(HealthDay News) -- A synthetic form of a chemical component found in marijuana may help relax the colon and reduce stomach cramping after eating, says a Mayo Clinic study.
Researchers compared the effects of dronabinol and a placebo on colonic motility and sensation in 52 health adults. Dronabinol is a synthetic version of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana.
The study found that dronabinol relaxes the colon and reduces post-eating contractions and cramping. The effect was most apparent in women.
"The potential for cannabinoids to modulate colonic motor function in disease deserves a further look," study leader Dr. Tuba Esfandyari said in a prepared statement.
Currently in the United States, dronabinol is used to prevent nausea and vomiting for cancer patients after chemotherapy. But it's used only when other kinds of medicine for nausea and vomiting don't work. It's is also used to increase appetite in AIDS patients.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about dronabinol.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Patient's Own Blood Cells Treat Tennis Elbow
(HealthDay News) -- Using patients' own platelets, doctors report they were able to successfully treat tennis elbow.
This procedure involves taking a patient's platelets and injecting them directly into the damaged tendon. Once in the tendon, the natural healing power of the platelets takes over and begins to repair the torn and frayed areas of the tendon.
The use of platelet-rich plasma was pioneered in dentistry to help grow bone and gum for dental implants. Now, the technique is being used to repair tendons and ligaments in various parts of the body and to help heal wounds and grow bone. Platelet-rich plasma contains powerful growth factors that start healing in the tendon and may attract other body cells to help in repair.
In the new study, Dr. Allan Mishra and Terri Pavelko, of the Menlo Medical Clinic at Stanford University Medical Center, reported the first results of using the technique to treat severe tennis elbow in the November issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
"This is the first use of your own growth factors for the treatment of chronic tendonitis," Mishra said. "Platelets are components of the blood that help form clots, but they also have powerful growth factors that help initiate healing."
The hope is that this technique will help patients with severe chronic tendonitis avoid surgery, Mishra said.
In the study, Mishra and Pavelko treated 20 patients who had severe tennis elbow that had not improved with time or physical therapy. Fifteen patients were given an injection of platelet-rich plasma into the affected elbow. The other five patients were not treated.
A day after the procedure, the patients started a two-week stretching program and, after a month, they were allowed to return to normal sporting and recreational activities.
Mishra and Pavelko found that, after six months, the patients treated with platelet-rich plasma had an 81 percent improvement in pain scores. After two years, 93 percent of these patients said they were completely satisfied with the treatment, and 7 percent were partially satisfied. Among the patients who received platelet-rich plasma, most had returned to the normal activities of daily living, and more than 90 percent had returned to work or sporting activities.
"Your body has a tremendous ability to heal itself," Mishra said. Based on these results, Mishra is conducting a larger trial involving 240 patients.
"We have a long way to go," he said. "But this has the potential to be a safe and effective way to treat chronic and severe tendonitis."
One expert thinks this treatment will become the standard way of treating severe tendonitis.
"I think it works," said Dr. Michael A. Scarpone, medical director of Riverside Sports Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in Ohio and a team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It's probably the way we are going to treat people in the future."
Scarpone said one of the advantages of the technique is that it is safe and minimally invasive. In fact, he is using it to treat torn rotator cuffs and has used it on well over 100 patients.
For most people, this method will probably be used when other treatments fail, Scarpone noted. "But in the sports world, it is being used in the acute phase," he said. In addition, the technique has also been used in combination with other therapies such as surgery, he noted.
"There are answers now, especially for tendon and ligament problems," Scarpone said. "You will see it used more for tendons and ligaments that won't heal."
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine can tell you more about tennis elbow.
This procedure involves taking a patient's platelets and injecting them directly into the damaged tendon. Once in the tendon, the natural healing power of the platelets takes over and begins to repair the torn and frayed areas of the tendon.
The use of platelet-rich plasma was pioneered in dentistry to help grow bone and gum for dental implants. Now, the technique is being used to repair tendons and ligaments in various parts of the body and to help heal wounds and grow bone. Platelet-rich plasma contains powerful growth factors that start healing in the tendon and may attract other body cells to help in repair.
In the new study, Dr. Allan Mishra and Terri Pavelko, of the Menlo Medical Clinic at Stanford University Medical Center, reported the first results of using the technique to treat severe tennis elbow in the November issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
"This is the first use of your own growth factors for the treatment of chronic tendonitis," Mishra said. "Platelets are components of the blood that help form clots, but they also have powerful growth factors that help initiate healing."
The hope is that this technique will help patients with severe chronic tendonitis avoid surgery, Mishra said.
In the study, Mishra and Pavelko treated 20 patients who had severe tennis elbow that had not improved with time or physical therapy. Fifteen patients were given an injection of platelet-rich plasma into the affected elbow. The other five patients were not treated.
A day after the procedure, the patients started a two-week stretching program and, after a month, they were allowed to return to normal sporting and recreational activities.
Mishra and Pavelko found that, after six months, the patients treated with platelet-rich plasma had an 81 percent improvement in pain scores. After two years, 93 percent of these patients said they were completely satisfied with the treatment, and 7 percent were partially satisfied. Among the patients who received platelet-rich plasma, most had returned to the normal activities of daily living, and more than 90 percent had returned to work or sporting activities.
"Your body has a tremendous ability to heal itself," Mishra said. Based on these results, Mishra is conducting a larger trial involving 240 patients.
"We have a long way to go," he said. "But this has the potential to be a safe and effective way to treat chronic and severe tendonitis."
One expert thinks this treatment will become the standard way of treating severe tendonitis.
"I think it works," said Dr. Michael A. Scarpone, medical director of Riverside Sports Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in Ohio and a team physician for the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It's probably the way we are going to treat people in the future."
Scarpone said one of the advantages of the technique is that it is safe and minimally invasive. In fact, he is using it to treat torn rotator cuffs and has used it on well over 100 patients.
For most people, this method will probably be used when other treatments fail, Scarpone noted. "But in the sports world, it is being used in the acute phase," he said. In addition, the technique has also been used in combination with other therapies such as surgery, he noted.
"There are answers now, especially for tendon and ligament problems," Scarpone said. "You will see it used more for tendons and ligaments that won't heal."
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine can tell you more about tennis elbow.
Improper Home Nebulizer Use Boosts Asthma Risk
(HealthDay News) -- Devices called home nebulizers have been a boon to asthma care. But a new study shows that, if used improperly, they can also lead to serious asthma complications, even death.These machines turn medications into fine, inhaled droplets. But researchers at Michigan State University concluded that when home nebulizers aren't used according to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines, they may actually contribute to some people's deaths.
"Widespread prescription and use of home nebulizers in asthma may have the unintended consequence of contributing to over-reliance on bronchodilators and inadequate use of inhaled steroids," the authors concluded.
The result could be "a subsequent delay in seeking medical care during an acute exacerbation and poor management of chronic asthma," the Michigan team wrote.
"At-home nebulizers are not a panacea," agreed Dr. Jonathan Field, director of the Allergy and Asthma Clinic at New York University Medical Center/Bellevue in New York City. Field, who was not involved in the current research, said that people using nebulizers and even inhalers sometimes tend to only use their "rescue" medications -- also called bronchodilators -- when they're having asthma symptoms.
"But, when you're using a bronchodilator, the cat's already out of the bag," said Field. "People need to understand that asthma can flare at any time; there's always the potential for bad asthma. That's why preventive medications are there to help you."
As many as 20 million Americans, including about 9 million children, have asthma, according to the Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA). Nearly 2 million Americans visit the emergency room each year due to their asthma. And, despite advances in treatment, more than 4,000 people die annually as a result of asthma complications, reports AANMA.
Home nebulizers are small machines that transform liquid medication into a mist form that can be inhaled deep in to the airways. Both rescue and preventive medications are available in forms that can be nebulized.
For the current study, the Michigan researchers looked at all asthma deaths that occurred between 2002 and 2004 in people between the ages of two and 34 years old.
During that time period, 86 people in the specified age group died as a result of their asthma, 38 of them children. Fifty-two people who died had a home nebulizer. The researchers found that 30 of those people used their machine regularly -- between once a week to six times a day. Two out of three people who used their nebulizers regularly were prescribed either inhaled or oral steroids, but one out of three was using them as directed.
Nearly half of those who died also had a peak flow meter -- a device that measures current lung function. People with asthma are supposed to regularly monitor their airway strength using this device. If the numbers drop below a certain number (a number your doctor will let you know based on your average peak-flow readings), then it's either time to contact your doctor or add additional medication.
All of this information is included in an asthma action plan -- a written record of the steps an individual asthmatic needs to take when their asthma worsens. People with asthma need to work with their health care providers to set up their asthma action plan before their asthma flares so they know exactly what to do, experts say.
Although 38 of the people who died had peak flow meters, only 8 used it daily, the researchers found. Just nine out of the 52 people with nebulizers had written asthma action plans.
Results of the study were to be presented Tuesday at the American College of Chest Physicians annual meeting, in Salt Lake City.
Field said that people with home nebulizers may feel they can handle their asthma flare on their own. "When someone goes to the ER, they get nebulized, so people may think, 'If I have one at home, why should I go in?'" But, he said, if an asthma exacerbation is serious enough, people may need mechanical ventilation or other treatments.
Carol Odnoha, director of pediatrics, maternity and newborns for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, said that over-reliance on rescue medications is a big problem. "Most patients with asthma should be on controller medications. They prevent attacks and also prevent the lung condition from getting worse," she said.
Another factor that could improve asthma treatment is increased use of asthma action plans.
"Many asthma patients don't have asthma action plans. Sometimes, it may be that the patient just isn't following it, but other times, the provider may not be using it," she said.
"Regularly monitoring asthma status is key, so you know when it's getting worse that it's time to take action," she added.
Anxiety Disorders Tied to Physical Illness
(HealthDay News) -- Anxiety disorders are linked to a number of physical problems, including arthritis, migraine headaches, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal issues, allergies, and thyroid disease, a new study finds.Experts have long recognized an association between depression and physical illness, while evidence of a link between anxiety and physical health is more recent, according to background information in the article.
In this study, Canadian researchers analyzed data on nearly 4,200 people who took part in the German Health Survey between 1997 and 1999. The participants had a physical examination and filled out a questionnaire that asked them about 44 specific health conditions. They also filled out a quality of life survey that measured factors such as physical functioning, pain, and general health.
The participants also underwent psychiatric interviews designed to detect anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, social phobia, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and agoraphobia (fear of being in a situation where anxiety or panic may occur and it may be difficult to escape from the situation).
Of the study participants, 8.4 percent had had an anxiety disorder within the previous month and 60.8 percent had had a physical problem. The researchers found that having an anxiety disorder was associated with having any type of physical condition.
Most people with both an anxiety disorder and a physical problem developed the anxiety disorder first and they tended to have a poorer quality of life than people with either an anxiety disorder or physical condition alone.
"The mechanisms of association between anxiety disorders and physical conditions remain unknown, although several possibilities should be considered," the study authors wrote in the Oct. 23 issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
For example, having a physical illness may cause worry and anxiety that eventually becomes serious enough to qualify as an anxiety disorder; having an anxiety disorder may trigger biological changes that contribute to physical illness; or a third condition, such as a substance abuse disorder, could be linked with both anxiety disorder and physical illness.
"Although there have been increased efforts to recognize and treat depression in the medically ill, our findings underscore the need to create similar programs to recognize and treat anxiety disorders in the medically ill," the authors wrote.
More information
Find out more about anxiety disorders at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Antibiotics Only Help With Some Ear Infections
(HealthDay News) -- Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for ear infections in children, but a new study suggests only the very youngest and sickest reap any benefits from the treatment.
According to a team of Dutch researchers, children under the age of 2 who have infections in both ears are helped by antibiotics. For most children, however, the condition simply resolves itself.
The report appears in the Oct. 21 issue of The Lancet.
The condition known as otitis media occurs when the middle ear, behind the eardrum, becomes infected. One of the most common childhood infections, the condition causes pain and fever.
In the study, Dr. Maroeska Rovers, from the University Medical Center Utrecht, and colleagues collected data on six studies that included a total of 1,643 children.
Rovers' team found the benefit of antibiotics for pain and fever was dependent on the child's age, extent of the infection, and also the presence of otorrhoea (discharge from the ear). The greatest benefit was seen in children under 2 who had infection in both ears.
For older children, the use of antibiotics was usually no more effective than waiting for the condition to get better by itself. However, antibiotics did help children with otorrhoea, irrespective of age, they added.
"We conclude that antibiotics are beneficial in relieving residual pain or fever at three to seven days in children younger than 2 years of age with bilateral acute otitis media, and in children with acute otitis media and otorrhoea," the researchers wrote. "For most other children with mild disease, an observational policy seems justified."
Experts agreed that antibiotics are not needed in most cases.
"This finding supports the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians," said Dr. Allan Lieberthal, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente and co-chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians' subcommittee on the management of acute otitis media.
"Observation, without antibiotics, is a valid option for the management of most children with ear infections," Lieberthal said. However, he added that children need to be assessed individually and those with high fever and a lot of pain may need antibiotics.
Part of the reason that antibiotics are in disfavor for treating most ear infection is the fear of the overuse of the drugs, which has led to a proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
"What has been shown over and over again is that the resistant rate of common bacteria in countries that universally prescribe antibiotics for ear infection, such as the United States up to about two years ago, is much higher than in countries that don't routinely prescribe antibiotics," Lieberthal said.
"We are in the age where delayed treatment is a very smart option," said Dr. David M. Spiro, director of pediatric emergency medicine at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, a part of the Oregon Health and Science University. "We are not in an age where we need to immediately prescribe antibiotics for every single patient with acute otitis media."
Patients with high fever or who have underlying medical problems should always be given antibiotics, Spiro said. "But the vast majority of children with ear infections don't look ill, many of them don't have a fever, and many of them don't have otitis media," he said.
However, whether antibiotics are given or not, the pain associated with an ear infection should be treated aggressively, he noted.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders can tell you more about ear infections.
According to a team of Dutch researchers, children under the age of 2 who have infections in both ears are helped by antibiotics. For most children, however, the condition simply resolves itself.
The report appears in the Oct. 21 issue of The Lancet.
The condition known as otitis media occurs when the middle ear, behind the eardrum, becomes infected. One of the most common childhood infections, the condition causes pain and fever.
In the study, Dr. Maroeska Rovers, from the University Medical Center Utrecht, and colleagues collected data on six studies that included a total of 1,643 children.
Rovers' team found the benefit of antibiotics for pain and fever was dependent on the child's age, extent of the infection, and also the presence of otorrhoea (discharge from the ear). The greatest benefit was seen in children under 2 who had infection in both ears.
For older children, the use of antibiotics was usually no more effective than waiting for the condition to get better by itself. However, antibiotics did help children with otorrhoea, irrespective of age, they added.
"We conclude that antibiotics are beneficial in relieving residual pain or fever at three to seven days in children younger than 2 years of age with bilateral acute otitis media, and in children with acute otitis media and otorrhoea," the researchers wrote. "For most other children with mild disease, an observational policy seems justified."
Experts agreed that antibiotics are not needed in most cases.
"This finding supports the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians," said Dr. Allan Lieberthal, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente and co-chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians' subcommittee on the management of acute otitis media.
"Observation, without antibiotics, is a valid option for the management of most children with ear infections," Lieberthal said. However, he added that children need to be assessed individually and those with high fever and a lot of pain may need antibiotics.
Part of the reason that antibiotics are in disfavor for treating most ear infection is the fear of the overuse of the drugs, which has led to a proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
"What has been shown over and over again is that the resistant rate of common bacteria in countries that universally prescribe antibiotics for ear infection, such as the United States up to about two years ago, is much higher than in countries that don't routinely prescribe antibiotics," Lieberthal said.
"We are in the age where delayed treatment is a very smart option," said Dr. David M. Spiro, director of pediatric emergency medicine at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, a part of the Oregon Health and Science University. "We are not in an age where we need to immediately prescribe antibiotics for every single patient with acute otitis media."
Patients with high fever or who have underlying medical problems should always be given antibiotics, Spiro said. "But the vast majority of children with ear infections don't look ill, many of them don't have a fever, and many of them don't have otitis media," he said.
However, whether antibiotics are given or not, the pain associated with an ear infection should be treated aggressively, he noted.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders can tell you more about ear infections.
Watch the Volume on Your iPod
(HealthDay News) -- Maxing out the volume on a typical MP3 player -- such as the popular Apple "iPod" -- for anything more than five minutes a day can permanently damage a listener's hearing, new research says.
And listening to an MP3 in a noisy environment appears to encourage higher-than-safe volume use, which should be avoided altogether or offset by using noise-reduction-style earphones that allow for listening at lower volumes, the researchers added.
Both cautionary notes were struck Thursday by researchers presenting studies at a conference titled Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children at Work and Play, in Covington, Ky. Organizers described it as the first conference ever convened in the United States to specifically address hearing loss among children.
The study authors said their research applies equally to a five music players tested, including the iPod, iPod Nano, and iPod Mini, as well as Sandisk Sansa and Creative Zen Micro players.
"What people should think about is that all personal music players are capable of producing levels that are potentially dangerous to their hearing, but all of them can be used in a safe manner as well," said Brian J. Fligor, a co-author of two conference studies and director of the diagnostic audiology program at Children's Hospital Boston.
In one study, Fligor teamed with audiology doctoral student Cory Portnuff from the University of Colorado, Boulder, to measure sound levels produced by MP3 players through the stock in-ear "bud" headphones that come with the players. The researchers also tested optional "isolator" earphones that block background noise and "supra-aural" earphones that sit over the ear.
After determining that all the players operated at similar volume levels, Fligor and Portnuff sought to define uniform safe listening recommendations. The researchers' listening advisory was set with an eye toward established U.S. government guidelines that indicate hearing loss can begin at volumes of 85 decibels.
With the caveat that not all people are "typical" -- with varying levels of "tenderness" and "toughness" when it comes to hearing tolerance -- the researchers concluded that most people can listen to an MP3 player for 4.6 hours a day at 70 percent of full volume.
When set to 80 percent of full volume, 1.2 hours of daily listening is the maximum, they suggested, while full volume listening should never exceed five minutes a day when using a bud earphone, three minutes with a noise-reduction earphone, or 18 minutes with an over-the-ear set.
The authors pointed out that the differences reflect the fact that ear-bud style headphones deliver higher levels of sound to the ear than over-the-ear varieties.
A second study looked at how people -- in this case doctoral students -- actually deal with volume control in light of two variables: background noise and earphone types. The study was done by Fligor and Terri E. Ives, an assistant professor with the PCO School of Audiology in Elkins Park, Pa.
In general, men listened to music at higher volumes than women. But, overall, only about 6 percent of the study participants chose to listen at "risky" levels -- above 85 decibels -- while in quiet conditions. However, in noisy conditions, those students with background-noise-reducing earphones set their volumes lower than those with regular earphones.
About 80 percent of those study participants with non-noise reducing earphones turned their volumes up to "risky" levels while in noisy conditions. That figure fell to just 20 percent among those using noise reduction earphones.
"It's very clear that the amount of background noise is the number one thing that dictated whether or not people listened too loud," said Fligor. "Not the kind of headphone. Except when we provided people with an isolating earphone to isolate background noise. That did reduce the potential risk for hearing loss, because it did cause people to modify their hearing use to lower levels.
"So, I suggest, it's really worth the investment to get the noise reduction earphones," he added.
That advice was seconded by Dr. Anil K. Lalwani, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center in New York City.
"We have to be cognizant of the fact that, if we're trying to listen to our portable devices in a noisy environment, we are putting our ears at risk," he said. "And I would agree that those headphones that reduce background noise are going to reduce your risk, because you're not going to turn the volume up as high."
More information
To learn more about preventing hearing loss, visit the Better Hearing Institute.
And listening to an MP3 in a noisy environment appears to encourage higher-than-safe volume use, which should be avoided altogether or offset by using noise-reduction-style earphones that allow for listening at lower volumes, the researchers added.
Both cautionary notes were struck Thursday by researchers presenting studies at a conference titled Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children at Work and Play, in Covington, Ky. Organizers described it as the first conference ever convened in the United States to specifically address hearing loss among children.
The study authors said their research applies equally to a five music players tested, including the iPod, iPod Nano, and iPod Mini, as well as Sandisk Sansa and Creative Zen Micro players.
"What people should think about is that all personal music players are capable of producing levels that are potentially dangerous to their hearing, but all of them can be used in a safe manner as well," said Brian J. Fligor, a co-author of two conference studies and director of the diagnostic audiology program at Children's Hospital Boston.
In one study, Fligor teamed with audiology doctoral student Cory Portnuff from the University of Colorado, Boulder, to measure sound levels produced by MP3 players through the stock in-ear "bud" headphones that come with the players. The researchers also tested optional "isolator" earphones that block background noise and "supra-aural" earphones that sit over the ear.
After determining that all the players operated at similar volume levels, Fligor and Portnuff sought to define uniform safe listening recommendations. The researchers' listening advisory was set with an eye toward established U.S. government guidelines that indicate hearing loss can begin at volumes of 85 decibels.
With the caveat that not all people are "typical" -- with varying levels of "tenderness" and "toughness" when it comes to hearing tolerance -- the researchers concluded that most people can listen to an MP3 player for 4.6 hours a day at 70 percent of full volume.
When set to 80 percent of full volume, 1.2 hours of daily listening is the maximum, they suggested, while full volume listening should never exceed five minutes a day when using a bud earphone, three minutes with a noise-reduction earphone, or 18 minutes with an over-the-ear set.
The authors pointed out that the differences reflect the fact that ear-bud style headphones deliver higher levels of sound to the ear than over-the-ear varieties.
A second study looked at how people -- in this case doctoral students -- actually deal with volume control in light of two variables: background noise and earphone types. The study was done by Fligor and Terri E. Ives, an assistant professor with the PCO School of Audiology in Elkins Park, Pa.
In general, men listened to music at higher volumes than women. But, overall, only about 6 percent of the study participants chose to listen at "risky" levels -- above 85 decibels -- while in quiet conditions. However, in noisy conditions, those students with background-noise-reducing earphones set their volumes lower than those with regular earphones.
About 80 percent of those study participants with non-noise reducing earphones turned their volumes up to "risky" levels while in noisy conditions. That figure fell to just 20 percent among those using noise reduction earphones.
"It's very clear that the amount of background noise is the number one thing that dictated whether or not people listened too loud," said Fligor. "Not the kind of headphone. Except when we provided people with an isolating earphone to isolate background noise. That did reduce the potential risk for hearing loss, because it did cause people to modify their hearing use to lower levels.
"So, I suggest, it's really worth the investment to get the noise reduction earphones," he added.
That advice was seconded by Dr. Anil K. Lalwani, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center in New York City.
"We have to be cognizant of the fact that, if we're trying to listen to our portable devices in a noisy environment, we are putting our ears at risk," he said. "And I would agree that those headphones that reduce background noise are going to reduce your risk, because you're not going to turn the volume up as high."
More information
To learn more about preventing hearing loss, visit the Better Hearing Institute.
Study Sparks Debate on Ritalin Use in Preschoolers
(HealthDay News) -- A new national study that raises the possibility of preschoolers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder taking Ritalin has sparked a debate over the safety and appropriateness of such a practice."This drug doesn't work as well in preschoolers as it does in older kids, and there are more adverse effects and a higher drop-out rate in this group," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group. "In addition, there is an explicit statement [in the study] saying that the size of this study is too small to conclude that this drug is safe and, to me, that is as important as anything."
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which funded the study, however, says the drug might be useful in certain severe cases of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
"Going into this, we had no data with which to know whether the medication was effective or safe, and what we know coming out of it is that there is some evidence of benefit in this young age group, but less than what we see with older children, and the risks are somewhat greater," said NIMH Director Dr. Thomas Insel. "We are recommending to clinicians and families that the drug should be considered as one of many options that can be used in very young children with severe ADHD, and I underline severe. If it's going to be used, it needs to be used carefully with careful monitoring," he added.
Others agreed that Ritalin should be considered on a case-by-case basis. "It is well known that ADHD has its onset usually between 3 to 4 years of age, so it is only reasonable if behavioral and psychosocial interventions fail that we consider the use of psychostimulants such as Ritalin, as this intervention is successful at least 70 percent of the time," said Dr. Jon A. Shaw, director of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "It's a cost/benefit decision that parents have to judiciously consider, weighing the risk of side effects and the benefits of helping a child to control himself/herself."
Ritalin (methylphenidate) is used to treat ADHD but is not approved for children under the age of 6, although Insel said that about 1.2 percent of preschool kids are already receiving the drug. Such "off-label" prescribing is not illegal.
Even in older children, the drug has had its share of controversy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration pediatric advisory committee recently met to consider whether ADHD drugs including Ritalin should carry a black box warning to highlight the possible risks of psychosis, mania and cardiovascular problems. In the end, the committee voted against a black-box warning but recommended the label use simpler language and include more information.
According to the Associated Press, about 8 percent of U.S. children have ADHD, including around 3 percent of preschoolers.
The study that sparked the latest controversy is the first, long-term government trial of Ritalin in preschoolers and is in the November edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Several of the study's authors have financial ties with companies that make the drugs.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the trial was initiated in response to the outcry that ensued when the Journal of the American Medical Association claimed that as many as 200,000 preschoolers were taking Ritalin off-label.
The trial involved 183 children with severe cases of ADHD who took Ritalin for about a year. Thirty percent of parents reported moderate to severe adverse events in their children, including emotional outbursts, difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite and irritability. About 11 percent of children dropped out because of side effects.
The preschoolers taking the drug also grew about a half inch less and gained about two pounds less than expected for their age.
Improvements in behavior were seen in children taking 7.5 to 30 milligrams daily, with the optimal dose being 14 milligrams daily. That is less than half the usual dose for older children.
The size of the study was a major sticking point for critics. "If you're worried about some serious adverse effects, you'd never see it in 183 kids," Wolfe said. "They specifically say this should be studied in at least 1,500 kids, which is seven times more than it was."
"Is there enough evidence for this drug to be approved for this group of preschool children for which it is currently not approved? The answer is clearly no. The authors themselves say no," he continued. "People should be extremely careful about giving this to young kids."
Insel said he suspected the drug's maker would not seek approval for this indication. "It's being used so widely, I don't know that they need to do any marketing," he added.
Insel also said he did not believe the study was that small and that, in fact, investigators had gone into the trial feeling that it would show that the drug should not be used. "The evidence does not bear that out," he said.
But long-term follow-up still needs to be done.
"What we don't know, and I think this is critical for parents, is what the long-term issues are," Insel said. "Are we altering brain development or is this a case in which the natural course of brain development has already been altered by a disorder, and we're in some ways mitigating those effects? We will need long-term follow-up, and that's in the works."
More information
The National Institute of Mental Health has more on ADHD.
Internet's Lure Ensnares 1 in 8 Americans: Survey
(HealthDay News) -- Research is shedding new light on the often-controversial topic of Internet addiction, suggesting that online usage has significantly disrupted the lives of millions of Americans.About six percent of people surveyed by Stanford University researchers said their personal relationships have suffered as a result of their Internet use, and nine percent reported actively hiding their online habits at home or at work.
The findings don't confirm that Internet addiction is an actual mental disorder, but they "should start the conversation about the subset of the population for whom the Internet is not so wonderful," said study lead author Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of Stanford University's Impulse Control Disorders Clinic.
Mental-health specialists have worried about Internet addiction for about a decade, although the condition hasn't become an accepted psychological diagnosis. Some specialist lump it in with "impulse-control" disorders.
"Is Internet addiction a unique mental disorder, or is it just a symptom of another, more 'traditional' type of disorder? Research has yet to determine this," said John Suler, a professor of psychology at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., who began writing about the condition in 1996.
The new study tries to get a handle on how serious the problem is. Researchers interviewed 2,513 American adults by phone in the spring and summer of 2004 and asked about their Internet usage.
About 69 percent of the respondents were regular Internet users. Of all respondents, four percent said they were preoccupied by the Internet while offline, 14 percent said they had trouble staying offline for several days, and 12 percent stayed online more than they wanted to, either often or very often.
The findings were published in the October issue of CNS Spectrums: The International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine.
Aboujaoude said the numbers are important because there has been little in the way of a "structured study" into troublesome Internet use. Much attention has been "sensationalistic," looking at online pornography or gambling, he added.
The findings do reflect the experiences of psychiatrists, Aboujaoude said. "We see patients coming in, saying things, like, 'My wife will divorce me because I wait until she goes to sleep and I go online.' Or 'I've been fired or disciplined because of my Internet activity at work.' They're starting to present with problems directly related to their Internet habits."
The new research should inspire further studies to see how the numbers "correlate with real-life distress and disability," he said.
But, even then, it may be difficult for Internet addiction to get officially recognized by the mental-health establishment.
"The researchers conclude that impulse-control problems are related to excessive Internet use, but the study does not prove that such use is a type of impulse-control disorder or a unique disorder," said Suler, who's familiar with the study findings. "Demonstrating the validity of a brand new diagnostic disorder involves a great deal of research, and even then the final decision about a new disorder can be political," he added.
If Internet addiction is a real disorder, what can be done for the sufferers?
"You start by carefully diagnosing them, making sure there aren't any other issues going on that should be treated, such as major depression," Aboujaoude said. "When it's identified as an independent entity, then psychotherapy would be the place to start. You [give] the patient tools to gradually limit their online activities and deal with symptoms of anxiety, restlessness and irritability as they resist going online for non-essential Internet use."
The study was funded by Forest Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company.
More information
Learn more about Internet addiction from the State University of New York at Albany.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Ultrasound Successful in Thyroid Nodule Trial
(HealthDay News) -- A new technology designed to remove growths from the thyroid gland with high-intensity focused ultrasound beams has passed its first test in humans, French researchers report.
The hope is that the treatment will eliminate the need for surgery that often is performed to remove the growths, formally called nodules, said Dr. Oliver Esnault, an endocrine surgeon at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris and a leader of the trial.
But the technology is in its early stages, Esnault said. "We just treated 25 patients with this technology," he said. "It may take three or four years to be sure the technology is convenient to patients, and we are not certain yet that we will be able to use it routinely."
Thyroid nodules are fairly common. Many go unnoticed, and only 5 percent are cancerous. But since the thyroid sits at the base of the neck, some nodules can grow large enough to interfere with breathing. And overproduction of thyroid hormones by some nodules can cause symptoms such as unexpected weight loss and abnormal heartbeats.
The 25 people in the trial were designated for surgery to remove their enlarged thyroids, which had multiple nodules. Surgery was, in fact, performed two weeks after their nodules were exposed to the high-intensity focused ultrasound. The main object of the study was to determine how patients reacted to the treatment, Esnault said. A single nodule was targeted in each patient.
Three patients were frightened enough that their treatment was stopped, he reported, but it was "well tolerated in all other patients." Skin blisters were seen in seven participants, which led to a slight redesign of the ultrasound equipment.
When the highest level of focused ultrasound was used, 70 percent of the nodular tissue was destroyed, Esnault said. "This study confirmed the feasibility and safety of the high-intensity focused ultrasound procedure," he concluded.
Esnault presented the findings Thursday at the American Thyroid Association annual meeting, in Phoenix.
The research is being financed by INSERM, the French equivalent of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. INSERM designed the prototype equipment, and "we have an industrial partner involved in the project," Esnault said. "They are building a series of prototypes."
Esnault and his colleagues have begun two new studies designed to determine which patients are the best candidates for the ultrasound treatment. One study, for example, includes people whose nodules produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
Dr. Gregory Brent is secretary of the American Thyroid Association. "The [study] results look good, but it is obviously a small study," he said. "But with this kind of result, it gives you confidence that you can try non-surgical treatments for thyroid nodules. This is certainly a very important study, showing that ultrasound can shrink nodules without damaging surrounding tissue."
Ultrasound treatment probably will be usable for a subset of people with thyroid nodules, Brent said, and "right now it is hard for anyone to know how large that subset will be."
More information
You can learn more about thyroid nodules from the American Thyroid Association.
The hope is that the treatment will eliminate the need for surgery that often is performed to remove the growths, formally called nodules, said Dr. Oliver Esnault, an endocrine surgeon at Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris and a leader of the trial.
But the technology is in its early stages, Esnault said. "We just treated 25 patients with this technology," he said. "It may take three or four years to be sure the technology is convenient to patients, and we are not certain yet that we will be able to use it routinely."
Thyroid nodules are fairly common. Many go unnoticed, and only 5 percent are cancerous. But since the thyroid sits at the base of the neck, some nodules can grow large enough to interfere with breathing. And overproduction of thyroid hormones by some nodules can cause symptoms such as unexpected weight loss and abnormal heartbeats.
The 25 people in the trial were designated for surgery to remove their enlarged thyroids, which had multiple nodules. Surgery was, in fact, performed two weeks after their nodules were exposed to the high-intensity focused ultrasound. The main object of the study was to determine how patients reacted to the treatment, Esnault said. A single nodule was targeted in each patient.
Three patients were frightened enough that their treatment was stopped, he reported, but it was "well tolerated in all other patients." Skin blisters were seen in seven participants, which led to a slight redesign of the ultrasound equipment.
When the highest level of focused ultrasound was used, 70 percent of the nodular tissue was destroyed, Esnault said. "This study confirmed the feasibility and safety of the high-intensity focused ultrasound procedure," he concluded.
Esnault presented the findings Thursday at the American Thyroid Association annual meeting, in Phoenix.
The research is being financed by INSERM, the French equivalent of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. INSERM designed the prototype equipment, and "we have an industrial partner involved in the project," Esnault said. "They are building a series of prototypes."
Esnault and his colleagues have begun two new studies designed to determine which patients are the best candidates for the ultrasound treatment. One study, for example, includes people whose nodules produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
Dr. Gregory Brent is secretary of the American Thyroid Association. "The [study] results look good, but it is obviously a small study," he said. "But with this kind of result, it gives you confidence that you can try non-surgical treatments for thyroid nodules. This is certainly a very important study, showing that ultrasound can shrink nodules without damaging surrounding tissue."
Ultrasound treatment probably will be usable for a subset of people with thyroid nodules, Brent said, and "right now it is hard for anyone to know how large that subset will be."
More information
You can learn more about thyroid nodules from the American Thyroid Association.
Genetic Research Offers Hope Against Sickle Cell Disease
(HealthDay News) -- Normal red blood cells are smooth and round, resembling a doughnut without a hole, which allows them to slide easily through the body. But your red cells are shaped like a sickle, a quarter-moon. They're hard and sticky and tend to clump together, blocking the flow of blood and vital oxygen to limbs and organs.
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting more than 72,000 Americans, many of them black, according to Dr. Willarda V. Edwards, president of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
The lifelong disease causes excruciating pain, as blood flow is cut off to tissues and major organs. Stroke is common, particularly in children, and sickle cell also leaves sufferers vulnerable to infection. Victims also struggle from anemia.
A diagnosis of sickle cell used to be a child's death knell, with most dying before they hit their 20s. There still is no cure, but people who contract the disease now can live into their 40s, 50s or even longer, Edwards said.
"With the newest treatment, we've doubled the lifespan of people with sickle cell," Edwards said. "The key here is we're improving the quality of their life due to improved treatment, improved testing and better awareness."
Early detection is the first and best defense against sickle-cell disease. Forty-four states currently test all newborns for sickle cell anemia, a simple blood test that's done as part of other routine newborn screens, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The families of most Americans who are affected come from Africa, according to the National Institutes of Health. About one in every 600 black births results in sickle cell disease. But, about one in every 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic-American births produces a sickle cell diagnosis, according to the NHLBI.
Since it is a genetic disease, parents can know prior to conception the chances that their child will have sickle cell anemia. If two people with a genetic predisposition to sickle cell but don't have the disease decide to have a baby, there's a one-in-four chance their child will have the condition, the NHLBI said.
Once sickle cell is detected in a newborn, the child must undergo a series of protective treatments, said Ann Earles, a registered nurse and director and chairwoman of the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Physician Assistants.
Penicillin is administered to prevent potential infections, and the child is inoculated against pneumococcus bacteria and other virulent diseases.
"For parents who have babies with the disease, they have to be especially aware of any kind of infection, and make sure they get immediate care," Earles said.
Pain management also is an important part of treating sickle cell disease. Pain-killing medicines ranging from acetaminophen to morphine are employed by doctors, depending on the level of discomfort.
Beyond that, therapy often depends on what complications have arisen. Since any part of the body can be affected by sickle cell-related loss of blood flow, the complications are many and varied.
For example, someone with acute anemia might require a blood transfusion, which is a common treatment for sickle cell disease. Others might find their vision affected as the disease robs their retina of blood oxygen, or can suffer a pneumonia-like episode in which sickle cells are trapped in the lungs.
Complications also can affect a child's cognition, Earles said.
"Studies have shown that school-age children have mini-strokes, brain damage from the cells sickling that may not present itself as a full stroke," Earles said. "They need to have special testing to make sure if they have learning disabilities, those are identified."
Because so many things can go wrong as a result of sickle cell disease, it can be a difficult disorder to live with and a frustrating one to treat, Earles said.
"What's really frustrating, in my 25 years with this disease, is the more we've learned, the more we know we don't know," Earles said. "We learn things to prevent complications, and then we discover more complications and things we need to learn how to address."
But advances in genetic research have made it easier to predict certain complications. One recent study found genetic markers that could show which sickle cell patients are more likely to suffer a stroke. Other similar studies are ongoing, Edwards said.
Edwards is hopeful that as knowledge of human genetics grows, an actual cure will spring forth as researchers better understand the basic building blocks of humanity.
"Relative to other diseases, sickle cell could be the first disease to be wiped out using the information we've learned from the Human Genome Project," Edwards said.
More information
To learn more, visit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting more than 72,000 Americans, many of them black, according to Dr. Willarda V. Edwards, president of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
The lifelong disease causes excruciating pain, as blood flow is cut off to tissues and major organs. Stroke is common, particularly in children, and sickle cell also leaves sufferers vulnerable to infection. Victims also struggle from anemia.
A diagnosis of sickle cell used to be a child's death knell, with most dying before they hit their 20s. There still is no cure, but people who contract the disease now can live into their 40s, 50s or even longer, Edwards said.
"With the newest treatment, we've doubled the lifespan of people with sickle cell," Edwards said. "The key here is we're improving the quality of their life due to improved treatment, improved testing and better awareness."
Early detection is the first and best defense against sickle-cell disease. Forty-four states currently test all newborns for sickle cell anemia, a simple blood test that's done as part of other routine newborn screens, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The families of most Americans who are affected come from Africa, according to the National Institutes of Health. About one in every 600 black births results in sickle cell disease. But, about one in every 1,000 to 1,400 Hispanic-American births produces a sickle cell diagnosis, according to the NHLBI.
Since it is a genetic disease, parents can know prior to conception the chances that their child will have sickle cell anemia. If two people with a genetic predisposition to sickle cell but don't have the disease decide to have a baby, there's a one-in-four chance their child will have the condition, the NHLBI said.
Once sickle cell is detected in a newborn, the child must undergo a series of protective treatments, said Ann Earles, a registered nurse and director and chairwoman of the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Physician Assistants.
Penicillin is administered to prevent potential infections, and the child is inoculated against pneumococcus bacteria and other virulent diseases.
"For parents who have babies with the disease, they have to be especially aware of any kind of infection, and make sure they get immediate care," Earles said.
Pain management also is an important part of treating sickle cell disease. Pain-killing medicines ranging from acetaminophen to morphine are employed by doctors, depending on the level of discomfort.
Beyond that, therapy often depends on what complications have arisen. Since any part of the body can be affected by sickle cell-related loss of blood flow, the complications are many and varied.
For example, someone with acute anemia might require a blood transfusion, which is a common treatment for sickle cell disease. Others might find their vision affected as the disease robs their retina of blood oxygen, or can suffer a pneumonia-like episode in which sickle cells are trapped in the lungs.
Complications also can affect a child's cognition, Earles said.
"Studies have shown that school-age children have mini-strokes, brain damage from the cells sickling that may not present itself as a full stroke," Earles said. "They need to have special testing to make sure if they have learning disabilities, those are identified."
Because so many things can go wrong as a result of sickle cell disease, it can be a difficult disorder to live with and a frustrating one to treat, Earles said.
"What's really frustrating, in my 25 years with this disease, is the more we've learned, the more we know we don't know," Earles said. "We learn things to prevent complications, and then we discover more complications and things we need to learn how to address."
But advances in genetic research have made it easier to predict certain complications. One recent study found genetic markers that could show which sickle cell patients are more likely to suffer a stroke. Other similar studies are ongoing, Edwards said.
Edwards is hopeful that as knowledge of human genetics grows, an actual cure will spring forth as researchers better understand the basic building blocks of humanity.
"Relative to other diseases, sickle cell could be the first disease to be wiped out using the information we've learned from the Human Genome Project," Edwards said.
More information
To learn more, visit the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.
Avastin Sanctioned as Lung Cancer Treatment
(HealthDay News) -- The Genentech drug Avastin (bevacizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat the most common lung cancer, the agency said Thursday.The drug was sanctioned -- in combination with a standard two-drug chemotherapy regimen -- to treat unresectable, locally advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
In studies involving 878 patients, the addition of Avastin improved average survival time to 12.3 months from 10.3 months among people who received only the other two drugs, carboplatin and paclitaxel, the agency said in a statement.
Non-small cell lung cancer will account for three-quarters of the 174,000 U.S. cases of lung cancer to be diagnosed this year, the agency said. Lung cancer is the nation's leading cause of cancer death among both men and women.
Avastin was first approved in 2004 to treat colorectal cancer.
More information
To learn more about lung cancer, visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
'No science' behind health drugs
Many drugs recommended by health shops to tackle depression have no sound scientific backing, a study has found.
Experts at Leeds General Infirmary found only one in 13 recommended drugs - St John's Wort - had any evidence to support use for moderate depression.
In a survey of 10 health shops in Leeds, the experts also found staff were unlikely to warn customers about adverse side effects of the drugs.
Recommended health remedies included ginseng, royal jelly and cat's claw.
These and others including vitamin B complex, Bio-Strath liquid tonic, Floradix liquid tonic, gingko biloba, guarana, and multivitamins had no firm evidence base and had "potentially serious drug interactions".
Joyce Reed, a senior house officer at St James' University Hospital in Leeds and Peter Trigwell, a consultant in liaison psychiatry at Leeds General Infirmary, published their findings in the Psychiatric Bulletin from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
'Raises concerns'
A test customer at health shops described a range of symptoms, including lethargy, lack of concentration, poor appetite and disturbed sleep.
Five of the shops were visited and five were telephoned, with most of the staff asking extra questions before making recommendations.
But only two asked the customer if they had consulted their GP and staff made no response when the "customer" explained she was taking the oral contraceptive pill, despite evidence St John's Wort can reduce its effectiveness.
One staff member explained she was not medically trained and that it would be wise to see a GP first.
The report said: "This study raises concerns about the virtually complete separation and independence of complementary and alternative medicine services from the National Health Service and pharmaceutical agencies.
"However, owing to the lack of overlap between the two sectors little is understood about each in either area.
"A more integrated approach would allow patients to benefit from herbal preparations, such as St John's Wort, with optimum safety."
Experts at Leeds General Infirmary found only one in 13 recommended drugs - St John's Wort - had any evidence to support use for moderate depression.
In a survey of 10 health shops in Leeds, the experts also found staff were unlikely to warn customers about adverse side effects of the drugs.
Recommended health remedies included ginseng, royal jelly and cat's claw.
These and others including vitamin B complex, Bio-Strath liquid tonic, Floradix liquid tonic, gingko biloba, guarana, and multivitamins had no firm evidence base and had "potentially serious drug interactions".
Joyce Reed, a senior house officer at St James' University Hospital in Leeds and Peter Trigwell, a consultant in liaison psychiatry at Leeds General Infirmary, published their findings in the Psychiatric Bulletin from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
'Raises concerns'
A test customer at health shops described a range of symptoms, including lethargy, lack of concentration, poor appetite and disturbed sleep.
Five of the shops were visited and five were telephoned, with most of the staff asking extra questions before making recommendations.
But only two asked the customer if they had consulted their GP and staff made no response when the "customer" explained she was taking the oral contraceptive pill, despite evidence St John's Wort can reduce its effectiveness.
One staff member explained she was not medically trained and that it would be wise to see a GP first.
The report said: "This study raises concerns about the virtually complete separation and independence of complementary and alternative medicine services from the National Health Service and pharmaceutical agencies.
"However, owing to the lack of overlap between the two sectors little is understood about each in either area.
"A more integrated approach would allow patients to benefit from herbal preparations, such as St John's Wort, with optimum safety."
BodyLogicMD Offers Botox, Hormone Therapy and Skin Care Services
Chicago Practice Combines Medical and Holistic Approach
CHICAGO, IL--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 3, 2006 -- With new medspas, skin care clinics and anti-aging centers opening every day, there are more choices than ever in reversing or preventing the signs of aging.
With Botox(TM) being one of the most popular treatments for those wanting to decrease the look of visible lines and wrinkles, doctors are quickly adding the procedure and offering it to their patients. But these doctors do not all have the specialty of hormone therapy under their belt, which can greatly improve the look and feel of skin when combined with Botox(TM).
Dr. Paul Savage of BodyLogicMD, a national network of doctors specializing in hormone therapy and skincare, is leading the pack by offering a skin treatment program that combines Botox(TM) with hormone therapy.
"While Botox(TM) is great for treating lines and wrinkles, integrating it with hormone therapy will produce an overall improvement in the skin," says Dr. Savage, the Chief Medical Officer of both Chicago-area BodyLogicMD offices and co-founder of BodyLogicMD. "As the Botox is smoothing the face and giving it a younger appearance, the hormone therapy is treating aging skin by adding hydration, improving collagen and elastins -- and balance from the inside out."
With the skin being the largest organ in the body and one of the most important, balanced hormones are crucial to healthy skin. By offering a complete package of skin care and hormone evaluations, Dr. Savage is able to treat skin problems from a superficial approach, while simultaneously treating the multiple causes of hormonal imbalances.
"Here at BodyLogicMD, we believe in a holistic approach to skin care," says Dr. Savage. "We use medical grade skin care formulas integrated with organic skin care lines and organic microdermabrasion."
The Experts
Trained under Dr. Savage are two expert aestheticians treating patients with BodyLogicMD skin services. Susan Anthony has been a leader in the aesthetics industry for the past ten years. Originally from Burmouth, England, Susan trained at one of the most prestigious schools in England where she mastered the art of skin care and nutrition. Her natural leadership skills have led her to work with some of the most world-renowned board-certified plastic surgeons.
At BodyLogicMD, Susan is committed to provide her clients not only the spa experience, but also an education that the true quality of skin care is a culture from within. "Beautiful skin is a balance of external procedures and lifestyle choices including nutrition, exercise and spirit," Susan explains.
Justyna Leniartek has been a leader in the beauty industry for more than ten years. She found her passion for making others look and feel beautiful when she started to have problems with her own skin, and became fascinated with skin care. She then decided to get her aesthetician's license and passionately embarked on a career in helping others achieve beautiful, healthy skin. Throughout her career as a skin care specialist, Justyna worked for many prominent institutions, including several board-certified plastic surgeons, where she became educated in medical aesthetics.
Today, Justyna has taken her experience and knowledge to BodyLogicMD where she is dedicated to providing the best possible service to each client. "Our mission is not only to provide the best customer service in the industry," Justyna explains, "but to educate and customize a unique program designed specifically for that client. Skincare is a lifestyle, and we want to stress that to everyone who comes through our doors."
About Dr. Paul Savage
Dr. Paul Savage is the founder of BodyLogicMD, a nationwide network of physicians specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy. Dr. Savage received his medical degree from the University of Michigan and is double board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He owns the Chicago-based BodyLogicMD practices.
About BodyLogicMD
Founded in 2003, BodyLogicMD offers bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition and fitness to women and men. Its nationwide network of anti-aging physicians helps those suffering from hormonal imbalance, menopause and andropause.
BodyLogicMD
Chicago and locations include:
150 E. Huron Street, Suite 802Chicago, IL 60611
For appointments and information call (866) 535-2563 384
E. Irving Park RoadRoselle, IL 60172
For appointments and information call (866) 535-2563
For more information visit http://www.bodylogicmd.com
CHICAGO, IL--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 3, 2006 -- With new medspas, skin care clinics and anti-aging centers opening every day, there are more choices than ever in reversing or preventing the signs of aging.
With Botox(TM) being one of the most popular treatments for those wanting to decrease the look of visible lines and wrinkles, doctors are quickly adding the procedure and offering it to their patients. But these doctors do not all have the specialty of hormone therapy under their belt, which can greatly improve the look and feel of skin when combined with Botox(TM).
Dr. Paul Savage of BodyLogicMD, a national network of doctors specializing in hormone therapy and skincare, is leading the pack by offering a skin treatment program that combines Botox(TM) with hormone therapy.
"While Botox(TM) is great for treating lines and wrinkles, integrating it with hormone therapy will produce an overall improvement in the skin," says Dr. Savage, the Chief Medical Officer of both Chicago-area BodyLogicMD offices and co-founder of BodyLogicMD. "As the Botox is smoothing the face and giving it a younger appearance, the hormone therapy is treating aging skin by adding hydration, improving collagen and elastins -- and balance from the inside out."
With the skin being the largest organ in the body and one of the most important, balanced hormones are crucial to healthy skin. By offering a complete package of skin care and hormone evaluations, Dr. Savage is able to treat skin problems from a superficial approach, while simultaneously treating the multiple causes of hormonal imbalances.
"Here at BodyLogicMD, we believe in a holistic approach to skin care," says Dr. Savage. "We use medical grade skin care formulas integrated with organic skin care lines and organic microdermabrasion."
The Experts
Trained under Dr. Savage are two expert aestheticians treating patients with BodyLogicMD skin services. Susan Anthony has been a leader in the aesthetics industry for the past ten years. Originally from Burmouth, England, Susan trained at one of the most prestigious schools in England where she mastered the art of skin care and nutrition. Her natural leadership skills have led her to work with some of the most world-renowned board-certified plastic surgeons.
At BodyLogicMD, Susan is committed to provide her clients not only the spa experience, but also an education that the true quality of skin care is a culture from within. "Beautiful skin is a balance of external procedures and lifestyle choices including nutrition, exercise and spirit," Susan explains.
Justyna Leniartek has been a leader in the beauty industry for more than ten years. She found her passion for making others look and feel beautiful when she started to have problems with her own skin, and became fascinated with skin care. She then decided to get her aesthetician's license and passionately embarked on a career in helping others achieve beautiful, healthy skin. Throughout her career as a skin care specialist, Justyna worked for many prominent institutions, including several board-certified plastic surgeons, where she became educated in medical aesthetics.
Today, Justyna has taken her experience and knowledge to BodyLogicMD where she is dedicated to providing the best possible service to each client. "Our mission is not only to provide the best customer service in the industry," Justyna explains, "but to educate and customize a unique program designed specifically for that client. Skincare is a lifestyle, and we want to stress that to everyone who comes through our doors."
About Dr. Paul Savage
Dr. Paul Savage is the founder of BodyLogicMD, a nationwide network of physicians specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy. Dr. Savage received his medical degree from the University of Michigan and is double board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. He owns the Chicago-based BodyLogicMD practices.
About BodyLogicMD
Founded in 2003, BodyLogicMD offers bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition and fitness to women and men. Its nationwide network of anti-aging physicians helps those suffering from hormonal imbalance, menopause and andropause.
BodyLogicMD
Chicago and locations include:
150 E. Huron Street, Suite 802Chicago, IL 60611
For appointments and information call (866) 535-2563 384
E. Irving Park RoadRoselle, IL 60172
For appointments and information call (866) 535-2563
For more information visit http://www.bodylogicmd.com
Ten Ways for Better Relationships
1. Eat "Happy" FoodsYou not only are what you eat, but you act like what you eat, too. Food affects mood, behavior and relationships. If you eat foods that create bliss, your relationships will be happier, too.Foods that support happy moods are fresh, whole, and organic. The more fresh and digestible the foods, the more they create ojas, the biochemical equivalent to bliss and happiness. Meals that include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fresh milk products such as panir and lassi, healthy oils such as ghee and olive oil, and unprocessed sweeteners are recommended in Maharishi Ayurveda. Foods that are cooked fresh each day by yourself with love or by someone who loves you are considered the most ojas-producing.A school in Appleton, Wisconsin, banned all fast food chains, candy machines and soft drinks from the premises. Instead they fed the children and teenagers whole grain breads and well-rounded meals cooked with old-fashioned recipes. Since instituting the program, the principal and teachers report that violence, fighting, and truancy are markedly down, while grades and attention spans have soared. Other area schools are adopting a similar program as a result.
2. Prevent Relationship MeltdownAlmost everyone wants to be loving, kind, considerate and supportive. The trouble comes when the stress of daily living becomes too great, and then tempers flare, anxiety surfaces, and you find yourself saying or doing something you later regret.
To prevent this type of relationship meltdown, plan your day to prevent stress from building up. The ayurvedic routine aligns your daily rhythms to be in tune with Nature. Exercising every day, for instance, is extremely helpful in keeping the emotions balanced. Breathing deep and inhaling fresh oxygen while outdoors is especially helpful in banishing fatigue, depression and anxiety.
3. Give Yourself A BreakGetting enough sleep is another key to preventing relationship meltdown. Lack of sleep can cause anxiety, anger and depression and certainly doesn't help relationships.
Research shows that most adults need 8-8 1/2 hours a night, and children need up to 12 hours.The most direct and effective means of dissolving stress—both the day-to-day kind and the deep-rooted stresses that can ruin relationships—is to practice the Transcendental Meditation® program. Give yourself and your family a TM® break twice a day and watch your relationships blossom.
4. Practice Unconditional Forgiveness
It's important to forgive unconditionally. Saying you forgive a person if she changes her behavior is conditional forgiveness. This creates a hidden slow poison that later manifests in the relationship as a dangerous, deadly sickness.
The heart craves unconditional forgiveness. The mind is always trying to set some conditions, but if you forgive someone unconditionally it will be more healing for yourself. If you practice this over time, your overall attitude and behavior will become more nourishing—and that helps build and maintain relationships. Unconditional forgiveness keeps the mind under the influence of the heart. That's what you need in relationships—your heart predominating over your mind.
5. Look to Yourself First
Problems in relationships are often caused by an imbalance in Sadhaka Pitta, the subdosha of Pitta concerned with the heart.When Sadhaka Pitta is out of balance, the first symptom is to think, 'I am right and my friend is wrong. At a time when you should look to yourself to correct the situation, you end up blaming others.
The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians suggests following the lead of the saint Kabir. Kabir said that when he started to look honestly at his life, he found that he had to rectify his own behavior more than others did theirs.
Whenever your heart tells you to blame your spouse, your partner, or your friend, take that as an opportunity to scan your own behavior, to see what you might have done to create that difficult situation. If you are honest, most of the time you will find that that you have done something to create the crisis-and maybe the other person has also made a mistake, but not as big an error as you first may have thought. This sort of attitude goes a long way in preventing a fight.
To keep Sadhaka Pitta in balance, eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits and other cooling, Pitta-pacifying foods. Rose Petal Preserve is a delicious tonic for Sadhaka Pitta. Add it to warm milk before bed, or spread it on toast. Any time you feel yourself blaming someone else, take a teaspoon of Rose Petal Preserve and watch your thinking become more balanced. The Blissful Joy herbal tablets is also designed to uplift emotions and balance Sadhaka Pitta.
6. Know Your Limitations
It helps to know your own strengths and weaknesses. If you tend to get cranky when you delay or skip meals, do yourself and your loved ones a favor and organize your life so you can regularly eat your meals before you get too hungry. Keep a juicy pear or other healthy snack handy for those times when you really can't eat on time.
For anyone with strong Pitta, eating three regular meals is important, and you may need to plan a late-afternoon snack as well. Eat your main meal at noon to pacify Pitta, and lighter meals in the morning and evening, and take Blissful Joy tablets.for Kapha body types, you may find that lethargy gets in the way of healthy relationships. Take care to wake up early, before 6:00 a.m.; eat light, Kapha-pacifying foods; exercise every day. The invigoration you'll feel from balancing Kapha dosha will infuse new life into your relationships as well.Vata types should be careful not to let excessive worries or anxieties cloud perceptions. Be sure to get plenty of rest, meditate regularly, do a daily ayurvedic oil massage, and eat a nourishing, warm Vata-pacifying diet. Worry Free Tea and tablets help calm mental stress and improve relationships.
7. Understand the Needs of Others
Paying attention to the influence of the doshas can also help you understand the behavior of others. While you may be able to process disappointments quickly, for instance, your wife may take much longer to get over a negative situation. Rather than criticizing her, it's best to recognize that she needs more time to recover, and to give her the love and encouragement she needs.If your child is often disorganized and forgetful, this may be due to a Vata imbalance. You can help him feel more grounded by preparing foods that are warm, nourishing, cooked and unctuous. Using the Vata, Pitta and Kapha Churnas and teas makes it easy to accommodate each family member's needs even if their body types are different from yours.
8. Practice Harmonizing Behaviors
It helps to make a habit of harmonizing. Positive behaviors not only help relationships, research shows that they also make us feel healthier and live longer. The ancient ayurvedic texts emphasize this connection between behavior and health, and offer guidelines for health-producing behaviors called achara rasayana. These behaviors are considered to be as longevity-enhancing as the special herbal elixirs known as rasayanas.Achara rasayana includes being truthful, calm, free of anger, nonviolent, charitable, simple, well-behaved, positive, self-controlled, unconceited, devoted to love and compassion, and having control of the senses.
Achara rasayana doesn't mean forcing yourself to think positively--it means cultivating a state of health in which it's natural to act harmoniously. These choices include the ayurvedic diet and daily routine, and in particular abstaining from alcohol, engaging in meditation, staying balanced in sleep and wakefulness, eating saatvic foods such as ghee, knowing the measure of time and place, and keeping the company of the wise.
9. Plan Quiet Time TogetherSometimes the sheer noise of our busy lives can get in the way of relationships. Try infusing some soothing scents and sounds into your home environment. Gandharva Veda music, for instance, even if played at a low volume in a corner of the house, creates a harmonizing, calming effect on the entire household. Maharishi Ayurveda aromas as Calming (Vata), Blissful Heart, Slumber Time or Worry Free can make everyone feel more relaxed and blissful.
Try creating "noise free" zone each evening in which you turn off the TV, turn down the lights, and spend a half hour listening to music, talking, or reading a book out loud. Spending quiet time together before bed can be as nourishing to adults as children.
10. Make Blissful Choices
By now you may be thinking: "How am I going to find time to cook healthy foods, follow an ayurvedic routine, work my job and still take care of my family?"
This is where your power of choice comes in. Will you feel happier watching the latest episode of hotest TV show or getting an extra hour of sleep? Is your time better spent preparing a loving and healthy meal for your family or poring over work you have brought home?Eating the right foods and following an ayurvedic routine does take time, but it is time well spent. The good thing is that taking care of your own physical, mental and emotional health will nurture your relationships too. And that is a win-win situation we all want to cultivate.
Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, Inc.
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