Browsed by
Month: September 2024

A study reveals that certain newer migraine medications are less effective than older ones.

A study reveals that certain newer migraine medications are less effective than older ones.

Comments 0 Comment

Although migraine attacks can be excruciating, numerous medications can be used to treat them. Certain triptans may be a better migraine treatment than more recently developed drugs, according to a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Recommendations for treating migraines may benefit from the review’s conclusions. Choosing the appropriate medication to treat migraine attacks can significantly improve symptom relief. Experts are looking for and comparing the best options for medications.

The options for treating migraine attacks with oral monotherapy were compared in a systematic review and network meta-analysis published in. The study examined data from 137 randomized controlled trials, involving nearly 90,000 individuals. All things considered, eletriptan was the best at curing pain after two hours and among the best at bringing about long-lasting pain relief. Additionally, the data suggested that some triptan treatments were superior to more modern migraine medications like ubrogepant and lasmiditan.

Most triptans are better for pain relief than newer migraine drugs
Among the many symptoms of a migraine attack are excruciating headaches that can linger for days. One common option for symptom relief is medication. Triptans are one class of drugs used to treat acute migraines; in the end, these medications help to improve migraine symptoms by constricting blood vessels and blocking pain signals.

In this review, researchers aimed to compare migraine treatments that could be administered orally. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were two of the sources they searched for studies. Among them were double-blind, randomized controlled trials that contrasted oral drugs with a placebo or alternative therapy.

Those with a migraine diagnosis and a minimum age of 18 were eligible to participate in the trials. Two hours after taking medication and two to twenty-four hours after taking medication were the focus of the research. They examined the effects of 17 different drugs and included 137 randomized controlled trials. Of the participants, 26,763 were given a placebo and 62,682 received drug-based treatments.

Every drug worked better than a placebo. Researchers compared the drug interventions and discovered that, in terms of participants using rescue medications and achieving pain relief at the 2-hour mark, eletriptan outperformed nearly all other active interventions. The next most effective drugs at two hours were zolmitriptan, sumatriptan, and rizatriptan. Researchers who looked at long-term pain relief discovered that ibuprofen and eletriptan worked best.

The more recently developed migraine treatment drugs, lasmiditan, rimegepant, and ubrogepant, were found to be less effective than eletriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan. According to our analysis, the best drugs for treating acute migraine attacks are zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and eletriptan. This new understanding indicates that the current guidelines, which treat all oral triptans as equally viable, need to be revised. Our results unmistakably show a preference order for triptan use, a change that calls for revisions to our clinical practice guidelines. On the other hand, it is now demonstrated that almotriptan, frovatriptan, and naratriptan are less effective.

Should more people be using triptans for migraine?
Approximately 10% of the global population experiences migraines. It’s crucial to provide treatment alternatives, and information such as this review might assist in shaping treatment suggestions in the long run. Cipriani pointed out that despite their efficacy, triptans are underutilized, as per European population-based statistics, with only 3.4% to 22.4% of migraine sufferers utilizing triptans. Our findings indicate that certain triptans are the most potent oral medication for alleviating acute migraine attacks, emphasizing the necessity to enhance knowledge among healthcare providers and policymakers to promote improved patient care.

It is my hope that this study will contribute to the awareness of particular migraine treatments. One advantage is that this research may facilitate discussions about particular migraine treatments with primary care physicians. It is important to talk with medical professionals about using the recommended dosage of triptan and switching to a different medication when necessary. Another crucial point is that, given the expense of gepants for some migraine sufferers, particularly in underdeveloped nations, triptans may be more widely available than them.

Triptans are the preferred treatment option for the relief of moderate-to-severe migraine pain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, so it’s important to keep that in mind as well. Additionally, some triptan side effects that physicians should take into account in clinical practice were highlighted in this review. For instance, chest pain was linked to eletriptan. The review authors also mentioned that some people are not always safe to take triptans. They added that more investigation may be needed to reevaluate the vascular contraindications to triptans.

How surprising were these results?
In Fountain Valley, California, at the Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, Medhat Mikhael, MD, a pain management specialist and medical director of the nonoperative program, who was not involved in the review, stated he did not find the results surprising. I anticipated these outcomes because, as he explained, the triptan family of medications acts by binding to serotonin receptors, which causes the trigeminal artery to vasoconstriction, effectively and swiftly ending an acute migraine attack.

Hormonal fluctuations, genetic predispositions, and various triggers are among the causes of migraine. He explained that a migraine is caused by inflammation and dilation of the trigeminal artery, which results in a throbbing headache and other related symptoms. Nevertheless, it is important to realize that triptans constrict other blood vessels, such as the coronary arteries, in the same way that they constrict the trigeminal artery. For this reason, patients with cardiac disorders or other cardiovascular diseases should not take them. Mikhael warned that they can also result in other unpleasant side effects, such as tightness in the chest.

How strong is the evidence supporting these findings?
One of the review’s limitations is that certain data may have been overlooked or excluded from the analysis due to the inclusion and exclusion criteria that were set. For instance, the researchers only included studies with outpatient participants and only drugs that complied with specific guidelines. The authors admitted that it’s possible they counted some studies twice or overlooked others when doing their analyses.

The results might have been impacted by the data that was used, such as the decision to include both published and unpublished studies. Additionally, participants with missing data were thought to have had unfavorable results and were limited to viewing data on pain relapse on three different medications for a maximum of two days. It is important to exercise caution when examining the results of this review and analysis because they make the assumption that it is possible to draw valid conclusions from this data in an indirect manner.

Furthermore, it’s critical to recognize that each included study has unique limitations that could have had an impact on the final results. For instance, a number of the studies were funded by the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting potential bias. More diverse study cohorts may be needed in the future because the majority of participants were female and the majority of trials originated in America and Europe. Additionally, the researchers did not have data on combination drugs or the administration of medications through alternative routes, nor did they have individual patient data.

Moreover, they did not concentrate on data regarding response consistency between migraine episodes, cost-effectiveness, or the kind of oral formulation. They did not examine certain clinical issues that could direct treatments in the clinical setting, nor were they able to quantify certain outcomes. It’s also important to remember that the researchers’ analysis of the evidence’s degree of certainty revealed that it ranged from high to extremely low. They admonished us that, for the majority of comparisons, our findings could be considered low or very low.

They discovered that a small number of studies had a high risk of bias for some outcomes, that most outcomes showed moderate heterogeneity, and that some outcomes showed inconsistent comparisons. Lastly, the researchers pointed out that one study with a low placebo response may have contributed to the observed efficacy of ibuprofen in achieving sustained pain freedom. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the findings demonstrate how some triptans are still useful and effective treatments for migraines, even in the presence of more recent drugs.

References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/older-migraine-drugs-more-effective-than-some-newer-options-study-finds#How-strong-is-the-evidence-supporting-these-findings?

https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/products/disease/migraine-headaches

Alzheimer’s study controversy: What does it mean for future research?

Alzheimer’s study controversy: What does it mean for future research?

Comments 0 Comment

Evidence linking the development of Alzheimer’s disease to the toxic build-up of beta-amyloid protein in the brain was presented in a seminal study published in 2006. An assistant professor at Vanderbilt University recently made the suggestion that the authors of this study may have altered some of the images. What does all of this mean?

A specific beta-amyloid protein assembly in the brain impairs memory is the title of a 2006 study on dementia that was published in the journal Nature by a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota. According to the study, Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by a particular protein clump in the brain called beta-amyloid. The study demonstrated how these protein clumps, also referred to as amyloid plaques, may contribute to dementia using a mouse model.

The results of this study had a significant impact on the field of Alzheimer’s disease research. It has received more than 34,000 accesses and has been referenced in more than 2,200 scientific publications to date. According to a recent Science article, a Vanderbilt University assistant professor of neurology questions the validity of the 2006 Nature study’s findings, claiming that some of the images were altered.

What is image manipulation in peer-reviewed articles?
A photograph can be altered through the process of image manipulation. Dr. Elisabeth Bik, a microbiome and science integrity consultant at Harbers-Bik LLC, claims that it is simple to digitally edit photographs, such as when we remove a mole or wrinkle from a subject’s face in a portrait. It is forbidden to make any image modifications in scientific photography other than modest, overall contrast adjustments.

These days, the majority of journals expressly prohibit making any digital changes. However, it can be tempting and simple to digitally erase a stain or scratch from the background, add or remove cells, or alter the thickness of a protein band if an experiment is conducted and the results are not as clear or entirely different from what the researcher had anticipated. Performing some photoshopping is a far faster process than repeating the experiment.

It is not an unprecedented occurrence that the integrity of the visuals in a research study is doubted. Research conducted in 2016, of which Dr. Bik was a co-author, indicated that around 3.8% of scientific articles published in 40 journals between 1995 and 2014 contained images that could raise concerns, with around half of them hinting at intentional alteration.

What might this mean for dementia research?
Contacted Dr. Sylvain Lesné, an associate professor in the University of Minnesota’s neuroscience department, and Dr. Matthew Schrag, an assistant professor of neurology and director of the Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Clinic at Vanderbilt University, who has made the accusations against the 2006 Nature study. They didn’t reply to any of our inquiries. A public relations representative for the University of Minnesota said that the school is aware that concerns have been raised about specific images used in peer-reviewed research publications written by faculty members, and that they were going through the proper procedures to investigate any allegations made.

Given the impact of the 2006 Nature study on the field of Alzheimer’s disease research, Dr. Bik stated that additional evidence demonstrating image manipulation would be devastating to some research avenues. Lesné et al.’s Nature paper from 2006. has had a significant impact and inspired numerous researchers to repeat the study and explore the same hypothesis, she noted. Additionally, no clinical trials have been directly prompted by the AB*56 beta-amyloid work to date. However, it has sparked some additional research projects that have undergone clinical trials and taken slightly different approaches. However, Dr. Bik continued, that no experimental medication is effective against Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Bik commented It is fair to say that the 2006 Nature study has raised a lot of false hope in patients and led to a lot of wasted money and effort in research. There exist alternative theories to the beta-amyloid narrative, and it is possible that increased funding will be available to investigate them. Dr. But Grace Stutzmann, director of the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics and professor and discipline chair of neuroscience at Rosaline Franklin University of Medicine and Science, told MNT that even if the purported intentional image manipulations in the 2006 Nature study were true, she did not believe this would call into question all of the previous research in the field.

She clarified that although many other amyloid variants have been investigated and replicated across multiple labs, this case only concerns a specific single arrangement of beta-amyloid from a single lab. In actuality, it’s akin to finding a needle in a haystack because the field of Alzheimer’s disease is very broad and encompasses more than just amyloid.

The head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dr. Sara Imarisio, claims that if these claims of image manipulation are accurate, research groups may have planned experiments after the study based on a false hypothesis, wasting valuable researcher time that could have been better used elsewhere. However, she noted that the paper’s results were highly specific and that, in contrast to some reports, they haven’t had a major impact on the advancement or course of Alzheimer’s research. Genuine findings will eventually come to dominate and direct the course of future studies, while findings that are impossible to replicate will be labeled as controversial and lose credibility even for research groups operating in this specific field.

Dr. Maria C. As we move forward, Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimer’s Association, says it’s critical to remember that this investigation is limited to a small portion of Alzheimer’s and dementia research and does not represent the entirety of the body of science in the field. She continues, “Therefore, this should not impede the field’s swift pursuit of the underlying causes and other contributors to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.”. In an official statement, the Alzheimer Society of Canada expressed serious concerns about the allegations and called for further investigation. Scientific integrity is very important, and any possibility of wasting funds or time should be taken seriously.

What can journals do to prevent future misconduct?
Science, according to Dr. Charles Glabe, a professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at the University of California, Davis, depends on confidence and the knowledge that those who fabricate will eventually be exposed. Software tools that compare bands on a gel pixel by pixel were able to detect image duplication and copying, he said. This is all good, but fabricators will simply run a different gel and use that one instead of publishing the same band twice, knowing that it is easy to catch them copying bands. Furthermore, Dr. John Hardy, a professor at the UCL Queen sq. Institute of Neurology’s Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Reta Lila Weston Laboratories, informed MNT that preventing fraud is extremely challenging.

Image recognition software, which can now detect things that people had previously gotten away with, is one thing that has changed and was significant in this case, he said. This has meant quite a lot of ‘old fraud’ has now been caught like DNA testing of crime scenes. Going forward, Dr. Bik stated that scientific publishers should be more vigilant in ensuring that journals publishing research are checked for possible image manipulation. She recommended that scientific publishers invest time and resources in quality control of submitted articles. Despite their large profits, they aren’t screening manuscripts for fraud or other red flags.

They shouldn’t rely on unpaid peer reviewers who might not know how to look for misconduct; instead, they should hire specialists in statistics, ethics, and image forensics to screen such papers. Dr. Bik continued, “Journals and institutions should also penalize researchers who have been proven to have committed misconduct and retract papers much faster.”. A number of these worries regarding the Lesné papers were voiced years prior. There needs to be a change in how journals and institutions approach these issues; they are moving too slowly and warily.

References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-study-controversy-what-does-it-mean-for-future-research?utm_source=ReadNext#What-can-journals-do-to-prevent-future-misconduct?

Alzheimer’s: Are newly approved drugs making a real-life difference?

Alzheimer’s: Are newly approved drugs making a real-life difference?

Comments 0 Comment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a few new medications for treating Alzheimer’s disease since 2021, breaking a nearly two-decade hiatus. Targeting harmful protein aggregates in the brain, most of these medications are antibody therapies. Their endorsement has generated equal parts excitement and controversy. In this Special Feature, we look into the fundamental question of whether these medications are actually having an impact.

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative illness that causes thinking, memory, and eventually the capacity to carry out daily tasks to gradually and irreversibly deteriorate. Since an aging population is the primary risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, it has become a public health emergency. Globally, there were 57 million cases of Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, and by 2050, there are predicted to be 153 million cases. This emphasizes the necessity of developing disease-modifying therapies that alter the course of the illness permanently and slow its advancement.

However, attempts to create Alzheimer’s disease-modifying treatments have not been effective up until recently. The majority of clinical research aimed at creating Alzheimer’s disease-modifying treatments has concentrated on the beta-amyloid protein, whose aberrant build-up is widely thought to be the initial cause of this neurodegenerative condition. When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aducanumab, an antibody that targets amyloid-beta protein deposits, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, it was regarded as the first disease-modifying medication for the illness.

However, aducanumab’s manufacturer, Biogen, announced that it would eventually stop selling the drug after the clinical trials did not yield consistent improvements in cognitive function. Since then, phase 3 clinical trials have shown that two additional anti-amyloid antibodies Biogen’s lecanemab and Eli Lily’s donanemab can slow the cognitive decline of people with early Alzheimer’s disease, and they have been approved by the FDA. Clinicians and researchers alike have greeted the approval of lecanemab and donanemab with enthusiasm, seeing it as a breakthrough after decades of clinical research having failed to yield effective disease-modifying therapies.

However, pointing to safety concerns and a lack of cost-effectiveness, some researchers have expressed concerns about the modest clinical benefits conferred by these anti-amyloid therapies. Dag Aarsland, even though there are obstacles in the fields of medicine, society, and clinical research, we must also acknowledge the advancements that have been made possible by the fact that, following years of expensive and fruitless research, we now possess clear proof of the possibility of slowing the advancement of the disease. The introduction of these medications may hasten the development of treatments and revolutionize clinical services for Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia globally, according to Paresh Malhotra, PhD, who also noted that despite the anti-amyloid therapies’ modest efficacy, it is important to acknowledge that these drugs are the first to have clinical effects that appear to relate to a key mechanism of disease progression.

Based on the amyloid cascade theory, anti-amyloid antibody treatments like lecanemab and donanemab were developed. This theory states that the buildup of beta-amyloid protein causes additional alterations in the brain, ultimately resulting in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, it is thought that the production of beta-amyloid aggregates causes oxidative stress, inflammation, neuronal damage, loss of synapses the “links between neurons that allow them to communicate” and, eventually, cognitive decline. This is supported by the fact that beta-amyloid protein buildup occurs several years before cognitive function, such as memory and decision-making, declines.

After secretase enzymes cleave a larger amyloid precursor protein, the beta-amyloid protein is produced. The units of the beta-amyloid protein are called monomers, and these monomers can combine to form oligomers, which are soluble short chains made up of two to more than fifty monomers. In addition to forming larger, soluble protofibrils and insoluble fibrils, beta-amyloid monomers can also aggregate. The extracellular space between the neurons is then populated by the assembled insoluble fibrils, which form plaques. It was previously believed that amyloid plaques were poisonous and caused Alzheimer’s disease to develop. Over the last twenty years, research has indicated that beta-amyloid oligomers may be more harmful than amyloid plaques and may have a greater role in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is believed that decreased beta-amyloid protein synthesis or clearance is the cause of the buildup of beta-amyloid aggregates. Over the last twenty years, some medications have been created that either target the enzymes responsible for producing beta-amyloid or help to clear beta-amyloid aggregates. However, because of their serious side effects or inability to have the intended clinical effects, these medications have not been approved by the FDA. The only FDA-approved treatments that target beta-amyloid aggregates are the anti-amyloid antibodies aducanumab, lecanemab, and donanemab. The affinity of these antibodies varies for different kinds of beta-amyloid protein aggregates. While aducanumab and lecanemab bind to plaques, protofibrils, and beta-amyloid oligomers, donanemab binds to a particular form of beta-amyloid that is exclusively present in plaques. Whereas aducanumab has a higher affinity for insoluble fibrils, lecanemab exhibits the highest affinity for beta-amyloid protofibrils.

Activating an immune response against beta-amyloid aggregates and subsequently removing them is one of the proposed mechanisms by which anti-amyloid antibodies produce their therapeutic effects. Additionally, anti-amyloid antibodies may bind to oligomers and neutralize them, or they may destabilize the plaques. Aducanumab was given accelerated approval by the FDA in 2021 to treat Alzheimer’s disease because of its capacity to remove amyloid plaques. Aducanumab’s effects on cognitive function varied throughout clinical trials, despite its success in removing amyloid plaques from the brain.

A lack of evidence to support aducanumab’s therapeutic effects led to controversy surrounding the FDA’s approval process and a reluctance among prescribers to administer the medication. Furthermore, as was already mentioned, Biogen has halted aducanumab’s development and sales as of 2024. On the other hand, lecanemab and donanemab have demonstrated the capacity to remove amyloid plaques while delaying the course of the illness. Patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and lower baseline beta-amyloid levels respond better to these treatments.

Lecanemab and donanemab may now be administered intravenously to patients with early Alzheimer’s disease, including those with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease, according to FDA approval. Whereas donanemab must be given every four weeks, lecanemab is recommended to be given every two weeks. The ability for patients to stop taking donanemab treatment once total plaque clearance has been achieved is one of its special features. Amyloid plaques accumulate over some years, and it is thought that people may need only limited additional care. Lecanemab and donanemab phase 3 trial participants demonstrated a 27% and 36% slower decline in cognitive function when compared to placebo, respectively. On the other hand, some researchers contend that these results are negligible and similar to the effects of symptomatic treatments, like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which treat symptoms but do not alter the course of the illness.

Moreover, the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) was used to quantify the cognitive alterations mentioned above. Additionally, when evaluating the effectiveness of these anti-amyloid therapies based on the absolute difference in decline in cognitive function between the placebo and anti-amyloid antibody treatment groups measured directly in terms of difference in scores on the CDR-SB scale researchers found that the impact was not clinically meaningful. The Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE], one of the more objective measures of cognition, only showed a 14.8 percent slower decline in cognitive function in those receiving donanemab treatment. Put another way, it has been suggested that the data that is currently available indicates that these anti-amyloid medications may only offer a slight clinical benefit.

Dr. Espay went on to say that the case for exorbitant costs is made by the safety concerns combined with negligible clinical benefits. What is considered a clinically meaningful effect, however, is still up for debate. According to some researchers, the amyloid cascade theory is supported by the therapeutic advantages of anti-amyloid antibodies. Some, on the other hand, contend that there are still a lot of unanswered questions and that this conclusion is premature. The amyloid-beta hypothesis states that Alzheimer’s disease should have progressed more slowly as a result of aducanumab’s capacity to remove plaques. Opponents counter that while aducanumab effectively removed amyloid plaques in trials, there were inconsistent positive clinical outcomes. Comparably, in patients enrolled in the phase III trial, donanemab eliminated approximately 85% of plaques but only caused a 14.8 percent slower decline in cognitive function, as determined by MMSE scores.

Crucially, the amyloid cascade theory served as the foundation for the FDA’s decision to approve aducanumab. The buildup of the tau protein within neurons is another aspect of Alzheimer’s disease, and the degree of tau accumulation—rather than beta-amyloid accumulation is linked to the severity of cognitive decline. Pharmaceutical interventions that aim to lower beta-amyloid levels or its production are capitalizing on the notion that beta-amyloid is a key factor in the development and advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. This theory has received a lot of criticism. Additionally, these drugs’ clinical trial results show a low level of efficacy and a high level of risk.

Because of this, some researchers contend that the modest efficacy of anti-amyloid antibodies suggests that the beta-amyloid pathway contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease along with other pathways, rather than showing that the beta-amyloid pathway plays a focal role in the disease’s development. This theory contends that Alzheimer’s disease is also influenced by a complex web of variables, such as those connected to the environment, oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic variables, and genes unrelated to the amyloid pathway. This perspective also suggests that anti-amyloid medications may be used in conjunction with other treatments to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

On the other hand, beta-amyloid aggregation might be a byproduct of other malfunctioning biological pathways or a downstream phenomenon. It is now evident that metabolic dysfunction upstream of amyloid plaque formation is crucial for the activation of the brain’s microglial cells, and this phenotypic shift reduces beta-amyloid degradation while simultaneously enhancing its formation, according to Perlmutter. Furthermore, two key characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease are synaptic degradation and neuronal viability being threatened by microglial activation. As a result, treatments that target brain metabolism will probably be very beneficial for Alzheimer’s disease, as early research employing GLP-1 agonists has now shown, continued Perlmutter.

Anti-amyloid antibody therapies have modest clinical benefits, but their risks, costs, and accessibility must be considered before pursuing them. A considerable percentage of participants in the phase 3 clinical trials for lecanemab (45%) and donanemab (89%), experienced adverse effects. For example, individuals receiving anti-amyloid antibody therapy frequently exhibit brain alterations referred to as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). These alterations, which are detected on routine follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, involve either small areas of bleeding from blood vessel rupture (microhemorrhage) or brain swelling (edema).

For example, in phase 3 trials, ARIA was observed in 21% and 38%, respectively, of patients treated with lecanemab and donanemab. The majority of ARIA cases have no symptoms and go away in ten weeks. Although the majority of ARIA cases have mild to moderate symptoms, there have also been reports of severe side effects, including seizures and even death. For example, in the phase III donanemab clinical trial, approximately 16% of participants had severe adverse effects associated with ARIA, while the donanemab group had a 0 point35% death rate.

The long-term consequences of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, even when they are mild to moderate in severity, are unknown, which raises concerns beyond these serious side effects. Adverse reactions like nausea, fever, rash, and dizziness are also linked to the infusion of these anti-amyloid antibodies. Reactions related to infusion were noted in 24.7% and 8.7%, respectively, of patients receiving lecanemab and donanemab treatment. Frequent magnetic resonance imaging scans and clinical follow-ups are necessary due to amyloid-related imaging abnormalities and other side effects. In the phase III trials for lecanemab and donanemab, people with at least one copy of the APOE4 gene—a gene associated with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease were more likely to experience brain swelling.

Additionally, these medications were less effective in people who carried one or more copies of APOE4. Thus, before starting anti-amyloid therapy, people must undergo genetic screening. Anti-amyloid immunotherapies are also linked to a decrease in the volume of the entire brain combined with an increase in the volume of the brain’s ventricles, which are spaces filled with fluid. Reduced cognition is linked to an increase in ventricle volume and a decrease in whole brain volume.

It’s unclear, though, if these modifications in brain volume and cognitive function are causally related. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effects of these modifications in brain volume following anti-amyloid therapies. It’s interesting to note that the hippocampus, a part of the brain important for memory and learning, saw a lesser decrease in volume following donanemab therapy. The likelihood of a few Alzheimer’s patients in the general population meeting the requirements to be enrolled in lecanemab or donanemab clinical trials is low. These studies involved younger patients with fewer co-occurring medical conditions. Treatment for a real-world population of people with co-occurring conditions and Alzheimer’s disease is therefore likely to result in a higher rate of adverse events or lower efficacy.

The identification and diagnosis of patients who qualify for anti-amyloid therapies presents another difficulty for the healthcare system, in addition to managing side effects. The majority of Alzheimer’s patients do not receive a diagnosis until later in the illness, and to identify the disease early, many people would need to be screened using imaging scans or biomarkers of the cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, widespread availability would require a significant financial outlay for the detection and diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, APOE4 genetic testing, and the tracking and treatment of ARIAs and infusion-related reactions, regardless of their severity.

Certain diagnostic tests are needed to confirm eligibility for new treatment, and in the UK, one-third of dementia patients do not receive a diagnosis at all. To make sure that those who qualify for new treatments can receive them when they’re most effective which seems to be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease investments in diagnostic infrastructure and workforce are required. Lecanemab infusions cost about $26,000, while donanemab infusions cost about $32,000 per year. The price of genetic testing, screening and diagnosis, and tracking and controlling side effects are not included in this, though. However, there is a chance that new biomarkers for tracking treatment outcomes and improvements in diagnostic techniques will lower costs and increase accessibility to anti-amyloid medications.

References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-are-newly-approved-drugs-making-a-real-life-difference#Amyloid-cascade-hypothesis-and-Alzheimers-research

Medical Myths: All about cholesterol

Medical Myths: All about cholesterol

Comments 0 Comment

Among all the substances found in our bodies, cholesterol is arguably the most well-known. Even though everyone is familiar with this fatty substance, there is a lot of misinformation about it. We shed some light on cholesterol in this article.

Since cholesterol is a necessary part of animal cell membranes, all animal cells synthesize it. Despite its unfavorable reputation, cholesterol is necessary for life. On the other hand, high blood levels of it raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. Plaques containing cholesterol and other materials, like fat and calcium, accumulate on the artery walls. This causes the blood vessels to narrow over time, which can result in complications like heart attacks and strokes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 13% of Americans who were 20 years of age or older had high cholesterol in 2015–2016. According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), elevated cholesterol levels cause 26 million deaths annually. It is not surprising that there is a lot of false information regarding cholesterol given its prevalence. So, to help us separate fact from fiction.

All cholesterol is bad
As indicated in the introduction, cholesterol is an essential part of membranes found in cells. In addition to playing a structural role in membranes, it is essential for the synthesis of bile acid, vitamin D, and steroid hormones. Therefore, even though high cholesterol raises the risk of disease, without cholesterol, life would not be possible.

Cholesterol is not harmful. In today’s modern world, an innocent bystander is being mistreated. Because our bodies were not made to survive in an environment where food was abundant, excess cholesterol will be stored in our bodies. And our blood vessels are frequently that deposit center, which is when it becomes harmful to us. In addition to its physiological roles, cholesterol’s mode of transportation influences whether or not it is harmful to health.

Lipoproteins are molecules made of protein and fat that transport cholesterol throughout the body. There are two primary methods of this transport. From the liver, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol to cells, where it is utilized in a variety of functions. Because elevated blood levels of LDL cholesterol raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, people sometimes refer to LDL cholesterol as bad cholesterol. Since high-density lipoprotein (HDL) returns cholesterol to the liver, it is frequently referred to as good cholesterol. Once there, the body expels cholesterol, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

I am a healthy weight, so I can’t have high cholesterol
Yes, you can, as Dr. Greenfield says. In actuality, our genetic makeup and the food we eat determine our cholesterol balance. For instance, a person may have a genetic predisposition to process cholesterol inefficiently from birth. He clarified that it has been dubbed familial hypercholesterolemia and that its frequency may be as high as 1 in 200 due to its genetic nature. Your genetic metabolism and the ratio of calories burned to calories consumed play a bigger role in weight. Dr. Paz agreed: Your cholesterol can be abnormal even if you have a healthy weight. The foods you eat, how much alcohol you drink, how much you smoke, and how often you exercise all have an effect on your cholesterol.

Furthermore, as Dr. Lajoie informed us, some overweight individuals may not have high cholesterol, while others who maintain a healthy weight may. She clarified that a person’s diet, exercise, sleep patterns, thyroid function, medications, and genetics all influence their cholesterol levels. She went on, Your age and your genetics are two more factors that can contribute to high cholesterol but that you cannot modify.

I would have symptoms if I had high cholesterol
This is an additional myth. According to Dr. Paz, high cholesterol typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. For this reason, it is advised to have blood tests regularly to check for high cholesterol. Your unique risk factors dictate when you should begin screening and how often.

When excessive cholesterol accumulation causes heart and blood vessel damage and blockage, the only symptoms that cholesterol can be linked to are the late symptoms. Angina (chest pain), a heart attack, or even abrupt death result from this. Dr. Lajoie reaffirmed that elevated cholesterol causes silent plaque accumulation in arteries, which worsens over time and can result in heart attacks or strokes.

If I eat lots of cholesterol, I will have high cholesterol levels
This subject is a little trickier to understand than one might think. According to Dr. Lajoie, cholesterol levels are not always directly correlated with the amount of cholesterol one consumes. Even if a person doesn’t consume much cholesterol, eating sugars or simple carbs can raise their blood pressure. She added, Compared to sedentary people, those who exercise are less likely to see elevations in cholesterol from eating cholesterol.

Our cholesterol levels will almost certainly rise if we eat more cholesterol. He gave the following explanation for this: You buy red meat, cheeses, and eggs at the grocery store, but you don’t go buy a package of cholesterol. Red meat has cholesterol and saturated fat. Since cholesterol is derived from animals, eating foods high in saturated fat will raise cholesterol overall as well as the bad, or LDL, cholesterol, which is then deposited in the arterial walls of our blood vessels.

Everyone should aim for the same cholesterol targets
Dismissed! According to Dr. Paz, your target cholesterol level depends on your risk of heart attack and stroke, which is determined by factors like age and high blood pressure, as well as whether you have a history of these conditions. That is untrue, according to cholesterol guidelines released by the National Lipid Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association (AHA). He went on to say that the LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, should be less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) for those of us who have not experienced any cardiovascular issues. However, the LDL cholesterol target should be less than 70 mg/dl, if not lower, if you have a history of heart attacks, strokes, or other arterial vascular diseases, and especially if you have diabetes.

Only men need to worry about cholesterol levels
Despite being a persistent myth, this is untrue. Dr. Paz clarified: The CDC reports that between 2015 and 2018, the incidence of elevated total cholesterol in the U.S. adult population was 11.4 percent. In comparison to women, men were more likely than women to have high total cholesterol (10.5% versus 12.1%). Dr. Greenfield concurred that heart disease is an equal opportunity employer. He clarified that women start to accelerate their risk of heart disease and develop the same risk as men after losing the protective effects of estrogens. In actuality, more female heart attacks than male heart attacks are reported each year because women typically develop heart disease later in life and live longer. He also informed us that women are far more likely to die from heart disease than from breast cancer and that when they do suffer a heart attack, their prognosis is typically worse.

There’s nothing I can do about my cholesterol level
Fortunately, this is not accurate. Dr. Paz states that in addition to taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, you can lower your cholesterol by eating a healthy weight, exercising, quitting smoking, and consuming moderate amounts of alcohol. Dr. Greenfield concurred that there is a lot that can be done with an abnormally high cholesterol level. The first steps are always diet and exercise, and they are still very important. Statins are safe and highly effective at lowering cholesterol. The more recent statins have been around since 1987 and are thought to be safer, more effective, and have fewer side effects. And science is still coming up with new ideas. According to Dr. Greenfield, more recent injectable PCSK-9 inhibitors have also been demonstrated to significantly reduce cholesterol to previously unheard-of levels.

I take statins, so I can eat what I want
Dr. Greenfield started, Wouldn’t that be nice if it were true, but it’s not. You will put on weight if you overindulge in food and calories. Excessive weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, a prediabetic state. He went on: Statins do not help people lose weight. It is your responsibility to treat your body with respect, which includes what you eat, and your job to lower the bad LDL cholesterol.

I’m under 40, so I don’t need to have my cholesterol checked
Dr. Paz clarified that many, advise screening for elevated cholesterol as early as age 20, despite some disagreement regarding the optimal age to begin. Dr. Greenfield agreed the longer blood in your blood vessels has an excessively high cholesterol content, the higher your chance of developing cardiovascular disease in later life. According to the recommendations, a person’s first cholesterol test should be taken when they are a teenager, and if there is a strong family history, it should be taken earlier. He informed us that people with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia should have their cholesterol checked starting at age 2.

Dr. Greenfield summarized her remarks as follows: I encourage my patients to ask questions and to do research on their medical conditions. But please be advised that a good portion of the polluted content is inaccurate and deceptive. He went on to visit reliable websites and trust the research presented by individuals who have devoted their lives to the treatment of heart disease.. Furthermore, anything that seems too good to be true or nonsensical is most likely not. Handle your body with reverence, not as if it were a theme park!

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-cholesterol?utm_source=ReadNext#The-take-home-message

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=11
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/heart-disease

Medical Myths: 15 breast cancer misconceptions

Medical Myths: 15 breast cancer misconceptions

Comments 0 Comment

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month falls in October. In light of this, the most recent edition of Medical Myths addresses some of the most widespread myths surrounding breast cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 23.3 million people were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and 685,000 people died from the disease. It stated that breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with 7.8 million women alive as of the end of 2020 who received a diagnosis within the previous five years. Its widespread occurrence may contribute to the explanation of the various myths that surround it. We’ll address 15 of the most prevalent misconceptions here.

A breast injury can cause breast cancer
Dr. Zeidman clarified that while injuries to the breast cannot directly cause breast cancer, they can result in changes to the breast that may appear on imaging to be breast cancer. He went on, “This process is called fat necrosis, and it can appear on a mammography as an irregular mass with jagged edges, similar to the appearance of a newly discovered breast cancer.”. A needle biopsy is the most reliable method of differentiating between fat necrosis and cancer.

Underwire bras increase the risk of breast cancer
Underwire bras do not raise the risk of breast cancer, but Dr. Zeidman always suggests wire-free bras. He clarifies that skin breakdown may result from irritation of the skin beneath the breast caused by the wire. Bacteria may enter the breast as a result of this breakdown and cause an infection, an abscess, or both.

IVF increases the risk of breast cancer
Doctors often prescribe medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs as part of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. These medications imitate the effects of estrogen. This led some experts to question if they could promote the spread of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. These cancer cells have estrogen receptors on their membranes, as the name would imply. According to Dr. Zeidman, despite the lack of randomized controlled trials addressing this issue, a recent meta-analysis of all observational studies conducted over the previous 30 years found no increased risk of breast cancer in women who received ovarian stimulation drugs when compared to the general population.

No one in my family had breast cancer, so I won’t develop it
Dr. Zeidman said he was aware of this myth: It is very common for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time to tell me how shocked they are considering that they have no family history. In response, I say that most patients I see who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer do not have any risk factors. Being a woman is, in fact, the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. One in eight American women will experience breast cancer at some point in their lives.

Just 5–10% of breast cancers are brought on by a genetic mutation that is inherited from family members, as Dr. Fancher clarified for us. This indicates that most cases of breast cancer are unpredictable or not related to a family history. Screening is crucial because family history is not the only factor that affects a person’s risk of breast cancer. The message is that regardless of a family history of breast cancer, every woman starting at age 40 should have a yearly mammogram, according to Dr. Reitherman. By the time they are thirty years old, women who have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should be assessed by a genetic counselor. It may be necessary for these women to start screening for breast cancer before turning 40. Please get your screening mammogram if you are a woman and at least 40 years old.

Being stressed can cause breast cancer
It should come as no surprise that people are worried about the potential health effects of stress given the constant stresses of modern life. But as Dr. Zeidman informed us, there is no proof at all that stress and breast cancer are related. In actuality, there is proof that stress does not raise the risk of breast cancer. That’s not to argue stress has no effect on health, though. He continues: Developing coping mechanisms for the stress that we will all unavoidably experience is a necessary aspect of being human. While there may be significant psychological and physical health benefits, there will be no reduction in the risk of breast cancer.

A healthy lifestyle eliminates breast cancer risk
Dr. Zeidman clarified that although postmenopausal women who are overweight are more likely to get breast cancer, there is nothing a woman can do to completely prevent breast cancer risk. Women who have bilateral mastectomy are still susceptible to getting breast cancer again. He is not, however, advocating that people begin smoking and consuming fast food daily. In general, he feels that since you only have one body, it is vital to take the best possible care of it. However, elite athletes have also received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Breast cancer only happens to older adults
Though the average age of a new breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years, women’s age indeed increases their risk of developing the disease. However, breast cancer can strike at a much younger age; approximately 5% of new cases are diagnosed in women under 40. Regretfully, there have been accounts of women receiving diagnoses who were as young as teens or early in their 20s. These young ladies usually have a strong family history. If your strong family history indicates that you have a significant lifetime risk of breast cancer, you may be eligible for genetic testing and early screening beginning at age 25.

All lumps in the breast signal breast cancer
This is untrue not every breast lump indicates cancer. According to Dr. Zeidman, most newly discovered breast lumps are benign. Additionally, that percentage is probably even higher if your most recent mammography came back normal. Dr. Zeidman did clarify, though, that a medical professional should examine any new lump.

Having an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer
This question arises because, as Dr. Zeidman informed us, estrogen exposure directly increases the risk of breast cancer, and abortion disrupts the normal hormonal cycle of pregnancy. Even though a randomized controlled trial is impossible to conduct to answer this question, a sizable observational study involving 1.5 million women in Denmark found no connection between breast cancer and abortion. He clarified that in addition to this analysis, numerous other extensive studies had reached the same conclusion.

Carrying a phone in your bra can cause cancer
We may discover that this is the case in the future, but we do not currently have any long-term studies. Why can’t you just tuck your phone into your pocket or purse for the time being?

Nipple piercings increase breast cancer risk
This is untrue, according to Dr. Dot Zeidman: having a nipple piercing does not raise your risk of breast cancer. He went on to explain, though, that these may result in more uncommon but dangerous illnesses like HIV and hepatitis B and C, as well as infections, abscesses, nerve damage, keloids, cysts, and trouble nursing because of blocked ducts from scar tissue. He stated, “I always advise against nipple piercing because of these reasons.”. I advise taking it down if the deed is completed.

Sugar causes breast cancer
Dr. Zeidman is adamant about the need to stay away from sugar in general. It’s compulsive. He went on, It can lead to mood swings and insulin spikes, which puts the body in a pro-inflammatory state. Diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic inflammatory disorders can then result from this. Overindulgence in sugar can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of breast cancer.

He did, however, clarify that research on the relationship between sugar and breast cancer has been inconsistent and of mixed results. In the context of sugar talk, it’s important to dispel the related myth that sugar promotes tumor growth. This myth developed because cancer cells require a lot of energy due to their rapid division. According to Dr. Zeidman, I still recommend avoiding added sugar as much as possible for overall well-being, even though there isn’t any hard evidence to support this.

Men do not get breast cancer
According to Dr. Zeidman, men can also develop breast cancer because they have breasts. Indeed, 1 percent of all diagnoses for breast cancer in the U.S. in males. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in 2017, there were 500 deaths and 2,300 new cases of male breast cancer. According to Dr. Dot Fancher, although breast cancer is more common in women than in men, men can still develop the disease.

Since there are no screening recommendations for men, men must be aware of any changes in their breasts. Even if there isn’t a significant family history, you should still report any lumps, pains, or changes to your doctor. Dr. Reitherman continued, “The most common risk factor is a family history of breast cancer. Men are diagnosed with breast cancer rarely. For males who carry the BRCA2 gene, the risk of breast cancer is significantly elevated by this mutation.

Mammograms cause breast cancer to spread
Dr. Zeidman informed us that this is a common misconception she encounters with her patients. The theory is that the cancer will spread to other areas of the breast if it is compressed during a mammography or if it is removed with a needle biopsy. He does, however, affirm: There is no evidence to support this. Dr. Reitherman concurs, saying there is no proof at all that mammograms cause breast cancer. There is no proof or theory linking the very low radiation and compression used during a mammography procedure to the development of breast cancer.

If there is no lump, there is no cancer
Dr. Zeidman stated that mammograms would not be necessary if this were the case. Because mammograms enable us to detect cancer before it becomes palpable in this case, palpable refers to the ability for a person to feel a lump with their fingers they have been shown to save lives. When breast cancer is detected in its early stages and treated, the chance of survival approaches 100%.

As the stage progresses, survival decreases. In fact, Dr. Zeidman continued, the cancer might never become palpable and still spread to other parts of the body. Many breast cancers are discovered on screening mammograms and may not be felt, according to Dr. Dot Fancher. This is particularly true for ductal carcinoma in situ or noninvasive breast cancer, which may only manifest as calcifications on a screening mammography.

Breast cancer is a common disease, and although leading a healthy lifestyle may somewhat lower the risk, awareness is essential. A doctor’s chances of surviving breast cancer increase with early detection.

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-15-breast-cancer-misconceptions?utm_source=ReadNext#The-take-home

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php/therapy,10
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/category/disease/cancer

Medical Myths: All about epilepsy

Medical Myths: All about epilepsy

Comments 0 Comment

In this edition of Medical Myths, we will examine and dispel 13 myths related to epilepsy. We inquire about the availability of treatments, the contagiousness of epilepsy, and the pain associated with seizures, among other things.

The estimated number of Americans affected by epilepsy is 1.2 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is approximately 344 million people. Around 50 million people worldwide are estimated to be affected by epilepsy, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. Approximately 80% of them reside in nations with low or middle incomes. Seizures are the main symptom for the majority of epileptics. These are spikes in the brain’s electrical activity. The location of these seizures within the brain can change how they impact the body as a whole.

In addition to controlling their seizures, people with epilepsy frequently struggle with stigma. According to the authors of one study, people with epilepsy report that their quality of life is significantly impacted by the stigmatizing nature of the condition and the psychological distress it causes. Disseminating information about epilepsy to the public is one way to lessen stigma. We address 13 myths about epilepsy below. We have enlisted the assistance of Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, for his valuable insight.

Anyone who has seizures has epilepsy
While epilepsy is arguably the most well-known seizure disorder, there are other types as well. Different conditions may have different mechanisms, but abnormal electrical activity in the brain is the cause of epilepsy. For example, non-epileptic seizures can be brought on by low blood sugar or cardiac issues. Dissociative seizures, also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), are the most prevalent type of non-epileptic seizures. PNES are linked to several things, such as psychological trauma and mental health issues. It’s important to remember that 10% of individuals with PNES are thought to also experience epileptic seizures.

People with epilepsy cannot work
It’s a myth. People with epilepsy or seizures can work as long as their seizures are managed with medication, according to Dr. Dot Segil in an interview with Medical News Today. He also disclosed to us that he has known medical professionals who have epilepsy. Only a few occupations—truck driving and piloting, for example, prohibit people with seizure disorders from employment.

Epilepsy is contagious
This is an outdated misconception that persists, especially in some regions of the world: epilepsy is not communicative. Even though specialists are aware that epilepsy cannot be contagious, pinpointing the cause remains difficult. In roughly 50% of cases worldwide, the disease’s cause is still unknown, according to the WHO. Some possible causes of epilepsy include brain damage sustained during or shortly after birth, genetically derived brain malformations, severe head trauma, strokes, infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, certain genetic syndromes, and brain tumors.

People with epilepsy are emotionally unstable
Epilepsy has a great deal of stigma associated with it. The idea that those who have the illness are more prone to experience emotional instability is one aspect of this stigma. This is untrue. Most epilepsy patients are happy and most cases of epilepsy can be easily controlled with monotherapy. or the use of one seizure medication. It is unsettling to have a seizure disorder and know that a seizure can strike at any time, but patients with epilepsy are not emotionally unstable.

Epilepsy is a mental illness
In keeping with the previous myth, epilepsy is not a mental illness. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the great majority of epileptics do not experience any cognitive or psychological issues. Psychological problems related to epilepsy are primarily restricted to individuals with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.

All people with epilepsy lose consciousness and convulse during seizures
Not every epileptic experiences a seizure in which they lose consciousness and convulse. The Epilepsy Society states that not all seizures cause jerking or shaking sensations. Seizures come in more than forty varieties. Seizures can have a variety of looks. For instance, a person might become completely disoriented or go “blank” for a brief period.

If someone is having a seizure, you should force something into their mouth
This is just another widespread misconception. Dr. Segil clarified, “Most seizures last for 30 to 90 seconds, and there is no reason to restrain a patient with a seizure.”. A hallmark symptom of an epileptiform seizure is that it is not suppressible, which means they don’t stop when you hold a person down. But he clarified that it “makes sense to put someone on their side. Additionally, he said that recording the seizure using a smartphone could enable a physician to alter the patient’s seizure treatment.

Seizures are painful
Ictal pain pain experienced during a seizure is uncommon. In one study, ictal pain was reported by just 0.9% of 5,133 patients who visited the Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in Philadelphia, PA. On the other hand, some individuals may feel pain following a seizure. This might be the result of extended muscle contractions or a fall or injury sustained during the seizure. A headache may strike a person before, during, or following a seizure.

Strobe lights always trigger seizures in people with epilepsy
The only individuals who can have seizures when they see strobing lights are those who have photosensitive epilepsy. About 5% of cases of epilepsy are photosensitive epilepsy. It is not just strobe lighting that can cause a seizure in these individuals. They may also be triggered by other visual stimuli, like moving shapes and patterns.

People with epilepsy should not get pregnant
Dr. Segil clarified to MNT that although this is untrue, medical professionals view pregnancies in individuals with seizures as high risk. This implies that compared to people without a seizure disorder, they will see their obstetrician a few times more frequently. He clarified that their neurologists are also keeping a closer eye on them during this time. While there are still many seizure medications that are unsafe to use while pregnant in 2021, many more are now safe for both the mother and the unborn child.

People often swallow their tongue during a seizure
There is a myth about epilepsy that goes beyond that. In actuality, swallowing one’s tongue is impossible in all situations. However, the person can break or injure their teeth in some other way during a seizure. They may also bite their tongue or lips.

No treatments help epilepsy
Fortunately, this is just another myth. Although there isn’t a cure for epilepsy, there are several helpful treatments. Anti-epileptic medications successfully stop seizures in a lot of people. As long as they are taking the proper medication, 7 out of 10 epileptics may be able to stop having seizures, according to the Epilepsy Society. Other options include surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and even dietary interventions that can be helpful for people who do not respond to medication. Scientists are getting closer to a cure for epilepsy as they carry out more research. The work is ongoing even though it might not happen for some time. Here is information on providing first aid for seizures.

REFERENCES:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-epilepsy?utm_source=ReadNext#13.-No-treatments-help-epilepsy

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php/therapy,49

Medical Myths: All about COPD

Medical Myths: All about COPD

Comments 0 Comment

This week’s Medical Myths focuses on false information regarding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We dispel myths regarding therapies, body weight, exercise, and other topics.

A group of progressive respiratory diseases that all impair breathing are collectively referred to as COPD. The two most prevalent types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Breathlessness and coughing are the most common signs of COPD. Even routine tasks like getting dressed can become difficult with time.

We address some of the most widespread misconceptions about COPD in this post. We have two experts on staff to make sure the information we provide is accurate. Dr. Neil Schachter is a medical professor. In addition, he oversees the Mount Sinai Health System’s pulmonary rehabilitation program as medical director. Pulmonologist Dr. Shahryar Yadegar oversees the ICU at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in California. He also specializes in critical care medicine.

COPD is rare
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that COPD was the third most common cause of death globally in 2019 with 3.23 million deaths attributed to it. Dr. According to Schachter, COPD ranks as the fourth most common cause of death in the US. Over 16 million people in America have a diagnosis. In addition, millions more people might go undiagnosed, according to Dr. Yadegar, who spoke with Medical News Today. The American Lung Association (ALA) advises anyone experiencing symptoms of COPD, such as wheezing, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, and/or significant mucus production (also known as phlegm or sputum), to consult a physician about getting a breathing test known as “spirometry,” which can aid in the diagnosis of COPD.

Only smokers develop COPD
While it is true that smoking is the primary cause of COPD, there are numerous other risk factors as well, such as air pollution, pollution at work, infection, and certain types of asthma, as Dr. Schachter stated to MNT. Ten to twenty percent of people with COPD never smoked. Several factors contribute to the non-smoking status of these individuals, such as prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, genetic predisposition mainly due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or significant exposure to air pollution. An enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin defends the body against an immunological assault. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is brought on by a mutation in the gene that codes for this enzyme in certain individuals. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency raises the possibility of COPD and other disorders affecting several body systems.

Only older adults develop COPD
While older adults are more likely than younger people to have COPD, younger people are not immune to the illness. As an example, in the U. S. 2 percent of males and 4 points 1 percent of females aged 24 to 44 were affected by COPD between 2007 and 2009. In a similar vein, 3% of females and 2% of males between the ages of 18 and 24 were afflicted. Dr. According to Schachter, a sizable fraction of people diagnosed before the age of 50 have an inherited form of the illness that results in an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

COPD only affects the lungs
Numerous comorbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, lung cancer, hypertension, and osteoporosis, coexist with COPD. Both “systemic inflammation” and common causative factors may be to blame for the association. Stated differently, certain conditions are more likely to occur in people with COPD because they share risk factors. For example, smoking increases the risk of heart disease and COPD. Simultaneously, medical professionals link systemic inflammation to COPD, which can raise the risk of other illnesses on its own.

People with COPD cannot exercise
Dr. Yadegar states that individuals with COPD may find it challenging to complete physical activities if they do not receive the right guidance. He did, however, add that exercise is advised for those with COPD as it can help them breathe more easily and lessen their daily symptoms. According to him, to maximize better patient outcomes, pulmonary rehabilitation programs usually combine physical exercise with guided breathing techniques. In summary, Dr. Schachter informed us that physical activity is a treatment for COPD, lowering the frequency of exacerbations and enhancing quality of life. Exercise has many benefits when done in the right way and in the right quantities, despite your belief that it is neither safe nor possible. Before beginning an exercise regimen or making any changes to it, make sure to consult your doctor.

There are no treatments for COPD
According to Dr. Schachter, there are a variety of treatments and tactics that can slow down the progression of the illness, such as medication, physical therapy, diet, and vaccinations that guard against respiratory infections, which can hasten the illness’s course. Dr. Yadegar stated that patients may benefit from inhaled bronchodilators, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and extra oxygen due to a range of presentations. He claimed that these could be made specifically for each individual. Lung transplants or even increases in alpha-1 antitrypsin may also be beneficial for some patients.

COPD is the same as asthma
Asthma typically starts in childhood, and during that time it is often linked to inflammation issues and allergies. COPD is linked to smoking and typically first manifests in the 60s. Nonetheless, an overlap syndrome exists that combines aspects of both. Dr. Yadegar went into great detail: COPD is an illness of the alveoli that is mainly caused by elasticity loss that is mostly brought on by smoking. The main cause of asthma, which is an illness of the airways, is persistent inflammation of the airways. He went on to say that although clinical symptoms of the two conditions may be similar, there are differences in the treatments to provide the best long- and short-term care for patients.

Body weight does not affect COPD
This is untrue. According to Dr. Schachter, being overweight can make COPD-related disabilities worse. In contrast, those with body weights below moderate ranges may have emphysema and have a dismal prognosis. This is another myth: There is no point in quitting smoking if you have COPD. It’s never too late to give up, as Dr. Schachter stated to MNT. He clarified that smoking hastens the lung function loss that comes with COPD. Additionally, he mentioned that using tobacco products can exacerbate the symptoms.

Shortness of breath is the only symptom of COPD
According to Dr. Schachter, dyspnea is a common presenting symptom but by no means the only one. A cough, excessive production of mucus, respiratory infections, and all the symptoms associated with concomitant conditions are frequent indicators of worsening COPD.

A healthy diet cannot help with COPD
In actuality, those who have COPD may experience improvements from following a nutritious diet. A nutritious diet benefits overall health and can guard against exacerbations of COPD and its comorbidities, according to Dr. Schachter, who spoke with MNT. For instance, the connection between diet and COPD was examined in a 2020 meta-analysis based on eight observational studies. The authors draw the conclusion that, in contrast to unhealthy dietary patterns, healthy dietary patterns are linked to a lower prevalence of COPD. In a similar vein, data from another review indicate that eating more fruits, fish, and likely dietary fiber lowers the risk of COPD. In summary, lifestyle modifications can lessen the severity of symptoms even though there is no known cure for COPD. for additional details regarding the etiology, diagnosis, signs, and management of COPD.

REFERENCES:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-copd?utm_source=ReadNext#6.-There-are-no-treatments-for-COPD

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=45

Medical Myths: All about stroke

Medical Myths: All about stroke

Comments 0 Comment

In this part of our series on medical myths, we explore common misconceptions regarding stroke. We address a number of common misconceptions, including whether a stroke is a heart condition and what to know about ministrokes and paralysis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 610,000 Americans have their first stroke out of the over 795,000 who experience one each year in the United States. With 11 percent of deaths worldwide in 2019, stroke was the second most common cause of death. Stroke comes in three primary forms. The first type of stroke is the most prevalent, making up 87% of cases. It happens when an artery supplying the brain with oxygen loses its ability to carry blood. The second type of stroke is known as a hemorrhagic stroke, which is brought on by a brain artery burst that subsequently injures nearby tissues.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), referred to as a ministroke, is the third stroke category. It occurs when there is a brief interruption in blood supply to the brain, usually lasting no longer than five minutes. Despite being extremely common, stroke is frequently misinterpreted. We consulted with Dr. Rafael Alexander Ortiz, chief of Neuro-Endovascular Surgery and Interventional Neuro-Radiology at Lenox Hill Hospital, to clear up misconceptions and deepen our understanding of the subject.

Stroke is a problem of the heart
Strokes occur in the brain, not the heart, although cardiovascular risk factors are linked to stroke risk. Dr. Ortiz told MNT that some people believe that heart problems are the cause of stroke. That’s not correct. A stroke is not a heart issue; rather, it is a brain issue brought on by an obstruction or rupture of cerebral arteries or veins. Heart attacks, which are brought on by a blockage in the blood supply to the heart rather than the brain, are sometimes confused with strokes.

Stroke is not preventable
According to Dr. Ortiz, the most prevalent risk factors [for stroke] are high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, head or neck trauma, and cardiac arrhythmias. A lot of these risk factors are modifiable through lifestyle choices. Regular exercise and a balanced diet help lower risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and obesity. Stress and alcohol use are two more risk factors. A person’s chance of stroke may be decreased by making efforts to lessen or eliminate these lifestyle factors.

Stroke does not run in families
A person’s risk of stroke is increased by single-gene diseases like sickle cell disease. The risk of stroke may also be indirectly increased by genetic factors, such as an increased propensity for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. Unhealthy lifestyle choices are likely to raise the risk of stroke in family members since families frequently share environments and lifestyles, particularly when combined with genetic risk factors.

Stroke symptoms are hard to recognize
The most common symptoms for stroke form the acronym F.A.S.T.
F: face dropping, when one side of the face becomes numb and produces an uneven smile
A: arm weakness, when one arm becomes weak or numb and, when raised, drifts slowly downward
S: speech difficulty, or slurred speech
T: time to call 911
Other symptoms of stroke include: The symptoms may include numbness or weakness in one or both eyes; confusion; trouble speaking or understanding speech; difficulty walking, including dizziness, loss of balance, and coordination; and severe headaches without a known cause.

Stroke cannot be treated
Dr. Ortiz clarified that there is a false belief that strokes are incurable and untreatable. Many stroke patients can have their symptoms reversed by emergency treatment with a clot-busting drug injection, minimally invasive mechanical thrombectomy for clot removal, or surgery, he noted. This is especially true if the patient arrives at the hospital early enough for the therapy (within minutes or hours since the onset of the symptoms). The chance of a positive result decreases with the duration of the symptoms. As a result, it’s imperative that at the first sign of a stroke, ie. He went on, “If you’re having problems speaking, double vision, paralysis, numbness, etc., call 911 to send an ambulance to the closest hospital.”. Additionally, studies reveal that people who visit within three hours of the onset of symptoms usually experience less disability three months later than people who arrive later.

Stroke occurs only in the elderly
One major risk factor for stroke is age. After age 55, the risk of stroke doubles every ten years. Strokes, however, can happen at any age. According to a study that looked at medical data, 34% of stroke hospitalizations in 2009 involved people under the age of 65. According to a 2013 review, young adults and adolescents account for 15% of all ischemic stroke cases. The most prevalent co-existing conditions in this age group, according to the researchers, were lipid disorders, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and tobacco use all stroke risk factors.

All strokes have symptoms
Not every stroke has symptoms, and some studies indicate that strokes without symptoms occur far more frequently than strokes with symptoms. According to one study, of the approximately 11 million strokes that occurred in 1998, 770,000 had symptoms, while nearly 11 million did not. Evidence of these so-called silent strokes appears on MRI scans as white spots from scarred tissue following a blockage or ruptured blood vessel. When patients undergo MRI scans for symptoms like headaches, cognitive problems, or dizziness, silent strokes are frequently discovered. Even though they don’t have any symptoms, they should be treated in the same way as strokes that do. People who have silent strokes are more vulnerable to dementia, cognitive decline, and subsequent symptomatic strokes.

A ministroke is not so risky
According to Dr. Ortiz, the term “ministroke” has been misused because some people believe it to refer to small, low-risk strokes. That is untrue because a ministroke is actually a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This is not a minor stroke; rather, it is a warning sign that a major stroke could happen. He continued, “Any acute stroke symptom, whether temporary or persistent, requires emergency workup and management to prevent a devastating large stroke.

Stroke always causes paralysis
A stroke is one of the most common causes of permanent disability; however, not all stroke victims will become paralyzed or weak. Studies reveal that more than half of stroke survivors 65 and older have decreased mobility as a result of their stroke. However, many variables, including the location and extent of brain tissue damage, affect how a stroke affects a person in the long run. For instance, harm to the left brain will impact the right side of the body and vice versa. Effects of a stroke that happens on the left side of the brain might include memory loss, speech and language difficulties, paralysis on the right side of the body, and slow, cautious behavior. Paralysis may also happen, but on the left side of the body, if it impacts the right side of the brain. Other side effects could be memory loss, rapid and curious behavior, vision issues, or both.

Stroke recovery happens fast
After a stroke, recovery may take several months or even years. Many, though, might not fully recover. According to the American Stroke Association, of those who survive a stroke, 10% will recover almost completely, 10% will need care in a long-term facility or nursing home, 25% will recover with minor impairments, and 40% will experience moderate to severe impairments. Research indicates that there may be a critical window of 2-3 months following the onset of the stroke, during which intensive motor rehabilitation is more likely to result in recovery. During this time, some people might also be able to recover on their own. Although they are likely to occur much more slowly, improvements are still possible after this window and the 6-month point.

REFERENCES:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-all-about-stroke?utm_source=ReadNext#10.-Stroke-recovery-happens-fast

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php/therapy,11

Medical Myths: Endometriosis facts vs. fiction

Medical Myths: Endometriosis facts vs. fiction

Comments 0 Comment

We look at some widespread myths about endometriosis in this installment of our Medical Myths series. These include misconceptions regarding the illness’s other features as well as its causes and available treatments.

We take a direct approach to medical disinformation in our series on medical myths. MNT sheds light on the myth-ridden field of health journalism by separating fact from fiction using expert insight and peer-reviewed studies. A chronic illness called endometriosis causes tissue that typically lines the inside of the uterus to grow outside of the womb. This illness can make it painful to urinate or have bowel movements, as well as to have sex. It may also be the cause of other symptoms like weariness, nausea, and mental health issues.

Occasionally, depending on where the tissue is located, it can lead to issues with conception. Furthermore, endometriosis can develop in or near other organs, such as the lungs. Endometriosis affects about 10% of women in the world who are fertile. Male endometriosis can happen, albeit it is very uncommon. In addition, individuals with endometriosis frequently face a delay in diagnosis due to the wide range of symptoms associated with the condition.

Having a mother, sibling, or daughter who has endometriosis, starting periods before the age of eleven, or experiencing heavy or prolonged periods lasting more than seven days are risk factors for endometriosis. In certain people, a past history of shorter than 27-day monthly cycles may also raise the risk of endometriosis.

A common anesthetic procedure called laparoscopic surgery is frequently used to confirm an endometriosis diagnosis. Following a diagnosis, a physician may prescribe hormone therapy or analgesics to treat the patient’s symptoms. Surgery is an option if endometriosis is causing severe pain or if it is affecting fertility. But as of right now, there’s no recognized treatment for the illness. Despite the existence of numerous facts, endometriosis is still shrouded in mythology, leaving many people unsure of what to believe.

We spoke with Carly King, N.D., and Dr. Barbara Stegmann, clinical lead, of Woman’s Health at Organon and OB-GYN, to help distinguish truth from fiction. D. naturopathic physician with a license who practices at Entrepreneur and The Health Centre Integrative Therapies. To present the facts about endometriosis supported by science, we also examined recent peer-reviewed studies.

Periods are normally very heavy, very painful, or both
Even though estimates indicate that over half of all women who menstruate experience some pain during their periods, severe pain may occasionally be a sign that endometriosis is present. Though this isn’t always the case, endometriosis can cause painful and heavy periods. In addition to pain in other parts of the body, pain can also manifest as bowel, urinary, or ovulation pain. The volume of period bleeding can vary, as can cycle lengths, and midcycle bleeding is a possible symptom.

It’s a partial myth that periods are typically heavy and painful. Some individuals experience extremely painful and heavy menstruation, but they are not the norm. Some experience light periods and mild cramps, while others experience pain in between periods. Therefore, if you have any concerns, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Pregnancy can cure endometriosis
Dr. King told MNT that endometriosis is not curable through pregnancy. She continued, Some women experience improvements in their symptoms during pregnancy, while others do not, and still others may experience a worsening of symptoms.. Dr. There are no cures for endometriosis, Stegmann added. She did, however, clarify that hormone levels do fluctuate during pregnancy. Due to these hormonal variations, people may experience varying degrees of pain following childbirth. Additionally, research indicates that endometriosis-affected women do not appear to benefit from pregnancy. Furthermore, scientists observe that while some endometriosis lesions regress, others either stay the same or grow.

A hysterectomy can cure endometriosis
In one study, of 137 female endometriosis patients who had a hysterectomy, 84% of the participants were happy with the outcome of the procedure, according to a reliable source. Nevertheless, Dr. King pointed out that even though a hysterectomy can relieve symptoms of endometriosis for many people, the condition can recur after the surgery. If endometrial lesions are still present outside of the uterus, symptoms may also persist, she continued. The ovaries produce estrogen, which is what endometriosis reacts to. Dr. Stegmann went on, A hysterectomy normally removes the uterus rather than the ovaries, so it wouldn’t cure endometriosis. There are various forms of endometriosis, ranging from superficial lesions to those that encroach on the colon and other organs. This kind is known as DIE or deep infiltrating endometriosis. Even if you have your ovaries removed or your hormones suppressed, those lesions probably won’t get better, she said.

Endometriosis only affects the female reproductive organs
In actuality, endometriosis typically implants on the peritoneum, a surface found inside the abdomen, rather than the reproductive organs. It is the source of pain. However, endometriosis can be found almost anywhere. It has even been observed in the brain, where it can cause seizures when a woman has her period. It can also be found in the lining of the lung. Thankfully, this is not a common occurrence, and your medical professional should be able to assist in keeping an eye out for any indications that implants may be located elsewhere, she added. Even so, a 2017 study (Trusted Source) using mice to examine the possibility that endometrial-derived cells could spread to other body organs raises the possibility that endometriosis outside of the pelvis may be more common than previously thought.

Endometriosis always causes pain
According to study data, over 60% of females diagnosed with endometriosis report having chronic pelvic pain (Trusted Source). In addition, the likelihood of experiencing stomach pain in individuals with endometriosis is 13 times higher than in those without the condition. Even though pain is a common symptom, endometriosis can still be diagnosed in cases where a patient has no pain. This is according to Dr. Dot King. Dr. Stegmann continued, Some individuals with DIE have little to no pain at all, and some individuals with mild forms of endometriosis have excruciating pain. We believe that the location of the implant and whether it releases any chemicals that cause pain may have an impact on this. As a matter of fact, until they undergo .. abdominal surgery, some people are unaware that they have extremely advanced endometriosis.

Menopause stops endometriosis
Scientists estimate that 2-4 percent of females have postmenopausal endometriosis, despite the paucity of research on the subject. Menopause does not always mean that endometriosis disappears. As a matter of fact, the illness may manifest years after your periods end. Dr. Menopause may not cure endometriosis for the same reason that a hysterectomy does not always cure it, Stegmann clarified. She advised speaking with a healthcare provider about pain management options if the pain from endometriosis does not go away after menopause.

Endometriosis equals infertility
Research indicates that between 30 and 50 percent of women who have endometriosis also have trouble getting pregnant. However, despite data connecting the illness to problems with conception, Dr. Dot King pointed out that endometriosis does not automatically mean a diagnosis of infertility. I have seen patients who have endometriosis both mild and severe who have problems getting pregnant. Trying is the only way to find out if getting pregnant will be difficult for you. Just be sure to collaborate with your medical professional as many endometriosis medications prevent pregnancy and must be stopped for you to get better.

Abortion causes endometriosis
The political discourse surrounding abortion may have given rise to the myth that abortion causes endometriosis. But this is not a claim supported by evidence. Dr. King stated to MNT that there seems to be a genetic component to endometriosis, even though the precise cause is still unknown. There is no proof that endometriosis is brought on by abortion. Dr. Stegmann was very clear in her response when asked if having an abortion could lead to endometriosis: Absolutely not.. There is no connection between endometriosis and abortion.

Birth control pills can cure endometriosis
Birth control pills do not cure endometriosis, but Dr. King clarified that they may help reduce symptoms due to suppression of ovulation and menses. There is no treatment for endometriosis, Dr. Stegmann emphasized. Birth control pills, however, do help endometriosis by balancing your hormones and stopping bleeding. Thus, they are an effective treatment but not a cure, the speaker clarified. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are pain relievers, are among the medications used in the treatment of endometriosis. A gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist was also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 as a medication to help treat endometriosis pain.

High estrogen levels cause endometriosis
Dr. King dispelled this myth by stating, There is no evidence linking high estrogen levels to endometriosis.. Nevertheless, drugs that block estrogen can aid in symptom relief. Furthermore, researchTrusted Source indicates that while high estrogen levels might not directly cause endometriosis, they might be involved in the processes that scientists link to the illness. However, a 2022 studyTrusted Source points out that immune system-stimulating medications may also be used to treat or prevent endometriosis. The study’s researchers discovered evidence pointing to a possible link between the development of the illness and the activation of particular white blood cells, which may lead to chronic inflammation.

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-endometriosis-facts-vs-fiction#10.-High-estrogen-levels-cause-endometriosis

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?generic=398

Medical Myths: IBS myths and facts

Medical Myths: IBS myths and facts

Comments 0 Comment

This edition of Medical Myths explores common misconceptions regarding irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We discuss common misconceptions about IBS, including what causes it and what to know about diet and exercise modifications.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects around 11% of adults worldwide.
Symptoms include:
Abdominal pain
Excess gas
Bloating
Sudden, urgent need to use the bathroom
Changing bowel habits.
While relatively common, IBS is often misunderstood. To help us dispel some prevalent myths about this condition.

We know what causes IBS
Dairy products and spicy foods are examples of foods that may cause symptoms, but they are not the cause of the illness. However, he pointed out that bacteria like Campylobacter jejuni can cause post-infectious IBS.

Stress causes IBS
Recent studies have revealed that mental stress levels affect the makeup of gut bacteria and are crucial in IBS through the gut-brain axis. Dr. However, according to Farhadi, stress levels are typically comparable for those who have IBS and those who do not, suggesting that stress management practices may have a greater impact on an individual’s likelihood of developing IBS symptoms than stress levels alone. I discussed a study in my book on IBS that revealed an increase in mast cells in the gut of a stressed-out individual. He clarified that stress alters the gut’s morphology to make it more susceptible to stress, in addition to increasing the release of hormones and mediators in the gut.

This implies that your gut does not function the same as it did before you went through that stressful time. Stress-related IBS symptoms can therefore persist after the stress has subsided. Furthermore, he noted that IBS patients frequently experience this. Dr. Farhadi also shared the results of a study he did, which indicated a correlation between fewer IBS symptoms and a subjective sense of well-being. IBS symptoms may also be influenced by psychological, social, and genetic factors, according to earlier research.

Doctors only diagnose IBS via ‘fancy tests’
Dr. Farhadi informed us that a simple diagnostic test can identify IBS. In five years, physicians can diagnose IBS with 97 percent accuracy if the proper clinical criteria are followed. That level of accuracy is unmatched in the medical field by any other test. The Rome IV criteria is used to diagnose IBS. According to Dr. Jackson, patients with IBS should experience symptoms of abdominal pain at least once a week on average, along with a change in the frequency or form of their stools and/or a decrease in or worsening of their abdominal pain after defecating. IBS comes in different varieties; you might primarily experience constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. Bloating is another common symptom among patients, but she noted that this symptom is not necessary for the diagnosis to be made.

IBS is curable
IBS can be treated in a variety of ways, utilizing a combination of prescription drugs and individualized lifestyle modifications. Dr. Farhadi stated, “I can assure you that in the vast majority of cases, management is very cheap and simple: fiber, probiotics, reassurance, and exercise.”. As Dr. Farhadi puts it, taking medication can be a trial-and-error process. However, when combined with other treatments, it can help reduce the symptoms brought on by IBS. Dr. Dot Farhadi pointed out that there is ultimately no treatment for IBS, and that sometimes medication is just like a band-aid solution for symptom relief. I have to fill prescriptions for drugs again, such as antibiotics to treat bacterial overgrowth. In the end, IBS cannot be cured.

IBS is uncommon, does not affect the quality of life
According to Dr. Jackson, IBS is frequently a chronic, crippling, and widespread disorder of the gut-brain interaction. She noted that it is 10–15% common in North America and that higher healthcare expenses are linked to it. It can also have a major negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. IBS patients stated in one study that they would forgo 10–15 years of their life expectancy in exchange for an immediate cure, highlighting the detrimental effects of the illness.

All types of exercise help IBS
Exercise does help with IBS in some cases, according to Dr. Farhadi, but not all forms of exercise are the same. Exercise that is competitive causes stress rather than reducing it. He pointed out that the same is true for weightlifting in the gym: you need to be extremely aware of the type of weight you’re lifting as well as the way you’re pushing and pulling on different muscles. Additionally, he mentioned that after running for extended periods, many runners experience diarrhea, or “runner’s run.”. He cautioned that as a result, extended running sessions may exacerbate IBS symptoms.

Meditation helps
Research is ongoing, but some studies point to meditation as a potential treatment for IBS symptoms. According to Dr. Jackson, research on the brain-gut-microbiome axis and its connection to IBS is still ongoing. It has been demonstrated that gut-directed psychotherapies help reduce IBS symptoms. She also mentioned that research on the benefits of mindfulness and meditation has demonstrated how the brain’s ability to regulate how we perceive and interpret signals from our gut may help alleviate the symptoms of IBS. That being said, individuals may benefit from different forms of meditation in different ways.

Dr. Farhadi suggests mindless meditation, which involves walking the same route for 30 minutes a day until one becomes so bored that they stop observing their surroundings, though it might not be effective for everyone. That’s a contemplative stroll where you both meditate. Rebooting your system is a stress reliever. But a lot of practice is required. According to him, after a year, you might spend one minute of the fifteen you’re attempting to be in that zone.

Cutting out lactose helps
There is no clear correlation between lactose intolerance and IBS, even though many IBS patients report having a milk intolerance, according to a recent review. It is conceivable that someone with IBS may also be lactose intolerant, given that approximately two-thirds of the world’s population is intolerant to lactose. This suggests that avoiding dairy products could aid in the relief of gastrointestinal complaints.

According to Dr. Jackson, many IBS patients try to reduce their symptoms by avoiding particular foods because they believe that eating causes their symptoms. To identify trigger foods, an elimination diet entails cutting out some foods from your regular diet and then gradually adding them back. The low-FODMAPS diet has been researched the most for IBS. FODMAP foods may cause patients with IBS to experience increased gas and distension as well as the onset of symptoms related to meals. She clarified that although dairy is a high FODMAP food and maybe a trigger for some people, it is not always the case. A gastrointestinal dietician, if one is available, can assist you in navigating the often confusing world of food options.

Natural treatments work for IBS
There has been some indication that using natural remedies like cardamom and peppermint oil can help relieve the symptoms of gastric ulcers and IBS. Natural remedies may not work for everyone, though, as there hasn’t been much research done on them. According to Dr. Farhadi, black cardamom seeds and spearmint are gut-muscle relaxants that may help with symptoms. As long as the natural remedies aren’t overly potent, people can try these and other options. He continued, “People have been using many herbal remedies for thousands of years with no problems.”. However, consulting a physician is always advised before beginning a new course of treatment.

Fasting relieves IBS
Let’s say you own an engine and it is experiencing trouble. You now switch it off. Dr. Farhadi said, “Of course, as long as it’s off, you might not have any problems, but how long can you keep it off?”. Therefore, you may experience fewer symptoms each day if you cut down on how often you eat—maybe from three to two times a day. It might be useful, but it’s not always the best course of action, he clarified. He did, however, add that fasting is beneficial for other things, like memory and weight loss.

Fiber helps IBS
Fiber may be helpful if a patient has chronic constipation, according to Dr. Farhadi. However, too much fiber can cause bloating due to an overabundance of gas in the stomach. To prevent this, Dr. Farhadi suggested ingesting fiber in the form of a spoonful of probiotic-rich Greek yogurt combined with a pinch of water-soluble fiber, or psyllium.

There is an IBS diet
According to Dr. Farhadi, there isn’t a particular diet for IBS. Diets are dynamic in addition to being personalized. While on vacation, one person might be able to consume coffee, but during finals, they might have trouble doing so. He said that just as no one diet works for everyone, no one diet works for everyone all the time.

Reference:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/medical-myths-ibs-myths-and-facts#12.-There-is-an-IBS-diet

Medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here
https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=43