Relief for Back Pain

Back pain is like the common cold. At some point most of us will suffer from it.
For those who have chronic pain, it can sap the joy out of life.
What they want is relief at the source of the pain.
Peripheral nerve field stimulation PNFS is the newest weapon in that battle.

PNFS works by having electrical leads placed under the skin at the pain source.. then the area is stimulated by electricity generated by an implanted power pack. Patients say it feels like a slight tingle.
It works by acting like a gate to stop the pain signal to the nerves and subsequently to the brain.

Researchers and patients say it's very effective with no complications. It's an update of an earlier treatment.
The battery pack reportedly lasts 5-7 years.

PNFS is being touted for people who've had back surgery that didn't do the job of relieving pain.. for those who are not surgical candidates or when the cause of pain can't be pinpointed.
The findings are reported by Dr. Eugene Lipov, director of research at the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network Pain Program.

Sex and our Seniors

If 50 is the new 30 then we have to be more careful when treating our seniors.
From antidepressants to hypertension drugs - these medications can interfere with sexual performance.
A new study, in fact, the first comprehensive national survey of sexual attitudes, behaviors and problems among adults 57-85 was just released.
It finds folks in that group say sexuality is an important part of their lives and that frequency , for those who are active, only declines slightly from the 50's to the early 70's.
This has great impact on how people in this age group are treated. It also means doctors need to have a conversation with their patients - as the survey finds this group is not necessarily comfortable discussing performance problems with their physician.
The bottom line says one of the researchers Linda Waite, PhD "sexuality is an important part of a healthy and engaged life at older ages for both women and men".
It's a fascinating study and if you want to read it check out: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/532575/?sc=dwhp

Kids and High Blood Pressure

It's a sign of the times we have to monitor our kids waistlines .. but now there's new evidence we should be keeping a closer eye on their blood pressure, too.

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital along with colleagues at Harvard say, the problem is grossly under reported because few pediatricians are screening for it.
Their study found only a quarter of kids with elevated blood pressure had the condition noted in their files . .simply put, their doctors didn't check for it.

The researchers say, as with adults, treating early can stave off problems. For kids that generally means lifestyle changes.

So when you take the kids for the back to school check up, add a conversation about blood pressure to your list of things to discuss.

For more info on blood pressure check out the current issue of JAMA or check out
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2004/nhlbi-04.htm

Mean people redux

Okay .. I'm on a bit of a rant about this .. mean people that is .. And I've found
more research showing you've got to get over yourself .. It's a new study, albeit a small one that hasn't been reviewed .. but it ties into other research ..
bottom line here .. the meanies - the angry ones ... they have lower HDL cholestorol . that's the good stuff .. and not enough HDL is a risk for heart disease.
This is what the researchers found:

Hostility rose with stress.
Hostility rose with self-blame.
Higher hostility scores were linked to lower HDL.
Stress was linked to higher self-isolation.
Stress was linked to higher self-blame.
Stress was linked a feeling of less efficacy in dealing with problems.

So .. go smell the roses ..

Once a year Osteoporosis Treatment

For postmenopausal women the first once a year treatment, by injection, for osteoporosis has been greenlighted by the FDA.
Called RECLAST the approval follows a 3 year study showing the drug reduced the frquency of fractures by 70 percent overall and hip fractures by 41 percent.

Reclast is administered once a year through an infusion that takes 15 minutes.

Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures a year - and 20 percent of the women suffering those fractures will die within a year.

for more info check out www.reclast.com

Mean People

Who doesn't know a mean person?

Sadly they're all around us and often making our lives miserable.

Stop - don't give them power-
Moreover, you might want to pity them.

There's an abundance of research showing these folks are killing themselves. They're at increased risk for heart disease and cancer.

But if they're a family member, you might want to help steer them in a more positive direction. The research finds the nasty people have a greater impact or at least as great an impact on family dynamics as caring, supportive family ..

So .. try a little tenderness ..