by admin | Sep 3, 2018 | Multiple Sclerosis
Foot drop, also commonly referred to as drop foot, is a condition in which the muscles that lift the foot become weak or paralyzed. As a result, the foot may drag while walking. Foot drop isn’t a disease in itself; instead, it can develop as a result of preexisting medical conditions. Learn more about what causes the symptom and how it can be treated below.
What Are the Characteristics of Foot Drop?
Because foot drop causes the front toes to drag, it often leads individuals with the condition to overcorrect their gait to avoid tripping or discomfort. They may either swing the leg outward in an arc or lift the knee higher. This coping mechanism is what’s known as “steppage gait.”
Who Might Be Affected by Foot Drop?
Foot drop can be caused by certain neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and muscular dystrophy. These and other neurological conditions lead to weakening and deterioration of the muscles, which can cause foot drop. Cerebral palsy and stroke may also bring on foot drop.
In addition to individuals with neurological conditions, foot drop can also occur in people who have sustained nerve damage, or neuropathy. Specifically, the peroneal nerve, which extends from the sciatic nerve and wraps from behind the knee to the shin, is compromised in drop foot. There are a number of possible causes of this form of nerve damage, including diabetes, sports injuries, hip or knee replacements or time spent in a cast, long durations spent cross-legged or squatting, and childbirth.
How is it Treated?
Physicians make treatment recommendations based on the severity of the condition, as well as its root cause. While it is not always fully curable, some treatments can make noticeable improvements in gait. Leg braces may be worn to provide ample support. Patients may also benefit from attending physical therapy to perform leg and foot strengthening exercises. Certain movements can also be completed at home, including gentle stretches and chair exercises.
Sometimes, functional electrical stimulation is also used to enhance nerve functionality, which can spur muscle contraction to lift the foot. Doctors may also recommend nerve surgery if it is deemed to be a feasible solution. For individuals who would not benefit from surgery, implementing lifestyle changes such as eliminating floor clutter and ensuring homes are well-lit may be helpful.
by admin | Sep 1, 2018 | Heart Failure
To drive awareness surrounding cardiovascular diseases, the medical community recognizes September as National Cholesterol Education Month. Americans of all ages can have high cholesterol, which increases the risk for serious cardiovascular conditions. To ensure your cardiovascular health is in check, take a moment to discover why cholesterol matters with the information below.
Why Does Cholesterol Matter?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance, 80% of which the body produces on its own. The remaining cholesterol is taken in through foods; specifically, animal products such as poultry, meat, and cheese are highest in cholesterol. Foods high in saturated or trans fats can also spike cholesterol levels.
While cholesterol is actually needed to help the body build new cells and create hormones, in excess, it begins to pose serious health risks. Cholesterol builds up along artery walls, causing them to harden. This impacts cardiovascular functionality by impeding optimal blood flow, putting individuals at risk for clogged blood vessels which can lead to heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
What Can You Do to Control Your Cholesterol Levels?
The first step is to identify your cholesterol levels. Oftentimes, high cholesterol won’t present any symptoms early on. It’s therefore recommended for adults to have their cholesterol levels checked regularly via blood tests. Total cholesterol levels above 200mg/dL are considered unhealthy, but alarmingly, more than 102 million Americans over the age of 20 have levels at or above this measurement.
Once you get a cholesterol reading, your physician can make tailored recommendations to help you lower your levels if needed. Eating a diet consisting primarily of plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables as well as lean protein, is one great way to address cholesterol issues. Avoid or significantly limit your intake of sugary foods, fatty or process meats, and foods high in sodium.
Physical activity also promotes cardiovascular health by increasing circulation, controlling blood pressure, and helping you maintain a healthy weight. The American Heart Association recommends getting thirty minutes of exercise five days per week for healthy individuals. To specifically lower cholesterol, an average of 40 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise three to four times per week is recommended.
by admin | Aug 31, 2018 | Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Studies
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that has no cure. It causes abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. While the disease can be controlled to some degree through oral and injectable medications, life-threatening complications may occur.
One of the feared complications of Crohn’s disease is called a bowel fistula. A fistula is an abnormal connection between two places on the body. In Crohn’s disease, a fistula forms between the intestine and some other structure—the intestine essentially forms a “tunnel.” The fistula can form between one loop of intestine and another, between intestine and bladder, or even between the intestine and the outside of the body. This complication of Crohn’s disease is obviously quite distressing to patients.
Some bowel fistulas may close on their own with conservative treatments, but fistulas associated with Crohn’s disease do not respond well to available medical treatments. Those looking for an alternative treatment may be able to consider stem cell therapy.
Stem cells offer an interesting potential solution to this problem. Stem cells can provide a large dose of normal cells filled with molecules that can help direct normal bowel growth and development. Indeed, researchers have shown that autologous mesenchymal stem cells can help close and heal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease.
In phase I, II, and IIB clinical trials, stem cells derived from adipose tissue or bone marrow were directly infused into the bowel area (via a so-called intra-fistular injection). Across five clinical studies including over 100 patients, stem cell administration resulted in complete fistula healing in 50 to 80% of patients treated. Of those who did not obtain complete control fistula closure, almost all had evidence of improvement. These results support that autologous mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a promising future treatment for patients with Crohn’s disease and may offer patients enjoy a better quality of life.
by admin | Aug 27, 2018 | Adipose, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
Regenerative medicine is a field of research concerned with the process of replacing diseased, dying, or dead cells with the intent of restoring structure and function. In its most basic form, regenerative medicine seeks to regrow cells that were lost or damaged due to injury or condition. Examples of regenerative medicine applications include restoring heart cells after a heart attack, repairing brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease or after stroke, or regenerating T-cells in HIV/AIDS. The potential applications of regenerative medicine are virtually limitless.
Adipose-derived stem cells hold great promise in the field of regenerative medicine. The stem cells are multipotent, which means they can become any number of cell types. For example, adipose-derived stem cells can become osteocytes (bone cells), neural cells (nerve cells), vascular endothelial cells (cells that make up blood vessels), cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), pancreatic β-cells (cells that produce insulin), and hepatocytes (liver cells).
Adipose- or fat-derived stem cells have one obvious advantage over bone marrow cells: they are much easier to obtain. Bone marrow stem cells require an uncomfortable/painful procedure to extract them from the center of the bone. Fat-derived stem cells, on the other hand, can be taken from fat pockets in any number of places just under the skin. This essentially combines a sort of liposuction with stem cell transplantation.
Adipose-derived stem cells are the subject of nearly 200 clinical trials worldwide. Even now, fat-derived stem cells are proving useful in several clinical conditions. Adipose-derived stem cells were shown to help people after they suffered from a heart attack, by reducing the size of the damaged heart and helping to restore heart function.
Another advantage of adipose-derived stem cells is that they present possess a tri-germ lineage differentiation potential, meaning they can differentiate into all three germ layers. In other words, they have the remarkable potential to become virtually any cell in the body. This means they can be applied to more than one disease state. In neurodegenerative diseases, such as post-stroke, adipose-derived stem cells could be used to create nerve cells (neurons) and the other main type of brain cell, called glia. Both cell types are destroyed during a stroke, and both are important for proper brain function.
As more results are published from dozens of clinical trials, we will get a clearer picture of the therapeutic potential of adipose-derived stem cells. Indeed, the future of regenerative medicine is very bright.
by admin | Aug 23, 2018 | Health Awareness
Keep Track of Your Weight
If you are on a quest to losing weight, keeping track of your daily weight may help. A study showed that those who successfully lost weight had been measuring their weight regularly and also had support from others who were trying to lose weight too. Keeping a track of your progress and making changes to your diet can be effective.
Practice Good Oral Health
Gingivitis and gum disease are linked to various problems like diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications and even pancreatic cancer. To lower the risk of gum disease, brush your teeth twice a day, floss on a regular basis and make sure to visit the dentist twice every year.
Wear Sunscreen
Wear a sunscreen daily, even in the winters, whether it is raining or snowing. Snow reflects almost 80% of the sun’s harmful rays through the clouds. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and aging.
Eat Fish
Cold water fish like mackerel and salmon are highly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They can also be found in walnuts and have been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and also prevent dementia. Try consuming fish twice a week but if you are not fond of eating fish then you can also try supplements.
Exercise Daily
It is recommended to include 30 minutes of physical activity daily, to meet this requirement you can break these 30 minutes into smaller intervals. Try to include it in your daily routine by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking the car further from the entrance, or taking a walk to a nearby store instead of using the car. Regular exercise has proven to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and anxiety.
Visit the Doctor Regularly
Visit your doctor regularly for tests that are appropriate to your age, genetic risks, sex and other factors. Many conditions like diabetes and heart disease can be treated successfully if they are diagnosed in early stages.
Keep a Food Diary
If you are trying to reach a healthy weight, keep a food diary to ensure more success. A study conducted on 1700 people showed that those who kept a daily food journal successfully lost almost 20 pounds, which was twice as much as those who did not.
Wash Vegetables and Fruits
Make sure to always wash fruits and vegetable before eating or cooking them. This reduces the chance of ingesting a bacteria or other chemical residue present. Wash them thoroughly even if you plan to peel them so the knife does not transfer any harmful bacteria from the skin.
St. Petersburg, Florida
