Posted by Science Admin | 0 Comments

Understanding Laser Spine Surgery

Despite the spread of chronic back pain, many people are reluctant to undergo surgery for relief. Instead, most have opted for other forms of therapy, from chiropractic treatment to homeopathic techniques, many of which provide only temporary relief.

This may change with the growing popularity of laser spine surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that promises long-term relief from back pain. Although lasers have been used in surgical procedures for decades, their effect in spine surgery has yet to be proven. But this hasn’t stemmed its popularity in the U.S., where many health practitioners now offer laser spine surgery.

But how does the procedure work? First, it’s important to understand that traditional surgery, which often involves opening up the back and requires up to a year of recovery, is designed for back pain caused by spinal problems. These procedures basically tweak the spine to fix displacements and other physical problems. Laser surgery, on the other hand, addresses the source of pain in the nerves by trimming off the ends and reducing the size of vertebral disks. This relieves the pressure on the spine and adjacent tissues, which causes the pain in conditions such as bone spurs, spinal stenosis, and herniated disks.

Traditionally, these procedures are done with a similar minimally invasive procedure that does not involve lasers. Unlike laser surgery, however, these have been proven effective and are widely used by practitioners in the U.S. Because it is a fairly new procedure, the success rate remains unproven, although many patients claim to feel much better after the procedure. Most people opt for laser spine surgery after having consulted several doctors and usually spent a good amount of money on treatments that have brought little or no relief.

So should you go for laser spine surgery, or opt for a more traditional procedure? There’s no black-and-white answer to this question, as each patient has a different set of needs. Several factors come into play: the type and source of your back pain, the treatments you’ve previously tried, and various aspects of your medical history. Laser surgery may work wonders for some people, but others may come out of it worse than they started off. That’s why it pays to do your homework, talk to your doctor, and make sure you’re making the right choice.

If you do decide to get laser spine treatment, it’s important to get it done by an experienced professional. It is a relatively new procedure, and you want to make sure you’re in good hands. The safest thing to do is consult your doctor and discuss your options, and ask about getting laser spine surgery. If it is an option, your doctor may even be able to refer you to a reputable practitioner in your area.

Posted by Science Admin | 0 Comments

Earache Remedies

Earaches can result from a wide range of conditions, some as simple as the common cold and others more serious, such as brain or eye problems. Most of the time, it’s no cause for worry. However, many people find the discomfort distracting and look for ways to alleviate it, even temporarily. There are several ways to go about this and many have been proven effective, although not all are guaranteed to work for everyone.

Antibiotics are perhaps the most common of earache remedies. Naturally, they work best when the pain is caused by an infection of the ear or some other organ, such as the sinuses. But the reason many people find it effective is that they are often coupled with analgesics, or pain relievers. Using antibiotics for earaches can therefore get in the way of diagnosis. When you’re not sure what’s causing the pain, or if you’re already taking antibiotics for something else, you may want to find another solution.

Some people prefer home remedies to combat earache. These remedies vary greatly, and some are more scientifically sound than others. The simplest and least invasive is a warm compress. This can be as simple as pressing a warm cloth over the ear and surrounding area for a few minutes. Sometimes this will eliminate the earache altogether, especially if the cause is physical (such as pressure or impact).

If the ear is inflamed, garlic and mullein flower oil can be used to bring down the swelling. Garlic is known to have natural antibiotics and little or no side effects, making it ideal for physical applications. Mullein flower oil is used almost exclusively for earaches and is known to reduce irritation. The two can be used in combination, or even mixed with some warm olive oil. If the pain is mostly external, onion paste–made with a mix of onion powder and water or olive oil–can be applied to the surrounding area.

Pressure-related earaches, including those that accompany migraine attacks, can be cured by inhaling some eucalyptus steam. Vicks, popular for de-clogging nostrils and relaxing, is made with eucalyptus. You can rub some around your ear and see if the pain subsides after a few minutes. A more long-term remedy is to add some eucalyptus oil to hot, almost-boiling water and inhaling the steam for a few minutes, at least three times a day.

Of course, if the earache persists or if other symptoms show up, homemade remedies can only do so much. If you think there’s more to the earache, avoid the more invasive methods described above (such as oil drops) and get a proper diagnosis right away.

Posted by Science Admin | 0 Comments

Common Causes of Breast Thickening

Changes to the breast are normal over the course of a woman’s life, and are usually no cause for concern. But sometimes, a thickening of breast tissue or skin can signal a more serious condition. If you’re fairly healthy and have no known history of breast disease, the chances are small–but a checkup can catch the problem if there is one and keep it from getting worse.

Breast thickening may be accompanied by a mild or sharp pain, or just general discomfort. Skin thickening may appear as a lump on the surface that’s easily felt, and may cause some itching. Tissue thickening can occur close to the surface or further in, the discomfort can increase when you move. It may feel like a lump that moves around, or just an area that feels denser than the rest of the breast.

Swollen lymph nodes can accompany breast thickening or be mistaken for it. Common reasons include reactions from breastfeeding, hormonal changes, or even just stress. If it persists, however, or of the pain gets more intense, you should see a doctor right away. Other possible causes include:

Fibrocystic changes: This refers to a change in your tissue due to hormonal shifts, which in turn can be caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, or a new medication. These are common in women aged 35 to 50 and may be accompanied by tenderness and small, harmless lumps. Some women experience this every menstrual cycle.

Fibroadenoma: It sounds serious, but a fibroadenoma is just a benign lump that’s normal in women between 20 and 30, and for still-unknown reasons occurs most frequently in African-American women. The lump can range from 1cm to 5cm across, and usually require no treatment unless they’re unusually big.

Lobular breast cancer: This is a type of breast cancer that’s hard to catch because breast thickening is often the first symptom that appears, rather than solid, detectable lumps. It occurs most frequently in post-menopausal women, so if you’re past this age you should be particularly wary of thickening and perform regular checks.

Inflammatory breast cancer: IBC is perhaps the most serious cause of breast thickening, but thankfully it’s also the rarest. It’s an aggressive type of cancer that can spread to nearby organs if left unchecked. If breast thickening is accompanied by inverted nipples, skin changes and tenderness, and occurs shortly after the last day of your period, get in touch with a doctor.

Posted by Science Admin | 0 Comments

New Breakthroughs In AIDS Treatment

For decades, the battle against AIDS followed a forked road: one led researchers to seek ways to stem the transmission, and the other had them trying to treat those with HIV, who are more susceptible. Oddly, it took this long for someone to entertain the idea of doing both.

Anyway, it’s in the works now, and the results are nothing short of impressive. The HIV Prevention Trials Network, an organization funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, recently found in a series of trials that a treatment can both suppress HIV levels and stop the patient from passing it on.

The trial, known as HPTN 02, was carried out on 1,763 couples in which one partner was infected with HIV and the other was not. Ninety-seven percent of the respondents were heterosexual, and the remaining 3% were homosexual; they came from 13 sites across Asia, Africa, and North and South America. They were selected in a way that the infected partner did not display enough symptoms to qualify for conventional treatment, partly so that side effects did not cloud the results and partly to avoid spurning drug-resistant strains.

Half of the couples were given conventional treatment following current protocol. The HIV-infected partners were given drugs only if their condition began to develop into AIDS or if their conditions fell below critical levels, measured according to the presence of a particular cell in their blood. Infected partners in the other half were given the drugs right away. All were taught techniques to avoid transmission, given condoms, treated for existing sexually transmitted diseases, and given regular checkups.

Since the study began in 2005, only 28 of the infected respondents had transmitted HIV to their partners. All but one were in the control group (the one given HPTN 02), proof that drugs can cure and stop transmission at the same time.

The results were so decisive, according to The Economist, that the study had to stop ahead of schedule. Doing so would mean denying the subjects of the treatment, which was so effective that cutting it off for science would be immoral.

The approach was first put forward by Julio Montaner, director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS at the University of British Columbia. He has been pushing for the use of the drug for several years, and this study is the first big step towards it. A full cure may still take some time, but it looks like we’re well on our way.

Posted by The Scientist | 0 Comments

Denture Implants

Denture implants may be the next logical step for many people who have lost teeth and have to use dentures. Just over 20% of people have oral problems due to lack of dental care, or through an accident that has led to the loss of teeth. Because of this, false teeth are used instead of dental implants because of the cost of dental surgery.

If you are located near Philadelphia, you should check out Philadelphia Dental Implants and ask for Dr. Digiallorenzo who can give you the appropriate advice for your situation.

The use of dentures is not only for cosmetic reasons, but simply to be able to live a normal life. Using dentures has its own set of problems. The mouth can become sore where the loose dentures rub against the gums. Just as dentistry has become more advanced, so have Denture implants.

Dentures can now be secured to a dental implant that prevents problems with the rubbing and abbrasion. This is because the dental surgeon secures the  dental implant to the jawbone, providing an anchor for the artificial teeth .

You will need to check your dental plan to make sure how much dental coverage you receive and the cost in relation to dentures. If you have missing teeth and are not happy with your current false teeth, denture implants will allow you more comfort and access to a wider range of foods.

You can find more information on dental insurance and denture implants by following the links on this page.

Always make sure you speak to a qualified health professional such as a dentist or dental surgeon before making decision.

You can also buy denture adhesives and teeth whitening products to improve your confidence when you smile.

Posted by The Scientist | 0 Comments

The Medical Science Behind Dry Skin