Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

It’s been quite a while, but I’m going to try and post here once or twice a month.

As you may know I have a number of health issues, including MS, CFS, FM, Asthma, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), so I try to keep my eye on health related information, especially alternative, since I have MCS.

Knowing there are so many other people suffering with chronic illnesses, as I come across articles that may be helpful, I’ll pass them along.

HERE ARE THREE ARTICLES RELATED TO EATING HEALTHY:

Throw These Cooking Oils in the Trash

“The natural food label on processed food has no standard definition and really no meaning at all. The term is only regulated on meat and poultry, for which an item labeled natural may not contain any artificial flavors, colors or chemical preservatives. But in the processed food arena, a “natural” product can be virtually anything — genetically modified, full of pesticides, made with corn syrup, additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients.”
Click on the link to read more.

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Supermarket Psychological Traps Make You Spend More

“But supermarkets employ all kinds of strategies to get you to spend more money, and food manufacturers are applying ever more sophisticated tactics to sell their wares.”
Click on the link to read more.

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Sugar is Toxic

“Evidence is mounting that sugar is the primary factor causing not just obesity, but also chronic and lethal disease. There’s really no doubt anymore that sugar is indeed toxic to your body, and it’s only a matter of time before it will be commonly accepted as a causative factor of most cancer, in the same way as we accept that smoking and alcohol abuse are direct causes of lung cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.”
Click on the link to read more.

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Until next time,
Karen Cioffi
Author, ghostwriter, freelance writer, and editor

http://karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com

Here are four links to articles related to heart attacks, chronic illnesses, multiple sclerosis, and autoimmune diseases:

Don’t Be a Holiday Heart Attack
By John Santa, Consumer Reports
Fri, Dec 17, 2010

It’s hard to sugarcoat the statistics: You’re more likely to die of a heart attack on Christmas or New Year’s than any other day of the year. Why? It could be a lot of things. Stress. A particularly high-fat meal. Shoveling snow. Substandard care in an emergency room staffed with a limited holiday crew. But my guess is that denial plays a big role.

Read the full article at: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/heart/dont-be-holiday-heart-attack

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Team-Based Treatment Helps Those With Cluster of Chronic Illnesses

Study found health, quality of life improved when care was coordinated across the board

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 29, 2010 (HealthDay News) — A treatment team headed by an experienced nurse improved the health of patients suffering from multiple chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and depression.

A study appearing in the Dec. 30 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reports improvements in the four areas of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol control and depression in middle-aged patients offered this treatment strategy.

Read the article at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_107140.html (*this news item will not be available after 03/29/2011)

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Discovery Highlights Promise of New Immune SystemBased Therapies

ScienceDaily (Sep. 16, 2010) — A new focus on the immune system’s ability to both unleash and restrain its attack on disease has led Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists to identify cells in mice that prevent the immune system from attacking the animals’ own cells, protecting them from autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and lupus.

Read the full article at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100915140126.htm

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Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

When an intruder invades your body – like a cold virus or bacteria on a thorn that pricks your skin – your immune system protects you. It tries to identify, kill, and eliminate the invaders that might hurt you. But sometimes problems with your immune system cause it to mistake your body’s own healthy cells as invaders and then repeatedly attack them. This is called an autoimmune disease. (Autoimmune means immunity against the self.)

Read full article at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Autoimmune/default.asp

I hope you find this information helpful.

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer
http://dkvwriting4u.com

Chronic Illness – Genetics, Environment, or Both?

The number of multiple sclerosis patients is increasing steadily. It has become commonplace to personally know more than one person suffering with this disease.

What causes Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? What makes some people more susceptible than others to this disease?

A number of resource sites theorize that along with genetics, there are environmental factors involved in the cause of MS. It makes sense that as environmental toxins increase, so will the number of people with MS. The evidence seems to be building: environmental factors play havoc on the autoimmune system; toxins can trigger and/or worsen MS; and even something as simple as where we live can increase our risk factor for developing MS. Let’s look at three sources that will help explain these current theories.

Genetics and the Environment Work Together to Trigger Multiple Sclerosis

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center:
A combination of environmental and genetic factors likely plays a role in causing MS. A current theory is that the disease occurs in people with a genetic susceptibility who are exposed to some environmental assault (a virus or a toxin) that disrupts the blood-brain barrier. Immune factors converge in the nerve cells, triggering inflammation and an autoimmune attack (a self-attack) on myelin and axons.

Cigarette Smoking and Multiple Sclerosis

A study from The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Center sheds light on the dangers of cigarette smoking and MS:

Persons with multiple sclerosis who smoked for a little as six months during their lifetime had more destruction of brain tissue and more brain atrophy than MS patients who never smoked, a study by neuroimaging specialists at the University at Buffalo has shown.

Research published in the Aug. 18, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, showed that “ever-smokers” had more brain lesions and greater loss of brain volume, as well as higher scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), than MS patients who had no history of smoking.

“Cigarette smoking is one of the most compelling environmental risk factors linked to the development and worsening of MS,” said Robert Zivadinov, M.D., Ph.D., UB professor of neurology, director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center (BNAC) where the research was conducted and first author on the study.

Climate, Environmental Factors, and Multiple Sclerosis

Research and observations by UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center show climate, diet, and sunlight may play an important role in MS:

The environmental theory proposes that an environmental factor triggers the symptoms of MS. Support for this theory includes the observation that multiple sclerosis is diagnosed more frequently in temperate than tropical or subtropical climates. A map of the United States shows that the prevalence of MS increases with northern latitude. For example, the prevalence of MS in North Dakota is approximately twice that observed in Florida. The prevalence of MS in northern California is 150 cases per 100,000 individuals.

The relationship between latitude and prevalence of MS is also evident in other countries throughout Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. Investigators have explored the possibility that exposure to viral or bacterial infections, environmental toxins, duration of sunlight, changes in temperature and humidity, or diet might in some way produce or aggravate MS. To date, no specific environmental factor has been proven to cause MS.

What Conclusions can We Draw About the Causes and Increase of Multiple Sclerosis?

The research mentioned here, whether in fact or theory, points in the same direction: our environment plays a part in our health. The number of people with multiple sclerosis, lupus, chronic fatigue, autism, and a list of other disabling chronic illnesses and disorders is increasing year by year. It’s not difficult to take that logical step and determine there must be an environmental link contributing to this increase.

To learn more about Multiple Sclerosis you can visit:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
http://www.nmss.com

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com
Karen Cioffi Writing for Children and More

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice

A Panic Attack can Mimic More Serious illnesses such as Congestive Heart Failure

Your heart is racing, you’re having difficulty breathing, you have pins and needles in your limbs, you can’t think straight…is it a panic attack?

Anyone who has suffered with panic attacks knows that it can feel like you’re having a heart attack, stroke, or dying. While an actual panic attack can be terrifying, it is not deadly. But, thinking you’re having a panic attack when it really is a life threatening episode can be deadly.

What compounds this situation and makes it even more dangerous is when those around you, knowing you suffer with panic attacks, don’t take your symptoms seriously. Their first reaction is to assume it’s just another anxiety eruption. This is where you need to use common sense and take cautionary measures.

The story of a woman who thought she was suffering from non-stop panic attacks for almost a month is a case in point. The woman had a history of panic attacks, but at this point in her life she already had an episode with a leaky heart valve. Her symptoms were shortness of breath and light-headedness when getting out of bed in the morning; she couldn’t breathe when she climbed stairs; she had a heavy funny feeling in her legs; she had an ache in her neck and shoulders; and her heart was racing.

Why weren’t warning signals going off in her head telling her to go to the hospital? Ah, the life and death question. No one wants to think she’s really sick. She especially doesn’t want to believe it’s a life and death situation. And, no one wants to go to the hospital.

Fortunately, this woman’s symptoms continued to get worse and she finally went to see her regular doctor. This was fortunate because if the symptoms didn’t worsen she may not have sought any medical attention and it would have been too late. It turned out this woman was in congestive heart failure.

This is such a common and dangerous scenario: once diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks the individual and those around him or her don’t give serious warning signs the attention they deserve. This type of reaction delays, and even stops, the individual from seeking immediate medical attention. So, beware! Don’t recklessly treat common heart attack and stroke symptoms as panic attacks. Better safe than sorry.

Another common scenario is when doctors attribute anxiety-like symptoms, especially in women, to anxiety without ruling out other possible more serious causes for the symptoms.

What Can You Do to Have Your Symptoms Taken Seriously?

1. Don’t assume that doctors are always correct in their diagnosis.
2. If you’re told, “don’t worry, it’s just anxiety,” but you have a gnawing feeling that something else is going on, get another opinion.
3. If you’re still not satisfied, get a third, fourth and even fifth opinion.
4. It’s a good idea to write your symptoms down, so when you get to the doctor you don’t have to rely on your memory.
5. Try to be calm (not flustered) when describing your symptoms to doctors – having your symptoms written down will help in this area also.

Remember: It’s important to listen to your body.

You can learn more about anxiety disorders at:
Anxiety Disorder Association of America
http://www.adaa.org/

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice

I have an informative and timely article from Bottom Line’s Daily Health News:

IMMUNITY AND YOUR GENDER — WHY IT MATTERS

If you’re worried about how you’ll fare through this year’s flu season, the answer, surprisingly, may depend on whether you are a man or woman. Research on the impact of gender on disease response, including to the flu, is relatively new — in fact, clinical trials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) didn’t include women until 1993. Prior research (other than on the reproductive system) looked at only the male population, and findings were simply assumed to apply to women. How wrong that was!

GUYS, GALS AND THE FLU

Sabra Klein, PhD, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and coeditor of the recently published book Sex Hormones and Immunity to Infection, is an expert on this topic. She told me that when it comes to the immune system, the differences between the genders don’t play out in the way you might expect. Let’s start with how we’re different:

• Genetic differences. Going all the way back to high school biology, we all know that women have two X chromosomes, while men have an X and a Y chromosome… and that the X chromosome carries five to 10 times as many genes as the Y — including genes that result in a more intense immune response.

• Hormones. Estrogen enhances immune function, while androgen (testosterone) may suppress it. Consequently, women have more reactive immune systems — but, as you’ll see, this doesn’t always work out in women’s favor.

While it might sound as if women have the better end of the immunity deal, the reality is quite different. Here’s how these differences actually unfold in terms of gender immunity responses concerning the flu…

• Women and men catch the flu in about equal numbers.
• Once infected, women usually clear the virus more quickly.

However… pandemic or outbreak flu strains, such as the avian flu, may trigger a hyperreactive immune response in women, typically bringing more severe symptoms. For instance, women are more likely to experience severe, possibly even lethal, lung complications.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Given these findings, Dr. Klein feels that it’s important for women in particular to be vigilant about proper hygienic and other preventive measures and, if your doctor advises it, to get the flu shot (which now protects against H1N1 “swine” flu as well as the regular seasonal flu). One caveat about the shot: Women’s very sensitive immune systems can increase the likelihood of developing minor side effects, including brief inflammation and pain at the site of the injection.

While research shows that a half-dose shot triggers sufficient immune protection with a lower risk for side effects, Dr. Klein said many doctors aren’t yet convinced — she suggests asking your doctor for the lower dose and, if he/she doesn’t think it’s such a great idea, sharing the information that you’ve learned about women’s health and flu vaccines.

Source(s):

Sabra Klein, PhD, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, and coeditor of Sex Hormones and Immunity to Infection (Springer).
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Reprinted with the permission of:
Bottom Line Publications/HealthyWoman Boardroom Inc.
281 Tresser Blvd., 8th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
http://www.BottomLineSecrets.com

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com
Karen Cioffi Writing for Children and More

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice

Having MCS and two young grandchildren, I’m very concerned about the amount of unnecessary medication and vaccines the government is allowing the pharmaceutical companies to push on us and our children.

Here is a timely article from Mercola.com about how harmful these drugs are and how you can make a difference:

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Urgent: Please, Do This NOW to Protect Your Child’s Health…

Are You:

• TIRED of being bullied by your pediatrician into giving your child ALL 69 doses of 16 vaccines that public health doctors insist your child must take?
• WORRIED about the huge explosion of chronically ill and disabled children in America today and suspect it has something to do with them being overvaccinated?
• UPSET that your child will get thrown out of school unless you prove he or she has received dozens of doses of vaccines – even though you have serious doubts that all those vaccines are necessary and safe?
• ANGRY about being harassed at work and threatened with losing your job if you don’t role up your sleeve and get an annual flu shot?
• AFRAID that you and your family will be forced to get many of the 145 new vaccines being developed or be denied the right to get health insurance or medical care?

Time for You to STAND UP and Be HEARD

You are RIGHT to be tired and worried and upset and angry and afraid about what is happening in America today when it comes to being forced to use vaccines without your voluntary, informed consent.

It is time for ALL of us to stand up to the drug companies making vaccines and the doctors pushing more and more vaccines on our children without adequate scientific research and clinical evidence that it is wise public health policy.

It is time to educate our elected officials about the REAL TRUTH about the link between chronic illness and vaccination. It is time to let them know that:

You are Not Going to Take it Any More!

You are not going to stand by and watch your children’s health deteriorate any further. You are not going to stand by and watch our informed consent rights be eroded in state vaccine laws as the religious and conscientious belief exemptions to vaccination are being attacked and threatened with extinction.

You CAN do something about protecting our right to make informed, voluntary vaccination choices in America!

Mercola.com is a partner with the National Vaccine Information Center – NVIC – in providing you with accurate, truthful information about vaccination. And today, I am excited to announce that you can register for the NVIC Advocacy Portal, a free online interactive database and communication system that will help YOU take action in your state to PROTECT and EXPAND your right to make voluntary vaccine choices!

How NVIC Can Help You Win this Battle

NVIC is a non-profit charity that was founded by parents of vaccine injured children in 1982. They have been working for nearly THIRTY YEARS to prevent vaccine injuries and deaths through public education and defend the human right to informed consent to taking vaccine risks – which means they are fighting for YOUR right to make voluntary vaccine choices so you won’t be threatened or punished by anyone for the choice you make.

When you register for the NVIC Advocacy Portal, you will:

• Gain access to all contact information for your elected state and federal legislators and appointed state officials
• Stay informed about legislation affecting your ability to make vaccine choices
• Learn tips for successfully communicating with the people you elect to represent you
• Attend online training sessions for vaccine education choice advocacy
• Be the first to take immediate action in your state because you are alerted to when your informed consent rights are being threatened
• Join with like-minded grassroots activists working to protect and expand vaccine exemptions in your state
• Receive the online NVIC Advocacy Portal Newsletter and Action Alerts
• Receive the online NVIC E-newsletter highlighting breaking national news about vaccine development, policy, and law that affects you and your family

Best Resource to Help You Know About All Aspects of Vaccines

The right to make educated, independent health care choices is in jeopardy in America. There is an attack on non-medical exemptions to vaccination by special interest groups associated with pharmaceutical companies and medical organizations.

These forced vaccination proponents want to force Americans to use many more new vaccines by persuading politicians to mandate every new vaccine that is licensed.

With the increase in vaccine mandates and threats to health care workers that they will be fired if they don’t get an annual flu shot, it is critical for Americans to become educated about the loss of their informed consent rights.

The legal right to make voluntary vaccination choices in America will be won or lost at the state level because vaccine laws are state laws. YOU elect your state legislators, who allow new vaccine mandates to take effect in your state and allow exemptions to vaccination in state vaccine laws.

By registering with NVIC’s Advocacy Portal today, you will be taking that first step toward making sure that the people you elect to represent you in your State Capitol know that you are serious about taking back your freedom to make vaccine choices.

You are not going to be bullied into taking risks with vaccines you don’t want for yourself or your children. You want to be free to exercise medical, religious and conscientious belief exemptions to vaccination without being harassed and punished.

For more than 30 years, NVIC co-founder and president Barbara Loe Fisher has been warning Americans about the erosion of our freedom to make informed, voluntary vaccine choices. Her rallying cry – which I totally agree with – is:

No Forced Vaccination. Not In America.

Barbara and I know that freedom is not free. We have to fight to be free.

That is what we are going to do when it comes to making sure all Americans are free to say “yes” or “no” to vaccination.

Because whether or not you choose to use every vaccine that public health doctors tell you to use – or choose to use just a few vaccines – or choose to use no vaccines at all – that is YOUR personal health choice.

You deserve the right to be free to weigh the benefits and risks of using a pharmaceutical product and make a personal health care choice about whether or not to use the product.

It is as simple as that. What we are talking about here is whether or not we are going to have the freedom in America to choose what kinds of medical risks we take with our lives and the lives of our children.

It is Time To Organize! We Cannot Wait One Minute Longer!
The forced vaccination lobby is organized AND they have billions of taxpayer dollars PLUS billions more from BIG PHARMA at their disposal to persuade state legislators to approve more and more vaccine mandates that force Americans to use more and more vaccines.

We need to raise big money to fight Big Pharma and Corporate Medicine. We need to raise millions to fight the forced vaccination laws that enslave us and make us buy more and more vaccines so drug company stockholders can make bigger and bigger profits.

I have selected NVIC as one of my favorite charities because I want to win this war against forced vaccination in America. If you will join with me and make NVIC one of your favorite charities, together we CAN win this war.

Here is What You Can Do TODAY:

1. Register for NVIC’s Advocacy Portal (http://www.nvic.org/donate.aspx) and learn how you can take action in your state to protect your right to make vaccine choices.

2. Make a generous donation to NVIC (https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=22354), a 501C3 nonprofit charity that has been in the trenches fighting for vaccine truth and freedom for 30 years.

Your Donations to the NVIC help fund efforts that raise vaccine awareness, including the following excellent vaccine resources:

• State Vaccine Requirements
• Influenza Mini Guide Ebook
• Special Report: Influenza Vaccine Mandates Ineffective & Unwise
• Are You Over Vaccinating Your Child?
• Vaccine Ingredients Calculator
• How to Legally Avoid Immunizations
For information about legally avoiding immunizations in Canada, please see the Canadian Vaccination Liberation website http://www.vaclib.org

With every product you order from Mercola.com during this Vaccine Awareness Week (Nov. 1-6, 2010), a donation will be made by Mercola.com to NVIC.

I know that together we can win this war against forced vaccination in America!

We just need to get organized and serious about fighting for our freedom to make voluntary health choices in America, which includes our freedom to make voluntary vaccine choices.
Thank you my friends.

Please join with me and NVIC today and let’s get this done!
Stay tuned to this newsletter for more updates, or follow the National Vaccine Information Center on Facebook. Together we CAN make a difference!

Source:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/06/nvic-state-advocacy-portal.aspx

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com
Karen Cioffi Writing for Children and More

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice

In my research for writing, I come across a number of health articles related to this site – these are ones about depression.

From the National Institutes of Health:

An easy-to-read booklet on depression in women that explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help

Do you feel very tired, helpless, and hopeless? Are you sad most of the time, and take no pleasure in your family, friends, or hobbies? Are you having trouble working, sleeping, eating, and functioning? Have you felt this way for a long time?

If so, you may have depression.

Click on the link for the free booklet:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml

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How Serotonin Works: Findings Point to New Treatments for Schizophrenia and Depression
From Science Daily

Scripps Research Institute scientists have shown for the first time that the neurotransmitter serotonin uses a specialized signaling pathway to mediate biological functions that are distinct from the signaling pathways used by hallucinogenic substances. The new findings could have a profound effect on the development of new therapies for a number of disorders, including schizophrenia and depression.

Click on the link for the full article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101005171034.htm

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From Mercola.com

Sleep deprivation is such a chronic condition these days that you might not even realize you suffer from it. Science has now established that a sleep deficit can have serious, far reaching effects on your health, including depression.

Check out the full article:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/02/secrets-to-a-good-night-sleep.aspx

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The Next post will be about one of the other health issues related to this site.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://KarenCioffi.com
http://DKVWriting4U.com

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice

Magnets Used to Treat Patients With Severe Depression

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101018165836.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 19, 2010) — John O’Sullivan had struggled with bipolar depression since he was a teen. He has tried numerous types of psychotherapy and medication but nothing seemed to help for long.

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Depression, Anxiety May Raise Surgery Risks

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104545.html

TUESDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) — People with depression and anxiety have a slightly increased risk of death after undergoing surgery, a new study suggests.

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Fish Oil Pills Don’t Affect Postpartum Depression: Study

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104552.html

TUESDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) — Although some studies have shown a benefit to mothers and their infants from taking supplemental fish oil in the form of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a new Australian study finds no such benefit.

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New Theory Links Depression to Chronic Brain Inflammation

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101020091857.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 20, 2010) — Chronic depression is an adaptive, reparative neurobiological process gone wrong, say two University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers, positing in a new theory that the debilitating mental state originates from more ancient mechanisms used by the body to deal with physical injury, such as pain, tissue repair and convalescent behavior.

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Animal Study Explores Potential Gene Therapy for Depression

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104600.html
(*this news item will not be available after 01/18/2011)

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 20 (HealthDay News) — A combination of animal and human research is pointing the way towards a novel gene therapy that could ultimately help in the treatment of major depression, researchers say.

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Hope you find these articles interesting.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance Writer, and Acquisitions Editor Intern

http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com

Having never heard of body vibration for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients I was surprised to read that a new study found it doesn’t work, according to an article on MedilinePlus.com of the National Institutes of Health.

Apparently, the technology uses whole-body vibration to “stimulate muscles to become more efficient and to build bone,” and its use has been on the increase as a treatment “for muscle-related diseases such as MS.”

The Belgian study is the first long-term inquiry into whole-body vibration and MS. It investigated the “effect on various measures of muscle capacity in the upper legs, including strength, function, endurance and speed of motion in 11 men and women with mildly to moderately disabling disease.”

The participants exercised on a vibrating platform. There were five sessions every two weeks, and the study lasted for 20 weeks. The participants did a number of leg exercises, such as squats.

A second group of participants just went about their daily routines.

Both groups had basically the same leg weakness prior to beginning the study. After 10, and then 20 weeks of follow-ups, both groups still had the same weakness.

The researchers were surprised at the results; it has been established that regular exercise is beneficial for MS patients. There is much more research that needs to be done in this area.

According to Dr. LaRocca, vice president of health care delivery and policy research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, “Exercise is really considered to be very beneficial for people with MS, particularly if they can avoid overheating.” He added that aerobic exercise builds strength, and there is “some evidence suggests that it may improve the immune system in MS patients.”

LaRocca also noted that “his group does not endorse particular technologies.”

As a patient with MS, I know my neurologist, Dr. Brian Apatoff, and my acupuncturist, Henry Zhen-Hong Lee, both stress the importance of regular exercise.

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Source:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104170.html
(*this news item will not be available after 01/05/2011)

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Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, Reviewer, Acquisitions Editor for 4RV Publishing

http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com

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Today’s post will offer a number of health articles that pertain to one or more of the health issue this sites deals with.

Here are the links to important health information:

1. New Findings on Multiple Sclerosis: Immune Cells Also Attack Neurons Directly

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100923125113.htm

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2010) — Researchers in Germany have gained new insight into how the immune system causes damage associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable neuroinflammatory disorder. Using imaging tools which enable investigation of processes in living organisms, they were able to show a direct interaction between immune cells and neurons which plays a significant role in neuronal injury. However, this direct interaction may respond to therapeutic intervention.

2. Herbs and Supplement Information

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html

Browse dietary supplements and herbal remedies to learn about their effectiveness, usual dosage, and drug interactions.

3. Depression Heart Disease Combo May Up Odds of Death

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_103390.html
(this link will only be available until 12/15/10

Together, they quadruple risk of dying from heart attack, stroke, study finds

4. New Map Offers a Global View of HealthSapping Air Pollution

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100923104142.htm

5. Miracle Treatment Turns into Potent Bleach

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm228052.htm

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the product—known as Miracle Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement, and MMS—becomes a potent chemical that’s used as a bleach when mixed according to package directions. The agency first warned consumers about the product in July, but federal regulators say it’s still available for sale on the Internet.

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I hope you find these articles useful, I did.

Until next time,

Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter-for-hire, Freelance writer, Reviewer,
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing

http://karencioffi.com
http://dkvwriting4u.com

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karencioffiventrice
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KarenCV
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kcioffiventrice