Breakthrough Research For The Treatment of Glaucoma

According to numerous studies published recently, medical marijuana holds great promise as a possible treatment for glaucoma. Statistics collected by the National Society for Prevention of Blindness indicate that more than four million Americans are afflicted with the eye disease glaucoma with 178,000 new cases of glaucoma being diagnosed each year. It is the leading cause of blindness in the United States that is prevalent in all age groups, most often seen in people over the age of 65. Open angle or chronic glaucoma is one of the most common forms of glaucoma that is characterized by an increase in the IOP (intraocular pressure) within the eye that potentially damages the optic nerve if the condition is not treated and controlled effectively.

There are other types of glaucoma such as secondary or narrow angle glaucoma whose primary treatment is through surgery. A combination of oral medications and topical preparations is used to control 90% of the cases of open angle and narrow angle glaucoma. Around 10% of all cases fail to be treated or controlled effectively using the prescription drugs that are available currently.

These glaucoma medications are known to trigger side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, blurred vision, kidney stones, headaches, a burning sensation of the eyes, headaches, nervous anxiety, and cardiac arrhythmias that results in patients discontinuing their use. Principal investigator in controlled studies at UCLA, Dr. Robert Hepler, reported that compared to conventional medications, medical marijuana was more effective in reducing eye pressure. On an average, patients who smoked MMJ experienced a 30% decrease in eye pressure depending on the dose and the effect lasted at least four to five hours.

Medical cannabis could eliminate the requirement for surgical intervention that costs Americans an estimated USD 8.8 million annually. A pharmaceutical company in the West Indies has developed eye drops containing synthetic marijuana. However, this is currently not available in the United States. Several other pharmaceutical companies are currently investigating drugs that possess a chemical similarity to the various psychoactive ingredients in cannabis that might have possible glaucoma applications.

Currently, the only marijuana that has been approved for medical use at the federal level is a synthetic form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the most active component of marijuana called Marinol. Manufactured in a capsule form, it can be taken orally and was initially developed as an antiemetic in chemotherapy treatments. Natural marijuana consistently decreases IOP as synthetic THC is effective for only a short period of time.

There are currently 16 states that have laws allowing the purchase and possession of Medical Marijuana for use in treatment of disease. According to medical research medical cannabis is effect for relief of glaucoma symptoms. It is recommended to check with government agencies in your state regarding legality of medical marijuana use in your area.

Compression Pump - A Choice for Patients With Lymphedema

Compression pumps can be used on the arms or legs and they are portable and easy to take along wherever you go. They can reduce pain and swelling by moving excess fluid from the limb or limbs that are affected and returning it to the cardiovascular system. This is handy for patients who may need this treatment several times a week, allowing them to perform the therapy at home rather than making the trip to a therapist.

There are two phases required for using the compression pump. The preparatory phase is first. This prepares the lymphatic vessels for receiving fluid moved by the pump. If this part of the therapy is not completed correctly, it can cause damage to other tissues. In the home setting, self massage is the best method preparing these vessels.

The compression pump is available in two types which are recommended for treatment of lymphedema. The Sequential Gradient pump is used primarily for legs. It has an automated pump that pushes the air into a sleeve that is placed on the affected leg. The settings of the pump will allow the sleeve to inflate and then release, which is similar to the natural flow that is normally created by the body. Pushing the lymphatic fluid from the end of the leg and into the body where it can be returned to the cardiovascular system, the patient is relieved of the pain and pressure of the swollen area.

A FlexiTouch pump will perform both the preparatory phase of the treatment as well as the actual pumping that is used to return the lymphatic fluid to the body. They may be used on the arms or legs and the patient sits or reclines in the recommended position. The pump is turned on and once the preparatory phase is completed, the pump automatically begins the drainage phase. It is vital that both phases be completed at the same time. This procedure takes approximately an hour per day.

Lymphedema is a fairly common affliction from which approximately 3 million people in the U.S. suffer. Often it is developed after a patient has radiation treatments or surgery for cancer. The most common are breast, bladder, prostate and uterine cancer. It may also develop after treatment for melanoma and lymphoma. It may also be the result of deep vein thrombosis or trauma.

When a lymph channel becomes blocked due to damage because of surgery, the lymphatic fluid cannot go through the lymph vessel. This causes the fluid to build up and it does not drain properly. The compression pump helps by helping to stimulate the lymphatic fluid to drain by the use of channels that are incorporated into the garment worn. The gentle inflating and deflating helps to move the fluid back into the body.

The pump is so quiet when working that patients can read or watch television. They deliver a continuous flow and are cost effective. The control panel is simple to use by following the directions included with the compression pump. Before using the pump it will require that the garment and the pump settings be adjusted. They are different for each patient and should be adjusted according to the instructions of the patient's therapist. If you order your pump, the machine may or may not be customized to your specific settings.

On Average, How Many Viruses Does a Person Get?

A person gets affected with many viruses throughout their lifetime; in order to find out what the average person gets hits with in forms of viruses, first let's define what they are.

A virus is a small infectious agent; they generally affect all types of organisms. Origins of viruses however are still unclear or unknown. Diseases bearing organisms are called vectors. Viruses are spread in many different ways, for example the influenza virus commonly known as the flu is spread simply by coughing and sneezing. Another virus like the Rotavirus is passed from person to person contact, usually from fecal-oral route.

In order to determine how many times a person gets a virus in their life time, you would have to take into consideration many factors; one major factor would be their age. Age is a big factor during your childhood ages kids are more exposed to bringing home many viruses, just based on where they are, if they are school aged or attend daycare, they are prone to pick up airborne contaminants or stomach viruses due to unhealthy or no hygiene control in their setting. A school-aged child usually gets sick about 4-5 times a year. Starting with this we will try to keep a rolling tab of each stage in a person's life.

So based on the above analysis, children starting from kindergarten throughout senior year can have already had an average of 60 viruses. An adolescent and early adult can experience on average to catch a virus about 2 to 3 times a year. If we are determining that an adolescent starts college at 18 and graduates by 25 this is 7 years of their time. During this period they have contracted 14 viruses. So far our tally is 74 viruses by age 25.

Now as an adult it really depends on your immune system and how well one takes care of its body. The stronger the immune system the less viruses your body will contract. However, based on general research the average adult person contracts about 1 to 2 a year. Based on a life expectancy of 75, an adult will acquire a virus 50 times during adult age. This brings a grand total of 124 times in a lifetime.

Please take this merely as a calculation and not the exact number or an average. Again a person's immune system is a great factor in viruses, as well as practicing good hygiene and trying to prevent viruses with the many aids that are readily available.

Hand washing is the most effective when combating viruses. Using a hand sanitizer to disinfect when soap and water is not available is a great alternative to fight germs and dirt that is invisible and may accumulate in your hands. Thoroughly cleaning any fruits and vegetables before ingesting is advisable in preventing viruses. Another great deterrent is washing and disinfecting dishes and cooking utensils before using. All of these techniques will help you reduce the risk of contracting viruses.