Health

Physical Causes of HPA Axis Hyperactivity and Smaller Hippocampus Volumes Linked to Depression in Multiple Sclerosis

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I found this new research to be quite interesting.   Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord become damaged.  Depression has been found to be present in nearly 50% of MS sufferers. It is clear though that the depression is not just a psychological reaction to having the disease.  This is because in patients the depression occurs and it has been found to not be related to how severe one’s MS is and it also can occur at different stages of MS. Recently researchers at UCLA have showed a physical cause for depression in those patients suffering from MS atrophy of a specific region of the hippocampus which is part of the brain. The researchers also found a relationship atrophy of the hippocampus and hyperactivity of the … Read more

Infections in the Mouth of Mother can Lead to Premature Birth

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Researchers from Case Western Reserve University and their collaborators have determined bacteria in the mouths of pregnant women can contribute to pre-term birth (premature). Around 12.7% of births in the U.S. are pre-term deliveries, which has increased by 36% increase over the last 25 years. Intrauterine infection is recognized as a main cause of pre-term birth as well as late miscarriage and still birth. The cause of intrauterine infections has long been attributed to bacteria ascending into the uterus from the lower genital tract. However the researchers have found that such infections are caused by bacteria in the mouth and in the vaginal tract. Specifically, in the study saliva and plaque samples were injected into the tails of pregnant mice to determine what bacteria are capable of oral-uterus transmission. A diverse group of bacterial species were found to be in … Read more

Breathing Through the Mouth has Negative Health Implications

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When spring comes pollen and other materials in the air can wreak harm on those who have seasonal allergies which causes a habit called “mouth breathing.”  Unfortunately for those who suffer, the physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals,. This observation was recently reported in the Jan./Feb. 2010 General Dentistry issue. Children whose mouth breathing goes untreated over time may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development, such as long, narrow faces and mouths, gingivitis, gummy smiles, and even crooked teeth. Mouth breathing also leads to poor sleeping habits which can stunt growth and cause children to perform less in school.  Mouth breathing can also cause poor oxygen concentration in the bloodstream, leading to high blood pressure, sleep apnea,  heart problems,  and even other medical problems. It is possible for … Read more

Six Year Old Dies After Dentist Visit

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A six year old boy has died during a recent visit to the dentist.  This said story has been reported by several news sources such as MSNBC. An autopsy is currently being conducted to determine the specific cause of death. However, the boy was given anesthesia  during the dental procedure and died after the breathing tube was removed. This tragic story has occurred in Virginia. Sedation certainly caries risks when at the dentist and I have previously reported on this blog of a case where someone has died after undergoing anesthesia while having their wisdom teeth removed. If you are considering having anesthesia while visiting the dentist or oral surgeon you should be aware of the risks and potential harmful complications that can occur.

Physicians for A National Health Program

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While I have linked to the Physicians for a National Health Program before I don’t think I have discussed their website and ideals in any significant way. For those not familiar Physicians for a National Health Program abbreviated PNHP says they are at the “forefront of research and action for a single-payer national health program.” This is for the United States. The website features articles of interest that are updated daily. For example a recent article posted is titled “Forum probes health care.” In the article there is a quote by Nick Egnatz, an activitist, “There’s something wrong with a system that doesn’t take care of everyone.” PNHP also features a blog that is also updated quite frequently with posts of interest. Much of the site that is updated daily is managed by PNHP’s Senior Health Policy Fellow Don McCanne, … Read more