Anesthesia may triggers asymptomatic brain changes

Patients who were given general anesthesia before surgery performed slightly worse on memory tests, this was due to cognitive changes in the brain related to immediate memory, or the ability to remember information over a brief period. 'The cognitive changes after surgery are small-probably asymptomatic and beneath a person's awareness,' said senior author Dr Kirk Hogan, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

For the study, Dr Hogan and his colleagues measured memory and executive function in 964 participants, with the average age of 54, who had no signs of Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or cognitive impairment before surgery. Of the participants, 312 of them had at least one surgical procedure performed and 652 of them did not. Researchers found there was a decline in immediate memory over the course of four years in participants who had surgery.

Memory became abnormal in 18 percent of those who had at least one surgical procedure compared with 10 percent of those who had not. Regarding the working memory test, surgery and anesthesia were associated with a decline in immediate memory by one point out of a possible maximum test score of 30 points. They found no differences in other measures of memory and executive function between those who had surgery and their counterparts.

 Patients having surgery and anesthesia are likely to experience impaired performance on neuropsychological tests of memory and executive function, an association that might be causal. Researchers found the activity of memory loss receptors remains high long after the drugs have been eliminated from the patient's body. Other risk factors like the sort of disease or illness a person have could impact brain function. Diseases like hypertension and diabetes may also be responsible for cognitive decline in patients who have had surgery.
             haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Protein that prevent cartilage damage

There may be a protein in the body that hinders cartilage degradation in patients with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) scientists performed in vivo experiments on animal models of post traumatic osteoarthritis and found that sclerostin (a protein that in humans is encoded by the Sost gene), acts as a protective molecule immediately post joint injury to inhibit cartilage loss and joint calcification.

Patients with ACL ruptures are two times more likely to develop post traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). PTOA leads to reduced physical activity, deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system, and in severe cases, requires joint replacement to restore function. Administering sclerostin to injured joints would significantly slow down cartilage degradation post injury. The development of treatments that can be delivered to joints immediately post injury could provide attractive alternatives to surgery.

When joints were injured using a noninvasive technique that tears the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, a protein, Sclerostin or Sost, which is normally not expressed in the articular cartilage, turned on immediately post injury (red; anti-Sost sntibody). This protein serves a protective role by slowing down cartilage degradation that normally occurs post injury.

To determine whether elevated levels of sclerostin play a protective role in PTOA, the team examined the progression of OA using a noninvasive tibial compression overload model developed by Dr. Blaine Christiansen at UC Davis."We found that the transgenic mice overexpressing SOST develop moderate OA and display significantly less advanced PTOA phenotypes at 16 weeks post injury compared to the control mice,"The transgenic mice built approximately 65 percent less osteophytes (a bony outgrowth that aims to stabilize the injured joint) than the control group.

The increased risk of developing knee OA after injury to the ACL has been well documented both clinically and in experimental models. Clinical manifestation of PTOA is characterized by narrowing of the joint space, emergence of osteophytes, cartilage erosion and fibrillation. Biomechanical disturbances in the joint, such as lateral dislocation of the tibia, further the development of osteophytes in the lateral tibial-femoral compartment and cause misalignment, rotation and anterior dislocation of the joint; all these physical manifestations contribute to the emergence of intra-articular lesions.

 Cartilage lesions become further exacerbated through molecular changes in the joint, including the increase in the production of matrix-degrading enzymes, such as aggrecanases and metalloproteinases (MMPs). Elevated levels of these enzymes enhance the loss of articular cartilage, increase the amount of pain experienced and lead to impaired joint mobility in more than 50 percent of individuals that sustained an ACL tear.

In addition to changes in joint architecture and uneven biomechanical load distribution in the knee after an ACL tear, the individual can experience inflammatory responses, enzymatic cartilage destruction and osteophyte formation that will determine subsequent osteoarthritic results. Elevated levels of sclerostin, immediately post injury, can aid the joint in maintaining its articular cartilage integrity in PTOA.
           haleplushearty.blogspot.com

How to prevent opioid addiction after surgery

The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends using prescription painkillers sparingly, if at all, after surgery. There are effective alternatives and many people don't need opioids at all or at least should drastically reduce the amount they take. Opioid painkillers like OxyContin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) are addictive, the addiction can develop after taking just a few of them.

Post-surgical prescription have played a role in opioid epidemic. Despite the risk of dependence, many surgery patients receive prescriptions for a month's supply or more of opioid pills. And some of the patients are still using them three months or longer after their surgery.

More than 2 million Americans abuse opioids, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2000, opioid overdose deaths in the United States have increased 200 percent. To reduce reliance on painkillers, the anesthesiologists' group offers advice for coping with discomfort as you recover from surgery:
Only take opioids when in extreme pain . Medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can manage pain and soreness. These medications are not addictive and are far less risky than opioids.

Understand that soreness and discomfort after surgery are normal and will improve within a day or two. These sensations are different than pain, which is typically sharp or intense. While in recovery after surgery, try to be clear when asked if you are in pain. Specify if you are sore, uncomfortable or in serious pain.

If you have significant pain, ask that an opioid prescription be limited to a small amount, such as five pills. If you do take opioids, take them only for a day or two after surgery, three days at most. Your pain will improve significantly within a few days whether or not you take opioids. Those who are in continued severe pain after surgery can engage in exercise, use nerve blocks and non-opioid medications.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Dangers of using anaesthetics

A new understanding of the complex ways in which general anaesthetics act on the brain could eventually lead to improved drugs for surgery. It remains unclear how general anaesthesia works, even though it is one of the most common medical procedures worldwide.

University of Queensland researcher, Associate Professor Bruno van Swinderen, said his team had overturned previous understanding of what general anaesthetics do to the brain, finding the drugs did much more than induce sleep.

Researchers looked at the effects of propofol - one of the most common general anaesthetic drugs used during surgery - on synaptic release. Synaptic release is the mechanism by which neurons - or  nerve cells - communicate with each other.

From the previous research that general anaesthetics including propofol act on sleep systems in the brain like a sleeping pill. This study discovered that propofol also disrupts presynaptic mechanisms, probably affecting communication between neurons across the entire brain in a systematic way that differs from just being asleep.

 Propofol restricts the movement of a key protein (syntaxin1A) required at the synapses of all neurons. This restriction leads to decreased communication between neurons in the brain. The finding contributed to understanding how general anaesthetics worked, and could explain why people experienced grogginess and disorientation after coming out of surgery.

The discovery has implications for people whose brain connectivity is vulnerable, for example in children whose brains are still developing or for people with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.
        haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Hair transplant may prevents migraine

According to latest research, hair transplants cure migraines, the cosmetic procedure prevents headaches in people who have suffered crippling pain for up to 20 years, a Turkish study found.
After undergoing hair transplants, migraine sufferers who experienced agonising discomfort for up to four hours, several times a month, no longer require any pain-relieving medication.

It is unclear how hair transplants prevent migraines, however, it may be linked to the surgery destroying nerve endings in the scalp, reducing signals that trigger such pain. Migraine is the third most common condition in the world, affecting around one in seven people. Researchers from the SO-EP Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic, Turkey, analysed six patients who suffered from migraines and underwent hair transplants.

Of the study's participants, two suffered pain at the front and base of their heads; two at the base and around the ear; and the remainder at the front, base and surrounding ear area. On average, they experienced such headaches for six days a month, with the pain lasting around four hours.

 Their pain scores were between five and eight out of 10. All of the participants tried pain-relieving medication for their headaches before having their hair transplants. Some of them had suffered with migraines for up to 20 years.

After their hair transplants, each participant was checked once in the first month and then every three months. Results reveal all of the participants stopped experiencing migraines after their hair transplants and no longer require pain-relieving medication. Hair plantation in bald migraine patients may be an alternative to migraine treatment.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Vaping not better than smoking before surgery

Despite being perceived as a healthier alternative to tobacco cigarettes, vaping liquid contains nicotine, which may significantly increase the risk for complications related to surgery and anesthesia, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists AANA. The AANA is supporting this effort by urging individuals not to vape or smoke before surgery.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which can cause addiction.The nicotine found in vapes and tobacco results in poor wound healing, increases anesthesia risk, and may lead to a host of other potential complications for surgery patients. Despite being perceived as a better alternative to tobacco cigarettes, vaping liquid contains nicotine, which significantly increases the risk for complications during and after surgery.

 It's common knowledge that patients should quit smoking cigarettes at least a few weeks before and after surgery, vaping is not good as well. Nicotine can lower the effectiveness of certain medications or interfere with the way the way drugs work; it can also impact healing and lead to infection and greater discomfort after surgery.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Sleep and caffeine can reduce post operative pain

Sleep is essential for good mental and physical health, insufficient sleep increases the risk for several chronic diseases. Pre and postoperative sleep disturbances worsen pain. Caffeine in coffee and other beverages blocks the actions of adenosine in the brain. Adenosine is an endogenous sleep inducer.

Insufficient sleep enhances pain perception. Using a rat model of surgical pain, the research team tested whether prior sleep deprivation increases postoperative pain and caffeine blocks the increase in postoperative pain caused by sleep deprivation.

Researchers sought to identify a potential brain mechanism by which disrupted sleep worsens pain. The effect of sleep deprivation on pain sensitivity in operated and intact rats was virtually eliminated by pharmacologically blocking the action of adenosine in a brain region in the anterior hypothalamus known to regulate sleep, which is connected to major pain-related areas.

Extended wakefulness prior to surgery significantly enhanced postoperative pain behaviors and extended recovery time after surgery. Caffeine mitigate this effect. It blocked the increase in surgical pain caused by previous sleep loss.

 Caffeine might prevent the increase in pain sensitivity by blocking part of the neurochemical changes induced by sleep deprivation in specific brain areas that control sleep and wakefulness, and project to pain-related sites.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Anti-cancer chemotherapyic agents prevents glioblastoma growth

Glioblastoma GBM is the most aggressive tumor that can form in the brain. The tumor can repeat formation even after treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Researchers discovered that a different molecular target, NEK2, evolved after OTS167 treatment for glioblastoma, and they used computer-based drug design to target NEK2.

 The resulting NEK2 inhibitor, called CMP3a, was able to inhibit growth in pre-clinical models of glioblastoma, both in culture and in mouse brains. When combined with radiation, CMP3a has a synergistic effect to attenuate growth of glioblastoma cells in culture.

NEK2 is a poorly characterized kinase enzyme. The researchers found that NEK2 is differentially expressed in glioma stem cells, and it is required for growth of glioma clones in culture, as well as for growth and radiation resistance of a human glioblastoma tumor in the mouse model.

NEK2 protein binds to EZH2, an oncogenic histone H3 methyltranferase, and this binding protects EZH2 from protein degradation in the glioma stem cells. EZH2 was already known to regulate the self-renewal and survival of glioma stem cells.

Stabilizing EZH2, NEK2 promotes tumor propagation. Disrupting the NEK2-EZH2 interaction in cancer cells has the potential to target their cancer stem cell compartment.

Elevated EZH2 expression occurs in various human cancers, including prostate cancer, breast cancer and glioblastoma, and the studies have shown that elevated EZH2 is associated with tumor malignancy

Clinical study shows that glioblastoma brain tissues was closely associated with EZH2 expression. NEK2 expression also correlated with poor prognosis for the patients, and NEK2 was substantially elevated in recurrent tumors after therapeutic failure.

NEK2 play a key role in maintaining glioma stem cells by stabilizing the EZH2 protein, and the small molecule inhibitor CMP3a is a potential novel therapeutic agent for glioblastoma.

They found that EZH2 was protected post-translationally. They also found that NEK2 was the most up-regulated kinase gene in glioma spheres and that NEK2 expression showed a strong association with EZH2 expression in protein profiles for human cancers in the Human Protein Atlas.

The researchers found that NEK2 formed a protein complex with EZH2 to phosphorylate and protect EZH2 from proteasome-dependent degradation in glioma stem cells. They also showed that NEK2 promoted radiation resistance in glioma stem cells.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Facts about glioblastoma

Glioblastoma GBM is the most aggressive tumor that can form in the brain. Glioblastomas are tumors that developed from astrocytes- supportive tissue of the brain.

Glioblastomas are found in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, but can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. It can cause brain bleeding, which may have been related to the clot.

These tumors are cancerous because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels.

There two types of glioblastoma
Primary - The tumors are common and very aggressive.
Secondary - These tumors have slower growth rate and very aggressive.

Common symptoms are - headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Depending on the location of the tumor, patients can develop different symptoms like weakness on one side of the body, memory and speech difficulties, and visual changes.

The exact cause of glioblastoma is not known. It can be difficult to treat because the tumors contain so many different types of cells. Some cells may respond very well to certain therapies, while others may not be improve.

However, because of the way it spreads, it is impossible to remove every microscopic growth from the brain. Therefore, it will continue to grow.

Radiation and chemotherapy may be used to slow the growth of tumors that cannot be removed with surgery.
Patients have a ten percent chance of surviving five years after their diagnosis.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Cause and prevention of pterygium

Pterygium is a growth that develops on the conjunctiva membrane that covers the white part of eye. It is a non cancerous growth that look like a wedges and it can extend to the cornea.

Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can lead to the growth of pterygium, it is common among people living in warm climates. Regular exposure to pollen, sand, smoke and wind can also increase the risk of developing pterygium.

Common symptoms of pterygium are redness, blurred vision, itching, eye irritation and burning sensation. Large pterygium can cover cornea and interfere with vision. It can lead to severe scarring on cornea, eye drops or eye ointments that contain corticosteroids can reduce inflammation caused by pterygium.

Pterygium can be removed by surgery if eye drops or ointments is not effective, Surgery is recommended when it causes loss of vision or astigmatism.
Use sunglasses and hat when you are walking under sunlight to minimize the risk of developing pterygium.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Treatment and prevention of cancer

Treatment of cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer. Age and health status of the patients will also dictate the treatment.

Common cancer treatment are: surgery,
radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy or gene therapy.

Cancer can be prevented by eating healthy diet. Eating foods that are low in fat, rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains can reduce risk of having cancer.

Some vaccines have been associated with prevention of some cancers. For example, vaccination for the human papillomavirus prevents cervical cancer. Hepatitis B vaccines prevents
hepatitis B virus, which can cause cancer of the liver.

Breast self-examination, mammograms, testicular self-examination, and Pap smears are common screening methods for different cancers prevention.

You can prevent cancer by, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, controlling cholesterol, managing blood pressure, reducing blood sugar and not smoking.

       haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Walking reduces risk of developing cancer

Different studies involving breast and bowel cancer patients discovered that regular exercise increase the rate of survival.

The first was carried out by a team from Harvard University who followed 992 men with stage three bowel cancer, which had spread to nearby tissue, for seven years.

Patients who did 30 minutes’ moderate exercise five days a week and ate healthily were 42 per cent less likely to die of cancer.

The second study, by Australian researchers, looked at 194 women who had recently undergone surgery to remove breast cancer.

Half of patients were told to do 180 minutes’ moderate activity a week for at least eight months.

The other half continued about their normal lives and both groups were examined after eight years.

The team from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane found that women who had exercised were 55 per cent more likely to still be alive and healthy.

Moderate exercise can slow tumour growth or prevent their returning by reducing levels of hormones.

Exercise is important for bowel cancer as it reduces inflammation, which can lead to cells multiplying and forming tumours.


       haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Side-effects of chemotherapy

CANCER is often treated with chemotherapy - a group of drugs used to destroy cancerous cells - but it comes with several side-effects.

Chemotherapy makes radiotherapy effective, relieves symptoms if a cure isn’t possible and reduce the risk of cancer coming back after radiotherapy or surgery.

There are two main types of chemotherapy- Intravenous
chemotherapy involves treatment via the vein. It is usually performed at hospital with medicine being given via a tube.

Oral chemotherapy is a tablets for treating cancer, it can kill cancer cells and healthy cells- particularly blood cells, skin cells and cells in the stomach.

Chemotherapy for brain cancer can kill some healthy brain cells, causing depression. Chemotherapy targets cells which are fast-growing - like cancer - but this also affect hair, bone marrow, skin and lining of digestive system.

Most of these will disappear after treatment, normal cells can replace or repair the damaged ones, and some might occur when taking the drugs.

Natural pregnancy is possible for cancer survivor

Cancer survivors will be able to have natural pregnancy with the discovery of new procedure.

According to George Kofinas a fertility doctor, reproductive surgery center will be open that will specialized in ovarian-tissue harvesting and transplantation.

Ovarian damage is caused by chemotherapy, the new method will allow a slice of a woman's ovarian tissue that has eggs be removed and preserved before chemotherapy.

The preserved tissue is transplant after chemotherapy and the woman can become pregnant without in-vitro fertilization.

How breast implants caused cancer

Breast implant is the use of artificial material to change the size, shape and colour of breast. It may cause deadly cancer.

Food and Drug Administration FDA said women with breast implants are at risk of developing anaplastic large cell lymphoma ALCL - a cancer of Immune system cells.

ALCL develop in women with textured implants than those that used smooth-surfaced implants. According to Aesthetic Surgery Journal, chronic inflammation in the scar tissue around the breast implants may trigger the immune response to the implants.

Regular MRI scan can detect leaks from silicon gel implant, women with breast implants are advised to follow their doctor's advice and instructions. Regular medical check can also help, swelling and pain from the breast must be report in the hospital without delay.

Intensive medical attention can reverse type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus DM is a group of diseases associated with high blood sugar, common symptoms are: increased thirst, increase hunger and frequent urination.

When pancreas failed to produce enough insulin - type 1 or when body failed to respond to insulin properly - type 2 are the common types of diabetes.

Correct combination of medications, insulin and lifestyle therapies for three to four months can reverse type 2 diabetes according to latest study on diabetes.

Bariatric surgery is not the only solution to type 2 diabetes, following standard lifestyle advice from your Doctor, will leads to achieving normal glucose level with the aid of medications.

The oral medication, insulin and lifestyle therapies will give your pancreas rest and decrease fat stores in your body; this will improve insulin production and make your pancreas active.

Facts about Melanoma

1. Melanoma is a cancer that begins in the melanocytes.

2. Ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of melanoma

3. Over exposure to the sun can damage DNA and leads to melanoma.

4. It accounts for 5% of all skin cancer and it's the most dangerous types of skin cancer.

5.  Melanoma can develop in any part of the skin.

6.  Having lots of moles on the skin can cause melanoma.

7.  One of the common symptoms of melanoma is sore that do not heal.

8.  Red raspberries fruits  and green tea may prevent it.

9.  Daily intake of raw garlic can prevent melanoma

10.  Common treatments include:
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Surgery
• Targeted therapy