Medical Articles by Dr. Ray

Jun

2008

Diabetes Onset Can be Delayed

By Ray Schilling | Diabetes, Fitness, Nutrition, Prevention

Diabetes delayed by diet and exercise

Prevention is the buzzword in healthcare, but often medicine has to embark on the curative avenues. With the onset of a health problem patients are often tempted to throw in the towel: it’s too late now anyways. There is nothing I can do. It’s up to medication, pills or shots to get a handle on my problem. Nothing could be further from the truth, as major clinical trials have shown, when it comes to intervention to prevent the onset of diabetes. There is a stage where lab tests show that a patient has impaired glucose tolerance. He or she is”pre-diabetic”. Without intervention the development of diabetes is more or less imminent. But this does not mean that “it is too late “. It is exactly at that point, where lifestyle intervention can make a difference. How long do these post-intervention studies remain effective? Professor Guangwei Li at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China and Dr. Ping Zhang from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention followed up patients 20 years after enrolment. In 1986, 577 adults from 33 clinics in China were randomly assigned to a control group or one of three lifestyle intervention groups (diet, exercise or diet and exercise combined).

Diabetes Onset Can be Delayed

All of the patients had impaired glucose tolerance. There was an active intervention program until 1992, and in 2006 participants were assessed for the long-term effect of the interventions. The results showed that the combined lifestyle interventions reduced the incidence of diabetes by about half during the active intervention period of 6 years. Over the 20 year duration the reduction was 43 %. At the end of the 20 year period 80% of the intervention group had developed diabetes, whereas 93% of the control group that had not followed a lifestyle intervention program were diabetic. The researchers reported that lifestyle intervention programs for patients with impaired glucose tolerance can indeed make a difference. A six year intervention program can delay the onset of diabetes by 14 years.

More information about diabetes: http://nethealthbook.com/hormones/diabetes/

Reference: Lancet 2008;371:1783-1789; 1731-1733.

Last edited November 3, 2014

Jun

2008

Boost Babies’ Health with Mom’s Diet

By Ray Schilling | Allergies, Asthma, Health, Nutrition, obstetrics, Prevention, Vitamins and supplements

Prenatal supplements and good advice on proper nutrition during pregnancy have long been included in proper prenatal care. Importance has been placed on folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in the fetal development. Calcium is recommended, often in the form of dairy products, but it does not end there: just swallowing the supplement and adding some more milk may be helpful but not quite enough. Certain dietary habits have been found more beneficial, such as the eating habits in the Mediterranean countries. A research team from the University of Crete in Heraclion, Greece included women who were involved in antenatal care at all general practices in Menorca, Spain. The study took place in the time frame of 12 month starting in 1997. After six and a half years 460 children were also included in the analysis.

Dietary habits were studied and assessed by food questionnaires and the children were assessed for the development of allergies and asthma.

Boost Babies’ Health with Mom’s Diet

The children of mothers who consumed the most vegetables, fish and legumes were almost 80% less likely to have persistent wheeze and more than 40 % less likely to have allergies. The results are consistent with the fact that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is protective not only to the mother but also to the child.

More information about prenatal visits (where nutritional habits are checked as well): http://nethealthbook.com/womens-health-gynecology-and-obstetrics/pregnancy-labor-delivery-2/prenatal-visits/

Reference: The Medical Post, April 22, 2008, page 25

Last edited December 18, 2014

Jun

2008

You Are What You Sleep

By Ray Schilling | Obesity, Stress management

Lack of sleep can lead to childhood obesity

Stressful lifestyles often contribute to physical disorders and psychological difficulties, but little has been known about the fact that unbalanced sleep patterns also dysbalance a healthy body weight. Jean-Philippe Chaput of Laval University, Quebec City presented some facts at the 16 th European Congress on Obesity in Geneva, that emphasizes the importance of a balanced sleep pattern. There can be not only too little sleep but also too much sleep, as Dr. Chaput found out by studying 276 adults. Those who had a pattern of short duration sleep (5 to 6 hours) and those individuals who slept 9 to 10 hours were 35% and 25% more likely, respectively to show weight gains of 5 kg compared to the group that slept for 7 to 8 hours. The most likely reason is an alteration of certain hormones: short sleepers had high leptin levels and low ghrelin levels. In a previous study on children it also became obvious that to little sleep increases the risk of overweight and obesity in children. It was also possible to establish the type of weight gain.

You Are What You Sleep

Short sleep duration in kids lead to abdominal fat rather than to overall body fat deposits. Too little sleep in children seems to have more health consequences than previously thought, as it is the most important risk factor for overweight in this group. The most important risk factor was sleep duration that is too short, followed by parental obesity, watching TV and lack of physical activity.

More information about sleep apnea: http://nethealthbook.com/ear-nose-and-throat-diseases-otolaryngology-ent/nose-problems/sleep-apnea/

Reference: From the 16th European Congress on Obesity, May 2008

Last edited November 3, 2014

Jun

2008

New Modified Carrots and Food from Cloned Animals

By Ray Schilling | Nutrition

Researchers from Texas A&M AgriLife’s Vegetable and Fruit improvement Center and a research group from Baylor College of Medicine reported about their work earlier this year. They developed a new variety of super carrots that contain 41% more calcium than the regular garden varieties. In a study 15 men and 15 women ate regular carrots for a week. At the end of the week urine samples were taken to examine the amount of calcium absorbed. The test persons ate the modified carrots for a week, and more urine tests were taken. The result showed a higher intake of calcium from the modified carrots. The head of the study, Dr. Jay Morris, PhD made a statement that fruit and vegetables are beneficial for many reasons, but they have never been a good food source for calcium. He states that if the new technology is applied to a number of different fruit and vegetables, it could have a significant impact on preventing osteoporosis. This research may sound like a futuristic concept, but bioengineering and food from bioengineered animals may soon be a reality for consumers in the United States and in Europe. The FDA has reported that, for the most part, milk and meat from cloned animals is safe to eat. The European Food Safety Authority has also concluded at the same time that milk and meat from healthy cloned cattle and pigs are suitable for human consumption. At this point there was not enough information for the agency to come to a conclusion on the safety of food from other animal clones, such as sheep. The European agency noted that death and disease rates are higher in cloned as compared to conventionally reproduced animals, and it would be of essence that unhealthy clones will not enter the food supply.

New Modified Carrots and Food from Cloned Animals: BUY ORGANIC!

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) advises against food production from cloned animals due to the current level of suffering and health problems in surrogate dams and animal clones. Cloning remains fraught with perinatal and postnatal disease of cloned animals. Abnormalities are also common in the form of malformations, increased weight, respiratory problems, enlarged fetal liver and kidney abnormalities. Ultimately the old adage is as valid as ever, even if it comes to the mundane task of shopping for dinner. It is called “buyer beware”!

More information about the safety of our food: https://www.askdrray.com/our-endangered-food/

Reference: The Medical Post, April 22, 2008, page 25

Addendum on Nov. 16, 2012: Buy 100% organic food. It is freightening to see how superficial the FDA testing methods have become with respect to cloned foods, genetically modified foods etc. Your only recourse is to buy 100% organic food!

Last edited November 3, 2014

Jun

2008

Puzzling New Neurological Syndrome Investigated

By Ray Schilling | Other neurological conditions, Pain

A new neurological syndrome has been described in early December 2007 and is presenting a challenge not only to the affected patients but also to the health professionals. The illness is characterized by pain, sensory symptoms, weakness and fatigue. Abnormal lab tests and MRI scan results were also present. The syndrome has affected at east two dozen workers who are working in pig slaughterhouses in three states of the U.S. Researchers have now a somewhat clearer picture of the mysterious illness, but Dr. Daniel Lachance, assistant professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, describes the illness as one of the kind that has “defied explanation and a name”. At this point investigators have called it “progressive inflammatory neuropathy” (PIN), but the term is merely descriptive but not accurate enough. Dr. Lachance described the clinical picture based on findings on 18 patients from Minnesota who have been investigated in the most comprehensive manner.

The course of their illness was marked by pain, decreased sensation and tingling along with weakness and fatigue which far exceeded the findings of physical examinations. All of the affected individuals had abnormal MRI’s and abnormal results of the labs of their cerebrospinal fluid. Various tests of reflexes or quantitative sensory testing also showed abnormalities, and nerve conduction studies were abnormal in most of the patients. All of them had a new IgG auto-antibody biomarker. The findings point to an immune-mediated phenomenon which translates into a neurological illness. The workers affected all were exposed to aerosolized brain particles from slaughtered pigs.

All workers worked in the “warm room” where pigs were slaughtered and the brain extracted in a technique in which compressed air is shot into a dead pig’s foramen magnum. This blast of compressed air not only emulsifies the brain, but some of it becomes aerosolized and airborne. Symptoms seem to start within days or weeks of exposure, after which the course of the disease is chronic.

: Progressive inflammatory neuropathy caused by aerosolized brain particles from slaughtered pigs

Treatment has been symptomatic in those most severely affected with the medications of choice being methylprednisolone and/or intravenous treatment with immune globulin. Researchers have tested early on for human and porcine pathogens, but no infectious agent has been found. The precise mechanism by which the illness is occurring is not fully understood, but the syndrome does not seem to be food borne or transmissible from person to person.

Reference: The Medical Post, May 13, 2008, page 14, 15.

Last edited December 4, 2012

May

2008

When Kids Are Migraine Sufferers

By Ray Schilling | Other neurological conditions, Pain

It is often assumed that migraine headaches are reserved for people with a family history of migraines and that those who are afflicted by those disabling headaches are usually adults. When a child has the symptoms of migraine headaches it is usually a source of grave concern to the parents. Dr. Lewis reported about his findings at a meeting which was sponsored by Rady Children’s Hospital. He has seen many young persons who suffer of headaches and pointed out that the greatest fear of the patient and the parents, is the thought of a developing brain tumor. If a patient has been having headaches for half a year or two years and has had an entirely normal neurological exam, Dr. Lewis can reassure the patient that there is no brain tumor. Breaking the vicious cycle of fear by reassurance often lifts a load of the patient’s back and things may settle down. About 11% of children in the age group of 5 to 15 years have migraine type headaches. The incidence has a peak at 12 years in boys and at 14 years in girls. Migraines have different criteria than headaches: there are at least 5 lifetime attacks that have a least two of the following symptoms: severe aches on both sides of the head, the front or on one side only, throbbing aches, moderate to severe pain that gets worse with activity. At least one symptom of the following has to be present: either light sensitivity, sensitivity to noise, nausea and vomiting. Dr. Lewis reports that proper sleep habits can make a difference. Too little, too much or inconsistent sleep is closely associated with the frequency of migraines. He cited the example of a sixteen year old who started having migraines after school ended at the end of June. She stayed up late and slept till noon. Once she returned to a regular sleep cycle she did a lot better. Eating patterns can play a role too. One of the common stories is the student skipping lunch and developing a headache about an hour later. Other migraine triggers can be sensitivities to certain foods, altitude changes, weather, motion sickness on a trip, excitement, dehydration and learning problems. Dr. Lewis reported that many of the very young patients age 4 to 5 with migraines may have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. If the performance problems are addressed headaches will resolve in 80 to 90% of the time. Headaches can also be linked to emotional aspects, peer problems at school, family problems or depression.

When Kids Are Migraine Sufferers

There is no drug that is officially approved for migraines in children. The medication that has been studied most closely is ibuprofen. A controlled trial of 7.5 mg/kg showed a response of 76 %. Acetaminophen with a dose of 15 mg/kg was studied in patients aged 4 to 16 years. The response was 54%. Neither of those two medications showed any adverse side effect. Sumatriptan nasal spray was well tolerated, showed a 1 hour response of 58%, had no side effects, but a bitter aftertaste. It was also pointed out that in a study oral sumatriptan and placebo scored the same. It is obviously most important to get to the root of the problem and eliminate the triggering factors after which medication can be used. The general consensus is to treat the attacks rapidly and consistently, get the patient back to his or her daily functioning, minimize backup medications and make sure that there are minimal or no adverse side effects.

More information about:

1. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: http://nethealthbook.com/mental-illness-mental-disorders/developmental-disorders/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder/

2. Migraine headaches: http://nethealthbook.com/neurology-neurological-disease/common-causes-headaches/migraine-headache/

Reference: Presentation at Annual Advances in the Practice of Pediatrics: San Diego 2008; Feb. 22-24, Hilton La Jolla

Last edited November 3, 2014

May

2008

Glucose and Colorectal Cancer Are No Sweet Deal

By Ray Schilling | Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Nutrition, Obesity

It has been noted in various publications that insulin resistance carries a host of health risks: aside from type 2 diabetes, there is cardiovascular disease. Also high insulin levels are associated with growth hormone like substances in the body. These substances are contributing to the development of some cancers.

There is other extensive medical literature stating that glucose (=sugar) and refined carbohydrate (cookies, cakes, French fries, doughnuts, bread, rice, potatoes) intake lead to chronic inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body, but also to a weakening of the immune system. This explains why such varied diseases as high blood pressure, hardening of arteries with resulting strokes and heart attacks, diabetes, asthma and cancer are caused by the same chronic inflammation that in turn is brought on by our eating habits of a refined diet consumed by most industrialized nations. This blog deals only with cancer of the colon and cancer of the rectum as a result of chronic inflammation.

Researchers from Minnesota and Maryland examined 375 individuals with recurrent polyps (=adenomas) and the identical number without recurrent adenomas. They followed the course of the patients for 4 years. In their study they looked at fasting serum. Patients who were found to have the highest levels of both insulin and glucose in their serum were at an approximately 50% higher risk of colorectal cancer recurrence. The strongest risk factors were elevated glucose levels.

Glucose and Colorectal Cancer Are No Sweet Deal

The individuals with the highest glucose levels also tended to be slightly older, have a higher waist to hip ratio and a higher body mass index. These results do point out the necessity of keeping a close tab on glycemic control in person with a history of colorectal polyps. It also is evident that consuming foods with a low to medium glycemic index will help to reduce the risk for colonic cancers.

More information about:

1. Colon cancer: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/colon-cancer/

2. Sugar causes cancer: https://www.askdrray.com/sugar-as-a-cause-of-cancer/

Reference: The Medical Post, April 1, 2008, page 21

Last edited November 3, 2014

May

2008

Cancer Risk Higher For Hairstylists or Barbers

By Ray Schilling | Cancer

A report coming from the International Agency for Research on Cancer which was recently published in the Lancet Oncology reported that working as a hairstylist or barber does have occupational hazards. A small but consistent risk for bladder cancer was noted in male hairdressers and barbers. As there were no reliable data on duration and periods of exposure the data are considered to be limited evidence of a cancer risk. Some carcinogenic substances have been present in modern hair dyes.

These particular colorants were discontinued in the 1970’s after positive cancer tests in mice and rats were seen. The researchers also examined the personal use of hair dyes, but could not show an adequate evidence that hair dyes would be cancerogenic. As a result they also could not definitely judge that the dyes carried a cancer risk.

Other chemicals that like hair dyes belong into the group of aromatic amines were assessed by the researchers.

Ortho-toluidine which is used in the production of dyes, pigments and rubber chemicals is now classified as a carcinogenic substance to humans, as is the chemical called MOCA , which stands for 4,4-methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) and is used as a curing substance in the plastics industry.

Cancer Risk Higher For Hairstylists or Barbers

The consumer needs to be aware that the cosmetics industry that produces shampoos and hair conditioners and companies that produce hair dye for home use often use parabens and other mildly carcinogenic substances as a preservative that will be additive to the cancer producing effect of the hair dyes used in saloons.

More information on carcinogens: http://nethealthbook.com/cancer-overview/overview/epidemiology-cancer-origin-reason-cancer/

Reference: The Lancet Oncology – Volume 9, Issue 4 (April 2008)

Last edited November 3, 2014

May

2008

Tree Pollen Connected With Mood Disorders

By Ray Schilling | Allergies, Asthma, Mental Health

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) does have its grip on people who react to a lack of sunlight in the winter month. As a result depression in the winter season is not uncommon. Some people just report it as feeling “down” and “tired” or report a lack of energy. Despite all the reports about SA, epidemiological studies have shown that the rate of depression is not the highest in dreary months like January or February but it spikes in the months of April and June. Dr.Teodor Postolache, a psychiatrist at the University of Maryland made a recent presentation at a meeting of the American Acadamy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunolgy delving into the reason for this finding. He compared the exposure of tree pollen which triggers a cytokine release to a tsunami.Virtually no outdoor allergens are present in the winter months, but with the release of tree pollen people who are vulnerable to allergies are exposed to massive amounts of allergens. The released cytokines may affect brain function and behaviour, resulting ultimately in changed cortisol levels and an altered serotonin metabolism. After breathing the cytokines are already released in the nose and they can continue their action in the prefrontal brain area where the centers for mood, anxiety and impulsivity are located. Dr. Postolache and his colleagues confirmed that individuals with a history of allergy and asthma had a 2.5 fold of suicide compared to controls and those with allergic rhinitis had a 1.7 fold higher risk.

Tree Pollen Connected With Mood Disorders

For the first time it could also be demonstrated that cytokine levels in suicide victims were significantly elevated in the orbitofrontal cortex, the brain area that affects mood. Intranasal corticosteroids in the form of nosedrops can bring significant relief to allergy sufferers, and Dr. Postolache and his team will examine the benefits of intranasal corticosteroids closer in a clinical study. Whereas systemic corticosteroids have shown a negative impact on mood disorders and depression, the local application of a nasal spray or drops is geared to abolish the pathways from the nose to the brain for the inflammatory cytokines.

More information on seasonal rhinitis: http://nethealthbook.com/ear-nose-and-throat-diseases-otolaryngology-ent/nose-problems/allergic-rhinitis/

Reference: The Medical Post, April 1, 2008, page 1, 34

Last edited November 3, 2014

May

2008

Early Use of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Early Crohn’s Patients

By Ray Schilling | Arthritis, Gastrointestinal Disease, Pain

So far the strategy of treating patients, who were newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, was the use of corticosteroids to control abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. The conventional mode of treatment consisted of a “step-up” treatment: after corticosteroids the use of immunosuppressants and finally antibody treatment would follow to curb the inflammatory response. International data which were published in the Lancet (February 23 issue) points to a safer and more effective treatment protocol. It consists of a “top-down” approach rather than of the conventional “step-up” approach. Patients receive immunosuppression early in the form of azathioprine and also the antibody infliximab, known as Remicade. Another study examined patients who were on maintenance therapy with adalimumab (Humira). They experienced sustained improvements in the symptoms that are associated with Crohn’s disease. After 4 weeks of induction therapy with the medication patients with mild and severe depression had improved to such an extent that they returned to the normal range. They were also assessed regarding fatigue and after treatment they showed a significant improvement in their daily functioning. The two treatment protocols were compared in a trial involving 129 patients with Crohn’s disease who had no previous treatment. At the end of the trial the researcher found that 65% of the group that had received the “top-down” treatment was symptom free after 26 weeks of treatment. Contrary to this only 36% of the “step-up” patients went into remission during the same time.

Early Use of Immunosuppressive Drugs for Early Crohn's Patient

Crohn’s before and after immunosuppressive drugs

When the patients were examined after 1 year, 62% of the “top-down” group was still symptom free, but only 42% of the “step-up” group had no symptoms. Dr. Brian Feagan of the University of Western Ontario coordinated this trial involving international sites in Belgium, Holland and Germany. He points out that the newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease patient that has the worst prognostic signs will benefit from this form of treatment. The top-down modality also is safer, as it protects the patient from high exposure to steroids. Similar results were demonstrated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of these trials and Dr. Feagan’s research suggest that the top-down treatment option could also give the best chance to patients with other chronic autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis.

More information about Crohn’s disease: http://nethealthbook.com/digestive-system-and-gastrointestinal-disorders/crohns-disease-crohns-disease/

Reference: The Medical Post, March 4, 2008, page 2; April 1, 2008, page 17

Last edited November 3, 2014

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

askdrray.com Insider

Recent Posts

Navigation Menu

Tags

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

askdrray.com Insider

Recent Posts

Tags

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

askdrray.com Insider

Recent Posts

Tags

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

askdrray.com Insider

Recent Posts

Tags

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

askdrray.com Insider

Recent Posts

Tags

A Survivor’s Guide to Successful Aging

Prostate Cancer Unmasked

Healing Gone Wrong – Healing Done Right

Medical Question Answered

Social Media Links

Certificates