Health

Drinks In Plastic Bottles Contain Side Effects

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Bottled water and other drinks in plastic  bottles may not be as safe as you think. According to Martin Wagner and Jörg Oehlmann from the Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, plastic water bottles contaminate drinking water with estrogenic chemicals. The researchers found evidence of estrogenic compounds which leach and come out of the plastic packaging into the water. These chemicals result in an increased development of embryos in the New Zealand mud snail.  The researchers analyzed 20 brands of mineral water available in Germany which included 9 bottled in glass, 9 bottled in plastic and 2 bottled in composite packaging. The researchers took water samples from the bottles and tested them for the presence of estrogenic chemicals. They then carried out a reproduction test with the New Zealand mud snail to determine the source … Read more

New MRI Techniques can lead to Faster Scan Times

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Two new techniques using different approaches to see molecular changes inside people’s bodies can potentially lead to faster and more detailed imaging scans. Both magnetic resonance imaging technologies rely on manipulating the spin of molecules to provide more detailed scans that one day could rapidly do things like analyze how well a drug is working or tell how fast tumors are growing at the molecular level. The technique could  replace current imaging technologies that depend on the use of radioactive substances or heavy metals.” The research team based their technique on manipulating parahydrogen by transferring its magnetism to more easily detected molecules. This could potentially translated to increase scan sensitivity by 1000 times. This technique creates large imbalances among the populations spin states and makes the molecules into more powerful magnets. This in turn leads to more detailed images. Adapted … Read more

Radiation Risks

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Are you considering having an x-ray or a CT scan done? Perhaps your doctor wants you to have numerous CT scans done in a short period of time. In fact, some people by the time they are thirty have had up to 20 CT scans. This can exposure this patient to a lot of radiation and increase their risk of developing cancer. I found a website from Idaho State University’s physics department which goes into some detail http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/risk.htm. The site talks about risk and how it might affect you and your chance of getting cancer. You should not have any uncessary CT or x-ray scans done unless it really is medically necessary.

Hypertension: Less Drugs is Better

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According to a new study, patients have more control of their high blood pressure known as hypertension when they are treated with less medication or prescription drugs. The study was led by Dr. Ross D. Feldman who is a clinical scientist with the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario. The results indicate that it is better to use low doses of single pill combinations, rather than multiple pills, when treating hypertension. Simplified Treatment Intervention to Control Hypertension, as the study is known, involved 2,104 patients with high blood pressure at 45 family practices in Canada. Feldman’s study suggests that the majority of recently-diagnosed patients might better be served starting with a half tablet of a single pill combination drug such as an ACE-inhibitor or Angiotensin receptor blocker or diuretic. The proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood … Read more

Aetna Student Health Underpaids Patients for 10+ Years

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Today I received a letter from the State of New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuoma. The letter stated that I may be eligible to receive money from Aetna Student Health under a nationwide settlement. The settlement effects around 73,000 students at over 200 colleges across the U.S. and dates back to patients who saw out of network doctors as far back as 1998. This is because Aetna used outdated Medical Data Research even when current data was available when determining the current market rates for reimbursements. If you are interested in learning more, you can read the 32 page investigation report over at http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/health_care/HIT2/pdfs/Aetna%20Student%20Health%20AOD.pdf If you believe you may be affected it is advised that you keep your eyes peeled for any mail you may receive from Aetna. You can also contact Aetna Student Health customer service at 866 … Read more