Monthly Archives: September 2013

Sep
30
2013

Cause of Ehlers- Danlos Syndrome

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Connective tissues are responsible for many everyday functions and also for protection of internal structures.  It is the most abundant type of tissue found in the human body.  Connective tissue has a high rate of healing when the damage is considered small (Tortora). However, not all connective damage can be easily fixed. It can be damaged by genetic disorders, or diseases acquired later in life.  Some of these disorders may be harmful or even deadly such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The real question at hand is, what causes diseases like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

In a study, researchers have found a gene that may answer this question about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (RIKEN). Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects many areas of connective tissues such as the blood vessels and joints.  It can cause blood vessels and intestines linings to explode or tear.  This syndrome is genetically passed down from generations (Mayo). Studies found that B3GALT6 mutations can cause this syndrome. B3GALT6 is a gene that helps encodes for enzymes.  The researchers came to the conclusion that a B3GALT6 is a requirement for the growth and development of connective tissues.  In addition, it was found that this affects ligaments, bones, and many more internal areas (RIKEN).

The research has not provided a cure for this harmful disorder of connective tissue.  However, this study has placed science in the right direction for cures.  This study will help individuals and his/her families be able to cope with the disorder.  On a brighter note, the science community can build upon this discovery to find the cure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

 

Mayo Clinic Staff, . “Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic. 2013. Web. 12 Sept. 2013. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/DS00706>.

RIKEN. “Gene identified, responsible for a spectrum of disorders affecting the bones and connective tissue.” ScienceDaily, 9 May 2013. Web. 12 Sep. 2013.

Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons

 

 

Sep
26
2013

Erectile Dysfunction and Warning Signs

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Research has show that there is a link between type II diabetes, heart disease and ED. Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in America and has serious adverse affects. However, among men, there are currently 12 million with type 2 diabetes. Some could be in store for a particularly alarming health condition, erectile dysfunction (ED).

According to recent research, the factors that come along with ED are potentially harmful if not deadly—cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is a disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. A person living with the disease is at risk for developing atherosclerosis which restricts blood flow because of plaque buildup. This is the number one cause of the health problem ED because there is poor/restricted blood flow. This happens because the vessels in the penile area are very small so when the plaque buildup occurs, which is a result of atherosclerosis, there is pretty much decreased blood circulating causing difficulties to obtain an erection.

Research and studies showed that 90 percent of men with ED problems were thought to be psychological while the remaining 10 percent were said to be physical. Today’s research and findings says the opposite is true. Most ED cases are physical blood vessel complications.              The age for ED is typically seen in men age 65+, however those men with type 2 diabetes see ED about 10-15 years earlier. Currently there are 300 million men around the world that suffer with ED between the ages of 40-70.

Research has begun to solve the underlying problems. Once something has been discovered, men can receive proper treatment to correct their health condition. Many times men are placed on medications orally and by injections such as the drug/hormone testosterone. After all, there is a worse outcome that occurs, not just having ED. The danger of atherosclerosis—hardening of the arteries can be life threatening.

References:

Methodist Hospital, Houston. “Erectile dysfunction: A possible warning sign of serious disease.” ScienceDaily, 6 Feb. 2012. Web. 5 Aug. 2013.

“What is Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease)?.” American Heart Association. 2 May. 2013. 5 Aug. 2013. <http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp>.

Sep
26
2013

Use of Ultrasound in Physical Therapy Treatments with Edema

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An abnormal increase in fluid (interstitial) volume is Edema (Tortora, Gerard).  It can be caused when increased capillary blood pressure causes more fluid to be filtered, increased permeability of capillaries, or with inadequate re-absorption causes the decreased concentration of plasma proteins and lowers the blood colloid osmotic pressure (Tortora, Gerard).  Edema is normally only detected when an increase of 30 percent increase of fluid (Tortora, Gerard).  Physical therapy uses ultrasound to help redistribute the excess fluid.

The ultrasound is a high frequency sound waves that are more than 20,000 Hz. (Greatlakes). When using ultrasound in physical therapy the frequency ranges between 0.9-3 MHz (Greatlakes). Ultrasound helps by breaking up scare tissues, reduces inflammation and swelling, helps with healing at the cellular level by increasing flow, and helps improve blood flow (Greatlakes).  The therapist normally uses ultra sound before the start of physical therapy treatment because it also helps with relaxation of that treatment area.

The ultrasound uses a high-frequency generator that provides electrical current to a transducer that contains a piezoelectric crystal (Greatlakes). The crystal provides the compression wave when it vibrates because of the crystal being exposed to electricity (Greatlakes).  The therapist can control how deep the wave goes by turning up or down the frequency (Greatlakes). The therapist can target the specific are needed to help reduce the problem area by encourging the extra fluid to flow out and disperse.

 

Greatlakes-Physiotherapy.com/physiotherapy –ultrasound.com./physiotherapy.html.  UltraSound in                 Physiotherapy.7-2013.

Tortora, Gerard J., Derrickson, Bryan. Principles of anatomy and Physiology 13th ed. John Wiley and Sons, INC. 2011. 814.

 

Sep
26
2013

Ultrasound scanning used to alter moods

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Ultrasound scanning is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to view images from the inside of the body. Since this procedure is remarkably safe and painless, it is commonly used to monitor fetal development during pregnancy. While it is mostly used for pregnancies, it is also used to observe size, location, and actions of organs and blood flow through blood vessels. From the time the ultrasound was created, there have been many improvements in the way it is used today.

Dr. Stuart Hameroff is the creator of the first clinical study of brain ultrasound; it was published May 2013 in the journal ‘Brain Stimulation’. Dr. Hameroff became intrigued with the idea after he read about a study done by Dr. Jamie Tyler, who discovered physiological and behavioral effects in animals after ultrasound scanning was applied to their scalps. Dr. Hameroff knew that ultrasound vibrates at about 10 million vibrations per second and that proteins inside brain neurons were involved in mood and consciousness. With this knowledge, he wanted to study this theory on human brains, beginning with himself. After holding an ultrasound transducer to his head for 15 seconds, he began to doubt his theory, until one minute later. After doubting the possibility, he started to feel as if he’d had a martini. His mood was evaluated for the next hour or two. He figured it was just a placebo effect, so he tested 31 chronic pain patients in a double-blind study in which the clients did not know if the ultrasound unit had been turned on or off. After the tests, Dr. Hameroff concluded the placebo effect was not true. The patients reported improvements in their mood for up to 40 minutes, compared to no difference in mood when the machine was turned off.

Because ultrasound vibrations applied to the brain can affect moods, it could mean new treatments for psychological, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. It could also be used to treat anxiety and depression. Ultrasound scanning may provide a range of new applications of ultrasound in medicine. “The idea is that this device will be a wearable unit that noninvasively and safely interfaces with your brain using ultrasound to regulate neural activity”- Dr. Sanguinetti.  Although ultrasound scanning is usually used for imaging, it could be used for treating these disorders as long as you avoid excessive exposure and heating. Because of this new discovery, ultrasound scanning could create a new future for healthcare.

 Gerard J. Tortora and Bryan Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed. (lecture notes also).

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130718161525.htm