Saturday Sep 6, 2008
Search the Medical Library: Empowered Hospital Home
CONDITIONS
Geriatrics Stories and Local Doctors
Demetia
CURRENT STORIES YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR
Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis Stories

Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis

A study from the National Institute of Mental Health has found that women who suffer from depression are more likely to enter menopause with an increased risk of bone fractures. Researchers report that 17% of women with depression had decreased bone mass in the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression. Additionally, low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% who were not depressed. The researchers theorized that women with depression have overactive immune systems that produce a chemical known as IL-6. This chemical is associated with bone loss as well as promoting inflammation. During adolescence, bone mass reaches its peak and begins to decline through the rest of life, thinning at a faster rate after a woman undergoes menopause. (Read more about Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis)

Related Links:
Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There Stories

Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There

A recent report by health provider BUPA has found that people's worries are damaging their health by causing sleepless nights, loss of sex drive, and erratic eating habits. The 2007 Worry Report demonstrates that almost one in five people constantly worry about numerous things, and more than half feel they worry more now than five years ago. Half of the people surveyed this year, which is 6% more than in 2006, claimed they were more worried about their health and their family's health than about other concerning issues such as climate change or terrorist attacks. The survey finds that almost three quarters of people worry, but around 19% admit to worrying all the time or about a number of things. (Read more about Worried Sick? There Might Be Some Truth There)

Related Links:
Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems Stories

Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems

A Review in The Lancet reveals the importance of healthy lifestyle choices to reduce stressors related to cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers from John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore examined records between 1990 to 2006. They observed how stress affects the sympathetic nervous system, impacts physiology, and the effect it has on the cardiovascular system. Lead author, Daniel Brotman, claims "Acute physical stressors such as sugery, trauma, and intense physical exertion are well known triggers of cardiovascular events. Emotional stressors are increasingly recognized as precipitants of such events." (Read more about Reducing Stress Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Problems)

Related Links:
Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression Stories

Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression

Yoga may offer solutions for depression, anxiety and epilepsy.

Reports from the World Health Organization and elsewhere estimate that mental illness comprises fifteen percent of the global disease burden. Depression and anxiety disorders contribute heavily to these numbers. One treatment approach is offered by various medications designed to stimulate the brain's primary inhibitory neuro transmitter, gamma-aminobutyric (or GABA) levels. Findings released by Boston University School of Medicine report that yoga may elevate these GABA levels in the brain and may provide a way to treat these disorders. (Read more about Yoga Is a Possible Treatment For Depression)

Related Links:
Why The Body Ages Stories

Why The Body Ages

How the body Ages.
The nucleus of every cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes. And they contain DNA or the genetic material of the cell. A prime cause of ageing is every cell’s chromosomes are capped with a protein button called a telomere. (Read more about Why The Body Ages)

Related Links:
ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE Stories

ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE

A new study provides discouraging evidence a drug used for Alzheimer's to stem the progression of the disease may not be effective in the long run. The recently developed drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors held a lot of hope.
And studies have shown they do work at first. But this study shows the drug does not stop the progression of the disease at all, questioning their long-term and overall benefit. (Read more about ALZHEIMER'S DRUG FAILURE)

Related Links: