Understanding Diseases/Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks.

Symptoms
*Periods of extreme drowsiness every 3 to 4 hours during the day. You may feel a strong urge to sleep, often followed by a short nap (sleep attack).
*These periods last for about 15 minutes each, although they can be longer.
*They often happen after eating, but may occur while driving, talking to someone, or during other situations.
*You wake up feeling refreshed.
*Dream-like hallucinations may occur during the stage between sleep and wakefulness. They involve seeing or hearing, and possibly other senses.
*Sleep paralysis is when you are unable to move when you first wake up. It may also happen when you first become drowsy.
*Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, resulting in the inability to move. Strong emotions, such as laughter or anger, will often bring on cataplexy.
 *Most attacks last for less than 30 seconds and can be missed.
 *Your head will suddenly fall forward, your jaw will become slack, and your knees will buckle.
 *In severe cases, a person may fall and stay paralyzed for as long as several minutes.

Causes & Risk Factors
Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder, not a mental illness. Anxiety does not cause narcolepsy.
Experts believe that narcolepsy is caused by reduced amounts of a protein called hypocretin, which is made in the brain. What causes the brain to produce less of this protein is unclear.
Narcolepsy tends to run in families.
Conditions that cause insomnia, such as disrupted work schedules, can make narcolepsy worse.
Tests & Diagnostics
The doctor will perform a physical exam and order blood work to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Conditions that can cause excessive sleepiness include:
    *  Insomnia and other sleep disorders
    *  Restless leg syndrome
    * Seizures
    * Sleep apnea
    * Other medical, psychiatric, or nervous system diseases
Other tests may include:
    * ECG (measures the heart's electrical activity)
    * EEG (brain activity measurements)
    * Monitoring of breathing
    * Genetic testing to look for narcolepsy gene
Tests will also include a sleep study (polysomnogram). The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) may be used to help diagnose narcolepsy. This test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep during a daytime nap. Patients with narcolepsy fall asleep much faster than people without the condition.
Treatments
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments and learning to cope with the emotional and other effects of the disorder may help you function better in work and social activities.
This involves:
* Eating light or vegetarian meals during the day and avoiding heavy meals before important
   activities
* Scheduling a brief nap (10 to 15 minutes) after meals, if possible
* Planning naps to control daytime sleep and reduce the number of unplanned, sudden sleep
   attacks
* Informing teachers and supervisors about the condition so you are not punished for being
   "lazy" at school or work

You may need to take prescription medications. The stimulant drug modafinil (Provigil) is the first choice of treatment for narcolepsy. It is much less likely to be abused than other stimulants. The medicine also helps you stay awake. Other stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, DextroStat) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Antidepressant medications can help reduce episodes of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
Antidepressants include:
*Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine
*Tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline clomipramine, imipramine, and desipramine
*Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is prescribed to certain patients for use at night.

If you have narcolepsy, you may have driving restrictions. Restrictions vary from state to state.
Complications
    * Injuries and accidents, if attacks occur during activities
    * Impairment of functioning at work
    * Impairment of social activities
    * Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent narcolepsy. Treatment may reduce the number of attacks. Avoid situations that aggravate the condition if you are prone to attacks of narcolepsy.
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Smokeout Day: The Best Ways to Quit

As thousands of smokers across the United States try to kick their bad habit as part of the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, experts agree that a two-pronged strategy is the best bet for success.

"The U.S. Public Health Service has twice done very extensive reviews of all the evidence, and [best] is a combination of counseling/advice, by pharmacists, physicians or quitlines, plus medicine," said Thomas Glynn, director of cancer science and trends and of international cancer control for the American Cancer Society.
A lot has changed since 1976, when the first smokeout took place, Glynn noted. "People could smoke on airplanes and in restaurants; the person sitting next to you in the movie theater could be smoking. Two of every five people smoked; now it's one of five."

Another difference: "Now, there are a number of ways that people can succeed, [including] seven medications approved by the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]," he said.
Still, many Americans resist medications or counseling, and rely on personal willpower to get them through nicotine withdrawal.
"Cold turkey, sheer willpower; the best data is that about 5 percent of people succeed," said Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer at the American Lung Association.
"People who smoke 10 cigarettes a day, light smokers, if they want to try quitting on their own, that's fine," said Gary Giovino, chair of the department of community health and health behavior at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York. For heavy smokers, he recommends starting with nicotine replacement therapy.

Smoking-cessation medications come "in three buckets: nicotine replacement, Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion) and Chantix (varenicline)," said Dr. Nancy Rigotti, director of the tobacco research and treatment unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. "They all work. It's better to take one than none."
Nicotine patches give users a steady dose of nicotine through the skin and come in 16- or 24-hour varieties, by prescription or over-the-counter. Fast-acting forms of nicotine replacement therapy are lozenges and gum, available over-the-counter, and prescription inhalers and nasal sprays.
"You use the patch to get constant coverage and use the other forms to get over cravings, as supplements," Rigotti said.

In its 2008 recommendations, the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality advised clinicians to consider nicotine patches in combination with Wellbutrin or Zyban for smokers unable to quit with a single type of medication. Wellbutrin, Zyban and Chantix all carry black box warnings about the increased possibility of suicidal thoughts, although Chantix has come under the most scrutiny for this potential side effect.
"The fear is of big changes in behavior," Giovino said. "The question is, does it happen more often with Chantix or if you stop smoking with a nicotine replacement drug?"

"If people want something based on a prescription, they should discuss it with their doctor," Giovino said.
Telephone quitlines can be effective, convenient and free, but are underused because smokers have misconceptions about them, Rigotti and Giovino said.
"It's like getting a phone appointment with your doctor," Rigotti said. "They'll schedule calls around your quit day. It's so you can talk to somebody who can help you if you've slipped, you can get back on the wagon. It's practical information, not psychotherapy, not voodoo."

Internet quit sites provide another option. For instance, the American Lung Association offers the "Freedom From Smoking" online program, Edelman noted.
Even with outside help, willpower still comes into play in breaking long-held habits and battling sharp cravings.
Giovino suggested the "'six Ds': delay, drink water, distract yourself, discuss with someone, deep breath and, finally, don't debate. People who do best are those who decide smoking is no longer an option."
(HealthDay News)

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Colon Cancer And Polyps: What You Need To Know

It would surprise many to learn that colon cancer is the third leading cause of death by cancer in American men. Over the past 10 years, more than 600,000 people have succumbed to this highly preventable and treatable cancer, and over 1.5 million have been diagnosed.

Colon cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, usually starts as slow-growing precancerous polyps, a term used to describe bumps on the surface of the colon. Virtually all colon cancers begin with these growths. When found early, colon cancer is approximately 90% treatable.
Colon cancer risk factors
The lifetime risk for developing colon cancer is 1-in-18 and over 90% of these cases occur after the age 50. Increasing age, a family history of colon polyps, colon cancer or other early cancers can double or triple your risk for developing this disease. If any of these risk factors run in your family, you need to start the discussion about screening at age 40 or even earlier depending on when your family members were diagnosed.
Persons with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or a personal history of cancer are also at increased risk for colon cancer and need to tailor regular, more frequent colonoscopies.
Studies also indicate that diet and smoking may increase the risk of developing colon polyps and colon cancer.
While family history and other risk factors matter, not having risk factors does not eliminate your need for screenings.
What polyps tell us
As we age, about 1-in-4 of us develop polyps in our colon and about 10% of these polyps eventually turn from a benign growth into colon cancer. For the most part, these polyps take about 10 years to transform into colon cancer.
Polyps and early colon cancers often have no symptoms and can be detected only by screening exams.
How can colon cancer best be prevented?
There are several effective ways to reduce your colon cancer risk, but none more important than getting timely screenings and removing polyps before they become malignant.
Refraining from smoking, maintaining healthy weight and regular exercise, managing normal body levels of nutrients, especially vitamin D also appear to lower risk factors. Diets high in fiber are good for you, but have not been definitively shown to reduce colon cancer risk.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
Symptoms usually occur once tumors are advanced and causing obstruction or if the cancer has spread beyond the colon there may be rectal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, recurrent fevers, unexplained nausea or vomiting, or fatigue.
However, colon cancer symptoms overlap greatly with other digestive conditions. Many times, especially in younger patients, symptoms are attributed to hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. Seven percent of colon cancers occur in people in their 40 and 3% under the age of 40. It’s important to take any of these symptoms seriously and request an evaluation.
If you experience any of these symptoms, until you are fully examined, no one -- not even a physician -- can definitively tell you the cause.
What are colon cancer screening options?
There are multiple screening options available that can often be confusing for the patient. For anyone at high risk for colon cancer, colonoscopy is the only recommended strategy.
Colonoscopy: Your physician will examine the inside of your colon and rectum using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope, and removes any polyps found.
Virtual colonoscopy (CT scan colonoscopy): Images of the colon and rectum are taken using computerized tomography (CT). A computer puts the images together to create an animated, three-dimensional view. If abnormalities are detected, a colonoscopy is necessary.
Double contrast barium enema: The patient is given an enema with barium followed by air. The air pushes the barium against the walls of the colon in order to better visualize potential problems, such as polyps or tumors. If the test is abnormal, a colonoscopy is necessary.
Sigmoidoscopy: The doctor will examine the rectum and only the lower portion of the colon with a lighted tube. Where polyps are found, the doctor removes them.
Only a colonoscopy allows for both identification and removal of colon polyps throughout the entire colon and rectum. All other screening options require bowel prep, and if positive, will require a colonoscopy for confirmation and polyp removal.
For average-risk individuals, colonoscopy is recommended once every 10 years starting at age 50, and for African Americans, several societies recommend to start screening at age 45. Higher levels of risk require more frequent testing intervals and if polyps are found, follow-up surveillance with colonoscopy is recommended every five years. For more detailed screening information, visit ColonCancerPreventionProject.org.
if colonoscopy is not for you
Stool can be analyzed for evidence of bleeding or genetic abnormalities associated with colon cancer or large polyps. These tests are not designed to detect small- or medium-size polyps in their earliest stages. In order for these to effectively reduce colon cancer death rates, they must be repeated on an annual basis. When followed carefully, stool testing allows for intervention and detection of colon cancer at early stages leading to higher survival rates.
As you choose between the various types of testing, the best screening test is the one you will complete.

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Boosting Mental Performance With Fish Oil?

A particular fish oil (omega-3) supplement has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain during mental activity and to impact on certain aspects of mental performance in young adults, according to research from Northumbria University.

In the first of two studies, currently available in the online edition of the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that overall,taking either of two different types of fish oil supplement for three months had no consistent impact on mental function in 18 -- 35-year-olds, however they did find evidence of reduced mental fatigue and faster reaction times. Contrary to popular belief, these results suggest that taking omega-3 or fish oil supplements may not have an immediate or measureable impact on mental performance in healthy young adults, possibly due to the fact that this population is already performing at its mental peak or that higher doses or longer than 12 weeks supplementation are required.
Interestingly, in the second of these studies it was found that taking DHA-rich fish oil over the same time period did increase blood flow to active areas of the brain during performance of similar mental tasks. The researchers claim these findings could have implications for mental function later on in life, as evidence suggests regularly eating oily fish or taking omega-3 supplements may prevent cognitive decline and dementia, and increased blood flow to the brain may be a mechanism by which this occurs.
As these results suggest benefits may be seen with longer term supplementation in older age groups, researchers now plan to investigate this in people between the ages of 50 and 70 to assess the impact of a fish oil supplement on their memory, mental performance and blood flow to the brain.
Lead researcher Dr Philippa Jackson said: "If we can pinpoint both the behavioural and brain blood flow effects of this fatty acid in older healthy people, then the benefits for those with mental degenerative conditions associated with normal aging could be that much greater."
Researchers are hoping to recruit more people to take part in the study to investigate the effects of DHA in older people.
They are keen to hear from individuals who are generally healthy, living in or near the Newcastle area who feel their memory is not as good as it used to be and who don't currently eat oily fish on a regular basis or take omega-3 supplements.
Participants will be asked to take a DHA-rich supplement for six months, for which they will receive £50 and a 12 month supply of the supplement.

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Fair-skinned people 'may need to take extra vitamin D supplements'

Pale-skinned people who are prone to sunburn may need to take vitamin D supplements, according to a new research.

The researchers at the Leeds University say that those with very pale skin may be unable to spend enough time in the sun to make the amount of vitamin D the body needs while also avoiding sunburn.

Their study suggests patients with the skin cancer melanoma may in particular need vitamin D supplements.

The researchers, however, cautioned that sunlight and supplements are not the only factors that can determine the level of vitamin D in a person's body.

The study defined the optimal amount of vitamin D required by the body as at least 60nmol/L.

However, at present there is no universally agreed standard definition of an optimal level of vitamin D.

"Fair-skinned individuals who burn easily are not able to make enough vitamin D from sunlight and so may need to take vitamin D supplements," Professor Julia Newton-Bishop, lead author of the study based in the Cancer Research UK Centre at the University of Leeds, said.

"This should be considered for fair-skinned people living in a mild climate like the UK and melanoma patients in particular," she said.

Researchers took the vitamin D levels of around 1,200 people and found that around 730 people had a sub-optimal level.

They found that those with fair-skin had significantly lower levels.

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The Power Herb: Ashwagandha

FoxNews.com | Of all the medicinal plants used in India’s 5,000 year old tradition of ayurveda, ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, is the most highly prized. Use of the root can be traced back as far as 3,000 years. Ashwagandha is classified as a rasayan, a rejuvenating or life extending agent. The rasayan are the most esteemed of ayurveda’s herbs, as they imbue the user with life itself. The root of the plant appears in remedies for cough, rheumatism, gynecological disorders, fatigue, emaciation, inflammation, ulcers, sore eyes, and diminished brain function.

Ashwagandha is also India’s most potent sex-enhancing plant. It is used equally by men and women, and is widely prescribed by physicians to adults with low libido, and to improve sexual function.
A small woody shrub, ashwagandha features elliptical green leaves, small uniform five-petaled flowers, and red seeds. The plant flowers year around. The root of the plant is the prize. A long taproot and a mass of smaller roots held clumps of soil. According to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, an acre of cultivated ashwagandha will yield about 500 pounds of root, which when dry reduces to around 150 pounds. It takes a year to bring the plant to maturity. Harvest is usually between January and March. The plant is forgiving too, and requires little attention and no irrigation, even in the parched climate of southern India. Ashwagandha is a strong and vigorous plant, thriving where other plants wither and die.

Researchers throughout India have discovered numerous compounds in ashwagandha. The plant also contains alkaloids such as ashwagandhine, withanine and somniferiene. What accounts for ashwagandha’s seemingly remarkable versatility as a beneficial healer? The plant is rich in potent alkaloids, among which are withamosine, visamine, cuscohygrine, anahygrine, tropine, pseudotropine, anaferine, isopelletierine, and withaferin A. The plant contains a large number of novel compounds known as withanolides, which are novel to the plant and are typically used to standardize the potency of extracts. Whether one or two of these compounds are responsible for the plant’s remarkable health-imbuing versatility, or whether ashwagandha’s value is due to an incredibly complex synergy of all its natural constituents, is a matter which may take a long time to solve by scientific means. According to a large body of research, components in ashwagandha possess tonic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, immune enhancing, anxiety-relieving and nerve sedative properties.
I would like to say that a plethora of human studies show that ashwagandha is a superior sex-enhancer. As yet there are no studies on this use of ashwagandha. But the root enjoys three thousand years of exactly such an application, by millions of satisfied people. The Indian Materia Medica recommends use of ashwagandha for general debility, impotence, general aphrodisiac purposes, brain fatigue, low sperm count, nervous exhaustion, and in any cases in which general vigor must be restored. For men and women, for the old and the young, ashwagandha builds strength from within. Often, this strength and vitality manifests as newfound or restored sexual vigor and function. One ayurvedic aphrodisiac formula combines one part ashwagandha to ten parts milk and one part ghee (clarified butter). You boil the mixture down until only ghee remains. This end product is called ashwagandha ghrita. You take about a heaping tablespoon of this mixture in the morning and in the evening, and according to ancient texts, you will experience a significant boost in libido and sexual stamina.
Ashwagandha has been studied as an adaptogen, that class of natural plant agents which enhance overall immunity and build non-specific resistance to various stresses. In one human clinical study, ashwagandha improved overall mental aptitude and reaction time.
In animal studies, ashwagandha demonstrates significant stress-fighting power. This is unquestionably the key to the plant’s sex-enhancing powers. Stress factors of all kinds compromise virtually every system of the body, producing stress chemicals which in turn diminish the function of organs and glands. In the domino effect of stress’s ravaging of the human system, fatigue, reduced immunity and sexual debility go hand in hand. The overwhelming stresses of life leave people feeling devitalized. But when you take ashwagandha, that equation begins to turn around. As an adaptogen, the root helps the body to normalize all aspects of healthy function in the face of stress.

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Health guide/Balding Remedies

Two-thirds of us experience some degree of thinning hair by age 35. Yep, two-thirds by 35! Those in the minority can stop reading now (“McDreamy,” that’s you), but the majority of us must read on and weigh our options carefully. Today’s cosmetically concerned world offers countless solutions to the thinning-hair epidemic. So we need to examine the possibilities and choose the one right for us, individually.
For those fighting thinning hair, here’s a list of balding remedies that just might do the trick.
basic remedies
Some basic remedies exist in the hair-loss battle. These remedies are simple devices that provide low-cost tactics to camouflage your balding pate.
Clever/Strategic haircuts
The easiest solution is simply to work with what you have… left. Depending on the severity of your situation, you can work with a stylist to craft a haircut that works for you and your fading tresses: Longer bangs disguise receding hairlines and longer cuts make hair look fuller. Or, if you dare, go for a clipper cut or a clean shave; honesty is the best policy!
Thickening shampoos
Thickening shampoos line store shelves everywhere, but your best option is brands found at hair salons. (Ask your stylist for recommendations or try Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo.) Thickening shampoos utilize natural extracts and chemicals to boost volume, “plump” hair strands and strengthen follicles. The idea is good in theory, but results vary: Some guys will see thicker, more voluminous hair, but for others it’ll be a wash -- literally.
Hair dyes and cover-ups
For thinning hair, the ever-faithful cosmetics industry offers several inventive dyes and cover-ups to create the optical illusion of hair. For instance, one option, Toppik, consists of organic keratin fibers that intertwine with your own hair, making your mane appear full and thick. Similar products exist and can be found easily online. Just remember these options are costly and sometimes obvious; the only person you may end up fooling is yourself.
pharmaceutical options
Only two FDA-approved balding “remedies” exist: Rogaine and Propecia. These medications go beyond cover-up attempts by trying to prevent loss and actually regrowing hair. Both drugs are serious alternatives and should be used in consultation with your doctor, even if one is available over-the-counter.
Rogaine
Since earning its FDA-approval in 1988, Rogaine (minoxidil) has become a household name. At its core, the product is a vasodilator -- a chemical that dilates the smooth muscles in blood vessels -- thus, when applied directly to the scalp, it revitalizes shrunken hair follicles and increases their size, eventually leading to thicker-looking hair and new hair growth. But proven results aside, Rogaine may not be the miracle cure you seek. The average user must apply it twice a day for four months before any results are visible (and results vary). That’s a big time and money investment for potentially miniscule results. On top of that, discontinuation usually leads back to square one within twelve months. And though side effects are generally mild, Rogaine can cause serious conditions like low blood pressure, vision loss, abnormal heart rhythms, and chest pain. Rogaine undoubtedly works for some, but it doesn’t work for all.
Propecia
Propecia (finasteride) earned its FDA pedigree almost ten years after Rogaine. An enzyme inhibitor, Propecia blocks DHT, a chemical that can shrink hair follicles until they’re almost nonexistent. What’s more, the drug has also caused hair to regrow in some cases. Average users saw results in about three months. (And similar to Rogaine, discontinuation leads back to where you started in less than a year.) One of Propecia’s best aspects is that it’s administered as a once-a-day pill. But the flip side is that it’s a prescription, so the price always varies and a prescription can be more difficult to obtain. And last but not least, some potential side effects make Propecia a double-edged sword: They range from decreased sex drive and sperm ejaculation to abdominal pain and impotence. Who needs hair if you can’t have sex?
surgical procedures
The most serious contenders looking for balding remedies opt for surgical procedures. Since the severity of each alternative varies, guys contemplating any of these options should carefully consider the expected outcome, cost and risk associated with each procedure.
Hair transplants
The most invasive surgical option in regards to balding remedied, hair transplants are more effective and less conspicuous than ever before. Today’s procedures are less painful, less expensive and exhibit less scarring but still require several visits to complete, which means an obvious transition period. Transplants operate by grafting tiny follicular units from hair-growing sections of the scalp to problem areas, so the tiny grafts will be visible until the transplant is finished. (Note: Sometimes “plugs” fall out, take three months to grow and are still visible afterward.) Several options exist (mini-grafts, micro-grafts and follicular-unit relocation), so conduct pre-consultation research before making a decision. Hair transplant surgeons and clinics are abound, so begin you’re research here. Should you go this route, a hair transplant could leave you with a much fuller head of hair; but once you’re in this hair club, it’s hard to get out.
Flap procedure
A more radical option, flap procedures are conducted in three phases and consist of surgically moving a flap of hair-growing scalp to a bald area. While the first two phases are minimally evasive, the third requires a section of skin be moved from point A to point B. But once completed, you have naturally growing hair where there was none before. These procedures can be highly effective when performed properly -- again, do your research on the front end -- but they do come with setbacks as well.
For one, there’s nothing subtle about the procedure: You’ll need bandages for a few weeks, and you’ll suddenly have hair once those come off. Also, scarring can occur at both the donor and relocation sites, so you may have new “hairlines” all throughout. Despite the time, cost and pain, flap procedures do provide a realistic solution to bald spots.
Scalp reduction
This one is just what it sounds like! In scalp reductions, bald areas of your scalp are surgically removed, and hair-baring tissue is stretched over these areas to offset the difference. Scalp reductions are usually performed in conjunction with flap procedures, but not always. Choosing this alternative means electing the most serious surgical option, and should only be pursued under the care of a highly reputable surgeon. If the procedure is not done properly, permanent “stretch-back” scars can appear at sites where the incisions were made -- sure, you’ll have less baldness on your head, but you’ll have jagged scarring to go with it.
it was there before
Thinning hair becomes an issue most of us have to face. Some will simply let nature run its course, and others will tackle it head-on. Regardless of which path we choose, we should know that several balding remedies do exist and the best option is always the one that makes us comfortable in our own skin.

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Health/Colon Cancer and Polyps: What You Need to Know

CREDIT | Askmen.com

It would surprise many to learn that colon cancer is the third leading cause of death by cancer in American men. Over the past 10 years, more than 600,000 people have succumbed to this highly preventable and treatable cancer, and over 1.5 million have been diagnosed.

Colon cancer, sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer, usually starts as slow-growing precancerous polyps, a term used to describe bumps on the surface of the colon. Virtually all colon cancers begin with these growths. When found early, colon cancer is approximately 90% treatable.

Colon cancer risk factors

The lifetime risk for developing colon cancer is 1-in-18 and over 90% of these cases occur after the age 50. Increasing age, a family history of colon polyps, colon cancer or other early cancers can double or triple your risk for developing this disease. If any of these risk factors run in your family, you need to start the discussion about screening at age 40 or even earlier depending on when your family members were diagnosed.

Persons with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or a personal history of cancer are also at increased risk for colon cancer and need to tailor regular, more frequent colonoscopies.

Studies also indicate that diet and smoking may increase the risk of developing colon polyps and colon cancer.

While family history and other risk factors matter, not having risk factors does not eliminate your need for screenings.

What polyps tell us

As we age, about 1-in-4 of us develop polyps in our colon and about 10% of these polyps eventually turn from a benign growth into colon cancer. For the most part, these polyps take about 10 years to transform into colon cancer.

Polyps and early colon cancers often have no symptoms and can be detected only by screening exams.

How can colon cancer best be prevented?

There are several effective ways to reduce your colon cancer risk, but none more important than getting timely screenings and removing polyps before they become malignant.

Refraining from smoking, maintaining healthy weight and regular exercise, managing normal body levels of nutrients, especially vitamin D also appear to lower risk factors. Diets high in fiber are good for you, but have not been definitively shown to reduce colon cancer risk.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Symptoms usually occur once tumors are advanced and causing obstruction or if the cancer has spread beyond the colon there may be rectal bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, recurrent fevers, unexplained nausea or vomiting, or fatigue.

However, colon cancer symptoms overlap greatly with other digestive conditions. Many times, especially in younger patients, symptoms are attributed to hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. Seven percent of colon cancers occur in people in their 40 and 3% under the age of 40. It’s important to take any of these symptoms seriously and request an evaluation.

If you experience any of these symptoms, until you are fully examined, no one -- not even a physician -- can definitively tell you the cause.

What are colon cancer screening options?

There are multiple screening options available that can often be confusing for the patient. For anyone at high risk for colon cancer, colonoscopy is the only recommended strategy.

Colonoscopy: Your physician will examine the inside of your colon and rectum using a long, lighted tube called a colonoscope, and removes any polyps found.

Virtual colonoscopy (CT scan colonoscopy): Images of the colon and rectum are taken using computerized tomography (CT). A computer puts the images together to create an animated, three-dimensional view. If abnormalities are detected, a colonoscopy is necessary.

Double contrast barium enema: The patient is given an enema with barium followed by air. The air pushes the barium against the walls of the colon in order to better visualize potential problems, such as polyps or tumors. If the test is abnormal, a colonoscopy is necessary.

Sigmoidoscopy: The doctor will examine the rectum and only the lower portion of the colon with a lighted tube. Where polyps are found, the doctor removes them.

Only a colonoscopy allows for both identification and removal of colon polyps throughout the entire colon and rectum. All other screening options require bowel prep, and if positive, will require a colonoscopy for confirmation and polyp removal.

For average-risk individuals, colonoscopy is recommended once every 10 years starting at age 50, and for African Americans, several societies recommend to start screening at age 45. Higher levels of risk require more frequent testing intervals and if polyps are found, follow-up surveillance with colonoscopy is recommended every five years.

Stool can be analyzed for evidence of bleeding or genetic abnormalities associated with colon cancer or large polyps. These tests are not designed to detect small- or medium-size polyps in their earliest stages. In order for these to effectively reduce colon cancer death rates, they must be repeated on an annual basis. When followed carefully, stool testing allows for intervention and detection of colon cancer at early stages leading to higher survival rates.

As you choose between the various types of testing, the best screening test is the one you will complete.

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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Image Credit : iStockphoto.com

By now, everyone is familiar with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a progressive disease of the brain that causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired. However, despite the awareness of Alzheimer’s, the disease is still a little misunderstood.

More than just memory loss

In the early stages, the disease manifests as nothing more than mild forgetfulness, a problem that most people shrug off as a natural (and at times almost humorous) consequence of growing old. Soon, however, a person’s ability to understand, think and even communicate is affected. Behaviors may change and so too may emotions and mood. Topping it off, physical coordination and mobility may suffer, affecting an individual’s ability to perform even the simplest of daily tasks. The result can place a ton of pressure on the affected person’s family or caregiver.

Family burden -- the unseen

As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are currently living with Alzheimer’s. With more than 95% of those with AD being 65 or older, round-the-clock care is almost a necessity nowadays. This type of care, however, translates into one of two things, and more often both: stress and money.

The average lifetime cost of caring for someone with AD is $174,000. Broken down by year, this can amount to anywhere from $18,000 to upwards of $36,000, depending on the severity of symptoms. While the health care system will absorb some of these costs, look to the family to foot about 75% of that bill. But there’s more than just cold hard cash to consider when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s --  there’s stress, there’s tension, there’s conflict, and more. These are the unseen consequences of mental disease.

What to expect

While the burden of Alzheimer’s remains largely unseen, having a grasp on what to expect can go a long way toward lessening the impact of this disease.

Although early symptoms are manageable, as the disease progresses activities that most of us can easily perform on a day-to-day basis may become challenging to an AD patient. Daily tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, going to the bathroom, and falling asleep may require assistance. Even simple visits of someone with Alzheimer’s can quickly become a nightmare. Just imagine how you would feel having a loved one be unable to recognize who you are. It’s not just forgetfulness --- hostility, confusion and even hallucinations or delusions can afflict the typical patient.

Moving beyond issues regarding simple care, difficult decisions will undoubtedly creep to the forefront. Case in point: driving. At some point, the decision will need to be made that someone with AD can no longer drive; such a decision will likely fall on the shoulders of the family. Times like these will require communication, planning and honesty to prevent a meltdown.   

For many caregivers, however, there comes a point when they are no longer able to take care of loved ones at home. Choosing the best residential or nursing home then becomes a priority -- a decision that no one enjoys.

Despite the somewhat gloomy outlook portrayed above, with each passing day, hope for a cure becomes stronger.

Future cure?

A while back, AM introduced you to the notion that there may soon be treatments that will actually reverse the disease progression of AD as opposed to merely delaying the onset of symptoms like current treatments do. In the next five to seven years we may even see a vaccine. Yep, that’s right, a vaccine for Alzheimer’s. Given the current advancements in brain research and the speed at which this field of research is progressing, AD may one day be a thing of the past.

Since AD is a commonly occurring disease, thankfully there are a ton of resources online. If a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, be sure to do some upfront research. Keep the family calm and willing to share responsibilities if in fact you choose to care for the affected person at home.

SOURCE :  ASKMEN.COM

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HEALTH/Potential new benefit of pure maple syrup on liver health

New research conducted at the University of Tokyo suggests that pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver. The pilot study, conducted by Dr. Keiko Abe of the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, showed that healthy laboratory rats fed a diet in which some of the carbohydrate was replaced with pure maple syrup from Canada yielded significantly better results in liver function tests than the control groups fed a diet with a syrup mix containing a similar sugar content as maple syrup. The results will be published in the November, 2011 issue of Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry.

Although most healthy individuals take liver function for granted, liver health is of great importance because of the hundreds of vital functions it performs that are essential to human life, which include storing energy (glycogen) and regulating blood glucose, the production of certain amino acids (building blocks of protein), filtering harmful substances from the blood. Liver disease not related to alcohol consumption is estimated to affect 25% of people in the United States, according to the American Liver Foundation. It shows up most often in middle aged people who are overweight, have abnormal blood lipids and diabetes or insulin resistance conditions when grouped together, are known as metabolic syndrome.

“It is important to understand the factors leading to impaired liver function – our lifestyle choices including poor diet, stress and lack of exercise, as well as exposure to environmental pollutants that produce tissue-damaging free radicals,” says Dr. Melissa Palmer, clinical professor and medical director of hepatology at New York University Plainview. “The preliminary results of this research are encouraging and emphasize the importance of choosing a healthy diet to help counteract the lifestyle and environmental factors that may impact liver function, even our choice of a sweetener. In addition to Dr. Abe’s recent findings, published research suggests that pure maple syrup may prove to be a better choice of sweetener because it was found to be rich in polyphenolic antioxidants and contains vitamins and minerals,” notes Palmer.

The animals were evaluated using the latest analytical methods including gene expression profiling called nutrigenomics. In the study, rats were fed diets consisting of 20% pure maple syrup, or 20% syrup mixture with similar sugar content as maple syrup. After 11 days, the rats on the maple syrup diet showed significantly decreased levels of liver enzymes AST, ALT and LDH in the blood, standard biomarkers for evaluating liver function. The gene expression profiling observations also suggest a mechanism whereby the maple syrup diet caused genes involved in the production of harmful ammonia in the liver to down-regulate, that is, to be less active.

“This research contributes to our growing understanding of the incredible health potential of maple syrup,” remarked Serge Beaulieu, President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. “We learned previously that maple syrup contains antioxidant compounds that may actually help regulate glucose metabolism and increase insulin release, possibly aiding in the management of type 2 diabetes. And now Dr. Abe is exploring the relationship between maple syrup consumption and liver health. Her current findings give us even more reason to enjoy our maple syrup.”

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Understanding Diseases/Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is thought to be caused by itchiness of the 9th cranial nerve. Symptoms commonly begin in people above forty years of age. In most cases, the actual reason for the discomfort isn't discovered. Certain factors could be tumors or contamination within the throat and mouth area, compression of the glossopharyngeal nerve by nearby arteries, and various lesions in the base of the skull.

causes

• Blood vessels pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve
• Abnormal growths at the base of the skull pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve.
• Tumors or infections of the throat and mouth pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Symptoms

Symptoms incorporate extreme pain in regions associated to the ninth cranial nerve:

Backside of the nose and throat (nasopharynx) , Back of the tongue , Ear,  Throat,  Tonsil area, Voice box (larynx)

Often the pain appears in episodes and may be intense. It is generally on one particular part, and seems jabbing. The episodes can take place a lot of occasions every day, and wake up the particular person from sleep.

This can occasionally be initiated by:

Eating ,  Coughing , Having a laugh , Talking , Swallowing

Examinations and Tests

Tests will certainly be carried out to identify problems, such as tumors, at the base of the skull. Tests could include:

• Blood checks (sugar level) to look for the reasons of neural injury
• CT scan of the brain
• MRI of the head
• X-rays of the brain or neck
• At times the MRI may show inflammation (swelling) of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

To find out whether a blood vessel is pushing on the nerve, photographs of the brain arteries may be taken using:

• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
• X-rays of the arteries with a dye (conventional angiography)

The goal of remedy is to handle pain. Over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are not pretty effective for minimizing glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Cure

The most efficient drugs are antiseizure medications, like as carbamazepine, gabapentin, and phenytoin. Some anti-depressants, such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline, may help out certain people.

In critical scenarios, when pain is difficult to handle, surgical treatment to take pressure off the glossopharyngeal nerve may be necessary. Or, the nerve can be cut (rhizotomy). Both surgeries are normally considered successful. If a cause of the neuralgia is found, therapy should handle the underlying problem.

People with Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Disease should not loose their heart rather they should join Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia support group where he/she can learn many things from different discussions.

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Fish Oil Supplements in Pregnancy Boost Infants' Immunity

A new study adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements in the diet of pregnant women can bolster their infants' immune systems.

In this case, babies overcame their colds faster if during pregnancy their mothers had taken 400 milligrams of a supplements containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

"DHA is important to the unborn and newborn child, and pregnant women should make sure that they get enough of it, preferably from fish, but otherwise from supplements," said Philip Calder, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at the University of Southampton in England, who was not involved with the research.

The study is published online in the journal Pediatrics.

Fish facts

The study was part of a larger randomized controlled trial conducted in Mexico by researchers from Emory University and local investigators. These latest findings are based on results from more than 800 women, half of whom took DHA supplements daily during pregnancy.

Infants in the study were examined at 1, 3 and 6 months old, and their mothers were asked whether, in the past two weeks, the infants had symptoms such as congestion, phlegm, vomiting and rashes and how long those lasted. The mothers had been provided with diaries to track illnesses.

While both groups had similar numbers of illnesses, infants whose mothers had taken DHA saw many illness symptoms reduced — for example, they spent 14 percent less time being ill by age 3 months — although other symptoms appeared to last longer.

DHA is one of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oils. While DHA has been shown to potentially benefit cognitive development, immune development and heart disease, it is not a major part of the American diet. Pregnant mothers may also be concerned about eating fish because of the mercury content.

"In general, DHA intakes are low in the United States among pregnant women and among adults in general because we are not seafood eaters," said Susan Carlson, a professor of nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center. "It is a nutrient that is found in relatively few foods in good concentrations, and they tend not to be foods that Americans consume routinely."

But a growing body of research is showing that DHA may provide a number of benefits for the infants.

"DHA is vital for early infant brain and eye development," Calder said. "It is a key building block, and has important functional roles that cannot be fulfilled by other fatty acids."

Calder added that DHA is probably also important for heart, vascular and immune system development.

Long-term findings

Study researcher Usha Ramakrishnan, an associate professor of global health at Emory, said the researchers are continuing to investigate the long-term benefits of DHA.

"[We are] interested in the long-term implications, if these children grow better and are smarter," Ramakrishnan said, noting the children are turning 4 now, and researchers will study their school performance at age 5, among other outcomes.

The ongoing investigation in Mexico will also allow researchers to examine some of the less encouraging findings of the study, and see if they should be larger areas of concern. While the duration of cold symptoms were shorter in children taking DHA, those children had rashes and bouts of vomiting last longer.

"We don't know what to make of it, and when you're looking at a whole bunch of things, some are significant and some aren't," Ramakrishnan said.

Carlson agreed that small numbers of illnesses may have driven that finding, noting that colds were a far bigger concern than vomiting, as more than 200 colds occurred, but only 30 episodes of vomiting.

As with many nutrients, the benefits of DHA may vary with the dose taken. For example, while vitamin C may provide benefits in warding off colds, taking megadoses of the vitamin don't appear to offer a larger benefit and may be harmful in some cases.

Similarly, Carlson said, the large benefits of DHA in many current studies may be the result of people having deficiencies. Additional DHA may not benefit people who already get it from their diet.

While researchers are still examining the benefits of DHA and the proper dose to take, Ramakrishnan stopped short of a broad recommendation.

"If women want to take it, it's unlikely to cause harm in the overall picture of the babies we looked at," Ramakrishnan said. "The magnitude of the benefit seems to be variable and depends on the outcome you looked at. It may not be a benefit for everybody."

SOURCE: FOX NEWS

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Kids Who Live With Smokers Have More Ear Infections

September 09, 2011| Reuters

Kids whose parents smoke are more likely to get ear infections and have hearing problems, according to a new review paper.

When moms lit up, kids were also almost twice as likely to need surgery for recurrent ear infections or similar problems, researchers reported.

The findings come from a combination of 61 past studies. While they can't prove that smoke exposure causes ear infections, researchers suggested that if that's the case, hundreds of thousands of ear infections may be due to parents' smoking each year.

"It's pretty impressive, especially since ear infections cause enormous pain," said Dr. Michael Weitzman, who studies the effects of parental smoking at New York University Medical Center and was not involved in the study.

The new paper "once again highlights a common child health problem that is profoundly influenced by mothers' smoking," he told Reuters Health, "and it focuses our attention more than previous studies have on it resulting in surgical procedures for children."

Taken together, the studies showed that kids living with a smoker had a 37 percent higher risk of any "middle ear disease," including ear infections and hearing problems—and a 62 percent higher risk if the household smoker was their mom.

When mothers smoked, kids were also 86 percent more likely to get surgery for a middle ear condition, including recurrent ear infections, than if no smokers were in the house.

About three out of four kids have had an ear infection by the time they are three years old.

Dr. Joseph DiFranza, a tobacco researcher from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, said that increased risk of surgery—which now usually involves putting a tube in the ear to drain out fluid, is especially worrisome.

"Ear infections themselves are very common, but the surgery is not," he told Reuters Health.

Experts speculate that exposure to secondhand smoke may cause tubes in the ear to get inflamed and block up. Water could then leak into an empty pocket behind the ear drum, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause infection.

"There are going to be kids who live in families with smokers who don't get ear infections," said Kathleen Daly, who studies ear infections at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. But living with a smoker "definitely puts the child at higher risk," she told Reuters Health.

The review's authors, led by Laura Jones of the University of Nottingham in England, calculated that if secondhand smoke does indeed cause ear infections, about 130,000 of close to 2 million middle ear diseases in UK kids in 2008 would be due to parents lighting up.

Additionally, 293,000 cases of frequent ear infections in the U.S., out of about 4.5 million annually, would be attributed to secondhand smoke from the home, they reported in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

Parents' smoking has also been linked to asthma and allergy problems in kids, and moms who smoke while pregnant also put their baby at risk for sudden infant death.

Weitzman pointed out that the review didn't take into account other consequences of ear infections in kids, such as parents' missed work days, and extra antibiotic prescriptions breeding resistant bacteria.

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Sunscreen In A Pill

Image: King's College London

Let's face it, putting on sunscreen is sloppy business. There's the slathery hands and the highly likely chance that you're going to miss a spot. Wouldn't it be great if we could pop a sunscreen pill and not have to worry about that?

Sounds hard to swallow, but some researchers from King's College London beg to differ. They recently discovered a compound naturally produced by corral that could be bio-synthesized into pill-form sunscreen.

The researchers travelled to Australia's Great Barrier Reef where the team collected coral samples for analysis. Accompanying the group were professors from from the Australian Institute for Marine Science and the University of Maine.

"What we have found is that the algae living within the coral makes a compound that we think is transported to the coral, which then modifies it into a sunscreen for the benefit of both the coral and the algae," said Dr Paul Long in a university news release. Long is a senior lecturer from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science at King's College.

"We already knew that coral and some algae can protect themselves from the harsh UV rays in tropical climates by producing their own sunscreens but, until now, we didn't know how," said Long.

But the algae and coral aren't the only ones that benefit from this compound.

"Not only does this [compound] protect them both from UV damage, but we have seen that fish that feed on the coral also benefit from this sunscreen protection, so it is clearly passed up the food chain," said Long.

He added, "This led us to believe that if we can determine how this compound is created and passed on, we could biosynthetically develop it in the laboratory to create a sunscreen for human use, perhaps in the form of a tablet, which would work in a similar way."

Long says that his team is very close to reproducing the compound and it could be available within the next two years.

The researchers also envision the compound being used to genetically modify plants to repel harsh sunlight in the drought prone regions of developing countries.

"This could be a way of providing a sustainable nutrient-rich food source, particularly in need for Third World economies," said Dr. Long
Story: Discovery News

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SC/New Treatments for Baldness?

New Treatments for Baldness? Scientists Find Stem Cells That Tell Hair It's Time to Grow

SOURCE: ScienceDaily

 Yale researchers have discovered the source of signals that trigger hair growth, an insight that may lead to new treatments for baldness.

The researchers identified stem cells within the skin's fatty layer and showed that molecular signals from these cells were necessary to spur hair growth in mice, according to research published in the Sept. 2 issue of the journal Cell.

"If we can get these fat cells in the skin to talk to the dormant stem cells at the base of hair follicles, we might be able to get hair to grow again," said Valerie Horsley, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology and senior author of the paper.

Men with male pattern baldness still have stem cells in follicle roots but these stem cells lose the ability to jump-start hair regeneration. Scientists have known that these follicle stem cells need signals from within the skin to grow hair, but the source of those signals has been unclear.

Horsley's team observed that when hair dies, the layer of fat in the scalp that comprises most of the skin's thickness shrinks. When hair growth begins, the fat layer expands in a process called adipogenesis. Researchers found that a type of stem cell involved in creation of new fat cells -- adipose precursor cells -- was required for hair regeneration in mice. They also found these cells produce molecules called PDGF (platelet derived growth factors), which are necessary to produce hair growth.

Horsley's lab is trying to identify other signals produced by adipose precursor stem cells that may play a role in regulating hair growth. She also wants to know whether these same signals are required for human hair growth. Other authors from Yale are lead author Eric Festa, Jackie Fretz, Ryan Berry, Barbara Schmidt, Matthew Rodeheffer and Mark Horowitz.

The work was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Program.

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Sc/How Nuclear Radiation Affects Future Generations

Women may be more likely to give birth to boys than girls following a nuclear radiation event.

THE GIST

• Exposure to nuclear radiation may cause a disproportionate loss of female pregnancies and a rise in the relative number of boys born.
• Evidence comes from Chernobyl, atomic bomb tests and European nuclear facilities.
• Skewed sex ratios may indicate other underlying health concerns.

After exposure to nuclear radiation events, women may be more likely to give birth to boys than to girls, suggests a new study.

The study documented a localized spike in the ratio of boy-to-girl births after the Chernobyl disaster and similar trends from the delayed fallout of atomic bomb tests in the 1960s and 1970s. The researchers also found a smaller but still disproportionate number of boy births close to nuclear facilities in Germany and Switzerland.

It's not yet clear whether radiation interferes with the father's sperm, the mother's body before she gets pregnant, the development of the embryo or fetus, or something else. But because skewed sex ratios can be a sign of other underlying health problems, the study offers a new category of concern about events like the recent nuclear disaster in Japan.

"The dogma was that this effect was not possible or that there was no effect of this kind," said Hagen Scherb, a biostatistician at the Helmholtz Zentrum München in Munich, Germany. "Now, we can most clearly demonstrate that there is an effect. And this changes our thinking about radiation risks."

Some of the first evidence linking radiation with altered sex ratios among babies emerged after atomic bombs hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, though the data was not strong enough to be convincing.

Subsequent bomb tests and animal studies connected radiation exposure and a rise in stillbirths and birth defects. For years, though, detailed records of birth data have been sitting there, just waiting to be analyzed.

Using official and publicly available records, Scherb and colleague Kristina Voigt found that the ratio of male-to-female births in eastern and central Europe had been declining slightly for decades leading up to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

But in 1987, they reported in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, there was a sudden spike in male births compared to female births in those countries.

The trend continued upward for years, before leveling off around 2000. In the United States and elsewhere, sex ratios have continued downward for a variety of reasons, with no evidence of a spike in the mid-1980s.

Overall, the shift was tiny -- on the order of less than half a percent -- with somewhere between 1.045 and 1.06 boys born for every girl, depending on when and where you look.

Spread out over the entire population, though, that adds up to an estimated 440,000 missing girls as a result of the Chernobyl explosion, Scherb said. The researchers suspect that the trends points to a disproportionate loss of female pregnancies as a result of radiation exposure.

In both Europe and the United States, the study also found rises and falls in sex ratios that mirrored the frequency of atomic bomb testing. Those echoes showed a several-year lag that, the researchers proposed, corresponded with the delay in radioactive fallout from the atmosphere.

As a final piece of evidence, the researchers documented an uptick in the relative numbers of male births near nuclear facilities in Germany and Switzerland during periods when those facilities were operating.

The study offers "proof that the low-dose radiation that no one wants to have an effect has an effect," Scherb said. "And this effect is rather large in absolute numbers."

Ionizing radiation -- the kind that comes out of bombs and nuclear power plants -- has been shown to alter sex ratios in fruit flies and mice, said Karl Sperling, of the Institute for Human Genetics at the University of Berlin. He suspects that radiation exposures might affect DNA in the first few cell divisions around the time of conception, which is known to be a highly vulnerable period.

If radiation can influence sex ratios in this way, he added, there might be reason to be concerned about other environmental exposures, too.

"There is an urgent need for analytical epidemiological studies with respect to other environmental hazards," he said. "The international guidelines for radiological safety should be revised accordingly."

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