The device used for the procedure is designed and crafted by Boston Scientific and is called a Bronchoscope. Dr. H. Erhan Dincer, a Pulmonologist at the university, is trained to carry out the treatment which involves using the device to go through and apply heat to the patients’ airways in order to shrink the smooth muscles surrounding the airways. The heating process, using a temperature of about 150 degrees, is applied to sections of the muscles for 10 seconds per section. According to Dr. Dincer, once the muscles around the air tubes are shrunk, the air ways opens up allowing patients to breathe easier.

The entire procedure takes a total of 9 weeks and is divided into three treatments for three different parts of the lungs and is performed three weeks apart. An asthma patient, Greg Morgan, underwent bronchial thermoplasty in October of 2012, because he was hospitalized 7 times in 2 years due to asthma attacks. “There’s no feeling in the world like not being able to breathe,” shares Morgan to kare11.com. According to him, he was able to work full time again after the procedure. “I have not used either the inhaler or the nebulizer at all since then. So it’s been just an amazing turn of events for me,” he said.

However not all asthma patients are qualified for this procedure. Currently, it is only being offered to patients suffering from severe asthma although not all severe asthma sufferers even qualify for bronchial thermoplasty. Specialists say that with more research, this new treatment would someday be available to all asthma patients. Since it was only approved by the FDA in 2010, some insurance plans still do not cover the procedure, but that may not be the case anymore in 2 years’ time.

Meanwhile, the PURE team thinks that although this treatment could be considered revolutionary in asthma research, prevention and vigilance should still be top priorities for asthma sufferers and their families. Hypoallergenic goods and products as well as clean environments should remain to be the focus as there are 30 million people in the US who suffer from asthma and bronchial thermoplasty is not yet available for everybody.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

Patients with chronic back or neck pain often complain of fuzzy thinking, poor memory, and feelings of anxiety and depression. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Chiropractor and Naturopath Dr. J G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP points out that these symptoms start in the hippocampal area of the brain, the same region that processes spinal pain signals. Doctors and researchers have often wondered if chronic pain is actually a whole-brain disorder, rather than the pain signaling system gone awry, .

Researchers Amelia A Mutso, A. Vania Apkarian, et al at Northwestern University investigated the underlying cellular and molecular changes that influence behaviors in mice with chronic abnormal nerve pain. Their findings were recently published in a paper titled Abnormalities in Hippocampal Functioning with Persistent Pain in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The hippocampus, which is critical for learning, memory and emotional processing, is one of the few brain regions of mice and men in which new neurons grow. The researchers found that chronic nerve pain in mice causes a failure in new hippocampal neuron growth, disrupts its electrical and biochemical signaling, and results in increased anxious behaviors and difficulties with emotional learning.

Using anatomical brain scans, the researchers measured the hippocampal volume of three groups of humans with chronic pain. The two groups with chronic back pain or complex regional pain syndrome had significantly smaller hippocampal regions, while the group with osteoarthritis had a nearly normal size. The first two groups showed similar symptoms of anxiety, depression, and deficits in learning and memory similar to the mice with chronic pain. The researchers suspect that the reduced hippocampal size in people is the result of the lack in neuron growth and other impairments as seen in the mice. When new neurons do not grow, memory and emotional processes become impaired. The research team headed by Mutso and Apkarian emphasized the importance of locating the source of the chronic pain and providing the proper treatment for a brain-based disorder.

The next question then is: can aberrant brain function be reversed by the proper treatment of spinal pain? A research team led by David A. Seminowicz considered this exact subject in their paper Effective Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in Humans Reverses Abnormal Brain Anatomy and Function. They looked at the gray matter thickness with structural MRI scans of 18 chronic low back pain patients before surgery or facet joint pain blocking injections, along with 14 patients 6 months after surgery or facet injection. These scans were compared with 16 healthy subjects, 10 of which also returned 6 months later. Functional MRI scans were also done on all of the groups while performing a cognitive task. Those patients with chronic pain had decreased brain gray matter thickness and impaired cognitive ability compared to the healthy subjects.

Six months after successful treatment for back pain, the chronic pain patients displayed increased cortical thicknesses in: the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (correlating with reduced pain and physical disability), the primary motor cortex (correlating with reduced physical disability), and the right anterior insula (correlating with reduced pain). The functional MRIs showed abnormal activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region during attention-demanding cognitive tasks before treatment, but normal activity 6 months after successful treatment of the pain.

These results indicate that structural and functional brain abnormalities are reversible, indicating that the proper treatment of chronic pain can restore normal brain function in humans. With Chiropractic’s proven results in treating chronic back pain, it would be interesting if a group of Chiropractic researchers would replicate this research study using Chiropractic care.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

The research – published recently in the National Library of Medicine – highlights the dangers of ignoring the early signs of gum disease (gingivitis).

If left unchecked, gingivitis can worsen and develop into periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease which can attack bone as well as soft tissue.

Gum disease has far reaching consequences with well documented associations with more serious conditions such as cardiac and respiratory problems, diabetes, some cancers and osteoporosis – as well as dementia and premature birth.

“Gingivitis is serious enough but periodontitis is even more serious and can do lasting damage to the bones of the mouth as well as the gums,” said a spokesperson for Eludril and Elgydium.

“And yet there is no need to suffer with a painful gum condition. Gingivitis and periodontitis are both avoidable. Gum disease is easy to identify and simple to treat if caught early.

“Even if people miss the initial warning signs such as the gum swelling around the teeth, there are other indications which are hard to ignore.”

Blood on the gums can be caused by brushing teeth too vigorously but all too often it is a clear indication of gingivitis.

Gum recession – with or without bleeding – is another serious warning sign that should not be ignored, although this too can be caused by over-enthusiastic or careless brushing.

Regular checks by dental professionals are important in diagnosing the symptoms of gingivitis early – before the condition worsens and develops into periodontitis.

For decades, dentists and hygienists all over the world have recommended chlorhexidine (an important ingredient in both Elgydium and Eludril) as the gold standard treatment for gum disease.

Not only does chlorhexidine treat gingivitis and periodontitis but regular brushing with one of the Elgydium range of antibacterial toothpastes can help to prevent them.

Elgydium is strong enough to kill the bacteria that cause gum disease but can be used daily as part of a normal oral health regime.

Eludril gingivitis mouthwash should be used two or three times daily while symptoms persist. The recommended dosage of Eludril is 10 to 15 ml, diluted with warm water in the measuring cup provided. It is a quick and simple treatment for when gum disease is detected.

Eludril can also be used to disinfect dentures, using a one-in-three dilution with water. The dentures should be cleansed as normal then soaked in the Eludril dilution for around 60 minutes.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin (http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/general-health-2/health-news/this-could-be-the-new-frontier-in-eye-health) notes, many people don’t have perfect eyesight due to injury, age-related wear and tear, and disease. For those who don’t have good eyesight, they might find it difficult to read from afar, or may feel like everything is constantly blurry. For some people, this may be a temporary state, but for many unfortunate others, poor eyesight is a permanent fact of life.

As the article “This Could Be the New Frontier in Eye Health” reports, one of the main triggers for poor eyesight is the presence of a corneal infection. Many times, people find that, somehow, bacteria are able to invade the cornea after surgery—and that’s when an infection can set in.

These infections can be serious, causing irritation, ruptures, and inflammation. If left untreated, blurry vision, and even blindness, can result. In addition, this type of infection is much more widespread these days, due to the increase in corneal surgeries for cataracts, glaucoma, and other conditions.

The Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin article states that researchers have discovered that they can use nanomedicine to improve the delivery and quantity of medicine that an infected eye receives.

Normally, conventional drops are put into the eye; with this type of drug delivery, scientists estimate a mere five percent of the medicine actually reaches the site of infection. Since the patient’s natural tendency is to blink and tear up whenever something touches their eyeball, an even greater amount of the medicine is washed away, making these conventional drugs very ineffective.

But according to the article, that’s where nanomedicine comes in. Scientists have come up with a way to get drugs directly where they are needed in the right quantities. Soft contacts can be filled with nanoparticle drugs and delivered to a precise spot on the eye. Not only that, but the medicine can be released over a sustained period of time.

Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin reports that a research team recently tested the effects of nanomedicine on dogs with glaucoma. They delivered a drug called “timolol” through contact lenses. Because the nanomedicine was concentrated and potent, only one-third of a dose was needed to reduce ocular pressure when compared to conventional eye drops. The researchers also experimented by adding vitamin E to the nanomedicine, which had the effect of prolonging the release of the timolol.

As Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin concludes, this research has the potential to change the lives of people with vision problems.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

1. Pay attention to what goes in your mouth
You hear it all the time, “you are what you eat.” That is absolutely true. “You can’t outwork a bad diet.” No matter how hard you workout in the gym, if your diet isn’t reflecting the same effort, you’ll never see the results you’re looking for. Try to consume natural, highly nutritious foods- all the fruits, veggies and protein you can eat (within reason, of course). Limit as much as possible the added sugars, fast food, and late night snacking.

2. Consistency is key
Being consistent is paramount to creating a habit and creating change in your routine. Nothing great was built over night- results take time and effort. Try to get vigorous exercise 3-4 times a week and stay active on your “off” days. On your “off” days, get outside, enjoy the weather and just keep moving be it with a walk, bike ride, playing tennis, etc. If you continuously skip workouts and are inconsistent with your eating, your body won’t adjust to your new regimen and transform the way you want it to.

3. WORK
It’s called a “workout” for a reason. Anything worth having isn’t easy to get. You can’t just go through the motions. Anyone can exercise, but only those who put in the effort will reap the rewards. Find a program or a trainer who can help you do that. Don’t be afraid to sweat and push beyond what you think you can do.

Remember to always keep moving. Powered by YOU.

To read the full press release…..Click here

- Courtesy of PRWeb

The article profiles nerve growth and regeneration, and discusses the importance of fully understanding axons in order to move forward with new, cutting edge procedures. Injuries to nerves that do not completely interrupt all its layers results in spontaneous regeneration, but it happens at an extremely slow rate and random pattern. The researchers showed that different proteins can be manipulated to improve the length and branching of nerves.The scientists focused their studies on repair proteins located near an injury site and in the axon of the nerve, as they’re hoping this will lead to a greater understanding in restoring length to damaged axons.

”This can be an important issue in patients who get synkinesis or aberrant regeneration of nerves after suffering from Bell’s palsy or other facial nerve injuries. If nerves can be manipulated to grow in a more systematic way, then the results of nerve repair can be improved,” said world-renowned facial paralysis surgeon, Dr. Azizzadeh. ”Furthermore, our current treatments of facial paralysis and nerve injuries often relies on nerve and muscle transfers; if we can improve the success of those procedures at the level of the nerve regeneration, then the patients can have a better outcome.”

As director of the Facial Paralysis Institute in Beverly Hills, Dr. Azizzadeh performs facial nerve transfers for patients dealing with severe facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy. Such procedures often involve the transfer of a nerve from one region of the body to another location in the face. Nerve transfer procedures provide patients with an immense increase in facial reanimation

”I’m focused on bringing my patients the best results possible, and right now that’s with facial nerve transfer procedures like the cross-facial nerve graft and the masseter to facial nerve transfer,” said Dr. Azizzadeh.

Dr. Azizzadeh is trained in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Head & Neck Surgery, giving him a distinctive insight into facial nerve function and facial aesthetics. Dr. Azizzadeh also has extensive training in microsurgical facial reconstruction, which is often required for the treatment of people who are born with facial paralysis. He is also the director of the USC Facial Plastic Fellowship Program, and the director of the world renowned Cedars-Sinai Advances in Multispecialty Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Symposium.

The vaccine, manufactured by Circassia, a United Kingdom-based company, could significantly decrease the amount of visits required for patients to complete a treatment and is seen to be a more effective remedy with lesser risks. The drug has recently been approved at phase two by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US and is currently undergoing phase 3. If everything goes well, approval should be granted in 2015.

Certain allergenic proteins are released whenever a cat cleans itself and these substances remain in the cat’s fur or get away to the air. Since the allergenic proteins are light and sticky, these can easily escape to vehicles, schools and even to homes where there aren’t been any cats at all. In an article published on fastcoexist.com, “Circassia focuses on a small part of the protein, producing synthetic versions of amino acids called peptides. The idea is to switch off the specific cells that cause the allergic reaction.”

According to Steve Harris, CEO of Circassia, the treatment process only involves four shots over a 12 week period as compared to the current method of weekly injections over an 8 month period which is then followed by injections between longer intervals. Research shows that so far, the effects of the Circassia treatment lasts about at least 1 year. “When patients were exposed to cat dander for three hours a day over four days, they had “barely noticeable” symptoms. This suggests that they will be able to be in the same room and interact with cats,” Harris says.

Statistics show that there is around 17% of the US population that is allergic to cats. Half the people from this figure manifest clinical symptoms when in close proximity, especially asthmatic children. People find current treatments to be tedious and with significant side effects. With the pending approval of the Circassia vaccine, cat lovers will be able to enjoy quality time with their pets.

While Circassia aims to develop treatments for specific allergies such as dust mites, rag weeds, other companies, such as Merck who is developing a new grass-allergy drug, allergy sufferers may have something to look forward to in terms of controlling their symptoms. However, PURE still recommends prevention above all else, including the use of hypoallergenic solutions, regardless if treatments are available or not.

- Courtesy of PRWeb

1. The causes of multiple sclerosis include, but may not be limited to:
a.) Genetics
b.) Infections
c.) Diet

Answer: All of the above. Genetics is an underlying factor, while toxins and infections for example may allow genetic predispositions to manifest as disease activity.

2. True or false? The medications typically used in multiple sclerosis are well tolerated with a clear track record of benefit in multiple sclerosis patients.

Answer: False. Unfortunately, the medications used today for multiple sclerosis often carry such significant side affects that many patients choose not to use them.

3.True or False? Vitamin B12 and folic acid are commonly needed for those with multiple sclerosis?

Answer: True: Serum B12 and folic acid levels are useful as measures of need ONLY when the levels are low. High levels of these nutrients may actually indicate intracellular (inside the cell) deficiency of these nutrients. A homocysteine and methylmalonic acid tests can indicate if these nutrients are being “misused” in the body or deficient. Also, there are several different forms of B12 and folic acid and the best choice needs to be determined (i.e., cyanocobalamine, adenosylcobalamine, hydroxycobalamine, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate.

4.True or False? The use of a tri-peptide amino acid called n-acetyl cytokine (a.k.a NAC) potentially provides antiviral, detoxififying, mucolytic and immune balancing effects in MS?

Answer: True.

5. True or false? Vaccinations are also considered causal factors for multiple sclerosis.

Answer: True. According to a study entitled, “Environmental Risk Factors in Multiple Sclerosis Aetology”, that appeared in the Journal: Lancet Neurology in December 2004.

6. True or false? The best treatment for multiple sclerosis is the use of a clean organically-based diet along with the appropriate nutritional supplements.

Answer: Neither True NOR False. Dietary therapies, plus others used in alternative medicine, are certainly essentially in our opinion for both the prevention and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Careful laboratory assessments should be used by an experienced practitioner for determining individual needs of nutritional supplements. For example, low vitamin D levels are inversely related to an increased risk of multiple sclerosis and a downward spiral of the disease; sun exposure or taking vitamin D supplements is no guarantee of correction.

7. True or false? The average neurologist does an excellent job at looking for the cause of multiple sclerosis.

Answer: False. Sadly, the typical neurologist makes very little attempt to look for the actual underlying causes of MS in some individual. The medications approved for MS are quite clear to neurologists and these medications tend to be recommended. Potential causes of multiple sclerosis involve exposure to toxins that may have occurred during any period of the person’s life, various nutritional deficiencies and other lifestyle factors such as stress.

8. True or false? A variety of nutritional factors have been well or reasonably well studied in multiple sclerosis and should always be used given their long track record of safety and overall health benefi ts.

Answer: Absolutely True. Why not use natural therapies that can be used with complete safely if they offer the possibility of a greater quality of life? Although many natural textbooks exist and information in the media is abundant describing various natural approaches for MS, each individual is different. Trained health professionals that have both classic and natural training in multiple sclerosis offer the best healing solutions.

- Dr. Michael Wald, Brain-Energy Blast

For more information about this or other topics please go to: www.intmedny.com

A little stress, acute stress, is actually good for you. It wakes up your creativity, fuels your vitality and keeps your immune system vigilant. The qualifying word is little. However, when stress becomes chronic and you find yourself rushing from activity to activity with no personal time for yourself, it’s not the external world that is landing on your doorstep; rather it’s your need to constantly open the door!

Here’s what happens when you experience stress. Powerful hormones are released throughout the body, elevating blood pressure and putting your senses on high alert. Glucose is driven up into the brain and muscles. Your evolutionary pre-programmed response is fight, flight or freeze. However, in modern times whom do you fight? Where is the proverbial saber tooth tiger? You take it out on all your relationships, most importantly the relationship you have with yourself.

Ultimately, stress robs you of an optimistic resiliency that allows you to adapt to various obstacles; instead you are hitting your head against a wall of frustration. This is why stress needs to be systematically released because it is toxic to health and happiness. Go green not only by shedding toxic chemicals or processed foods, but also by shedding stress. Even little stressors accumulate and inundate. While you might not be able to control the big stressors in life, you can do something about the small ones. Once you learn to reduce your personal stress response, you will notice that those various aches and pains disappear. Also, you will feel more energetic, experience more “aha” moments, and embrace your authentic true self.

8 little de-stressing techniques with a big impact:

• Begin your day in control instead of waking up with a jolt. Set your alarm clock five minutes earlier to lie in bed and ease into your day.

• Have a power breakfast of lean protein, complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs will help you release serotonin to stabilize mood and lean protein will help your brain focus. Food and mood correlate highly. Throughout the day eat balanced snacks and meals to be balanced. The Mediterranean diet is a good stress-reduction diet.

• Be aware that you are blown about in different directions with multi-tasking and over-scheduling. Begin by shedding one thing from your to-do list. How does this make you feel? What can you do for yourself with this new-found time?

• Move stress out of your body. Walk your legs to their next happiness. Begin an exercise program because Activity Alleviates Anxiety.

• Spend time outdoors to reset your natural rhythm from the technology overload. The sunshine vitamin improves mood.

• Find a creative hobby to compensate you for loss, disappointment and sadness. Fill the emptiness with what makes your heart sing.

• Practice re-framing negatives into positives every day. Human beings have a negativity bias which perpetuates the stress response and makes things seem more awful than they are. We all take the facts and make up stories about them. Make yours a positive or witty story. Cultivate a positivity bias to live in greater joy.

- Debbie Mandel, MA is the author of Turn On Your Inner Light and Addicted to Stress. She creates stress-management workshops and is an inspiring speaker. To learn more visit: www.turnonyourinnerlight.com

By Michelle Hastie

6. The Naturally Slim and Slender Don’t Work out Just So They Can Eat Food

This was probably the worst part of dieting EVER! Every time I ate I had to think about how much movement it would take to then remove that food off my body. This is an insane way to live! When you don’t have worries around weight you simply eat because you are hungry, and exercise because you want to.

7. The Naturally Slim and Slender Know They Don’t Need to Be Athletes

I don’t know about you but I grew up in the arts not the athletics. This doesn’t mean that I am completely inept when it comes to exercise (I mean I did become a personal trainer at some point). But when I decided to live like a personal trainer does, I gained weight faster than a speeding bullet. Ok well not that fast, but pretty darn fast. I move daily, don’t get me wrong… around my house, walking my dog, doing chores, etc. The truth is I lost 10 lbs. stuck on the couch for 30 days, so clearly this is not the answer.

8. The Naturally Slim and Slender Know that Missing a Day, Week or Month of Exercise Doesn’t Cause Weight Gain

Unless you are training to be in a marathon, body building competition or becoming a bikini model you do not need to worry about missing workouts. Your body is constantly changing. Some days it will want to move all day! Some days you will not want to move from your bed. The important thing is if you listen it will always balance itself out, so stop trying to do it for it! It’s only dieters that worry and guilt themselves over a missed workout.

There are sooooo many ways to move our bodies. You can do simple movements all day and never go to the gym and stay trim. You probably won’t have the strength or endurance you prefer, but you won’t be overweight. You can walk, do yoga, dance, cross fit, go to the gym, and it’s literally endless. It’s only dieters that choose their movements based on what burns the most calories versus what’s the most fun or feels the most amazing during… So many clients tell me how much they enjoy it after but not during. I choose not to do anything I don’t enjoy even for a minute that includes the stair stepper.

10. The Naturally Slim and Slender Don’t Worry About Exercise as a Means for Weight Loss

I know so many people who are thin and don’t ever “exercise” in the way you would define the word. They just do their regular movements throughout the day, eat until they are full and that’s that. Your body can adjust for anything. It can adjust your appetite for the months when you run 5 days a week and then the months when you barely get out walking. As long as you are listening you can always keep your body in balance. Eliminating your stress is the real cause of your weight loss and most dieters stress over their exercise or lack thereof. Focus on relaxation instead of exercise and see where that gets you!

- Michelle Hastie, President/Founder, As Seen In Shape Magazine, Total Body Health Solutions