Ritalin as a possible treatment for TBI?

Traumatic brain injuries are all too common in today’s world, and they are most often caused by accidents involving cars, bicycles, pedestrians or motorcycles. In 2008, a study reported that 19% of returning United States military personal who had spent time in Afghanistan or Iraq may have sustained brain injuries while serving. Extensive research is currently being conducted on treatments for TBI, and recent studies on the effects of Ritalin on injuries to the brain’s frontal lobes have been promising.

TBI often results in damage to the brain’s frontal lobes. The frontal lobes can easily hit the inside of the skull when the front of the head suffers an impact. Since the brain is quite soft, approximately the same consistency as toothpaste, the frontal lobes can sustain significant injury even from a mild blow. When the point of impact is on the back of the head, the brain can bounce backwards and then forwards again, causing the frontal lobes to hit the front of the skull and often injuring the back of the brain, too.

Complicated brain functions like planning, judgment calls and decision making are the responsibilities of the frontal lobes. These functions are often referred to as “executive functions,” and when an individual’s frontal lobes are compromised by injury, he frequently has trouble making decisions and initiating activity. Emotions are also regulated and inhibited by the frontal lobes, so TBI survivors with damage to the frontal lobes can be impulsive, moody, short-tempered and poor at making decisions. This limited impulse-control and increased level of anxiety and frustration can make these individuals very vulnerable to problems with substance abuse.

TBI survivors with frontal lobe damage have some symptoms that overlap those of patients with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, including difficulty concentrating, trouble focusing and poor decision-making abilities. Popular treatments for ADHD include Ritalin and drugs similar to Ritalin that stimulate the frontal lobes of the brain. These drugs help those with ADHD control their impulsiveness and increase their abilities to plan and make careful decisions.

Because of similarities between the characteristics of ADHD and the symptoms seen in TBI survivors with frontal-lobe injuries, studies have been conducted to find out if medication used to treat ADHD can also help patients with TBI. These studies have found evidence that Ritalin can help some TBI survivors increase their levels of self-control and decrease their impulsiveness. Improvements in concentration and ability to focus have also been found in TBI survivors treated with Ritalin.

The University of Washington, which is one of the main centers for the treatment of TBI in the United States, is pioneering a study on the effects of Ritalin on short-term memory in TBI survivors. If this study supports previous research on the benefits of Ritalin for those with frontal lobe injuries, the medication could become a simple and cost-effective treatment that boosts the efficiency of traditional, rehabilitation-focused TBI treatment.

Words of Encouragment Boost Morale for Pinstripe Players

The new Yankee Stadium will host it’s inaugural NCAA Football Bowl game next week on December 30th, 2010 at 3:30pm.  As it happens, the Syracuse University Orange, known throughout the northeast as “New York’s College Team” will be there to faceoff against Kansas State in front of a stadium full of fans likely to resemble that of a Carrier Dome home game back in Syracuse, NY.  The Pinstripe Bowl bid that the Orange received is not the warmest won by far, having a chance at playing in locations such as Florida and Texas.  However, the inaugural game at the New Yankee Stadium is sure to carry much more historical significance than a bowl game elsewhere this year.  The “twelfth man” on the field that day is sure to give the Orange an edge which any team an be excited about going into a big game such as this one.  However, the hometown type of crowd might not be the only source of encouragement for the Syracuse players next week.

Just a few weeks ago the Orange found out that they were losing their Senior punter, Rob Long, due to season ending brain surgery.  Long, notorious for his above average punts, had been having trouble his last couple of games before the regular season ended.  He did not know that the severe headaches and illness he was facing for the previous 7 weeks were indications of a game changing injury.  The injury was likely effecting his ability to perform his task on the field regardless of how well he still managed to do it throughout most of the season.  It wasn’t until the very end of the season that a test confirmed the presence of a brain tumor, then thought to be benign.

Syracuse head coach, Doug Marrone, was trying to come to terms with it all – Long being enthusiastic about football and life in general, the timing of him finding out as the team secures a bowl bid, etc. Marrone said he was amazed with Long’s optimism after finding out.  He quoted Long as saying, “Well coach, you have to go out and win a football game.”

Long received the news of the brain tumor on Dec. 2, 2010.  He had his surgery to remove the tumor on Dec 14th.  Pathology performed on the remaining tissue revealed malignant cells which will require further treatment. The news is devastating to Long, his family, his friends and the entire Orange community.  However, a statement that Long gave after hearing the news about the malignant cells contained all words of encouragement for himself, his family and his team.  He his hopeful that he will overcome this. His optimism throughout the whole process has given his teammates strength both on and off the field.  There is no doubt that on December 30th, Long will be at the game with the team, although not physically, surely emotionally and within the spirits of his teammates.

CareMeridian always maintains HOPE for the best possible recovery.  Wishing Rob Long and the entire Orange community good news and a speedy recovery this holiday season.

NFL Revisiting Helmet-to-Helmet Hit Rules

The NFL is heading into it’s 7th week of regular season games but not without the NFL policy makers evaluating the rules for helmet-to-helmet and other violent hits after week 6 took it’s toll on a plethora of players.  CNN has the story posted on their homepage today reporting that the NFL’s Mohamad Massaquoi, (Cleveland Browns), Joshua Cribbs (Cleveland Browns), Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens), DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), Dunta Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) and Zack Follett (Detroit Lions) all fell victim to some sort of head or other serious injury (including concussions) stemming from helmet-to-helmet hits or other types of head on collisions or violent hits taken while being completely defenseless.    In a worse situation Saturday, college football’s Eric LeGrand (Rutgers) was left paralyzed from the neck down after attempting a tackle.

The general consensus after a weekend long observance of serious injuries sustained through NFL and college football is that the rules need to me much stricter regarding blows to the head and hits on defenseless players.  Immediate ejections need to result, fines need to be greater and suspensions must be longer.  The number of athletes involved in contact sports are all too often finding themselves headed to a skilled nursing facility to undergo long term traumatic brain injury rehabilitation or sustained spinal cord rehabilitation.  Hopefully the reevaluation of the NFL policies will help ward off the frequency at which these injuries take place.

Dementia’s Combatant Could Be Education

Education is the key to many of life’s answers, but science has now shown that education can be helpful when it comes to the onset of dementia. Dementia is the loss of cognitive ability in the mind. It causes forgetfulness, impaired function, and other mental illnesses for the victim. It can steal someone’s life and at times may even make them forget that they had one altogether. This disease is something that effects millions of people, but science has shown that even just one extra year of education can do it’s part to help fight against the disease and even prevent it.

People who follow through with higher education have been shown to be able to better deal with the symptoms of dementia, researchers and medical professionals have found. If this wasn’t enough incentive to get more education, researchers have also found that another year of education cuts the risk of developing the disease greatly and can even help to prevent it fully. This study was done by looking at the pathology of various subject’s brain and cognitive abilities and a relationship was found between people who were able to deal and avoid dementia and those who went on to have many years of education.

Education has many benefits, but now science shows that going to school not only helps you reach your goals, but also may help to ward off dementia so you can maintain memories of that life.

Stomach Health Effected by Stress?

Almost everyone has felt that hallowing, painful feeling in the pit of their stomach at some point or another. Sometimes it could be chalked up to improper digestion issues, or an unfamiliar mix of food and drink.  Sometimes it’s due to hunger.  Regardless of the cause, the majority of the time people find a way to control it and move on. However, in some instances others can’t do anything to stop it from lingering. It has become apparent over time that inexplicable stomachaches have a strong correlation with the presence of heightened levels of stress.  Nowadays it is common for a doctor to diagnose a stomachache as an effect of stress. Unfortunately, advanced scientific research is correlating long term stress with severe stomach implications and doctors are warning people that if they can’t handle stress properly then severe stomach problems may ensue.

One of these stomach problems is IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This ailment, which is a chronic disease that inflames the intestines, affects as many as a million Americans a year. Now stress may not directly cause IBD but it can aggravate the body into such a state that it may have a chance to occur and even cause more damage. In fact, researchers in a Canadian study surveyed people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and found that there was no real difference in flare-ups between the people on medication and people who were not. However, they did find a difference in flare-ups between people who were stressed. People who had more flare-ups of the ailment also had more stress and reported bad moods over the period of the study. Therefore, the correlation between the mental problem of stress and the physical problem of IBD has given researchers reason to link the two.

This also goes to show the mind’s power over the body and that if stress is handled properly then people who suffer from certain stomach ailments may be able to curb the pains that are caused. Doctors go on to say that in order to avoid excessive stress people should try to be mindful of stressful situation and steer clear of them. Spending time outdoors or receiving a relaxing massage at a spa might just be a couple of ways of avoiding stomach implications.

Biofeedback May Help To Curb Stage Fright

At one point or another all of us have had some sort of stage fright. Maybe we had to talk in front a classroom or give a presentation at work, but we all know what it feels like to be under the lights. The sweaty palms, the nervous stomach, the spinning head all work against you when you have to be in front of a crowd. It’s even worst for people that are stage performers who have musical performance anxiety (MPA), which affects 30 to 80 percent of people in the musical arts. Most give the tips of just dealing with the stress or that it’s “just mind over matter” but now research has come up with a way to get the heebie-jeebies out of your system before hitting the stage.

Studies showed that biofeedback machines helped musicians come to terms with their stage fright by training them to have more positive responses to stress that occurred from being on stage. Musicians in the study were hooked up to a machine via ear and fingertip monitors that showed them their emotional responses to anxiety brought on by stress and happiness brought on by joy. The stress patterns were shown to be rocky while the happiness patterns on the machine were smooth. After working with the machine for a few sessions most musicians were able to understand their emotional responses and have a better hold of their feelings when on stage. After the test was taken the musicians in the study reported a 70 percent improvement in their playing ability as well as a decrease in stage fright.

So as much as picturing your audience in their underwear may work as a way to curb your stage fright, it may be easier and more scientific to go the biofeedback route in order to have a good show.

Tanning Beds Pose Greater Cancer Risk

For many, having a bronzed look is one of their favorite things about the summer season. They believe a nice tan makes you look healthier and more attractive. There is also an assumption that is made that being tan means you spend most of your time outside implying you could be active and fun. However, there has always been health risks associated with too much sun, including sun burn and skin cancer.  Worse off, the stigma associated with being tan has paved the way for tanning bed technology to spread rapidly, causing flocks of people to “fake bake” all year long.  The problem with this is that studies are linking an increase in the risk of developing cancer with the increased use of tanning beds.

Research has shown that using tanning beds presents you with a 74 percent higher risk of developing melanoma, otherwise known as skin cancer. The findings showed the risks went up even higher depending how many years someone used the beds, how many hours they used it, and how many sessions a week the person were under the lights. Studies are not exact, and it seems as though new research comes out constantly, but this research puts up a strong argument that tanning beds have a distinct link to a risk of skin cancer.

The study was conducted by having over 1,500 people who were diagnosed with melanoma fill out a questionnaire and be interviewed regarding their relationship to indoor tanning. How early did they start tanning, how many times a week they did it, and what was the intensity of the session were all question posed during the study. After doing this, researchers found that the risk for cancer increased with use and with intensity of the session showing a connection between the two.

This is alarming considering the popularity of tanning in America especially among America’s youth. Hopefully this study will help people think twice about fake sun tanning and bring more consideration to the risks involved with achieving a “look” at the expense of their health.

For The Nearsighted, Lens Implant Could Be A Better Option Than LASIK

Glasses, contact lenses, and laser corrective eye surgery have all been options for those who have difficult seeing. However, each of those options come with a distinct downside to them. Glasses can get in the way especially during physical activity, contact lenses can be a pain to take care of and can easily be lost, and laser corrective eye surgery is both expensive and unproven as an effective and safe alternative to the other two options. Now, research has shown that there might be a fourth and unused option for people who want to see clearly.

Implantable lenses could be a safe and effective alternative to getting the recently popular laser corrective eye surgery. This implant could go a long way into helping nearsighted people who want to be able to see and hate wearing glasses and/or contacts, but don’t want to take on the unknown risks of surgeries like LASIK. What LASIK does is help flattened the cornea of the eye, which allows visuals to come into focus on the retina. This procedure, while popular, isn’t nearly effective in people who have really bad eyesight and can become less predictable over time. This is why inserting plastic lenses into the eye itself is now being seen as a viable option.

These lenses are now being tested against laser surgery to see which one will be more beneficial to people who need it the most. The lenses are still in the research stages and would run someone around $3,000 – $5,000 per eye. Nonetheless, this option to help people see is on the way and it could be the best option yet.

Chocolate Consumption And Depression May Be Connected

Everyone loves chocolate, there’s really no denying it. It’s fun, it’s tastes good, and it generally makes you feel better when you’re feeling down. This is why so many people love to consume it. However, new studies have shown that if you’re feeling down in the dumps you may not be eating chocolate to feel better, you may be eating chocolate because your mind is making you.

A new study has shown that people who are depressed eat considerably more chocolate products than people who are generally happy. Researchers believe that these studies finally present a link between emotions and chocolate consumption. The studies showed that people who were considered depressed ate on average about 8.4 servings of chocolate each month, which is about three servings higher that people who were not considered depressed. These numbers were even higher for people who had severe depression with many of those individuals consuming upwards of eleven servings of chocolate each month.

Researchers of the study are theorizing that the mood centers of the brain are in control of consumption and that chocolate provides certain antioxidants that the brain craved while depressed, but they are not for sure why this correlation exists. Either way, now science has shown that if you’re eating a lot of chocolate when you’re sad it may not even have been your conscious choice.

People Who Are Depressed Are Also Most Likely To Smoke, New Study Shows

For the millions of people who are trying to quit smoking, a new study has shown that they may be fighting two battles to end the habit. A new government survey has shown that over 40 percent of people in the United States who smoke also have some form of depression. This is a telling statistic for the millions of people who are desperately trying to quit smoking. Fighting off the addiction that comes with smoking is one thing, but doing so while dealing with depression opens up a new area of problems and struggles.

The national survey looked at over 5,000 people and found that 43 percent of people over the age of 20 were both smokers and depressed compared to the 22 percent that were not. From a gender perspective, the survey found that more than half of women under the age of 40 with depression were also smokers while the number for middle-aged men with depression who also smoked was more than half. This study obviously showed a connection between depression and the reason people smoke, but it also showed a connection between depression, smoking, and gender with men who are depressed being more likely to smoke.

Depression is a major health issue in the country and when taking into account this national survey it shows that the health concerns have grown. If the survey shows anything it’s that it’s important to recognize depression and be able to treat it with the help of medical professionals rather than a pack of cigarettes.