SassyQarla’s Carlo Diokno and Rumer Certeza recently reported on Lady GaGa’s confession on Larry King Live about being tested for Lupus. According to GaGa, her aunt Joanne died from complications of the condition. She got tested for this which later came out to be borderline positive. She claims she is not exhibiting symptoms at the moment, was also reported to have been collapsing, having heart palpitations, and had trouble breathing while in Tokyo.

Could these be flare-ups of lupus and not a result of being overworked?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), or Lupus, is an autoimmune disease. This means your own immune system which normally defends you from bacteria or viruses, will instead attack your own tissues. The result of which is inflammation which causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body.

Pathogenic autoantibodies are the underlying problem in lupus, along with other unknown factors. The abnormal cellular and humoral response to the formation of these autoantibodies is modulated by genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.

In the United States, the annual incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus averages 5.1 per 100,000 per year. In addition, the incidence of SLE in black women is approximately 4 times higher than in white women. SLE is also more frequent in Asian women than in white women.

In women of child-bearing age, a triad of fever, joint pain and rashes whould suggest the diagnosis of SLE because these are some of the most commonly found symptoms in patients presenting with SLE. Other characteristics of Lupus  include photosensitivity, mouth sores, kidney problems, heart and lung problems, and neurologic problems.

As you can see, because of the number of characteristit can be seen in other diseases, the diagnosis of SLE can be difficult. However, some laboratory exams can help confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests, urinalysis, or other tests can be done.

Treatment depends on which organs have been affected and how active the inflammation is. If SLE is not very active (i.e. it’s mild), treatment may not be intensive. In severe lupus, treatment may be intensive. Once the initial inflammation is controlled, a doctor determines the dose that most effectively suppresses inflammation over the long term.

Lupus tends to be chronic and relapsing, often with symptom-free periods that can last for years. Flare-ups can be triggered by sun exposure, infection, surgery, or pregnancy.

The life expectancy, though, has improved – a 15-year survival rate of 80% today compared to an approximate 4-year survival rate of 50% in the 1950s. A patient in whom SLE is diagnosed by age 20 years still has a 1 in 6 chance of dying within 15 years, most often from lupus or infection. After 35, the patient is more likely to die from myocardial infarction or stroke.

So is Lady GaGa exhibiting signs of SLE? That’s a question that only GaGa and her doctor can answer for now.

Hi guys!

I’ll be on blog leave for a few weeks. Till then!

-Zoe

In this new version, the Mad Hatter is probably someone whom you won’t describe as only “slightly twisted.” Johnny Depp plays the orange-haired character and believes the Mad Hatter is “very, very poisoned.” He says that in his research, he says that in the 18th and 19th century, mercury was used in the hat-making process. It was, thus, quite probable that mercury has seeped through the skin of hatters, affecting them physically and mentally.

Let’s look deeper into this.

Mad as a Hatter

Where exactly has this come from? The origins of such phrase vary, according here, here, and here. All three sources agree that the phrase has been existing since before Alice’s time. So what is the truth behind hatters’ madness? How were top hats made?

According to this, in the 18th and 19th century, rabbit fur or beaver fur were used for making hats. These were treated with an orange solution called mercury nitrate in a process called carroting. This was to roughen it so that it could be shaved off, forming the felt. The hat-makers would be inhaling the fumes coming from this process, and with prolonged exposure (especially those involved in carroting) would manifest with symptoms of mercury poisoning.

Back then, they were known as mad hatter syndrome.

What would these symptoms be?

Korsakoff’s Psychosis

Mercury poisoning may cause a particular psych condition known as Korsakoff’s psychosis. This is a brain disorder that is brought about commonly by the lack of thiamine or Vitamin B1. Korsakoff’s causes neuronal loss or damage, and hemorrhage or bleeding in the brain, particularly what we call the mamillary bodies. It would manifest with such symptoms such as

• Amnesia, retrograde or anterograde or both. Retrograde amnesia is a form of amnesia where someone will not be able to recall eventst that transpired before the development of amnesia. On the other hand, anterograde means that he would be unable to form new memories.

• meager content in conversation

• lack of insight

• apathy, or lack of interest or losing interest in things quickly

• loss of muscle coordination

• vision changes (abnormal eye movements, double vision, eyelid drooping)

• and confabulation (making up stories from invented memories which they believe are real due to memory gaps brought about by black outs).

Most of these symptoms have been associated with the Mad Hatter character (or at least that’s what I remember from the classic Disney animation).

I never thought of looking the origins of the Mad Hatter’s madness especially since it has been locked in my memories that the story of Wonderland was just something fabricated in Lewis Carroll’s imagination. At least now I can see the Mad Hatter’s eccentricities as coming from medical condition I believe is possible.

• In a report released from the Nurses’ Health Study revealed that women taking a single aspirin tablet every other day were  71% less likely to have a deadly recurrence of breast cancer compared to those who were taking little or no aspirin. Note, however, that these women were taking aspirin mostly to help their hearts.

• In a similar research, ibuprofen was found to be helpful in reducing risk of having Parkinson’s Disease.Parkinson’s  disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. However, more research needs to be done to understand how or why ibuprofen appears to have that effect.

I’m sure by now we’ve all heard how eating some chocolate can be good for your health. They say that the flavanoids present can be beneficial in reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. But studies have now shown the benefits of small amounts of chocolate each week reduces the risk for stroke by 20-45%.

This study is yet to be presented to the American Academy of Neurology.

In UK today, 27% of children are now overweight.

Yet the “tipping point” that sets children on the way to a lifetime of obesity often occurs before the age of two, say US researchers. The reason for this is not well-understood, although contributing factors may include poor diet, early introduction to solid foods, and lack of exercise. In addition, food preferences may be set by the age of two, so changing a child’s eating behavior at a later stage may be difficult.

In another study, results show that kids who were cared for full-time by their grandparents had increased risk of obesity by 34%. The study did not look into why this is, but indulgence of children and lack of physical exercise were two possible explanations.

Clinton was reportedly been having brief chest discomfort which prompted him to schedule an appointment. It was during this appointment that a blockage was found via angiogram.

Stents are typically placed in an artery after an angioplasty, a procedure in which clogged vessels are cleared with a balloon to restore blood flow to the heart. Stents act as scaffolding, keeping the arteries pushed open so they can stay clear for years after the procedure. These are usually recommended when lifestyle modifications and medications have not been successful for the patient. When indicated, there are also various factors to consider before choosing the stent applicable for a patient.

To learn more about stents, you may visit this site. It addresses questions frequently asked about stents and provides extensive explanations.

Go here if you prefer illustrations or videos.

This blog post was written in collaboration with Rumeroo who posted it here.

Derived from the Greek goddess of love ‘Aphrodite’, aphrodisiacs serves as a form of ‘lust stimulant’ or agent that evokes concealed sexual desire in both males & females. Throughout history, aphrodisiacs have been known to be present in several concoctions,brews & even scents, some queer, but still popularly embraced worldwide & still, for many years to come.

How they work:

First, let’s be clear that Viagra is not an aphrodisiac in the sense that even if it does improve performance & ability, it does not however, create sexual desire. Now according to experts, aphrodisiacs works in two ways. One, there are those that directly influence or affect the brain, while others have that pleasurable impact on parts of the body. Like for example, an increase of blood flow in the sex organs leading to the simulation of feelings associated with intercourse or sexual desire. Our hormone levels play a key role, most specifically the testosterone in these cases & if the balance is off, things would not function as they should. That is, if there is a lacking in testosterone, our sexual interest would decline.

Some commonly known aphrodisiacs:

Avocado

This exotic fruit has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Bromocriptine is said to be responsible to give off that boost of desire.

Chocolate

Chocolate through time has been popularly associated with love & romance. The Mayan civilizations even called it ‘food of the gods.’ And why not? Besides the iressistable taste, researchers have studied this delicacy & have found it to contain phenylethylamine & serotonin, which are both ‘feel good’ chemicals. They occur naturally in our bodies & are released by our brains when we are feeling passionate or in love. Aside from these two chemicals, some researchers have also discovered chocolate to contain a substance called anandamide, which has the same effect as marijuana on the brain.

Coffee

Besides being a favorite among early morning risers, coffee has been known to be an aphrodisiac in which the caffeine in it acts as a stimulant, increasing our awareness & arguably enhances sexual appetite as well.

Scents

Scents are the most powerful of human senses & can instantly trigger that hidden craving or desire & even dig up some buried memories in the past. Perfumes in any angle you put it, does the trick & attracts the opposite sex like a powerful magnet.

Music

Music sets the perfect mood, along with minimal lights plus the couch. Or so, it varies. Human senses are powerful reactors & can trigger emotions. Music has a tremendous effect on human emotion whether it be depressing or joyful. What more if you’re with a special companion & temperatures begin to rise. Put on that music!

Touch

A massage or touching another person represents a form of intimacy, whether based on friendship or something beyond that. It creates a special bond between two people & often arouses that sexual desire in most cases.

So do aphrodisiacs actually work?

Throughout extensive research over the years, results showed that certain foods, supplements & herbs increase production of hormones or natural chemicals that affect our libidos.

We did find a couple of those studies proving the potential of these substances. In one study,  the potency activity of Eurycoma longifoli, a flowering plant in Indonesia and Malaysia, was tested among male rats. The results showed recurrent and significant increase in in the episodes of penile reflexes as evidenced by increases in quick flips, long flips and erections of the treated male rats during the 30 min observation period. In another study, the aphrodisiac activity of nutmeg and clove were tested. They found out that these two substances stimulate the mounting behavior of male mice, and also to significantly increase their mating performance.

However, despite these works, the FDA suggests that aphrodisiacs are merely folklore & lack concrete scientific basis.

• In other weight-related issues, in a study comparing overly obese teens who underwent gastric banding with overly obese teens who underwent lifestyle changes, 84% of the gastric banding group achieved weight loss of more than 50%. (Which means, if things go really bad when it comes to weight, then banding could be your answer).

• Crestor (Rosuvastatin) has been approved by FDA to be safe to take by people with no heart disease or without high cholesterol. Crestor and other statin drugs work to lower LDL, the so-called bad cholesterol in our bodies.

• You’ve heard of second-hand smoking, but have you heard of third-hand smoking? A new study reveals that when nicotine residues that linger on surfaces (for days, weeks or months) react with ambient nitrous acid in the air, potent carcinogens can form. That is third-hand smoking.

• It’s been years since a Mediterranean diet has been recognized to be beneficial in heart problems and dietary concerns. This diet focuses heavily on fruit, nut, whole grain and olive oil. But a new study also shows that it may be able to reduce the strokes and ultimately dementia. The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in Toronto. (In other words, while this study shows much promise, they also cannot wholly attribute the Mediterranean diet as responsible for reduction in strokes. At least not yet).

After spending a week on a mountain, a group of obese men lost some weight, and their capacity for exercise increased upon returning home.

The study, which took place in Germany, involved obese men whose average age was 56 and with risk factors for diabetes and heart disease as a result of their weight. After being subjected to a battery of tests, they were relocated to Germany’s highest mountain, Zugspitze (elevation 8,700 ft) where they lived for a week. While there, there were no food restrictions, but their exercise was restricted to slow walks around the station. After a week, the average weight loss these men had was 3.5 pounds!  Although they ate less during their stay, researchers believe that the calorie restriction alone did not explain the weight loss.

Moreover, upon returning home, the men burned slightly more calories and had increased their capacity for exercise, making exercise easier for them.

Which makes me wonder – how much altitude range are we talking here? Could I maybe achieve this in an elevation lower than 8,700 ft? (This signifies a probable vacation up in the mountains).