Tag: health

No chips with mine thanks!

kaitiscotland4 Comments
Photo by Glady Francis on Pexels.com

After considerable number crunching a low carb colleague has come to the very reasonable conclusion that the worst food in the world for weight gain is the fried potato in its several incarnations.

In the USA French Fries are what we in the UK call Chips. In the USA Chips are what we in the UK call Crisps.

These are ubiquitous and difficult to avoid particularly if you eat in fast food restaurants. Even if you order a sandwich you may be given a side order of chips or crisps.

Tucker explains that the vegetable and seed oils that these items are fried in play havoc with the appetite control centres of your brain. This article serves as a reminder, since we are all still at least trying to keep to our New Year’s Resolutions, why it would be better to avoid having them on your plate or hand in the first place. And just the one or two….who are you kidding?

https://yelling-stop.blogspot.com/2021/10/whats-most-fattening-food.html

A forensic pathologist tells us how to live to a good old age

kaitiscotland2 Comments
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Adapted from Medscape August 31 2022 Would you like to live to a ripe old age? George D Lundberg MD

Do

Choose ancestors who did not die of natural causes in young adulthood or middle age (oophs…too late!)

Maintain a body mass index within the healthy range using a variety of tools

Maintain blood pressure within a normal range with or without medications

Maintain a low resting heart rate

Do eat whole grains including bran

Consume above ground leafy vegetables, some root vegetables, tree nuts, peanuts and berries

Ingest supplemental fibre such as psyllium husks

Ingest supplemental magnesium and possibly vitamins K2, C and D

Enjoy eating animal and vegetable fats including milk, cheese, meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs in moderation.

Eat two full meals a day

Do drink alcohol after 5pm

Sleep 6-8 hours a night

Walk up and downstairs and use handrails if necessary

Continue to be active physically, mentally, socially and sexually

Study and enjoy birds, bees, trees, plants, flowers and wildlife

Value your family life and participate actively while encouraging individuals to live their own lives

Read great books, fiction or non fiction a little every day

Actively engage in person or electronically with younger people

Stay informed about current world affairs and care about what you can change

Be passionate about culture such as performing and visual arts and sport

Recognise the value of spirituality and religion and feel free to live otherwise if you choose

Do your best to earn and retain as much money as needed to control your environment into old age

Take charge of your own health

Listen to your body

Maintain a long term relationship with a reliable and conservative primary care physician and certain specialists that fit the needs of older people.

Promote good vision in any way you can

Use hearing aids if you need them to retain brain function

See your dentist every 6 to 12 months and practice good oral hygiene. There is a strong correlation between the number of original teeth and length of life

Keep up to date with vaccinations

Maintain a safe distance and use mask if you may be around infective people

Take as few medications as necessary

Have as few diagnostic tests and surgical procedures as possible especially on the back and the knees

Use acupuncture and massage appropriately

Apply moisturising skin lotion especially after sun exposure

Use saline mist often to prevent nosebleeds

Walk at least 2 miles every day

If you can, swim every day

Practice yoga particularly the standing side bend, prone baby cobra, forward plank and windshield-wiper

Eat a protein rich diet and deliberately weight train or lift heavy objects to reduce sarcopenia

stand on one foot to improve balance

Use wearable exercise monitors if you find them useful

If you retire from work do some part time or volunteer jobs

Have something productive and fulfilling to do each day

Don’t

Inhale tobacco smoke

Consume sugar or sugar in anything in home cooked or restaurant meals, in soft drinks, fruit juices, pastries, desserts or processed foods

Use street drugs

Use natural or synthetic opioids except for short term relief of severe pain or the relief of pain from advanced cancer: then use all you need

Use sleep medication

Drink more than moderately or binge drink

Drive a vehicle after drinking or taking certain psychoactive drugs

Keep firearms in your home or workplace

Fret about things in your personal life or world affairs that you cannot change

Completely retire and have nothing useful to do

My comments: Dr Lundberg has a pretty long list of sensible suggestions. To these I would add, get some daily sunshine if you can and enjoy your pets. Have things to look forward to. Keep in touch with your friends and make contact with old ones who you value but don’t see often. Learn new things. What other suggestions do you have?

Blood pressure difference between arms can be a risk factor for cognitive decline…as well as other things.

kaitiscotland4 Comments

From Systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference and cognitive decline in older people, a cohort study. Christopher E Clark. BJGP July 2020

 

A prospective study was done in 1,113 Italians whose average age was 66.4 years. Even a difference of only 5 degrees between the arms was associated with a greater level of cognitive decline.

My comment: In UK GP practices, only one arm is used to check the blood pressure. In my case, it was the arm that was nearest to the desk. Perhaps we should check both ? Inter-arm BP differences are both associated with cardiovascular disease, and this in turn affects dementia. Then of course, is the question, what can you do about it? For a further discussion of the subject here is Pharmacist Antonio Bess from Diabetes in Control.

Cognitive Decline: Just Life, or a Preventable Disease?
Feb 22, 2020

Editor: David L. Joffe, BSPharm, CDE, FACA

Author: Antonio Bess, Pharm D Candidate, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University School of Pharmacy

Cognitive decline is associated with many diseases and medications, but the exact mechanisms are not clearly understood.
Diabetes, obesity, and declining cognitive function are all associated with increased prevalence with increasing age.

Diabetes is a known risk factor for eye, kidney, neurological and cardiovascular diseases, but its effect on declining cognitive function has been in question. Previous studies have found associations between patients who have diabetes and poor glycemic control and significantly faster cognitive decline. Other studies have demonstrated a pattern in which diabetes, high blood pressure, and high body mass index in midlife predict dementia in late life.

In this prospective study, individuals were followed for up to ten years to find associations between indices in diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation, and blood pressure with cognitive decline. The indices of interest were measured separately among those with and without central obesity.
The Monongahela‐Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team is a population‐based cohort of participants recruited randomly from 2006 to 2008, who were 65 and older, and were from a group of small towns in southwestern Pennsylvania. The study is focused on the epidemiology of cognitive decline and dementia in an area that still has not recovered economically from the collapse of the steel industry in the 1970s.

Participants were analyzed at study entry, and annual follow up. To measure cognitive function, participants were given a panel of neuropsychological tests tapping the domains of attention/processing speed, executive function, memory, language, and visuospatial function. At study entry and annually, BP, BMI, waist‐hip ratio, and depressive symptoms  were measured.
Key variables at the time of blood draw, including age, sex, race (white vs. nonwhite), education (high school [HS] or less vs. more than HS), APOE*4 allele carrier status, mCES‐D score, BMI, WHR, systolic BP (SBP), and the following laboratory assay variables: CRP, glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA‐IR, resistin, adiponectin, and GLP‐1 were all reviewed to identify predictors of cognitive decline.
Among 1982 participants who were recruited and underwent full assessment at baseline from 2006 to 2008, only 478 individuals were able to provide fasting blood samples. Of this group of individuals, the median age was 82 years; 66.7% were women; 96.7% were white, and 49.0% had more than HS education.

Compared to the 1504 original participants without fasting blood data, at baseline, these 478 were significantly younger (74.6 vs. 78.6 years; P < .001); more likely to be women (66.7% vs. 59.2%; P = .004); more likely to be of European descent (96.7% vs. 94.1%; P < .001); more likely to have at least HS education (49.0% vs. 38.6%; P < .001); but about equally likely to be APOE*4 carriers (19.3% vs. 21.5%; P = .350).
In unadjusted analysis in the sample as a whole, faster cognitive decline was associated with greater age, less education, APOE*4 carriage, higher depression symptoms (mCES‐D score), and higher adiponectin level. HbA1c was significantly associated with cognitive decline.

After stratifying by the median waist-hip ratio, HbA1c remained related to cognitive decline in those with higher waist-hip ratios. Faster cognitive decline was associated, in lower waist-hip ratio participants younger than 87 years, with adiponectin of 11 or greater; and in higher waist-hip ratio participants younger than 88 years, with HbA1c of 6.2% or greater. Higher adiponectin levels predicted a steeper cognitive decline in the lower waist-hip ratio group.
Abdominal obesity plays a crucial role in cognitive decline in those with diabetes. The microvascular disease may play a more significant role than macrovascular disease. Midlife obesity contributes to cognitive decline but there was no midlife data in this study. Future studies should include a large minority, midlife population. Adiponectin levels need to be carefully assessed as well.

Practice Pearls:
In individuals younger than 88 years old, central obesity can lead to faster cognitive declines.
Obesity, diabetes, and aging contribute to cognitive decline, so it’s hard to distinguish the most significant risk.
Adiponectin may be a novel independent risk factor for cognitive decline and should be reviewed.

Ganguli, Mary, et al. “Aging, Diabetes, Obesity, and Cognitive Decline: A Population‐Based Study.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Feb. 2020, p. jgs.16321, doi:10.1111/jgs.16321.
Ganguli, Mary, et al. Aging, Diabetes, Obesity, and Cognitive Decline: A Population-Based Study. 2020, pp. 1–8, doi:10.1111/jgs.16321.
Tuligenga, Richard H., et al. “Midlife Type 2 Diabetes and Poor Glycaemic Control as Risk Factors for Cognitive Decline in Early Old Age: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Whitehall II Cohort Study.” The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, vol. 2, no. 3, Elsevier Limited, Mar. 2014, pp. 228–35, doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70192-X.
Cukierman, T., et al. “Cognitive Decline and Dementia in Diabetes – Systematic Overview of Prospective Observational Studies.” Diabetologia, vol. 48, no. 12, Springer, 8 Dec. 2005, pp. 2460–69, doi:10.1007/s00125-005-0023-4.

Antonio Bess, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Pharmacy

Dietary gluten in pregnancy is related to an increased risk of type one diabetes in the child

kaitiscotland2 Comments

Adapted from Antvorskov JC et al. Association between maternal gluten intake and type one diabetes in offspring. BMJ 22 September 2018

This research was based on a study of Danish women’s food frequency questionnaires completed 25 weeks after their first pregnancies ended. The incidence of diabetes in the children was then noted from January 1996 till May 2016 from the Danish Registry of Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes. After certain exclusions had been made over 63,500 were analysed.

The mean gluten intake per day was 13g ranging from 7g to more than 20g per day.

The incidence of diabetes in the child increased proportionately according to gluten intake. The women who had  20g or more intake had double the type one diabetes in their offspring compared to those who ate 7g or less.

As type one diabetes has risen seemingly inexplicably over the last few decades, there has been a lot of consideration into possible environmental triggers. Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, rye and barley.  In animal studies, a wheat free diet in the mother has been found to dramatically reduce the incidence of diabetes in the child.

It has been suggested that gluten can affect gut permeability, gut microbiotica and cause low grade inflammation.

Although there is this association between gluten and type one diabetes it could be that other factors, for example the advanced glycation products from the baking process, that are to blame.  Unwanted additives to grain  could also be a factor eg mycotoxins, heavy metals, pesticides and fertilisers.

Mothers who eat a lot of gluten may similarly feed their children a lot of gluten. They also may pass gliadin from wheat into the breast milk.

Although this research suggests that high amounts of gluten may be problematic in pregnancy, further research will need to be done before dietary recommendations are likely to be changed.

Metformin improves side effects of steroid treatment

kaitiscotland2 Comments

From Pernicova I et al. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 25 Feb 2020

Long-term glucocorticoids, most often prednisolone, are prescribed for about 3% of European adults. The long term exposure can raise metabolic, infectious and cardiovascular risks.

This was a trial of 53 adults who had inflammatory disease treated with prednisolone but did not have diabetes, who were given either 12 weeks of metformin or a placebo.

The dose of prednisolone was 20mg or more for the first month and then 10mg or more for the next 12 weeks. The dose of metformin given was up to 850mg three times a day.

What improved:

Facial fatness was in seen in 52% of the placebo group but only 10% in the metformin group.

Increased blood sugar was seen in 33% of the placebo group and none of the metformin group.

There was improvement in insulin resistance, beta cell function, liver function, fibrinolysis, carotid intima media thickness, inflammatory parameters and disease activity severity markers in the metformin group.

There were fewer cases of pneumonia, moderate to severe infections and all causes of hospitalisation for adverse events in the metformin group.

What got worse:

Diarrhea was worse in the metformin group.

What didn’t get better:

Visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio was unchanged between the groups.

My comment: Looks like a clear winner for adding metformin to long term prednisolone treatments.

Younger women more likely to get urine infections with Flozins

kaitiscotland3 Comments

From Univadis Nakhleh A et al. Journal of Diabetes Complications 18th April 2020

It is well known that patients on Flozins are much more prone to urine infections and thrush due to the extra sugar in the urine which is excreted by taking these drugs, also known as SGLT2 inhibitors.

An Israeli study of over 6 thousand women with type two diabetes sought to clarify who was more or less likely to be affected by this very annoying problem.

They found that those most likely to get urine infections were:

Women who had existing gastro intestinal problems

Pre-menopausal women

Women who had been taking oral oestrogen in the form of the contraceptive pill or HRT

Women less likely to be affected:

were older (over 70)

had prior existing chronic kidney disease

My comment: From my GP experience I found that these drugs were highly effective and generally well tolerated. A few patients were indeed badly affected by recurrent urine infections and thrush and had to discontinue the drugs.

 

 

NICE: Hydrogen peroxide for impetigo

kaitiscotland2 Comments

 Adapted from :NICE issues antimicrobial prescribing guidance for impetigo

curated by Pavankumar Kamat UK Medical News 28 Feb 2020

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently published antimicrobial prescribing guidance which describes the antimicrobial strategy for adults, young people and children aged ≥72 hours with impetigo.

According to the new NICE guidance, GPs should prescribe topical hydrogen peroxide 1% instead of topical antibiotics for patients with localised non-bullous impetigo.
The guidance states that hydrogen peroxide 1% cream is as effective as topical antibiotics in patients with localised, non-bullous impetigo, provided they are not systemically unwell or at risk for complications.

If hydrogen peroxide 1% cream is not suitable or if symptoms have worsened or not improved, a short course of a topical antibiotic may be considered.
A topical or oral antibiotic is recommended for patients with widespread non-bullous impetigo, provided they are not systemically unwell or at risk for complications. Oral antibiotic treatment is recommended for patients who have bullous impetigo or if they are systemically unwell or at high risk for complications.
NICE does not recommend a combination of topical and oral antibiotic. There is no evidence that the combination works more effectively than a topical treatment alone.
The primary choice of topical antibiotic is fusidic acid 2%, and the secondary option is mupirocin 2%. The drug of choice for first-line oral antibiotic therapy is flucloxacillin, with clarithromycin and erythromycin (for pregnant women) as secondary choices.

References
Impetigo: antimicrobial prescribing: NICE guideline [NG153]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2020 February.

My comment: Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by staphloccus which tends to colonise up people’s noses. It spreads rapidly in the nursery and primary school environments. Previously it was treated with oral penicillin. Children are advised to stay off school to reduce spread. Any effective topical, non antibiotic treatment, is welcome as this will help reduce antibiotic resistance.

Stress may damage your immune response long term

kaitiscotland3 Comments

Adapted from: Stress related disorders and physical health.  Song H. et al. BMJ 26 Oct 19.

This Swedish study of almost 145,000 brothers and sisters showed that any sort of anxiety or stress disorder was associated with an increased risk of life threatening infections, even when familial background, physical and psychiatric problems were adjusted for.

The study went on between 1987 and 2013. The stresses included post traumatic stress disorder, acute stress reaction, adjustment disorder and others. The patients were matched with healthy siblings when possible or matched comparative children from the general population.  They then looked for diagnosis of severe infection in the coming years such as sepsis, endocarditis, meningitis and other infections.

Severe infection rates per 1,000 person years were 2.9 for the stressed person, 1.7 for the healthy sibling, and 1.3 for the matched person in the general population.

They found that the effects were worse the earlier the age the diagnosis of the stress occurred.

Treatment with serotonin re-uptake inhibitors for PTSD seemed to reduce the negative effects on the immune system when given within a year of the stress diagnosis.

This research builds on information that PTSD produces more gastrointestinal, skin, musculoskeletal, neurological, heart and lung disorders.  Cardiac mortality has been found to be raised 27% and autoimmune disorder by 46%.

Why this happens could be due to the interplay between biological, psychological and social factors. Increased inflammatory response is considered by Song and colleagues to be a likely mechanism. Increased levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 1 beta, tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma have been found in those with PTSD.

PTSD has a heritability factor of 5-20% which is similar to what is found in families with depression.  It is likely to be polygenic.

Talking based therapies are generally even better for PTSD than drugs, so earlier intervention may have long term benefits not just on mental health, but physical health as well.

BMJ 2019;367:16036

Fitter, better, sooner

kaitiscotland2 Comments

From BJGP May 2020 by Hilary Swales et al.

Having an operation is a major event in anyone’s life. There is a lot a patient can do to improve their physical and mental health before surgery that will improve their recovery and long term health.

Fitter, better, sooner is a toolkit was produced by the Royal College of Anaesthetists with input from GPs, surgeons and patients.

The toolkit has, an electronic leaflet, an explanatory animation and six operation specific leaflet for cataract surgery, hysteroscopy, cystoscopy, hernia, knee arthroscopy and total knee joint replacement.

These can be seen at: https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patient-information/preparing-surgery-fitter-better-sooner

The colleges want more active participation with patients in planning for their care.

The most common complications after surgery include wound infection and chest infection. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness worsens post op complications. Even modest improvement in activity can improve chest and heart function to some extent.  Keeping alcohol intake low can improve wound healing. Stopping smoking is also important for almost all complications. Measures to reduce anaemia also reduce immediate and long term problems from surgery and also reduce the need for blood transfusion. Blood transfusion is associated with poorer outcomes particularly with cancer surgery. HbA1Cs over 8.5% or 65 mmol/mol causes more wound complications and infections.  Blood pressure needs to be controlled to reduce cardiovascular instability during the operation and cardiovascular and neurological events afterwards.

This toolkit is already being used in surgical pre-assessment clinics but access to the materials in GP practices will also help. After all, the GPs are the ones who are initially referring the patients for surgery, and improving participation early can only be helpful.

It is hoped that this initiative will result in patients having fewer complications, better outcomes from surgery but also from their improved lifestyle.

 

Bariatic surgery doubles congenital abnormalities in babies

kaitiscotland4 Comments

From BMJ 30 Nov 19

A retrospective analysis from Quebec of 2 million pregnant women who had delivered between 1989 and 2016 showed that offspring of women who had become pregnant after bariatric surgery had roughly twice the risk of birth defects compared to women who were not obese or who were obese but had not had surgery.

The defects were mainly heart and musculoskeletal defects.

My comment: This short report does not go into possible causes for this. You would have thought that the risk would have been reduced to the level of the non obese women. I wonder if nutritional issues have a part to play as after bariatric surgery long term vitamin supplements need to be taken.