Stress and Pregnancy

Public awareness of stress and pregnancy has taken a center stage in recent months due to increased awareness of health issues related to developmental disorders. Recent studies conducted at Harvard Medical School indicate that a mother's stress during pregnancy may affect the health of the baby.

Anxiety During Gestation

If an expectant mother is exposed to high levels of anxiety, her baby may be more likely to develop asthma or allergies later in life. Babies born to mothers experiencing high levels of stress had more IgE in their blood at birth than did babies born to less-stressed moms. IgE is a class of antibody entangled in allergic and asthmatic reactions.

Some studies have shown a greater risk of miscarriage late in the first trimester and more birth defects if there has been severe anxiety in early gestation. Some of these findings are unreliable, though, because the patients were asked about stressors after they already knew about their complications, which probably led to what is called recall bias--meaning that you're more like to remember an early stressor if you had an overall bad experience.

At the unequivocal level, stress during certain periods of gestation has been linked to autism. Dr. Beversdorf, a neurologist at OSU Medical Center, and his colleagues believe their research supports earlier animal studies that suggest that anxiety during specific periods in the term may lead to structural changes in the brain that have been linked to autism in children. Autism is a neurological disorder that usually presents itself early in a child's life. Autistic children have trouble communicating and interacting with other people. Autism is treatable, but with many disorders, it is important that treatment begin early. Therefore, an early diagnosis is crucial.

Help for Women Who Experience Anxiety

Many researchers are taking this to a higher level by discussing what can be done to help pregnant mothers who experience a crisis and how general health can be improved for these women.

Take a close look at your lifestyle. Make yourself do this on paper. Pay closer attention to the obligations you have committed yourself to, your work activities, home and family responsibilities. Then you can determine how realistic your plan is. It is critical that you include in your schedule time for yourself for important activities such as exercise, down time, and socializing. Once you have done this, be straightforward with yourself as you ask yourself: Is this routine achievable? Sustainable? Satisfying? If not, accept the reality that you have to alter the schedule.

Consult a Health Care Professional

If you or a loved one is experiencing concern due to stress and pregnancy, it is highly recommended that a health care professional be consulted. A health care plan can be organized in order to manage difficulties more effectively and adjustments can be made to reduce the outside variables which may be harmful to your developing fetus. Learning how to relax is an important aspect of enjoying a healthy pregnancy.

Despite Controversy, Asbestos Research Moves Forward

Of all the intense medical debates that emerged over the course of the twentieth century, few were as heated or as wide-ranging as the controversy surrounding the health impact of asbestos. Long used as an insulation material in construction, asbestos began to be suspected as a potential health problem in the mid-twentieth century.

After a series of corporate cover-ups and public health investigations, the truth about asbestos gradually began to emerge in the last decades of the twentieth century. Strong evidence supported a link between asbestos and everything from respiratory diseases to cancer. Public institutions and private homeowners alike began the long, costly process of replacing asbestos with less hazardous materials. However, the problems were really only just beginning for the millions of people who were affected by asbestos exposure.

Although some researchers have predicted that the asbestos health crisis has reached its peak, the issue remains controversial in the scientific community. Research on the subject has remained active, and a steady stream of new results continue to be published in the leading scientific journals. This week, we'll review the findings of several recent studies that have taken a look at the health impacts of asbestos.

Many Workers Unaware of Asbestos Risk

Over the last several decades, a great deal of media attention has been focused on the health problems associated with long-term occupational exposure to asbestos. However, according to one recent study, many workers whose jobs require exposure to asbestos remain unaware of the risk associated with the material.

The study, which was conducted by UK advocacy group the British Lung Foundation, surveyed workers in a number of high-risk occupations, such as builders, plumbers, electricians, day laborers, carpenters, and gas servicemen. Many of these workers must carry out their daily duties in close proximity to asbestos-laden insulation and building materials.

According to the study?s findings, only about 12% of all the workers surveyed had an accurate understanding of the health risks posed by long-term asbestos exposure. 25% believed that exposure to minimal amounts of asbestos posed no risk.

Of those who had a clearer knowledge of the risk, 10% said they were under financial or other pressure to keep working in the field despite the potential for health problems. Nearly three-quarters of the sample reported having no on-the-job training about asbestos health risks or how to handle the material safely. The researchers said these findings underscored the need for continued asbestos awareness efforts in the workplace.

81% of the workers surveyed did not make a regular practice of testing new work sites for asbestos.

Expertise and Accuracy of Some Asbestos Care Providers Called Into Question

It's no secret that the asbestos issue has netted lawyers and plaintiffs billions of dollars in settlements over the last few decades. However, what has some medical care providers concerned is the possibility that the treatment of some asbestos exposure victims may be compromised by the promise of lawsuit money.

This suspicion appears to be partially validated by the results of a study recently conducted by scientists at the International Society of Radiology. According to the findings, a large number of the people who have successfully sued for damages due to asbestos exposure may not actually be as sick as they believe.

In one sample of radiology images taken from legal documents, lawyers? radiologists had diagnosed nearly 96% of the patients involved as having some sort of asbestos-related respiratory illness. However, when the same films were later reviewed by an unaffiliated third-party group of radiology experts, it was found that only 4.5% of the patients had significant lung problems.

The authors suggested that the radiology "experts" contracted by legal teams often had a vested interest to diagnose lung problems when none may actually exist. In many cases, the plaintiffs involved were likely unaware that any exaggeration had taken place.

The findings confirm previous reports indicating widespread irregularities in the asbestos care industry. The authors recommend more rigorous and objective screening of the diagnostic materials used in asbestos lawsuits.

Deaths from Asbestos Exposure On the Rise, Study Says

Despite some claims that the asbestos epidemic was declining, a recent meta-analysis of public health records conducted by think-tank the Environmental Working Group shows that deaths related to asbestos exposure have actually increased during the last decade.

According to the report, nearly 10,000 deaths annually in the United States alone are attributable to asbestos-related illnesses. In addition, one in every 125 men over the age of 50 dies from mesothelioma, a particularly damaging form of asbestos-related illness.

The group used these findings to reiterate its call for a complete ban on asbestos, as well as to urge lawmakers in the United States to pass more stringent regulations for the remediation of asbestos-based building materials.

If you're concerned about asbestos exposure and asbestos-related illnesses, talk to a trusted, qualified expert for a personalized risk assessment. And please check back each week for more of the latest health science news.

Cure for Mesothelioma?

Doctors and researchers are looking for answers related to a mesothelioma cure but have not found any that are 100% assured. Before we discuss a cure and treatment options, it is necessary to know about what this type of cancer is and what are its possible causes. This is a rare cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdomen. High Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of these cancers. Asbestos is a heat natural silicate mineral that was widely used in the building process because of its heat-resistant features.

Lung cancer mesothelioma is the common name for this malignant disease, a rare cancer that is not very responsive to therapy. This cancer is the deadliest of all asbestos related diseases. Specifically, lung cancer mesothelioma is misnomer. This is not a cancer of the lungs; rather it generally affects the lining of the lungs.

There are three differing varieties of this cancer:

1. Ephitheliod: It affects the membranous tissue covering the intrinsic organs and surfaces of the body. A large number of the these cases occurring today belong to this type and it has the best prognosis.
2. Sarcomatoid: It develops from supportive tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilages and fats. Relatively 7% to 20% of cases are of this type.
3. Mixed/Biphasic: 20% to 35% of mesothelioma cases belong to this type. It carries both the aspects of the above two types.

The treatment options remain the same for all the varieties.

Statistically, the majority of cases are divided between two types of mesothelioma cancers:

Pleural mesothelioma, the most common, statistically 75% of all cases, is where cancerous cells propagate on the lining of the lungs. The second common type is peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer that affects the thin cell membrane around the abdomen. This specific area of the body is referred to as the peritoneum. This is the second most prevalent type of these cancer cases.

Treatment Options

Types of treatment options available today are radiation, chemotherapy, radical surgery and/or combination of all these treatments. During treatment, either a portion of tumor or the bulk tumor is removed. In some cases, a segment of the normal tissue surrounding the area is also removed along with the tumor.

Chemotherapy - Hopes of Curing the Patient of Their Cancer

The mesothelioma treatment known as chemotherapy is when a medical professional delivers intravenous drugs to the patient in hopes of curing the patient of their cancer. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells within the body. Most drugs used to treat these cancers are given by injection into a vein. Researchers are examining the effectiveness of introducing chemotherapy straight into the chest or abdomen.

This cancer-treatment regimen is many times called an "anti-cancer" drug. Many people overhear stories about chemotherapy from friends and family or read about it in books or brochures. What you overhear and read can give you a comprehensive idea about chemotherapy treatments; however, all of the information may not apply to you and your specific situation.

Side Effects

Some people have gone through chemotherapy treatments with little side effects. Side effects occur because the normal cells in the body are also exposed to the anticancer drug. The most acute normal cells are found in the blood, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and reproductive system. Therefore, potential side effects include infection, bleeding, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, thin hair coat or skin color changes, and sterility. Uncommon side effects associated with specific drugs include bladder discomfort, kidney damage, and heart failure. The most grave side effect is a overwhelming infection which can lead to death. Your doctor will suggest an suitable chemotherapy plan based on your medical history, type of mesothelioma cancer, degree of cancer, current state of health, and updated research.

Contact a Professional if Exposed to Asbestos

The effectiveness of the treatment and the possibility of a cure depends on how early and how aggressively the cancer is treated. If you or a loved one suspects any exposure to asbestos, contact a health care professional right away.

Shingles Vaccine Recommended for People Over the Age of 60

On May 15, the online edition of the Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report published a recommendation that all adults over the age of 60 get the shingles vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the vaccine as well. The recommendation states that getting the vaccination is very important for people over the age of 60 because over half the cases of shingles outbreaks in the United States occur in those within this age range.

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a viral disease that is known for painful skin blisters and rash in a limited area on one side of the body. The virus commonly known as Shingles, is called the Herpes Zoster virus. The virus can spread from one or more ganglia along nerves of an infected segment and infect the corresponding dermatome causing a painful rash. In most cases, the rash usually heals within two to four weeks. The progression of shingles, i.e. herpes zoster, begins with a small collection of bumps that turn into blisters. Next, the blisters fill with lymph and break open. Then they crust over and finally disappear. Although the progression seems fairly straight forward, there are times when the break out can last months even years causing residual nerve pain.

Risk of Getting Shingles

The risk of getting shingles -- caused by the same varicella-zoster virus responsible for the common childhood illness chicken pox -- rises with age starting at around age 50, and is highest among the elderly.

The agency said the recommendation replaces a provisional one it made in 2006 after the vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by a CDC advisory panel of immunization experts.

New research published in the International Journal of Toxicology (IJT) by Gary S. Goldman, Ph.D., reveals high rates of shingles (herpes zoster) in Americans since the government?s 1995 recommendation that all children receive chicken pox vaccine. Goldman?s research supports that shingles, which results in three times as many deaths and five times the number of hospitalizations as chicken pox, is suppressed naturally by occasional contact with chicken pox.

Cure for Shingles

There is no cure for shingles, also known as herpes zoster. After a person has had chicken pox, the virus remains dormant in the body, and years later can reactivate as shingles.

"It is a nasty, life-altering affliction. Although the vaccine is not perfect, it's pretty good," Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, vice president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, said in a telephone interview. The shingles vaccine has been found to reduce chances of getting shingles, and researchers have found that this is welcome news for an aging U.S. baby-boomer population.

Laser Eye Surgery for Older Patients: Scientists Weigh the Risks and Benefits

For millennia, humans have been forced to deal with the scourge of vision problems and weak eyesight. Although eyeglasses and, more recently, contact lenses have long aided people with poor vision, these devices do nothing to treat the underlying problem.

However, technological advances have now made it possible for people with ailing vision to restore or at least significantly improve their eyesight. Over the last several decades,  LASIK and other types of laser eye surgery have grown enormously popular, with over one million patients undergoing the procedure in the United States alone. The incidence of complications is relatively low, although the newness of the procedure has rendered the long-term effects of laser eye surgery somewhat difficult to determine.

The popularity of LASIK, laser eye surgery has created demand for the procedure among all segments of the population, including older men and women. As waning vision is a frequent part of the aging process, a growing number of elderly patients are now beginning to seek out laser eye surgery. However, scientific studies testing the safety and effectiveness of laser eye surgery for older men and women have shown mixed results.

This week, we?ll take a look at a few of the recent studies that have assessed the advantages and disadvantages of laser eye surgery for older men and women.

University of Chicago Scientists Assess the Suitability of LASIK for Older Patients

Acknowledging the recent increase in the number of elderly men and women who are interested in having LASIK or other forms of laser eye surgery performed, a group of researchers at the University of Chicago undertook a meta-analysis of older patients who had undergone the procedures. They assessed the rate of complications, unique challenges for older patients, and the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of the procedures.

Based on their analysis of the results, the overall safety and effectiveness of LASIK and laser eye surgery for older patients was comparable to the rates seen in other age groups. The only specific challenge facing elderly patients is the loss of elasticity in the lens that is a normal part of the aging process. To overcome this problem, a growing number of older patients are opting for a technique that is called ?monovision,? in which one eye is corrected for close-up vision and the other is corrected for distance vision.

On the issue of safety and complications, the scientists found that older patients were at slightly higher risk for post-surgery problems, but that overall, the incidence of these issues were not statistically greater than they were in the general population. Based on these findings, the scientists concluded that laser eye surgery is suitable for most elderly patients, as long as they have been prescreened for risk factors and age-related problems.

Vision Care May Help Alleviate Depression in Nursing Home Residents

Depression is a common problem among the elderly, as the prospect of aging, the impending approach of the end of life, and the increasing frequency of health problems begin to take their toll. Mild to severe depression is even more common among elderly men and women who live in residential treatment centers.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Alabama in Birmingham found that treating the eyesight and vision problems of elderly nursing home residents can help reduce the incidence and severity of depressive symptoms. Although the primary focus of the study was on the use of eyeglasses, the researchers also considered the possibility that laser eye surgery could be used in the same manner. They urged nursing home administrators and medical personnel to focus on alleviating common, easy-to-treat health problems such as a loss of visual acuity to help ease the symptoms of depression in elderly patients.

Laser Eye Surgery Techniques Could be Adapted for Use in Glaucoma Treatment

Glaucoma is a very common problem among elderly men and women, and current methods of treating the disorder often are not optimally effective. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have pioneered a new technique that combines the basic principles of laser eye surgery with standard glaucoma treatment.

The result of this new approach is a glaucoma treatment procedure that is safer, faster, and more effective, according to the research team. Although the study is still in its preliminary phases, the scientists report that early human trials have been successfully completed, and that the new technique could be made available to patients in the United States by the end of 2008.

If you?re thinking about undergoing laser eye surgery, talk to a qualified practitioner to determine whether this procedure is right for you. Please check back each week for more late-breaking health and science news!