Leaky Bladder In Diabetes May Be Prevented By Weight Loss

Leaky Bladder In Diabetes May Be Prevented By Weight Loss

Overweight women with diabetes may be able to cut their risk of urine leakage if they shed some pounds, a new study suggests.

Extra pounds, especially in the belly, are considered a risk factor for urinary incontinence. And some studies have found that when overweight women drop even a modest amount of weight, they can curb their risk of incontinence.

Type 2 diabetes, which often goes hand-in-hand with obesity, is also a risk factor for urine leakage, regardless of weight. So weight loss could be especially helpful for heavy women with diabetes -- but studies hadn't looked at the question until now.

In the new study, researchers found that overweight diabetic women who took up diet and exercise changes lost an average of 17 pounds over a year. And with the weight loss came a lower risk of developing incontinence.

Over a year, 10.5 percent of women in the diet-and-exercise group developed new problems with urine leakage. That compared with 14 percent of women who had not made lifestyle changes.

"Overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes should consider weight loss as a way to reduce their risk of developing urinary incontinence," lead researcher Suzanne Phelan, of California Polytechnic State University, told Reuters Health by email.

And of course, she added, there are already known benefits of shedding those extra pounds -- like better diabetes control and a lower risk of heart disease.

The findings, reported in the Journal of Urology, are based on 2,739 middle-aged and older women who were part of a larger diabetes study.

At the outset, the women were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In one group, the women were encouraged to cut calories and exercise for three hours a week. The other group had three diabetes education sessions.

Overall, women in the lifestyle group had a lower rate of urinary incontinence over the next year. And it didn't take a lot of weight loss to start to make a difference, Phelan's team found.

For every two pounds a woman lost, the odds of developing incontinence dipped by three percent.

On the other hand, weight loss did not seem to help women who already had urine leakage problems at the study's start.

"We aren't sure why weight loss appeared to impact prevention but not resolution of urinary incontinence," Phelan said.

It's possible, she said, that weight loss is more effective at preventing, rather than treating, urine leakage. Or there may simply have been too few women with existing urinary incontinence to detect an effect of weight loss, Phelan added.

It's also unclear how to account for the drop in incontinence risk -- it might be related to the exercise or the blood sugar reduction, for instance.

Urinary incontinence is very common among women -- in large part because vaginal childbirth is a major risk factor.

One recent study of U.S. adults found that about 53 percent of women older than 20 said they'd had problems with urine leakage in the past year. That was up from less than half of women surveyed several years earlier.

Researchers said the increase was partly explained by rising rates of diabetes and obesity.

For chronically Illness Exercise Can Be Used as Medicine

For chronically Illness Exercise Can Be Used  as Medicine

Exercise regularly may brighten the mood of people with chronic health problems like cancer, heart disease and back pain, according to the first sweeping look at previous research.

But it's no miracle cure: On average, six people would need to hit the gym or go for a jog for one person to see a mood improvement.

"It's a nice piece of evidence and I'm pleased because I like the concept," said Dr. Alan J. Gelenberg, who chairs the department of psychiatry at Penn State University in Hershey.

Gelenberg, who wasn't involved in the new work, said the findings jibe with guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association, which recommends regular exercise against the blues.

"There is some evidence for its use to prevent depression, and there actually is evidence for exercise as a treatment in itself," he told Reuters Health.

With the new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers wanted to weigh the evidence that training can also help chronically ill people who don't have a diagnosis of depression, but nonetheless may feel down.

That's important because depressive symptoms could make people less likely to take their meds, could increase their use of health services and decrease their quality of life, said Matthew Herring of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He and his colleagues combed through 90 previous studies including more than 10,000 people with health problems like cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), fibromyalgia, chronic pain or obesity.

In each study, people had been randomly chosen to do exercises -- on average, three times a week over 17 weeks -- or not.

According to Herring, people's depressive symptoms, as rated on a variety of psychological scales, dropped about 22 percent with exercise overall. That's similar to the effects on fatigue, anxiety, pain and other mental health outcomes.

"The magnitude of the effect of exercise training on depressive symptoms among patients found in our review is small but significant," he told Reuters Health by email.

Herring added that moderate -- at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week -- and vigorous -- at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week -- seemed to help the most.

HOW LONG WILL BENEFITS LAST?

Still, the report comes with several caveats. For instance, it's not clear how many people with chronic illnesses are able to work out at sufficient intensity, and many participants did in fact drop out of the studies.

Also, it's not clear how long the effects last, how much to exercise and what kind of exercise works better -- aerobic training like running or walking or strength training like weightlifting.

"What we don't know is much more than we do know," said Gelenberg.

Still, he added, "exercise has a lot of benefits... if someone doesn't exercise in a stupid way, like a 65-year-old man trying to bench press 200 pounds."

Gelenberg said people with chronic disease who feel depressed should exercise within a physician's guidelines and eat a healthy diet.

"I would suggest they indulge themselves in healthy pleasures: people, books, walks, sitting in a pretty place. If they still feel 'down,' I'd suggest professional attention to consider psychotherapy or an antidepressant medicine," he said.

human brain cells are grown by Edinburgh scientists to study mental illness

In the past, researchers have had to rely on brain tissue from deceased donors to study conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Using living cells from the skin or hair of people who have faulty genes will allow researchers to create more accurate tests.

It also means they can reduce the reliance on animal testing.

The Edinburgh University project has received a £1m funding boost from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research.

It aims to develop cell-based systems derived from the skin or hair of affected patients.

Effective treatments

These will allow researchers to create tests which are more relevant to understanding the disease, and whether treatments will work, than using animal models.

Andrew McIntosh, a professor of biological psychiatry at the university, said: "We are making different types of brain cells out of skin samples from people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

"Once we have grown these in the laboratory we can then study the cells' neurological function and see how they respond to standard psychiatric treatments. Following this we hope to be able to screen new medicines."

Between 1% and 4% of the world's population is diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia for which there are few highly effective treatments.

Little is known about the causes of these conditions, but a genetic component is involved as it can run in families.

Well over a million people in the UK are affected by these conditions.

Sleeping pills increase the risk of death

The American study in BMJ Open compared more than 10,000 patients on tablets like temazepam with 23,000 similar patients not taking these drugs.

Death risk among users was about four times higher, although the absolute risk was still relatively low.

Experts say while the findings highlight a potential risk, proof of harm is still lacking.

They say patients should not be alarmed nor stop their medication, but if they are concerned they should discuss this with their doctor or pharmacist.

UK guidelines for NHS staff say hypnotic drugs should only be used for short periods of time because of tolerance to the drug and the risk of dependency. But they make no mention of an associated death risk, despite other studies having already reported this potential risk.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it would consider the results of this latest study and whether it has any implications for current prescribing guidance.

Millions prescribed

In 2010 in England, there were 2.8 million prescriptions dispensed for temazepam and almost 5.3 million for another common sleeping pill called zopiclone.

There were also more than 725,000 prescriptions dispensed for zolpidem and more than 9,400 for zaleplon, two other drugs in this same family.

The latest study looked at a wide range of sleeping pills, including drugs used in the UK, such as benzodiazepines (temazepam and diazepam), non-benzodiazepines (zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon), barbiturates and sedative antihistamines.

The investigators, from the Jackson Hole Centre for Preventive Medicine in Wyoming and the Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Centre in California, found that people prescribed these pills were 4.6 times more likely to die during a 2.5-year period compared to those not on the drugs.

Overall, one in every 16 patients in the sleeping pill group died (638 out of 10,531 in total) compared to one in every 80 of the non-users (295 deaths out of 23,674 patients).

This increased risk was irrespective of other underlying health conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, and other factors like smoking and alcohol use, which the researchers say they did their best to rule out.

The researchers say it is not yet clear why people taking sleeping tablets may be at greater risk.

The drugs are sedating and this may make users more prone to falls and other accidents. The tablets can also alter a person's breathing pattern as they sleep and they have been linked to increased suicide risk.

'Meagre benefits'

In this latest study, those taking the highest doses of sleeping tablets also appeared to be at greater risk of developing cancer.

The researchers say: "The meagre benefits of hypnotics, as critically reviewed by groups without financial interest, would not justify substantial risks."

They say even short-term use may not be justifiable.

But Malcolm Lader, professor of clinical psychopharmacology at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London, said people should not panic as a result of the findings.

"The study needs to be replicated in a different sample and I think we need to hold judgement until we have further studies.

"What we don't want is people stopping sleeping tablets and then going through a very disturbing period of insomnia.

"People should discuss this with their GP but should not under any circumstances stop taking their medication."

Nina Barnett, of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "This is an important study and although it is unlikely to radically change prescribing in the immediate term, it should raise awareness and remind both patients and prescribers to the potential risks of sedative use for insomnia.

"The association between mortality and sedation is not new and this research tells us that people who took these medicines were more likely to die than people who didn't take them.

"However it does not mean that the deaths were caused by the medicine."

A spokesman for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry said the safety of medicines was closely monitored and continued even after regulatory approval.

Your diet journal : why it is so important

Food diaries assist you become more conscious of your eating and activity habits, and problem areas. They give you a basis from which to plan changes and set goals, and allow you to look back and see what you've changed over time. This can be very motivating.

A food and activity diary will also encourage you to make conscious choices about what you eat and do - writing it down gives you the chance to think twice before you act. This is one of the most useful things you can do to help you gain control your weight.

Write down everything you eat and drink over the day.

You can print off the form below, or put similar headings into a small notebook to carry with you. It's hard to remember what you've eaten at the end of the day, so try to record things as you go.

It can also help to make a note of any thoughts or feelings linked to eating, especially if you find you often eat for comfort or when you're not actually hungry.

Make a note, too, of any activity you do over the day that lasts for at least ten minutes.

Writing down everything you eat and drink can be difficult. The more honest you are, the more it will help you. It can take a little while to get used to and sometimes it may seem like a waste of time, but it's worth the effort.

If things are going well, you may find you only need to keep it now and then, or if your weight loss goes off track.

People who successfully lose weight and keep it off monitor what they eat and how active they are. This could be in the form of a diary, or in their head. It's a matter of finding out what works best for you.

Artas hair loss system gets in Canadian medical device license

Monday ,Restoration Robotics Inc. said that its branded Artas System has got a Canadian medical device license and can now be marketed and sold in Canada.

Artas hair loss system gets in Canadian medical device license

The private medical device company is based in Mountain View. Its minimally invasive robotic technology, controlled by the physician, offers the ability to identify and harvest healthy follicular units from the patient's scalp during hair transplantation.

The product has already received 501K clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

"The Artas System is quickly being embraced by top hair restoration surgeons and their patients in the United States, and we are now excited to offer this state-of-the-art technology in Canada," said Jim McCollum, the CEO of Restoration Robotics in a prepared statement.

Click here to read the press release from Restoration Robotics.

hair loss:Which kind of hair loss do you have?

The average scalp contains about 100,000 to 150,000 hair. The normal hair life cycle lasts for 2 to 3 years. At any given point of time, about 90% of the hair on your scalp is growing and about 10% of the hair is in a resting phase. After 2-3 months, the resting hair is shed and new hair starts to grow in its place. It is normal to shed some hair every day. You lose roughly 100 hair strands every day. But, some people may experience more than normal hair loss. Partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.

If your hair loss is distinctly noticeable. you need to find out what kind of hair loss you are suffering from. The various different kinds of hair losses are:

Natural hair loss:

The rate of hair growth slows as you age. Both men and women tend to lose hair thickness and amount as they age. If you notice gradual thinning of hair with age, then you have Involutional alopecia. More and more of your hair follicles go into a telogen (resting) phase. The remaining hair becomes shorter and fewer in number.

Temporary hair Loss:

You may experience temporary hair loss over the scalp weeks to months after a stress episode like child birth, fever, severe illness, stress and sudden weight loss. The hair shedding will decrease after few months. Such type of hair loss is called Telogen effluvium. This happens due to changes in the growth cycle of hair. A large numbers of hairs are in the resting phase (telogen) at the same time. After 2-3 months, there is massive shedding and subsequent thinning.

 Male or female pattern baldness:

If you are a male with a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair from the crown, you may be suffering from Androgenic alopecia referred to as male pattern baldness. In this condition, you may experience hair loss as early as in your teens or early 20s. Men with androgenic alopecia may notice hair loss at the top of the scalp and a receding hairline particularly along the temples. The typical pattern begins at the hairline which then gradually moves backward and forms an ‘M’ shape. Finally the hair becomes finer, shorter, and thinner, and creates a U-shaped pattern of hair around the sides of the head. Miniaturization is the progressive decrease of the hair shaft’s diameter and length in response to hormones causing thinning of hair. It is characteristic of androgenic alopecia. Hair follicles that are producing healthy hair begin to produce thinner (decreased in diameter), shorter, more brittle hair with weaker shafts. It is a genetically predisposed condition that can affect both men and women. If you are a woman with general hair thinning over the entire scalp and most extensive hair loss at the crown with front hairline intact, you may be suffering from androgenic alopecia referred to as female pattern baldness. The central hair part may become wider with time. As hair thinning occurs, the scalp becomes progressively more visible. The hair loss rarely progresses to total or near total baldness. You may notice hair thinning in your 20s but you are not very likely to experience noticeable thinning until your 40s or later because the pace of hair loss tends to be gradual.

The various medications and methods to counter androgenic alopecia are:

1.Medications like Minoxidil and Finasteride which are maintenance measures for long term use.

2.Cosmetic measures like different hairstyles or wigs, hairpieces, hair weaves and extensions, hair fiber powders or artificial hair replacement to disguise the hair loss.

3.Surgical restoration is the only permanent solution to baldness.

4.Platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be used to stimulate the growth of follicles, thereby reversing hair miniaturization seen in androgenic alopecia and even preventing hair loss.

5.Homeopathy is another popular remedy that has proved effective against hair loss.

Patchy hair loss:

If you are a child or young adult with one to two totally smooth, round patches of hair loss, mostly on the scalp, you may be sufferinf from Alopecia areata. The hair loss may also be seen in the eyebrows, and arms, legs or beard. It is often sudden in onset. The hair usually grows back in 6 months to 1 year in one area but will fall out in another area. In some people the hair may become thinner without any patches of baldness. In some, it may grow and break off, leaving short stubs which resemble exclamation point. Alopecia areata is generally considered an autoimmune condition, in which the body attacks its own hair follicles. In alopecia totalis, an extensive form, the entire scalp goes bald. If you have complete loss of scalp hair and body hair, you have alopecia universalis. It is the most severe form of alopecia areata and can occur at any age. For severe forms, treatment includes injecting small amounts of steroids like triamcinolone into affected patches to stimulate hair growth. Other treatments such as oral steroids, immunosuppressives, Contact immunotherapy or Psoralen with Ultraviolet A Light (PUVA) therapy are available.

Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp

It’s fungal infection of the scalp which usually affects school-age children and goes away at puberty. It’s rare in healthy adults. It involves only parts or whole of the scalp. Hair breaks off at areas that are infected causing bald scalp with small black dots. The skin has inflamed (red swollen) round, scaly areas and pus-filled sores called kerions. You may have a low-grade fever or swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The scalp is itchy. It is contagious from sharing combs and hats.Once the infection is cured, the hair grows back. Griseofulvin, terbinafine or itraconazole are used for 4 – 8 weeks to treat ringworm in the scalp

Traction alopecia

This is a type of hair loss caused by force applied to the hair because of particular hairstyles. You may notice small, localized hair loss in certain areas caused by persistent pulling or force on hair roots. Tight braids and ponytails can pull hard enough on hair to make them fall out.

Hair pulling disorder:

Some people have the habit of voluntarily twisting or pulling their own hair often the scalp and eyelashes. This is referred to as Trichotillomania. It is a psychological disorder seen most frequently in children. Hair patches in trichotillomania show broken-off hair.