HEALTH BULLETIN .CO

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Pregnant women who take anti-depressants 'could raise their child's risk of ADHD'

Children exposed to this medication in womb were more likely to have ADHD

Researchers: 'Risk of ADHD must be balanced against depression risk'

No link between antidepressants and increased risk of child having autism

Taking antidepressants during pregnancy could increase the risk of a child suffering ADHD

Women who take antidepressants while pregnant could be driving the rise of children with short attention spans.

Scientists found the risk of a child developing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD - was raised if their mothers had been prescribed pills for depression during pregnancy.

The research, conducted by doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S., looked at 7,800 children aged between two and 19 years old.

They found that those children who had been exposed to antidepressants in the womb were more likely to have ADHD, a condition linked to impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity.

If the mother had stopped taking the drugs before they became pregnant, however, the risk of ADHD was significantly reduced.

Around one in seven women suffer depression during pregnancy.

Although many cases are minor, an estimated 20,000 women each year take antidepressants - around 4 per cent of all British pregnancies.

The NHS advises that doctors only prescribe the drugs to pregnant women if the risk of depression is higher than the risk of any harm caused.

ADHD is a problem that is rapidly growing in the UK. Prescriptions for the condition rose from 92,100 in 1997 to 786,400 in 2012, NHS figures show.

Some doctors think the figures are partly explained by a greater awareness of the condition, but the new research may suggest a link to the drugs taken by mothers.

The research, published today in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, warned that the risk of ADHD had to be balanced against the risk of depression.

The authors wrote: ‘Maternal depression during pregnancy is associated with health complications for both the mother and child.’

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‘Discontinuation of antidepressants during pregnancy can increase the risk of relapse fivefold.’
The authors looked at 2,200 children with ADHD and 5,600 healthy children.

They found a ‘modest risk’ of increased chance of ADHD in children whose mothers had been prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy.

The study also found there was no heightened risk of a child having autism if a pregnant mother had taken antidepressants - disproving previous beliefs that the drugs were linked the social disorder.

Roy Perlis, who led the research, said the findings should not dissuade mothers-to-be from taking the prescribed medication.

He added that the end to speculation about the link to autism was particularly significant.

However the report authors warned the risk of ADHD had to be balanced against the risk of depression - which also brings health complications for both mother and child

Dr Perlis said: ‘We know that untreated depression can pose serious health risks to both a mother and child, so it’s important that women being treated with antidepressants who become pregnant, or who are thinking about becoming pregnant, know that these medications will not increase their child’s risk of autism.’

NICE - the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - advises that antidepressants are not recommended for most pregnant women, especially during the early stages of a pregnancy.

But they say exceptions can be made depending on the severity of the depression. If a woman is already depressed, withdrawing any treatment could make it far worse.

Experts today welcomed the new study - but said far more research is needed.

Dr Celso Arango, scientific director of the Spanish Centre for Biomedical Research in Mental Health, said: ‘This is a nice study, however, a more robust piece would be an epidemiological cohort study in which subjects were not chosen specifically because they were depressed.

‘It is not clear how big the effect of antidepressant use is. Certainly it is minimal compared to genetic factors.

‘From the child’s perspective it is likely that the potential harm caused by any increased risk of ADHD or autism would be much less than the potential harm of having a mother suffering from depression.

‘And of course, that is without even mentioning the issue of depression causing mothers to die by suicide during pregnancy.’

The G-spot DOESN'T exist - but the 'CUV region' might: Italian doctors define 'new' area of pleasure for women

Area that creates increased sexual pleasure is bigger than one spot

Includes clitoris, vagina and urethra - the 'clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex'

Researchers: 'We hope this will end discussions on where the G-spot is'

Findings were reported in the journal Nature Reviews Urology

The G-spot may not exist in women - but there may be another 'intimate area' that creates increased sexual pleasure, say doctors

It is the legendary erogenous region that divides people the world over regarding its existence.

But new research suggests that while the fabled G-spot may not exist, all is not lost.

Italian doctors have now described in medical literature an 'intimate area' that creates increased sexual pleasure.

It is more complex than one spot, however, and includes the clitoris, vagina and urethra - described as 'highly dynamic and sensitive structures' by the authors of the new report.

In their article published in this month's Nature Reviews Urology, they say what brings a woman heightened sexual pleasure is much more complex than just one area and includes the complete reproductive system, including the urethra and clitoris.

The scientists, led by Emmanuele A. Jannini, professor of endocrinology and sexology at Tor Vergata university in Rome, say the idea of the one-spot approach first mooted in the 1950s is too simplistic.

The G-spot was named after Ernst Grafenberg, a German gynaecologist who proposed its existence in 1950.

Then in 1976, the landmark Hite Report on Female Sexuality suggested that the clitoris is largely responsible for orgasms in most women.

Now, says Profesor Jannini, modern imaging techniques such as ultrasound have enabled gynaecologists and scientists to see what happens to different areas of the reproductive system during sexual activity.

The report authors write: 'The clitoris, urethra, and anterior (front) vaginal wall have led to the concept of a clitourethrovaginal (CUV) complex.'

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This, they say, defines a broader or 'variable, multifaceted... area that, when properly stimulated during penetration, could induce orgasmic response'.

'We know [thanks to this review] there is a much more complex than a simple, phantasmagoric "point",' adds Profesor Jannini, adding the findings end 'hopefully forever' discussions on where the elusive G-spot is.

He says that 'knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the CUV complex' may help to avoid damage to female genitalia during medical and surgical procedures.

'The vagina is an active tissue and sexually important to be respected,' he said.

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The newly-defined area is more complex than just one spot and includes the clitoris, vagina and uterus

MRI scan of female orgasm processed in every region

Previous research by Professor Jannini's team has found that tissue between the urethra and vagina is thickest in women who reported they had a G-spot.

The researchers also found tell-tale chemical markers in the area. These markers include chemicals that process the nitric oxide responsible for male arousal.

Earlier this year, another doctor spoke out about the myth of the G-spot.

'We don't think the G-spot exists and if it does, it's not a specific physical structure,' said Dr Charles Runels, the inventor of the procedure.

Instead, women have an O-spot, he claims - the area near the clitoris and just inside the vagina.

Dr Runels offers a treatment called the O-Shot - which he says boosts both libido and sexual satisfaction.

He added that many women - especially those who are older and/or who have had children - find their clitoral sensitively is reduced - 'sometimes tremendously'.

Earlier this year, another doctor spoke out about the myth of the G-spot. Instead, women actually have an O-spot - the area near the clitoris and just inside the vagina - says U.S. doctor Sam Wood, who offers 'O-shot injections (file image)

The O-Shot involves drawing blood and then separating out the platelets from it.

These are then injected into an area near the clitoris and just inside the vagina - dubbed the O-Spot - and stimulates the growth of new cells in this area, making it more sensitive.

The idea for the treatment came from the Vampire Facelift, also developed by Dr Runels.

This basically involves injecting blood (which also contains growth factors) into the face. When these growth factors enter the face, stem cells become activated to grow new tissue.

This new tissue includes new collagen, new fatty tissue (for smoothness), and new blood vessels (for a healthy glow).

The same principle applies with the O-Shot, which aims to 'plump the clitoris' and make the vaginal area more sensitive.

Arthritis patients are taking too many painkillers - raising their risk of internal bleeding, heart attack and stroke

New study found one in five osteoarthritis sufferers is taking two types of anti-inflammatory painkiller increasing their risk of side effects

Report compiled by Arthritis Research UK found 97% of patients have restricted movement struggling to walk, climb the stairs and play sport

Researchers found 90% of sufferers take drug-based medicines

Arthritis patients in the UK are risking their health by taking too many painkillers, scientists have warned.

A new study found almost one in five sufferers are taking two anti-inflammatories to manage their condition, putting themselves at risk of side effects including gastric bleeds, heart attack and stroke.

The research found 97 per cent of patients with osteoarthritis had restricted movement - and more than seven out of 10 had reduced mobility, with some almost unable to move at all.

Those afflicted by the condition struggle with everyday activities including walking, climbing the stairs and taking part in sports

Research by Arthritis UK, Pro Bono Bio and Lloyds Pharmacy, has found one in five osteoarthritis sufferers are taking two different anti-inflammatories, putting themselves at risk of gastric bleed, stroke and heart attacks

The study, carried out by Arthritis UK, Lloyds Pharmacy and nanotechnology firm Pro Bono Bio, revealed 90 per cent of respondents were taking drug-based medicines.

And three-quarters used more than one treatment to manage their condition.

Yet almost half of those with OA complained of side effects, as a result of their medication, with almost nine in 10 worried about the complications.

Osteoarthritis affects nearly nine million people in Britain and costs the NHS £5.2 billion-a-year in direct healthcare costs, according to the charity Arthritis Research UK.

Dr Liam O'Toole, CEO of Arthritis Research UK, said: 'The findings of this survey highlight the debilitating pain that the one in six people with arthritis in the UK are facing every day.

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'Pain is one of the main symptoms of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. For some people, the pain is long-lasting and interferes with their daily life, stopping them doing the things they enjoy.

'All of our work is focused on taking the pain away from people who have arthritis so that they remain active, doing the things that they love.

The aim of the research was to better understand the impact the condition has on patients' lives, and help determine the use of those treatments currently available.

It found doctors and patients struggle to control the pain and stiffness caused by OA, a disease for which there is currently no cure.

In total 440 people with the condition, took part in the study over a four-month period from January to May this year.

Osteoarthritis affects around nine million people across the UK. Of those surveyed with OA, 57 per cent were taking a pain pill, including aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac. Pictured are X-rays of an arthritic knee and ankle

Of those surveyed, 61 per cent had officially been diagnosed with OA.

They ranged in age from 20 to 90 years, with the majority in the over-50s bracket.

Almost nine out of 10 were female and the knee was the most affected joint.

Of those with OA, 57 per cent were taking a pain pill from the class of medication known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs.

These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib and diclofenac - some are prescribed, others can be bought over the counter in pharmacies and supermarkets.

The report states: 'This class of medicine is well known to cause side effects, especially in patients who have risk factors.

'These risk factors include being elderly, having conditions such as high blood pressure, having ulcers, having had a previous heart attack or taking certain other medications.

'Extremely worrying is the significant number of patients (19 per cent) who report that they are taking two oral NSAIDs at the same time.'

PATIENT SAYS NEW ARTHRITIS GEL HAS 'CHANGED MY LIFE'

One osteoarthritis patient who took part in the survey, Pat Fuller, 73, of Tyne and Wear, said: 'I have arthritis all over my body, but it's worst in my knees. I couldn't walk and I couldn't sleep from the pain.

'It looked like I'd have to either have knee replacements or cease to live on my own, and I didn't want to go down the route of operations.

'Five years ago I had a triple bypass and I don't recover very well from operations, so I really didn't want to have the knees done, but now, because I'm using the new gel, I don't have to.

'I can now keep the pain away and have my mobility back — and I'm enjoying a proper night's sleep.'

Ninety per cent of respondents showed interest in a new drug-free treatment, proven to be effective against pain and stiffness, but has none of the side-effects of NSAIDs.

The treatment, Flexiseq, was launched by Arthritis Research UK in December.

Dr John Dickson, GP and a co-founder of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society, said: 'I read with interest the findings of this survey as they clearly reflect my experience that many patients continue to live with terrible pain and stiffness, despite trying many available treatments.

'These patients are looking for new options, and the new treatment, Flexiseq, may well be the answer for many of them.

'Flexiseq is a drug-free gel, gives comparable pain relief to the oral NSAIDs and has an excellent safety profile.

'I am recommending it to my patients, and use it myself on the painful arthritic joints in my hands.'

Michael Earl, of Flexiseq manufacturers Pro Bono Bio, said: 'This survey demonstrates the real need that patients and doctors have for effective and safer treatment options.

'Flexiseq, which is drug-free and has been shown to be as effective as a leading pain tablet, celecoxib, is already being used by many patients and we are delighted by the positive feedback we are getting from these users and from healthcare professionals.'

Nitin Makadia, pharmacist and pain expert at LloydsPharmacy, said: 'The results of the survey show a greater need for support and information around medicine management for those living with osteoarthritis.

'At LloydsPharmacy we have taken our support for these patients one step further by offering a pain service that gives patients the opportunity to discuss their pain concerns and get advice from a pharmacist about how they can manage their pain, not just with medication but also through lifestyle changes.'

Monday, August 25, 2014

Back-to-school vaccinations: Is your child protected?

As millions of American children head back to school, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding parents of the importance of vaccinations by declaring August “National Immunization Awareness Month.”

During the early years of life, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children receive vaccinations that will protect them from 14 different diseases – some of which can be life-threatening.

“Immunizing your child is probably one of the most important things you can do to keep your child healthy and prevent disease,” said Dr. Elaine Schulte, a pediatrician at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

From the time your child is born until he or she is 6 years old, your doctor may suggest following a schedule of immunizations to him or her from preventable diseases like hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis (or whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, chickenpox, and sometimes even flu and pneumonia.

Flu vaccines are recommended for kids in preschool and elementary school to help keep them healthy, according to the CDC. In fact, the agency suggests that all children 6 months and older get flu shots yearly along with their parents and others in the household.

If your child is heading into his or her tween years, he or she may need some booster shots for things like tetanus (which also covers whooping cough and diptheria) and chickenpox. Experts also recommend considering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for both boys and girls around 11 or 12 years old. The HPV vaccine helps protect against strains of the virus that cause genital warts and those that cause cervical and oral cancer. One recent study found the HPV vaccine to be effective up to eight years after it’s given with no significant adverse side effects.

Parents sending their teens off to college should check with the institution about the requirement for a meningitis vaccine. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine helps prevent two of the three most common causes of meningococcal disease, which can be very serious—even life-threatening, according to the CDC.

The immunization schedule begins soon after birth, but there is a catch-up schedule for parents who start late or fall behind.

“It’s never too late to bring your child into the office to make sure that they’ve been age-appropriately immunized,” Schulte said.

Britain braced for a bargain 'Viagra' boom: Thousands more to get impotence pills on NHS as price plunges 93%

Only men with impotence as side effect of an illness could get the drug

But generic versions of drug have caused value to plummet 93%

As a result, NHS has ruled all men with serious impotence are eligible

Hundreds of thousands of men could enjoy a boost to their love lives following an NHS decision to dish out much more Viagra on prescription.

Until this month, only men who suffered impotence as a side effect of illness or those evaluated by a specialist could be given the pills on the NHS.

But since Viagra’s patent ran out last year, its cost has plummeted by 93 per cent as generic versions of the drug have become available.

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nly men who suffered impotence as a side effect of illness could be given the pills on the NHS

Because of this, the NHS has ruled that all men with serious impotence problems can now be prescribed the drug.

Doctors have welcomed the change – which came into effect on August 1 – saying it had the potential to save relationships. Half of all men aged between 40 and 70 are estimated to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

However, others claim increased demand for the drug will add to GPs’ already heavy workloads.

Until a year ago, branded Viagra pills, made by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, cost £21.27 for a pack of four.

But after the firm’s patent expired in June 2013, rival companies have been allowed to make ‘generic’ versions containing the same active ingredient, sildenafil, priced at just £1.45 for four pills.

Mark Speakman, president of the British Association of Urological Surgeons, said the original restrictions, introduced in 1999, had been designed to save the NHS money.

‘They made the fairly arbitrary decision that if you had a discrete illness – like prostate cancer, diabetes or a spinal cord injury – you could get it on the NHS,’ he added.

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‘But if you were a man of a certain age and wearing out a bit, you could only get a private prescription and you had to pay full whack.’ The Department of Health said that it did not believe the relaxing of restrictions would lead to a rise in spending.

In 2012, the NHS in England spent £88 million on providing erectile dysfunction drugs to 180,000 men, of which £43 million went on branded Viagra.

Under the new rules, it estimates demand could nearly double in three years to 330,000 and cost the NHS £68 each time a patient is prescribed sildenafil.

However, the reduced price in the cost of the drug means overall spending on the condition would not rise. Dr John Chisholm, chairman of charity Men’s Health Forum, said the move ‘would make a great deal of difference to the mental wellbeing and happiness of these patients’.

‘It’s not a myth that relationships can be put in jeopardy by erectile dysfunction. This decision will enable some relationships to flourish when they’re being threatened.’

Doctors have welcomed the change - which came into effect on August 1 - saying it could save relationships

BBC Inside Out expose pharmacies selling Valium and Viagra

Visiting a doctor to ask for the drugs could also help men to identify the underlying causes of their impotence, including serious health problems, he added. ‘Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of underlying illness like diabetes, coronary heart disease, or peripheral arterial disease.’

Dr Andrew Green, chairman of the British Medical Association’s clinical and prescribing sub-committee, said the change ‘partially corrects an historic injustice done to men and their partners who were denied an effective treatment for a distressing condition’.

But Dr Imran Rafi, chairman of clinical innovation and research at the Royal College of GPs, said: ‘You need to be careful. There can be side effects for some patients and sildenafil can react with other drugs.’

Taking sildenafil with nitrates drugs such as the angina spray GTN can lead to a sudden and serious loss of blood pressure, he warned.

Doctors are also concerned about sildenafil being used as a recreational drug. Viagra – both the branded and generic versions – has been linked to 134 deaths since 1998, according to the UK drugs regulator, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Almost half were caused by heart problems.

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Erectile dysfunction is a common and distressing condition and may be a sign of more serious underlying health problems. Now this treatment is cheaper we have made it more widely available on the NHS. We hope this will encourage more men to visit their GP.’

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Pregnant women who take anti-depressants 'could raise their child's risk of ADHD'

More...

The G-spot DOESN'T exist - but the 'CUV region' might: Italian doctors define 'new' area of pleasure for women

More...

Arthritis patients are taking too many painkillers - raising their risk of internal bleeding, heart attack and stroke

More...

PATIENT SAYS NEW ARTHRITIS GEL HAS 'CHANGED MY LIFE'

Monday, August 25, 2014

Back-to-school vaccinations: Is your child protected?

Britain braced for a bargain 'Viagra' boom: Thousands more to get impotence pills on NHS as price plunges 93%

More...