The Image Woman

MONDAY, April 11 — Long-term use of antibiotics to treat acne doesn’t seem to spur bacteria into becoming resistant to the medications, a new study finds.

The finding came as a bit of a surprise, since widespread use of antibiotics has been credited with encouraging antibiotic resistance in bacteria generally.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine assessed the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on 83 patients treated for acne. Some of the patients were using antibiotics while others were not using the drugs.

“While S. aureus colonizes the skin, it can also be responsible for localized cutaneous [skin] infections and life-threatening systemic infections,” the study authors wrote in a journal news release.

“At one time, it was sensitive to many antibiotics and antimicrobial agents,” they said. “However, because of its ability to adapt to these therapies and become resistant, clinical scenarios now exist in which few therapeutic options remain to treat this organism. Therefore, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become commonplace.”

The researchers found that 36 of the acne patients were colonized with S. aureus. Two of those 36 patients had MRSA; 20 had S. aureus solely in their throats; one-quarter had S. aureus only in their noses, and seven had it in their noses and throats.

“Long-term use of antibiotics decreased the prevalence of S. aureus colonization by nearly 70 percent,” the researchers wrote. “A decreased rate of colonization was noted with the use of both oral and topical antibiotics.”

Surprisingly, “fewer than 10 percent of the isolates of S. aureus were resistant to tetracyclines, the most commonly used antibiotic family to treat acne,” they continued. “Resistance to [the antibiotics] erythromycin and clindamycin was mostly prevalent among our isolates and was noted in the patients who did and did not use antibiotics.”

The findings contradict current beliefs about long-term use of antibiotics, the researchers said.

One expert concurred with the findings.

“The results of the study correlate well with our experience minimal to no general bacterial resistance,” said Dr. Doris Day, a dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “However, our greater concern is that the long term use of tetracycline’s and other antibiotics used to treat acne can lead to resistance of the specific bacteria that is the underlying culprit in most cases of acne, which is the P. acnes bacteria.”

“For this reason we often pair the antibiotic with a topical benzoyl peroxide, and most of the time we limit the course of treatment to a maximum of 3-4 months when possible,” she said.

The study, published online April 11, appears in the August print issue of the journal Archives of Dermatology.

More information

The American Academy of Dermatology outlines prescription medications for acne.

MONDAY, April 11 — The first test to help diagnose people with symptoms of the mosquito-borne virus dengue fever has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

As many as 100 million people globally are believed infected each year with the virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, the FDA said in a news release. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache and pain behind the eyes, pain in the joints, muscles and bones, rash, and easy bleeding and bruising.

Most cases in the continental United States can be traced to people returning from Latin America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. It’s also common in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Recent dengue outbreaks have been reported in Hawaii, Texas and Florida, the FDA said.

The DENV Detect IgM Capture ELISA test detects dengue antibodies in the blood. The test is based on technology developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is manufactured by Inbios Inc., of Seattle.

The test should not be used in people who do not have any symptoms of dengue fever, the FDA warned. There are no FDA-approved vaccines to prevent the infection or medicines approved specifically to treat it, the agency said.

More information

The CDC has more about dengue fever.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a condition wherein a woman each month after ovulation till her next period experiences some physical and emotional changes in her body. The severity, onset and duration of these symptoms vary from one woman to another according to their health condition and lifestyle. However, the onset of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms usually occur 3 to 4 days before menstruation, which subside with the menstrual flow. Research shows that nearly one third of the women all over the world experience mild to moderately severe PMS symptoms every month which subside on their own. But some women especially of reproductive ages experience chronic PMS symptoms which may raise some severe health concerns and seek medical care. Hence, what are those extreme PMS symptoms, before knowing let us first try to understand the various factors responsible for them.

Causes of PMS

One of the prime causes for PMS symptoms is the hormonal changes that a woman undergoes every month. Normally a menstrual cycle lasts for 28 to 30 days, which is categorized in to three stages called the follicular (menstrual bleeding), ovulatory (egg release) and luteal (egg disintegration) stages. During these stages, especially after ovulation when the released egg is not fertilized, the body undergoes a lot of fluctuations in the estrogen and progesterone levels in order to prepare itself for the next menstrual flow. These changes subsequently affect other hormones in the body and lead to various PMS symptoms in women.

Besides these cyclic changes in the hormones, there are some chemical changes in the brain like fluctuations or imbalance in serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that controls the mood states, which also contribute to common PMS symptoms like depression, fatigue, mood swings, etc. Stress, smoking, drinking and poor eating habits, i.e. diet deficient in vitamins and minerals or high in sodium and salt can aggravate some severe PMS symptoms in women.

Signs and Symptoms of PMS

Most women are well aware of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which causes mild to moderately severe PMS symptoms that usually require no treatment and disappear with in a few days of menstrual bleeding. But there is a severe form of PMS that leads to serious PMS symptoms, called as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is usually associated with the luteal phase of menstrual cycle and can be debilitating due to some severe emotional, mental and physical changes. Treatment is recommended as the disorder interferes with the sufferer’s ability to do perform her daily activities. Below given are the chronic signs and symptoms of PMS that can very bothersome, followed by mild PMS symptoms list.

Severe PMS SymptomsPMS breast tenderness and swellingAbdominal bloatingMood swings and irritabilityMuscle pain and crampsMenstrual headaches and migrainesMajor depressionFeeling hopelessness, severe sadnessWeakness and fatigueSleep disturbancePoor concentrationMild PMS SymptomsNausea and dizzinessWeight gain from fluid retentionAbdominal pain and pelvic crampsAggravation of chronic conditions like arthritis and ulcersChanges in bowel habitsDifficulty with coordination or decreased balanceChanges in libido or decreased sexual desireMenstrual crampingHot flashesAcne flare-upsConstipation or diarrheaEdema (visible swelling, particularly in the hands, feet and legs)Asthma and breathing difficultySinus problems or sore throatHeart pounding (palpitation)Tension or anxietyAppetite changes and food cravingsSocial withdrawalNo interest in relationships or daily activities Decreased alertness, inability to concentrateHowever mild PMS symptoms can be relieved by taking proper rest and sleep, exercising regularly, doing meditation, consuming a diet high in calcium, protein but low in salt with some vitamin supplements and leading a stress free life. But for severe PMS symptoms that do not subside in a day or so and can cause serious discomfort or uneasiness, do consult a health care provider to diagnose the underlying cause for these symptoms and prescribe medications, if necessary.

SUNDAY, April 10 — An “organic” label on foods is enough to make people believe the food items are healthier and tastier, new research suggests.

The study included 144 volunteers who were asked to compare what they believed were conventionally and organically produced chocolate sandwich cookies, plain yogurt and potato chips. All of the products were actually organic, but they were labeled as either “regular” or “organic.”

The participants used a scale of 1 to 9 to rate each of the products on 10 attributes, such as overall taste and perception of fat content. They were also asked to estimate the number of calories in each food item and how much they would be willing to pay for each product.

The investigators found that participants preferred almost all of the taste characteristics of the foods labeled as “organic,” even though they were identical to those labeled as “regular.”

The food items with “organic” labels were also perceived as being lower in fat, higher in fiber, significantly lower in calories and worth more money, according to study author Jenny Wan-chen Lee, a graduate student in Cornell University’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.

In addition, chips and cookies labeled “organic” were judged to be more nutritious than those believed to be non-organic.

Lee conducted the study to test the theory that people are influenced by what is described as “the halo effect,” according to background information in a news release from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. In this case, the researchers set out to see if the “health halo” — the perception that an item that is labeled “organic” is therefore nutritious — would lead people to believe that the “organic” foods tasted better.

The study was slated for presentation Sunday at the Experimental Biology annual meeting, in Washington, D.C., of the American Society for Nutrition.

Because this research was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians offers nutrition advice.

TUESDAY, April 12 — When children who were blind from birth were able to see for the first time, they weren’t immediately able to make the connection between what they were seeing and what they were feeling with their hands, a new study reveals.

However, they gained that ability within a few days.

The findings suggest that the brain doesn’t have a natural ability to make a connection between different types of sensory input but can quickly learn that skill, Pawan Sinha, a professor in the brain and cognitive sciences department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in an MIT news release.

The study included five children, aged 8 to 17, in India who were born blind. Four of them had congenital cataracts and one had corneal opacity. They underwent surgery to correct their eye problems.

The patients’ ability to make the connection between what they were seeing and what they were feeling with their hands was tested within 48 hours after surgery, shortly after their eye bandages were removed.

The study was published in the April 10 online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The brain appears to learn to make connections between different types of sensory input by analyzing the timing of each stimulus, the researchers said. An example would be looking at your cell phone upon hearing it ring.

“The brain essentially has to look at the time sequence and figure out the correspondence,” Sinha said.

More information

The U.S. National Eye Institute has more about cataracts.

Menstruation is a monthly cycle lasting for five or more days, which every fertile, non pregnant women pass through. While many of them have no significant medical problems, some experience impending menstruation symptoms. The severity of such conditions may differ from one woman to another. With the onset of impending menstruation signs, a woman can predict that her period is coming near.

What is Impending Menstruation?

Impending menstruation symptoms are nothing but the physical as well as emotional changes experienced before the actual cycle begins. Generally termed as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), the symptoms are manifested several days prior to the cycle. Hence, whether you refer to impending menstruation or pre menstruation symptoms, they mean the same. For women who have severe symptoms of impending menstrual cycle, the monthly period is nothing less than a nightmare.

Impending Menstruation Signs and Symptoms

The signs of impending menstruation resolve gradually with the onset of menstrual cycle. Paleness and change in the skin appearance are common in the PMS symptoms list. Besides these, there are a range of bodily changes brought about by this monthly cycle. Most of these medical conditions are physical, while a few are related to the mental state. Impending menstruation symptoms manifested by women whose monthly period is about to begin are as follows.

Menstrual Pain
Medically referred to as primary dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramp is a common complaint amongst teenagers and young women. Pain is felt 1-2 days before period and continues till the middle of the cycle. In some, the pain intensity may be so severe that their normal routine gets disturbed before and during menstruation.

Bloating and Water Retention
Water retention is another pronounced symptom of impending menstruation is some women. Have you ever come across a situation, in which your finger ring became tighter as you woke up early in the morning, just before period. If yes, then this indicates a sign of impending menstruation.

Breast Tenderness
Slight swelling and increased sensitivity of breasts are some impending menstruation symptoms. Just like early pregnancy symptoms, the breasts may become fuller and sensitive to touch as the period date comes near. In addition to PMS breast tenderness, a few women complain of generalized pain in the breasts before their menstruation begins.

Acne Outbreaks
Needless to say, a main cause for acne eruption is hormonal change. In some women whose period is supposed to start in the next few days, small pimples or acne pop up in face. This is a common example of hormone triggered acne outbreak. For such cases, applying topical creams will help in treating acne.

Stomach Upset
Abdominal discomfort and stomach upset are notable PMS symptoms before period. At times, they are accompanied with nausea and dizziness. In many cases, these symptoms are very disturbing, and some women develop the habit of using over-the-counter medications.

Appetite Changes
Regarding these impending menstruation symptoms, some crave for specific food items before their periods. On the contrary, other women may have the opposite effect, and experience general loss of appetite. Either way, change in appetite is an indicator for beginning of menstrual cycle.

Increased Fatigue
This is a general symptom manifested during menstruation, particularly because of blood flow and other bodily changes. Nevertheless, some feel low stamina levels and weakness, even before the start of their periods. On the other hand, increased energy level and insomnia are observed in other women.

Mood Swings
Since menstruation has lots to do with the hormones of the body, mood swings are predictable. Just before the start of period and during the cycle, women tend to get irritated very soon, without any apparent reason. Also, they remain emotional during these days of the month.

These were some of the impending menstruation symptoms that signify that menstrual cycle is round the corner. It is best to adopt natural methods for alleviating severe PMS symptoms, instead of relying on medications every month. Consuming balanced diet with healthy foods, mild movement exercise and drinking ample amount of water are some useful tips to stay comfortable before and during menstruation.

TUESDAY, April 12 — Cases of AIDS-related cancers have decreased among people with HIV in the United States, but other types of cancer are on the rise in this group, a new study has found.

Three cancers — Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and invasive cervical cancer — are among the diseases included in the criteria that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses to determine whether a person with HIV has developed AIDS.

The study, by researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that these AIDS-defining cancers decreased threefold, from 34,000 cases between 1991 and 1995 to about 10,000 cases between 2001 and 2005.

They attributed the decrease to the introduction in 1996 of highly active antiretroviral therapy, which improves immune function, reduces risk of progression to AIDS and greatly improves survival among people infected with HIV.

But the study also found that the total number of all other types of cancers in people with HIV tripled, from about 3,000 cases between 1991 and 1995 to about 10,000 cases between 2001 and 2005.

The findings were published online April 11 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

“Our study observed striking increases for a number of malignancies related to cancer risk factors that are known to be prevalent in this population, such as smoking and infection with cancer-causing viruses,” study author Meredith S. Shiels, from the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the National Cancer Institute, said in a journal news release. “We also observed increases for nearly all other cancers, which is what one might expect for an aging population.”

Senior investigator Dr. Eric A. Engels, a colleague of Shiels, said in the release that “the changing number and types of cancer for people with HIV/AIDS highlights the need for research focusing on the specific cancer prevention needs of this population, including smoking cessation, treatment of hepatitis B and C viral infections and prevention and screening for HPV-related cancers.”

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has more about HIV/AIDS.

TUESDAY, April 12 — Progressive scar damage to transplanted kidneys may be less common and less severe than reported in previous research, says a new study.

The research included 797 patients who received new kidneys between 1998 and 2004 and were followed for at least five years.

One year after transplant, 87 percent of the patients had mild or no signs of progressive scar damage on their new kidney. After five years, that decreased slightly to 83 percent, said the Mayo Clinic researchers.

The investigators noted that their findings contrast with studies of patients who received kidney transplants in the early 1990s. Those earlier reports found most transplanted kidneys were affected by progressive scarring that eventually resulted in transplant failure.

“These results are significant and encouraging for everyone who is concerned about long-term survival for kidney transplant patients,” transplant surgeon Dr. Mark Stegall said in a Mayo Clinic news release. “Our results suggest that transplanted kidneys may be doing better than reports from prior eras have indicated.”

The study is published in the April issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.

More information

The National Kidney Foundation has more about kidney transplant.

TUESDAY, April 12 — Men who are victims of domestic abuse by their female partners can develop psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and suicidal thoughts, new research finds.

Researchers looked at a group of 302 men who sought professional help after experiencing what the researchers called “intimate terrorism,” which refers to high levels of violence and controlling behavior by female partners.

Another 520 men took part in a telephone survey that asked about their relationships. Sixteen percent of these men said they had experienced minor acts of violence and mental abuse during arguments with their female partners. This type of abuse was referred to as “common couple violence.”

In both groups of men, who ranged in age from 18 to 59, there were associations between abuse and PTSD symptoms. However, the men who experienced “intimate terrorism” had a much greater risk of developing PTSD.

The findings appear in the April issue of the journal Psychology of Men & Masculinity.

“This is the first study to show that PTSD is a major concern among men who sustain partner violence and seek help,” study leader Denise Hines, a research assistant professor in the department of psychology at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., said in a journal news release.

A second study in the same journal summarized past research on domestic abuse against men. Prior research has found that men are less likely to report injuries from abuse, and police are less likely to arrest women accused of domestic violence against men.

More information

Oregon Counseling has more about domestic abuse against men.

PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome. It can be described as a set of signs and symptoms that are experienced by most women one or two weeks before the onset of menstrual cycle. The set of symptoms for PMS often varies from one women to another. Some physical symptoms of PMS are swelling and soreness of breasts, bloating, nausea, dizziness, headache, abdominal cramps, joint pain, lack of energy and so on. It causes some emotional problems too. As a result, she gets frequent mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, etc. The exact cause behind these physical and emotional changes is not clearly known. Experts believe that the hormonal changes that takes place during this phase can be responsible for it. Some studies have also suggested that it can be triggered due to an imbalance in the levels of calcium and magnesium in the body. Basically, PMS remedies involves change in diet, lifestyle and use of some herbs for bringing down the intensity of the discomfort associated with PMS.

PMS Home Remedies

A healthy lifestyle can make a lot of difference to the condition of PMS. Here are the important aspects of PMS remedies at home:

Maintain a Healthy Diet
Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals can control the PMS symptoms to a great extent. Fresh vegetables, whole wheat grains, beans, fish, lean meats, dairy products, nuts, etc. are some of the PMS relief foods. Those who are bothered by stomach bloating during this time should have celery and asparagus. All such foods that tend to increase PMS symptoms should be strictly avoided. They are: fatty foods, processed foods, unhealthy snacks, caffeine, alcohol, soda, chocolate, etc. Saturated fats like butter should be replaced with unsaturated oils like flaxseed oil or safflower oil.

Take Nutritional Supplements
Many a times, PMS is triggered by nutritional deficiency particularly calcium and magnesium. Therefore, daily intake of magnesium and calcium supplements can ease off the symptoms. In addition to that, vitamin E can be taken in order to lower the physical discomforts like PMS breast tenderness. Vitamin B6 is of great help for bloating. Before, taking any of these supplements, you must consult the doctor to ascertain the exact dosage suitable for you.

Drink Plenty of Water
Due to change in hormonal levels, water retention is a common problem of PMS which often gives rise to excessive bloating. The excess of fluid retained inside the body tissues can be eliminated by drinking plenty of water. You should have 8-10 glasses of water.

Take Plenty of Rest
When your body gets adequate amount of sleep, it is in a better position to tackle the annoying PMS condition. Ideally, your body need sound sleep for at least 7-8 hours at night.

Exercise Regularly
Keep aside 20-30 minutes daily for exercising. It could be any exercise of your choice like walking, jogging, cycling, etc. These kind of exercises will improve blood circulation and stabilize the hormone levels. Thus exercises relieves both physical as well as emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Herbal PMS Remedies

There are a number of herbs which have an amazing effect on PMS symptoms before period. A few of them are given below: Evening primrose oil is a plant oil which is rich in essential fatty acids which is good for relieving pain and inflammation in the body.Valerian root is highly effective on emotional symptoms such as mood swings and irritability. If taken before going to bed, it eases off mental tension and induce sleep.Chase tree herb is an excellent cure for menstrual cramps. It should be taken in the morning by adding 8-10 drops of chaste tree extract in a glass of water.Dandelion leaves acts as a powerful natural diuretic and alleviate PMS and bloating. You can prepare a concoction by soaking some fresh leaves of dandelion in hot water for 20 minutes. Have it twice a day for best results.Peppermint tea has a soothing effect on the stomach muscles and provide a lot of relief from cramps. Prepare the tea by steeping a teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water for 8-10 minutes.These are some of the simple yet effective natural PMS remedies. If you are experiencing severe PMS symptoms, then visit a doctor for its treatment. In general, this condition is treated with pain relieving medicines and birth control pills. However, do not take any such medicines on your own without discussing your doctor.