendency to bleeding, (one relative had to have over 8 pints transfused, he was bleeding internally so profusely) so other pain relief may be more suitable e.g. Ibuprofen and paracetamol. Also, an Australian study found increased risk of AMD (age related macular degeneration) in patients regularly taking aspirin over long periods, although this may be because of other related causes. The latest concern is that the NSAID drugs can have potentially serious side effects. See the link for details
PAINKILLERS
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is used to treat headaches and most non-nerve pains.
Two 500mg tablets of paracetamol up to four times a day is a safe dose
for adults. Side effects are not common and this dose can be taken
regularly for long periods.
Overdosing on paracetamol can cause serious side effects, however, so
don't be tempted to increase the dose if your pain is severe.
If the pain lasts for more than three days, see your GP.
Paracetamol is used to treat headaches and most non-nerve pains.
Two 500mg tablets of paracetamol up to four times a day is a safe dose
for adults. Side effects are not common and this dose can be taken
regularly for long periods.
Overdosing on paracetamol can cause serious side effects, however, so
don't be tempted to increase the dose if your pain is severe.
If the pain lasts for more than three days, see your GP.
Personal experience I find that taking half a paracetemol helps me sleep. This has never been recommended to me. But it works 75% of the time !
Ibuprofen
So-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as
ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen, seem to work better when there is
clear evidence of an inflammatory cause, such as arthritis or an
injury.
They should not be used for long periods unless you have discussed it
with your doctor.
If you take them for long periods, there's an increased risk of stomach
upset, including bleeding, and kidney and heart problems.
Don't
take more than the recommended dose, as this will increase the
risk of serious side effects. The packet says to take one or two
tablets every four hours, up to three times a day. But not longer than
three days before consulting a doctor or pharmacist.
Aspirin
Aspirin is another type of NSAID.
It produces the same kind of side effects as other NSAIDs, but is not
as effective as a painkiller, which means it's not usually prescribed
for pain. It is dangerous for children under 16.
There is also a great deal of information about the blood thinning
effects of aspirin. Taken in large doses can even cause stomach bleeding.
But as of October 2017 Aspirin came back into favour
again ! It is said to reduce the risk of all kinds of major
problems. Who can you believe ?
A
trial involving more than half a million people found long-term
aspirin users cut their risk of liver and oesophageal cancer by almost
half, while their odds of getting bowel cancer fell by a quarter. The
drug is thought to block enzymes that help tumours to grow. It
was was also found to reduce people’s chances of getting leukaemia,
lung and prostate cancer. The authors did not find a protective effect
for breast, bladder or kidney cancers
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5033917/Aspirin-cuts-risk-cancer-half.html#ixzz4xIN1se5k
Codeine
Codeine doesn’t work very well on its own. It works better when
combined with paracetamol in a single pill.
You can buy co-codamol (paracetamol and low-dose codeine) over the
counter. Higher-dose codeine has to be prescribed.
Codeine and other medium-strength prescribed painkillers can cause
dependency, which means that when you stop taking them you may feel
unwell for a short period.
If you need more and more of these drugs, contact your GP or other
healthcare professional for advice.
Soluble painkillers
Effervescent painkillers are high in salt, containing up to 1g per
tablet.
Too much salt can raise your blood pressure, which puts you at
increased risk of health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
You may want to consider switching to a non-effervescent painkiller,
especially if you've been advised to watch or reduce your salt intake.
Amitriptyline and gabapentin
Amitriptyline is a drug for depression and gabapentin is a drug for
epilepsy.
Each of these medicines can also be used to treat pain caused by nerve
sensitivity or nerve damage, such as shingles, diabetes nerve pain and
sciatica.
You don’t have to have depression or epilepsy for these tablets to help
your nerve pain.
Amitriptyline and gabapentin both have to be prescribed by a GP.
Side effects include drowsiness and dizziness.
Morphine
Morphine and morphine-like drugs (such as oxycodone, fentanyl and
buprenorphine) are the strongest painkillers there are.
Some come as a patch, but they all work in similar ways and should only
be used for severe pain.
They will only be prescribed after consultation with your GP or a pain
specialist. The dose and your response will be closely monitored. These
drugs should only be used as part of a long-term plan to manage your
pain.
Mail Anti-depressants, such as Prozac may not work efficiently if they are taken in conjunction with pain killers, aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol. New York Rockefeller University.
People may be recommended to take Ibuprofen and Paracetamol alternately to get relief without overdosing. A new pill, Nuromol, contains both drugs and is said to be fast acting. Available from Boots
Painkillers such as the NSAIDs (such as Naproxen) can cause stomach bleeding if taken in quantities over longer periods. An article points out that this problem may be overcome if you are also prescribed a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor), which reduces stomach acid - the cause of the bleeding.
See an Objective non-profit Pain Clinic http://www.painclinic.org/
Acupuncture Many doctors now prescribe this for specific pain and the NHS will pay. The pain includes headaches/Migraine, Chronic back pain and osteoarthritis (Not rheumatoid)
Saga Magazine describes the relief one woman got when she (finally) got to a pain clinic. Her feeling was that the average GP doesn't have the expertise to help much. Although she had osteoarthritis from an injury when she was young the assessment that she had at the pain clinic and subsequent treatment has made lifelong pain bearable. Prof. McMahon points out that "There has been a fantastic improvement in our understanding of some chronic pain and how it should be treated. Medical experts need to take advantage of this..." In her case she had a cervical epidural - an injection of a steroid and anesthetic drug in the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord in her lower back, then facet joint injections in her lower spine and, later, surgery to remove bits of disk and bone impinging on nerves. This was followed up with physiotherapy and hydrotherapy and a course of pain management centering on cognitive behavioral therapy. In other words she got "the works!" But people vary and the treatment needs to be tailored to the individual. Treatments include 'nerve root block' for shoulder pain and some forms of neuralgia and osteoarthritis. Epidural injections can ease sciatica and help neck and upper back pain. The steroid and anesthetic injections for chronic spinal pain, hip and shoulder pain, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Radio frequency facet denervation may stop pain from spinal facet joints (neck, upper an lower back). A minute electrode is placed near the facet joints and an electric current destroys the tiny sensory nerves that supply the joints. Radio frequency treatment can be used to 'stun' the nerves affecting the inter vertebral disks. Drug delivery systems release pain relieving drugs from an implanted pump directly to the spinal cord or patches can be used to release anesthetics over time. Spinal cord stimulators can be surgically implanted, releasing low voltage pulsed electrical signals through the spinal cord. In extreme cases brain implants can be used to switch on the body's natural pain killers. So next time you are in agony and the doctor tells you to 'take it easy for a while' ask him whether there is a pain clinic in your area !
After that essay from Saga.co.uk/health, everything else looks rather 'traditional'!
Mail The article describes a man who suffered severe, unrelenting pain following a stroke. Eventually he got relief as a result of the insertion of two electrodes in the part of the brain which register pain. These are activated by a control in his chest area, which he can control with a hand-held device. The surgeon was Tipu Aziz, professor of neurosurgery, University of Oxford, who is one of the few who have performed this operation
So, what do the experts think about PAIN. Joint pain. Often due to forms of arthritis. It was suggested that Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen three times a day can help, especially if taken at the right time i.e. try to leave the first dose until lunch time, one in the evening and one before going to bed. Sinus Pain As well as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen they suggested inhalation of steam with eucalyptus or Olbas oil and a spray such as Sterimar Microspray. There are also decongestants (Otrivine and Vicks Sinex). But you may need antibiotics as it is may be caused by a bacterial infection. But too many painkillers can create a dependence, then a pain as a result of withdrawal. Migraine For bad sufferers they suggested sumatriptan as Migraleve or Imigran (both expensive) but many people will get by if they immediately take something like Nurofen migraine tablets. Back pain. Recommended : Slow release pills such as Lloyds Long Lasting Ibuprofen or Nurofen Back Pain Slow release capsules. Hangover. NOT Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Rather effervescent or soluble paracetamol. Drink lots of water. In bad cases soluble/effervescent Co-codamol is suggested.
PAIN Terrible statistics about pain. One in four suffer pain daily, 50% get pain several times a week, 75% several times a month. One in seven in permanent pain, A huge percentage said it affected their sleep. Main pains were back, neck, shoulder and knee.
Pain Management (Mail 15th Jan 08) IONSYS is a credit card sized device which can be attached to the arm or chest. It delivers the painkiller fentanyl through the skin at the touch of a button by the patient (Barts)https://www.nhs.uk/ The first port of call: The official Health Service website (in various languages) includes
Health encyclopedia; Common health
questions; https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pages/hub.aspx
Self-help guide;
Find a local health service;
Mind & body magazine;
Send an enquiry;
Useful links include Department of Health. Health and care in Northern Ireland. National Library for Health . HealthSpace A secure place on the Internet where you can store all of your personal health information. Includes Choose and Book. NHS 24 (Confidential health advice and information service for Scotland). NHS Direct Wales. NHS in England (Health information for England only, including how to find a local service in your area).
The private health insurance company is a great source of
information : see BUPA
Medical advances come thick and fast : The following are extracted from newspapers and magazines and are subject to verification by the reader, who should consult their doctor in every instance :
Interesting The Health Secretary has said that GPs will be rated according to how they treat patients over 60. Those not up to scratch will be given a red rating on the NHS Choices website. The Royal College of GPs has called this 'a blunt instrument'. And so it may be. One of the criteria for a red rating is the percentage of older patients who are sent off to hospital. It seems the fewer the better. One does wonder whether this move is more about taking pressure of the hospitals and A & E departments rather than a concern for older people. After all, it may dissuade a GP from sending a patient to hospital, where this might be the best thing in the circumstances. Many hospitals are essentially insolvent. It is time that we realised that if we want a good hospital service we have to pay for it. Most countries with national health services (and we are not alone) do this from taxes.I have decided to group these articles into Categories such as Heart etc, regardless of date order
AGING and GENERAL HEALTH
ADVICE FOR CARE GIVERS
https://nursingeducation.org/resources/caregivers-guide-to-senior-health/
CARE AND CARERS. A well researched site at https://www.homehealthcareagencies.com/resources/caregiving-tips/ Bear in mind that this is written from the American point of view
End of life Care (Mail ) This is a
subject which has not appeared on this page but is something that
concerns
us all. The Liverpool Care Pathway was, no doubt, well
intentioned
but got a bad press and now is, itself, terminally ill. The problem was
that
it was not discussed with patents or relatives and resulted in horror
stories
of withdrawal of medication and even food and water. A new scheme,
known
as Coordinate My Care (CMC) trains medics to help patients put together
their
own end-of-life care plan, was launched at The Royal Marsden in 2009.
Trained
GPs, nurses or consultants help patients put together their own plan,
which
is then recorded and transmitted to the GP, Ambulance Service and the
Help
Line. When a call is received regarding the patient these agencies will
be
aware of the patient's wishes. Let us hope this takes off.
Immune System (Mail ) The article described how some people's immune system may be older or younger than their chronological age. Various factors can affect this, including your genes, general health during your life, amount of sleep (not too much or too little) whether you exercise and things like excessive stress. As a general guide they suggest around 7.5 hours sleep, moderate exercise, a varied diet, including things that include trace elements of selenium and zinc (such as beef, sardines, probiotic yoghurt, pine nuts, mangoes, pomegranates, olive oil) Generally, our immune system becomes less effective as we age, so we are less able to fight off infections, healing is slower etc.Even vaccines and antibiotics become less effective. Research is ongoing into how to restore the Thymus gland and boost T-cell production, both of which are vital to the immune system.
Multiple Scelerosis Prevention : Jan
2022 A huge study of US military personnel suggests that5 almost ever
case of multiple scelerosis is triggered by the common Epstein-Barr
virus, meaning a vaccine could largely eradicate the condition.
Doctors
say a stem cell transplant could be a "game changer" for many
patients with multiple scelerosis.
Multiple
sclerosis (MS) is a condition which can
affect the brain and/or spinal cord It can cause problems with vision,
arm or
leg movement, sensation or balance Average
life expectancy is slightly reduced. It is estimated that there are
more than
100,000 people diagnosed with MS in the UK
Louise
Willetts, 36, from Rotherham, is now symptom-free and told me: "It
feels
like a miracle." A total of 100,000 people in the UK have MS, which
attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Just over 100 patients took part in the trial, in hospitals in
Chicago,
Sheffield, Uppsala in Sweden and Sao Paulo in Brazil. They all had
relapsing
remitting MS - where attacks or relapses are followed by periods of
remission.The
interim results were released at the annual meeting of the European
Society for
Bone and Marrow Transplantation in Lisbon.
The
patients received either haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
(HSCT) or drug treatment. After one
year, only one relapse occurred among the stem cell group compared with
39 in
the drug group. After an average
follow-up of three years, the transplants had failed in three out of 52
patients (6%), compared with 30 of 50 (60%) in the control group. Those
in the
transplant group experienced a reduction in disability, whereas
symptoms
worsened in the drug group.
The
transplant costs around £30,000, about the same as the annual price of
some MS
drugs.
Prof Richard Burt, lead investigator, Northwestern University Chicago,
told me:
"The data is stunningly in favour of transplant against the best
available
drugs - the neurological community has been sceptical about this
treatment, but
these results will change that."
Prof
John Snowden, haematologist and director of blood and bone marrow
transplantation at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital, told me: "We
are thrilled with the results - they are a game changer for patients
with drug
resistant and disabling multiple sclerosis".
Prof
Basil Sharrack, neurologist and director of MS research at Royal
Hallamshire
Hospital, told me: "This is interim analysis, but with that caveat,
this
is the best result I have seen in any trial for multiple sclerosis."
Another diet for longer life. Pomegranates contain chemicals which are turned into a compound called Urolithin A. When worms were give it they lived 50% longer and elderly mice could run 42 % faster. Perhaps Usain Bolt has it in his tea ?
Live to 120 ? Experiments with animals using a pill for diabetics (Metaformin) increased their active lives. The US. Food and Drug Administration has now approved it for trials with humans. It works by boosting the number of oxygen molecules released into a cell, which appears to boost their ability to survive..
A report quoted by Margaret McCartney, a Glasgow GP, has stated that the advice to drink 2.5 pints of water a day (suggested by the NHS site) is entirely wrong, unnecessary and potentially harmful. It is said NOT to curb appetite and, because of the dilution of salt in the blood can even result in a swelling of the brain (hyponatraemia), which has, in the past, proved fatal. But the increase in the sales of bottled water to 2 billion litres a year may be as a result of advertising than real need.
For all you men whose 'Sixpack' has turned to a firkin and can't DIY, take heart from a recent Tesco survey and keep smiling !
The powers that be have finally come out with a statement that many people, especially expectant mothers, children and over 65s do not get enough vitamin D, especially during the winter and in places that do not get so much sunshine. They recommend that a Vitamin D supplement is taken. I have never done supplements or extra vitamins and I feel sure it is an industry which has grown enormously. But if the authorities come up with this recommendation I suppose we had better join in.
However, the very reputable and sensible Dr Scurr
(Mail, Thursday) says that, in his opinion, a healthy diet (and some
sunshine) is all that is needed and that a study on 95,000 patients
taking a vitamin D supplement (and important nutrient for bone health)
did not
reduce fractures.
BMI stands for Body Mass Index and is an approximate measure of one's obesity. The figure is generated by dividing your metric weight by the square of your metric height. An average for a woman would be 19 to 25.8 and for a man, 20 to 26.4. I just scrape in there.
Beta Blockers Another multi-purpose medicine. It can be prescribed for a variety of conditions such as high BP, angina, arythmia and now a variety of cancers. The drugs block the transmission of certain nerve impulses, stopping stress hormones such as adrenaline from stimulating cells by "sitting "on their receptors. But they can (like so many of these things) have side effects
CLEAN EATING is the latest, fashionable 'cult' phrase. An article (Mail Feb 2016) decries the efforts of writers to claim that theirs is the best diet. We have been through calorie counting, dairy free, gluten free, salt free, sugar free, processed free, lactose intolerance, organic, detox, almond milk, coconut oil, meat free and now half teenage girls are said to be lacking in iron and many lacking in calcium,. Now we are into Clean Eating, as though our bodies are not arranged to detoxify our systems naturally. That is what the liver is for. It took a million years to develop and now the fashionable health gurus thing they can help it on its way. What a presumption !
COFFEE Forget all you have been told about coffee, scientists the world over have found that drinking lots of coffee reduced memory loss and has also been shown to reduce the risks of cancer including mouth, esophagus, brain, prostate and uterus. Other beneficial effects were found on Parkinsons, heart disease and lung function e.g. asthma.These results were all scientifically based and involve large, lengthy studies.
MILK Forget the previous myth. If you drink a pint a day you reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, a range of cancers and osteoporosis. In a study of 37,000 women it was found that those with the highest intake of dairy products had a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. However, MEN (NOT women) who were taking calcium supplements to strengthen bones had an increased risk of heart trouble.
Scientists from Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, amongst others, examined the links between eating saturated fat and heart disease. Despite looking at the results of nearly 80 studies involving more than a half million people they were unable to find convincing evidence that eating saturated fats leads to greater risk of heart disease. In fact, when they looked at blood results, they found that higher levels of some saturated fats, in particular a type of saturated fat you get in milk and dairy products called margaric acid, were associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
We get Vitamin D (good for bones and immune system) from sunlight. In the UK it might be as well to get a supplement in the winter (i.e. from October to April!)
The Cancer Research organisation reported a study on a large number of people in the 50 - 79 age bracket . It showed that 1) not smoking 2) keeping physically active (defined as having an active job or doing more than 30 minutes of exercise a day) 3) having a moderate alcohol intake (1-14 units a week) and 4) eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day (as measured by the amount of vitamin C in their blood) resulted in them living around 14 years longer ! This did not take into account the other risks of obesity and sunbathing.
Research at Texas University showed that the antifungal drug Thiabendazole has the potential to offer an inexpensive cancer therapy alternative as it inhibits the growth of blood vessels. As the drug is approved for use with humans they hope to conduct tests quite soon.
I had a call from the medical practice for an annual MOT. I had to take a urine sample to the hospital and they tested a blood sample. Both appeared clear but I felt that the whole procedure was very perfunctory. For instance the blood and urine samples were not tested for PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) despite the fact that I have had to have a prostate op. (non malignant) and have asked for further checks now and again. Neither did the tests include a simple test for cancer of the colon, which is a major killer of oldies. This test can be requested if you are over 60. The doctor took my blood pressure but didn't weigh me, give me an idea of my fat level or any advice on my bulging waistline. My weight is stable; the only problem is the distribution ! I insisted on another blood test and my PSA was OK. I was right to ask. Many Urologists support the idea of regular checks for over 50s, especially if there is any history of the disease in the family. Early detection can lead to successful surgery. Too late and your prospects are not good.
The patient had a slight injury during a kick boxing session. She finished up with a clot in the lung, potentially fatal. The symptoms were missed by an X-ray at no less than St Thomas's, London. She had to have spell in hospital and was given Warfarin. However, a new anticoagulant drug, Rivaroxaban (how do they think them up?) has just been approved and should mean that people do not have to attend the regular checkups normal for patients on Warfarin.
DVT after ops. Experts from Oxford University found the likelihood of a patient needing hospital treatment for a blood clot was 70 times higher than the norm for six weeks after the operation. Read more HERE: Do they supply you with stockings to wear AFTER your operation. I wasn't told to. But DVT-related problems cause 25,000 deaths in English hospitals every year, more than five times as many as from superbugs such as MRSA. The figure is more than the number of deaths in the UK from breast cancer, Aids and traffic accidents combined.
Muscle repair. Tests were carried out at the University of California with men of various ages. The men had one of their legs immobilised in a cast for two weeks. Then tissue samples were taken. After the cast was removed they exercised with weights then further tissue samples were taken. Not surprisingly the younger men were found to have four times more regenerative stem cells than those of older participants. In older patients muscles became inflamed and scarred (so beware !). It was found that, in older men, a key protein (mitogen-activated protein kinase) which is needed to allow muscle stem cell recovery, was absent. . When this protein was added to the samples the tissue began to repair. It is thought that this protein, which turns the gene on or off may be a key to drug development (to prevent muscles from switching off stem cells). Meanwhile, it is important that people keep active as long as possible to keep the system working.
Researchers say that taking a brisk walk for 20 minutes a day halves the risk of early death. They studied 3000 men aged 70 to 92 over 20 years. During the period, for every 100 who died in the lowest fitness group only 46 died from the highest fitness group. In fact the risk of early death reduced by 10% for each 2 minute incremental increase in exercise time. (Does this mean that if I managed 22 minutes a day I will live for ever ?)
Elixir of Life I rather stupidly bought that right-wing rag, the Express, because of a report of a pill that would extend life by 20 years (pity the poor pension schemes!) I can only assume they couldn't find anything else to say on that day and had to keep circulation numbers up somehow. It turned out that it worked on mice providing they were kept in a germ free environment. But as it destroyed their immune system they (and you) would die even quicker out here with the rest of us ! Codswallop again !
Harvard Medical School scientists have found the gene that is responsible for the aging process. They said it may be possible to reverse many aspects of aging. This discovery came just in time for people to enjoy a long life with no money !
Stem
Cell Research seems to hold out the hope
of a 'magic bullet'
as it has been shown that it is possible to 'reprogram' the DNA of
adult
skin cells into embryonic stem cells, capable of being transformed into
ANY
type of human tissue. This is not some science fiction.
Already the
technique has been shown (experimentally) to restore sight, cure
MS and
produce
things such as heart valves. Even the regrowth of brain cells
does
not appear to be beyond the scope of this amazing technology.
Lycopene, the antioxidant found in the skin of tomatoes is said to REDUCE WRINKLES, protect against OSTEOPOROSIS, LUNG, BREAST and PROSTATE cancer and help fight the scarring of the womb caused by ENDOMETRIOSIS. Apart from the possibility of turning your skin orange if intake is too high there is no known disadvantage of eating more tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato sauce. Lycopene is more easily transported through the blood if the tomatoes are cooked (Mail 13th November 2008)
Foods for a longer life Prof. Gary Williams (Leeds Uni) suggests apples, blackberries, black tea, cereal bran, cherries, cherry tomatoes, coffee, cranberries, dark chocolate, green tea, oranges, peaches, plums, raspberries, red grapes, red onions, spinach, strawberries. He is keen on those because they contain polyphenols, known for their antioxidant properties, said to reduce heart disease and cancer
Live to 125 ?! Scientists claim that gene test on mice have enabled them to live - healthily and without tumours - 45% longer. And the same genes are found in humans. (Unfortunately it doesn't also add an iota to the world's resources so you would starve to death instead ! - Ed.)
The exercise pill Not yet on the market but the couch potato's dream, a couple of drugs which fools muscles into thinking you have worked out long and hard, are being trialled. GW1516 and AICAR are said to confer the benefits of fitness without the need for exercise. Pull the other one ? No, researcher Prof Ronald Evans (Salk Institute), said to be a world-leading biologist said "We have exercise in a pill".
A Health map of the UK shows significant differences in life expectancy, clearly affected by lifestyle and wealth. Shortest life expectancy (men) was 69 in Glasgow, (Women) 78 years in Liverpool. This compares with Kensington and Chelsea with men at 82 and women at 86, so a massive difference, especially for men. There were significant differences in obesity in very young children from 16% in Hackney, to Teasdale (4.86%) One remarkable statistic was a 15% of kids in Ryedale were obese and only 5.29% in South Lakeland, both in Cumbria ! In fact children's obesity was scattered. But why, at 134, were there twice as many prostate cancer cases in Dorset than in North East London ? Perhaps that one is demographic, with a big difference in age levels of the populations in question. North East, as expected, is the home to the big smokers and drinkers (with three times as many binge drinkers than in some other parts of the goody-goody South East). But despite the North East's smoking, drinking and eating habits (they don't care for fruit and veg). it did not show up significantly in the health charts. But, far from being a nation regularly claiming 'sickies' the worst was Glasgow at only 4 days per year off work. Interesting.
Fish oil pills Professor Tom Saunders declares that, while they do no harm there is no evidence that daily fish oil capsules (one of the most popular supplements) will have any effect on arthritis, heart, alzheimer's, level of cholesterol, longevity or a baby's brain power. However, he does recommend fish twice a week, one of which should be 'oily' e.g. salmon, herring, trout, mackerel and sardines, though don't overdo it !
Vitamin Pills Whilst a normal diet will give you all the vitamins you need, so supplements are generally a waste of money. Excess is excreted through urine. The jury is still out as to whether they might do harm but a doctor in Holland reckons that 500 Mg of Vitamin C taken for 50 days after someone has fallen and fractured their wrist reduced the incidence of 'regional pain syndrome' five fold
Vitamin Pills A front page headline no less asks "Can Vitamins do you harm ?" A respected group of international scientists reviewed 67 studies involving a quarter of a million people and decided that beta-carotene, Vitamins A and E seem to increase mortality. Vitamin A was the worst at a 16% increase in mortality, while the others showed lesser increases. Vitamin C and Selenium did not show any effect on mortality but further research was required. The vitamin industry refuted the claims or said they were biased.
A government Pensions Advisor is telling insurance companies to revise their ideas on longevity. He indicated that a man of 65 is likely to live to 86. And the pension funds are in a bad enough state on their current calculations - mainly, I suspect, because their financial wizards are pretty bad at second guessing the trends in the stock market.
Healthy Living Boston Brigham Women's Hospital have deduced that if a 70 year old eats well, exercises and does not smoke they have a good chance of living to 90.
Healthy Habits An 11 year study of 20,000 over-45 men and women by Cambridge University concluded that life expectancy of people who tick all the healthy boxes, compared with those who don't, is as much as 14 year greater. The boxes are the usual ones : No smoking, moderate drinking, five portions of fruit and veg and at least a half hour's exercise per day (whether in work or in leisure time)
Aging Scientists have demonstrated that, in rats, two genes are crucial to a long and healthy life. It was discovered that when they were on a low caloried diet the two genes (SIRT3 and SIRT4) worked harder, producing stronger mitochondria, and that as a consequence they had the ability to hold back the aging process. If this could be done in humans, preferably without starving them (!) they would, on average, live longer and healthier.
MuesliA study recommended Tesco Everyday value muesli over other more expensive and well know makes. Apart from price (5p per serving) it did not contain such a large element of sugar (7.8g) or saturated fat. If it was boring they suggested you add fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. Some muesli had from 3 to 5 times as much sugar. I prefer Aldi Muesli. Lots of real nuts and fruit!.
Healthy Living Don't get up before 7.30. Get up at a regular time and don't lie in late. Eat breakfast - porridge suggested for its slow energy release. Apply sun screen (Factor 15) even on 'cloudy bright' days. Take a break from the computer screen now and then. Eat an orange or red fruit daily, preferably with spinach (!) which quadruples the body's absorption of Vitamin C. Eat a light lunch e.g. beans on toast. Take a siesta (probably the main reason continentals have better heart health than us). Snack on diet yogurts, not biscuits. Exercise between 5 and 7 pm (swimming suggested) Have a light dinner, lots of veg., less carbohydrate and protein and eat slowly, so you feel full before you have overeaten. Switch off the TV long before going to bed. Get around seven hours sleep. And routine is the key.
Elixir of Life ? The dream of the Pharos ? Researchers at Marie Curie University, Paris, are working on mitochondrial cells, the deterioration of which is largely responsible for the aging process. This gene therapy could also lead to rectifying inherited traits due to defects in mitochondrial DNA. So, rather than just leading to an overpopulated world, they may be the key to curing some of the distressing illnesses from which people suffer while they are alive.
Aging and speed of walking (New York Times) In a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine nine year study in which people's gait speed was measured, 77 percent of those people described as slow had died, 50 percent of those considered medium and 27 percent of those considered fast. Sounds logical. If you are about to drop off you will not be sprinting to the post box.
ARMD (Age related macular degeneration Doctors have taken a major step towards curing the most common form of blindness in the UK - age-related macular degeneration. Douglas Waters, 86, could not see out of his right eye, but "I can now read the newspaper" with it, he says.
Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). This is not just a matter of a low drive and energy but
related
problems can include an increase the chances of Type 2
diabetes, central
obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and abnormal
cholesterol
levels. Symptoms include decreased libido, loss of strength/endurance,
loss
of height (!), feeling grumpy. Although many/most of these symptoms
increase
with age it might be worth getting things checked out. It can
be treated
painlessly by implants, injections, patches or tablets but mostly by a
gel.
The
patient had been unable to work
for several years due to various symptoms, including obesity and
diabetes.
After a series of injections and gel treatment he lost 4 stone and got
his
life (and job) back. HRT in the form of testosterone has now become a
more
accepted treatment where a blood sample has shown the patient's
testosterone
is below 10 millimols per millilitre of blood
Brain/nervous System
Epilepsy In what may be a major development for some patients with
epilepsy
researchers at Mayo Clinic have shown that continuous electrical
stimulation of the brain’s cortex can reduce the frequency of
seizures, and in some cases their intensity and duration. The study,
published in Neurology relied on applying an electrode grid to the
brain, essentially the same type
that is commonly used to pinpoint the source of seizures, but to
use them to send an electric current to the brain. Thirteen patients
with drug-resistant focal
epilepsy for whom surgery would not be appropriate had temporary
electrodes applied.
Once they showed a positive response to the electric therapy, the
electrode array was replaced with a more permanent device.
Of the thirteenpatients had improved outcomes in both the
intensity of their seizures and their life satisfaction. Majority also
had a more than 50% decline in seizures compared to before therapy and
six of the people had no
disabling seizures at all
Dementia. I will never forget the video showing how a 90 year old was
energised when the care workers found his love for music and provided
him with an iPad
full of his favourite songs. See
HERE
There is a Charity in the UK which promotes this method by
providing
the Silver Song Music Box to residential homes.
I wonder whether
providing the patient with a tablet containing a slide show of photos
of
the people they know or knew as well as the music might entertain them
for
many hours.
Cerebrovascular
disease<: Furring
of the carotid arteries in the neck can result in symptoms such as
balance
problems and saying or writing the wrong words (my iPad must have that
problem).
A scan can confirm this. Doctor Scurr said the usual things about
lowering
cholesterol - give up smoking, reduce weight, get exercise and you will
probably
be put on statins. However, recent research on older people
on statins
found that the fact that they lived longer (statistically), this was
NOT
due to lower cholesterol but some other unknown factor.
SAD the appropriately abbreviated Seasonal Affective Disorder http://www.sada.org.uk/ is aggravated by lack of exposure to sunlight during the dark winter months. It can cause depression, sleep problems, lethargy. overeating, loss of concentration, loss of libido and mood changes. There is even a less distressing version, being called SAD Lite. With our ever lengthening winters it is not surprising that more people are fed up.
Brain damage is a major cause of death. With a traumatic injury to the brain (in an accident or blow to the head) the brain may expand inside the rigid skull, causing further damage. As there is no effective drug treatment trials are being held in many countries, using the female hormone progesterone. The drug is extracted from yams and has no feminising effects. The treatment must be given within 8 hours of the injury, which can be a challenge
NARCOLEPSY http://www.narcolepsy.org.uk/ Sudden attacks of sleepiness. Recently, in children, this has been suspected as being caused by the swine flu drug, Pandemrix, which is being withdrawn
Migraine Dr Martin Scurr. I have always considered Dr Scurr to be one of the most knowledgeable reliable medical writers and was surprised to see his name on a small piece at the bottom of his usual Tuesday page. In it he admitted to be a life long sufferer of migraine. He had, of course, tried most things. This time he was 'giving a try' to 100mg of Co-enzyme Q10 plus riboflavin B2 (400mg a day). Neither require a prescription. But, over a long period could cost quite a lot. The Co-enzyme alone would cost £19 for a ten day supply. Headache (Mail) Migraine (see below), A multitude of causes: Perfume, onions, garlic, bright lights, flashing lights, aerosols, coughing, sneezing, anxiety, hairdressing, lack of sleep, warm weather, sex (more men than women!), hot showers, smoking and ham sandwiches! The reasons are given in the article but I am not going to go into them here.
Migraine The
following link gives an in-depth explanation of the various foems of
Migraine https://www.
Anti-depressants such as Prozac may not work efficiently if they are taken in conjunction with pain killers, aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetemol. (New York Rockefeller University). Research at the University of Hull also pointed to the conclusion that there was little evidence to support the prescription of anti-depressants in all but the most severely depressed.
Bipolar Disorder Mail This condition results in massive mood swings from Manic (the highs) to extreme depression. It has become fashionable owing to so-called 'role models' (Robbie Williams, Stephen Fry, Mel Gibson) declaring that they are sufferers. Suddenly people who suffer mood swings (and who doesn't, or didn't, when young ?) are actually wanting to put a label on this, resulting in requests for cures (usually drugs). They may also find that the diagnosis follows them around (like an unwanted tattoo) for the rest of their lives. There are people who have become "wannabe bipolars" because it is thought to be glamorous and necessary for creativity. See also HERE That is not to underestimate this serious problem. Most people are treated by therapies and anti-depressants but see, also, the next paragraph
ECT : Electroconvulsive Treatment. This controversial treatment, where an electrical current is sent through the brain, appeared to work for the patient, who had a Bipolar condition - see last para. When drugs had little effect she went through a course of EC Treatment and eventually came through her problem to the extent where she was able to restart her studies and even get a Phd. Surprisingly, while you may not be able to get certain drugs on the NHS, ECT is approved by NICE and appears to be returning to favour.
Mobile Phones The jury is STILL out as to whether the use of mobile phones can cause damage to the brain. It is true that all mobile phones and even cordless phones fire out non ionising radiation when in use. It is known that children absorb more radiation than adults due to their cranium/brain structure (and the fact that they spend many hours with phones glued to their ears !) Bear in mind that the phone is emitting waves whenever it is on, as do cordless phones and any wi-fi equipment. So we are all being subjected to this most of the time.
SLEEP. A Dutch study found that wearing socks in bed helped people fall asleep 27% faster. Socks help dilate the blood vessels in the feet, warming you up. This prompts a signal to the brain telling it you are ready to fall asleep
Stammer.
A drug (Pagoclone) has been found
to reduce excessive nerve-cell activity associated with anxiety. During
trials
on people with anxiety problems it was noticed that those with stammers
found
their symptoms reduced. Unfortunately this only lasted while
they took
the drug.
SLEEP : A helpful link from Cindy Page on problems of sleeping when you get older https://www.thesnoozle.
Sleep and Jetlag A common problem especially with flights from East to West. The body gets out of sync with daylight. Sleep is induced by the natural increase in melatonin in the body. We have ten times as much in our blood when we are asleep. The article recommended the use of melatonin in tablet form. But also to avoid daylight when you arrive (from the East) and to expose yourself to sunlight in the afternoon. Going West it is better to stay up longer and go to bed at nightfall.
INSOMNIA
Please see
the website of a good friend at
www.circlecity.co.uk.
The
author suffers from OSA severe (Obstructive Sleep
Apnoea) but
the site deals with insomnia generally but also has pages devoted to
many
aspects of computing plus a long list of amusing photographs and
cartoons
The writer
tried
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), which helped a lot. Unfortunately
not readily available on the NHS. Another postcode lottery and likely
to cost around £850 for a series. It is a very individual
process,
which tries to discover the pattern and reasons. But, in this case, the
recommendation "Do it, Plan it or Forget it" helped. If it has to be
attended to, get up and do it. If it is a question of doing
something the following day, write it down. If there is nothing that
can be done try to forget it. So one should try to categorise what
thoughts are keeping you awake.
Obstructive
Sleep Apnoea. A Brazilian clinic
is holding trials where people with ASA are given a low salt diet and
diuretics
as it is possible that lower salt may improve the condition.
However,
the Sleep Research Centre in Loughborough commented that many people
get
by by being propped up on pillows and this may be a less disturbing way
than
using diuretics , which would mean more frequent visits to the toilet
in
the night, thus resulting in more frequent sleep disturbance, which is
one
of the problems with OSA.
Good article HERE
indicating that TV, phone and computer screens are no help
Another suggestion to take your mind of things (which is often a cause of sleeplessness) is to concentrate on the story line of a book or film - but nothing closely related to your life or what you are planning to do.
Some people find the traditional CPAP (Constant Pressure) mask uncomfortable. There is a new generation of CPAP machines which are lighter and quieter. The Philips Nuance mask and the Nasal AireII do not use a full head gear
Insomnia A study of people using sleeping pills, with 50% using a placebo, showed that half the impact is due to the placebo effect, although this may, in part be due to the help and attention that the volunteers received during trials.
Insomnia pill A new pill, Intermezzo, contains a quarter of Zolpidem and is said to be fast acting, for those people who can't get back to sleep after waking in the night (to go for a pee?) It has been approved for use in the USA. Not yet here.
Insomnia. Wakefulness is commonplace for older people. The article suggests that the body clock is controlled by daylight and, in particular, sunlight. And older people may not be getting enough. Their eyes also absorb less blue light. This results in an increase in Melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone Their body clock is disturbed (as in jetlag) and they find that they are dozing in the daytime instead of at night. The Rensselaer Institute in New York has developed a pair of glasses with a blue light emitting bulb running across the top of the frame. It does not affect their normal view. But tests showed that wearers produced less melatonin, so keeping them more wakeful during the day. Further tests are being carried out before the glasses become available in the UK.
Depression
An excellent article covering most aspects of depression can be found at https://www.insurancewith.com/medical-conditions/mental-health-travel-insurance/depression-guide/
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a form of psychiatric help for people suffering from depression, which centres on building up people's self confidence (rather than the Freudian methods of looking into the past). It is approved by government, who have promised more cash to train more people in this area of psychiatry. See HERE
Tranquilisers The drugs Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Serax and Librium have been prescribed for years for anxiety, depression, insomnia. In 2010 there were 10 million prescriptions. Unfortunately these drug cause dependency (addiction) in some people and, with doctors being advised to cut down on these drugs many people are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. This can include dizziness and pain, especially if they are taken off the drug too quickly. It is vital the the reduction of these drugs should be gradual and in close consultation with the GP and that the patient should have psychiatric and social support
Symptoms
of Stroke. This is
being
widely publicised : STROKE:
Remember the 1st three letters....S.T.R.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION: A
neurologist says that if he can get
to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of
a
stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized,
diagnosed,
and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours.
Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
If the tongue is 'crooked', or if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
EmboTrap II Clot Retriever for Acute Ischemic Stroke Cleared for use in Europe. Brain clots causing stroke may be removed by use of a clot trap. It is a tiny mesh which is inserted in the vein to capture and retrieve the clot
(BBC) A pilot study suggests an experimental treatment that involves infusing stem cells into the brain may boost recovery after stroke. Recipients have been able to get back to walking much better
Stroke The patient was young but the stroke affected her left side very badly with her left hand in a claw, which she couldn't use safely. Eventually she was treated with Botox, which relaxed the muscles in her arm and reduced the pain. She needs the treatment every 6 months but now feels well enough to have returned to study
Stroke. For people whose walking is affected by stroke an FES (Functional Electrical stimulation) device may help. They may suffer from dropped foot. The device is worn below the knee or on the ankle. A simple version uses adhesive electrical conduction pads on the skin over the nerve. These are connected to a stimulator unit by wires (or wirelessly). A pressure switch is placed in the heel of the shoe. As you lift your foot the pressure is relieved and this switches on the electrical stimulation. When you put your foot down it stops. They have to be removed at night. Most are worn for a few months and, in addition to assisting the gait, help to strengthen the muscles.
Stroke Other Symptoms While many people know the above symptoms of stroke, some stroke victims may have something akin to inner ear infection, as they cause dizziness, lack of balance and nausea. This may result in an incorrect diagnosis and a waste of valuable time before the correct treatment is applied (often rapid blood thinning treatment to attempt to clear the blockage in the brain)
A Stroke Detecting Cap . This cap contains electrodes which enable continuous EEC detection and can warn nurses or relatives of the possible onset of another stroke by.sounding an alarm. It is expected to be on the market within two years and will be relatively inexpensive.
****************
ME/CFS
(Myalgic Encephaomyelitis) - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a chronic, complex, and multi-system neurological disease.
Most
people with ME/CFS fall into one of four broad groups:
1. Those
who manage to return to normal health, or near normal health, even
though this may take a considerable period of time (no more than 5%
- 10% of cases)
2. The
majority who make some degree of improvement but eventually tend to
stabilise. They then follow a fluctuating pattern with both good and
bad periods of health. Relapses or exacerbations are often
precipitated by infections, operations, temperature extremes or
stressful events.
Travel Sicknessl. Generally caused by the brain receiving conflicting signals about the body's movement or balance. What to do. There are various tablets or patches. The latter (e.g. hyocine) which can be on prescription, can last much longer but can cause drowsiness. Another suggestion is ginger, - even biscuits. Try to aim for the centre of a boat or by the wings of a 'plane. Deep breathing may help, or keeping your eyes closed. Do your kids/grandchildren get sick in a car ? My experience is that those in the back do if you take bends in the road to fast. Try to ease round corners and get the most sicky one in the front seat (preferably with a bowl!).
Hormone Replacement Therapy BBC) Various type and applied by tablet, patches, implants or cream. has fallen from an all time high of over 2 million patients to 1 million as the result of research findings suggesting higher risks of breast cancer, heart disease and strokes (contrary to previous research suggesting fewer heart troubles). That research was overturned by further studies suggesting that risks were only higher for older women taking the drug. The International Menopause Society have recently issued a review suggesting that it is safe and effective for women from 50 - 59. Dr Stephenson, HRT expert at Brompton said that these health scares had been a disaster for women's health and warned the the NHS faces a rise in fractures and heart disease as a result of the reduction in prescriptions for HRT. The 2015 report insists there is a greater risk of Ovarian cancer but that careful consideration must be given in the case of women where the menopause is especially debilitating
Mesothelioma
lung condition see :https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-asbestos-dangers-smoking/
and : https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma/
https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/
MRS (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy) is being used to study brain tissue without having to open the skull. US researchers even watched the growth of brain cells (and I always thought they just died and weren't replaced)
Multiple
Scelerosis
A promising BBC article by a doctor who was affected at the
age of 21.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-35262020/breakthrough-treatment-for-ms-patient
The patient had been athletic but is now in a wheel chair.
But his treatment has got him as far as swimming and cycling and he is
hoping to be able to walk unaided again
Mail 28th May 2014 A new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis not only stops the disease from advancing but may help patients recover from disability..Remarkable results for the drug alemtuzumab mean it has been approved for use on the NHS and is now available in England. It is particularly effective in the early stages. See more HERE:
Motor Neurone disease. (ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Scelerosis) ALS is caused by progressive deterioration and death of the nerve cells that control voluntary movement. What triggers this destruction is unclear, but recovery is rare. Puzzled, a doctor, who ran an immunology clinic at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, began searching the medical literature. There he found other people with HIV and ALS whose ALS symptoms improved with antiretrovirals – drugs that stop viruses replicating. Could this neurological condition be triggered by a dormant virus hiding in our DNA, brought back to life by HIV?This
question doesn’t only
hover over ALS. Increasingly, we are waking up to the possibility that
conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS), schizophrenia and even
type 1
diabetes may in some cases be triggered by ancient viruses buried in
our
genomes. Under certain circumstances, they revive and start producing
mutated
versions of themselves, triggering the immune system to attack and
destroy
neighbouring tissues.
“It’s
a wild new theory of
disease,” says Cedric Feschotte, a molecular biologist at Cornell
University in
New York. And already it is pointing the way to new treatments.
Synaesthesia
(Mail)A
surprising number of people have crossed brain
connections
so that one sense automatically triggers another. e.g. Someone who
finds
that words bring a taste to their mouths. So, hearing a name or a word
automatically results in a taste.
Alzheimers
A slight hope for Alzheimer's sufferers: Research suggests that the
daily injection of a drug used for diabetes MAY reverse the progress of
the disease. Once again they warn that further testing is needed Dr
Martin Scur, the Mail's regular doctor says
that, at 70, he is putting himself on Statins (Pravastin) even though
his blood pressure is normal. Although there can be some side effects,
on balance he feels that it is worthwhile as a dementia preventative,
especially as there is a family history of it. The latest news on this
is the NICE, which is often slow to approve drugs, is now to authorise
their widespread prescription, even for people who are not imminently
likely to have have cardiovascular disease (strokes/heart trouble) This
means that 40% of adults over 60 may be offered them if
changes of lifestyle are having no effect. But many
doctors feel that this another case of overprescription
The
many articles on this disease have been
brought together. More
hope for aducanumab. But, again years away.
People over 65 who have a severe vitamin D deficiency have double the risk of developing dementia, a study has suggested. You get Vitamin D from some foods but also sunlight. However older skin is not as receptive. Did they study areas where sunlight is rare I wonder ?
Dementia A doctor describes the symptoms she suffered before Alzheimer's was confirmed. These included not recognising people she had worked with for years, as well as hallucinations: hearing a baby cry, seeing people who were not there and even smelling things that were not in the room. She gave up her practice and when she had the problem confirmed was put on Aricept. This arrested the disease to some extent and she wrote the article and still uses email. She even has a website to help people at www.gloriousopportunity.org Really interesting. I couldn't stick to a script like that. Maybe....
Lifestyle appears to be a contributory factor. This includes smoking. lack of exercise, obesity, high blood pressure and even studying (education). Also mild brain injuries through work, contact sports or military service appeared to increase the percentage of those affected.
Another couple of drugs, Trazodone and DBM are already in use by
humans, is being suggested as a way to slow degenerative brain
diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's. They are
being tested in the lab at this stage.
Dr Doug Brown, from the Alzheimer's Society, said: "We're excited by
the potential of these findings, from this well conducted and robust
study. As one of the drugs is already available as a treatment for
depression, the time taken to get from the lab to the pharmacy could be
dramatically reduced. Dr David Dexter, from Parkinson's UK, said: "This
is a very robust and important study. "If these studies were replicated
in human clinical trials, both trazodone and DBM could represent a
major step forward."
Aducanumab,
is again being touted as the way to stop the development of
the
plaques,
which are now widely accepted as being the growths in
the brain
which are impeding the retention of memory. Once again they
are
not holding out the hope of a cure for those already affected.
The search for something that will actually reduce the
plaques
goes on
A new drug called LMTX, developed in Aberdeen University, is
being trialled and appears to slow the progression and even appeared to
reverse the decline in some cases.. It is said to dissolve tangles of
protein called 'tau'. It is being backed by a small company called
TauRx. Prof. Wischik (Aberdeen) hopes his trial results will enable him
to apply for a drug license. It is not yet available on the NHS. But,
as the alternative drugs being used interfered with LMTX, the sample
has been quite small so far.
Some research has been carried out with patients having
high doses of Vitamin B. This appeared to slow the process -
with improvements in memory among some of those taking part.
But the research was not widespread enough to be conclusive.
Early detection of potential Alzheimers by routine tests may be
possible in
40 year olds. But would anyone want to know, unless treatment was
available (which it isn't). And would this have implications
for life insurance?
Common infections double the rate of decline, according to
research funded by the Alzheimers Society. It is thought that the known
connection between 'inflammatory of the brain and Alzheimers' may be
exacerbated by other infections and they recommend that Alzheimers
patients should be treated urgently for any infection and that it is possible
that anti inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen could be
used to fight Alzheimers.
The Observer. A drug commonly used to control epilepsy,
(Sodium Valporate, called Epilim) has been found to stimulate
the body's natural defences against Alzheimers by boosting the
production of an enzyme which prevents the build up of proteins in
brain cells. These proteins, or plaques, trigger the onset of
Alzheimers. The hope is that, because the medication is already
approved for epilepsy the time scale for approval for Alzheimers will
be shortened. Prof Tony Turner, Leeds University Institute of Molecular
and Cellular biology. And
the search goes on : Past suggestions:.....
Huntington's Disease. The defect that causes the neurodegenerative disease. Huntington's, has been corrected in patients for the first time, the BBC has learned. An experimental drug, injected into spinal fluid, safely lowered levels of toxic proteins in the brain.The research team, at University College London, say there is now hope the deadly disease can be stopped. Experts say it could be the biggest breakthrough in neurodegenerative diseases for 50 years.
In experiments on mice it was found that there was a close connection between certain organisms in the gut and their likelhood of developing Parkinsons. The researchers are suggesting that treatment of the human gut could reduce the development of Parkinsons Disease. A breakthrough ?Harvard Medical School. Injecting human stem cells into the brains of 25 monkeys resulted in all of them making a dramatic recovery from Parkinson's, although the effect wore off after about two months. Nevertheless, the researchers were hopeful that a similar treatment on humans could be effective.
End of section
on neurological diseases
*************
Viagra and
Deafness Men who take
Viagra have been warned they may DOUBLE their risk of hearing loss.
High
doses of the drug have been shown to damage hearing in mice, but until
now
only a few anecdotal cases had been described in humans. Now a new U.S
study
has confirmed the link. The study, based on a national sample of
American
men over 40, found that slightly more than one in six of those who did
not
take Viagra-like drugs were deaf or hard of hearing. Among those who
took
pills for erectile dysfunction, however, almost one in three had
hearing
loss. This was not seen in men who used tadalafil (Cialis) or
vardenafil
(Levitra).
SEX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVgzOyHVcj4
A lecture by a relationships counselor
Erectile Dysfunction may be helped by the use of drugs such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra . But sometimes they don't. It is thought that a restricted artery may be the cause of the problem. Trials are taking place in the UK and the USA by inserting a stent into the artery that supplies blood to the penis.
It
is possible that medication might cause
the problem.
This is particularly the case if the drugs cause drowsiness
or
lower blood pressure, So things like antidepressants,
antiinflamatories,codeine, morphine. But often it is cause by
psychological factors or pressure to perform.
An
alternative to drugs is a penile implant, with a
small pump under
the skin of the scrotum. However, the £4,500 cost
is seldom borne
by the NHS. It is another postcode lottery
Sex is good for you According to research, sex in later life, particularly in older men can help with increased longevity, better heart function and the production of the feel-good hormone. It also suggests "use it or lose it" i.e. those who don't have a regular sex habit are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction and, possibly, prostate cancer.
Severe Hand Tremor. A few people have hand tremors, which they have had all their lives. Some of these find that it seriously affects what they do. This is usually caused by abnormal electrical activity in the thalamus in the brain. There is a treatment which can stop this tremor. Electrodes are inserted in the thalamus and they are connected to a battery which is implanted in the chest area. This blocks the electrical activity and the shaking immediately. But 'essential tremor' is much more common that other more serious forms. It is not life shortening. Some people have been helped by beta blockers, which interfere with the transmission of faulty impulses from the brain. Beta blockers are unsuitable for asthmatics.
Restless Leg syndrome This may be increased in the users of anti depressant pills. The drug Reboxetine was not one that was implicated
Restless Leg Syndrome One of the more recently 'discovered' problems, which pharm companies have publicised. GSK developed Ropinirole to treat the condition and by 2008 the NHS was dispensing it to the tune of £28 million ! There is concern that a side effect may be some Compulsive Behaviour Disorders.
Older people need less sleep (Laterlife.com Aug 08). Researchers at Harvard Medical School compared people between the ages of 60 and 72 with people ages between 18 and 32 years. It showed the older group generally required 7.5 hours sleep a night compared with 9 hours for the younger group. Interestingly, the research also showed that any sleep debt in the older group was not made up the following day. The researchers said this dispelled the conventional belief that older people sleep little but often. So it seems older people still benefit from a proper night's sleep, but most do not need quite as much sleep as their younger counterparts.
Migraine Some people suffer from persistent migraine aura, with flashing or coloured lights or blind spots. One patient had this for may years, and after failing to respond to the usual drugs was put on pregabalin (anti epilepsy) and nortryptyline (anti depressant) which reduced the aura from constant to monthly. I get a minor form of this (without the headache) but it goes quickly if I lie down and close my eyes for 15 minutes.
An in depth
article about the various forms of migraine can be found ay https://www.
Migraine An article about a woman afflicted with a form of Migraine describes a form that does not involve the usual pain but does involve other distressing symptoms such as 'face blindness', (see below) couldn't recognise people she knew or even their car. It starts with an 'aura', dizziness, blind spots, flashing lights and the "Alice in Wonderland" symptom, where the room seems too large or someone seems very small. She has had all kinds of things prescribed without success. The best thing she was able to do was to sleep it off immediately.
Migraine Gene ? A study by the Wellcome, Trust Sanger Institute (Cambridge) found a genetic flaw that appeared to build up glutamate to build up in the junctions between brain cells
Migraine. Some migraine is caused by an interaction between the 'frown muscle' (corrugator muscle) and the trigeminal nerve. A test can be made using Botox to paralyze this muscle. If this prevents the migraine there is a good chance that surgery to remove this muscle will be a cure. Private treatment at this stage with an overnight stay in the surgery in Harley Street. www.migrainesurgery.co.uk
Migraine. A new
patch, known as NP101 is
expected to give the most benefits to migraine sufferers. This would
benefit
the many of those who also have associated nausea, making it difficult
to
take the widely prescribed Triptans (by tablet or inhaler)
that act
upon the brain's chemical serotonin. The patch is quite large and
contains
electrodes to force the drug into the blood stream. It is
still undergoing
trials in the States.
There is a helpful book :"50 things You Can Do Today to Manage
Migraine"
by Wendy Green (£4.99)
Migraine. The cause is (amazingly) still a mystery but some patients taking clot busting drug, Clopidogrel, have miraculously recovered from recurrence. A trial with 286 patients is now under way
Menstrual Migraine. Some women suffer severe and long lasting migraine around their period time. This is usually due to a drop of oestrogen at that time. Hormonal treatments often help, so they should consult their doctor as the medication (e.g. HRT, the type of pill etc) will depend upon their age and other factors.
Migraine A patient who had suffered daily, debilitating, migraine attack for years had them reduced to twice a month as a result of nerve block injections (behind the ear) at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. They have to be repeated every few months. They cost the NHS £6 per injection .
Stammer It has been noticed that some people who stammer get started (speaking) when others are talking. Some patients, who have not been helped by speech therapy, have been 'cured' by the fitting of a special hearing aid, which echoes their own voice. Unfortunately this is not available on the NHS and they are expensive see www.stammeringcentre.org
Restless Leg Syndrome RLS sufferers experience tingling or pricking sensation and an overwhelming urge to move their legs rapidly, usually in the evening or at night. In a trial at the WAlter Reed U.S.Army Medical Center, Columbia , nine patients were given a 'cuff' worn around the lower leg. This has small pockets which sequentially inflate and deflate, improving blood flow. Of the 9 patients 3 saw the problem disappear, while the remaining six all noted improvements, meaning they could sleep better.
Memory Loss Microsoft in Cambridge, UK has developed a small digital camera, which can be worn by people with short term memories. It takes a wide angle low resolution picture every 30 seconds throughout the day. The images are downloaded to a PC and can be played back as a 10 frames per second movie, showing the day's events in a few minutes. This could help people with early stage Alzheimer's
Brain Aneurysm (Mail 8th Jan) An aneurysm is a swelling in a weakened artery wall. It can develop anywhere in the body. Many of us are walking around with these without realising but if they burst they cause a haemorrhage. There is a weak point where the arteries feed the brain as they have to travel across the fluid filled space around the brain. A haemorrhage in this area is very serious and can cause paralysis. severe headaches, unconsciousness, loss of speech etc. Until recently this would have been dealt with by brain surgery. A less invasive and safer method is by placing titanium coils in the aneurysm by feeding these up to the bran from arteries in the groin. These effectively block the artery. The procedure is risky but not as risky as doing nothing. Smoking is said to be a major cause of this problem
Face Blindness (Prosopagnosia) is said to be a fairly common condition for which there is no treatment. People who suffer from it have difficulty recognising people they should know. They tend to overcome it by various strategies. One woman even used to dress her children in distinctive clothing. Others tend to greet anyone who appears to know them, regardless. Apart from the embarrassment that this can cause, it is socially isolating and people tend to withdraw from groups in order to avoid the situation. Contact : Dr Brad Duchaine at University College of London, who is an expert at http://www.faceblind.org/links/index.html. If you meet him he wont be surprised if you don't recognise him the second time.
Epilepsy An electrical implant (near the brain) is being trialled with 240 adults in 20 centres in the USA (ref. University of Oregon). The patients have epilepsy which is not being effectively controlled by drugs. The device detects the increased electrical activity present when an epileptic fit is beginning and responds with electrical pulses to the site in the brain where epilepsy is stimulated. This appears to 'reset' the malfunctioning area.
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder. (OCD) Compulsive, repetitive behaviour e.g. repeated hand washing, excessive and repeated use of cleaning fluids, obsessions (thoughts) about germs. If the OCD sufferer is unable to perform the ritual it can cause them great distress. The article suggests a plan of action to counter the obsession and also suggests a visit to www.ocdaction.org.uk (0845 226 3110) A later article mentions the form where no physical actions are seen but the patient repeatedly (and irrationally) turns over thoughts of what they have done or might do or say.
Schizophrenia (Sunday Express): Schizophrenia and manic depression could be caused by a lack of sugar in the brain. And a new drug that enhances the brain's use of sugar could provide hope for the victims of these and other serious mental illnesses. Professor Sabine Bahn, director of the Cambridge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Research, said the treatment could help millions, even those suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Professor Bahn's team analysed the brains of more than 250 people with symptoms of serious mental illness and found they had problems using glucose efficiently. They found further evidence that the brain's ability to use glucose might be impaired in those with mental health problems, even at the earliest stages of the disease. This led them to suspect lack of sugar may be the root cause of mental illness. Prompt treatment is necessary.
Several studies have linked insufficient glucose levels in the brain to neurological problems and further work shows people with schizophrenia are five times more likely to suffer from diabetes, a disease in which the body cannot process sugar properly. Of the link between mental illness and diabetes, Professor Bahn said: One affects the body and one effects the brain, maybe sometimes the problem can affect both. The new drugs, which will go on trial in August, will be a modification of drugs already used to treat diabetics.
CANCER The Big C
Immunotherapy
has been successful in combating some serious cancers, including
melanoma. It is expensive and the various drugs appear to have
different effects on different people. But these may be the way
forward.
Still under development, and currently expensive, the use of a
patient's own T cells has become the hope that, eventually, some of the
stubborn cancers can be conquered
"
the backbone of CAR T-cell
therapy is T
cells,
which are often called the workhorses of the immune system because of
their critical role in orchestrating the immune response and killing
cells infected by pathogens. The therapy requires drawing blood from
patients and separating out the T cells. Next, using a disarmed virus,
the T cells are genetically engineered to produce receptors on their
surface called chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs.
These receptors are “synthetic molecules, they don’t exist naturally,”
explained Carl June, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania Abramson
Cancer Center, during a
recent presentation on CAR T cells at
the National Institutes of Health campus. Dr. June has led a series of
CAR T cell clinical trials, largely in patients with leukemia".
Mesothelioma
[clickable text link to https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma/
is a rare and aggressive and malignant cancer linked to asbestos
exposure. Also known as asbestos cancer, it occurs in the lining of the
lungs, abdomen and heart, and has a very poor prognosis. Mesothelioma
treatment is easily influenced by smoking [link to https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-asbestos-dangers-smoking/].
Patients suffering from mesothelioma or asbestos should avoid smoking
at all costs.
PPI stands for
Proton Pump Inhibitors (as well as PPI (insurance)) They are
prescribed for people who suffer badly from reflux, acid indigestion,
heatburn, which itself can be harmful in the long run. But some
research has shown that long tern use of PPIs has increased the
occurrence of cancer, stroke and C.diff. Stomach acid is important to
eliminate harmful bacteria. You just don't want it coming up into your
throat. There are alternatives to PPIs, which can taken when needed
rather than regularly.
Bowel Cancer A new technique has been developed by Prof. Robin Kennedy at St Mark's Hospital, Harrow, whereby cancerous and pre-cancerous polyps are laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) stapled off from the intestine and then removed, thus avoiding open surgery, where a part of the intestine is removed (colectomy), This is a quicker operation with a faster recovery time and with fewer possible side effects.
COFFEE Forget all you have been told about coffee, scientists the world over have found that drinking lots of coffee reduced memory loss and has also been shown to reduce the risks of cancer including mouth, oesophagus, brain, prostate and uterus. Other beneficial effects were found on Parkinsons, heart disease and lung function e.g. asthma These results were all scientifically based and involve large, lengthy studies.
Pancreatic Cancer (2016) A trial on 732 patients - in hospitals in the UK, Sweden, France and Germany - compared the standard chemotherapy drug gemcitabine against a combination of gemcitabine and capecitabine. The results were very encouraging in treating this most difficult disease. It increased longer term survival rates from aroun 19% to 29%
2018.
Pancreatic Cancer treatment is sometimes delayed because of treating
the associated jaundice. Doctors believed that they should clear up the
jaundice initially as it can cause kidney problems. But the delay in
tackling the cancer can be fatal. In a pilot scheme where the
cancer was treated within two weeks (Birmingham, UK) the percentage of
survivals was much increased and is considerd to be an exciting
breakthrough by Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Layla is a little girl who has survived from severe leukemia because of a comparatively untested therapy. It is called T cell immunotherapy. T cells in the blood fight infections. Her cells were modified to hunt down and destroy cancer and reintroduced to her blood stream. . She is still alive.
Several paper were headlining new progress in the fight against all cancers, using genetics to help the immune system fight them. See (2016 article)GUARDIAN
Girls between 12 and 15 are offered a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. This can be caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV). Recently there have been concerns that this vaccine has had some serious side effects. But currently no studies about the side effects have been started.Telegraph
:Trained Alsation dogs in Italy have
detected Prostate
Cancer in men with 98% accuracy.
Medical Detection Dogs, a charity which is based in Milton Keynes,
trains
specialist canines to detect the odour of human disease, including
Breast
Cancer.
They also train Medical Alert Assistance dogs to help people with life-threatening health conditions go about their daily lives.
The charity announced last year that it was to carry out trials on whether dogs could detect breast cancer in women.
The procedure involves women breathing into a tube which is then sniffed by a specially trained dog.
Researchers in Toronto have used Sound Waves to destroy a benign but painful tumour in bone. It was non invasive and allowed more rapid recuperation than open surger or even laser treatment.
Lung cancer is the biggest killer in the UK. Next week at the America Society of Clinical Oncology they will announce that new immunology drugs such as NIVOLUMAB has had outstanding result with patients with advanced lung cancer. One man, where the disease had spread to liver, bones, adrenal glands and brain was found free of the disease! That really does sound miraculous. They do not work for everyone but the drugs enable the immune system to "see" and attack the tumours, which are otherwise invisible. The drugs were initially used to fight skin cancer.
Beating Bowel Cancer More people are urged to come forward. Public Health, England are to make it a priority to increase screening rates. Figures show that uptake among the eligible 60 to 74-year-old age group is quite low. This is a cancer which is deadly if not caught early..Precancerous polyps can be detected and removed.
A study in Harvard has discovered that people who take aspirin over a long period of time are less likely to suffer from cancers, in particular bowel cancer which may be reduced by as much as 19%. It was also said to reduce the incidence of pancreatic and esophageal cancers. Even a quarter of a tablet daily was said to do the trick but they still recommended consulting your GP.
Patients for whom extensive chemotherapy was failing were treated with Brentuximab and some went into remission. This was sufficient to allow them to have bone marrow transplants (immunotherapy) to revive their immune system. The treatment is very expensive and, although approved may be reserved for patients where chemo has been tried. There are other advances in immunotherapy, which may assist the white blood (T) cells to attack cancers. Previously these cells, which save us from viruses, have switched off on the face of cancer.
It is known that trained dogs are able to detect which people have cancer. Scientists are now developing electronic sniffers which will be able to do this from a breath test, helping to give an earlier diagnosis, .
Another experimental approach to the prevention of certain type of breast cancer is by an injection which shuts down the gene which certain women carry. Although it has only been successfully used on mice, the technique is said to be exciting.
A trial of a revolutionary treatment for breast cancer has been started. In itself, killing the cancer with a laser is less invasive than surgery. But those undergoing the treatment are currently having to agree to mastectomy and the other treatments, while the balance of the treatment is being considered. It involves th use of drugs to prevent lengthy light sensitivity that can be a problem after intensive laser therapy.
Cancer Research UK report that the Sanger Institute has discovered the genome signature/pattern of what is behind the mutation which causes many cancers. The well known ones are smoking and UV radiation. But further studies will help us understand what prompts the cells to multiply as they do.
CANCER Spotting cancer early is vital. See www.cancerresearch.uk.org for guidance.. One of the commonest cancers is skin cancer Some are much worse than others, though all should be treated. To recognise the types see http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10006772.html?tag=page
STOMA
Bags. Many people with stomach problems, including cancer may have to
wear a Stoma bag after an operation. An excellent article about living
with this (some for many active years) can be found at this BBC article
Incidentally,
Doctor Scurr (Daily Mail) recommends early screening, especially if
anyone shows signs of blood in stools. Currently, the NHS suggests 55
year of age. He suggests as young as 45 should be watched.
Melanoma NICE have rapidly approved the use of Ipilimumab and nivolumab combination of drugs stop the cancers hiding and allow the immune system to attack.tumours. This has proved especially effective against aggressive melanomas.
The use of Bisphosphonates in patients to prevent loss of bone mass is being found to also help prevent the spread of Breast Cancers to the bones
Breast reconstruction after breast cancer or preventative surgery. The article described the experience of a woman who had mastectomy. Women who inherit the BRCA1 gene have a greater risk of dying from breast or ovarian cancer. The story of Angelina Jolie's double mastectomy has brought this to the public notice. These days many patients have reconstructive surgery at the same time as the operation and this can give better and more natural results. Providing no cancer is detected in the skin or nipple these may be used along with implanted tissue (usually from pig or cow). Otherwise skin may have to be taken from other parts of the body.
Liver cancer in breast cancer patients. A breast cancer patient, whose cancer had affected her liver, was given the opportunity of surgery, with some success. A great deal of the liver was removed but regrew. Doctors said that they would only consider this operation in certain cases with a reasonable chance. This woman was able to return to work. She is still on herceptin but not chemo.
CANCER TREATMENT Side effects. The patient had frequent diarrhoea after being treated for bowel cancer. He had what is termed PRD (Pelvic Radiation Disease) and it appears to be commonplace after radiation treatment of the pelvic area. His oncologist was not interested as he had no further cancer. Most doctors assume Crohn's, Colitis or IBS. The report said there is only one clinic for PRD and that is at the Royal Marsden (Dr Andreyev) And yet a high proportion also have problems with urination. There is a Pelvic Radiation Disease Association at www.prda.org.uk
A mass-screening programme for 50- to 70-year-olds could cut the risk of stomach bleeds experts have said. About a third of this group carry the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which makes stomach bleeds three times more likely - and antibiotics will eradicate it. Professor Jack Cuzick told BBC's Newsnight screening would make the choice to take aspirin to help protect against cancer a "no-brainer". He said the test is easy to do and eradication only takes five days. Research has shown taking low-doses of aspirin can cut the risk of cancer. "Bleeding is the only major setback. "It's trying to identify those who are infected that matters," said Prof Cuzick, an epidemiologist at the University of London and president of the International Society on Cancer Prevention. Aspirin is also used as a blood thinner, which can help the heart.
Bowel Cancer. New research in the UK (called CAPP2) has shown, conclusively, that people who have regularly used aspirin are MUCH less likely to suffer from bowel cancer. They say that people whose family have a history of this form of cancer (Lynch syndrome) should consult their doctor about this. Aspirin is also thought to reduce the risk of other related cancers. But there is a trade off if one takes larger doses as, being an well-known anti-coagulant, there can be a risk of bleeding and stomach ulcers.
An extensive study has revealed a slight increase in brain tumours and Leukemia in people who have undergone extensive CT scans in childhood. The CT Scan is still an x-ray based technique where the area is scanned from various points. Although radiation levels are now much lower than hitherto, there is still a slight risk, though this is normally outweighed by the benefit
Another
drug which may be given within two years holds out hope for
helping
the immune system break down a wide variety of cancers. The antibody
disguises
a protein (CD47) which is found in cancers, allowing the immune system
to
attack the cancer.
PROSTATE.
One of the commonest cancers in older men
2022 Twin
breakthroughs on prostate cancer (hopefully, this may make some of the following paragraphs redundant)
The survival rate for men with aggressive
prostate cancer could improve after it was found that adding a hormone therapy
to their treatment halved deaths. The results of a trial of Abiraterone are
expected to change the standard of care worldwide, experts said. Meanwhile, The
Telegraph reported that scientists believe men could be cured of prostate
cancer in a week using larger doses of precision radiotherapy
Mail A new gene therapy technique is able to modify prostate cancer cells so that a patient's body attacks and kills them, US scientists have discovered. It is under further investigation
Mail Prostate Cancer. The patient had checkup which revealed a lump on his prostate gland. His PSA was also rather high. Although it was judged to be slow growing it was decided that he need a full prostatectomy at the Lister Hospital. Unlike what I would term as a 'rebore' job the operation was done by a robot under the direction of the surgeon. It makes five 1 cm incisions in the abdomen and a camera is inserted in one. The urethra has to be detached from the bladder and the ring-shaped prostate cland is removed through the belly button. If possible the two nerve bundles in the area are avoided as damaging these can result in erectile disfunction and even incontience. A biopsy is taken of local tissue and tested for cancer before the operation is completed (this is new), while the surgeon completes the job. This advance procedure requires the presence of a pathologist, which is not always possible.
Mail 6th Oct 2015 9 out of 10 men over 70 suffer from BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) in which the prostate gland grows large enough to put pressure on the urethra, causing them to have a poor flow, even though they want to go to the loo. They may be treated with medication such as alpha blockers or have an operation to remove tissue but these may have side effects. A NEW PROCEDURE called Urolift is minimally invasive and involves delivering two small metal tabs, which are joined and help to keep the urethra open. It does not have the side effects of the operation and involves just a short stay in hospital.
Another article about eating LOTS of tomatoes, (cooked, raw, soup, juice, . puree or even beans) to reduce the danger of prostate cancer. But Prostate Cancer UK said the evidence wasn't conclusive. The fact that it is far less common in 'developing' countries indicates that it is down to our diet..
The patient had similar high PSA readings and it was suggested he should just be monitored. But, while in Prague he heard about a treatment which used Proton Therapy as opposed to the standard radiotherapy. It is claimed that this is less damaging to the surrounding area and less likely to result in impotence and urinary problems. Although the NHS is planning to install some of the expensive machines NICE has still not agreed that they should be used for Prostate Cancer. Less expensive machines are also being designed. So, maybe it is just a question of time.
The patient experienced discomfort from a catheter through the urethra, which was needed for him to pass water. Doctor Scurr recommends that he have different sort of catheter, suprapubic Cystostomy. It enters the area above the pubic bone. It requires less maintenance and is less prone to blockage. So, I wonder why they install the other type. Cheaper, I suppose.
A new test for prostate cancer. Instead of a biopsy a fine needle fires a mild electrical current into the prostate and sensors on the needle measure the speed at which the current passes through the tissue. Malignant tissue has a different rate. Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA
A trial using a Botox injection in the prostate cancer appeared to shrivel the tumour and there is hope that Botox could be used on other cancers.
It is well known that cancers of the prostate can be aggressive or benign. Current thinking is that operating on benign forms is unnecessary and can be harmful. But it is essential to treat the aggressive form. A new test is able to give a doctor a clear indication which cancer you have. Unfortunately the histology test is, currently, only checked in one place - in Utah. It is hoped that this can be checked in other countries, thus reducing the number of unnecessary operations
Deaths from Prostate cancer have fallen steadily due to earlier detection and successful treatment. One of the battery of treatments, along with radio and chemo therapy has been tostesterone lowering drugs by tablet or injection. In 7 out of 10 cases men who receive lutenizing hormone blockers get side effects until the treatment is stopped. In cases where the cancer is more aggressive this treatment may continue. The side effects may be similar to women's menopausal symptoms, with hot flushes, sweats and even feeling emotional.
The PSA test for prostate cancer appears to become less favoured each year. Apart from the fact the the level of the antibody can vary for other reasons it is now felt that routine testing has resulted in much unnecessary surgery and chemotherapy. New tests are being developed which studies the components of the antibody more closely before a biopsy is recommended. It is a dilemma, as Prostate cancer kills more than 10,000 men each year.
The jury seems to be out as to whether one can trust the PSA test as a useful guide to further treatment of the prostate. In America it had become a recommended routine check but, in view of the fact that many prostate cancers are so slow growing that older men are likely to die of something else AND the fact that an operation for the removal of the prostate gland can have side effects, there is growing scepticism in this test, the results of which can vary from day to day. It is all a bit of a gamble. I was asked to fill in a form about urinating and the answers to six questions were used as a basis for the doctor's advice.
A more effective blood test for prostate cancer is being developed which could be more accurate than the present PSA test. But it is still many years away.
A new drug, Abiraterone, is a once a day pill that can be given to advanced prostate cancer patients. It has fewer unpleasant side effects than chemotherapy and can extend average survival rates by a small amount.
Cholesterol, tomatoes and the prostate. Researchers at Oulo University, Finland found that volunteers who added a few dollops of tomato sauce (or drank tomato juice) lowered their " bad " cholesterol level. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was lowered by as much as 13%. They urged patients with high cholesterol to drink tomato juice or eat more tomato ketchup. An ounce of tomato ketchup is equivalent to 3/4 pint of tomato juice. It is also thought that lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their colour can protect against prostate cancer. A study of thousands of men found that eating ten or more servings of tomatoes a week slashed their risk of prostate cancer by 45%. That sounds like an awful lot of tomatoes.
Prostate Cancer. Drinking a daily eight ounce (0.24 litre) glass of pomegranate juice can significantly slow the progress of prostate cancer, a study suggests. Researchers say the effect may be so large that it may help older men outlive the disease. Pomegranates contain a cocktail of chemicals which minimise cell damage, and potentially kill off cancer cells. The study, by the University of California in Los Angeles, appears in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
Not all prostate symptoms can be put down to cancer. It is common for older men to have the urge to pass water frequently and an operation to help this may be all that is needed. However, in the case of this report, the problem was down to interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC). Doctor Almallah, of the Birmingham and Solihull Bladder Clinic, says that many doctors misdiagnose this. It is unusual and the cause is uncertain but may be due to irritation or nerve endings from toxins in the urine, causing pain. The patient had to be fitted with a catheter and bag. However, after treatment at the clinic.involving flushing the bladder with a medication, the patient does not have to use the catheter often and is virtually free of pain.
A new treatment
to
alleviate the pressure from an enlarged prostate gland is being used.
Instead of the normal Transurethral Resection (TURP) smaller
instruments are introduced through the penis. Using a camera
and a laser the excess material is vapourised (and the blood vessels
sealed). This has the advantages of being done under a light
anaesthetic, causes less damage and bleeding and results in less chance
of infertility and impotence. The patient may even return
home the same day.
Prostate Cancer is encouraged by the production of Testosterone. Treatment has been by regular injections to suppress its production. A new treatment is by a tiny implant in the arm. Called Vantas, it has been licensed for use in the UK. It contains a drug called Histrelin. This will reduce the necessity for 3 monthly injections to annual. In trials the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) of the patents dropped sharply.
Prostate Cancer. Broccoli can help. Now scientists say they have identified the reason. It seems a chemical in broccoli called sulforaphane counteracts a fault with the gene called PTEN which is involved in prostate cancer.
A new radiotherapy treatment at the Royal Marsden has been used on dozens of patients with Prostate cancer. Three tiny transmitters, no bigger than a grain of rice are implanted into the tumour. Signals from the transmitters are picked up by a receiver in X-ray equipment which can deliver precise beams of radioactivity to the tumour
Skin Cancer
n.b. The suns rays come in two styles : UVA and UVB. Easier to remeber that UVB rays are the ones the Burn. UCA rays are the ones that Age skin (and are more likely to cause skin cancer) . That is why exposed areas of skin tend to age quicker than clothed ones. However, UVA rays, like radio waves, get through most things. So they carry on doing damage even when it is cloudy and even when you are inside! One article even indicated you should wear sunscreen INDOORS as well as OUTDOORS ! Perhaps they were selling sun cream.
It is important to wear sun protection (especially children and people with fair skin) but some expensive sun creams have been found to be lacking (not up to what it says on the'tin'
Basal Cell
Carcinoma These usually
show up as a dried, slightly scabby area of skin which refuses to go
away
unless treated. They may be the result of sun damage. They
are normally
removed by surgery with a local anaesthetic. Small ones may be frozen
off.
But the surgery usually leaves a scar, which might be on the face.
In
my case it was under my arm pit (sun damage there?) and itches
aggravatingly.
I was told there was a 30% chance of a return. The latest (preferable)
treatment
is by laser, which leaves no scar. It is called photodynamic
therapy
and involves a drug (a cream) which makes the pre-cancerous cells
sensitive
to light. This is followed by the laser treatment and a
second session
a week later. You may be given pain killers and a local anaesthetic, as
it
can be an uncomfortable (burning) sensation (as long as ten minutes).
The
treatment has also been used on lip and mouth. BCCs have been described
like
an iceberg, with a lot more there under the visible part. Unfortunately
the laser
treatment is not generally available under the NHS and costs around
£1400.
But for people who wish to avoid the scarring of surgery this may be
worth
it. The treatment is not suitable for melanomas.
BCCs and Bowen's carcinomas are a type of skin cancer but unlike other
forms
of cancer, such as melanoma, they do not spread around the body and,
providing
they are treated and the site is watched in case of a re-occurrence,
they
are not dangerous like other forms.
Malignant
Melanoma or skin cancer is often
the result of severe sunburn as a child. It can be a killer despite
surgery
and treatment. It is very important to prevent anyone, especially
children
from becoming sunburnt, either by covering up or using a sun block
cream.
Prof. Sam Shuster, Emeritus Professor of Dermatology, Newcastle on Tyne, expresses grave doubts about the melanoma scare stories. He says that the research is flawed and that many melanomas have been misdiagnosed and were basal cell or squamous non malignant carcinomas. Melanoma is serious but the benefits of sunshine are also known, not only for its benefit by creating vitamin D (good for bone strength) but also for its anti depressant effect. Most people feel better when the sky is blue. It is not a good idea to get sunburnt but, he says, the causes of melanoma are still unknown. Sunshine causes moles to increase, especially in fair people, and also causes wrinkles to appear earlier but as far as an increase in the death rate from melanoma he says that is not so.
Scientists are now saying that the number of moles a person has is an even greater factor in whether they will develop melanoma than the amount of time spent in the sun . And the number of moles someone develops is related to their genetic make up. Out of 9,500 people who develop melanoma per annum (in the UK) 1500 die from it. People should
A new drug, Nivolumab, applied by injection, has been shown to give patients suffering from Melanoma (skin cancer), a chance to live much longer. It is a class of drug called animmunotherapy, which teaches the body's immune system to attack cancer cells. Whilst it is not yet approved by the authorities it may be given under the Early Access to Medicines Scheme, where the cost is borne by pharmaceutical companies. The drug may also be effective against Lung Cancer.
Australian Professor Frazer (who developed the cervical cancer vaccine) has developed a new vaccine that, in animal testing, has been proven to be effective in preventing skin cancer. Human trials are set to start next year, and the scientist predicts that the vaccine could be released within five to ten years, and would likely be given to children between the ages of 10 and 12 to block them from getting skin cancer in their later years. He says that one in 20 of the cancers that people get is caused by papillomavirus and that same virus that causes cervical cancer is at the root of melanoma
End of section
on Melanoma
************
Bowel Cancer
Cancer Research UK has announced that there is hard evidence that a one-off screening procedure could prevent a third of bowel cancers and reduce death rates by nearly half. This is more than the reduction from breast cancer screening, so ought to be a priority.
There is, already, supposed to be a bowel cancer screening program. From 2007 the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offered screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to 69. People over 70 can request a screening kit by calling a freephone helpline 0800 707 60 60. The Cancer Reform Strategy stated that the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme would be extending the age range for screening from April 2010 to invite men and women up to their 75th birthday. (after that you are written off ?).
Bowel cancer. Patient was discovered to have this when she went for a colonoscope after sending in a suspect stool sample. She had further checks to make sure it had not spread and a biopsy but the good news was that it was caught early enough to have the section removed by laproscopic (keyhole) surgery, resulting in four tiny scars and a return home within days. This is less likely if patients are overweight or have had previous surgery in this area. To move part of the guts out of the way a tilted operation table is used. A 'harmonic'scalpel is used to seal off blood vessels and remove a section of colon, which is then stapled together.
Bowel Cancer. Self test kits are to be distributed to older people... in Scotland 50 - 75, in England between 60 and 75 (no plans for Wales). The kits are used to detect the amount of blood in stools. Samples are then sent in for analysis. Bowel cancer is the second most common. Early diagnosis can result in 80% recovery.Haven't had one. As a 92 year old I must assume I am not worth the bother.
Research has shown that women who were taking Beta Blockers were 71% less risk of the cancer spreading.
Cyberknife A new and expensive radiotherapy treatment may become more common in future. Briefly it is equipment which can pinpoint cancers more accurately, allowing many doses from many angles. This reduces collateral damage and the number of treatments required.
NICE has had the unenviable task of deciding whether to authorise payment for two cancer relieving drugs. Avastin, (Bevacizumab) which can prolong the life of bowel cancer patents and Nexavar for liver patients have been ruled out for now. Avastin could still be obtained privately.
In a variation on PDT (below), on trial in the University College of London, a photosensitiser drug is injected into cancer cells in the neck or breast . When a laser light is direct to the tumour the cancer cells rupture allowing the anti cancer drug bleomycin to get in and destroy the cells from inside.Cancer treatment by PDT (Photodynamic Therapy). It is now possible to treat a wide range of cancers using a combination of a drug and laser light. This treatment has been approved by NICE but is still not widely used, even though it is less damaging and cheaper that chemo and radio therapies. Other countries are training people more rapidly than we are - indeed they are being training in the UK. A study of PDT will not report until the Spring of 2010. Meanwhile each case has to be approved by individual health authorities. See www.killingcancer.co.uk for a video appeal by David Frost and the rest of the site showing the support for the method and an appeal for funds.
PDT is being used at the Mandi Rix Clinic, University College Hospital, London. It relies on tumour killing drugs being activated by light. It can be used externally (e.g. on a skin cancer) or internally, via endoscopes for non invasive surgery OR diagnosis. Apart from the less traumatic procedures the cost of operations is a quarter of the traditional ones. Currently diagnostic results are still being checked with traditional biopsies but it seems likely that PFT clinics will become more widespread, particularly for the treatment of cancers of the throat, head and legs.
Men are more likely to get and to die of cancer than women. There are numerous reasons for this such as their unwillingness to visit a doctor and lifestyle differences such as smoking, drinking and obesity (the writer has obviously not seen many overweight women!). The percentage differences were quite dramatic. With things like bladder, liver, oesophageal and stomach cancers the greater risk was well over 100 percent in each case. In almost every case men were at greater risk of the cancers and of dying from them. The writer felt that, apart form their reluctance to recognise and seek help for problems, male cancers did not get the same attention politically and socially. So less funding was given to research (by governments and charities)
Alcohol
and Cancer. The Wold Cancer Research Fund
states that a pint of beer or large glass of wine or double vodka or
gin
(i.e. 2 units) can increase your chances of liver and bowel cancer by a
fifth.
Various Cancers. Research by an Institute in the USA found that calcium intake was helpful in the reduction in the risk of a number of cancers. They recommended yoghurt
Cholesterol Pill concern. A commonly prescribed cholesterol reduction pill - Inegy - is used to reduce the production of Cholesterol by the liver, thus decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, lowering the risk of blocked arteries and heart attacks. A five year study in the USA has suggested a link between its use and an increase incidence of cancers. The American FDA will review the situation within 3 months. Meanwhile, the British Heart Foundation has indicated that no-one should stop taking such drugs without consulting their doctor.
NICE have said that the drugs Sutent, Avastin, Nexavar and Torisel are not (at £32,000 per patient p.a.) 'cost effective' in the treatment of kidney cancer. They only approve Interferon, to which 25% of patients do not respond.
Sufferers of Laron Dwarfism, who lack a hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor (I1GF1), are very small but they appear to be immune from cancer. Too much of this hormone can lead to a wide range of cancers. It is thought that they also avoid the damage to their DNA that is the result of aging that normal people suffer. This is being studied in the search for a cure for cancer.
A new drug could offer hope to kidney cancer patients. Sutent is said to be the first new treatment for advanced forms of the disease in 30 years. In a trial patients typically had their lives extended to 26 months and, in 11 cases, patients went into remission. The drawback is the £2000 a month cost, which NICE will have to consider before its approval for the NHS. Pfizer is offering the first month of treatment free.
A study published in the Lancet Oncology has shown that people with gum disease have a 14% greater risk of cancer. With some types of cancer the likelihood was 50% greater.
A tiny implant in the cancer can be used to assess the precise amount of radiation being received by the tumour (Purdue University)
Breast Cancer
Numerous
articles
have been brought together
under this heading. News of the approval of the
injection
of Herceptin (taking a couple of minutes) rather than an intravenous
drip
taking 90 minutes. The ease with which the drug can be administered
could
mean it being offered more locally and conveniently for the sufferer.
There are more myths about the causes of breast cancer than most illnesses. (Mail 10th Aug 2010) lists them as Weak (House cleaning products, antiperspirants, stress, trauma (damage), underwired bras and night work) There was Strong evidence for drinking, smoking, the pill, weight gain, HRT and not breast feeding.
TV news says that Danish women who got breast cancer after working nights extensively (and had no genetic tendency to the disease) have received compensation from their government. Although I am delighted for them it does set quite a precedent. I worked nights for a year in the USA (and two more in the RAF). What possible diseases can I attribute to this (agreeably) unhealthy life style ? And who would be to blame ? There are many night workers these days. A whole new 'can o' worms'.
In a trial with 66 patients with aggressive breast cancer in a number of countries a new anti cancer drug, Pertuzumab, when used in connection with Herceptin, has achieved tumour stabilisation or reduction in 50% of the cases. The drug is not yet licensed for general use in the UK.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, California, have discovered that the presence of the SATB1 gene is significant in the role of spreading breast cancers. By removing the gene from metastatic cells not only abolishes cell spread and tumour growth but returns the cancer cells to normal appearance. The aim now is to develop a delivery system for SATB1 inhibitors to the breast cancer cells.
An experimental drug - Lapatinib (Tyverb)- has been used on patients who have the most aggressive breast cancer - HER2 - It targets the stem cells produced by the tumour. Dr Rodriguez of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, reported that it reduced tumour sized significantly after 6 weeks treatment. The drug is awaiting EEC and NICE approval (Readers Digest Sept 08 Page 52 says available now)
It is hoped that blood test will be available to detect breast cancer even before symptoms show
Researchers at Duke University, USA have turned fat compounds into microscopic smart bombs, which seek and destroy tumours without damaging healthy tissue. The fat globules contain the sort of drugs used in chemotherapy and are injected into the bloodstream. They are released by the use of a microwave gun concentrated on the tumour, which melts the fat, concentrating the effect of the drugs on the tumour, rather than the conventional treatment. Researchers expect that the same technique will be possible for the treatment of other cancers.
Dr Margaret McCartney stated that an extensive study (250,000) of women who self-checked their breasts for lumps and those who did not did not show any difference in the percentage who died of breast cancer. She did say that women should be 'breast aware' and see a doctor if they noticed any abnormalities. The same paper mentioned that a study in Sweden noted that women with breast cancer had a better survival rate if they had a natural or supplement intake of Vitamin C. In fact a 22% lower risk of death was noted from the studies
Cancer. Doctors at St Bartholomew's are carrying out trials with injections of stem cells taken from donor blood (not bone marrow). This is said to allow lower doses of chemotherapy for patients who are may be too weak to withstand this treatment.
Ovarian cancer. A vaccine for this has produced "encouraging" results in preliminary trials, US scientists say. The vaccine is designed to enhance the body's own immune response to the cancer, said the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, based in Buffalo, New York. Details of the study appear in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. They are confident that the vaccine will eventually be widely available. The vaccine contains an ovarian cancer protein fragment coupled with a molecule known to induce immune response. It targets a protein produced in a high proportion of ovarian cancer cells, but not in healthy cells.
Ovarian cancer. A new chemotherapy treatment is being trialled at Barts. It involves using intraperiatoneal treatment whereby a catheter is inserted the abdominal cavity to enable more concentrated treatment than the normal intravenous method. Although the side effects will be the same it is hoped that the survival rate will be higher.
Cancer. A study published by the British Medical Journal shows that women who have taken the contraceptive pill are significantly LESS likely to get ovarian and bowel cancer, though they had a slightly greater chance of getting cervical cancer if they took it for more than 8 years, although this might be the result of other factors. The study did not come to any conclusions as to why the hormonal medication had this effect or why HRT, another hormonal drug, but taken by menopausal women, was implicated in increased ovarian cancers.
Cancer. New Scientist - Dr Zheng Cui of Wake Forest University School of Medicine has been given the go ahead to inject cancer patients with immune cells from other people (called granulocytes). These appear to fight cancers in mice. The work has also involved test tube cases involving human cancer cells. However, Dr Cui has found a great deal of variation in the cancer fighting ability of granulocytes from different people. And their 'quality 'appears to vary at different times of the year and depending what stress they were under. Although the research is considered to be a very exciting development more tests have to be carried out before there are positive conclusions. One professor pointed out the danger that foreign immune cells might pose to the recipients system.
Oestrogen only HRT (Daily Mail 20th, Express 21st June 2007) has recently been shown to increase the chances of cancer of the womb. However, it has also been shown to greatly reduce the formation of calcium in blood vessels. It is therefore being recommended only for women who have had a hysterectomy.
DEAFNESS
See my own
page HERE
All articles have been transferred to that page
DIABETES
Two
main Types. Type 1 diabetes is usually
diagnosed under the
age of 30. It usually requires regular injections of insulin to
stabilise
the condition. Type 2 usually occurs in middle
aged or older (and
fatter) patients and is treated by reducing carbohydrate intake (starch
and
sugar) and taking drugs which help their system to handle sugar more
efficiently.
However, it is no less serious than Type 1 and not managing
the condition
properly can result in kidney damage, blindness and a higher risk of
heart
disease.and stroke. It is essential that they follow the prescribed
regime.
A
growing problem : In the last 25 years the number of people in the UK
with diabetes has risen from 1.4 to 3.5 million! The life
expectancy of
someone
with Type1 diabetes is reduced by at least 15 years. In Type
2 diabetes,
which is preventable in two thirds of people who have it, life
expectancy
is reduced by up to ten years. People from minority ethnic
communities
have up to a six times higher than average risk of developing the
condition. Source: Department of Health
There is a new painless simple way to do sugar testing and read the
results on a mobile phone.
I was shocked to read that in some countries, e.g. United Arab Emerites, the
percentage of adults with diabetes is around 40%. In fact the
rate is increasing dramatically all over the world, especially in
countries which are 'catching up' with standards of living e.g. China.
Who would have believed in times of old that the world would
suffer from eating too much ? (obesity is a major factor of type 2).
The cost of treating this condition - where treatment is available - is
growing dramatically. It is now beginning to be considered that Bariatric
Surgery
may be cheaper for the NHS and in other countries (than the
continued cost of treating patients).
A booklet from Diabetes.org.uk
is entitled "100 things I wish I had known about living with Diabetes"
Type 1 diabetes. NICE have approved the use of a device for administering insulin
without injection. The device can be stuck to an arm or stomach and
supplies the insulin when needed via a cannula into a vein. The device
is programmed via a hand held controller the size of a smart phone. It
calibrates the blood sugar level so that precise amounts of the drug
are administered. It even takes account of activity
levels
It wirelessly communicates with an on line app which keeps a log of
treatment which can be viewed by patients or doctors.
The cause of Type 1 varies but it can
strike
more quickly than Type II. It is usually an autoimmune defect and can
be
associated with other autoimmune problems such as rheumatoid arthritis,
ulcerative colitis and vitiligo. Viruses and even physical and mental
stress
can be triggers.
In
Type 1 Diabetes the pancreas
stops producing the insulin
needed to control the sugar/glucose level in the blood stream.
In Type 2 it just does
not produce enough.
Prof. Taylor of Medicine
and Metabolism, Newcastle
University studied the rapid reduction in glucose levels in people who
had
a gastric bypass and decided that drastic fasting reduced the fat
levels
in the liver and pancreas, which were the cause of diabetes.
The patient
in the article, a Type 2 diabetic, reversed his diabetes after an
eleven
day minimal diet. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before
taking
on this challenge !
A BBC report says eating just breakfast and lunch (instead of more meals per day, may cut Type 2 Diabetes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27422547
Diabetes and Obesity. A new technique called Satisphere involves the insertion of a chain of balloons into the duodenum via the mouth to make the person feel full. The operation is said to take just five minutes and can be retrieved equally quickly. Not only does it reduce the craving for food but also reduces the amount of insulin released into the bloodstream, so reducing Type 2 Diabetes. Sounds too good and simple to be true and there is nothing showing on the net (or in the article) as to who is doing this and where.
Experts fear thousands of the three million diabetes sufferers are misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Read more HERE Blood sugar can vary throughout the day and stress and a meal can temporarily increase it. Always demand at least two initial tests.
One
of the great
dangers as a result of diabetes
is the loss of feeling lower limbs. Ulceration and damage must be
treated
to prevent deterioration and the possibility of amputation. A battery
operated
device from Diabetica Solutions uses infra red light to measure the
temperature
of places on the legs and feet which are inflamed, alerting patients to
a
problem before it shows to the naked eye. See
https://www.temptouch.com/how-it-works.html. It is $99 or
about £70
+ delivery
Venous Leg Ulcers Now being treated more successfully with a spray, which contains a small sample of the patient's own skin. This only takes 30 minutes and has resulted in healing of some long standing ulcers. Even someone with type 3 diabetes who had lost his toes is now able to get about. The product, called RegenerCell, was trialled at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge and has enabled some people, who were confined to home, to get out again, even going on holiday. It is especially useful for the reduction of pain suffered by patients with VLUs
In a study of 37,000 women it was found that those with the highest intake of dairy products had a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
A sign of type 2 diabetes is feeling sleepy after a normal sized meal because the pancreas may produce too much insulin. The instant energy you should get from the food is not available. US researchers say this could be a lack of the mineral Chromium, which many Type 2 diabetics lack.
Diabetes Testing (Readers Digest : A Gerard Cotes - Texas University - is developing a wrist watch that tests for sugar level without having to get a blood sample. A sheath of fluorescent particles, smaller than a human hair, is injected into the wrist. It changes colour in response to deviations in the blood-sugar level and the wrist watch is designed to give a digital readout. Development is expected to take three years
A
pill for diabetes ?
People with diabetes may soon be able to take a pill to control the
disease
instead of needing several daily insulin injections. A British company
will
report at a conference in the US today that it has developed a form of
insulin
that can be taken by mouth, which it believes will provide better
control
of symptoms. Oral insulin has been a dream for many years, and several
companies
have tried to develop it. The problem is that insulin is a protein and
the
stomach is perfectly adapted to digest proteins, breaking them up into
smaller
fragments. Diabetology, a small research and development company, has
spent
many years trying to get around the problem. It has apparently achieved
success
by enclosing the insulin in a capsule that resists stomach acids and
passes
intact into the small intestine. There it dissolves, releasing a
mixture
of insulin and other materials that enhance the absorption of the
insulin
through the intestinal wall. The insulin is then transported to the
liver,
where it creates a store that can be drawn on by the body. This more
closely
approximates the behaviour of the pancreas, the source of insulin in
healthy
people, releasing insulin as it is needed. The capsule form is also
much
more easily administered to young children, who can struggle with
needles
and the more recent innovation of inhaled insulin. The results to be
presented
today at the American Diabetes Association meeting in Chicago come from
a
small trial of 16 patients with type 2 diabetes, the commoner type that
usually
develops in middle age, carried out at Cardiff University by a team led
by
Professor David Owens. They are expected to show that the oral dose
taken
twice daily before breakfast and before dinner, controlled glucose
levels
successfully in the patients treated. The results will be presented by
Dr
Steve Luzio, also from Cardiff.
Drugs already exist that can lower glucose levels, but they have side-effects. As type 2 diabetes develops, patients eventually have to move on to injected insulin, a transition many are very reluctant to make. As a result, control of the disease suffers and the long-term risks are increased. Glen Travers, the executive chairman of Diabetology, said that he hoped the product would remove this inhibition and enable better control of the disease to be achieved, without the increased risk of heart attack that has been linked to the widely used diabetes drug rosiglitazone. The details of Dr Luzio's presentation cannot be released until he has made it, but are expected to show that oral doses achieved the desired changes in glucose metabolism, showed a rise in insulin levels in the body that lasted a long time, and revealed no safety concerns. Additionally, it does not lead to short-term spikes of high insulin in the circulation, unlike insulin injections, potentially reducing the risk of side-effects.
Several studies have linked insufficient glucose levels in the brain to neurological problems and further work shows people with schizophrenia are five times more likely to suffer from diabetes, a disease in which the body cannot process sugar properly. Of the link between mental illness and diabetes, Professor Bahn said One affects the body and one effects the brain, maybe sometimes the problem can affect both. The new drugs, which will go on trial in August, will be a modification of drugs already used to treat diabetics.
DIET
AND OBESITY
Rather than
patients undergoing the drastic
surgery to restrict the stomach's capacity one company has found a way
to make the obese feel 'satiated' by part filling their stomach
with balloon(s) ! The video HERE
shows the 'non invasive', application, which as been approved in the
USA.
Whether one should eat red meat has become a popular topic. But let us be clear, while chicken is considered to be white meat whereas beef, lamb, pork and even goose are classified as red.. Whilst the World Health Organisation stirred up a storm by classifying bacon and sausages as 'carcinogenic to humans' (a cancer agent) and red meat as possibly carcinogenic, one must look at the research in detail. One study was said to show the just two portions of red meat a week could increase ones chance of bowel cancer by a fifth. But that only increased the risk from an average 6% to 7%. As against this the experts say that the benefits of eating red meat are many, including brain development. There are many other nutritional benefits, although the article suggests the avoidance of fatty meats and healthier cooking methods.
Repatha is part of a new class of drugs that block a substance that interferes with the liver's ability to remove bad cholesterol. In clinical trials, it reduced the levels of bad LDL cholesterol by 55 per cent. It is expected to be available to NHS patients within the year.
Coffee/
Caffeine. The recommended 'dose'
of caffeine is a mere 200mg per day, although 400mg is considered safe
and
even beneficial. However, when one considers that a mug of
tea or instant
coffee contain around 75mg it is easy to exceed even the higher figure.
And, if one realises that a large Americano at Starbucks will
contain
as much as 300mg, it is easy to see how the limits are soon reached,
especially
with the incessant rise of coffee shops. Coffee addiction, or probably
more
correctly termed 'dependency', can result in headaches or depression if
the
drink is not available, usually, the withdrawal symptoms only last a
few
days.A surprising
article, supported by Cardiologist
Naseem Malhotra, suggested that a high carb, low fat diet was NOT
conducive
to weight loss and that even double cream and bacon did not increase
the
amount of fat acquired. Carbohydrates appear to increase the
amount
of insulin in the blood and this is what produces more fat in the
blood.
Hyperthyroidism The thyroid gland, in the front of the neck, controls many functions. Excess thyroid hormone can flood the appetite centre of the brain, creating a craving for carbohydrates. So, if you have an unusual craving for cake, pizza and bread, better get a blood test (before you go ballooning) Dieting with Food Abstinence Lighter Life (www.lighterlife.com) An article in a local paper (NOT and advert) described a woman whose BMI had reached 38.9 (mobidly obese) and who had to wear a CPAP mask at night to help her breathing. Previous diets had failed and she was considering having an operation when she tried this method (four LighterLife packets a day, nothing else) with considerable success. Denise Welch did a series of youtube videos, showing her progress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17bRtqC2acA They have a useful BMI (Body Mass Index )calculator at http://www.lighterlife.com/bmi-calculator/
Magnesium deficiency can result in lack of energy and constipation as well as numerous other side-effects such as bone density loss and depression. It is best taken in food such as spinach, white fish, yoghurt, cashews. But it can be bought in pill form over the counter. This may have a hydrating effect to lots of water is recommended.
Interesting : : http://www.blood-pressure-monitoring.org/high-blood-pressure-questions.htmIs weight gain inevitable ? As you get older your metabolism DOES slow, meaning that you burn fewer calories when at rest. So one needs more exercise to burn off fat. Medication can be linked to weight gain and there is a long list of culprits (pills for migraine, antidepressants, high blood pressure and diabetes). Check with your GP. Fat in the lower half especially can be due to lymphatic drainage problems. The article said 'no real cure'. Bloating may be due to a food intolerance e.g. wheat, milk, eggs. Experiment without some foods for a while. Keep a record. See a dietitian. In later life both men and women experience a drop in progesterone. More dominant oestrogen increases fat levels. Puffy face can be due to an underactive thyroid gland, especially in women. It can be detected by a blood test and counteracted. And how about a genetic link ? Well, the scientists say some people have that gene and it might account for a difference of half a stone. Those people have to work hard at the usual cures : eat less, exercise more.
A study of 700 British schoolgirls found almost 70% were deficient in iodine because they were not drinking enough milk (thanks again Maggie). If low in iodine during pregnancy this can stunt the intelligence of offspring. Thinks : they used to add iodine to salt, didn't they ? Salt ? It seems totally absent from most foods these days
Still in its early stages but new drugs, based on monoclonal antibodies, may be more effective than Statins in reducing LDL, the type of cholesterol which remains in the blood stream instead of returning to the liver for disposal.
Diet tip: Tomatoes help protect against cancers but much more lypocene is absorbed if they are eaten with fats. So, tuck into a cheese and tomato sandwich.
Pills and weight gain: Many pills are associated with weight gain. Possible gains are suggested for Steroids (7%), Some diabetes drugs (6 - 10lbs), Beta blockers (10 - 20 lbs), anti depressants (1 - 45lbs), cancer drugs (29lbs). Though in many cases not taking the drugs is worse than the weight gain, there may be alternatives which are less fattening.
EGGS are back in favour. Although they contain cholesterol a study showed that eating two a day had no effect on the cholesterol levels of a group of obese people - but stay away from saturated fats.
MILK In a study of 37,000 women it was found that those with the highest intake of dairy products had a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. If you drink a pint a day you reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, a range of cancers and osteoporosis. Milk got yet another boost when research showed that it was a more natural way too boost calcium, while taking calcium tablets flooded the bloodstream with it and was more like to cause calcification on the veins. I suspect they mean full milk, not that watered down version they call skimmed.Bloating. May be due to too much wind or constipation. We produce about 4 pints of it a day and pass it out by burping or passing wind (around 14 times a day is quite normal). You may swallow air by chewing gum, eating, smoking, drinking or even because of loose dentures. Some foods produce more gas (e.g. bran, beans, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, rice, pasta, potatoes, beer, fizzy drinks - onions?) Some people also have an intolerance to milk or wheat products.
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Peter Whorwell, a
specialist, says people
suffering from this (stomach cramps, diaorhea, constipation) should
study
their individual diet as the general advice, to eat more fibre and
fruit,
may make their symptoms worse. They may have to revert to white flour
products
and avoid bran, wholemeal bread and digestive biscuits. But
some may
be able to tolerated the fibre in fruit and vegetables, which are still
recommended as healthy for most people.
(IBS) One in five Britons apparently suffer from this. A Canadian study
over
a long period showed that more people were helped by taking Peppermint
Oil than drugs
IBS The article suggests hypnotherapy. This can mean weekly sessions for three months, when patients are given sessions how to take control over their gut. I can well believe that this might help as we all know that the mind and the bowels are closely connected and that certain life situations, such as fear, can have an immediate effect.
Diet Myths The Principal Dietitian at St Georges Hospital, Tooting says :Crohn's disease A Mail article described a lady with this condition. Doctors ignored her complaints or (incorrectly) diagnosed IBS. Crohn's is fairly uncommon so doctors may not recognise the problem. Tests are difficult but should include colonoscopy and faecal analysis. There is no cure but control may be possible to some extent e.g. immunosuppressant drugs and steroids.
Hitherto with limited success, an article described a successful bowel transplant operation. The patient was relying on being fed by tube into his vein 16 hours a day but had a 15 hour operation in John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. It then equired 3 months in hospital, mainly to prevent infection due to a weak immune system caused by anti rejection drugs.
Haemorrhoids ( Piles ) There are several surgical treatments but the writer managed to reduce hers by healthier living. NEVER getting constipated or sitting on the loo straining, doing pelvic floor exercises, drinking more water and eating more fruit and veg. One correspondent in the Mail said that Sudocrem, a nappy cream, had helped.
Haemorrhoids Really painful piles used to be operated on by cutting them away. This can be very painful and not always a permanent cure. Surgeons now prefer a non-invasive treatment under local anaesthetic. An ultrasound device is used to locate the arteries which supply the piles. The device also has a needle which is used to close off the arteries, starving the piles of blood, so they shrink.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia. Some people suffer from inherited very high cholesterol levels, despite being on statins. They are much more likely to suffer from furred arteries and their consequencies. The next drug tried is Ezetimibe (Ezetrol). But if these fail to control the LDL levels they may be offered Repatha, which is under trial. Another drug, Praluent (which is appled using an inectible pen) is not yeat approved by NICE
The Libre patch and monitor
may be available for people with Diabetes.
Patches last for about a week and the monitor shows the history of
their blood sugar levels. It means that they don't have to prick
their finger. It costs about £60 a month. Theresa May has one.
Rhinitis:
Runny nose. There may be a suitable spray. Rinatec spray dries it
up
Bruxism
is teeth grinding and you can get a mouthguard to wear at night
Fifteen hospitals are trialing the Hope HF pacemaker which stimulates
other parts of the heart. Called CRT, Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy
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