Jun 6, 2018 | News
NUS RESEARCHERS FIND NOVEL PATHWAY TO REGULATE BLOOD PRESSURE
New and better ways to fight hypertension and low blood pressure may be in the offing, thanks to the National University of Singapore scientists’ discovery of how our blood pressure is controlled.
The finding by the multidisciplinary team from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) was published online in the April 2018 issue of Circulation, a leading journal in the cardiovascular field. The team showed that Galectin-1, a protein in our body, influences the function of another protein known as L-type (CaV1.2) calcium channel found in the arteries that normally acts to contract the blood vessels. By reducing the activity of these calcium channels, Galectin-1 is able to lower blood pressure.
This project was led by Professor Soong Tuck Wah from the Department of Physiology together with Dr Hu Zhenyu, the lead author of the study. It takes medical science a step closer toward fighting cardiovascular disorders, which are serious global healthcare issues.
Hypertension – a silent killer
Hypertension is a common problem in Singapore and worldwide. About one in four Singapore residents aged 30 to 69 years have hypertension. Importantly, age is a major risk factor for the development of hypertension. Notably, in the 60 to 69 years age group, more than one in two persons in Singapore have hypertension.
According to the World Health Organization, elevated blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths globally, which represents more than 12 percent of all deaths. This is because hypertension is associated with major killers like coronary heart diseases and stroke. In addition, hypertension can also cause renal impairment, retinal hemorrhage, and visual impairment.
Fighting hypertension – the next wave
As hypertension is a common denominator to many serious conditions described above, nipping the problem at its bud will significantly improve our health.
Although patients with Stage I hypertension are mostly recommended to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risks of suffering other cardiovascular diseases, those with Stage 2 hypertension or above have to take anti-hypertensive medicines to control blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are traditionally used in the clinics to lower blood pressure, but the use of such medications has been associated with increased risk for heart failure in hypertensive patients, particularly those with heart problems, due to their bad side effects.1 Therefore, the development of drugs that could adjust the activity of the L-type (CaV1.2) calcium channel, rather than blocking its normal function altogether, has emerged as a novel research direction for anti-hypertensive therapeutics. The discovery that Galectin-1 can perform such a desired function represents a pathway to control blood pressure
Galectin-1 reduces the activity of L-type (CaV1.2) calcium channels by blocking their insertion in the cell membrane. The good news is that Galectin-1 only targets this specific type of calcium channel in the blood vessels. It spares other types of calcium channels that are important for the general functions of our body.
“Because Galectin-1 is predominantly found in our blood vessels and because of its selectivity for the Cav1.2 channels, Galectin-1-specific drugs designed to lower our blood pressure are predicted to have minimal side effects,” explained Prof Soong, the lead investigator of the study.
“Currently, calcium channel blockers (CCB) are the most popular class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure because of their good side effect profile and their efficacy. However, many patients are troubled by side effects like leg swelling. Galectin-1-specific drugs have the potential for improved control with fewer side effects,” said A/Prof James Yip, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore.
Added Professor Vernon Oh, Department of Medicine, NUS Medicine, “The reported effects of Galectin-1 protein, and of its analogs, on the blood pressure in various models of human arteries and the circulatory system are encouraging. The results suggest that there is a reasonable likelihood of fabricating an antihypertensive treatment-molecule, based on Galectin-1, which will consistently suppress, without negating, the v1.2 calcium channel in human impedance (resistance) arteries, so lowering the blood pressure in persons with pulmonary hypertension. The results from human pulmonary arteries suggest that the candidate treatment-molecule might also be useful in the condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension, for which highly cost-effective drugs are lacking.” Prof Oh is also a senior consultant at the Division of Advanced Internal Medicine, National University Health System (NUHS).
Conversely, the team also found that interrupting the interaction of Galectin-1 and the L-type calcium channels could raise blood pressure. This finding could lead to new treatments for conditions in which blood pressure is too low, such as sepsis.
Source:
http://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/medias/news-info/1810-nus-scientists-discover-a-new-way-to-control-blood-pressure
Jun 6, 2018 | News
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES
Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD
From supplements to guided meditation, your diabetes treatment could include traditional medicines, alternative therapies, and natural remedies, too.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, defines complementary and alternative medicine as a “group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.” Complementary medicine is used with conventional treatments, whereas alternative medicine is used instead of conventional medicine.
Although some may be effective, others aren’t or can even be harmful. If you want to try complementary or alternative medicine, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons and what may be a good idea for you.
Alternative Treatments
Acupuncture is a procedure where a practitioner inserts very thin needles into specific points on your skin. Some scientists say that acupuncture triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers. Acupuncture has been shown to offer relief from chronic pain and is sometimes used by people with neuropathy, the painful nerve damage that can happen with diabetes.
Biofeedback is a technique that helps you become more aware of — and learn to deal with — your body’s response to pain. This therapy emphasizes relaxation and stress-reduction techniques.
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that some professionals who use biofeedback also practice. With guided imagery, you’ll think of peaceful mental images, such as ocean waves, or perhaps images of controlling or curing your disease. People using this technique say these positive images can ease their condition.
Natural Dietary Supplements
The benefit of taking chromium has been studied and debated for several years. You need the mineral to make glucose tolerance factor, which helps insulin work better. Several studies suggest that chromium supplements may improve diabetes control, but we don’t have enough information to recommend it to treat diabetes yet.
Several types of plants are referred to as ginseng, but most studies have used American ginseng. They’ve shown some sugar-lowering effects in fasting and after-meal blood sugar levels, as well as in A1c results (average blood sugar levels over a 3-month period). But we need larger and more long-term studies. Researchers also found that the amount of sugar-lowering compound in ginseng plants varies widely.
Although the relationship between magnesium and diabetes has been studied for decades, we still don’t fully understand it. Low magnesium may worsen blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes. Scientists say that it interrupts insulin secretion in the pancreas and builds insulin resistance in the body’s tissues. And evidence suggests that a magnesium deficiency may contribute to some diabetes complications. People who get more magnesium in their diet (by eating whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables) have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Vanadium is a compound found in tiny amounts in plants and animals. Early studies showed that vanadium normalized blood sugar levels in animals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When people with diabetes were given vanadium, they had a modest increase in insulin sensitivity and were able to lower their need for insulin. Researchers want to understand how vanadium works in the body, find potential side effects and set safe dosages.
Coenzyme Q10, often referred to as CoQ10 (other names include ubiquinone and ubiquinol), is a vitamin-like substance that’s in meats and seafood. CoQ10 helps cells make energy and acts as an antioxidant. But it hasn’t been shown to affect blood sugar control.
Plant Foods
Most plant foods are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. People with type 2 diabetes may focus on:
- Brewer’s yeast
- Buckwheat
- Broccoli and other related greens
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Coffee
- Okra
- Leafy greens
- Fenugreek seeds
- Sage
Some studies show that certain plant foods may help your body fight inflammation and use insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar. Cinnamon extracts can improve sugar metabolism, triggering insulin release, which also boosts cholesterol metabolism. Clove oil extracts (eugenol) have been found to help insulin work and to lower glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides. An unidentified compound in coffee (not caffeine) may enhance insulin sensitivity and lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
The scientific evidence thus far doesn’t support the role of garlic, ginger, ginseng, hawthorn, or nettle for blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
If you’re considering eating or using any plant-based remedies, talk to your doctor first.
Weight Control: Are Herbs Safe?
Since being overweight and having diabetes are linked, many people with diabetes turn to natural alternative therapies that claim to help with weight loss, including:
There is also skin patch (transdermal) systems as well as oral sprays that supposedly curb your appetite and make it easier to lose weight. (One patch system uses homeopathic amounts of 29 different compounds to reduce appetite!)
What’s the bottom line? Check with your doctor, because many of these so-called “obesity remedies” haven’t been studied, aren’t effective, or just aren’t safe.
In 2003, ephedrine — also known as ma huang — became the first herbal stimulant ever banned by the FDA. It was a popular component of over-the-counter weight loss drugs. Ephedrine had some benefits, but it could cause far more harm, especially in high doses: insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep), high blood pressure, glaucoma, and urinary retention. This herbal supplement has also been associated with numerous cases of stroke.
Chitosan comes from seashells and can bind to fat to prevent absorption. Studies thus far haven’t been encouraging for weight loss though.
Germander, Momordica charantia, Sauropus androgynus, and aristolochic acid have been linked with liver disease, pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.
A survey of herbal preparations for obesity found that many had lead or arsenic and other toxic metals. Some also had other ingredients that weren’t included on the label. And sometimes, the wrong plant was listed.
What to Consider
You should talk to your doctor about any drugs, herbal products, or alternative and complementary treatments to make sure they’re not going to interfere with your treatment or cause other problems.
Beware of claims that seem too good to be true. Look for scientific-based sources of information. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse collects resource information for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Reference Collection, a service of the National Institutes of Health. To learn more about alternative therapies for diabetes treatment, contact the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clearinghouse.
Select brands of natural products carefully — “natural” doesn’t automatically mean it’s good for you. Avoid products made with more than one herb. Read labels: Look for the herb’s common and scientific name, the name and address of the manufacturer, a batch and lot number, expiration date, dosage guidelines, and potential side effects.
Stop taking the product and call your doctor right away if you:
- Feel queasy or throw up
- Have a fast heartbeat
- Feel more anxious, worried, or unsettled than usual
- Can’t sleep
- Get diarrhea
- Get skin rashes
WebMD Medical Reference
May 7, 2018 | News
ROHSI ANNOUNCES UPCOMING GLOBALGIVING FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Rays of Hope Support Initiative’s (ROHSI) mission is to provide a platform to wellness by providing health awareness programs and treatment to all in need of care. $10,000 will provide
- Training to 10 qualified health volunteers
- Screening and medicine to at least 400 people with hypertension or diabetes
- Education and advocacy to 5,000 people in at least five different communities
Challenge
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of hypertension in the world, with studies showing rates between 30% and 45%. Hypertension accounts for about 25% of emergencies in Nigerian hospitals. Researchers recommend increased awareness and interventions for prevention and early detection of hypertension. This is particularly urgent in Oyo State. Even with early diagnosis, high cost of medication is forcing patients to seek an alternative to drugs. Some patients forego treatment altogether. Without treatment, Hypertension can lead to severe illness or early death.
There is a relationship between Hypertension and Diabetes, which is also on the rise in Nigeria. Diabetes leads to Hypertension, and Hypertension leads to increased complications from Diabetes.
Solution
Rays of Hope Support Initiative will
- Continue raising awareness and educating about Hypertension and Diabetes in underserved communities, expanding our reach to 5,000 people in at least five different communities
- Provide training to 10 volunteers, or “Health Champions”
- Provide medical screening, medications, and nutritional supplements to at least 400 of those with the greatest need
Providing treatment to those with an existing condition can help reduce the rate of illness and death, while educating about proper diet and exercise will improve health and well-being through prevention.
Long-term Impact
ROHSI aims to reduce the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria in the long-term. We will create partnerships with government health agencies and community development associations to bring awareness and treatment to more communities. We will get closer to our vision of a low prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria, but we can’t do it without your help!
Contact
Rays of Hope Support Initiative
Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
+234 805 674 9931
contact@rohi.org
www.rohsi.org
Twitter: @ROHSI3
Facebook: @ROHSI3
Campaign begins June 1, 2018 at https://www.globalgiving.org/
May 5, 2018 | Healthy Tips
By Malia Frey | Reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD
Losing weight is hard for everyone. But weight loss tips for women over 40 need to take into account the unique hormonal changes, lifestyle adjustments, and exercise considerations that we deal with when we hit that special age.
If you’re over 40, weight loss is still possible. But you need to plan ahead, exercise smarter and eat a good diet full of key nutrients that will keep your body young and strong. Use these diet tips, meal plans and fitness routines to get and keep the body you deserve.
See Your Doctor
When you’re over 40, weight loss may play a big role in your overall well-being and your ability to age well. When you go in for your annual check-up or before you start a diet, talk to your healthcare provider. Find out if weight loss might improve your health. You may be able to decrease your risk for disease or even stop taking certain medications if you lose weight. And having that important information may help you to stay motivated when weight loss becomes challenging
Prevent Menopausal Weight Gain
Are menopausal changes affecting your weight? Many women struggle with weight loss before, during, and sometimes even long after menopause. Weight gain at this time may be related to changes in your hormones. But this is also a time when many women make changes to their daily routines that may affect their weight. For example, after the kids leave home some women are not as busy during the day with non-exercise physical activities like carrying groceries, lifting laundry baskets and other household chores. Evaluate your lifestyle to make sure that a change in your daily habits isn’t affecting your weight.
Reboot Your Confidence
Who says sex appeal fades as you age? Many women say that their 40s are the sexiest decade. Often, women experience renewed confidence, professional success and a more sultry sense of self during this decade. So why not use it to your advantage? If you’re trying to reshape your body or lose weight in your 40s, a renewed sense of confidence and sex appeal will help you reach your goals. You might think that you’ll feel better about your body after the diet, but the truth is that if you feel better about yourself before you diet, you’ll be better equipped to manage the lifestyle changes necessary for weight loss.
Set Goals for Over-40 Weight Loss
Your 40s are not the time to try fad diets for quick weight loss. You’re smarter than that. You need a plan for long-term health, well-being, weight loss and weight maintenance. To do that, set SMART goals. SMART goals are used by motivational coaches to help anyone become more successful. If you want your weight loss plan to work, you’ll set one too. It takes just 30 minutes or less to set up and it provides a roadmap for your entire weight loss journey.
Increase Your Energy
Your sleep habits, you’re eating habits, and your work habits may lead to poor sleep. It’s very hard to slim down when you’re not resting properly. To lose weight over 40, you should increase your energy using natural, healthy methods. First, make small changes to improve your sleep at night. Then during the day, steer clear of high-calorie coffee drinks and other beverages that cause weight gain and use diet-friendly methods to boost your energy instead.
Build a Balanced Workout Program
In your 20s and 30s, you may have been able to lose weight with a walking program or simply by staying more active during the day. But in your 40s, losing weight takes smarter planning. You need three types of exercise to slim down, tone up and stay healthy. Make sure you incorporate cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching into your weekly program. Each type of exercise provides unique weight loss benefits.
Change Your Diet
There is no single diet plan that works for everyone. But a diet plan for your 40s should be one that you can use to reach your weight loss goals and then modify and stick to for life. Evaluate your current eating style, think about your past diet history and choose a diet that fits your needs. Evaluate commercial diet plans or create your own eating plan at home.
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May 5, 2018 | Healthy Tips
Signs Can Vary In Women, Men, Children, And The Elderly
By Jerry Kennard | Reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD
Anyone who has ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI) knows full well how frustrating and uncomfortable they can be. Even a mild case can cause pain when urinating, an increased urge to urinate, and blood or pus in the urine. If the infection moves from the bladder to the kidneys, the condition can get worse, triggering severe back pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in rare cases, kidney damage.
And, it’s not just adults who can be affected. Newborns and children can also get UTIs, and those occurring in the elderly can sometimes be life-threatening. By knowing the signs and symptoms of a UTI, you can seek treatment and avoid many of complications of this all-too-common infection.
Frequent Symptoms
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection are largely defined by their location in the urinary system. Broadly speaking, there are two types of UTI:
A lower urinary tract infection is one that occurs in the bladder or urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). It is commonly referred to as a bladder infection.
An upper urinary tract infection involves the kidneys and ureters (the duct through which urine passes from the kidneys to the bladder). An infection of the kidneys is also referred to as pyelonephritis.
Lower Urinary Tract (Bladder Infection)
A lower urinary tract infection typically occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and cause an infection in the bladder.
When symptoms appear, they often start with a dull ache or discomfort in the pelvis or urethra. Usually, within hours, the UTI will manifest with characteristic symptoms, including:
Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
An increased urge to urinate (urinary urgency)
The need to get up at night to urinate (nocturia)
Inability to hold your urine (urinary incontinence)
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Foul-smelling urine
Cloudy urine caused by pus (pyuria)
Bloody urine (hematuria)
Pus discharge from the urethra
Lower abdominal discomfort
Pelvic pain in women
Low-grade fever
Fatigue
Upper Urinary Tract (Pyelonephritis)
A bladder infection that has migrated to the kidneys is usually considered serious and in need of urgent medical care. Pyelonephritis can cause systemic (all-body) symptoms that are not only more overt but frequently debilitating.
Signs of pyelonephritis may include:
A high fever (over 100.4 degrees)
Body chills
Rigors (shivering and sweating accompanied by a rise in temperature)
Nausea or vomiting
Flank pain (pain that’s usually deep and high in the back or sides, though it can be present in the upper abdomen)
Special Populations
Babies, young children, and the elderly are also commonly affected by UTIs and often in vastly different ways. The main challenge in the very young and very old is that the classic signs are frequently either missing or misattributed to other causes.
With new-borns especially, the only clues you may have are a persistent fussiness or crying accompanied by odd-smelling urine and the refusal to eat.
This is why it is important to always to discuss your baby’s bowel and urinary habits at every doctor visit, however mild or incidental the changes may seem.
In contrast, the signs of a UTIs in toddlers and younger children will be more characteristic and may include dysuria, urinary urgency, daytime incontinence (enuresis), or the rubbing or grabbing of the genitals.
A UTI in the elderly will usually not have any of the traditional symptoms seen in other adults. These may include urinary incontinence and mental confusion (caused by the bacterial penetration of the blood-brain barrier). If your loved one is older, the main clues to watch out for are sudden changes in behavior and bladder control, especially if accompanied by lower abdominal pain or strong-smelling urine.
Complications
UTI complications often occur as result of an untreated or undertreated infection. The risk is also high in people with an underlying kidney disorder, diabetes, or diseases that cause immune impairment (such as HIV).
Complications of a urinary tract infection include:
Recurrent UTIs occurring at least twice in six months or four times in a year, most commonly in women
Urethral narrowing (stricture) in men with recurrent infections
Increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in pregnancy
Permanent kidney damage
Sepsis (a potentially life-threatening, whole-body inflammatory response caused by a severe infection)
In Children
Because a urinary tract infection in new-borns will often have few, if any, of the classic signs of a UTI, a child may only become symptomatic when sepsis (also referred to as urosepsis) develops. Sepsis is always considered a medical emergency.
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if your baby develops some or all of the following symptoms:
Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
High Fever
Decreased tone (floppiness)
Vomiting
Cloudy or bloody urine
Irregular breathing
Pale pallor or even a bluish skin tone (cyanosis)
A bulging of the soft spot on the back of the head triggered by the development of meningitis
In the Elderly
Since UTIs are frequently missed in the elderly, the infection may only become apparent when urosepsis starts to affect the brain and other vital organs.
Symptoms include of this dangerous complication include:
An abnormally rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
High fever or hypothermia (body temperatures below 95 degrees)
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Profuse sweating
Sudden extreme anxiety
Severe back, abdominal, or pelvic pain
Dementia-like symptoms triggered by the development of brain inflammation (encephalitis)
If left untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and death.
When to See a Doctor
While milder UTIs will often go away on their own without treatment, you shouldn’t avoid seeing a doctor if the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days.
With that being said, if you develop signs of a kidney infection, including flank pain, nausea, or vomiting, you need to see a doctor immediately.
If you are pregnant, you should never take a chance with UTIs, especially if you have diabetes, HIV, or have had previous infections. Even mild symptoms should be looked at, treated, and monitored to ensure that the infection is fully cleared.
Without exception, any symptoms of suggestive of sepsis should be treated as a medical emergency. This is especially true in babies or the elderly.
Sources:
Heppner, H.; Yapan, F.; and Wiedermann, A. “Urosepsis in Geriatric Patients.” Aktuelle Urol. 2016;47(1):54-9. DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-106184.
Robinson, J.; Findlay, J.; Lang, M. et al. “Urinary tract infections in infants and children: Diagnosis and management.” Paediatr Child Health. 2014; 19(6):315-19.
Schwartz, B. (2014) “Urinary Tract Infections.” In: Levinson, W. eds. Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 13e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Solomon, C. “Urinary Tract Infections in Older Men.” N Engl J Med. 2016; 374:562-571. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1503950.
