Archive | September 2020

QUOTE FOR WEDNESDAY:

Sep30

“Unfortunately, there are currently no treatments for prion diseases, brain-wasting diseases that are invariably fatal. The most common human prion disease is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), better known as mad cow disease.  This disease is rare in humans.  Worldwide, there is an estimated one case of CJD diagnosed per million people each year, most often in older adults. There are 250 people who are inflicted with this in the U.S.”

The Center for Food Safety (https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org )

QUOTE FOR TUESDAY:

Sep29

“The word BSE is short but it stands for a disease with a long name, bovine spongiform encephalopathy. “Bovine” means that the disease affects cows, “spongiform” refers to the way the brain from a sick cow looks spongy under a microscope, and “encephalopathy” indicates that it is a disease of the brain. BSE is commonly called “mad cow disease.”

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (https://www.fda.gov)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND:

Sep26
“Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. Although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10 percent of that eligible population actually do each year. The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O (the universal donor).”


American Red Cross (www.redcross.org)

QUOTE FOR FRIDAY:

Sep25

“When diabetes is not controlled, too much sugar remains in the blood. Over time, this can damage organs, including the brain. Scientists are finding more evidence that could link Type 2 diabetes with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.”

Alzheimer’s Association ( https://www.alz.org)

QUOTE FOR THURSDAY:

Sep23

“Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with the disease—those with the late-onset type—symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s and is very rare. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.”

National Institute on Aging    (https://www.nia.nih.gov)

What is actually Alzheimer’s Disease?

Sep23

What structurally happens to the brain and what happens to the individual in brain thinking diagnosed with this disease:

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with the disease—those with the late-onset type—symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s and is very rare. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary, or tau, tangles).

These plaques and tangles in the brain are still considered some of the main features of Alzheimer’s disease. Another feature is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Neurons transmit messages between different parts of the brain, and from the brain to muscles and organs in the body. Many other complex brain changes are thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s, too.

This damage initially appears to take place in the hippocampus, the part of the brain essential in forming memories. As neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected. By the final stage of Alzheimer’s, damage is widespread, and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

How many affected in the United States by Alzheimer’s Disease:

Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5.5 million Americans age 65 and older may have Alzheimer’s. Many more under age 65 also have the disease. Unless Alzheimer’s can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of people with it will increase significantly if current population trends continue. This is because increasing age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms:

Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s, though initial symptoms may vary from person to person. A decline in other aspects of thinking, such as finding the right words, vision/spatial issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition that can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s, but not everyone with MCI will develop the disease.

People with Alzheimer’s have trouble doing everyday things like driving a car, cooking a meal, or paying bills. They may ask the same questions over and over, get lost easily, lose things or put them in odd places, and find even simple things confusing. As the disease progresses, some people become worried, angry, or violent.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

Memory problems are typically one of the first warning signs of cognitive loss.

According to the National Institute on Aging, in addition to memory problems, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may experience one or more of the following signs:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in a familiar place or repeating questions.
  • Trouble handling money and paying bills.
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
  • Decreased or poor judgment.
  • Misplaces things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
  • Changes in mood, personality, or behavioral.

 

 

QUOTE FOR TUESDAY:

Sep22

“There is no clear cause for ovarian cancer, but certain factors can definitely increase your risk. These factors from age (older more likely to develop the disease), genetics (presence of a specific gene mutation), family history of ovarian or breast cancer, and previous medical conditions in the reproductive system. Additionally, the use of fertility treatments, estrogen hormone replacement therapy, and lack of pregnancy.  Ovarian cancer is often called a silent killer and for that reason that awareness and education about ovarian cancer needs to be a major priority.”

National Women’s Health Network (https://nwhn.org) 

QUOTE FOR MONDAY:

Sep21

“Pros High success rate, relieving pain, improving mobility and hip function, 80% to 86% of hip replacements are still working after 20 years since the it was inserted.

Cons An artificial hip isn’t as good as a natural hip. It has some limitations.      It can occur on some occasions that after total hip replacement one leg may feel longer or shorter than the other.”

Raleigh Orthopaedic  (https://www.raleighortho.com)

Hip Surgery: The Pro’s/Con’s, complications, things to consider before Sx and how to be prepped for it!

Sep21
TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT: PROS & CONS OF THE OPERATION:
On the whole, total hip replacement is seen as one of the most successful operations that medicine has to offer. In the right patient, it can be an effective, safe, and durable way to treat many of the problems that come with severe arthritis of the hip. Pain relief: This is the greatest benefit that the procedure has to offer and the main reason for surgery.
A hip replacement can provide a dramatic reduction in pain, with almost all patients getting complete or near complete relief from arthritic hip pain. Improved mobility and hip function: After reduction in pain, increased mobility is the next major benefit.
A hip replacement should allow you get back walking without restriction. Improved hip function should also help significantly with other common problems associated with hip arthritis, such as climbing stairs, putting on socks, getting out of chairs, etc.
Long lasting: A hip replacement is a durable way to treat the problems that come with severe hip arthritis. Current evidence shows that 80-85% of hip replacements are still working at 20 years after they were inserted.


Know the RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS, before surgery day:

While overall it is deemed to be a safe procedure, there are associated risks that potential patients need to be made aware of.
Infection: A small number of people (around 1%) can get an infection around their hip replacement. This can be one of the most debilitating complications associated with total hip replacements, as it can require several further surgeries and prolonged courses of antibiotics to treat the infection.
Blood clots: For a period after the operation, people who have a hip replacement are at an increased risk of developing blood clots in the veins in their leg and pelvis. These can be dangerous because pieces of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs. You may be prescribed blood thinners for a period after the operation to help reduce the risk=prevention. Other measures such as compression stockings, and calf pump exercises may also be advised as a prevention of clotting in the lower extremities.
Bleeding/Blood loss: Significant blood loss can occur during the operation, and in the immediate period after. In the event that this happens, a blood transfusion may be required.
Dislocation: This occurs when the ball of the hip becomes dislodged from the socket. Dislocation occurs in less than 2% of patients. In most cases the hip can be put back into the socket while the patient is under sedation. In cases where the hip keeps dislocating, further surgery to stabilise the hip may be necessary. To reduce the risk of dislocation some patients are given instructions on certain positions to avoid. The specifics of these instructions depend on how your surgery was performed, and therefore should be discussed with your consultant.
Change in leg length: It can occur that after surgery one leg may feel longer or shorter than the other. While your consultant will make every effort to make leg lengths equal, slight differences may occur as a result of trying to maximize the stability of the hip. In cases where there is a significant difference in leg length, some people find that wearing a raised insole is helpful.
Nerve injuries  They can cause weakness and numbness, which are generally temporary, but infrequently it can be permanent.
Loosening and wear: Over time, a hip replacement can begin to wear or loosen. This is the most common long-term problem associated with total hip replacements, and when severe, can cause significant hip pain. In such cases a second hip replacement surgery may be required. The rate at which wear and loosening occurs varies, however it usually only occurs many years after surgery.  This can lead into:
 
Need for revision or additional hip surgery
Other complications: During the operation, injury can occur like a fracture to either the femur or the pelvis can occur. Most of these injuries can be treated during the operation but can affect rehab.
You may have other risks depending on your specific health condition.
Finally, while they are very rare, there are life threatening complications like heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure associated with getting a hip replacement and all other invasive surgeries like this. While these can happen without surgery, the stress of the surgery can put you at increased risk during the post-operative period.
The risk of these life threatening complications is very much associated with the general health of the patient PRIOR to the surgery.
**Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the surgery.


Things to consider BEFORE getting hip surgery:

Thanks to the wonders of modern science and medicine, people are living longer than they used to in the past. While this is good news for most individuals, one of the flip sides of the long life coin is that individuals’ joints can’t always withstand all those extra years of use. Total hip replacements have become one of the most common surgeries for individuals over forty-five years of age. Even though these total hip replacements can offer the opportunity for many more years of pain-free active living, there are a number of things to take into consideration before undergoing a hip replacement.
The most common cause of hip joint deterioration is osteoarthritis; other possible causes include inflammatory arthritis (eg, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis), hip disorders of infancy and childhood, osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis), and trauma.
Before anything the patient should know their medical history including what treatments they are doing presently (including medications) for diseases or illnesses they may have.  Then finding out how they maybe effected with going under this invasive surgery.  You don’t have any idea?  That’s what a good M.D. or surgeon will provide you with before your final answer to the M.D. in having hip surgery.  If its yes than know this…
Recovering from a total hip replacement is a long and grueling process involving physical therapy, bed rest, and medications. Many individuals who undergo total hip replacement are surprised at the length of the recovery period and just how difficult it is to get back up and walking again. Hip replacements involve cutting through muscle and bone in some of the most tissue-dense areas of the body, creating possible serious wounds that take a good deal of time to heal.
Quick fixes have become more and more popular in today’s fast-paced society, but just because a solution is easy to come by doesn’t make it the most practical one. Even though hip replacements can offer long-term relief for arthritis and other hip issues, they shouldn’t be viewed as the only solution to hip issues.
Sometimes, lifestyle changes can offer the same level of relief that a total hip replacement can – and without the risky surgery. Losing weight, increasing one’s level of physical activity, and even moving to warmer climates can sometimes relieve hip pain.
Anesthesia is not easy on the body. Being put under for surgery is a little like being put into a controlled state of near-death. On top of that, hospitals have become notoriously plagued by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Going under the knife for any reason involves facing a long series of risks that include life-threatening infections, paralysis, or even death. Individuals should consult with their doctor about the many risks involved before undergoing any major surgery.
The goal of hip replacement surgery is to replace the parts of the hip joint that have been damaged. It also helps relieve hip pain that can’t be controlled by other treatments.
If other medical treatments don’t control your arthritis pain, your healthcare provider may recommend a hip replacement. Some medical treatments for degenerative joint disease may include: Anti-inflammatory medicines Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, pain medicines, limiting activities that are painful, assistive devices for walking such as a cane, physical therapy.
Your healthcare provider may have other reasons to recommend a hip replacement surgery.


How to be prepped for Hip Surgery long before the day of surgery:

1-Ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
2-Sign a consent for the procedure.
3-Obtain a complete health history by your M.D. that is including medications you are on.
4-Your healthcare provider, you may have blood tests or other diagnostic tests prior to the procedure making sure the pt is a safe candidate for surgery and for the M.D.  to know what they are up against.
5-You may need to stop taking certain medicines before the surgery. (Ex. Blood thinners like Aspirin or Coumadin or Lovenox).  Usually the day before, for most.
6-You may meet with a physical therapist before your surgery to talk about rehabilitation (usually its after).
7-If your a smoker, stop before your surgery if not quit (the best choice). Smoking can delay wound healing and slow down the recovery period (overall affects your health).
8–Lose weight if you need to.
9-Also do conditioning exercises as prescribed to strengthen muscles.
10-Arrange for someone to help around the house for a week or two after you are discharged from the hospital or as long as the individual patient needs to be SAFE alone or for hours.
11-Highly likely, based on your health condition, your healthcare provider may order other specific tests or exams.
 

QUOTE FOR THE WEEKEND:

Sep19

“Pain is not just a message from injured tissues to be accepted at face value, but a complex experience that is thoroughly tuned by your brain. The results are often strange and counter-intuitive, like quantum physics, but the science is clear: every painful sensation is 100% Brain Made, and there is no pain without brain.”

PainScience.com