Arthroscopic partial Meniscectomy is not better than sham procedure

Recently; studies done by a team of researchers at the university of Helsinki in Finland suggests that arthroscopic partial Meniscectomy is not better than sham procedure.

Surgeons perform this arthroscopic procedure to alleviate pain and symptoms of the injured knee meniscus.

A randomized study performed in which random people was selected to receive either the operation "arthroscopic partial Meniscectomy" or the Sham procedure that mimic the operation and results find that there is no difference between pain symptoms and other measures of quality of life between the two groups.

Study conducted over 146 patients between the ages of 35 and 65 who suffered from knee pain for at least three months in a trial in which they were randomized to either undergo an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or a "sham" procedure that simulate  an arthroscopy.

The sham group was held in the operating and recovery rooms for the same amount of times as the surgery group.

All patients received the same walking aids and instructions for exercises, taking over-the-counter painkillers as required.

The researchers found that there were no significant differences between the real surgery group and the sham group.

The study is published in journal in the New England Journal of Medicine. (ANI)

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New Drug Treating Fragile X Syndrome

A new hope for patients suffering from Fragile X Syndrome ; a new drug has been developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals company that could treat Fragile X Syndrome patients.
A new study performed by researchers in Rush university medical center developed a new drug that treats Fragile X Syndrome and shows improvement in some patients suffering from Fragile X Syndrome.
Fragile X Syndrome resembles one of the most common causes of inherited intellectual disabilities and one of the most common causes of autism or autistic like symptoms and behavior
Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome include a characteristic physical and behavioral symptoms like delayed speech and language development , learning and intellectual disabilities.

New Drug Treating Fragile X Syndrome

The new drug called AFQ, developed by Novartis pharmaceuticals and helped to improve some patients with Fragile X Syndrome and patients response to the new drug can be determined by a certain kind of genes in their DNA , something like finger prints that tell wither the patient will benefit from the new drug or not.
Some health care professionals said that this drug could be used as a treatment modality for other behavioral disorders like autism
However that study still have a longer period to determine the efficacy of the new drug and its effect in Fragile X Syndrome patients.

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Pancreatic Cancer – diagnosis and treatment options ( Cont ) Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer :

In the previous topic Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities ( Part 1 ) we discussed the etiology, causes and symptoms of pancreatic cancer. her we will continue by discussing diagnosis and treatment options of pancreatic cancer

Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer :
Once pancreatic cancer is suspected one or more of the following tests should be done in order to reach the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer or exclude it
Tests and investigations for Pancreatic Cancer include:
•    Abdominal Ultrasound:- 
The idea of Ultrasonography is to pass a high frequency waves through your body to create a moving picture of your internal organs including the pancreas.

•    Computerized tomography Scan (CT Scan):
The idea of CT scanning is to use x ray images to visualize internal organs also injection of a dye may be used to increase the visualization of the organ

•    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI ) :
MRI magnetic resonance images using a high powerful magnetic field to create images of your internal organs
•    Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP ):
This technique is done by passing a flexible tube (Endoscope ) via your mouth down to your duodenum via your stomach to inject a dye to visualize the biliary tree and pancreatic opening into the duodenum then x ray images taken
•    Endoscopic Ultra sound ( EUS ):
The idea of this technique is to get the highest resolution for images obtained this is done by passing an Ultrasound device through an endoscope to get ultrasound imaging to your pancreas from inside your abdomen
•    Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatography ( PTC ):
Your doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin to your liver then injects a dye to visualize your biliary tree and pancreas
Stages of Pancreatic Cancer :-
After getting information from the tests and investigations done doctors can classify Pancreatic Cancer into four distinct stages :
Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer: here cancer is confined to the pancreas
Stage 2 Pancreatic Cancer: cancer spreads beyond the pancreas to nearby tissues and lymphnodes
Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer: cancer spreads beyond the pancreas to blood vessels and lymph nodes
Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer: cancer spread to distant tissues and organs (widely spread  metastasis )
Pancreatic Cancer treatment options:
Treatment options for pancreatic cancer depends on :-
-    The stage of the cancer
-    Location of the tumor inside the pancreas
-    Patients general condition
-    Patient age
Goals of Pancreatic Cancer treatment:
-    The first goal in Pancreatic Cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer totally and permanently
-    If the previous option isn’t applicable so; doctors will focus on preventing the cancer from doing harm to the patient
-    If the cancer is in an advanced stage ( Terminal patient with Pancreatic Cancer ) the goal of treatment and medical intervention is to relieve patient symptoms and decrease pains.
Surgery in Pancreatic Cancer :-
Surgery might be a good option for patient with Pancreatic Cancer that is confined to the pancreas. Surgical operations done for patients with Pancreatic Cancer include:
•    Whipple operation ( Pancreatoduodenectomy ) :
If the Pancreatic Cancer is located in the head of the pancreas so whipple operation is the one. In this operation surgeon will remove the head of the pancreas , the duodenum, the gall bladder, part of the stomach and then reconnect the remaining parts of the stomach and small intestine together to allow the patient to digest food.
Bleeding and infection are a common complications of whipple operation also patient may experience vomiting after the operation due to delayed gastric emptying

•    Distal Pancreatectomy :
This procedure is done if the Pancreatic Cancer is located in the distal portion ( the tail ) of the pancreas. In which the surgeon will excise the tail of the pancreas including the tumor within
Radiotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer :
The idea of the radiation therapy is to use the high energy of the radiation beam to destroy the tumor cells
Chemotherapy and Pancreatic Cancer:
This is via using certain chemotherapeutic drugs to kill the Pancreatic Cancer tumor cells, this could be done via using a single or a combination of the chemotherapeutic drugs. These drugs might be taken orally or via injections
Recent options and treatment modalities for Pancreatic Cancer :
•    Targeted therapy: this technique based on attacking a certain abnormalities in the Pancreatic Cancer cells. rapy uses drugs that attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells. The targeted drug erlotinib (Tarceva) blocks chemicals that signal cancer cells to grow and divide. Erlotinib is usually combined with chemotherapy for use in people with advanced pancreatic cancer.

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Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities ( Part 1 )

Pancreatic cancer affects tissues of the pancreas ; which is an internal organ that lies horizontally in your abdomen. Pancreas secretes most of the digestive enzymes  also – the pancreas – secretes hormones that are responsible for metabolism  and regulation of blood sugar level  i.e. insulin

Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis even when diagnosed in early stages. However; Pancreatic cancer usually has a wide spread secondaries and rarely discovered before this stage – rarely discovered in its early stages - .

Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities

Symptoms of Pancreatic cancer:

Before we speak about symptoms and signs of Pancreatic cancer we have to talk a little about the pancreas itself, its anatomy and function. Your pancreas is the crucial organ in the digestive system. It is a pear shaped organ that lies horizontally in your abdomen, about 6 inches. The pancreas secretes most of the digestive enzymes such as lipase, amylase. Also your pancreas plays a fundamental role in the process of metabolism and blood glucose level regulation as it secretes insulin hormone responsible for this. Thus the pancreas has an endocrine part and an exocrine part

Usually  Pancreatic cancer show no symptoms till it is advanced in late stages . symptoms and signs of Pancreatic cancer include:

•    Upper abdominal pain that radiates to the back

•    Jaundice; yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to high bilirubin levels

•    Anorexia;  pathological loss of appetite

•    Cachexia; weight loss ( Lean weight )

•    Depression

Types of Pancreatic cancer:

Pancreatic cancer has two major types, which  depends upon the cells involved in the Pancreatic cancer. Types of Pancreatic cancer include:

1-    Adenocarcinomoa : Pancreatic cancer that is developed in the ducts of the pancreas.cells of these ducts secretes the pancreatic digestive enzymes. Most of Pancreatic cancer are of this type, pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Sometimes it is called exocrine tumor

2-    Endocrine tumor; types of Pancreatic cancer that is formed from the hormone producing cells of the pancreas

Pancreatic cancer – diagnosis and Treatment Modalities

 Etiology of Pancreatic cancer:

The exact etiology of pancreatic cancer is unknown but most theories about Pancreatic cancer believe it is due to genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled growth and uncontrolled division of the pancreatic cells  leading to Pancreatic cancer formation

Risk factors for Pancreatic cancer :

Factors that might increase the risk of developing a Pancreatic cancer include:

1-    Old ages, usually over 60

2-    Black races

3-    Obesity

4-    Chronic pancreatitis

5-    Diabetes mellitus

6-    Family history of the cancer (Pancreatic cancer)

7-    Smoking

To be Cont. Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Options

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Lipovarin – is it effective weight loss supplement ?

A common question asked many times over and over…..Does Lipovarin an effective pills for weight reduction asked by people who want to lose some of their weight. And really I have found no evidence on that . Lipovarin the popular OTC drug – Over The Counter , Non prescriptive – used by many people for dietic and weight reduction purposes however this drug – Lipovarin – may pose a serious health risks up to convulsions and heart attacks.
 

Lipovarin – is it effective weight loss supplement ?

Lipovarin contains a chemical ingredient called synephedrine which is a CNS stimulant totally like ephedrin and mimic its action. Also synephedrin has the same risks of ephedrin including seizures, strokes, cardiovascular risks and heart attacks
Finally, it is worth to say that the Ideal method for weight loss has no shortcuts and the ONLY SUCCESSFUL weight loss porgrams based on healthy diet and regular physical exercise.



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