Globe Health Tours News

May 19: An interesting study has revealed that women who are stressed during the time of pregnancy will make their child more vulnerable to asthma or other allergies. The findings of the study conducted by Harvard Medical School, which included 387 babies, will be presented to the American Thoracic Society.

This research adds more value to the belief that stress can be considered as a social pollutant that when inhaled will influence the immune system of the body. The complex mix of genetic and environmental factors will influence the risk of asthma and allergy.

The study considers that these factors will have a significant impact on the environment in which a foetus grows. They also examined the extent to which the stress during pregnancy can affect the foetus and how far it can make the child susceptible to asthma and allergies. The level of Immunoglobulin (IgE) a chemical linked to allergic responses in the umbilical cord blood of 387 babies was measured as part of this study.

While commenting on this Researcher Dr Rosalind Wright said: “This research gives a clear picture about the links of maternal stress and its impact on children’s ability to develop immune power, it also indicates that stress can be considered as a social pollutant that when inhaled into the body will influence the immune system of the body like the physical pollutants like allergens.”

Even though it is a preliminary finding it emphasise the need for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy to make the child resistant to asthma and allergy.

May 14: A study conducted by Malmo University Hospital in Sweden revealed that women who breastfeed for more than a year have lesser chance of getting affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Those women who breastfed for one to 12 months the risk rate decreased by 25%.

The study included 136 women with the condition to 544 without, for the Annals of Rheumatic Disease study. The study hinted that giving birth to children without breastfeeding will not protect women against getting affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Nearly 400,000 people in the UK are affected by this. The study also pointed out that women have two fold chance of getting affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men.

Breastfeeding will influence the secretion of hormone named oxytocin that is capable of reducing stress hormone level, lower blood pressure and ensure good health. On the other hand breastfeeding also increase the level of a prolactin hormone that can stimulate the immune system and might actually raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

While commenting on this Rachael Haynes of Arthritis Care, a voluntary organisation said: “The surprising results of this research underscore the need to know more about rheumatoid arthritis and its reason.”

According to the results of the Infant Feeding Survey released in May last year most of the women are not following the guidelines put forth by the government. Less than one in 100 women used to breastfeed for the first six months.

This study also considered the role of contraceptive pill that is earlier considered to reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis as it has hormones that are secreted during pregnancy. But even the oral contraceptives fail to protect women from getting affected by the disease.

May 7: Nadine Dorries, the British MP has raised her concern about Britain becoming “Europe’s abortion capital”. Her proposal to amend the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill will lower the upper limit from 24 to 20 weeks. Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary will allow free votes to the MPs when this topic is discussed. Nadine Dorris is a former nurse who took several initiatives to reduce the upper limit. She launched her campaign by saying that Britain has 200,000 abortions a year with an average of 600 per day.

The Tory MP opined that she respects women’s right to choose but it is time to adopt more moderate and commonsense based approach towards abortion. The latest researchers also hinted that there is no reduction in the abortion rate since 1995. Dr Evan Harris, Lib Dem MP argues that most of the babies born at 24 weeks are surviving.

Earlier during Commons question time Ann Keen, Junior Health Minister said that only 12 percent of the babies born less than 24 weeks of pregnancy survived after their first birthday. She also pointed out that there has been no improvement in the survival rate for the last 18 years in the UK. While prominent medical organisations like the Royal College of Obstetricians and British Medical Association are favouring the 24-week limit.

Those MPs who are backing the current limit will put forth a proposal to relax the abortion law by eliminating the need for two doctors to approve to a termination that permits the nurses to carry them out in the early stages.

MPs will be allowed to vote on abortion-related amendments when the bill is kept for discussion.

Apr 25: A survey conducted among the girls aged between 11 and 19 in the UK has found that one-third of the girls have made an attempt to harm themselves. Nearly half of the 800 young people considered as sample opined that they had indulged in self harming by cutting, punching or burning themselves. The survey is taken for a mental healthcare provider.

The main reason attributed for this is the depression level, which is found to be higher among girls, while in boys the rate is lower at 22 percent. On the backdrop of the survey mental health charities opined that the figures were worrying and better treatment is needed for the adolescents to give them a moral boost.

According to the survey among those self harmed 73% admitted to cutting, 48% to punching, 14% to burning and 10% to self-poisoning. While considering the reason feeling of depression, angry, relationship problem and being stressed leads the list, it amounts to 43 %, 17%, 10% and 10% respectively.

While commenting on this the consultant psychiatrist of Cheadle Royal Hospital, Dr David Kingsley who is also a mental healthcare advisor for the NHS and the man who commissioned the research said: “It is a matter of grave concern. A recent study has put forth three main reasons for this growing tendency that are family problems, problem with friends and problems at school.”

He also suggested that parents and teachers should give special care to those young people who are struggling emotionally, feeling low or showing tendency of being withdrawn. It is better to prevent it at the early stage rather than allowing it to develop as a life long illness.

Apr 23: As an attempt to retain the glow of the skin beauty conscious women are using various kinds of anti-aging creams. There are not enough clinical data available regarding the effect of these kinds of creams.

After the BBC’s Horizon programme the Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum has undergone a huge hype in the cosmetic market. A clinical trial is conducted to find the effects of the cream. Based on the result the decision will be taken whether to consider it as a cream or a medicine. If it is proved as medicine then it will undergo a strict regulation.

The clinical trial was conducted by Chris Griffiths, dermatologist at the University of Manchester. It included 60 volunteers and it extended over a period of six months. The data will be analysed before submitting it to a scientific journal for further expert reviews.

While commenting on this Professor Chris Griffiths said: “If it is proven to be effective then it will be the beginning of a new debate on how useful is the cream in substituting a medicine.”

The main ingredients of the cream are retinyl palmitate and a flower extract named lupin, above a plain moisturising base. The clinical trail will find out which of these ingredients are effective or how the combination work effectively.

If the cream is proved as a medicine then it will be subjected to certain level of restrictions. It should not be sold over the counter and can only be available under medical prescription.

Apr 23: In a noteworthy research scientists have identified a gene that is capable of restricting the growth of breast cancer tumours. This new invention will bring great relief to those women who are suffering from breast cancer, this significant research was conducted by the US National Cancer Institute and the researchers tested it on mice that have tumours and found that the Brd4 gene has reduced the size of tumour effectively than those mice without this gene.

The research further analysed the human breast cancer patients and found the gene as useful predictor of the survival chances. Researches also stressed the need of further study as they understood the effect of Brd4 gene in determining the growth of tumour cells. The experts also believe that the findings will help other cancer research also. Refined procedures are needed to identify the symptoms of cancer; it is the main aim of cancer researches.

The result of the research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. After 28 days the researchers found that the size of the tumours was reduced to a tenth of the size when compared with those without gene.

Researchers included 1,240 patients as the sample and they are separated into five different groups. After several analyses they arrived at the conclusion that those mice that have Brd4 gene had a better survival rate, in some cases it raises to double when compared with those without that gene.

More researchers focussing this topic are needed to get a clearer picture about the link of genes in minimising the adverse effect of tumour. Further research will help to simplify the diagnosing process and there by enhance the treatment procedure.

Apr 21: In what could be considered as significant research Swedish researchers had found that the common cause of menstrual disorders will benefit some women athletes. Owing to the tough training sessions and controlled diets some of the professional athletes are having irregular or no periods.

According to Magnus Hagmar of the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, in some special cases polycystic ovary problem might be the reason. As a result of which the level of male sex hormone increases and there by enhances the athletes’ ability.

Several women have hidden symptoms of polycystic ovaries that lower their fertility which leads to excess body hair and acne. The exact cause of the problem is unknown and the genetic link is considered as the reason behind this.

The research found that polycystic ovaries were common in athletes who are preparing for Olympics when compared with average women. At least 37 percent of the athletes had them when compared with general population. It is a small increase in the levels that allows the women to build muscle mass and absorb oxygen.

Those women who indulge in power sports including hockey and wrestling are more likely to have polycystic ovaries. This indicates that a slight increase in the production of male sex hormone testosterone together with polycystic ovaries will provide competitive edge to the athletes.

The findings of the research pointed on to the fact that there is little influence for the conventional views that attributes heavy training, eating disorder and loss of periods to the suppression of female hormone. The research also found that none of the athletes tested by the researchers had weak bones. GHT

Apr 19: A new study conducted among 860,000 women has revealed that diagnosing women in their early 70s for breast cancer will save their lives. The Dutch research was presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Berlin has found that by screening women the death rate decreased by 30 per cent.

Owing to the increasing rate of cancer risk with age the researchers are divided in their opinion on whether to screen women who are aged above 70 or not. Initiatives were on in the UK to raise the upper age limit for routine screening from 70 to 73 by 2012. Screening has a significant role to play in identifying the symptoms of breast cancer.

According to an estimate between the years 1986 and 1997 the average mortality rate of women was 166 per 100,000 women. In 2006 it get reduced to 117 per 100,000 women with almost 30 percent reduction.

The lead of the research team Jacques Fracheboud said: “The fall in the breast cancer mortality rate is a clear indication of the positive effects of screening. We also found that more women aged between 70 and 74 when subjected to further tests were found to be affected by breast cancer. In older women the breast tissue will be less dense and it enables easy identification of the symptoms of breast cancer.”

He further added that there is no need for continues screening beyond 75 years because most of the tumours found at this stage are slow growing and will never create problems.

Meanwhile Dr Alexis Willett, of Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “The threat of getting affected by breast cancer is more likely in older woman. That is why we recommend all women above 50 years of age to attend NHS breast screening appointments.”

Apr 11: We all know that keeping our home clean and tidy make us feel comfortable and healthy. A new study has added more value to that belief as it founded that cleaning our home once in a week will help in enhancing the mental health of a person. The findings of the study were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

More frequent the cleaning activity more effective will be the result. The researchers at the University College London considered 20,000 people for their survey to find the influence of weekly exercise in improving mental health. Similar research published in the journal also stated that such kind of exercise among the middle aged and elderly people will delay the ageing process.

Those people who suffer from stress will keep away from physical activity, by indulging in home cleaning process they can avoid that attitude and thereby get rid of stress. Participating in any form of sports activities at least once in a week will minimise the stress related risk by 33 per cent and the house work and walking will minimise it by 20 per cent provided the session of activity should extent up to 20 minutes and have to induce breathlessness.

The reason for this is some biological risk factors for depression, cardiovascular problems, inflammation and glucose intolerance are getting minimised while taking part in sports or house cleaning activities.

“This research gains significance as it is the first of its kind to reveal the duration, amount of activity and its positive influence in enhancing mental health,” said Mark Hamer of University College London.

Richard Colwill, spokesman of Sane, the mental health charity said: “The study adds more hope to those who are suffering from severe mental depression as it suggests that a slight lifestyle change will help them recover their state of mind.”

Regular exercise right from the middle-age will help the body to make use of oxygen effectively in generating energy.

Apr 9: Cardiovascular diseases remain as the main health threat for people from all over the world. In an attempt to find the origin of the heart attack symptoms scientists have found that mothers who develop pre-eclampsia in pregnancy will give birth to babies who will develop risk of cardiovascular disease in later part of their life.

Pre-eclampsia is a common pregnancy related complication that arises due to problem in placenta that minimises the amount of oxygen the foetus receives. This will affect the growth of the baby and damages its cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine systems.
The research was conducted by a team of expert from the University of Cambridge. They analysed the impact of oxygen shortage in foetus growth by conducting tests using pregnant animals.

While commenting on this the lead researcher of the study Dr. Dino Giussani of University of Cambridge said: “Our research found that the lesser amount of oxygen in the womb will play a vital role in determining the development of the foetus in short and long run. The lesser amount of oxygen is found to activate early symptoms of heart disease.”

He further added that: “By including nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium and lycopene in the mother’s diet we can reverse the damage caused by lack of oxygen. This will effectively restrict heart disease as the vitamin therapy brings in preventive medicine into the womb.”

This research gains much significance as heart attack is considered as the most common reason of death in the UK, with 40 per cent of the people dies from heart attack. According to an estimate 2.6 million people are affected by cardiovascular diseases in the UK alone. In every two second one person is affected by it. By eliminating the early symptoms of the disease in near future we can minimise the threat posed by cardiovascular disease.