Depression damages the heart
Children with depression are more likely to be obese, smoke and be inactive, and can show the effects of heart disease as early as their teen years, according to a newly published study by University of South Florida Associate Professor of Psychology Jonathan Rottenberg. The research suggests that depression may increase the risk of heart problems later in life. The researchers also observed higher rates of heart disease in the parents of adolescents that had been depressed as children. “Given that the parents in this sample were relatively young, we were quite surprised to find that the parents of the affected adolescents were reporting a history of heart attacks and other serious events,” Rottenberg said.
Oral contraceptives lead to blindness
Research has found that women who have taken oral contraceptives for three or more years are twice as likely to suffer from glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness which affects nearly 60 million worldwide. The researchers caution gynecologists and ophthalmologists to be aware of the fact that oral contraceptives might play a role in glaucomatous diseases, and inform patients to have their eyes screened for glaucoma if they also have other risk factors. The research found that females who had used oral contraceptives, no matter which kind, for longer than three years are two and a half times more likely to also report that they have the diagnosis of glaucoma. Although the results of the study do not speak directly to the causative effect of oral contraceptives on the development of glaucoma, it indicates that long-term use of oral contraceptives might be a potential risk factor for glaucoma, and may be considered as part of the risk profile for a patient together with other existing risk factors.
Vitamin d2 is not good for athletes
Power athletes and others looking for an edge to improve their performance should avoid taking vitamin D2, a new study suggests. Researchers found that taking Vitamin D2 supplements decreased levels of Vitamin D3 in the body and resulted in higher muscle damage after intense weight lifting. Research showed that taking Vitamin D2 supplements decreased levels of Vitamin D3 in the body and resulted in higher muscle damage after intense weight lifting. “This is the first time research has shown that Vitamin D2 supplementation is associated with higher muscle damage after intense weight lifting, and thus cannot be recommended for athletes,” said Dr David Nieman, who directed the study.
Cure pcs with exercise
A treatment program for patients who suffer from post-concussion syndrome(PCS) is being pioneered, showing that gradual exercise, rather than rest alone, actually helps to restore the balance of the brain’s auto-regulation mechanism, which controls the blood pressure and supply to the brain. PCS is defined as three or more concussion symptoms that persist at least three weeks after the injury. Past treatments for the condition have failed to demonstrate success. The treatment prescribes a regulated exercise routine and is among the first to offer real hope to those who suffer. Researchers developed a low-level workout program (maybe 10 or 15 minutes) for each.
Hope for migraine sufferers
Candesartan is just as effective as more the commonly prescribed propranolol when it comes to preventing migraine attacks, according to a new study from St Olavs Hospital in Trondheim, Norway and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The researchers have also found that candesartan may work for patients who get no relief from propranolol. “This gives doctors more possibilities and we can help more people,” says Professor lars Jacob Stovner, leader of Norwegian National Headache Centre, who also led the study. If one drug doesn't work for the migraine patient, the other one may. Side effects may also vary from patient to patient.