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Everything you need to know about cancer treatment and female fertility

by Medically Speaking March 11, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Experts argue that while cancer therapies are vital for enhancing one’s quality of life, they can have a negative impact on the reproductive organs and hinder fertility. The inability to conceive is referred to as infertility. Experts note that while many factors influence female fertility, cancer therapy can harm the reproductive organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix.

Because a woman diagnosed with cancer must undergo chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery, or a transplant, she must choose amongst these options.

“These treatments can influence a female’s reproductive system; the changes to fertility, however, can be transient or permanent. Before undergoing cancer treatment, one should consult a fertility specialist and consider egg freezing, which can assist a woman become pregnant in the future if it is suggested,” stated Dr Prashant Mullerpatan MS, FRCS Consultant Oncosurgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai.

“Cancer develops when cells divide and multiply at a rate that is significantly quicker than normal cells. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are among treatments that can have a variety of side effects and raise the chance of or induce infertility,” he stated.

Chemotherapy can cause the ovaries to stop producing eggs or oestrogen, resulting in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). “In many situations, this disease is only temporary, and after therapy, one’s menstruation will return to normal, and fertility may be restored,” Dr. Mullerpatan explained.
“But, in many cases, the damage to the ovaries is irreparable, resulting to infertility on a permanent basis. Hot flashes, nocturnal sweats, irritability, vaginal dryness, and irregular or no menstrual cycles are some of the symptoms a woman may experience. Chemotherapy can cause healthy eggs to be decreased in the ovaries,” he added.

Women are born with an endless amount of eggs, according to Dr. Richa Jagtap, clinical director and consultant reproductive medicine at NOVA IVF Fertility in Mumbai. However, once the eggs are lost, they cannot be replenished, resulting in infertility and early menopause.
“As a result, getting pregnant after cancer therapy is difficult. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in particular, attempt to reduce the body’s developing cells. Unfortunately, this effects the eggs and sperms also. Because the amount of eggs is limited, the impact on eggs is more severe. The eggs can’t be replaced once they’ve been gone. “A woman should have normal menses, AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone) levels in the permissible range, at least one healthy ovary, uterus, and Fallopian tube after cancer treatment,” Dr Jagtap stated.

According to Dr. Richa Jagtap, clinical director and consultant reproductive medicine at NOVA IVF Fertility in Mumbai, women are born with an infinite number of eggs. However, once the eggs have been lost, they cannot be replaced, resulting in infertility and menopause at a young age.
“As a result, conceiving after cancer treatment is challenging.” Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in particular, aim to lower the number of growing cells in the body. Unfortunately, this has an impact on the eggs and sperm as well. The impact on eggs is more severe because the number of eggs available is limited. Once the eggs are gone, they can’t be replenished. Dr. Jagtap noted, “After cancer treatment, a woman should have normal menses, AMH (Anti-Müllerian hormone) levels in the permitted range, and at least one healthy ovary, uterus, and Fallopian tube.”

March 11, 2022 0 comment

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How Sensory Therapies Can Help With Anxiety, From Pillows to Music

by Medically Speaking March 11, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

People who are experiencing anxiety may benefit from sensory treatment procedures.

That’s the finding of two recent research looking into the benefits of therapies that use the senses to help people cope with worry.

Music was used in one trial, and a huggable cushion was used in the other to simulate breathing.

“Sensory therapy,” according to Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist in California, “involves the use of visual and kinesthetic components to address mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.”

“At a neurological level, anxiety is the outcome of the threat response being triggered,” she explained. “This stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for the ‘danger.'”

Manly continued, “Sensory therapy offers very grounding, straightforward procedures that stimulate the soothing sympathetic nervous system.” “While medication may be necessary in some cases, sensory therapy is a valuable alternative that allows an individual to engage in tailored tactics that effectively reduce anxiety.”

Putting music to use
According to one study
The study Trusted Source, which was published in PLOS One, looked at whether music and auditory rhythm stimulation could help people feel less anxious.

Sound waves are used to create combination tones or beats in various frequency ranges for auditory beat stimulation. This may cause changes in brain activity.

163 persons taking anti-anxiety drugs were enlisted to participate in a home therapy session that included listening to music, auditory rhythm stimulation, both, or “pink noise” (constant background sounds).

The physical symptoms of anxiety were reduced the most in participants with moderate anxiety who listened to both auditory beat stimulation and music, or only music.

Dr. Margaret Gail Distler, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles’ Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic, said the study’s findings aren’t surprising.

“The discovery that sound-based treatments reduced anxiety symptoms is consistent with prior findings,” said Distler to Healthline. “Music has been widely reported in the medical literature to promote relaxation and distract patients from unpleasant physical sensations, such as those undergoing surgical operations.” Music might also help to distract you from worrying thoughts and feelings.”

Nonetheless, it’s crucial to realise that the study didn’t look at the impact of music on anxiety disorders, according to Distler. Rather, it looked at how music affected the fleeting emotional state of anxiety.

“Listening to music may be a low-cost and easily available strategy to relieve tension in the moment.” “However, the current study looks at music as a treatment for state anxiety rather than anxiety disorders,” she explained. “I would be wary of associating this with a successful treatment for anxiety problems.” To determine if music-based interventions are effective treatments for anxiety disorders, more clinical trials with clinically distressed patients are needed.”

Anxiety can be relieved by using a pillow.
Researchers in the United Kingdom looked at how a huggable cushion that replicates breathing can help feelings of pre-test anxiety in another sensory treatment studyTrusted Source, which was also published in PLOS One.

The prototype and accompanying hardware for the pillow were produced by the researchers who wrote the article.

They recruited 129 people to participate in a group math test. Before the exam, some members of the group were given the pillow, while others were not. The huggable pillow acts as a breathing simulator.

Researchers discovered that those who utilised the cushion had less anxiety before the test than those who did not.

The pillow was also found to be just as helpful as guided meditation at reducing pre-test anxiety.

Hugging a breathable cushion, according to Manly, who is also the author of the book “Joy from Fear,” makes sense.

“A gentle hug has the ability to boost feel-good neurochemicals like oxytocin on a neurobiological level.” “As a result, you’ll feel relaxed and tranquil,” she stated. “Research also shows that breathing activities (such as those employed in yoga, mindfulness, and meditation) elicit the parasympathetic nervous system’s soothing effects.”

“It’s obvious that a huggable, ‘breathing pillow’ would promote a sense of peace and relaxation, and therefore reduce anxiety.” A cushion that mimics someone else’s breathing may undoubtedly induce a relaxing, co-regulation reaction.”

Both Manly and Distler point out that there are a variety of non-pharmaceutical approaches for managing anxiety symptoms.

“There are a variety of non-pharmaceutical, evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders, including psychotherapies like CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy] and mindfulness-based approaches.” “These evidence-based treatments are quite successful and provide long-term symptom relief,” said Distler.

March 11, 2022 0 comment

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What to Know About Irregular Periods and Liver Disease.

by Medically Speaking March 11, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to new research, women with irregular menstrual cycles are more likely to develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease in which fat accumulates in the liver.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Endocrine Society, is the first to find a relationship between long or irregular periods and an elevated risk of NAFLD in young premenopausal women.

Scientists believe oestrogen exposure and hepatic iron buildup may play a role in the link between irregular periods and NAFLD.

Women with irregular periods should consider making lifestyle changes to minimise their risk of NAFLD, according to researchers.

Dr. Kecia Gaither, a double board certified OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician and director of perinatal services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, told Healthline that “early implementation of diet and lifestyle changes would be paramount for this subset of women because, to my knowledge, no medication exists to treat the resultant liver damage.”

Irregular periods have been linked to an increased risk of NAFLD.
The researchers looked at 72,092 women under the age of 40. Twenty-eight percent of the women had irregular menstrual periods, and seven percent had been diagnosed with NAFLD previously.

Younger age, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol and triglycerides were all linked to the group with irregular periods.

After four years, the researchers checked in with the subjects and found that 9% of them had developed new instances of NAFLD.

Obesity, insulin, and other confounders, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), do not appear to explain the higher risk of NAFLD, according to the researchers.

Menstrual irregularity can be caused by a variety of reasons, including stress and disordered eating, which might increase the risk of NAFLD.

According to the study, there is presently no proof that changing specific characteristics, such as smoking, obesity, or alcohol consumption, might reduce the risk, but experts believe that women who have irregular periods could benefit from lifestyle modifications.

Is there any connection between menstruation and liver disease?
The mechanisms underlying the association between irregular menstruation and NAFLD are unknown at this time.

Long or irregular periods have been linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk in previous studies. Those who have irregular periods may benefit from a change in their lifestyle.

Metabolic and endocrine diseases have also been linked to long or irregular periods.

PCOS, a disorder that produces abnormal hormonal changes, is often, but not always, the cause of irregular cycles.

“However, it is well established that PCOS can protect the liver from injury — in part because insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are risk factors for liver damage,” Gaither explained.

Hyperandrogenism can contribute to fat buildup, whereas normal androgen levels assist balance fat and lean mass.

According to the research, oestrogen exposure may play a role in the risk.

“While the research is still in its early stages, studies have indicated that oestrogen reduces inflammation and improves a number of metabolic processes linked to NAFLD, such as mitochondrial pathways, oxidative stress, and insulin signalling,” said Yale Medicine hepatologist Dr. Bubu Banini.

According to 2021 researchTrusted Source, oestrogen may decrease the onset of chronic liver illnesses like NAFLD.

NAFLD has been connected to low oestrogen levels and anti-estrogen medicines, and data from 2020 suggests that oestrogen replacement therapy can reduce the risk of NAFLD.

Hepatic iron accumulation, which can develop due to irregular periods, may also influence the risk of NAFLD, according to the paper.

What should you do if your periods are irregular?
Menstrual cycles that are inconsistent are part of an irregular period. It’s possible that your period will be late, or that the time between them could change.

“A good lesson from the study,” Gaither said, “should be that women with irregular periods should see a reproductive endocrinologist and have their liver functions and hormonal levels evaluated.”

Some persons with irregular periods may benefit from lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and decreasing alcohol consumption.

What should you do if your periods are irregular?
Menstrual cycles that are inconsistent are part of an irregular period. It’s possible that your period will be late, or that the time between them could change.

Some persons with irregular periods may benefit from lifestyle modifications such as increasing physical exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and decreasing alcohol consumption.

March 11, 2022 0 comment

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Protection Against the Omicron Variant Requires the Third COVID-19 Vaccination Dose

by Medically Speaking March 11, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

a new study Many experts reported sighting during the peak of the Omicron surge throughout the winter, and Trusted Source backs them up. To fully protect persons from the current dominant strain, booster vaccine doses of the two mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — were required. Because of the importance of the protection, some experts want the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to modify the present definition of “completely vaccinated.”

This comes as a result of greater investigation. The majority of negative effects from the roughly 300 million mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses provided during the first six months of availability, according to Trusted Source, were minimal and dissipated within a few days. The same study backs up those who claimed that the second dose of an mRNA vaccine caused short-term but notable side effects such as body aches, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.

An examination of efficiency
The vaccine effectiveness study, which was published in the British Medical Journal, also sheds light on immunisation schedules as the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to mutate and build new defences around vaccines.

Between March 2021 and January 2022, researchers from leading colleges and medical institutions across the United States examined the data of over 12,000 adult patients admitted to 21 hospitals. More than 5,700 of the patients tested positive for COVID-19.

The researchers looked at how well the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron forms of the vaccination performed.In mid-January, weeks after the customary end-of-the-year holiday season, the Omicron surge peaked at around 807,000 new cases every day. Winter weather and gathering indoors offered a chance for the extremely contagious omicron form to run rampant, particularly among the unvaccinated, in the United States and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere.

Researchers discovered that two doses of an mRNA vaccine provided someone a 65 percent chance of not needing to be hospitalised for COVID-19 symptoms during the Omicron wave, using a WHO scale to evaluate how unwell a person develops in the hospital.

Furthermore, three doses provided them an 85% chance against the Alpha and Delta versions, which was the same as two doses gave them against the Alpha and Delta varieties.

Despite the fact that the trial was observational, which means it couldn’t prove cause and effect, the researchers found that mRNA vaccinations “were linked with substantial protection against hospital admissions with COVID-19 attributable to the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants.”

A booster dose is also “essential for protecting populations against COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality,” according to the researchers.

According to the researchers, studies like theirs that evaluate vaccination effectiveness, as well as surveillance programmes that uncover new variants, will be required as the novel coronavirus evolves.

Experts offer their opinions.
The study was conducted in “a practically real-world scenario,” according to Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, a professor of public health science at New Mexico State University, and confirms what the world experienced during the Omicron rise this winter. In general, he said, the Omicron variety is less lethal than the preceding variants, but Omicron’s two doses aren’t as effective as Alpha and Delta’s.

“So, boosters appear to be an appropriate technique,” Khubchandani told Healthline. “My guess is that if we have more variations in the future, higher dosages may be required.” “It’s also likely that by the time the Omicron variety went viral, protection in people who had been vaccinated earlier in the rollout had waned, necessitating a booster dose.”

While any clinical research contains flaws, the ones in the BMJ study, according to Khubchandani, are “quite small.”

“The mRNA vaccines obviously provide protection against serious infection, hospitalisation, and mortality, even to various degrees,” he stated.

Dr. David M. Cutler, a family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, believes that the COVID-19 vaccines are now without a doubt effective in preventing sickness, hospitalisation, and death.

However, he said that it’s “really sad” that a third dose — or second, in the case of the non-mRNA Johnson & Johnson shot — is still referred to as a “booster” dose.

“This word connotes something additional or unimportant, whereas in fact it is critical in averting sickness, hospitalisation, and mortality,” Cutler told Healthline. “Unfortunately, the CDC definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ still entails only two mRNA vaccinations and one J&J vaccine. This and other studies have shown that receiving a booster is the only way to receive full protection.”

One crucial element missing from the current research, according to Dr. Fady Youssef, a pulmonologist, internist, and critical care specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in California, is individuals with no or mild symptoms who were not hospitalised.

He told Healthline, “That’s a crucial aspect to account for, given that Omicron was more transmissible but resulted in fewer hospitalizations.”

The findings further confirms Youssef’s claim that mRNA vaccinations provide “substantial protection” against severe and critical COVID-19 sickness and mortality, according to Youssef.

March 11, 2022 0 comment

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Antiseptics may be just as effective as antibiotics in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections.

by Medically Speaking March 11, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to researchers, methenamine hippurate, an antiseptic therapy, is nearly as effective as antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. They go on to say that methenamine hippurate does not contribute to antibiotic resistance. At least half of adult females will have a UTI at some point in their lives. Lower abdomen pain, a burning sensation while urinating, and increased urine frequency are all symptoms. Drink plenty of water and take showers instead of baths, according to experts, to reduce your chances of getting a UTI. Methenamine hippurate, a non-antibiotic therapy, may help women with recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Researchers claim that the antiseptic therapy serves as a prophylactic without contributing to the rising problem of antibiotic resistance in a new studyTrusted Source.The study looked at 240 women over the age of 18 who had recurrent UTIs and was published in the British Medical Journal. Participants were given either methenamine hippurate or a low-dose antibiotic at random.

The trial lasted 18 months, including three-monthly follow-up visits for the women.

At least one UTI occurs in 50 to 60 percent of adult women at some point in their lives. Recurrent infections affect about a quarter of the population. Methenamine hippurate, a non-antibiotic therapy, may help women with recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Researchers claim that the antiseptic therapy serves as a prophylactic without contributing to the rising problem of antibiotic resistance in a new studyTrusted Source.

The study looked at 240 women over the age of 18 who had recurrent UTIs and was published in the British Medical Journal. Participants were given either methenamine hippurate or a low-dose antibiotic at random. The trial lasted 18 months, including three-monthly follow-up visits for the women. At least one UTI occurs in 50 to 60 percent of adult women at some point in their lives. Recurrent infections affect about a quarter of the population.

What researchers found
In their study, the researchers concluded that methenamine hippurate could be a viable option to daily antibiotics for women with recurrent UTIs. Women receiving antibiotics had.89 instances, while those on methenamine hippurate had 1.38 incidents, according to the study. There were more UTI occurrences in women receiving the methenamine hippurate, but the researchers considered it to be “non-inferior to antibiotic prophylaxis.”

Dr. Christopher Harding, the study’s principal author and the chairman of the European Association of Urology Guidelines, said, “This research provides the highest quality evidence to date outlining the clinical benefit of a non-antibiotic preventative medication.” “Previous research has suggested that methenamine may be beneficial, but this experiment adds to the body of data.”

“Our results could encourage a change in practise in terms of preventive therapy for recurrent UTI and give patients and clinicians with a realistic alternative to daily antibiotics,” Harding told Healthline. “The data from this study will enable clinicians and patients to make collaborative decisions about UTI prevention treatments.” “The study found a tiny numerical difference in UTI incidence between the daily antibiotics and methenamine hippurate groups, but the potential trade-off includes drug avoidance, which is linked to antimicrobial resistance development,” he noted.

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
According to the Urology Care Foundation, “a UTI is caused by germs that get into your urine and move up to your bladder.”

UTIs can affect everyone, but they’re far more common in women’s urinary systems because the urethra is shorter, allowing bacteria to reach the bladder more quickly.

A UTI can cause the following symptoms:

increased frequency of urinating cloudy or bloody urine pain in the lower abdomen and potentially the lower back burning or pain when urinating A low-grade fever may also be present in some patients.

UTIs should be treated by a doctor because they can lead to kidney infections, which are far more serious. If you have a temperature over 101°F, exhaustion, pain in your side, back, or abdomen, nausea, or vomiting, call your doctor right once.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs affect some people more than others. Everyone, on the other hand, can take actions to lower their chances of acquiring one.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Source you can trust:

Urinating after sexual activity is a common occurrence.
Showering instead of bathing and drinking plenty of water
Wiping from front to back after urinating to avoid douching, sprays, or powders in the genital area
You can also include probiotic items in your diet, such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or tempeh, or talk to your doctor about taking probiotic supplements.

Some forms of birth control can increase your risk of developing a UTI, so if you’ve had multiple UTIs, talk to your doctor about them. These are some of the forms available:spermicide, including condoms with spermicide diaphragms nonlubricated condoms

March 11, 2022 0 comment

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Benefits of quitting smoking amid COVID-19 pandemic

by Medically Speaking March 9, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Smoking has a detrimental effect on one’s health. Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, have been linked to a variety of health problems.
Every year on the second Wednesday in March, No Smoking Day is recognised and celebrated. The 9th of March is No Smoking Day this year. The day is marked to raise awareness about the negative effects of nicotine on one’s health and to assist people in quitting smoking.

Smoking has a detrimental effect on one’s health. Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, have been linked to a variety of health problems.

What are some of the ill-effects of smoking?

We are all aware that even a single cigarette puff has serious health consequences. Smoking can cause cancer and other respiratory illnesses, which can become chronic over time if not treated. Both active and passive smoking have a negative impact on one’s health, putting the passive smoker at an equal risk of cancer, stroke, and other diseases. Individuals must consequently quit smoking in order to preserve the lives of their loved ones and to save their own lives.

Smoking and COVID-19

Quitting smoking has become more important than ever after the COVID-19 outbreak broke out. According to research, those who smoke on a daily basis have a higher risk of catching the virus. The use of any tobacco product or smoking has been shown to reduce lung capacity, leaving the lungs more susceptible to the virus.

Because the lungs’ capacity has been weakened, any respiratory infection has a higher likelihood of becoming chronic. The lungs’ poor capacity raises the likelihood of problems in this high-risk group, which is already vulnerable to numerous serious and chronic illnesses.

Many of us have seen the devastation caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, and even those who lived healthy lives had to deal with consequences that were difficult to overcome. For people who are active or habitual smokers, the situation is significantly worse.

This No Smoking Day, make an effort to quit smoking so that you and your loved ones can enjoy better lives.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

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Expert suggests tips to avoid spikes and crashes to manage your blood sugar

by Medically Speaking March 9, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Diabetics typically live in continual terror of uncontrollable blood sugar spikes and crashes, which is pretty tragic. The concessions necessary to maintain good blood glucose levels can take a toll on mental health, from sticking to a rigid diet to giving up one’s favourite foods. Diabetes, on the other hand, does not have to be the horror that it is often depicted to be. Endocrinologist Gregory Dodell, M.D. wrote on how to regulate blood sugar levels in a Men’s Health article.

Tips to manage blood sugar

Here are some effective ways to keep blood sugar spikes and crashes at bay:

Step away from the scale: Maintaining a healthy weight is critical for reaching optimum blood sugar levels. However, keeping a close eye on your weight may not be the best method to stay in shape. Dr. Gregory advises against using a weighing scale since it can have a negative impact on mental health and lead to blood sugar imbalances.
Continue to move: Physical exercise is a topic that cannot be ignored when it comes to health. When it comes to controlling blood sugar levels, regular physical activity is critical since it improves insulin sensitivity and improves mental health. Every week, experts recommend that you engage in at least 150 minutes of regular physical exercise.
Good stress management: Stress may be harmful to one’s health. Stress management is critical for diabetics to maintain good blood sugar levels. Stress-relieving activities such as meditation and yoga are recommended for diabetics.
Do not push yourself to eliminate certain food groups: You’ve probably heard about how restrictive diabetic diets are. According to Dr. Gregory, this does not have to be the case because balanced blood sugar levels may be attained without completely removing dietary categories. All dietary categories, from carbohydrates to sugar, must be taken in moderation.
Keep an eye on your body: Your body tends to give out certain symptoms of concern, and all you have to do is be aware of them. When you have diabetes, keeping a close eye on your body can help you meet its needs and control your blood sugar levels.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

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Increased risk of early death for survivors of cardiac arrest and heart cardiac arrest: Study

by Medically Speaking March 9, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Patients who survive a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest have a higher chance of dying within six years after being discharged from the hospital.

According to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, this is the case.

When blood supply to the heart is impeded, a heart attack occurs, and sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart malfunctions and ceases pumping unexpectedly. If not treated quickly, cardiac arrest can be deadly.

The majority of heart attacks do not result in cardiac arrest. However, heart attack is a common cause of abrupt cardiac arrest.

The study uses data from 13,444 patients gathered between 2010 and 2017 by researchers from the National Institute of Health Research Health Informatics Collaborative (NIHR-HIC), which is directed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London. The Imperial Biomedical Research Centre of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) financed the research (BRC).

It demonstrates for the first time that individuals who had heart attacks followed by sudden cardiac arrest were more likely to suffer problems. Those who experienced a cardiac arrest at the time of their heart attack were twice as likely as those who only had a heart attack to develop ventricular arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms) (VA).

Arunashis Sau, the study’s first author and a Clinical Research Fellow at Imperial College London, said further:

“This is the first research to discover a relationship between heart attacks and abrupt cardiac arrests, as well as early mortality after surviving the first episode. Our results have major consequences for this patient population and how we treat them. The study begs the question of what else we may do to enhance these patients’ outcomes by perhaps providing more therapy alternatives.”

Doctors treat heart attack patients by unblocking coronary arteries and prescribing beta blocker medications to help the heart calm down. Patients who have a cardiac arrest are given a defibrillator, which is a device that delivers a high-energy electric shock to re-start the heart.

Previous research has revealed that individuals who suffer a heart attack and then have a sudden cardiac arrest may be a subset of people who are more likely to develop problems like VA.

These trials, on the other hand, have inadequate long-term patient follow-up data and are substantially smaller.

Researchers wanted to look into it.

The goal of the study was to look at the long-term effects of abrupt cardiac arrest on heart attack patients.
They looked studied the medical records of 13,444 heart attack patients who were admitted to and released from five NHS Trust hospitals in England. They were followed up on for three years on average. A total of 280 individuals survived a heart attack or cardiac arrest and were released.

They discovered that these patients were more than twice as likely to have VA at a later date. They also discovered that compared to individuals who had a heart attack but not a cardiac arrest, there was a 36% increase in death within three years after discharge.

Further study is needed to completely determine how to lower the risk of recurrent VA in this population, as well as whether an ICD should be considered for patients who arrive with cardiac arrest and a heart attack, according to the researchers.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

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COVID boosters needed, reversing previous call said WHO

by Medically Speaking March 9, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

In the wake of the global spread of omicron, an expert group convened by the World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it “strongly supports urgent and broad access” to booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine, capping a reversal of the UN agency’s repeated assertions last year that boosters were unnecessary for healthy people and contributed to vaccine inequity. WHO noted in a statement that inoculation with licenced COVID-19 vaccines provides significant levels of protection against severe sickness and death as the highly infectious omicron form continues to spread.

In January, the WHO softened its stance, saying that boosters were only advised once nations had enough supply and had protected their most vulnerable citizens. Vaccination, including boosters, was especially beneficial for patients at risk of severe illness, according to the report. Last year, when dozens of nations began delivering booster doses, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a ban on booster doses, suggesting that wealthier countries should instead provide vaccines to needy ones. At the time, WHO experts stated that they would continue to analyse new evidence.

WHO said it is continue to monitor omicron’s global expansion, including a “stealth” variant known as BA.2, which has been recorded to re-infect some persons after an initial omicron infection. There is conflicting evidence as to whether it produces more severe illness, but immunizations appear to be equally effective. The latest COVID-19 vaccinations, according to WHO, are all based on the strain that was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, more over three years ago. “Since then, there has been continual and significant viral evolution, and this evolution is expected to continue, leading in the creation of new variations,” the agency added. It went on to say that coronavirus vaccinations would almost certainly need to be modified.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

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Scalp exfoliation!

by Medically Speaking March 9, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Have you come across the term “scalp exfoliation”? Yes, the latest craze is skinification of the scalp and hair. Scalp exfoliation is one of the skincare ideas that has certain advantages. Sareena Acharya, creative Head – Hair specialist at Enrich Salon, talks a few of the benefits of scalp exfoliation. Also see: Haircare Tips: 10 Ways to Protect Curly Hair During the Seasonal Transition

Exfoliation of the scalp has a number of advantages.
Encourages hair growth: Exfoliation cleans and purifies the scalp by eliminating dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum buildup, whereas washing eliminates surface filth. Exfoliating your scalp on a daily basis promotes a healthy environment for your hair to grow in. It also improves blood circulation in the scalp, allowing hair to grow more quickly.
Flakes and dryness are avoided: Two of the most common scalp issues are dandruff and flakes. It’s an indicator of a dry or irritated scalp. Exfoliating on a regular basis can help with this. Exfoliating your scalp promotes the production of natural oils, keeping it healthy and preventing flakes.
Makes hair more lustrous and healthy: Scalp exfoliation helps to cleanse the follicles from which hair grows. This guarantees that the new hair growth is robust, lustrous, and healthy.
Remove product build-up: Our hair is subjected to a variety of treatments, including shampooing, conditioning, hair masks, hairdryer, dry shampoo, colouring, setting spray, and so on. We have a tendency to imagine that simply washing our hair will remove all of the products that have accumulated on our scalp. That is not the case. You may notice that the irritation on your scalp returns after washing your hair. That’s why we require exfoliation to get rid of all the gunk and leave it feeling fresh and purified.’
Maintains the pH of the skin to prevent infection: Our faces have a protective barrier that helps us fight free radicals and maintain the pH of the skin to prevent infection. Similarly, our scalp possesses a protective layer that fights free radicals and keeps the pH of the scalp at a healthy level to prevent infection. When products build up on our scalp, it often results in a damaged protective barrier and a pH imbalance. This encourages bacterial growth, which results in an itchy, greasy scalp. To avoid this, we must exfoliate the scalp, which aids in the maintenance of our scalp’s pH.

March 9, 2022 0 comment

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