by admin | Apr 28, 2021 | Health Awareness
As of December 2020, 71% of U.S. employees were working from home. These figures were likely a reflection of the coronavirus’s impact on normal work routines, but as more and more employers realize work can be completed from home, it’s likely a good portion of businesses will continue to be conducted remotely even as vaccines continue to roll out.
Working from home has many benefits from skipping commutes to not having to invest in a business wardrobe. Yet, it also comes with some unique challenges. For one, injuries of the hands, wrists, and back increased through 2020, which suggests that home office arrangements aren’t quite posture-friendly. Whether you’re working from the couch on your laptop or slumped over the kitchen counter, chances are there’s room for improvement.
Fortunately, improving the ergonomics of your home office doesn’t have to be challenging. Here are a few simple changes you can make:
Focus on Your Alignment
First and foremost, if you’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future, you should have a designated workspace. Even if you need to set up a small desk in your bedroom, setting up an actual workstation will prevent you from working on the couch, in the kitchen, or in another common area of your home. In these spaces, it’s difficult to maintain a healthy working posture.
With a desk, however, you can put your body into alignment to support spinal health. Ideally, your elbows should be in line with the keyboard, and your feet should be flat on the floor. Your shoulders should be relaxed and stacked over your hips. Try to situate your monitor so that its midpoint is at eye level.
Keep Your Lower Back Supported
To prevent slumping, keep your lower back well supported and your buttocks firmly pressed into the back of your chair. If that feels uncomfortable, you might consider placing a small cushion or rolled-up towel behind your back. This can support the spine’s natural curve and provide a little extra support.
Get Up & Stretch
At work, you may have taken periodic breaks to talk to coworkers. Some people have fewer distractions at home and find that it’s easier to get stuck in one spot for long periods. Yet, being sedentary for too long can put pressure on your back, wrists, and other areas of the body. Plus, it impedes circulation. Keep the blood flowing by doing heel raises from time to time when you’re seated. Every 20 to 30 minutes, get up and stretch or walk around. With a little creativity, it’s easy to integrate movement into your daily routine. You might try to stand and walk about while you’re on the phone, or do stretches while proofing an email, for example.
Be Mindful of Your Arms
Proper keyboard placement can reduce strain in the upper body. Aim to have your arms bent at a 90-degree angle while working. Only use your armrests during breaks, and remove or adjust them if they don’t support your arms at the proper angle. Try to keep other items you use frequently, such as your phone, within close reach so you’re not stretching awkwardly.
Invest in the Right Equipment
While you can implement the tips above right away, you might also consider purchasing some items to promote ergonomics in your office space if you think you’ll be working from home for a long time. An ergonomic desk chair is a great place to start. Ideally, it should provide back support and be adjustable to align with your specific height and comfort needs. If you’re not ready to invest in new furniture right now, modifications such as placing a yoga block under your feet or even tilting your monitor can help improve ergonomics and reduce the strain on your body.
With these tips, you may find yourself feeling better and perhaps even becoming more productive in your home office. Not only will you help to prevent strain now, but you can also avoid some of the long-term issues that come with poor work posture.
For more health awareness blogs, please visit www.stemedix.com/blog
by admin | Apr 23, 2021 | Glaucoma, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and lead to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. With over 80 million people affected by the condition, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness, behind only age-related macular degeneration.
Although there are several different risk factors, the most understood and treatable risk factor for glaucoma involves controlling the eye’s intraocular pressure, or IOP. When left unaddressed, glaucoma progressively leads to vision loss resulting from damage to axons and associated retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. While current treatments for glaucoma are primarily pharmacologic, laser-based, and surgical procedures designed to lower and/or control IOP, they are unable to reverse or restore vision lost as a result of previous damage to the affected axons, RGCs, and the collective optic nerve.
Chanling, Slush, and Zack’s article aim to assess current literature and developments exploring the potential of using human stem cells to further study, and potentially treat, glaucoma and other conditions affecting the optic nerve. For the purposes of this review, the authors divide their discussion into four key areas: stem cell-derived trabecular meshwork cells to control IOP; stem cells as a source of RGCs; stem cell-derived RGCs for transplantation and vision restoration; and stem cells as a source for neurotrophic factors.
Stem Cell-Derived Trabecular Meshwork Cells to Control IOP
Insufficient drainage of the eye’s aqueous humor results in increasing IOP. Current medication for the treatment of this condition reduces aqueous production and or increases aqueous outflow through the trabecular meshwork (TM). Since the TM is a known source of stem cells, researchers hypothesize that these cells and specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be used to repair IOP function and potentially restore vision lost as a result of this condition.
Recent studies have shown promising results, leading researchers to believe that there is a strong possibility of using stem cell-derived TM cells to preserve optic nerve function and reduce IOP.
Stem cells as a Source of RCGs
In addition to assisting with regulating IOP, researchers believe that stem cells may also be able to preserve, and even restore, RCG function – which is ultimately responsible for vision loss caused by glaucoma.
Specifically, the authors point to a number of animal studies that have demonstrated positive responses in a number of signaling pathways and neuroprotective compounds responsible for promoting RNC function and survival. The authors also point out that, while these studies are promising, none have made it to the clinic.
Stem Cell-Derived RGCs for Transplantation and Vision Restoration
While still a relatively new concept, there has been tremendous progress made in the ability to transplant RCEs and photoreceptor cells in the eye. Coupled with the observed differentiation of RGCs, researchers believe the ability to successfully transplant RGCs, with the intent of restoring glaucoma-related vision loss, is not far off.
The authors note that, while these findings are promising, there is still much work and additional research to be completed in this area and that the process of transplanting RCGs is much more complicated than the process used for transplanting retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) and photoreceptors cells.
Stem Cells as a Source for Neurotrophic Factors (NTFs)
Research suggests that deprivation of the NTF required for maintenance and survival of neurons is a leading factor in the progression of glaucoma. As a result, additional research has reported that supplementing additional BDNF and other NTFs, through the use of stem cells appears to support the health and survival of RGC. The authors point out that, while promising, the process required during this procedure is challenging, primarily because it requires the blood-retinal barrier to be circumvented.
The authors of this review conclude that, as a result of the rapidly advancing pace of ocular stem cell research and related ongoing advancements in stem cell technology, there are ongoing opportunities to better understand and improve upon the current glaucoma-related biology and to develop pharmacological models that include cell-based therapies in the effort to restore vision to those affected by glaucoma.
Source: (n.d.). The Potential of Human Stem Cells for the Study and … – IOVS from https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2518375
by admin | Apr 21, 2021 | Health Awareness
When life gives you lemons, consider keeping them. These citrus fruits are loaded with beneficial properties that can help your body function its best. From delivering key vitamins to promoting fresh breath, here are a few ways lemons can boost your health.
Provides Ample Vitamin C
Lemons provide more than 18 milligrams of vitamin C or nearly a third of your daily recommended amount. The key nutrient has been shown to help reduce the risk of serious illness, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Vitamin C has also been shown to lower blood pressure.
Supports Weight Loss
Lemons can help you stay hydrated, thereby reducing bloating. They may also boost your metabolism and increase feelings of fullness, both of which can help you lose weight.
Keeps Skin Looking Its Best
There’s a reason vitamin C is a common ingredient in many leading skincare products. The nutrient has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. While topical creams may be most effective, enjoying some lemon water certainly won’t hurt.
Promotes Digestion
Ayurvedic medicine promotes lemon water as a healthy way to stimulate digestion. Many people drink lemon water right when they wake up for its ability to rev the digestive system.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Lemons contain citric acid, which surprisingly can make the urine less acidic. As such, you may be less likely to experience kidney stones if you drink lemon water regularly. As an added bonus, you’ll also be staying hydrated, which further helps to prevent kidney stones.
With so many benefits to consider, freshly squeezed lemons begin to sound more delicious than ever. At the very least, adding some to your water may make you more likely to stay hydrated without sugary beverages, which is a health benefit in itself.
For more health awareness blogs, please visit www.stemedix.com/blog
by Stemedix | Apr 19, 2021 | Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that occurs when the discs of the vertebrae, located in the spine, deteriorate. Symptoms may include weakness, numbness, and radiating pain. The discs are responsible for absorbing shock, allowing the back to move freely. As they wear out, their ability to protect the vertebrae becomes limited.
For people with the condition, symptoms like nerve and muscle pain, spinal instability, tingling and weakness in the muscles, and neurological symptoms may make it challenging to perform tasks. If your symptoms prevent you from being able to perform your work, having degenerative disc disease could qualify you for unemployment benefits. This is usually decided based on the degree of degeneration experienced.
While degenerative disc disease could require some modifications to your normal routine, however, it is possible to live a normal life with the condition.
Ways to Lead a Normal Life with Degenerative Disc Disease
Finding a supportive team of healthcare professionals is one important pillar of maintaining your quality of life with degenerative disc disease. These experts may recommend the following tactics for controlling symptoms, or a combination thereof:
- Optimizing your posture through physical therapy and ergonomic furniture to reduce pain
- Using heat and cold therapies to control pain levels as needed
- Seeking alternative treatments, such as regenerative medicine.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Staying physically active with low-impact exercise to maintain strength, stamina, and flexibility
- Using physical therapy to maintain strength and range of motion in the back and neck
Thus, even if you have to be out of work for some time or indefinitely, there are many lifestyle tactics and therapies you can explore to feel your best while living with this disease. If you would like to learn more then contact us today and one of our care coordinators will be happy to help!
by admin | Apr 16, 2021 | Peptides, Neurodegenerative Diseases
Oligodendrocytes are key neural cells responsible for producing myelin sheaths that wrap around neuronal axons in the central nervous system[1]. Considering that thymosin β4’s (Tβ4) ability to promote neurological recovery in a range of neurological diseases has been well established, Chopp & Zhang (2015) propose oligodendrogenesis as the common link by which Tβ4 supports and promotes recovery after neural injury and neurodegenerative disease.
Citing Tβ4’s propensity to alter cellular expression and target multiple molecular pathways involved in neurovascular remodeling and oligodendrogenesis, it warrants further study into Tβ4 as a restorative/regenerative therapy for neurological injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
Traditional treatment of neurological diseases, including stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and multiple sclerosis have typically focused on the reduction of lesions and produced no effective or beneficial long-term therapeutic outcomes. As a result, new proposals suggest renewed focus on therapeutic efforts designed to facilitate the restorative process present after injury and with specific focus on the enhancement of neurovascular recovery resulting in improved neurological recovery.
Among the many benefits of using Tβ4 in the restorative/regenerative therapeutic process is that, unlike neuroprotection treatments that must be introduced to damaged tissue before irreversible damage occurs, this treatment can be administered several days – even weeks – after injury and still stimulate the naturally-occurring regenerative process that has been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating several conditions, including stroke and TBI.
Specifically, Tβ4 promotes the remodeling and restoration of the CNS/PNS post-injury and has been shown to improve neurological recovery by allowing for improved neurovascular plasticity, neurite outgrowth, myelination of axons, as well as increasing the production and release of trophic factors to further support the remodeling of the nervous system.
Multiple animal models have demonstrated that Tβ4 facilitates the restorative neurological process by simulating oligodendrocytes (OLGs) and specifically OLG progenitor cells (OPCs) in the CNS. It appears that Tβ4 expedited multiple pathways of neurological recovery by stimulating tiny non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs to promote the generation, translation, and differential of OPCs and OLGs.
While these findings are promising, what remains yet unknown is specifically how Tβ4 affects, or perhaps more appropriately, influences, microRNAs to communicate specific neurological restorative and regenerative instructions among various cells. The predominant theory emerging from relevant research is that this process of intercellular communication is created and moderated by tiny lipid particles known as exosomes.
Considering the safety of Tβ4 for use in human trials and the potential for Tβ4 to treat neurological injury and degeneration, future clinical trials focusing on Tβ4’s specific influence on exosomes, and as a therapeutic restorative for neurological treatment and regeneration, is thought to hold promising clinical translation for future treatments of neurological disease and injury.
Source: (2015, January 22). Thymosin β4 as a restorative/regenerative therapy for …. Retrieved January 5, 2021, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/14712598.2015.1005596
[1] (2015, October 15). Neuroinflammatory modulators of oligodendrogenesis. Retrieved January 2, 2021, from https://nnjournal.net/article/view/1129
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