In the October 2010 issue of Scientific American, Nancy Shute writes about the rising number of autism cases and the frustration many parents are finding in the search for treatment. The article contents that parents often turn to unproved therapies and off-label use of medications. The following are some examples Ms. Shute calls “dubious”:

• Immunoglobulin — injected antibodies approved for leukemia and AIDS, this treatment can cost as much as $10,000 for one infusion.
• Stem Cells — injected over several days, this treatment must be done out of the United States as it is still highly controversial.
• Lupron — injected drug normally used for prostate cancer, this can cost as much as $5,000 a month.
• Sensory Integration Therapy — pressure applied to the body with blankets or machines, this treatment can cost up to $6,000 a year.
• Chelation — injected drug used to purge lead and mercury, this can cost as much as $3,000 for six months.
• Secretin — injected hormone that costs about $90 a week.

According to the article, many alternative treatments come with a host of additional risks and complications.  The complete article, entitled “Desperation Drives Parents to Dubious Autism Treatments” can be found here.

“My baby’s got the lonesome lows, don’t quite go away overnight / Doctor Blind, just prescribe the blue ones. / If the dizzying highs don’t subside overnight / Doctor Blind, just prescribe the red ones.” Click Here

Ten years since the last update and five years in the making, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated the practice guidelines for treating patients with major depressive disorder.  Published this month, the APA’s Third Edition includes recommended therapies for both body and mind. With information about electro-convulsive therapy, medications, psychotherapies and even new “evidence based” treatments, the new guidelines even include complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) options.

According the the APA’s publication Psychiatric News: “The process began in 2005 with the appointment of a work group of APA members that included some of our most experienced researchers in the field of depression treatment. The work group, chaired by Alan Gelenberg, M.D., reviewed more than 10,000 studies published since the 2000 edition of the guideline.” … Read more →

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, between 1997 and 2007, Emergency Department (ED) visit rates increased nationwide from 352.8 to 390.5 per 1000 persons. These EDs exist as critical foundations in the nation’s ability to deliver health care to everyone, regardless of insurance, ability to pay or even immigration status. The Institute of Medicine has referred to EDs as “the Safety Net of the Safety Net . . . the provider of last resort for millions of patients who are uninsured or lack adequate access to care from community providers.” … Read more →

The concussion: From the Latin word concutere (“to shake violently”) or concussus (“action of striking together”), the concussion is the most common type of serious brain injury. American football-related head injuries are on the rise, not just at the professional level, but throughout college and high school, too.

The September 2010 edition of the Journal of Athletic Training (a publication of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)), tackles this issue of concussions head-on with an article about the legal liability athletic trainers can face for football-related injuries. … Read more →

According to a recent publication by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), obesity has spread at “an alarming rate” since the 1980’s.  In countries affiliated with OECD, 1 in 2 is overweight and 1 in 6 is obese.  Obesity has been more defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a BMI of 30 and above (a BMI of 30 is about 30 pounds overweight).  The following table can help you identify your BMI: … Read more →

With talk about health care and obesity making headlines just about every day, there is finally a study for the estimated 19.1 million students expected to attend college and university programs this fall.  What’s the story behind the legendary “freshman 15”?

A recent study conducted at the University of Michigan identified college students with overweight roommates as more likely to lose weight — up to 1.5 pounds — than those students with slim roommates.

According to one research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research: “This finding seems counterintuitive, but there are some good explanations for why it may be happening. It’s not really the weight of your roommate that’s important, but the behaviors your roommate engages in. These behaviors are what may really be ‘contagious.’ “

The study is expected to continue, hoping to expand the understanding of this phenomenon at college campuses nation-wide.

The information from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research comes courtesy of Medical News Today.

Apparently, being physically fit may lead to a healthier and longer life.  According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal, individuals who are able to perform simple tasks such as gripping, walking, rising from a chair or even balancing on one leg may actually live longer.

According to the study:  “Objective measures of physical capability are predictors of all cause mortality in older community dwelling populations. Such measures may therefore provide useful tools for identifying older people at higher risk of death.”  Perhaps this study will revolutionize exercise in the future.

Appendectomy

The first report of an appendectomy came in 1735 from a surgeon in the English army who performed the operation without anesthesia. Today, one out of every 2,000 people has an appendectomy, almost always with pain medication.

Although appendicitis is one of the more frequent surgical emergencies, there is no specific test to diagnose it with absolute certainty. Symptoms typically include abdominal pain. During early stages, the pain can be difficult to pinpoint, as inflammations of the small intestine and colon are not often localized, but other symptoms may include loss of appetite, fever, and/or nausea. … Read more →