Tag Archives: March 2023

Treatments: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Benefits For Ulcerative Colitis

Northwestern Medicine (March 21, 2023) – Parambir Dulai, MD, is studying the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat severe ulcerative colitis. The treatment delivers oxygen into the tissues to promote healing.

What Is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disorder that affects the large intestine and rectum, causing bleeding. This chronic condition impacts more than 900,000 Americans. It can begin at any age, but it often starts in young adulthood. Older men are more likely to be diagnosed than older women.

There is no cure for ulcerative colitis, but with treatment, the majority of patients can be symptom-free for long periods of time.

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Studies: 39% Of Americans Suffer Sleep Disorders

This Friday, March 17, is World Sleep Day, an annual event that aims to raise awareness of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. This year’s campaign tagline is “Sleep is essential for health.” According to a study by the American College of Cardiology, up to 8 percent of deaths from any cause could be attributed to “poor sleep patterns”, while those with healthier sleep habits are less likely to die prematurely.

Data from Statista Consumer Insights shows that in the United States, 39 percent of respondents said they had suffered from a sleep disorder (problems falling asleep or staying asleep, insomnia, etc.) in the 12 months prior to the survey. Italians were among the worst sleepers in the survey at 48 percent reporting a sleep disorder, while India registered a higher share of good sleepers, with only 26 percent suffering from poor sleep.

BMJ: Why ‘Frailty’ Impacts Cardiovascular Disease

March 2023: In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Dr Chris Wilkinson from Hull York Medical School and the James Cook hospital, UK. They discuss the concept of frailty and why it’s an important concept in cardiology.

Neurology: What Are Cluster Headaches? (BMJ)

The prevalence of cluster headache is about one in 500. In people coming to a headache clinic, the prevalence is about 10%.

Cluster headaches are excruciating and incapacitating, and affect quality of life. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference to the outcome – so it is vital that we get the diagnosis and management of this condition right.

In this BMJ Best Practice podcast on cluster headache, Kieran Walsh talks with Professor Amaal Starling, Associate Professor of Neurology at the Department of Neurology in the Mayo Clinic.

Further resources: clusterbusters.org/.

Kidney Failure Reviews: The History Of Dialysis

Cleveland Clinic (March 9, 2023) – Nephrologist Sevag Demirjian, MD takes you through the history of dialysis and explain discoveries and innovations along the way.

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are failing. When you have kidney failure, your kidneys don’t filter blood the way they should. As a result, wastes and toxins build up in your bloodstream. Dialysis does the work of your kidneys, removing waste products and excess fluid from the blood.

Who needs dialysis?

People who have kidney failure, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), may need dialysis. Injuries and conditions like high blood pressurediabetes and lupus can damage kidneys, leading to kidney disease.

Some people develop kidney problems for no known reason. Kidney failure can be a long-term condition, or it can come on suddenly (acute) after a severe illness or injury. This type of kidney failure may go away as you recover.

There are five stages of kidney disease. In stage 5 kidney disease, healthcare providers consider you to be in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or kidney failure. At this point, kidneys are carrying out around 10% to 15% of their normal function. You may need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Some people undergo dialysis while waiting for a transplant.

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Chronic Kidney Disease: New Medication Review

Mayo Clinic (March 6, 2023) – About 15% of adults in the U.S. are estimated to have chronic kidney disease — that’s about 37 million people.

What if those people could be treated with medication that could slow the progression of their disease, and help avoid the need for dialysis and kidney transplantation altogether?

Dr. Naim Issa, a Mayo Clinic transplant nephrologist says there is a class of medications to help people with chronic kidney disease that does just that. He says Mayo Clinic has been incorporating these medications to help patients for the last few years.

March 9 is World Kidney Day, a day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of the kidneys.

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