Fitting into smaller jeans better than sex say some women and other news

Women say skinny jeans more satisfying than sex in online poll
For 2200 British women polled, fitting into skinny jeans was revealed as more satisfying than sex. The women admitted they kept old jeans that were too small as part of a fantasy to slim down and fit back into their skinny jeans. In some cases, the women confessed their jeans lasted longer than their relationships. Read more


Popular TENS device no benefit for chronic low back pain
New guidelines have been issued by the issued by the American Academy of Neurology stating that use of TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) devices have no benefit for treating chronic low back pain. The therapy consists of applying a device to the low back that delivers electrical impulses to control pain. The units are widely used for pain control, and may work for other condition. TENS units are not shown to reduce low back pain that has persisted for more than three months.
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Common pain medicine used with aspirin increases heart attack risk
Individuals who take aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke, combined with common anti-inflammatory medications like Celebrex, may be at increased risk for the occurrence of a cardiovascular event. The new findings provide a warning to patients taking aspirin who also take anti-inflammatory medicines, known as COX2 inhibitors, coxibs, or NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medications, that are commonly used for pain. Read more ◦

Fitting into smaller jeans better than sex say some women and other news

Calorie restriction extends life of human cells, kills cancer in first study

Calorie restriction

In a first study of its kind, researchers from University of Alabama have tested the benefits of calorie restriction on human lung cells. Past studies have been performed in animals, showing that restricting calories can increase lifespan.

The new study also revealed that human lung cells deprived of glucose, that were precancerous, died in large numbers, compared to cells provided with normal levels of glucose, furthering the notion that calorie restriction can help prevent and halt the spread of cancer.

For this study researchers grew precancerous cells in lab flasks. They then allowed the cells to grow for several weeks, noting that the cells deprived of glucose lived longer than normal.

Trygve Tollefsbol, Ph.D., D.O., and professor in the Department of Biology says the studies... "Further verify the potential health benefits of controlling calorie intake. Our research indicates that calorie reduction extends the lifespan of healthy human cells and aids the body's natural ability to kill off cancer-forming cells."

The researchers found two genes - telomerase that encodes an important enzyme that permits cells to divide indefinitely, and p16 that encodes a recognized protein that prevents cancer.

"Opposite effects were found for these genes in healthy cells versus precancerous cells. The healthy cells saw their telomerase rise and p16 decrease, which would explain the boost in healthy cell growth," Tollefsbol said. "The gene reactions flipped in the precancerous cells with telomerase decreasing and the anti-cancer protein p16 increasing, which would explain why these cancer-forming cells died off in large numbers." The findings have important implications about the role of calorie restriction, healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases such as cancer.

The research team hopes the current findings that calorie restriction extended lifespan at a cellular level, found in a study of human lung cells, will lead to more discoveries in different human cell types. Scientists could then develop novel approaches to extend human lifespan, and prevent age related cancer and other diseaes.

doi: 10.1096/fj.09-149328 ◦

Calorie restriction extends life of human cells, kills cancer in first study

CT scans and cancer risk analyzed

Researchers have issued a new warning about CT scans and cancer. The risk of future cancer from CT scans has been analyzed, showing the potential for "tens of thousands" of cases of cancer that could occur in the future.

The analysis revealed variables in the dose of radiation delivered during CT scans in four institutions studied. Radiation doses from CT scans varies depending on what part of the body is being scanned. CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis pose the greatest cancer risk among the 35 to 54 year old age group.

Though the risk of cancer from CT scans is small, the authors say, because of the large number of persons exposed annually, even small risks could translate into a considerable number of future cancers."

Looking at CT scan radiation in four different institutions revealed variables that averaged 13 fold between the highest and lowest dose.

University of California researchers estimated the risk of cancer from CT scans in 1,119 patients in 2008. One in 600 men who undergo CT scan of the heart (coronary angiography) at age 40 will develop cancer, as would one in 270 women. A CT scan of the head could cause cancer in one out of 8,100 women and 11,080 men.

Radiation doses during CT scans have increased over the last two decades in efforts to obtain detailed diagnoses. The authors say clinicians need to inform patients of the risk of cancer from CT scans, and carefully weigh the risks and benefits of the tests. Unnecessary CT scans should be avoided. In order to reduce the risk of cancer from CT scans, the authors also suggest standardized radiation dosing.

CT scans performed in 2007 could result in 29,000 cases of cancer in the future, according to an estimate from Amy Berrington de González and colleagues of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md. Fifteen percent of cancer from common CT scans would occur in children and teens. CT scans deliver 100 times the radiation dose of a standard chest x-ray. The study analyzes variable associated with CT scans and cancer risk.

Arch Intern Med. 2009;169[22]:2049-2050 ◦

CT scans and cancer risk analyzed

Most hospitalized patients unaware of prescribed medications

Results of a new study show that patients who are hospitalized know little about the medications they are receiving. The study, designed to assess patient awareness of medications, also highlights how important it is for patients to understand what medications they are receiving in the hospital in order to prevent medication errors.

Medication errors are an important part of patient safety. One review found that medication errors occur in the hospital in almost one out of five medication doses. Hospitalized patients who know more about their medications can help prevent errors.

According to lead researcher Ethan Cumbler, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver, "Overall, patients in the study were able to name fewer than half of their hospital medications. Our findings are particularly striking in that we found significant deficits in patient understanding of their hospital medications even among patients who believed they knew, or desired to know, what is being prescribed to them in the hospital."

The study included 50 participants, between eight age 21 and 89. All of the study participants claimed they knew which medicines had been prescribed. Patients under age 60 were not able to name 60 percent of their medications that could be taken as needed. Study participants over age 65 were unable to name 88 percent of their medications. Between age groups, there was no difference in awareness of regularly prescribed medications.

The biggest medication knowledge gap regarding medications among hospitalized patients was found in medications that could be taken as needed, and included pain medications and gastrointestinal medicines. The most commonly omitted drug was antibiotics, found in 17 percent of cases.

Dr. Cumbler says, "Our study suggests that adult medicine inpatients believe learning about their hospital medications would increase their satisfaction and has potential to promote medication safety. I believe the findings of this research raise very interesting questions about the role and responsibilities of patients in the hospital with respect to their medication safety."

Forty four percent of hospitalized patients in the study thought they were receiving medications that they were not. Ninety-six percent of hospitalized patients were unable to name at least one medication prescribed during hospitalization. The study shows that medication errors in the hospital could be prevented, and patient satisfaction with hospitalization could improve if patients were more aware of prescribed medications.

Journal of Hospital Medicine ◦

Most hospitalized patients unaware of prescribed medications

Vitamin D increases survival rates among lymphoma patients

Results of a new study show that vitamin D levels are important for survival among patients being treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The authors say the findings are the "strongest to date" showing that vitamin D levels are directly related to cancer outcomes, and is the first to study disease progression and survival of lymphoma patients with low vitamin D levels.

Matthew Drake, M.D., Ph.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester writes, "While these findings are very provocative, they are preliminary and need to be validated in other studies. However, they raise the issue of whether vitamin D supplementation might aid in treatment for this malignancy, and thus should stimulate much more research." The study showed that lymphoma patients deficient in vitamin D were twice as likely to die, and had 1.5 times increased risk of lymphoma progression.

The conclusions were based on a study of 374 patients newly diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - half were found to be vitamin D deficient. Mortality and disease progression outcomes found among lymphoma patients with vitamin D deficiency are not entirely clear.

Dr. Drake says "The exact roles that vitamin D might play in the initiation or progression of cancer is unknown, but we do know that the vitamin plays a role in regulation of cell growth and death, among other processes important in limiting cancer."

Vitamin D has been increasingly found to be important for overall health. Lack of sunshine, dark skin, poor intake of foods fortified with vitamin D all contribute to growing concerns about public health from vitamin D deficiency.

It is fairly easy to maintain vitamin D levels through inexpensive daily supplements or 15 minutes in the sun three times a week in the summer, so that levels can be stored inside body fat," explains Dr. Drake. Many physicians recommend 800-1,200 International Units (IU) daily."

Cancer research has focused on vitamin D and its role in cancer prevention and outcomes. Vitamin D is a hormone that regulates the way genes behave. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with gene regulation in prostate, colon and breast cancers.

The study is the first to look at the link between low levels of vitamin D and survival among lymphoma patients. The researchers looked at epidemiological data showing that patients with lymphoma in Northern latitudes where sunlight exposure, necessary for vitamin D synthesis is minimal, had higher death rates. Vitamin D deficiency has recently been recognized as widespread. The new study shows that vitamin D levels may be important for survival among patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Mayo Clinic


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Vitamin D increases survival rates among lymphoma patients

Umaga death from heart attack puts focus on athletes health risk

Umaga death highlights health risks for athletes

The death of WWE wrestler Umaga highlights a growing body of evidence that large athletes are at risk for heart disease. The wrestler, whose real name is Edward Fatu, died at the young age of 36 from a second heart attack on December 5, 2009. Umaga was suspended in 2007 because of steroid use, adding to the potential health risks he may have been facing.

The death of WWE wrestler Edward “Umaga” Fatu is untimely. The wrestler was found dead in his apartment and rushed to the hospital where he was placed on life support. Several hours later Umaga died, following what is said to be a “difficult” decision to remove breathing apparatus by his wife.

“We would like to express its deepest condolences to Mr. Fatu’s family, friends, and fans on his tragic passing. Mr. Fatu was contract with WWE at various time periods, and most recently performed under the name “Umaga. Mr. Fatu’s contract was terminated on June 11, 2009.” The death of Umaga was untimely – he was only 36 years old.

Edward “Umaga” Fatu weighed 350 pounds. A recent study revealed that large athletes are at high risk for heart disease, despite vigorous workouts and high activity levels. Umaga’s untimely death highlights the health risks to large athletes. Umaga was active in the ring, and wrestled in 2009.

This year has seen a number of celebrity deaths. Edward Fatu, aka, Umaga was also known as the “Samoan Bulldozer”, and was a favorite for many WWE fans. The death of Edward Fatu,“Umaga” places a focus on the price paid by professional athletes.

The WWE suspended 10 athletes August 30, 2007 for steroid use. Umaga was one of the athletes suspended. Steroids can have long-term ill health effects, even after they are discontinued. The WWE also lost Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams. Edward Fatu died December 4 from a heart attack.

Source: http://www.61-755.com ◦

Umaga death from heart attack puts focus on athletes health risk