Funny of the Day

In the News: Can Ecstasy treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

The recreational drug Methylenedioxymethamphetamie (MDMA) better known as "Ecstasy" has been shown in a small clinical trial to help aid treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

20 patients with PTSD diagnosed for greater than 19 years were enrolled in a study. They had all failed treatment with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. 12 patients were given Ecstasy and psychotherapy while 8 were given placebo and psychotherapy. There was an 83 percent improvement in the PTSD standardized evaluation testing given to the participants in the MDMA arm of the study versus 25% in the placebo group. 

A long term follow up study of the same participants is now underway. 

The idea behind why the ecstasy my work to help aid this problem is that it may "dull" the memories of the traumatic event enough to tap into those feelings in a less painful way with concurrent psychotherapy. 

Fascinating? Absolutely. 

In the News: SAVE NUDITY "Protect the Right to Bare Everything"

    A group of nudists stormed the San Francisco courthouse on November 13, 2012 to file a lawsuit against the city. Their goal is to stop a law from being passed that would prohibit public nudity, banning exposure of backsides and genitals in public. Nude breasts, nude children under 5 and nudity at city events would be exempt and allowed.
   Until recently, there has only been sporadic nudity in San Francisco, which, as a relatively lenient city has been ok with it. However the nudists have become more numerous and more bold. They appeared at the courthouse in the nude, their lawyer did wear appropriate clothing so that he could be allowed into the courthouse. Last fall, a law was passed requiring nudists to put a barrier between their genitals/backsides and public seating.

What do you think? Is nude lewd?

Funny Of The Day

Product Recall: Banana Boat Sunscreen could set you on FIRE

Sooooo. I would like you to calmly pick up your bottle of Banana Boat spray on sunscreen or sun tanning lotion, walk to the garbage and throw it away then throw away your garbage. There has been a recent recall of spray-on Banana Boat products because of a minor problem....people having spontaneous fires on their skin or being a flame conductor.  It seems though that the label does mention that one should "not use in the presence of flame or spark"

I hate when that happens. 

App Alert: VaxNation

Where are YOUR immunization records? 

Vaxnation is an integrated web/mobile/social media program made to aid users to track vaccinations for families and provide much needed education. It was created by a team of Baylor University, Rice University and UT School of Public Heath students. 

It offers:

•  Customized tracking of vaccination schedules for each member of the family based on age and past documented vaccines. 
• It offers the added benefit of letting the user review each recommended vaccine before going to the doctor. 
• Vaccine review discusses the disease prevented and risks and benefits of each vaccine.

 This app provides a much needed solution to the " where are your immunization records?" question and helps the patient prepare for a visit with the doctor by knowing what will be offered and affording the patient the opportunity to be educated and formulate questions. 

Knowledge is Power. 

Alternative Therapies #007: Cerasee

Momordica charantia. Cerasee, Cer-see. A wild plant indigenous to a few countries in the West Indies and Central America. It has been widely used as a tea for any number of complaints and ailments. Does the evidence backup our feelings about cerasee? Is it the wonder plant that we hope it is?

Studies dating back to the 1980's show that Cerasee has been shown to:

1) Improve glucose tolerance
2) Reduce hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) by up to 50%.
3) Improve insulin sensitivity to aid in breaking down and disposing of glucose.
4) Can help repair damaged pancreatic islet cells
5) Helps reduce lipid levels

Does this research mean you should ditch your diabetes pills and/or insulin and go brew some tea? No. Most of these studies have been done on rats. There are clinical trials in the works involving humans. Take everything with a grain of salt. Everything in moderation. With all due respect, go brew some tea! If you experience positive responses with blood sugar reduction and lipid lowering and can reduce your medications slowly? Fantastic.

As with everything, consult your doctor or health professional for all decisions involving your medical conditions.

A few studies:

Cerasee Research Study 1985

Cerasee Research Study 1990

Cerasee Research Study 2012 

How is your Belly Button like a Rainforest???

What do YOU store in your belly button? When you're in your mama's belly, your lifeline is stored in there; When you're a toddler, you may store your acorns in there; When you're a grown up, it might be your lint storage facility. Belly Buttons have their own personalities, own faces (no two look alike) and surprise....their own bacterial community.

Dr. Robert Dunn and a team of researchers conducted a recent study of 60 belly button swabs and cultures. They call it the Belly Button Biodiversity Project.  They found over 2000 distinct species of bacteria. The average belly button hosted about 50 varieties of bacteria!!!!! Many of these bacteria were quite rare! They consider that once they widen their belly button testing sphere they will stumble upon many more rare and amazing bacteria families.

Dr. Dunn and his team theorized that belly buttons and their uniqueness are akin to rainforests, vast playgrounds for new and undiscovered varieties of plants, bacteria, fungus, animals etc. Always something new to find. "The belly button is one of the habitats closest to us, but remains relatively unexplored"

They're now on to the Belly Button Biodiversity Project 2.0. Cant wait for those findings!

Now THAT'S how your Belly Button is like a rainforest. Bet you didn't know you were carrying around all that coolness (and bacteria). I would say that puts you on the cutting edge of science!

You're amazing.

Funny Of The Day

App Alert: AsthmaSense

"The Worlds Most Intelligent Asthma Management App" AsthmaSense is an cool app featuring a multifaceted approach to asthma management. Features include:

• Reminders to take scheduled medications & inhalers to help prevent attacks
• Keep an interactive journal of symptoms, missed meds and breathing function accessible for 1 month.
• App gives alerts & prompts when symptoms suggest a decline in function or increase in frequency of attacks. 
• Allows for multiple users - accountability! 

In the News: Social Media aids Cancer Diagnosis

A social news site called Reddit ran a comic posted by a user or "Redditor" as they are called. The comic featured a man urinating on a pregnancy test as a joke. The joke was on him when the pregnancy test was positive. A fellow user noted that "if this is true then you should get yourself checked for cancer". The user told her male friend about this remark and surprise surprise, he was found to have an early testicular tumor. Luckily, because of it being diagnosed at an early stage, a good result is expected.

Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone normally released by the placenta in pregnancy and can be found in the urine with simple testing. False elevations can be noted with marijuana use and hypogonadal states. True elevations not occurring with pregnancy can also be noted with certain testicular cancers, gynecologic cancers and abnormal pregnancy states such as a molar pregnancy.

The full story can be found here: Reddit

Lesson of the Day: If it doesn't smell right, look right, feel right, somethings probably not right!

Earlobe Disasters

Ever wondered what would happen if your earring got pulled and split your earlobe in two pieces? How about if you're been stretching your earlobes progressively for cosmetic reasons and after many years and many centimeters of earlobe growth, you're over it and want cute little earlobes again? How bout if an animal  (or human!) bites your earlobe (it happens!) and splits it....how are they repaired? Happy Saturday....Follow its How doctors fix earlobes day at Show me your Belly Button! (Please click link)

App Alert: Draw MD

We're BACK!!!!

A hot new app called Draw MD allows for an exciting and interactive interface between caregiver and patient. Users can create a visual map through the layers of anatomy involved in surgeries, explaining a disease process or a procedure. Users can also sketch, stamp and type on the images as needed.This is a fantastic innovation allowing for patients to gain a greater understanding of their bodies and medicine.

Fantastic.