The Brixton Chiropractor to see - Chiropractor Brixton

Arthritis and chiropractic

Joseph J Ierano B.Sc., D.C.

The literature, whilst relatively scarce regarding chiropractic and arthritis, contains many studies that examine chiropractic care of the patient with arthritis and support the notion that all arthritides are not a contraindication to chiropractic care.

Pain and spinal degeneration

Please note the distinction between the terms "chiropractic care" and "manipulation". Not all chiropractic visits consist solely of manipulation. As far as the existence of arthritis in the spine, or more properly termed Osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), we shall briefly cite several studies.

A study published in the journal of Neuroimaging in 1991 showed that in patients without low back pain undergoing MRI, 39% of this normal group had evidence of DDD (1). A New England Journal of Medicine Article in 1994 found similar results. It demonstrated that of 98 subjects without low back pain, 52% had DDD on MRI (2). This can be found in the thoracic spine (upper back) in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery in 1995. Thoracic MRI's were performed in 90 asymptomatic adults. 73% of these patients had DDD at least one level (3). This also goes for the cervical spine (4) with the prevalence of DDD increasing with age. There are no studies that determine that DDD is a painful condition.

Therefore, we may assume that the DDD creates a situation where other functional problems eventuate, such as the case where arthritic joints or degenerative discs move abnormally predisposing them to injury (5).

Medical research says Chiropractic helps arthritis

Medical researchers Fiechtner and Brodeur (6) state clearly that arthritic conditions may benefit from chiropractic, with reflexive muscular function being normalised during spinal manipulation:

Manipulation is practiced primarily by chiropractors and osteopaths and is one of the most commonly utilized alternative treatments for rheumatic diseases... Manipulation has been shown to decrease joint pain and normalize function. The mechanisms of action, however, are not well understood. Current theories propose an imbalance of muscle activity is a source of pain that manipulation can relieve through reflexive actions. Such muscle imbalances would exacerbate rheumatic and arthritic conditions, suggesting that manipulation may be an important therapy that is appropriate for early conservative care as part of a comprehensive treatment program.

Drug dangers

Other authors (7) have evaluated the rationale behind the most commonly used treatments of osteoarthritis, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and to assess more effective conservative treatment options. In conclusion they state:

The rationales for using NSAIDs in the treatment of osteoarthritis is controversial and openly contested. Given the detrimental effects of NSAIDs on joints and other organs, their use should be discouraged and their classification as a first choice conservative treatment should be abolished. A truly effective and conservative approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis should include chiropractic manipulation, essential nutrient supplementation, exogenous administration of glucosamine sulfate and rehabilitative stretches and exercises to maintain joint function.

"Alternative" therapies widely used by arthritis sufferers

Use of chiropractic is a prominent part of the medical literature, and commonly praised. Saag (8), from the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa College of Medicine, wrote:

"Advances in rheumatologic arthritis health services research continue to be of interest to clinical rheumatologists and arthritis researchers interested in healthcare delivery and policy. New therapeutic programs have been proposed to better coordinate efforts between generalists and specialists. Many arthritis patients also seek alterative therapies. Of these, chiropractic care is one of the most common nontraditional therapies. Chiropractic management appears to be as cost-effective as traditional back care in certain settings." (italics mine)

Safety of chiropractic care

Manipulation of the spine carries with it inherent risks. University trained Chiropractic, which incorporates spinal adjustment and manipulation, is relatively safe and carries a minuscule risk when compared to medical treatment. In an Australian government paper, "Complications of medical/surgical care is, quite shockingly, rated as the fourth greatest cost to the community. Greater than superficial injuries, contusion, burns, poisoning, toxicity, and internal crushing injury." (9) We question the notion that chiropractic care is categorised as a high-risk procedure for arthritis patients.

In contrast, in a paper entitled "Side-effects to chiropractic treatment: a prospective study" looked at chiropractic iatrogenesis. They (10) found that:

"Reactions to spinal manipulation are common and benign. They typically arise and disappear shortly after treatment (usually gone the day after treatment). The most common reactions are local discomfort in the area of treatment (two-thirds of reactions), followed by pain in areas other than that of treatment, fatigue or headache (10%, respectively). Nausea, dizziness or "other" reactions are uncommonly reported (<5% of reactions)... Common and uncommon reactions to chiropractic spinal manipulation have been identified, are to a large degree foreseeable, and appear to be predominantly physiological in nature."

Conclusion

Chiropractic remains one of the safest procedures for the arthritic patient. Further research is needed to assess its mode of action and efficacy in the various forms of conditions commonly described as "arthritis".

REFERNCES:

1.    Greenberg JO; Schnell RG. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic adults. J Neuroimaging 1991 Feb;1(1):2-7

2.    Jensen MC; Brant-Zawadzki MN; Obuchowski N; Modic MT; Malkasian D; Ross JS. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine in people without back pain. N Engl J Med 1994 Jul 14;331(2):69-73

3.    Wood KB; Garvey TA; Gundry C; Heithoff KB. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine. Evaluation of asymptomatic individuals. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1995 Nov;77(11):1631-8

4.    Parfenchuck TA; Janssen ME. A correlation of cervical magnetic resonance imaging and discography/computed tomographic discograms.1994 Dec 15;19(24):2819-25

5.    Mimura M; Panjabi MM; Oxland TR; Crisco JJ; Yamamoto I; Vasavada A. Disc degeneration affects the multidirectional flexibility of the lumbar spine. Spine 1994 Jun 15;19(12):1371-80

6.    Fiechtner and Brodeur. Manual and manipulation techniques for rheumatic disease. Rheumatology Diseases Clinic of North America 2000 Feb: 26(1): 83-96.

7.    Gottlieb MS. Conservative management of spinal osteoarthritis with glucosamine sulfate and chiropractic treatment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997 Jul-Aug;20(6):400-14

8.    Saag KG. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1997 Mar; 9(2):118-25

9.    Mathers C, Penm R. Health system costs of injury poisoning and musculoskeletal disorders in Australia 1993-4. 1999. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra.

10. Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde, DC, MPH, PhD, Bjorn Hennius, DC, Erik Rudberg, DC, Patrick Leufvenmark, DC and Marija Thunman, DC. Side-effects to chiropractic treatment: a prospective study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997; 20:511-515.

Source:

http://www.spine.net.au/chiro/arthritis.html

The Flu Shot

According to Hugh Fudenberg, MD, the world's leading immunogeneticist and 13th most quoted biologist of our times (nearly 850 papers in peer review journals), if an individual has had five consecutive flu shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied) his/her chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is ten times higher than if they had one, two or no shots.

Dr. Fudenberg was asked why this was so and he said it was due to the mercury and aluminum that is in every flu shot (and most childhood shots). The gradual mercury and aluminum buildup in the brain causes cognitive dysfunction.

Is that why alzheimer's is expected to quadruple?

Notes:
Dr. Fudenberg spoke at the NVIC International Vaccine Conference, Arlington, VA September, 1997. Quoted with permission. Alzheimer's to quadruple statment is from John's Hopkin's Newsletter Nov 1998

Pharmacies Vs Health Food Stores

· People who visit pharmacies tend to have toxic livers, poor kidney function (because drugs damage the kidneys), wild mood swings, terrible digestion and elimination capabilities, poor skin health, poor posture, low energy, sleep disorders and sexual dysfunction. They tend to be suicidal while living in chronic pain. They have huge medical expenses that often send them into bankruptcy.

· People who visit health food stores tend to have healthy skin, happier outlooks, better energy, better sex lives, healthy sleep, healthy hearts, healthy liver function and greatly improved brain function. They are more creative, adaptable and optimistic, and they tend to enjoy their lives. They spend relatively little on health care expenses while investing their money in organic foods, green products, medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements.

To read more on this article click on the link below:

http://www.naturalnews.com/028789_pharmacies_health_food_stores.html

How chiropractic wellness care can improve your quality of life and save you money

by Dr Christopher Kent 

Last year, I was honored with the opportunity to present testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee. A portion of the testimony addressed how chiropractic care could reduce healthcare costs to senior citizens. Yet, the findings should be of interest to any person seeking to enjoy health while minimizing medical expenses. Here is a portion of that testimony:

Healthcare Costs: A National Dilemma
"This Committee is well aware that the cost of medical care in the United States exceeds one trillion dollars annually, and these costs are continuing to rise. As policy makers consider strategies to reduce medical expenditures without compromising the health of our citizens, we offer chiropractic services as a viable path to achieving affordable healthcare for all Americans.

"The results of several patient-based studies suggest that chiropractic care may result in significant savings of healthcare dollars. One such study conducted an analysis of an insurance database comparing persons over 75 years of age receiving chiropractic care with non-chiropractic patients. The analysis showed that the persons receiving chiropractic care reported better overall health, spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes, used fewer prescription drugs, and were more active than the non-chiropractic patients. Furthermore, the chiropractic patients reported 21% less time in hospitals over the previous 3 years. [1]

"Another study surveyed 311 chiropractic patients, aged 65 years and older, who had received chiropractic care for 5 years or longer. Chiropractic patients, when compared with US citizens of the same age, spent only 31% of the national average for health care services. The chiropractic patients also experienced 50% fewer medical provider visits then their comparable peers. The health habits of patients receiving maintenance care were better overall than the general population, including decreased use of cigarettes and decreased use of nonprescription drugs." [2]

Quality-of-Life
In addition to the studies cited in the testimony, another major study evaluated quality-of-life issues in persons receiving wellness care. Blanks, Schuster and Dobson [3] published the results of a retrospective assessment of subluxation-based chiropractic care on self-related health, wellness and quality of life. This is, to my knowledge, the largest study of its kind ever undertaken regarding a chiropractic population. After surveying 2,818 respondents in 156 practices, a strong connection was found between persons receiving Network care and self-reported improvement in health, wellness and quality-of-life. 95% of respondents reported that their expectations had been met, and 99% wished to continue care.

Clearly, there is a growing body of evidence that wellness care provided by doctors of chiropractic may reduce health care costs, improve health behaviors, and improve patient perceived quality-of-life.

References
1. Coulter ID, Hurwitz EL, Aronow HU, et al: "Chiropractic patients in a comprehensive home-based geriatric assessment, follow-up and health promotion program." Topics in Clinical Chiropractic 1996;3(2):46.
2. Rupert RL, Manello D, Sandefur R: "Maintenance care: health promotion services administered to US chiropractic patients aged 65 or older, Part II." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2000;23(1):10.
3. Blanks RHI, Schuster TL, Dobson M: "A retrospective assessment of Network care using a survey of self-reported health, wellness and quality of life." Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 1997;1(4):15.
(WCA Vice President Dr. Christopher Kent, president of the Council on Chiropractic Practice, is a 1973 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The WCA's "Chiropractic Researcher of the Year" in 1994, and recipient of that honor from the ICA in 1991, he was also named ICA "Chiropractor of the Year" in 1998. He is director of research and a co-founder of Chiropractic Leadership Alliance. With Dr. Patrick Gentempo, Jr., Dr. Kent produces a monthly audio series, "On Purpose," covering current events in science, politics and philosophy of vital interest to the practicing chiropractor. For subscription information call 800/892-6463.)

Vitamin D - More than a Ray of Sunshine

Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin", is a sizzlingly hot topic, receiving plenty of media and scientific attention.  In recent years it has been the subject of countless studies linking its relevance to a health immune system, and its deficiency to a vast array of conditions including asthma, heart disease, depression, multiple sclerosis and cancer.  Our primary source of this amazing nutrient is the sun's UVB rays, which we can convert to copious amounts of vitamin D in the skin.

Vitamin D in Pregnancy

A recent Belfast study has highlighted a widespread deficiency of vitamin D in pregnant women. The study demonstrated that of 99 pregnant women 35, 44 and 16% were classified as vitamin D deficient and 96.96 and 75% were classified as vitamin D insufficient  at 12, 20 and 35 weeks gestation respectively[1]

Vitamin S supplementation has been shown to have numerous benefits in pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia by as much as 27%[2]   A 2010 review of vitamin D in pregnancy argues for vitamin D deficiency to be taken very seriously indeed:

"It appears that vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy is potentially associated with increased risk of preeclampsia, insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, experimental data also anticipate that vitamin D sufficiency is critical for fetal brain development and immunological functions.  Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may therefore, not only impair maternal skeletal preservation and fetal skeletal formation but also be vital to the fetal 'imprinting' that may affect chronic disease susceptibility soon after birth"[3]

When considering vitamin D's role in gene expression and protein formation you can understand these concerns.

[1]V A Holmes et al "Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in pregnant women: a longitudinal study" British Journal of Nutrition September 2009, Volume 102, Issue 06, pages 876-881

[2]M Haugen er al "Vitamin D supplementation and Reduced Risk of Preeclampsia in Nulliparous Women" Epidemiology September 2009, Volume 20, Issue 5, Pages 720-726

[3]A Lapillonne, "Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may impair maternal and fetal outcomes" Med Hypotheses 2010 Jan;747(1):71-5 Epub 2009 Aug 18

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Children who eat a Mediterranean diet are less prone to asthma

 
Children who eat a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish have a lower risk of asthma and wheezing, but eating three or more burgers a week can increase the risk, scientists have concluded.

Researchers from Germany, Spain and London examined data from 50,000 children aged eight to 12, from 20 different countries, collected between 1995 and 2005.

Parents were asked about their children's usual diet and whether they had ever been diagnosed with asthma or suffered wheezing.

Almost 30,000 children were given a skin-prick test to see if diet directly affected their chances of developing common allergies. The experts found diet did not increase the risk of allergies to grass and tree pollen but did have an effect on asthma and wheeze.

Overall, children who ate a Mediterranean diet rich in fruit, vegetables and fish had a lower chance of developing asthma or wheeze over their lifetime. Eating three or more burgers a week was linked to a higher risk of asthma and wheeze but a diet that was generally high in meat did not increase the risk.

The authors, writing in the journal Thorax, said: "Fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants and other biologically active factors which may contribute to the favourable effect of fruit consumption in asthma.  "In particular, foods rich in vitamin C have been reported to relate to better lung function and fewer asthma symptoms."
They said carotenoids - contained in fruit and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots - and vitamins C and E also have a positive effect on lung function.

The authors concluded that "adherence to a Mediterranean diet may provide protection against wheeze and asthma in childhood".

Source:

Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor  

The Independent

Why Anxiety Drugs are Addictive

Valium-like drugs use the same potentially addictive "reward pathways" in the brain as heroin and cannabis, according to new research.

Researchers found that so-called benzodiazepine drugs, such as Ativan, Xanax and Valium, exert a calming effect by boosting action of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the same way as addictive drugs like opioids and cannabinoids.

This in turn activates the gratification hormone, dopamine, in the brain, showing that the same brain "reward pathways" are used by both types of drugs. 

People with higher levels of dopamine in the brain tend to be more prone to addictive behavior.

Sources:

 Reuters February 10, 2010

Five Tips that can help you rise and shine earlier and easier! 

Here are five tips that can pass on to your patients to  help them rise and shine earlier, easier:

1. Choose to get up before you go to sleep. You're not very good at making decisions when you've just woken up. This is not the time to be making decisions about whether or not you should stay in bed! If you want to be a consistently early riser, try making your decision to rise at a specific time before you go to sleep the night before.

2. Have a plan for your extra time. Let's say you've actually made it out of bed 2 hours before you normally would. If you don't have something planned to do with your extra time, you risk falling for the temptation of a "morning nap" that wipes out all the work you put into getting up.

3. Make rising early a social activity. Wouldn't it be great to join an early breakfast club, running group, or play chess in the park at 5 AM?

4. Don't use an alarm that makes you angry. If we're all wired differently, why do we all insist on torturing ourselves with the same sort of alarm each morning? Experiment a bit and see what works best for you. Light, sound, smells, temperature, or even some contraption that dumps water on you might be more pleasant than your old alarm clock.

5. Get your blood flowing right after waking. It doesn't take much to get your blood flowing and chase the sleep from your head. Just pick something you don't mind doing and go through the motions until your heart rate is up. Jumping rope, push-ups, crunches, or a few minutes of yoga are typically enough to do the trick.

Sources:

Lifehack March 22, 2010 

Optimism Strengthens Your Immune System

In a study of about 125 first-year law students, researchers examined the relationship between personal optimism and cell-mediated immunity (CMI), which plays a central role in protecting you against viral infections.

At five points over the course of the school year, participants answered a series of questions and had their CMI measured through a simple skin test.

To gauge their optimism level, they were asked to what degree they agreed with a series of statements, including "I will be less successful than most of my classmates" and "It's unlikely that I will fail."

The end-of-year results were decisive. Changes in CMI across time correlated with changes in optimism. When optimism increased, so did CMI. When optimism decreased, so did CMI.

Sources:

  Miller-McCune February 25, 2010

  Psychological Science February 24, 2010

Favorable financial study comparisons

Chiropractic vs Medical care

Favorable financial study comparisons

Chiropractic vs Medical care

1. Comparing the costs between provider types of episodes of back pain care. Rosner A. Spine Journal. 1995;20:2595-2598.

2. Cost per case comparison of back injury claims of chiropractic versus medical management of conditions with identical diagnostic codes. J Occup Med. Jarvis KB, Phillips RB, Morris EK. 1991;33:847-852.

3. Enhanced chiropractic coverage under OHIP as a means of reducing health care costs, attaining better health outcomes and achieving equitable access to health services. Manga P.Report to the Ontario Ministry of Health. 1998;.

4. The outcomes and costs of care for acute low back pain among patients seen by primary care practitioners, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons. Carey TS, Garrett J, Jackman A, MacLaughlin C, Fryer J, Smucker DR, et al. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:913-917.

5. Cost Minimization Analysis of Low Back Pain Claims Data for Chiropractic Vs Medicine in a Managed Care Organization  Brian Grieves, J. Michael Menke, Kevin J. Pursel Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics November 2009 (Vol. 32, Issue 9, Pages 734-739)

6. The Selection Effects of the Inclusion of a Chiropractic Benefit on the Patient Population of a Managed Health Care Organization  Craig F. Nelson, R. Douglas Metz, Thomas M. LaBrot, Kenneth R. Pelletier Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics March 2005 (Vol. 28, Issue 3, Pages 164-169)

7. Chiropractic and medical costs of low back care. Stano M, Smith M. Med Care. 1996;34:191-204.

8. Mechanical low-back pain: a comparison of medical and chiropractic management within the Victorian WorkCare Scheme. Ebrall P.  Chiropr J Austr. 1992;22:47-53.

9. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic management of low-back pain. Papadopoulos C, Swan W. Richmond Hill: Kenilworth; 1993;

10. The outcomes and costs of care for acute low back pain among patients seen by primary care practitioners, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons. Carey TS, Garrett J, Jackman A, MacLaughlin C, Fryer J, Smucker DR, et al. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:913-917

11. The Manga Report; A Study to Examine the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain Funded By The Ontario Ministry Of Health

written by: Pran Manga, Ph.D. Douglas E. Angus, M.A. Costa Papadopoulos, MHA 4 William R. Swan, B.Comm. August 1993

12. Comparative Analysis of Individuals With and Without Chiropractic Coverage: Patient Characteristics, Utilization, and Costs Antonio P. Legorreta; R. Douglas Metz; Craig F. Nelson; Saurabh Ray; Helen Oster Chernicoff; Nicholas A. DiNubile

Arch Intern Med, Oct 2004; 164: 1985 - 1992.

13. The AMI Study 1999-2002, found decreases of: 43 percent in- hospital admissions per 1,000; 58.4 percent in hospital days per 1,000; 43.2 percent in outpatient surgeries and procedures per 1,000; and, 51.8 percent in pharmaceutical costs. It noted that: "The AMI experience seems to indicate that a non-pharmaceutical/nonsurgical orientation can reduce overall health care costs significantly and yet deliver high quality care."

2003-2005. The results of the original study were confirmed, with demonstrated decreases of 60.2 percent in in-hospital admissions, 59 percent in hospital days, 62 percent in outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 85 percent in pharmaceutical costs.

14. The Stano Study: Oakland University Economics Professor Dr. Miron Stano, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics June 1993 found that, when costs of advanced imaging and referrals to physical therapists and other providers were added, chiropractic care costs for chronic patients were 16 percent lower than medical care costs. If the study would have included hospitalization or surgical costs, two very expensive medical treatments for low-back pain, or over-the-counter medications, the savings from chiropractic would have been even greater. Additionally, chiropractic patients showed an advantage over medical patients in pain, disability, and satisfaction outcomes.

15. The Procedures Study: This study demonstrates that chiropractic care leads to lower costs by reducing the rates of surgery, advanced imaging, inpatient care, and plain-film radiographs in patients with low-back and neck pain. The study examined the claims data from a managed care health plan over a four-year period. The use rates of the high-cost procedures mentioned above were compared between employer groups with and without a chiropractic benefit. For patients with both low back and neck pain, the use rate of all four of these categories was lower in the group with chiropractic coverage. The study concludes: "Among employer groups with chiropractic coverage compared with those without such coverage, there is a significant reduction in the use of high-cost and invasive procedures for the treatment of back pain."

16. Spinal Manipulation Gives Value for Money: British Medical Research Council (MRC) Trial Finds Adding Spinal Manipulation and Exercise to GP Care Provides Relief (and Cost-effectiveness) for Back Pain British Medical Journal 2004 (Dec 11);   329 (7479)

17. Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care in a Managed Care Setting. American Journal of Managed Care Study Carrie D. Mosley; Ilana G. Cohen, DC; Roy M. Arnold, MD, MHAPublished Online: February 29, 1996

18. The Utah Study: compared the cost of chiropractic care to the cost of medical care for conditions with identical diagnostic codes and found that cost was almost 10 times higher for medical than for chiropractic claims. Also, the number of work days lost was nearly ten times higher for those who received medical care.

Infant paracetamol linked to asthma

New Zealand researchers have found that giving children paracetamol in the first year of their life significantly increases their risk of developing asthma.

The asthma study was the biggest ever undertaken and involved 200,000 children in 34 countries.

They found that babies given paracetamol in the first year of life were 46 per cent more likely to develop childhood asthma and the risk was three times higher for children who are regularly given the painkiller.

The study also found paracetamol increased the chances of developing eczema and conjunctivitis.

The study's authors do not want families to stop using the drug, but they say parents should only use paracetamol when it is really needed, and should not overuse it.
The research has been published in the British medical journal, The Lancet.


The Lancet, Volume 374, Issue 9643, Pages 1039 - 1048

Finland Suspends H1N1 vaccines 

Finland has now suspended H1N1 vaccines due to increased reports of narcolepsy in children and teens. Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder characterized by extreme fatigue and daytime sleepiness. It indicates a serious malfunction of the brain and nervous system.

Finland is now reporting that narcolepsy is appearing in children immediately following vaccination with H1N1 vaccines. So far, six children are confirmed of suffering the neurological side effect and nine more are in the process of being confirmed, reports The Epoch Times(http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/con...).

The Finland National Institute for Health (THL) said in a press release that the cause of the narcolepsy may be the vaccine, and they are investigating further.

Sweden's Medical Products Agency, meanwhile, launched a similar investigation on August 19 to try to determine the cause of post-vaccination narcolepsy also found in children there. The vaccines appear to be causing a pattern of neurological disorders affecting children and teens across the planet.

Government warned on drug failures

Government warned on drug failures    

http://uk.news.yahoo.com

Press Association -  Fri, Jun 3, 2011

A group of clinicians and scientists has written to the Government expressing concerns about the escalating problems of drug failures and adverse drug reactions.

In an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, the signatories describe the UK pharmaceutical industry as being in "crisis" and call for a fresh approach to the testing of new medicines.

They claim adverse drug reactions have reached "epidemic proportions" amid rising costs in prescriptions, with around 197,000 EU citizens dying every year because of the problem.

The letter, published in medical journal The Lancet, says the reliance of testing new drugs on animals before humans is partly to blame, with trials on non-humans frequently failing to translate to the clinic.

"Our reliance on animals to establish safety results in the exposure of clinical volunteers and patients to many treatments that are at best ineffective and at worst dangerous," they say.

Scientist Tony Dexter, who runs a research lab in Cheshire and is a signatory, told Sky News: "A fundamental problem is that a rat is not a human. They are different sizes, have different metabolisms and have different diets so using animals to predict effects on humans is difficult. Fifty percent of compounds that prove to be safe in rats prove not to be safe in humans so it really is the toss of a coin."

The experts have called for the use of more human-biology-based experiments where chemicals are tested on human cells to see how people might be affected by new treatment.

In the letter, they also say the cost of new medicines is rising "unsustainably, creating an ever-increasing burden on the National Health Service".

Meanwhile, increasingly prevalent diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, many cancers, and stroke, remain without adequate treatments, they add.

"The UK pharmaceutical industry is in crisis," they tell Mr Cameron and Lansley. "Likewise, health care is in a web of crises, many of which are intimately linked to the pharmaceutical industry's major problems."

Maternal caffeine intake from coffee and tea, fetal growth, and the risks of adverse birth outcomes: the Generation R Study1,2,3

 
Rachel Bakker, Eric AP Steegers, Aleksandra Obradov, Hein Raat, Albert Hofman and Vincent WV Jaddoe

1 From the Generation R Study Group (RB AOVWVJ)the Departments of Epidemiology (RB AO AHVWVJ) ObstetricsGynaecology (EAPS) Public Health (HR)Paediatrics (VWVJ) Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam Netherlands.

2 The Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Erasmus UniversityRotterdam, and the Netherlands Organization for Health Researchand Development (ZonMw) financially supported the first phaseof the Generation R Study. VWVJ was supported by the NetherlandsOrganization for Health Research (ZonMw 90700303).

 3 Address correspondence to VWV Jaddoe, Generation R Study Group(AE006), Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr Molewaterplein50, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands. E-mail: v.jaddoe@erasmusmc.nl .

Background: Caffeine is a widely used and accepted pharmacologicallyactive substance. The effect of caffeine intake during pregnancyon fetal growth and development is still unclear.

Objective: We examined the associations of maternal caffeineintake, on the basis of coffee and tea consumption, with fetalgrowth characteristics measured in each trimester of pregnancyand the risks of adverse birth outcomes.

Design: Associations were studied in 7346 pregnant women participatingin a population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancyonward in the Netherlands (2001-2005). Caffeine intakein the first, second, and third trimesters was on the basisof coffee and tea consumption and was assessed by questionnaires.Fetal growth characteristics were repeatedly measured by ultrasound.Information about birth outcomes was obtained from hospitalrecords.

Results: We observed no consistent associations of caffeineintake with fetal head circumference or estimated fetal weightin any trimester. Higher caffeine intake was associated withsmaller first-trimester crown-rump length, second- and third-trimesterfemur length, and birth length (P for trend <0.05). Offspringof mothers who consumed 6 caffeine units/d tended to have increasedrisks of small-for-gestational-age infants at birth.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that caffeine intake of 6 units/dduring pregnancy is associated with impaired fetal length growth.Caffeine exposure might preferentially adversely affect fetalskeletal growth. Further studies are needed to assess theseassociations in non-European populations and to assess the postnatalconsequences.

Prenatal Ultrasound

Problems with Sound and Heat in Prenatal Ultrasound

One challenge that ultrasound operators face is keeping the transducer positioned over the part of the fetus the operator is trying to visualize. When fetuses move away from the stream of high-frequency sound waves, they may be feeling vibrations, heat or both. As the FDA warned in 2004, "ultrasound is a form of energy, and even at low levels, laboratory studies have shown it can produce physical effect in tissue, such as jarring vibrations and a rise in temperature."(9) This is consistent with research conducted in 2001 in which an ultrasound transducer aimed directly at a miniature hydrophone placed in a woman's uterus recorded sound "as loud as a subway train coming into the station."(10)

A rise in temperature of fetal tissue-especially since the expectant mother cannot even feel it-might not seem alarming, but temperature increases can cause significant damage to a developing fetus's central nervous system, according to research.(11) Across mammalian species, elevated maternal or fetal body temperatures have been shown to result in birth defects in offspring.(12) An extensive review of literature on maternal hyperthermia in a range of mammals found that "central nervous system (CNS) defects appear to be the most common consequence of hyperthermia in all species, and cell death or delay in proliferation of neuroblasts [embryonic cells that develop into nerve cells] is believed to be one major explanation for these effects."(13)

- Caroline Rodgers
Excerpted from "Questions About Prenatal Ultrasound and the Alarming Increase in Autism," Midwifery Today, Issue 80
Read the full article: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp

Sick Notes to Fit Notes

On the 6 April 2010 the sick note was replaced by the fit note.

Evidence shows that work is generally good for your health and that often going back to work can actually aid a person's recovery. On the other hand, staying off work can lead to long-term absence and job loss with the risk of isolation, loss of confidence, mental health issues, de-skilling and social exclusion.

The new fit note can help. Doctors are able to advise people who are on sick leave for over 7 days whether, with extra support from their employer, they could return to work earlier.

What's different about the new fit note?
In the past, doctors have either said that 'you should refrain from work' or 'you need not refrain from work'. With the fit note the doctor will be able to advise their patient if they are 'not fit for work' or a new option - 'may be fit for work taking account of the following advice'.

A doctor will be able to suggest ways of helping an employee get back to work. This might mean discussing:

 
·         a phased return to work
·         altered hours
·         amended duties
·         workplace adaptations

The doctor will also provide general details of the functional effect of the individual's condition.

Note: We have sought advice from the Department for Work and Pensions and they have clarified that 
 
"Chiropractors can provide evidence to employers about a patient's fitness for work and the employer can choose to accept this if they wish, but this should not be on a Medical Statement (sick or fit note) as only doctors can sign these"

The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States: A Pediatric Cost Analysis

The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States: A Pediatric Cost Analysis

Melissa Bartick, MD, MSca, Arnold Reinhold, MBAb aDepartment of Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; and bAlliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics, Boston, Massachusetts

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A 2001 study revealed that $3.6 billion could be saved if breastfeedingrates were increased to levels of the Healthy People objectives. It studied 3 diseases and totaled direct and indirect costs and cost of premature death. The 2001 study can be updated by using current breastfeeding rates and adding additional diseases analyzed in the 2007 breastfeeding report from the Agency forHealthcare Research and Quality.

STUDY DESIGN Using methods similar to those in the 2001 study, we computed current costs and compared them to the projected costs if 80% and 90% of US families could comply with the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months. Excluding type 2 diabetes (because of insufficient data), we conducted a cost analysis for all pediatric diseases for which the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported risk ratios that favored breastfeeding: necrotizing enterocolitis, otitis media, gastroenteritis, hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, sudden infant death syndrome, childhood asthma, childhood leukemia, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and childhood obesity. We used 2005 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention breastfeeding rates and 2007 dollars.

RESULTS If 90% of US families could comply with medical recommendations to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the United States would save $13 billion per year and prevent an excess 911 deaths, nearly all of which would be in infants ($10.5 billion and 741 deaths at 80% compliance).

CONCLUSIONS Current US breastfeeding rates are suboptimal and result in significant excess costs and preventable infant deaths. Investment in strategies to promote longer breastfeeding duration and exclusivity may be cost-effective.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-1616v1