Hormones:
Most of us suffer from acne during puberty when our body begins to produce hormones called androgens.  These hormones over-stimulate the sebaceous glands, which release an oily lipid secretion.  The secretion is stimulated by adrenal glands and gonads.

Sebum Production:
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum which is a lipid product made up of triacylglycerides, cholesterol, proteins and electrolytes.  Because of the overstimulation of the sebaceous glands by androgens, there is an excessive production of sebum.  As the sebum travels up the follicle and onto the skin surface, it mixes with bacteria and dead skin cells.  This extra production of sebum clogs up the follicles, causing acne.  During adolescent years, the sebum production is at its peak and usually decreases after twenty years.

Bacteria:
On our skin surface lays the bacteria Propionibacterium acne, which maintain the sebum production system.  However, when follicles are plugged, the bacteria quickly multiply, causing inflammation.  These bacteria use sebum as a nutrient for growth; the increase in sebum production allows the bacteria to rapidly increase in number as they have the necessary nutrients for growth.  Through chemotaxis or inflammatory response, the body sends white blood cells to attack the exceeding number of Propionibacterium acne.  As a result, the pimples tend to become red, swollen, and sometimes even painful.  There is also an accumulation of pus as the white blood cells hydrolyze free fatty acids in the follicles.

Follicular Obstruction:
In people with acne, sticky squamous epithelium lines the follicle.  In most people, dead cells from the follicle are shed away as they move to the skin’s surface.  However, in people with acne and increased sebum production, these dead cells are not shed away properly and become adhesive to the follicles.  Sometimes, these cells are shed away at a quicker rate, creating a mixture of sebum and dead skin cells.  This results in the obstruction of follicles and thwarts the skin from naturally renewing itself.

Genetics:
Sometimes the cause of acne is due to the genetic factors or traits we have inherited from our parents.  Researchers have not yet discovered the specific genetic factor that affects acne.

A research of fifty showerheads from nine different U.S. cities showed that about 15 showerheads or 30 percent of them contained high levels of Mycobacterium avium which when inhaled or consumed cause lung infections.  These researchers from University of Colorado stated that the amount of Mycobacterium avium found in these showerheads was almost 100 times higher than the number found in household water.

Norman Pace, a researcher, stated, “If you are getting a face full of water when you first turn your shower on, that means you are probably getting a particularly high load of Mycobacterium avium, which may not be too healthy.”

Mycobacterium avium causes pulmonary diseases, which exhibit many common symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and lasting drug cough.  It usually attacks people with deteriorated immune system, but it may sometimes infect others that are healthy.

Pace believes that the increase in pulmonary diseases from “non-tuberculosis” mycobacteria may be caused by people engaging in more showers and fewer baths.  As the showerhead sprays out the water, droplets filled with pathogens linger within the air causing one to inhale the pathogens into the deepest parts of their lungs.  The Mycobacterium avium are able to survive within the showerheads because of the warm, dim, and moist insides where the bacteria are able to form “biofilms.”

Although this might have little to no effect on healthy people, researchers recommend people with deteriorated immune systems to use metal showerheads and replace them as frequently as possible.  “This really shouldn’t concern average, healthy people.  The main concern is for people who are immune-compromised,” researcher Leah Feazel told Reuters Health.

Italian researchers discovered that only 44 percent of those on Mediterranean diet required diabetes medication, compared to 70 percent of those on the low-fat diet.  This research was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes.

Mediterranean diet, as described by Dr. Dario Giugliano, a professor of endocrinology and metabolic diseases in Italy, is “a diet high in plant foods, such as fruits, nuts, legumes and cereals, and fish, with olive oils as the primary source of monounsaturated fat and low to moderate intake of wine, as well as low intake of red meat and poultry.”

Dr. Giugliano said, “Eating Mediterranean prevented anti-hyperglycemic drug therapy in about one-third of patients.”  He believed the diet to be “a safe and tasty means to delay the introduction of anti-diabetic drug therapy in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic people.”

Other than controlling blood sugar levels, Mediterranean diet has been known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, thereby reducing the chance of mortality.

Similar to obesity and other ailments, type 2 diabetes is quickly becoming a pandemic as over 90 percent of people with diabetes have this particular type.  It is said to be caused largely by excessive body weight and physical inactivity.

Giugliano and his colleagues conducted a research that compared 107 people who ate low fat diet with 108 people who ate Mediterranean diet and its effect on type 2 diabetes conditions.  The participants of the study stayed in there for four years and had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

The results were astounding after the study concluded.  Compared to the low-fat diet group, 26 percent fewer people required diabetes medication in the Mediterranean diet group.  Conclusively, this indicates that there was a 37 percent decreased risk of need for medication in the Mediterranean diet group.

In addition, those in the Mediterranean diet group reduced their BMI (body-mass index) by 1.2 points, while the low-fat diet group lowered it by only 0.9 points.  Other major improvements in the Mediterranean diet groups were regarding the cholesterol level and blood pressure.

If you are fond of Mediterranean foods, then this diet might be perfect for you.  However, if you are not, then talk to your dietician in order to come up with a plan suitable to your likes and dislikes.

With an optimistic look, Giugliano also stated that Mediterranean diet is not only low in carbohydrates, but it also has an impact on insulin sensitivity.

Senator Kennedy suffered from a seizure caused by a malignant glioma, which is a type of primary brain tumor that starts in the brain.  However, unlike most common cancers, gliomas usually do not spread by metastasis from one organ to another.  Malignant gliomas are difficult to treat and there are about 10,000 to 15,000 new diagnoses each year.  Senator Kenndy suffered from a glioma in the left parietal lobe, which is important for sensory functions on the right side, especially visual senses.

The causes of brain tumor are unknown as it may be either hereditary, environmental or in some cases, it is both.  One may inherit a certain gene that would cause brain tumor or are affected by environmental factors such as food, radiation or chemicals, which can cause changes in the gene, resulting in formation of tumors.

As gliomas affect brain functions, which are significant in controlling the human body, the symptoms are usually dispersed.  However, some common symptoms are listed below.

Common Symptoms of Glioma:

• Headache
• Personality change
• Paralysis/sensory loss
• Visual loss
• Speech impaired
• Increased pressure within the skull
• Intellectual disabilities
• Convulsions and lack of emotions
• Poor coordination
• Seizures

In order for the doctor to diagnose a patient with glioma, they first perform scrupulous neurological exams, paying special attention to vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes.  If problems are present, then the physician will order imaging test in order to understand where the problem is located.  Most neurologists would perform an MRI scan, CT scan, EEG, angiogram, x-ray of the skull or a biopsy.  Biopsy is necessary to confirm what type of brain tumor the patient has.

Types of Glioma:

Treatment options for all gliomas depend upon the type of the tumor.

Astrocytomas: Astrocytomas can occur in most parts of brain and even spinal cord, making the most common type of glioma.  They originate from cells called astrocytes, which are found within the cerebrum.  Age is not a significant factor, but they are more common in adults.

Grade I astrocytomas can be treated by surgically removing the tumor.  This stage has the best prognosis because even if the tumor is not completely removed, it remains inactive and can be effectively treated with radiation therapy.

Grade II tumors penetrate into the normal brain, making surgery a difficult task.  Because this tumor has infiltrated the brain, they are more likely to reappear.  However, the patient has a choice between radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which can lower the risk of recurrences if started immediately after the surgery.  The survival rate is dependent upon age (younger you are the better) and one’s ability to perform daily tasks.

Grade III tumors are called anaplastic astrocytoma which cause seizures, headaches, and neurological deficit.  Standard treatment starts of with a surgical process to remove as much of the tumor as possible with combination of radiation therapy to prolong the survival.  Generally, patients survive from two to three years.

Grade IV tumor is a glioblastoma multiforme which we will come back to as it is considered to be a distinct type of gioma and is the most aggressive.

Glioblastoma multiforme: This grade IV astrocytoma is the most aggressive and malignant type of brain tumor.  It is known to quickly spread to other parts of the brain, making it difficult to treat.  If the surgeon can avoid causing injury to the brain, then surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment.  Radiotherapy helps increase the survival of the patients without curing the glioblastoma.  Recent studies also show the importance of adjuvant chemotherapy using temozolomide as it is beneficial to patients with glioblastoma multiforme.  In the study, patients who received temozolomide and radiotherapy increased their survival by 2.5 months.

Ependymomas: Ependymomas begin in the ependyma, which are cells that are lined up in the passageways of the brain.  Within these passageways, special fluids are made and stored whose function is to help protect the brain and spinal cord.  This type of glioma is highly uncommon and could be found anywhere within the brain or spine, usually in the cerebrum.  However, these tumors are risky as they can spread from the brain to the spinal cord due to the movement of fluids.  Lower grade ependymomas can be treated with surgical removal and radiation therapy.  Ependymomas usually do not respond to chemotherapy (only 20% of these tumors do).

Oligodendrogliomas: Oligodendrogliomas are primary tumors, which begin in oligodendroctyes, brain cells that support and nurture the cells in transmitting nerve impulses.  They are more common in adult men than women.  These tumors are uncommon as they account for no more than 10 percent of primary brain tumors.  Those with low-grade oligodendroglimoa can survive for approximately 10 years and usually suffer from seizures.  The survival time is dependent upon a genetic feature called 1p/19q status, which are pieces of DNA in the tumor.  If the 1p or 19q are missing from the tumor cells, then the patients have a longer lifespan.  Treatments usually include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Because brain tumors are a form of cancer and can be caused by environmental factors, try to make some changes within your lifestyle in order to prevent cancer.

• Do not smoke
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a healthy diet
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Reduce exposure to radiation such as sun rays and tanning beds
• Use safety to handle chemicals

As previously discussed in our Swine Flu Overview the H1N1 influenza holds the potential to become a large scale pandemic if proper prevention is not implemented by both individuals and governmental agencies.  As of now, humans have no natural immunity to the virus, allowing its spread much faster  then the regular seasonal flu.  While the seasonal flu usually effects those that are weak or old, the Swine flu has a much higher rate of lethally effecting the younger and stronger.  A large scale pandemic across the globe would make prevention difficult considering the limited amounts of medication (Tamiflu + Vaccines) currently in distribution. There are a number of techniques individuals can implement in their daily routine to strengthen their defenses against the virus, however, a popular one has become surgical and/or N95 respirator masks.

So the real question is, do these masks make a bit of a difference?  Surgical masks are unavailable in many areas now due to their high demand, especially in foreign 3rd world countries with denser populations.  As of now there have not been any studies conducted to validate whether or not surgical masks have ANY benefit whatsoever, but personally I can tell you that they are almost useless.  Airborne droplets containing the virus, and the virus itself can pass through the large pores in the mask quite easily.  Also most surgical masks are tied on with four strings.  This leaves plenty of openings around the edge of the mask for the virus to slip through.  These masks were created to prevent the transfer of any specimen from the doctor to the patient, not the other way around.  Another growing problem with the masks primarily in areas like India and China is their disposal.  They can be find lying around on the street, and individuals have reported reusing their masks.  First of all reusing the mask almost eliminates its purpose.  Second, a mask with a possible H1N1 strain that is not properly disposed of could be hazardous to others.

Side note: If your mask has ‘Hello Kitty’ on the front, alligator teeth, a smiley face, artificial nose, than please don’t purchase the masks with hopes that it will protect you.

While surgical masks are utterly pointless, I do see some use of the N95 respirator masks.  These masks are created with much smaller pores, that make it more difficult for viral strains to pass through.  However, the CDC and WHO do not recommended these masks for everyone.  It is best if they are used by those that are in close contact with individuals that have procured the virus.  The mask is also more expensive than surgical masks, making it more difficult to attain for those in poverty stricken areas where the pandemic has begun to strike the hardest.  The same problems that apply to surgical masks apply to these also, people tend to reuse the mask or improperly dispose of them.

What’s my personal opinion? I wouldn’t bother with the surgical masks, however, if I was in a facility that has individuals with the H1n1 influenza, then I may just consider buying one, however, am I willing to purchase a new mask after each use? Probably not.  So that goes out the window.

At the end of the day the best methods for prevention is washing your hands and staying healthy.  For more tips and an in-depth overview of the swine flu read Swine Flu: An Overview

Also consider reading the CDC’s recommendations on who should and should not use a respirator mask.

Have comments? Then share them below!

New York State Department of Health collected a sample on August 6^th and confirmed that it was West Nile virus positive.  The virus was found in a sample of Culex pipiens-restuans mosquitoes, which commonly bite birds.

Mary Ellen Laurian, spokeswoman for Nassau’s Department of Health did not seem at all worried but a bit surprised as she stated, “This year it’s a few weeks later than usual.  Most of our positives show up in July, but I wouldn’t say this is unusual.”

West Nile virus came to Long Island in 1999 and is usually transmitted through mosquito bites.  The virus should be taken seriously as it can cause severe illness and in many cases deaths.  However, no worries, as health officials are working diligently to thwart the spread of the virus.

The West Nile virus is generally found in standing water.  Just last year, Nassau County discovered 43 positive West Nile virus pools around this time.  And in order to combat the situation, the department sprayed chemicals which targeted adult mosquitoes around Nassau county.

Till this date, no humans, birds or horses have tested positive for the virus in Nassau but, the department is maintaining a strict mosquito surveillance through “”inspecting breeding sites and, when necessary, applying larvicide,” at the 42 trap sites throughout the county.”

Although it is not an urgent matter, health officials are urging residents to take precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites.

Preventive Measures:

• Eliminate standing water
• Keep swimming pools chlorinated
• Change water in birdbaths every two or three days
• Try wearing light colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants from dusk to dawn
• Drain roof gutters Install window screens
• Keep children’s wading pools empty, especially when not in use
• Use insect repellent, which contains DEET when outdoors
• Vaccinate horses to protect them from West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis

Cause of Hangovers & Prevention

Hangovers  take place for a number of reasons, the primary one being that alcohol works as a diuretic, in other words, it makes you urinate…a lot.  This leads to a loss of fluids causing your body to dehydrate, and in turn, weakening your muscles, stomach, and making your mouth feel as if it’s stuffed with dry cotton swabs when you wake up.  Toxic by-products created after the metabolism of alcohol such as acetaldehyde and the depletion of vitamins A,B, B6, and C all add up to create a severe hangover.  Drinks also contain toxins known as congeners that are created during fermentation.  They give the liquor its array of colors and flavors.   Drinks with more congeners usually mean a more critical hangover in the morning.

Congeners in Alcohol:

• Scotch usually has four times more congeners than gin.
• Vodka has fewer congeners than gin.
• Red wine has a greater amount of congeners than white wine.
• Brandy and rum usually has thirty times more congeners than vodka.

So what does all that wind down to?  Well one thing for sure brandy and rum usually cause the worst hangovers.  Older wine contains less congeners.  Also mixing drinks makes it more difficult for the body to process and neutralize different congeners.  Often individuals tend to drink beer before getting to the hard liquors.  Beer is a carbonated beverage, and carbonation speeds up the rate of absorption, causing spirits to hit you harder and faster.

Prevention:

• Avoid mixing drinks and try using non-carbonated mixers.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the night so that your body does not become as dehydrated the following morning.
• Try drinking a glass of milk before consumption.  It coats the stomach and lowers the rates of absorption.
• Have a snack.  Eating before drinking also lowers the rate of absorbtion.
• Cheese and some small snacks have fatty content, therefore, slowing down the rate of absorbtion once more.
• Pop a vitamin B supplement before going to bed.  Alcohol uses up a lot of vitamin B in your body which results in a much more sever hangover the next morning.

Remedies & “Cures” for Hangovers

Allright so you know what causes hangovers and how to prevent them but still didn’t listen and now…you have a hangover.  Below are a series of tips you can follow to cure a hangover by relieving yourself of its symptoms.

• DRINK FLUIDS.  Your body is very dehydrated due to alcohols diuretic effects.  Drinking plenty of room temp. water will help you get back on track much quicker.
• Take an aspirin.  AVOID acetaminophen (Tylenol), the alcohol and Tylenol together is lethal to your liver!  To be honest, it is just best to avoid medications, even aspirin is known to upset the stomach of some people.
• Try taking a walk or doing a few light exercises to get your blood flowing again.
• Take a vitamin supplement with B vitamins in the morning.
• Eat a nice breakfast high in protein and with a bit of fat.  Milk and eggs would be a great option.
• Personally, I do not recommend coffee or other caffeinated beverages.
• Try drinking Ginger Ale or candied ginger.
• The best cure is PREVENTION!

Hope these tips help you in next time you decide to party hard.  If you have any comments, questions, or tips of your own please comment!

Ever been struck by a toothache?  If not consider yourself lucky, because they are nothing but pain and misery.  A toothache is usually caused

when the central region of the tooth, known as the pulp, becomes irritated or inflamed.  The pulp is the location of several nerve endings, therefore, inflammation and injury near the pulp causes a great deal of pain.  Tooth extraction can also result in tooth aches that often have to be relieved by prescribed medications.

Toothaches are often confused with ear aches that can radiate down to the jaw, however, a few symptoms more closely related to toothaches can include:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold food
• Bleeding and swelling of the gums
• Pain when chewing foods
• Decay and cavities due to all the candy from the last few days

Remedies & Prevention

So the toothache’s killing you and your wondering what to do?  Here are a few great remedies that can help relieve toothaches:

• First and foremost, correct your diet.  Tooth decay is often caused by refined carbohydrates and sugars.  These sugars combine with calcium in the enamel after they are broken down by bacteria in the mouth and cause decay.  If you excessively consume candy, pastries, soft drinks, and other sweets than seriously consider changing your diet to avoid toothaches, especially if they have become a regular part of your day.
• Try soaking cotton in clove oil and then gently biting on it.  The clove oil has antiseptic properties and helps fight the infection while also relieving pain.
• Try washing your mouth out with salt water, depending on the type of pain you may have.  Adding pepper also seems to help some.
• Try using ice to reduce swelling and relieve pain
• Like liquor?  Soaking a cotton ball in brandy and pressing it against the aching region can help numb the pain.
• Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with one glass of warm water.  Gargle it for 30-45 seconds.  The baking soda neutralizes acids and temporarily relieves pain.
• Also try over the counter pain medicines such as Tylenol or Advil.  A personal favorite is Orajel, it quickly numbs the area causing discomfort.
• Other remedies include placing a cucumber slice over the affected area, using vanilla extract, or Oil of Oregano.
• Please not if your toothache continues to exist after a few days SEE A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL IMMEDIATELY.

Prevention
Its basically everything the dentist always told you.  Try to steer clear of excessive indulgence in sweets and junk food.  Brush your tooh in the morning and before bed especially after a late dinner.   Fluoride is also very helpful in preventing tooth decay especially in younger children.  It can be found in toothpastes, a variety of fruits and vegetables, and especially in water.

A variety of tips can also be found at The American Dental Association website.

Keep those teeth clean and if you need any further assistance, or have any comments, suggestions, or tips of your own please feel free to comment!!

However, the researchers were not taken by astonishment as Dr. Katja Boehm of Unconventional and Complementary Methods in Oncology Study Group in Germany stated that, “We can say for certain that green tea consumption can never account for cancer prevention alone.”

Participants that were included in the review consisted of people either drinking the tea or taking grenn tea extracts. Although most research indicates that there is limited knowledge of green tea’s benefits, one randomized, controlled trial regarding prostrate cancer risk showed a different result.

Investigations regarding digestive cancers such as cancer of pancreas, colon or esophagus and some others showed an opposite trend then the one expected.   Boehm and her teams also found “limited” evidence that green tea could lower the risk of liver cancer. Most of the evidence on bladder and lung cancer was “limited to moderate;” however, it became even more interesting when some evidence indicated that green tea could actually increase the risk of bladder cancer. Also, the evidence that green tea does not protect against cancer of the stomach was “moderate to strong.”

However, all hope is not lost as a link was found between high consumption of green tea and lowered risk of prostrate cancer. The research regarding the risk of prostrate cancer and consumption of green tea was also much higher in quality as it was a randomized, controlled trial.

Almost forty-seven of fifty-one studies were done in Asia.  Boehm believes that in order to receive more accurate results, a “large, well-designed study with adequate green tea consumption” is necessary. “We need to aim at creating high-level evidence in this much talked about but little researched topic area. Funding and infrastructure for clinical trials remain major challenges for the future.”

For all those who do enjoy drinking green tea should continue to do so as it does not have an detrimental effect and is much better than drinking sugary, carbonated beverages. “Drinking green tea appears to be safe at regular, habitual and moderate use, within its recommended dose of 1200 milliliters per day, which is about 5-6 average cups per day,” Boehm said.  Evidence regarding its ability to deter cancer, however,  is still rather shady.

Feel free to share your comments!

Jerry Butler, a PhD professor at the University of Florida reported that “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” However, they are not behind you for your sweet blood. Rather, they are looking for a place to store their eggs as female mosquitoes (male mosquitoes do not bite) require human blood to develop the fertilized eggs. And apparently, they tend to be quite selective.  Researchers are not a 100% sure regarding what mosquitoes believe to be their ideal pick. However, Joe Conlon from the American Mosquito Control Association reported that “There’s a tremendous amount of research being conducted on what compounds and odors people exude that might be attractive to mosquitoes.”

About 85% of our vulnerability to mosquito bites is through genetics.  Mosquitoes, however, are also attracted to specific body chemicals, especially high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol which can be present on your skin.  Just how much steroids or cholesterol are present on your skin’s surface is highly dependable on how efficient your body is at processing these chemicals.  Mosquitoes are also highly attracted to people who produce certain acids, such as uric acid, in excess. Other common attractions are movement and heat.

However, the factor that attracts the mosquitoes most to you is a byproduct that every human produces, carbon dioxide. “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive, even over a long distance,” says Conlon. As a result, adults are much more likely to be bitten by mosquitoes than children because their larger bodies produce more carbon dioxide. Pregnant women are also at risk due to the fact they exhale higher amounts of carbon dioxide.

The next time you think about running away from the mosquitoes, you should think twice. The movement and panting will cause an increased production of heat and carbon dioxide which will quickly attract a swarm of female mosquitoes. And if you’ve already fallen prey to a mosquito, then you might want to buy some repellant considering mosquitoes are able to smell flesh from a remarkable distance of 50 meters.