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

The Parents Guide to Wisdom Teeth

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I recently came across a press release promoting a book entitled “The Parent’s Guide to Wisdom Teeth.” If you are a parent and thinking about the surgery for a child, I would NOT recommend purchasing this book. The main conclusion offered by this book is found on the book’s website… “It is far better to assume a lower degree of surgical risk, paying the cost “up front” (which is likely to be less in terms of money and time) at an earlier age than to gamble on a more risky, difficult and uncomfortable experience later in life when problems arise” I would say that it is better to wait until problem’s arise before removing wisdom teeth due to the risks and potential lasting complications of wisdom teeth removal surgery. If a complication arises wouldn’t it be better to only deal … 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

Needles and Their Effects on Headaches

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Two separate systematic reviews by Cochrane Researchers show  acupuncture is  for prevention of headaches and migraines. However the reviews show  faked procedures, where needles are incorrectly inserted, may be as effective. “Much of the clinical benefit of acupuncture might be due to non-specific needling effects and powerful placebo effects, meaning selection of specific needle points may be less important than many practitioners have traditionally argued,” says lead researcher of both studies, Klaus Linde. Two seperate studies were done one with migraine and the other with tension type headaches. Patients treated with acupuncture over an 8 week time course, suffered fewer headaches compared to those who were given only pain killers. In the migraine study, acupuncture was superior to proven prophylactic drug treatments, but faked treatments were no less effective. In the tension headache study, true acupuncture was actually slightly more … Read more