According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, a key reason why men don't visit the doctor is the waiting time involved. Men's reluctance to visit the doctor anyway is simply compounded by the amount of time spent waiting.
However, the amount of time required for a doctor's visit is just a drop in the ocean when compared to your entire life. And more importantly, the time needed for a doctor's visit is well worth it. Staying healthy should be priority but often isn't.
Let's see why a lot of men don't like to see a doctor?
to be continued..
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
What U.S. health care reform means for Canada
We try to stay away from politics as much as possible, but there is a movement that now it's pretty hard to ignore.
As you know, Barack Obama signed legislation yesterday that largely a system heavily criticized reform of U.S. health care.
And while that is great news for millions of Americans - despite being a thorn in the side about 100 million Republicans - could have positive effects for Canadians, here north of the border?
The reasoning is, with a public commitment to fund the attention of Americans health needs in place, millions of would the Yankees have now discovered the confidence (or is it 'no fear? ") For the treatment of their finances rationally without preparing for a medical pump that had hurt your finances.
For example, say that the family X has no health coverage and maintain a fund of $ 20,000 saved if the grandmother became ill with asthma or junior or whatever. In theory, now, which is $ 20,000 more than can be pumped into the U.S. economy on a variety of ways.
That's not much, but multiply in cash and in the estimated 32 million Americans who have had no coverage and that is on the increase.
What does this mean for Canadians? However, many experts - such as the Financial Post, Diane Francis - chalk this as nothing more than "good news" for countries like ours that depend on a prosperous America for our own success.
According to Francis, another big boost to U.S. economy come from the 3% of U.S. GDP is currently used for litigation to decide whether to cover medical expenses. With much of the bureaucracy eliminated on that front, which is money that can be spent, for example, subsidizing companies with subsidies to keep manufacturing on U.S. soil.
It will take time for Canadians to feel the real economic effects of the U.S. health reform, but some improvements have come earlier, at least.
TSX health care activities are already following the new U.S. law, according to the Montreal Gazette.
"People perceive that it will be a much more public money that comes in health care, so it might be good for a number of different companies that provide both equipment and services, or whatever," a privileged financial told the newspaper.
As you know, Barack Obama signed legislation yesterday that largely a system heavily criticized reform of U.S. health care.
And while that is great news for millions of Americans - despite being a thorn in the side about 100 million Republicans - could have positive effects for Canadians, here north of the border?
The reasoning is, with a public commitment to fund the attention of Americans health needs in place, millions of would the Yankees have now discovered the confidence (or is it 'no fear? ") For the treatment of their finances rationally without preparing for a medical pump that had hurt your finances.
For example, say that the family X has no health coverage and maintain a fund of $ 20,000 saved if the grandmother became ill with asthma or junior or whatever. In theory, now, which is $ 20,000 more than can be pumped into the U.S. economy on a variety of ways.
That's not much, but multiply in cash and in the estimated 32 million Americans who have had no coverage and that is on the increase.
What does this mean for Canadians? However, many experts - such as the Financial Post, Diane Francis - chalk this as nothing more than "good news" for countries like ours that depend on a prosperous America for our own success.
According to Francis, another big boost to U.S. economy come from the 3% of U.S. GDP is currently used for litigation to decide whether to cover medical expenses. With much of the bureaucracy eliminated on that front, which is money that can be spent, for example, subsidizing companies with subsidies to keep manufacturing on U.S. soil.
It will take time for Canadians to feel the real economic effects of the U.S. health reform, but some improvements have come earlier, at least.
TSX health care activities are already following the new U.S. law, according to the Montreal Gazette.
"People perceive that it will be a much more public money that comes in health care, so it might be good for a number of different companies that provide both equipment and services, or whatever," a privileged financial told the newspaper.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Let's use Electric cigarette
The electric cigarette that gives you a nicotine hit and gets round the smoking ban
Inventors have created an electric cigarette which gives a nicotine hit while at the same time manages to avoid the ban on smoking. The small white stick, which looks just as proper cigarette, contains a camera that vapourises pure liquid nicotine in a puff of steam.
Smokers can inhale the pair as they smoke cigarettes and still get the buzz - without taking in any harmful substances.
Nicotine is the only ingredient, unlike tobacco alternatives which contain over 4000 chemicals and resins. Electric cigarette on the batteries, has a glowing red tip and tastes like the real thing. Makers claim that can be used inside pubs and restaurants despite the national ban on smoking as it has no flame and does not create smoke.
They also say that cigarettes can cause lung cancer, because it only contains nicotine. Stick, called Gamucci Micro Electronic Cigarette, uses small cartridges filled with liquid material.
There are three types of cartridges, "low", which consists of six milligrams of nicotine, "medium", which is 11mg, and "high", which contains 16mg. Tiny cell spray inside the stick heats the liquid, when the user takes a drag, and a second later it comes down to a pair. Kick-effect almost immediately and provide Hit nicotine without the harmful tar and carcinogens. Passive smoking is impossible, which makes it ideal for indoor use.
Inventors have created an electric cigarette which gives a nicotine hit while at the same time manages to avoid the ban on smoking. The small white stick, which looks just as proper cigarette, contains a camera that vapourises pure liquid nicotine in a puff of steam.
Smokers can inhale the pair as they smoke cigarettes and still get the buzz - without taking in any harmful substances.
Nicotine is the only ingredient, unlike tobacco alternatives which contain over 4000 chemicals and resins. Electric cigarette on the batteries, has a glowing red tip and tastes like the real thing. Makers claim that can be used inside pubs and restaurants despite the national ban on smoking as it has no flame and does not create smoke.
They also say that cigarettes can cause lung cancer, because it only contains nicotine. Stick, called Gamucci Micro Electronic Cigarette, uses small cartridges filled with liquid material.
There are three types of cartridges, "low", which consists of six milligrams of nicotine, "medium", which is 11mg, and "high", which contains 16mg. Tiny cell spray inside the stick heats the liquid, when the user takes a drag, and a second later it comes down to a pair. Kick-effect almost immediately and provide Hit nicotine without the harmful tar and carcinogens. Passive smoking is impossible, which makes it ideal for indoor use.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Best 5 Easy Ways to Drop Body Fat
Your health is measured by pounds alone! New research confirms that the key measure of a person's health is not weight, body fat.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic recently issued a study that found people with normal weight with high body fat percentage (over 20 percent for women, 30 percent for men) may be at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.
On Good Morning America did a report on the study of cool that a real woman is bettered her body fat percentage by lifting weights. A few months ago, we ran a story about body fat, and after taking this quiz I realized that my fat, not fighting habits were all that great. Ready to reduce fat? Here are some simple ways:
Log tube less time: Watching more than five hours of TV a week your risk UPS. Set your DVR to record your favorite shows to spend less time sitting (watching commercials) without losing a single episode.
Eat a salad a day: Even fans of Veggie often skimp on the green leaves, but munching salads six to seven times a week can take Jigga. Find toppers salad you like to encourage you to dig in: I go for goat cheese crumbled, dried nuts and Cranberries. Yum!
Cook at home: Room for more than six times a week can boost your risk of obtaining body fat. This includes lunch! Skip dinner and local container to make a salad twice your body good.
Chill Out: Stress is a body-fat booster. Unless of course you have to actively manage it. When tension builds, find an actively to simmer down, such as taking a walk or cleaning your kitchen. No time to exercise? Put on headphones, close your eyes and play a ton of favorite-whatever you do, do not reach for that cookie jar!
Go fish: Eating three servings of omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, tuna, nuts or flax can help keep body fat at bay. Sprinkle nuts or cereal in the morning, and try versions of canned tuna and salmon in a pinch.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic recently issued a study that found people with normal weight with high body fat percentage (over 20 percent for women, 30 percent for men) may be at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.
On Good Morning America did a report on the study of cool that a real woman is bettered her body fat percentage by lifting weights. A few months ago, we ran a story about body fat, and after taking this quiz I realized that my fat, not fighting habits were all that great. Ready to reduce fat? Here are some simple ways:
Log tube less time: Watching more than five hours of TV a week your risk UPS. Set your DVR to record your favorite shows to spend less time sitting (watching commercials) without losing a single episode.
Eat a salad a day: Even fans of Veggie often skimp on the green leaves, but munching salads six to seven times a week can take Jigga. Find toppers salad you like to encourage you to dig in: I go for goat cheese crumbled, dried nuts and Cranberries. Yum!
Cook at home: Room for more than six times a week can boost your risk of obtaining body fat. This includes lunch! Skip dinner and local container to make a salad twice your body good.
Chill Out: Stress is a body-fat booster. Unless of course you have to actively manage it. When tension builds, find an actively to simmer down, such as taking a walk or cleaning your kitchen. No time to exercise? Put on headphones, close your eyes and play a ton of favorite-whatever you do, do not reach for that cookie jar!
Go fish: Eating three servings of omega-3 rich foods such as salmon, tuna, nuts or flax can help keep body fat at bay. Sprinkle nuts or cereal in the morning, and try versions of canned tuna and salmon in a pinch.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Is Your Pain Treatment Hurting? (continued)
Your instinct is surgery before therapy
Surgery may feel that the most effective option, but for chronic pain, research is mixed. Studies show that operating to relieve low back pain without evidence of nerve pressure, for example, may provide minimal if any benefit, compared with a rehabilitation program, not to mention that this is with risks. "The truth is, surgery has a chance to make the pain worse the infection, scarring and nerve damage," says Carey.
Get relief: Eight for medicines for pain, physical therapy, or exercise first. To treat back pain, for example, experts recommend trying a combination of all three for at least six months before discussing surgical options. Many people will be improved sufficiently to avoid or not be eligible for surgery, says William Abdu, MD, medical director of spine Center at Dart-mouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. You can also talk to your doctor about trying a shorter, more intensive rehabilitation program.
You are wary of narcotics
The news is filled with tales of unintentional deaths from Meds pain or celebrities, who became addicted to them so that people suffering from pain for many prefer to play safe with OTC antialgice. Even some doctors to avoid narcotics for fear of being punished for overprescribing them. But the reality is, most people in pain will not go or die dependent on pain Meds. And the benefits are huge-they take when you're in less pain, can be more actively and speed your recovery.
Get relief: Most doctors start patients on low doses of opioids and check-in needs assessments every three or four weeks to make sure the medication works well. If you experience that "drugged" feeling at first, do not worry-it'll disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. Take only the medicine prescribed-growth, no dose or combined with other drugs, such as muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety, unless you talk to your doctor.
There are some people who may be predisposed to addiction. If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs in the past, should be monitored more closely by your doctor. Signs of addiction include feeling compulsive about taking drugs, being unable to control how much to take, and which shows no signs of improvement.
Not considered natural treatments
If you can not take the Meds pain because side effects or are simply looking to increase their impact, taking into account alternative treatment. Clinical studies show that acupuncture, for example, pain relieves osteoarthritis, sciatica, and lower back problems. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, according to a large review of recent research, the patients taking Devil's Claw, willow bark, and Cayenne for Lower pain back had improved more than those taking a placebo.
Get relief: herbal treatments are not without side-effects and can interfere with other medications, so check with your doctor before taking them. Ground for a science-based natural pain fighters top, go to prevention.com / naturalpaincures.
Numerous studies show that also mental techniques can help ease the pain. Start with some simple relaxation techniques: deep breathing practices, and strengthening and relaxation of different muscles for 15 to 20 minutes each day. A therapist can help you find other types of relaxation, such as visualization, self-hypnosis, and biofeedback-ask your doctor for a recommendation.
You do not discuss depression
About 54 percent of people with chronic back pain suffer from depression, but only one third of them take antidepressants, according to a recent study. New brain-imaging research, however, clearly shows that our mental state is closely related to how the process make with-pain. Brain scans show that in patients with chronic pain, songs that ignite emotions are involved, not just feeling. "This means that our emotions have a profound influence on how we perceive pain, how much distress it causes, and ultimately how it affects our quality of life, 'says Portenoy.
Get relief: If you feel hopeless, sleeping more or less than usual, and gain or lose weight quickly, you could be suffering from depression. Discuss symptoms and options with your doctor, who may prescribe an antidepressant, recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or even suggest a combination of both. CBT teaches you to cope better and adjust to your pain (and even train your mind to reduce it) which helps to decrease emotional stress, which can make pain feel worse.
"There is science that shows more than the benefit of cognitive behavioral approaches there than most medicines for pain," Portenoy says. In a recent study, patients with depression and pain were randomly assigned to receive antidepressants and, after three months, were given six sessions of CBT. A year later, the intervention group were significantly less depressed and had less pain than those who were only informed that they had depressive symptoms and should seek advice about treatment. To find a specialist CBT, visit the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists to nacbt.org, for psychologists who focus on pain management, check out the AAPM website.
You don't do your own research
Doing a little digging on your own behalf you can open up new treatment options, helps reminded to ask questions and improve your sense of control over your care. Antonia Kent, 39, injured her back when she was 21 and underwent three surgeries not before deciding it's time to look into different options herself.
"I went to the library and read about my particular injury and pain treatment," says teacher from Union, NJ "It made me feel proactive, and not a victim of my Pain." Research has given her ideas about talking to doctors and therapies to try. After the third surgery, she started taking a strong medicine that turned her on her feet. Today it has a lighter product, herb supplements, and her pain is better controlled.
Get relief: specific research on your condition of patient advocacy sites Web, such as the American Pain Foundation (painfoundation.org). Also, consider subscribing local groups of chronic pain support, where you can get medical advice and share ideas about treatment.
You can find online tools and to help you decide whether to have surgery, take a special test, or continue with treatment. A good resource: Go to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Web site (dhmc.org) and search for common center of decision-making. There, you can download videos from questionnaires or borrow to help weigh the risks and benefits.
Surgery may feel that the most effective option, but for chronic pain, research is mixed. Studies show that operating to relieve low back pain without evidence of nerve pressure, for example, may provide minimal if any benefit, compared with a rehabilitation program, not to mention that this is with risks. "The truth is, surgery has a chance to make the pain worse the infection, scarring and nerve damage," says Carey.
Get relief: Eight for medicines for pain, physical therapy, or exercise first. To treat back pain, for example, experts recommend trying a combination of all three for at least six months before discussing surgical options. Many people will be improved sufficiently to avoid or not be eligible for surgery, says William Abdu, MD, medical director of spine Center at Dart-mouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. You can also talk to your doctor about trying a shorter, more intensive rehabilitation program.
You are wary of narcotics
The news is filled with tales of unintentional deaths from Meds pain or celebrities, who became addicted to them so that people suffering from pain for many prefer to play safe with OTC antialgice. Even some doctors to avoid narcotics for fear of being punished for overprescribing them. But the reality is, most people in pain will not go or die dependent on pain Meds. And the benefits are huge-they take when you're in less pain, can be more actively and speed your recovery.
Get relief: Most doctors start patients on low doses of opioids and check-in needs assessments every three or four weeks to make sure the medication works well. If you experience that "drugged" feeling at first, do not worry-it'll disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. Take only the medicine prescribed-growth, no dose or combined with other drugs, such as muscle relaxants or anti-anxiety, unless you talk to your doctor.
There are some people who may be predisposed to addiction. If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs in the past, should be monitored more closely by your doctor. Signs of addiction include feeling compulsive about taking drugs, being unable to control how much to take, and which shows no signs of improvement.
Not considered natural treatments
If you can not take the Meds pain because side effects or are simply looking to increase their impact, taking into account alternative treatment. Clinical studies show that acupuncture, for example, pain relieves osteoarthritis, sciatica, and lower back problems. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements, according to a large review of recent research, the patients taking Devil's Claw, willow bark, and Cayenne for Lower pain back had improved more than those taking a placebo.
Get relief: herbal treatments are not without side-effects and can interfere with other medications, so check with your doctor before taking them. Ground for a science-based natural pain fighters top, go to prevention.com / naturalpaincures.
Numerous studies show that also mental techniques can help ease the pain. Start with some simple relaxation techniques: deep breathing practices, and strengthening and relaxation of different muscles for 15 to 20 minutes each day. A therapist can help you find other types of relaxation, such as visualization, self-hypnosis, and biofeedback-ask your doctor for a recommendation.
You do not discuss depression
About 54 percent of people with chronic back pain suffer from depression, but only one third of them take antidepressants, according to a recent study. New brain-imaging research, however, clearly shows that our mental state is closely related to how the process make with-pain. Brain scans show that in patients with chronic pain, songs that ignite emotions are involved, not just feeling. "This means that our emotions have a profound influence on how we perceive pain, how much distress it causes, and ultimately how it affects our quality of life, 'says Portenoy.
Get relief: If you feel hopeless, sleeping more or less than usual, and gain or lose weight quickly, you could be suffering from depression. Discuss symptoms and options with your doctor, who may prescribe an antidepressant, recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or even suggest a combination of both. CBT teaches you to cope better and adjust to your pain (and even train your mind to reduce it) which helps to decrease emotional stress, which can make pain feel worse.
"There is science that shows more than the benefit of cognitive behavioral approaches there than most medicines for pain," Portenoy says. In a recent study, patients with depression and pain were randomly assigned to receive antidepressants and, after three months, were given six sessions of CBT. A year later, the intervention group were significantly less depressed and had less pain than those who were only informed that they had depressive symptoms and should seek advice about treatment. To find a specialist CBT, visit the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists to nacbt.org, for psychologists who focus on pain management, check out the AAPM website.
You don't do your own research
Doing a little digging on your own behalf you can open up new treatment options, helps reminded to ask questions and improve your sense of control over your care. Antonia Kent, 39, injured her back when she was 21 and underwent three surgeries not before deciding it's time to look into different options herself.
"I went to the library and read about my particular injury and pain treatment," says teacher from Union, NJ "It made me feel proactive, and not a victim of my Pain." Research has given her ideas about talking to doctors and therapies to try. After the third surgery, she started taking a strong medicine that turned her on her feet. Today it has a lighter product, herb supplements, and her pain is better controlled.
Get relief: specific research on your condition of patient advocacy sites Web, such as the American Pain Foundation (painfoundation.org). Also, consider subscribing local groups of chronic pain support, where you can get medical advice and share ideas about treatment.
You can find online tools and to help you decide whether to have surgery, take a special test, or continue with treatment. A good resource: Go to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Web site (dhmc.org) and search for common center of decision-making. There, you can download videos from questionnaires or borrow to help weigh the risks and benefits.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Is Your Pain Treatment Hurting?
A year after giving birth to her third child, Teresa Shaffer began to feel excruciating back pain. An MRI revealed that cushiony discs behind it worsened, a sign of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease which usually occurs much later in life. She was only 24. "Because I was so young, the doctor did not think I had the disease," says Shaffer, now 46. He said it takes antialgice OTC.
It was not until she visited a different doctor, that she really started to get help. He asked if she was depressed (back pain and depression often go hand in hand), prescribed an antidepressant, and referred her for counseling. He sent her to physical therapy and put on a fentanyl patch, a strong opioid for people who require constant drug. Now she is able to walk for an hour on the treadmill every day.
An estimated 43 million Americans living with chronic pain report defined as a period of at least three months. However, experts agree that it is terribly undertreated in our country. Despite progress in understanding the pain a few doctors are aware of these advances are trained in pain management, says Michel Dubois, MD, Director of Pain Medicine at New York University Medical Center Langon.
A major change in thinking is that chronic pain is now believed to be a disease not a symptom, and that treating pain is about simply does not cover the source, but treating the whole person. Like heart disease or other chronic conditions, there is no magic bullet, so we must rely on a number of approaches to exercise and medications for relaxation techniques and talk therapy.
Removing the pain can not fully realistic, what can be more than enough to improve your life and do things you love. If you make any mistakes that follows, we have the right formula for lasting relief.
You're trying to tough it out
One in four people suffering from pain expected at least six months before you see a doctor, usually due to pain or downplaying thinking it will pass on their own, according to the American Pain Society. And many sufferers self treatment with OTC analgesics.
Get relief: Ask treatment sooner rather than later. Studies show that most injuries resolve themselves in about four weeks, so if yours has not, or if your pain is affecting your ability work-see your doctor. Waiting can wreak havoc on the body and mind. When pain keeps you from being active, and reduce muscle weakness and strengthen joints, setting additional damage.
Research has shown that chronic pain can also lead to depression and even shrink your brain. A study of 26 patients who had back pain for at least one year found that they had a percent 5 to 11 percent of lost brain cells in two brain areas, prefrontal cortex and thalamus-compared with a group of control. One explanation is that neurons are overactive for so long that it causes them to break down and die, Dubois explains. Researchers hypothesis that if pain persists, it may become less responsive to treatment due to brain changes.
You have seen more than one specialist
In our fragmented health system, with a professional for all diseases, it is easy to jump from one doctor to another. But doctor hopping, experts say, can waste time and money, lead to excessive MRIs and other diagnostic tests, treatment and delay.
Get relief: Find a doctor who can be your point person to coordinate other treatments. Your primary care doctor is probably the best person for this. "Just make sure you have a feeling that he or she take pain seriously, offers a treatment strategy, and sees you often enough to monitor your progress or refer to a specialist if your plan is work, "says Russell Portenoy, MD, chairman of the department of pain medicine and palliative care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. That's what made Shaffer. Although her doctor was not fully trained in pain management-and most physicians-are not "always did research to find out what my next step should be," she said.
If you have been suffering for months with no improvement, then it may be time to seek a comprehensive pain management center. (To find one, visit the website of the American Academy of Pain Management at aapainmanage.org.) If you have pain management experts near you, find a specialist who deals with the source of your pain, as an orthopedist for back pain or a rheumatologist for arthritis or fibromyalgia.
You are afraid to exercise
This may be the last thing you feel like you do when you're hurt, but study after study shows that exercise reduces all types of pain. It strengthens your muscles and joints oils, making you less likely to get reinjured. It also releases natural pain-relieving endorphins, which can boost your mood, and fight inflammation associated with a number of painful conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Get relief: Go slow and easy, especially if you have been sedentary for several months. Not five or 10 minutes of walking or other low-impact activity several times a day if that's all you can. Swimming or water aerobics, especially in warm water, making it easy to move, take the pressure on joints, reduce stiffness and pain. "The goal is to get to a comfortable level of functioning," says Judith Turner, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. For people who have fibromyalgia, low-to moderate-intensity activity reduces pain better than high intensity.
A physical therapist can guide and help establish a safe level. But physical therapists or other treatments are offered to practitioners such as ultrasound and electrotherapy, have little evidence to support their effectiveness beyond the short-term symptom relief said Tim Carey, MD, Director, Sheps Center for Health Services Research of University of North Carolina.
to be continue..
It was not until she visited a different doctor, that she really started to get help. He asked if she was depressed (back pain and depression often go hand in hand), prescribed an antidepressant, and referred her for counseling. He sent her to physical therapy and put on a fentanyl patch, a strong opioid for people who require constant drug. Now she is able to walk for an hour on the treadmill every day.
An estimated 43 million Americans living with chronic pain report defined as a period of at least three months. However, experts agree that it is terribly undertreated in our country. Despite progress in understanding the pain a few doctors are aware of these advances are trained in pain management, says Michel Dubois, MD, Director of Pain Medicine at New York University Medical Center Langon.
A major change in thinking is that chronic pain is now believed to be a disease not a symptom, and that treating pain is about simply does not cover the source, but treating the whole person. Like heart disease or other chronic conditions, there is no magic bullet, so we must rely on a number of approaches to exercise and medications for relaxation techniques and talk therapy.
Removing the pain can not fully realistic, what can be more than enough to improve your life and do things you love. If you make any mistakes that follows, we have the right formula for lasting relief.
You're trying to tough it out
One in four people suffering from pain expected at least six months before you see a doctor, usually due to pain or downplaying thinking it will pass on their own, according to the American Pain Society. And many sufferers self treatment with OTC analgesics.
Get relief: Ask treatment sooner rather than later. Studies show that most injuries resolve themselves in about four weeks, so if yours has not, or if your pain is affecting your ability work-see your doctor. Waiting can wreak havoc on the body and mind. When pain keeps you from being active, and reduce muscle weakness and strengthen joints, setting additional damage.
Research has shown that chronic pain can also lead to depression and even shrink your brain. A study of 26 patients who had back pain for at least one year found that they had a percent 5 to 11 percent of lost brain cells in two brain areas, prefrontal cortex and thalamus-compared with a group of control. One explanation is that neurons are overactive for so long that it causes them to break down and die, Dubois explains. Researchers hypothesis that if pain persists, it may become less responsive to treatment due to brain changes.
You have seen more than one specialist
In our fragmented health system, with a professional for all diseases, it is easy to jump from one doctor to another. But doctor hopping, experts say, can waste time and money, lead to excessive MRIs and other diagnostic tests, treatment and delay.
Get relief: Find a doctor who can be your point person to coordinate other treatments. Your primary care doctor is probably the best person for this. "Just make sure you have a feeling that he or she take pain seriously, offers a treatment strategy, and sees you often enough to monitor your progress or refer to a specialist if your plan is work, "says Russell Portenoy, MD, chairman of the department of pain medicine and palliative care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. That's what made Shaffer. Although her doctor was not fully trained in pain management-and most physicians-are not "always did research to find out what my next step should be," she said.
If you have been suffering for months with no improvement, then it may be time to seek a comprehensive pain management center. (To find one, visit the website of the American Academy of Pain Management at aapainmanage.org.) If you have pain management experts near you, find a specialist who deals with the source of your pain, as an orthopedist for back pain or a rheumatologist for arthritis or fibromyalgia.
You are afraid to exercise
This may be the last thing you feel like you do when you're hurt, but study after study shows that exercise reduces all types of pain. It strengthens your muscles and joints oils, making you less likely to get reinjured. It also releases natural pain-relieving endorphins, which can boost your mood, and fight inflammation associated with a number of painful conditions such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Get relief: Go slow and easy, especially if you have been sedentary for several months. Not five or 10 minutes of walking or other low-impact activity several times a day if that's all you can. Swimming or water aerobics, especially in warm water, making it easy to move, take the pressure on joints, reduce stiffness and pain. "The goal is to get to a comfortable level of functioning," says Judith Turner, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington. For people who have fibromyalgia, low-to moderate-intensity activity reduces pain better than high intensity.
A physical therapist can guide and help establish a safe level. But physical therapists or other treatments are offered to practitioners such as ultrasound and electrotherapy, have little evidence to support their effectiveness beyond the short-term symptom relief said Tim Carey, MD, Director, Sheps Center for Health Services Research of University of North Carolina.
to be continue..
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sugar Overload: 11 foods that pack in the sweet stuff [9-11]
9. Most sugar-packed Chinese meal
Manchu Wok Honey Garlic Chicken with Fried Rice
34 g sugars
840 calories
34 g fat (6 g saturated)
2,100 mg sodium
Sugar equivalent: 3 chocolate Eclairs
Why does this simple Chinese meal pack as much sugar as a pack of Skittles? Blame the Honey Garlic Sauce bathing the chicken. The Honey Garlic Chicken packs about twice the sugar as the Pineapple Chicken, so making that switch will automatically improve the dish. Do yourself one extra favor and switch to mixed vegetables instead of rice as a side. You'll earn flavor and nutrients while eliminating 280 calories.
Eat This Instead!
Pineapple Chicken with Mixed Vegetables
17 g sugars
300 calories
10. Most sugar-packed cereal
Quaker Natural Granola Oat & Honey & Raisins (1 cup)
30 g sugars
420 calories
12 g fat (7 g saturated)
6 g fiber
Sugar equivalent: 2 scoops of Edy’s Slow Churned Rich and Creamy Fudge Tracks Ice Cream
Like eating dessert for breakfast? Because that's basically what granola is. Sure, there's a splash of fiber, but it's completely diluted by a tidal wave of sugar. In fact, sugar accounts for more than a third of the calories in this bowl, and unfortunately, Quaker's is the rule, not the exception. The only acceptable use for granola is to crumble a small handful into plain yogurt. Save your bowls for a cereal more wholesome.
Eat This Instead!
Post Shredded Wheat (1 cup)
0 g sugars
170 calories
1 g fat (6 g fiber)
11. Most sugar-packed canned fruit
Del Monte Peach Chunks in Heavy Syrup
23 g sugars
100 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 3 Rainbow Popsicles
Unlike most food on this list, these peaches aren't bona fide junk food; they are, after all, still fruit. But why manufacturers feel the need to can, package, and bottle nature's candy with excess sugar is a question that Eat This, Not That! will never stop asking. In this case, the viscous sugar solution clings to the fruit like syrup to a pancake, soaking every bite with utterly unnecessary calories. Looking for cheap sources of fruit to have on hand at any time? Opt for the frozen stuff—it's picked at the height of season and flash frozen on the spot, keeping costs low and nutrients high.
Eat This Instead!
Dole Frozen Sliced Peaches (1/4 cup)
3 g sugars
167 calories
0 g fat
Manchu Wok Honey Garlic Chicken with Fried Rice
34 g sugars
840 calories
34 g fat (6 g saturated)
2,100 mg sodium
Sugar equivalent: 3 chocolate Eclairs
Why does this simple Chinese meal pack as much sugar as a pack of Skittles? Blame the Honey Garlic Sauce bathing the chicken. The Honey Garlic Chicken packs about twice the sugar as the Pineapple Chicken, so making that switch will automatically improve the dish. Do yourself one extra favor and switch to mixed vegetables instead of rice as a side. You'll earn flavor and nutrients while eliminating 280 calories.
Eat This Instead!
Pineapple Chicken with Mixed Vegetables
17 g sugars
300 calories
10. Most sugar-packed cereal
Quaker Natural Granola Oat & Honey & Raisins (1 cup)
30 g sugars
420 calories
12 g fat (7 g saturated)
6 g fiber
Sugar equivalent: 2 scoops of Edy’s Slow Churned Rich and Creamy Fudge Tracks Ice Cream
Like eating dessert for breakfast? Because that's basically what granola is. Sure, there's a splash of fiber, but it's completely diluted by a tidal wave of sugar. In fact, sugar accounts for more than a third of the calories in this bowl, and unfortunately, Quaker's is the rule, not the exception. The only acceptable use for granola is to crumble a small handful into plain yogurt. Save your bowls for a cereal more wholesome.
Eat This Instead!
Post Shredded Wheat (1 cup)
0 g sugars
170 calories
1 g fat (6 g fiber)
11. Most sugar-packed canned fruit
Del Monte Peach Chunks in Heavy Syrup
23 g sugars
100 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 3 Rainbow Popsicles
Unlike most food on this list, these peaches aren't bona fide junk food; they are, after all, still fruit. But why manufacturers feel the need to can, package, and bottle nature's candy with excess sugar is a question that Eat This, Not That! will never stop asking. In this case, the viscous sugar solution clings to the fruit like syrup to a pancake, soaking every bite with utterly unnecessary calories. Looking for cheap sources of fruit to have on hand at any time? Opt for the frozen stuff—it's picked at the height of season and flash frozen on the spot, keeping costs low and nutrients high.
Eat This Instead!
Dole Frozen Sliced Peaches (1/4 cup)
3 g sugars
167 calories
0 g fat
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sugar Overload: 11 foods that pack in the sweet stuff [5-8]
5. Most sugar-packed soda
Sunkist (20-ounce bottle)
85 g sugars
325 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 17 Chewy Chips Ahoy! Cookies
This one drink contains as much sugar as most people consume in a day—and that’s accounting for the fact that most people consume way too much of the sweet stuff. That’s because, just like the grape juice mentioned above, it’s made up mostly of water and high fructose corn syrup (only the water in this soda is carbonated). Diet Sunkist cuts out all real sugar, but you’re still better off skipping the soda altogether.
Drink This Instead!
Honest Ade Orange Mango (16.9-ounce bottle)
24 g sugars
100 calories
6. Most sugar-packed juice
Tropicana Grape Juice Beverage (15.2-ounce bottle)
72 g sugars
290 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 4 Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches
This beverage has more than 10 percent of your day’s calories and as much sugar as 7 glazed doughnuts. Want to know why? It’s made from just 30 percent juice (which is already naturally sweet)—but grape juice concentrate shows up third on the list of ingredients after filtered water and high fructose corn syrup. When drinking juice, opt for 100 percent, and keep portion sizes small.
Drink This Instead!
Minute Maid Mixed Berry 100% Juice (1 box, 6.75 fl oz)
23 g sugars
100 calories
0 g fat
7. Most sugar-packed kids' meal
Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo Lunchables
61 g sugars
680 calories
22 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,440 mg sodium
Sugar equivalent: 6 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The Maxed Out line is the worst of the lackluster Lunchables, with a back label that reads like a chemistry textbook. By cramming dessert and a supersweet drink into the box, Oscar manages to saddle this already-troubled package with more added sugar than your child should take in all day.
Eat This Instead!
Oscar Mayer Cracker Stackers Lean Ham & Cheddar
6 g sugars
340 calories
19 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,110 mg sodium
8. Most sugar-packed mall snack
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel with Sweet Dip
61 g sugars
600 calories
12 g fat (7 g saturated)
Sugar equivalent: 21 Starburst Fruit Chews
The combination of the sweetest pretzel with the sweetest dip (there are 32 grams of sugar in that little cup!) makes this the most nefarious option for your blood sugar and your choppers. Nothing trumps marinara in the battle for a better dip, but to complement the sweet flavor of a raisin pretzel, cream cheese is far safer than the other options. Cut an extra 30 calories by asking them to prepare your pretzel sans butter.
Bonus tip: See which fast-food joint made our list of the 20 Best Restaurant Meals 2009.
Eat This Instead!
Raisin Pretzel with Cream Cheese
16 grams sugars
440 calories
11 g fat (7.5 g saturated)
Sunkist (20-ounce bottle)
85 g sugars
325 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 17 Chewy Chips Ahoy! Cookies
This one drink contains as much sugar as most people consume in a day—and that’s accounting for the fact that most people consume way too much of the sweet stuff. That’s because, just like the grape juice mentioned above, it’s made up mostly of water and high fructose corn syrup (only the water in this soda is carbonated). Diet Sunkist cuts out all real sugar, but you’re still better off skipping the soda altogether.
Drink This Instead!
Honest Ade Orange Mango (16.9-ounce bottle)
24 g sugars
100 calories
6. Most sugar-packed juice
Tropicana Grape Juice Beverage (15.2-ounce bottle)
72 g sugars
290 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 4 Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches
This beverage has more than 10 percent of your day’s calories and as much sugar as 7 glazed doughnuts. Want to know why? It’s made from just 30 percent juice (which is already naturally sweet)—but grape juice concentrate shows up third on the list of ingredients after filtered water and high fructose corn syrup. When drinking juice, opt for 100 percent, and keep portion sizes small.
Drink This Instead!
Minute Maid Mixed Berry 100% Juice (1 box, 6.75 fl oz)
23 g sugars
100 calories
0 g fat
7. Most sugar-packed kids' meal
Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo Lunchables
61 g sugars
680 calories
22 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,440 mg sodium
Sugar equivalent: 6 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The Maxed Out line is the worst of the lackluster Lunchables, with a back label that reads like a chemistry textbook. By cramming dessert and a supersweet drink into the box, Oscar manages to saddle this already-troubled package with more added sugar than your child should take in all day.
Eat This Instead!
Oscar Mayer Cracker Stackers Lean Ham & Cheddar
6 g sugars
340 calories
19 g fat (9 g saturated)
1,110 mg sodium
8. Most sugar-packed mall snack
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel with Sweet Dip
61 g sugars
600 calories
12 g fat (7 g saturated)
Sugar equivalent: 21 Starburst Fruit Chews
The combination of the sweetest pretzel with the sweetest dip (there are 32 grams of sugar in that little cup!) makes this the most nefarious option for your blood sugar and your choppers. Nothing trumps marinara in the battle for a better dip, but to complement the sweet flavor of a raisin pretzel, cream cheese is far safer than the other options. Cut an extra 30 calories by asking them to prepare your pretzel sans butter.
Bonus tip: See which fast-food joint made our list of the 20 Best Restaurant Meals 2009.
Eat This Instead!
Raisin Pretzel with Cream Cheese
16 grams sugars
440 calories
11 g fat (7.5 g saturated)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sugar Overload: 11 foods that pack in the sweet stuff [1-4]
The 11 Most Sugar-Packed Foods in America, you’ll find products that you’d never think of as “sugar-filled.” That’s why five out of five dentists no-doubt agree: These eleven foods are bad for your teeth—and your health.
1. Most sugar-packed item in America
Smoothie King Grape Expectations II (40-oz)
250 g sugars
1096 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 30 Chocolate Drizzle Rice Krispies Treats
There’s only one other item on the Smoothie King menu with as much sugar as this smoothie, and that’s a drink intended to help guys bulk up fast—so it’s overloaded. That’s still no excuse for packing 250 grams of sugar into one measly cup, but at least it’s flagrantly and openly excessive—unlike this grape drink, which is listed under the menu’s “Snack Right” section, if you can believe it.
Drink This Instead!
Low-Carb Strawberry (20-oz)
3 g sugars
268 calories
9 g fat (4 g saturated fat)
2. Most sugar-packed shake
Coldstone Creamery Very Vanilla Shake (Gotta Have It-size)
192 g sugars
1820 calories
85 g fat (59 g saturated, 2.5 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 6 and a half Snickers bars
When lambasting Coldstone milkshakes, we normally focus all of our attention on the gluttonous PB&C monstrosity, which weighs in at over 2,000 calories. But the Very Very Vanilla bests the PB&C in sugar content by nearly four popsicles’ worth. Suck down this sinful diet destructor, and you’ll consume nearly a full day’s worth of calories, three days’ worth of saturated fat, your total daily allotment of artery-clogging trans fatty acids, and as much sugar as in more than six Snickers bars! The bad news is that even Coldstone’s Sinless Smoothie line contains an outrageous amount of sugar—we’ll have to recommend the Butter Pecan Ice Cream, once again. Or, better yet—just skip Coldstone altogether!
Eat This Instead!
Butter Pecan Ice Cream (Like It-size)
28 g sugars
320 calories
19 g fat (12 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
3. Most sugar-packed ice cream
Coldstone Creamery JELL-O Butterscotch Pudding Ice Cream (Gotta Have It-size)
97 g sugars
830 calories
41 g fat (27 g saturated, 1 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 5 scoops of Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream
Part of the problem here is that you’ve ordered Coldstone’s Gotta Have It size, which is the equivalent of ordering about three scoops of ice cream from another joint, like Ben and Jerry’s. The other problem is that this ice cream has been mixed with JELL-O Pudding flavor, which basically amounts to more sugar. Stick to the smalls, and choose the Butter Pecan instead to cut over two-thirds of the sugar content and more than half the calories.
Eat This Instead!
Butter Pecan Ice Cream (Like It-size)
28 g sugars
320 calories
19 g fat (12 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
4. Most sugar-packed coffee drink
Starbucks Tazo Green Tea Frappuccino Blended Crème with Whipped Cream (20 ounces)
97 g sugars
650 calories
15 g fat (8 g saturated, 0 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 11 York Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties
While green tea has myriad health benefits, presentation is key—and this green tea concoction has been so nutritionally sullied that any potential benefits are utterly lost. Not only does this one drink contain over a quarter of your day’s calories, it also packs nearly half a day’s worth of saturated fat—and, as we mention above, as much sugar as you’ll find in 11 Peppermint Patties. Your best bet when ordering at a coffee chain is to skip the fancy drinks altogether. Order a regular green tea, without all the trimmings.
Bonus tip: Avoid the hand-held dietary disasters on our list of the 30 Worst Sandwiches in America.
Drink This Instead!
Tazo Tea (Venti)
0 g sugars
0 calories
0 g fat
1. Most sugar-packed item in America
Smoothie King Grape Expectations II (40-oz)
250 g sugars
1096 calories
0 g fat
Sugar equivalent: 30 Chocolate Drizzle Rice Krispies Treats
There’s only one other item on the Smoothie King menu with as much sugar as this smoothie, and that’s a drink intended to help guys bulk up fast—so it’s overloaded. That’s still no excuse for packing 250 grams of sugar into one measly cup, but at least it’s flagrantly and openly excessive—unlike this grape drink, which is listed under the menu’s “Snack Right” section, if you can believe it.
Drink This Instead!
Low-Carb Strawberry (20-oz)
3 g sugars
268 calories
9 g fat (4 g saturated fat)
2. Most sugar-packed shake
Coldstone Creamery Very Vanilla Shake (Gotta Have It-size)
192 g sugars
1820 calories
85 g fat (59 g saturated, 2.5 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 6 and a half Snickers bars
When lambasting Coldstone milkshakes, we normally focus all of our attention on the gluttonous PB&C monstrosity, which weighs in at over 2,000 calories. But the Very Very Vanilla bests the PB&C in sugar content by nearly four popsicles’ worth. Suck down this sinful diet destructor, and you’ll consume nearly a full day’s worth of calories, three days’ worth of saturated fat, your total daily allotment of artery-clogging trans fatty acids, and as much sugar as in more than six Snickers bars! The bad news is that even Coldstone’s Sinless Smoothie line contains an outrageous amount of sugar—we’ll have to recommend the Butter Pecan Ice Cream, once again. Or, better yet—just skip Coldstone altogether!
Eat This Instead!
Butter Pecan Ice Cream (Like It-size)
28 g sugars
320 calories
19 g fat (12 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
3. Most sugar-packed ice cream
Coldstone Creamery JELL-O Butterscotch Pudding Ice Cream (Gotta Have It-size)
97 g sugars
830 calories
41 g fat (27 g saturated, 1 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 5 scoops of Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream
Part of the problem here is that you’ve ordered Coldstone’s Gotta Have It size, which is the equivalent of ordering about three scoops of ice cream from another joint, like Ben and Jerry’s. The other problem is that this ice cream has been mixed with JELL-O Pudding flavor, which basically amounts to more sugar. Stick to the smalls, and choose the Butter Pecan instead to cut over two-thirds of the sugar content and more than half the calories.
Eat This Instead!
Butter Pecan Ice Cream (Like It-size)
28 g sugars
320 calories
19 g fat (12 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
4. Most sugar-packed coffee drink
Starbucks Tazo Green Tea Frappuccino Blended Crème with Whipped Cream (20 ounces)
97 g sugars
650 calories
15 g fat (8 g saturated, 0 g trans)
Sugar equivalent: 11 York Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Patties
While green tea has myriad health benefits, presentation is key—and this green tea concoction has been so nutritionally sullied that any potential benefits are utterly lost. Not only does this one drink contain over a quarter of your day’s calories, it also packs nearly half a day’s worth of saturated fat—and, as we mention above, as much sugar as you’ll find in 11 Peppermint Patties. Your best bet when ordering at a coffee chain is to skip the fancy drinks altogether. Order a regular green tea, without all the trimmings.
Bonus tip: Avoid the hand-held dietary disasters on our list of the 30 Worst Sandwiches in America.
Drink This Instead!
Tazo Tea (Venti)
0 g sugars
0 calories
0 g fat
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Mind reading moves closer to reality
Mind reading could be taken a step away from the field of science fiction, thanks to a new study, the researchers taught a computer to spot specific memories that a person was with them.
To be sure, science is a long way off from attachment to a device and people knowing their thoughts. But the study showed that past events leave only "memory traces" in a portion of the brain called the hippocampus, traces can be distinguished between them in brain scanning.
The study is the number of online March 11th Current Biology.
"We found that our memories are certainly represented in the hippocampus," senior study author Eleanor Maguire, a professor at the Wellcome Trust Center for neuroimaging at University College London, said in the statement. "Now that we've seen where they are, we have an opportunity to understand how memories are stored and how they may change over time."
In the experiment, researchers took 10 people to three short films several times and asked to memorize what they saw.
The seven films showed two different actresses shared relatively similar scenarios: In one, a woman looking through her purse to find an envelope and then dropped in a mailbox in another, a woman over a cup of coffee and dropped the Cup in a trash can.
This type of silence is considered an episodic memory, or memory of a collection of events, as opposed to a semantic memory, such as being able to recall a fact or an implicit memory, such as the possibility of tie your shoes, said Martin Monti, a neuroscientist at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, England.
Afterwards, participants were asked to recall either a specific movie, or any one of the films, while their brains scanned using functional MRI. While the scan may not actually look at the firing of groups of neurons (called voxels), it does report changes in blood flow that signal activity in particular brain areas, Monti explained.
A computer algorithm then examined patterns generated when participants "remembered", and tried to identify the film was reminiscent of volunteers.
Computer could accurately predict an accuracy of about 45 percent of movie one person was thought during the scan. Since there were three films, would be offered the chance of about 33 percent accuracy.
"The algorithm was able to provide correctly which of the three films of volunteers was recalling significantly above what would be expected by chance, lead study author Martin Chadwick, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University College London, said in a statement. "This suggests that [the memories of people] are registered in a regular pattern."
Previous studies have shown the hippocampus, located deep within the brain's medial temporal lobe, is associated with the creation and strengthening memories. This is essentially the brain process of putting together sights, sounds and smells, can all be processed in different brain areas and bringing them together in memory, Monti said.
So one day scientists will be able to use brain scans to read your mind?
That's probably a long way off, because fMRIs are a technically advanced but still rather raw-viewing means neural activity. And though researchers were able to tell the difference between memories within the strict limits of the laboratory, which is a far cry from being able to "read", memories that make up the entire human experience, Monti said.
"Our instruments are not that fine grained. It's like trying to read a book when not know the language and your eyeglasses are crummy," he said.
One of the beauties of an experiment, however, is the possibility that a better understanding of the brain may open the door to new treatments for memory problems, said Paul Sanberg, a professor of Neurosurgery and director of the University of South Florida Center for Aging and Brain Repair.
"The study confirms these memories are found in the hippocampus," Sanberg said. "We understand more about memories and how they are formed and stored, we will come closer to understanding people have problems with memory or from injury, aging or degenerative diseases."
To be sure, science is a long way off from attachment to a device and people knowing their thoughts. But the study showed that past events leave only "memory traces" in a portion of the brain called the hippocampus, traces can be distinguished between them in brain scanning.
The study is the number of online March 11th Current Biology.
"We found that our memories are certainly represented in the hippocampus," senior study author Eleanor Maguire, a professor at the Wellcome Trust Center for neuroimaging at University College London, said in the statement. "Now that we've seen where they are, we have an opportunity to understand how memories are stored and how they may change over time."
In the experiment, researchers took 10 people to three short films several times and asked to memorize what they saw.
The seven films showed two different actresses shared relatively similar scenarios: In one, a woman looking through her purse to find an envelope and then dropped in a mailbox in another, a woman over a cup of coffee and dropped the Cup in a trash can.
This type of silence is considered an episodic memory, or memory of a collection of events, as opposed to a semantic memory, such as being able to recall a fact or an implicit memory, such as the possibility of tie your shoes, said Martin Monti, a neuroscientist at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge, England.
Afterwards, participants were asked to recall either a specific movie, or any one of the films, while their brains scanned using functional MRI. While the scan may not actually look at the firing of groups of neurons (called voxels), it does report changes in blood flow that signal activity in particular brain areas, Monti explained.
A computer algorithm then examined patterns generated when participants "remembered", and tried to identify the film was reminiscent of volunteers.
Computer could accurately predict an accuracy of about 45 percent of movie one person was thought during the scan. Since there were three films, would be offered the chance of about 33 percent accuracy.
"The algorithm was able to provide correctly which of the three films of volunteers was recalling significantly above what would be expected by chance, lead study author Martin Chadwick, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University College London, said in a statement. "This suggests that [the memories of people] are registered in a regular pattern."
Previous studies have shown the hippocampus, located deep within the brain's medial temporal lobe, is associated with the creation and strengthening memories. This is essentially the brain process of putting together sights, sounds and smells, can all be processed in different brain areas and bringing them together in memory, Monti said.
So one day scientists will be able to use brain scans to read your mind?
That's probably a long way off, because fMRIs are a technically advanced but still rather raw-viewing means neural activity. And though researchers were able to tell the difference between memories within the strict limits of the laboratory, which is a far cry from being able to "read", memories that make up the entire human experience, Monti said.
"Our instruments are not that fine grained. It's like trying to read a book when not know the language and your eyeglasses are crummy," he said.
One of the beauties of an experiment, however, is the possibility that a better understanding of the brain may open the door to new treatments for memory problems, said Paul Sanberg, a professor of Neurosurgery and director of the University of South Florida Center for Aging and Brain Repair.
"The study confirms these memories are found in the hippocampus," Sanberg said. "We understand more about memories and how they are formed and stored, we will come closer to understanding people have problems with memory or from injury, aging or degenerative diseases."
Gays, Lesbians Excluded From Some Medical Studies
"Our study indicates that it is more widespread than would have guessed." said Roland Dunbrack, Jr., co-author of the report, which appears in the March 18 issue of New England Journal of Medicine.
"It is an exclusion that in many cases can, in most cases, there needs to be used," said Dunbrack, an associate professor at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Review boards that approve research, both local and federal, already keeps a close eye research, which exclude minority groups or for either gender, Dunbrack noted. He and his colleagues launched their research because they were curious about the limitations of study involving gays and lesbians.
"If you want to exclude a certain group, usually have a reason for it," he said, but there are no such restrictions on gays and lesbians.
Researchers have suspected that the issue of inclusion - and exclusion - of gays and lesbians do not come very much out of research into sexuality. And found that to be the case, at least for asthma research. For more than a thousand studies on asthma is that researchers, none had restrictions based on sexual orientation.
However, of 243 studies that included the words "young", "erectile dysfunction" or "hypoactive" (referring to low sex drive), 37 excluded non-heterosexuals in some way.
"Not that any study looked at should be rewritten," said Dunbrack, but there should be reasons given for exclusions, and 'do not know what the rational for these studies should be. "
Those most likely to collapse in the studies of same-sex relationships were sponsored by industry, multi-regional studies and phase 3 clinical trials (phase before drugs are usually submitted for FDA approval), the team was found.
James Beaudreau, education and policy director of the gay and lesbian Medical Association, said it was important to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in medical research because some medical experience at different rates.
For example, studies suggest that lesbians may be more likely to develop breast cancer than other women. Also, he said, "the health effects of stress related to living with a stigmatized identity includes higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, and substance abuse."
"Real danger is that gay and transgender people may respond differently to medical interventions, but we will never know if we do not collect information," said Beaudreau, whose organization represents medical professionals.
"We do not believe that is an unreasonable burden on researchers to ask questions about sexual orientation and gender identity," he said.
"It is an exclusion that in many cases can, in most cases, there needs to be used," said Dunbrack, an associate professor at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Review boards that approve research, both local and federal, already keeps a close eye research, which exclude minority groups or for either gender, Dunbrack noted. He and his colleagues launched their research because they were curious about the limitations of study involving gays and lesbians.
"If you want to exclude a certain group, usually have a reason for it," he said, but there are no such restrictions on gays and lesbians.
Researchers have suspected that the issue of inclusion - and exclusion - of gays and lesbians do not come very much out of research into sexuality. And found that to be the case, at least for asthma research. For more than a thousand studies on asthma is that researchers, none had restrictions based on sexual orientation.
However, of 243 studies that included the words "young", "erectile dysfunction" or "hypoactive" (referring to low sex drive), 37 excluded non-heterosexuals in some way.
"Not that any study looked at should be rewritten," said Dunbrack, but there should be reasons given for exclusions, and 'do not know what the rational for these studies should be. "
Those most likely to collapse in the studies of same-sex relationships were sponsored by industry, multi-regional studies and phase 3 clinical trials (phase before drugs are usually submitted for FDA approval), the team was found.
James Beaudreau, education and policy director of the gay and lesbian Medical Association, said it was important to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in medical research because some medical experience at different rates.
For example, studies suggest that lesbians may be more likely to develop breast cancer than other women. Also, he said, "the health effects of stress related to living with a stigmatized identity includes higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, and substance abuse."
"Real danger is that gay and transgender people may respond differently to medical interventions, but we will never know if we do not collect information," said Beaudreau, whose organization represents medical professionals.
"We do not believe that is an unreasonable burden on researchers to ask questions about sexual orientation and gender identity," he said.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Will exercise slim my chubby cheeks?
Q: I recently had the weight and everything seemed to go to my face and torso. So now I have chubby cheeks, a double chin and a fat belly. I will lose it, but do not want to be too thin elsewhere. Is it true that the latter gained the weight is the first to be lost? What would be the best way to get rid of my cheeks, belly and double chin?
A: Different people get fat in different places, or fat depots in the body. People lose weight from different places, too. A 1997 review in the journal Human Reproduction says that where the body fat stored tend to be influenced by genes. The heritability, or part of a move that can be attributed to genes, have been estimated at up to 50 percent, depending on the fat depot.
How much and where fat is lost varies as much as how much and how it is achieved. Many studies have shown that no matter what method of weight loss, have a tendency to fat to be lost in the torso or stomach for most people, rather than, say, thighs or lower body. But the amount as a percentage of total fat loss you can lose in certain areas of the body is unclear. Studies of twins have shown that where fat tends to be lost is also very genetic.
Fat in the stomach seems to be won and lost quite easily. So it is probably safe to assume that if you exercise and diet, you will lose fat from your belly.
But it is unclear how the fat is away from other areas such as the face. Most weight-loss studies do not measure facial fat loss. One reason may be that there is no easy way to do it. Most body fat measures that look at specific fat depots using skin folds (where the subcutaneous fat on the back, waist and thighs are "squeeze" and measured) or tape measure (which can determine your waist, hip or thigh circumference, for example).
New technology may be better able to capture the fat around his cheeks and chin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT (CT) scanner can capture the location and amounts of body fat, but these scans are expensive and it is not often used in weight-loss studies.
The specific sequence of when and where fat is lost is not easy to measure, since a study to determine this would be expensive. It will probably require MRIs taken every week or two for a large number of subjects who are dieting and / or training to measure the displacement of fat over a longer period. A quick Medline database search revealed no such studies.
Anecdotally, of course, you can hear that some lost weight in a certain pattern, such as in the upper body first and the last body, or from her cheeks before your stomach. But you can hear an opposite effect as well, since the pattern can all be dictated by an individual's genes.
Exploring the nuances of fat loss is a new area in obesity research. Several lectures in the 2009 annual meeting of The Obesity Society reported studies looking at the functions of different areas and types of fat in the body. But since this type of research is in its infancy, there may be a while before the practical information is known.
It is safe to say that you will lose weight from your entire body, including abs and face, if you eat sensibly and do the recommended amount of physical activity for weight control. The U.S. government's 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand on Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults recommends a minimum of 150 to 250 minutes of moderate to heavy physical activity each week, walking, running, cycling or using a cardio machine. You should also make sure of one to three days of weight training on nonconsecutive days a week.
A: Different people get fat in different places, or fat depots in the body. People lose weight from different places, too. A 1997 review in the journal Human Reproduction says that where the body fat stored tend to be influenced by genes. The heritability, or part of a move that can be attributed to genes, have been estimated at up to 50 percent, depending on the fat depot.
How much and where fat is lost varies as much as how much and how it is achieved. Many studies have shown that no matter what method of weight loss, have a tendency to fat to be lost in the torso or stomach for most people, rather than, say, thighs or lower body. But the amount as a percentage of total fat loss you can lose in certain areas of the body is unclear. Studies of twins have shown that where fat tends to be lost is also very genetic.
Fat in the stomach seems to be won and lost quite easily. So it is probably safe to assume that if you exercise and diet, you will lose fat from your belly.
But it is unclear how the fat is away from other areas such as the face. Most weight-loss studies do not measure facial fat loss. One reason may be that there is no easy way to do it. Most body fat measures that look at specific fat depots using skin folds (where the subcutaneous fat on the back, waist and thighs are "squeeze" and measured) or tape measure (which can determine your waist, hip or thigh circumference, for example).
New technology may be better able to capture the fat around his cheeks and chin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT (CT) scanner can capture the location and amounts of body fat, but these scans are expensive and it is not often used in weight-loss studies.
The specific sequence of when and where fat is lost is not easy to measure, since a study to determine this would be expensive. It will probably require MRIs taken every week or two for a large number of subjects who are dieting and / or training to measure the displacement of fat over a longer period. A quick Medline database search revealed no such studies.
Anecdotally, of course, you can hear that some lost weight in a certain pattern, such as in the upper body first and the last body, or from her cheeks before your stomach. But you can hear an opposite effect as well, since the pattern can all be dictated by an individual's genes.
Exploring the nuances of fat loss is a new area in obesity research. Several lectures in the 2009 annual meeting of The Obesity Society reported studies looking at the functions of different areas and types of fat in the body. But since this type of research is in its infancy, there may be a while before the practical information is known.
It is safe to say that you will lose weight from your entire body, including abs and face, if you eat sensibly and do the recommended amount of physical activity for weight control. The U.S. government's 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand on Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults recommends a minimum of 150 to 250 minutes of moderate to heavy physical activity each week, walking, running, cycling or using a cardio machine. You should also make sure of one to three days of weight training on nonconsecutive days a week.
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