Health Pedia

Active ingredient of cannabis, THC, helps remove amyloid beta from cells Amyloid beta protein is main component of plaques that cause Alzheimer's Plaques are widely considered a hallmark of the common form of dementia But scientists have not known the precise role of amyloid beta or plaques Now believe the protein causes inflammation which kills nerve cells By exposing nerve cells to THC, scientists able to eliminate inflammation Hopes the discovery could result in new treatments to combat the disease  A number of compounds found in cannabis could prove effective as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, experts suggest. Early findings show tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the key mind-altering element of the drug - promote the removal of amyloid beta from the brain. The toxic protein is the main component of plaques that form in the brain - widely considered a signature of the disease, and as such its presence and build-up is indicative of the most...

Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia means that you can say goodbye to any semblance of a normal life. It is a serious debilitating condition characterized by constant muscle pain and fatigue, symptoms which are usually accompanied by headaches, difficulty sleeping, and widespread joint pains. Because of the severity of the condition, people with fibromyalgia also tend to suffer from anxiety and depression.  If you spend most of your days dealing with extreme pain and fatigue, you just won’t have the energy to do things you enjoy. The fatigue can be so debilitating that for many patients still feel tired even after sleeping 10 hours a night. That’s if they’re lucky: many patients suffer so much from fibromyalgia symptoms that falling and staying asleep becomes difficult. The exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, although the medical community agrees that it could be because of several factors including genetics, infection, or physical and emotional trauma. People ...

Tom Embury-Dennis Best friend speaks out about ‘devastating’ impact on family and friends A woman died in bed from a tumour after doctors mistook it for a migraine 14 times. Stephanie Dickson suffered nine months of neck pain, headaches and dizziness, and was told to take painkillers to cope with her symptoms. The 24-year-old eventually went to A&E at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on 5 April 2016, where she was put on a drip but discharged the following morning. Hours later she was found dead by her family. An investigation by the local coroner revealed a benign tumour caused pressure to build-up in her skull. Had it been diagnosed correctly the night before she died, she would have had a 98 per cent chance of survival. Laura Aberdour, Ms Dickson’s best friend, said her death had had a “devastating” impact on family and friends. “We have all been left broken by what’s happened,” she said. “It’s taken me until now to be strong enou...

By  The Doctors Staff When Greg Grunberg’s son Jake began having progressively worse seizures due to epilepsy, he and wife Elizabeth were forced to make a difficult decision. They had to decide if their son should undergo brain surgery. The “Heroes” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star’s son was experiencing up to 200 seizures a day and his medications were not working. Doctors said they could operate on a part of Jake’s brain where the majority of the seizures were occurring, but they were not completely sure it would work. The actor is happy to share with  The Doctors  that the surgery has allowed his son’s medications to do their job and Jake is doing better than ever. “He was back to being that pain in the ass teenager that you dream about,” he says of what happened after Jake’s surgery. The actor’s son is now 20 years old and experiencing little to no seizures. Greg explains that 1 in 26 people have to deal with this medical issue and 3 to 5 million people in the ...

New studies have found that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and fibromyalgia therapy can deliver lasting pain management. While it has been known that there is a reduction in pain at the point of the therapy, a new study has revealed a way to increase the pain tolerance beyond the therapy action for longer relief that is making many people look at the use of TENS machines again. What is a TENS machine? A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator is more often referred to as a TENS machine. These are small and portable devices that consist of an impulse generator and two electrodes. The electrodes are attached to the body and the generator sends an electrical impulse through them to stimulate the muscle and nerves. They are generally battery operated, and are now made as affordable home units. How do you use it? TENS machines are very easy to use. The electrodes are placed in pads that are then put over the area experiencing the pain. A small electrical current is t...

They are the cause of fibromyalgia. Medical geneticists those 90 conditions of patient DNA, causing symptoms with changes in the immune system and the nervous system of these patients. Many times have felt misunderstood. Or worse, accused of simulating a disease. But now science proves them right. And it is that medical producers have discovered that fibromyalgia, a disease of neurological origin, caused by neurochemical imbalances in the central nervous system. Thanks to a study of 3,000 people, two-thirds of those who suffer determined to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue that 90 polymorphisms in the DNA of patients that affect the immune system and the nervous system. This study “is the only scientific evidence of genetic markers associated with fibromyalgia,” say the authors, Genomic Genetics International (GGI). “There is ample evidence for this condition be considered as a disease of organic basis, provided it is properly diagnosed,” said Dr. José Ignacio Lao, director of GGI. The...

You’ve recently asked me about fibromyalgia and I’m sure you’re wondering what all the hype is about. While most people have heard of it by now, that doesn’t mean they know what it is. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there and it can be confusing. After all, if everything you know about fibromyalgia comes from what you see on TV, you might believe I should be out rowing a canoe, gardening, or opening my own bakery and sweets shop. But, instead, you see me not feeling well and not participating in activities that are too taxing or stressful. To clarify my response, I’m providing it in this written format. It’s my way of making sure I don’t leave out anything important. Here’s what you need to know... Health conditions in general, are classified as either diseases or syndromes. Diseases have a specific, definable, biological cause and have a specific set of symptoms. Health conditions that have no definable biological cause and exhibit a variety of symptoms are categorized a...

A wide range of treatment is available for back pain, depending on what is causing the pain and how long it lasts. Most people find that their back pain improves within a few weeks.  The goals of physical therapy are to decrease back pain, increase function and teach the patient a maintenance program to prevent future back problems. How To Avoid Back Surgery And Get Off Pain Killers! 1. Exercise: CNS Rehab’s Pilates and Therapeutic Exercise can enhance your physical strength, flexibility of muscles and spine and increase your coordination. It will also reduce stress. 2. Food: Taking nutritional supplements such as fish oil, vitamins and glucosamine. 3. Life Style: Lower back pain is a very common problem in our society. It can often be the result of improper lifestyle choices. Smoking can increase the risk of low back pain. Obesity can worsen it as well as contribute to disk degeneration. Heavy lifting, sports related injuries and motor vehicle accidents can cause back pain. 4. Edu...

For many people, sitting down with a nice glass of wine or socializing with friends over a few cold ones is an enjoyable experience often embellished in their life. Some enjoy this event only on occasion while others do so on a more frequent basis. But when a condition as serious as fibromyalgia strikes, it may put a damper on an activity that once was a regular part of your life. Is it okay to drink if you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia?  This is a common question that many people have after such a diagnosis. It is true that fibromyalgia affects your life greatly, but does that mean that alcohol is now a thing of the past? What is Fibromyalgia? More than 5.8 million people across the U.S. are affected by fibromyalgia, a painful, debilitating condition causing musculoskeletal pain throughout the body. The pain can become quite severe for many sufferers and oftentimes is accommodated by fatigue, memory loss, mood problems and problems with sleep patterns. The condition affect...

I “fake it” every day and I find that annoying. Here’s the thing: If I actually told people how I really feel or “played” the part, if you will, who would believe it? The thing that ails me is an invisible illness. It just doesn’t look like how it feels. So, instead of looking like a “faker,” I “fake” that I feel good. It’s called being positive — a positive faker! Fibromyalgia Are you a Positive Faker, too? Would you like to be one? Here are 10 things I say to fool everyone: 1. “Oh I just stepped wrong. I’m not really limping, I’m shaking it off.” (Instead of “My hip is on fire, I need to sit down!”) 2. “I’m just a little tired because I didn’t sleep well last night.” (I haven’t slept well in months.) 3. “Do you need help with that heavy box?” (Quick, look around for someone to delegate that to!) 4. “My arm only hurts because I lifted a very heavy item.” (The stapler, I lifted the stapler. Remember? I delegated that box.) 5. “I’m doing great! How are you today?” (Instead of “I cou...