Most recent international health newscast in addition to examination from our health explore band.

Acne is a very common inflammatory disorder of the oil glands, or pilosebaceous follicles. The majority of these glands are confined to the face, chest and back, and they are most active during adolescence. The course of the disorder is variable, as is the age of onset. Usually it appears a little earlier in girls, but in either sex it is very uncommon before the age of 10. The duration of acne is as variable as the severity. In mild cases the condition may resolve itself spontaneously within a few months, but typically it will last for a year or two. If severe or if chronic, the condition warrants active treatment.

The precise reason why some people develop acne yet others do not, is unknown. However, hormonal factors appear to set the stage for the development of the condition. Except for in the first few months of life, the disease does not develop before puberty, nor does it occur in eunuchs unless they are treated with male hormones. Acne is aggravated by the administration of male hormones, and of course pre-menstrual exacerbations are common in women. Without the natural oils secreted in the skin, known as sebum, there would be no acne. Without male hormones there is little if any sebum. Genetic factors, however, have a definite influence, as do bacteria, which are involved in the development of inflammation. Dietary and emotional factors are sometimes implicated, but have not been completely proven.

The pathology in acne is that the sebaceous duct leading from the gland which produces the sebum becomes blocked. This blockage, if below the skin surface, is called a whitehead, or if above the surface, a blackhead. Following blockage of the duct, at whichever level, the duct, at whichever level, the duct or the gland may rupture, and the sebum escape underneath the skin, setting up an inflammatory reaction. This may be aggravated by the normal bacteria present on the skin.

Looked at objectively, it will be seen that the methods of treatment could include unblocking the duct; decreasing the amount of sebum secreted; changing its composition to make it less irritating; and reducing the amount of bacteria on the skin surface.

Acne occurs at an age when the adolescent is adjusting, sometimes with difficulty, to a major physical and emotional transition. The teenager is often self-conscious, and unduly embarrassed by even minor grades of the disease. To dismiss acne as unimportant demonstrates a considerable lack of understanding, particularly as the disease can be satisfactorily suppressed in the majority of patients, and scarring prevented or minimized.

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Comments (0) May 08 2009

1. A reduction in dietary fat will be the prime objective of any fat loss eating plan.

2. Calorie counting should be avoided in favour of a low-fat eating plan.

3. Fat reduction should be recommended only in the context of a balanced diet.

4. Although some fats may have better health value than others, it is currently prudent to recommend a decrease in all dietary fets for body fat reduction.

5. A ‘user-friendly’ rule is to try to reduce total daily fat intake to below 40g. Even so, any reduction will be moving in the right direction.

6. Clients can identify sources of dietary fat using the Short Fat Questionnaire.

7. A ‘fat count’ may be a useful exercise to identify more specific sources of dietary fat.

8. Clients should be taught to read food labels, nutrition information panels and ingredient lists to assist the appropriate selection of foods. 9 Clients should be encouraged to eat regular servings of low-fat foods.

10. Spreads such as butter and margarine may be easily minimised or eliminated.

11. The use of oils should be minimised.

12. Clients should be taught low-fat cooking and food preparation procedures.

13- Help clients to determine which food sources of fat they are willing to exclude and which ones they are willing to limit in quantity.

14. Any low-fat eating plan prescribed for fat loss must be one that can be comfortably adhered to for a lifetime.

15. Although of secondary importance to dietary fat reduction, total energy input may need to be reduced if desired fat loss is not achieved with dietary fat reduction alone.

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Comments (0) May 08 2009

Luteinised unruptured follicle syndrome, usually known as LUF syndrome, occurs when the ovarian follicle matures and prepares itself for ovulation but at the time of ovulation the follicle fails to rupture and release the ovum.

LUF syndrome is very hard to detect because the usual methods of determining whether or not ovulation has taken place, such as basal body temperature charts and measuring progesterone levels in the second half of the cycle, all indicate that ovulation has occurred. It can only be reliably detected by inspecting the follicle during a laparoscopy or by measuring the size of the follicle during repeated ultrasound scans. In the past many researchers thought that the LUF syndrome was a major cause of infertility in women with endometriosis. However, now many researchers believe that it does not play a significant role and some believe that the LUF syndrome is probably just a random event which occurs in most women from time to time.

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Comments (0) May 08 2009

In the past it was often claimed that endometriosis could be prevented if women had frequent pregnancies early in their reproductive life. But it is now well documented that early and frequent childbearing does not necessarily protect a woman from developing endometriosis as many women have been diagnosed after they have had their children.

So far, gynaecologists and researchers have not been able to find a way of preventing endometriosis because no one knows precisely the causes or what factors influence its development or who it affects.

There is a considerable amount of research being carried out which is attempting to identify the possible factors that may increase or decrease a woman’s risk of developing endometriosis. To-date, none of the results have been sufficiently consistent for any conclusions to be made. In the future it may be possible to identify those women and girls who are most likely to develop endometriosis and to offer them advice regarding the things that they could do to reduce their risk of developing the condition.

Eventually, when more is known about what determines how — and why — the misplaced endometrium implants in some women and not others, it may also be possible to find ways to prevent endometriosis from occurring altogether or at least to prevent recurrences of the condition. For example, it may be possible to develop a vaccine against the condition or to develop drugs which cure the condition permanently.

Lyn’s story

It came as something of a shock when I was told in December 1986 that I had endometriosis — a shock because I had never heard of ‘endometriosis’.

Coming from a family of eight children I suppose I just assumed fertility would never be a problem.

Thinking back now, I am sure I developed endometriosis when I was about 16 — about two years after I started menstruating. I would get severe cramps on the first two days of my period, usually requiring me to stay home from school tucked up in bed with my faithful hot waterbottle.

I remember waking one night in such severe pain I could hardly walk. I staggered to the bathroom, thinking I had a severe bout of diarrhoea. For two hours I suffered hot flushes and pain which, although I have never experienced childbirth, came with the irregularity of labour pains. I remember staggering out of the bathroom and fainting much to the horror of my father.

You see, he was a jockey and his small five foot frame was no match for my larger, heavier and limp body. Much to his credit, he was able to carry me to bed!

The next morning my mother took me to our local doctor. After describing the symptoms, he told us I had probably experienced a twisted bowel which had ‘corrected itself. His solution for my painful periods was to put me on the pill.

For the next 10 years I went on and off the pill. I didn’t think it was too healthy to stay on the pill for such a long stretch but each time I took a break, the cramping periods would be back as bad as ever. It was easier to stay on the pill and enjoy a relatively painless cycle.

In 1985 my husband and I decided it was time to start a family. I just presumed that the first month off the pill would result in the expected pregnancy.

When this didn’t eventuate, I was given the usual advice: ‘Try not to think about it dear’, ‘Your job is too stressful’, ‘Just relax!’.

Six months later I had another attack of what I thought was a twisted bowel. Again I went to a doctor and again he confirmed that it was a twisted bowel which had corrected itself. I mentioned to him that I was having difficulty becoming pregnant. His answer was that as I was only 25,1 shouldn’t worry. He said he would not recommend seeing a specialist for another two years.

Neither my husband nor I were happy with that suggestion and we decided to see another doctor. As luck would have it, a girl I went to school with was working as a GP near our home. I went to her, told her my symptoms and had an appointment with a gynaecologist two weeks later. That’s when the fun really started. On my first visit, he did an internal examination and told me I was very tender on my right side. Who wouldn’t be tender when someone is tugging at your ovaries!

He suspected an ectopic pregnancy and sent me to have blood tests and an ultra-sound, both of which confirmed I was not pregnant. I was then booked in to have a laparoscopy and this revealed I had severe endometriosis.

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Comments (0) May 08 2009

Warts are caused by a virus. There are different types of warts. The most common are the small warts children get on their hands and sometimes feet. Many a child has suffered the agonies of a trip to the hospital to burn the warts off. Naturopathic remedies work just as well.

Usually these warts last 3 to 6 months and are found on the fingers near the nails. They are infectious and other children can easily catch them. The best treatment is thuja taken internally as a tincture or thuja extract applied to the wart twice daily until it disappears. Echinacea can be taken internally. The white sap of the dandelion flower can also be applied to the wart twice daily until it disappears.

Beware of caustic lotions which burn the surrounding skin and sometimes cause the warts to spread. These will burn the face and the genital areas.

Plantar warts need specialist attention as they grow larger and become intensely painful. They may disappear spontaneously after a few months or last for a number of years. The base of the wart is embedded in the soles of the feet, or toes and may be single or multiple. They are firm and round with a rough surface. If this is cut off, dark spots can be seen —blood vessels supplying the wart.

The person suffering with plantar warts should wear socks and slippers around the house and have their own bath towel and bath mat. If the individual is an athletic person, plastic socks can be purchased for use in the communal shower room or in the swimming pools.

Genital warts are sexually transmitted. They can be visible around the labia of a woman or the penis of a man, or they can be inside the vagina. They look like cauliflower growths and can irritate the sufferer. Any sign of infection should be treated as quickly as possible. They are highly contagious and are related to incidence of cervical cancer in women. They have been related to cancer of the throat in cases where oral sex has taken place with an infected person over a long period of time.

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Comments (0) Apr 29 2009

Not long ago the newspapers reported that the president of Harvard University was unable to return to work. Amid speculations as to what might be wrong with him, his doctor issued a bulletin saying that he was exhausted from overwork. He was ‘running on empty’. Well, you don’t have to be the president of Harvard University to know how that feels. I have encountered this symptom in depressed patients I have treated from all walks of life. I recall a highly skilled psychotherapist who was in such great demand because of his expertise that he received many more referrals than he could comfortably handle. Unfortunately he was much more skilful at taking care of his patients than of himself, and had a hard time disappointing his referral sources. He seriously overbooked his schedule, leaving much too little time for rest, exercise and recreation. As a result, his depression was extremely difficult to treat. No matter what anti-depressants I gave him, he always seemed to be running on empty.

Population studies suggest that depression is becoming more common with each successive generation, our youngest people being most frequently affected. No one knows why this should be happening. One possible reason is that it is a cost of upward mobility. As we become an increasingly sophisticated technological society, the newly created opportunities carry with them certain risks and hazards. Increasingly, there are businesses that stay open until all hours of the night. People take their computers on holiday with them so that they can plug into their e-mail and connect to the Internet from the most remote places. They carry cellular phones and are always on-call, wired in and connected to their business associates and customers. And businesses themselves, in an attempt to become more competitive, squeeze the most they can out of each employee. One patient of mine, a chemist who supervised several pharmacies, kept being given more and more shops to supervise. Just as with the psychotherapist I mentioned, her depression was very hard to treat and only responded, finally and completely, when she quit her job.

The curious thing about depression, though, is that you can end up running on empty regardless of how great your burdens are in any objective sense. Each of us has our comfort zone in which we can function happily and efficiently, and each has our limit beyond which our capacity to function breaks down. When someone becomes depressed, that breaking point has been exceeded. It does no good to debate whether or not you should be able to handle the level of stress. Regardless of the objective level of stress that you are currently under, if your capacity for handling that stress has been exceeded, you will feel as though you are running on empty and that may be an indication that you are clinically depressed, especially when it is combined with some of the other tell-tale signs of depression.

One of the hardest things to do when you are running on empty is to start new projects. New initiatives invariably require a new burst of energy, which is especially difficult to muster when you are down.

It is also important to remember that running on empty may be a symptom of other illnesses. Chronic infections, such as glandular fever, may strip you of energy, as may many other medical disorders. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS; also known as ME) is a particularly vexing condition, in which low energy level is the cardinal and sometimes the only symptom. Low thyroid function and other hormonal conditions may also result in fatigue and low energy levels. These can generally be diagnosed by simple blood tests. This is one reason why, in the best of all possible worlds, you should get a medical evaluation before reaching a definitive diagnosis of depression. Or, if you don’t choose to do that, to re-evaluate the situation if you try to treat your depression and it hasn’t improved substantially within a month or two.

If you have been running on empty for more than a few weeks, consider the possibility that you may be clinically depressed.

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Comments (0) Apr 29 2009

It is possible for the average person to take steps to protect himself from the chemical environment. Although the cases of chemical susceptibility described in this book are, naturally, the most extreme examples, it should be emphasized that this problem can eventually affect a great many people who are presently without any strong or obvious symptoms. It is therefore wise for everyone to take steps to avoid developing chemical susceptibility before it reaches the clinical stage.

Eliminating all potentially troublesome chemicals, plastics, and synthetic materials from one’s life may seem like a hopeless task. Some people who seem to agree with the point of view expressed in this book still argue that controlling these chemicals is impossible, since one must “live in the twentieth century.”

There are several fallacies in this fatalistic argument.

First of all, the unbridled use of petrochemicals is part of a particular historical phase and has not been a constant in human history, by any means. In fact, with the much publicized energy shortage, it seems likely that the throwaway use of petrochemical products will have to be curtailed for economic reasons. The need to find more efficient, and also more healthy, forms of energy and basic materials has become a matter of survival in many countries. Thus the trend is with, not against, environmentalism in the long run.

Second, the degree to which harmful products are allowed into the environment is subject, to some extent, to political pressure and control. Countries, states, and even cities vary greatly in their regulations on health and pollution. In the 1920s, for instance, New York and other cities banned the use of leaded gasoline within their borders. Later, leaded gasoline was deregulated, largely because of pressure from the automobile and gasoline interests. But it was phased out once more in the 1960s and 1970s, largely as the result of political pressure. Toxic and cancer-causing substances have been somewhat restricted by federal law through the 1958 Delaney Amendment, banning carcinogens from food, and the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. These measures would never have been enacted without a groundswell of public opinion in their favor. As public awareness of the danger of the unbridled use of petrochemicals grows and as more and more chronically ill people trace their problems to the “safe” chemical environment, we can expect to see increasing political action to control this danger as well. Thus, on a national and international level, there is no reason for pessimism, provided that people become aware of the danger and take effective action.

On a more personal level, it is advisable for each individual to restrict and eliminate harmful chemical exposures in the home, the workplace, and the general environment. If a person has cause to suspect chemical susceptibility, or only wishes to prevent it from occurring, there are a number of effective changes which can be made.

The following ten suggestions are not all-inclusive. As one learns more about ecologic illness and individual responses to chemicals, it will be possible to augment or modify this list. The basic idea behind these ten proposals, however, is to cut down on exposure to unsuspected causes of chronic illness.

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Comments (0) Apr 28 2009

Menthol-containing ointment (such as Ben-Gay or Vicks) that is rubbed on skin to relieve muscular or arthritic pain must never be used with a heating pad, the manufacturers warn. Modern Medicine (55#10:137) tells the sad story of a man who disregarded this advice and ended up in a hospital for one year. After applying the ointment to his aching thighs and forearms, he held a heating pad over each treated area for 15-20 minutes.

Next day, the treated skin appeared inflamed and was covered with large blisters, a reaction that did not respond to cortisone. Over the next few days he became feverish and lost all of the skin, fat, and underlying connective tissues down to the muscles (which became fully exposed) at all of the treated sites. His kidneys were permanently injured, too. During his year-long hospital stay, he needed repeated surgery to clean the “burned” sites and repair them with full thickness skin grafts.

The moral of this story: Read the labeling of all medicines and follow the instructions carefully.

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Comments (0) Apr 28 2009

Signs and symptoms

Head lice cause itching of the scalp and sometimes a red, scaly rash on the back of the neck at the hairline. Scratching may cause sores on the scalp. The lymph glands at the base of the skull may be enlarged.

Unless hundreds are present, it is difficult to see lice in a child’s hair. Look for the small but easily visible nits attached to the shafts of the hairs. Though nits are about the same color and size as flakes of dandruff, they can be easily distinguished from dandruff. Flakes of dandruff can be blown or brushed away; nits can be removed with the fingernails only with difficulty.

Home care

Apply two tablespoonfuls of a 1-percent gamma benzene hexachloride shampoo (which your doctor will prescribe) to your child’s dry hair. Work it into lather, and leave it on four minutes. Then rinse well with water. Be very careful not to get this shampoo into the child’s eyes or mouth. After rinsing, fine-comb your child’s hair to remove the nits. If necessary, use a vinegar rinse to loosen the nits before combing. Repeat the shampoo and combing only once, four to seven days later. This procedure kills both the lice and the eggs. Clean combs and hairbrushes with the gamma benzene hexachloride shampoo. To kill stray lice, clean hats and pillowcases by washing and ironing or by dry cleaning.

Lice can also be killed by applying a 25-percent benzyl benzoate lotion (available over the counter) to the hair and scalp; shampoo after 12 to 24 hours. Repeat the procedure in four to seven days.

Precautions

• Gamma benzene hexachloride is lindane, a white powder used chiefly as an insecticide. It is poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. It can also harm the eyes. Do not let it come in contact with the eyes or mouth. Do not leave it within your child’s reach. Do not apply it more than twice.

• If one person has head lice, all family members except infants and pregnant women should be treated once with the shampoo.

• If the lice are accompanied by infected sores on the scalp or enlarged tender glands at the base of the skull, consult your doctor.

Medical treatment

Your doctor will ordinarily treat head lice as you would at home. If there are infected sores and infected lymph glands, your doctor may culture the sores and will usually prescribe an oral antibiotic for five to ten days.

*98/84/5*

Comments (0) Apr 28 2009

The variety of margarines available in the supermarket has expanded enormously in recent times. The interesting point is that many of them are no longer called “margarine”. According to Food Standards Australia, a food can only be called margarine if it contains at least 80 percent fat. Most margarine now contains less fat, so they are referred to as “spreads”.

Some margarine spreads have got added plant sterols and claim to be able to lower cholesterol absorption. Plant sterols are also known as phyto-sterols, and they include beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, among others. It is true that plant sterols can inhibit cholesterol absorption in our digestive tract (cholesterol is also a type of sterol), and in this way reduce cholesterol levels. Therefore, if you eat some cholesterol containing food, such as eggs at the same time as the margarine, you will absorb less cholesterol from the eggs than usual. Bile that is secreted into our small intestine in response to a meal contains a great deal of cholesterol. Some of this is excreted in bowel movements but a lot of it gets re-absorbed back into our bloodstream through the intestinal wall. The sterols in margarine prevent some of this re-absorption of cholesterol.

Plant sterols or stands are a controversial topic. They are oestrogen-like compounds found naturally in many plants, but they are also a waste product of pulp and paper mills. Research has shown that rivers downstream of wood-pulp factories can become contaminated with plant sterols and this affects the fertility offish. Some fish became hermaphrodites and others switched gender! Experiments in test tubes have shown these sterols to stimulate breast cancer cells. Back in the 60s these compounds were used to manufacture human sex hormones. Since plant sterols clearly have hormonal effects, possibly it isn’t a good idea for every man, woman and child to be consuming them.

Some studies have shown that consumption of phyto-sterols reduces blood levels of vitamin E and beta-carotene. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that plant sterols reduced the bioavailability of beta-carotene by 50 percent and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) by 20 percent. What is the point of lowering your cholesterol if that is going to make you deficient in important antioxidants that have been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer?

Cholesterol lowering margarines are expensive; expect to pay more than seven dollars a tub. To get the full benefits from them you would have to eat 25g a day, roughly a heaped tablespoon. Some spreads contain canola oil and some contain olive oil and are promoted to be healthier, as they contain monounsaturated fat. However you don’t get as much olive or canola oil as you may think. Most canola spreads contain between 30 and 35 percent canola oil, and olive oil spreads typically contain only 22 to 23 percent olive oil. The rest of the product is made up of a vegetable oil blend; typically soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil or palm oil. Low fat margarine spreads contain more water, and some even contain gelatin.

The vast majority of margarines have been made from refined vegetable oils that have been processed using heat and chemical solvents. This means they contain rancid fats and often some trans fatty acids. New manufacturing techniques have been able to get the trans fat content of margarine very low, and some margarines are free of trans fats altogether. However, there are much healthier, more natural options. It is possible to obtain plant sterols from more natural sources such as raw nuts and seeds, legumes and extra virgin olive oil. When combined with an appropriate liver friendly, low carbohydrate eating plan it is possible for most people to achieve a healthy cholesterol level.

Healthy alternative spreads

Remember that most bread is fairly high in carbohydrate, and eating too much of it can raise your cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as promote weight gain and Syndrome X. Eat bread in small quantities, and choose one that is made from stone ground flour and has a low glycaemic index. The following are all suitable spreads to use:

-    Fresh avocado

-    Tahini

-    Hummus

-    Natural nut butter/paste such as peanut, almond, cashew, macadamia or Brazil nut butter.

-    Tomato paste

-    Baba ganoush

-    Extra virgin olive oil

*42/53/5*

Comments (0) Apr 23 2009