Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Ultrasonic Nerve Destruction Treats Drug-Resistant Hypertension

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/5fSwIDc3Tcs

Zapping nerves entering the kidneys with pulsed ultrasound can significantly lower elevated blood pressures in those who fail traditional drug therapy with a triple combination medication.  An international, multi-center study headed by Columbia University researchers enrolled 136 patients, and 69 of them underwent ultrasound renal denervation with the 67 controls undergoing sham procedures.

The ultrasound treated group enjoyed a significant 5.8 mmHg blood pressure reduction compared with the controls.  There were no significant complications from the procedure.

Larger clinical trials will be needed to confirm the safely and effectiveness of ultrasound renal nerve ablation.  If proven effective, ultrasound will be added to radiofrequency energy as a means of renal nerve ablation.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00788-1/fulltext

#hypertension #ultrasound #renalnerve

Ultrasonic Nerve Destruction Treats Drug-Resistant Hypertension

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/5fSwIDc3Tcs

Zapping nerves entering the kidneys with pulsed ultrasound can significantly lower elevated blood pressures in those who fail traditional drug therapy with a triple combination medication.  An international, multi-center study headed by Columbia University researchers enrolled 136 patients, and 69 of them underwent ultrasound renal denervation with the 67 controls undergoing sham procedures.

The ultrasound treated group enjoyed a significant 5.8 mmHg blood pressure reduction compared with the controls.  There were no significant complications from the procedure.

Larger clinical trials will be needed to confirm the safely and effectiveness of ultrasound renal nerve ablation.  If proven effective, ultrasound will be added to radiofrequency energy as a means of renal nerve ablation.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00788-1/fulltext

#hypertension #ultrasound #renalnerve

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dkFX9GP8U34

Just one glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail doubles the chances of an atrial fibrillation episode sometime during the following 4 hours.  Cardiologists at UC-San Francisco report this finding following their study of 100 patients with intermittent bouts of atrial fibrillation.

Each participant was fitted with a wearable cardiac monitor and a data box that clocked their self-reported alcohol consumption.  The accuracy of the self-reporting was testing using finger-stick blood alcohol level determinations.

Two or more drinks in one sitting tripled the risk of afib.  For every 0.1% increase in blood alcohol levels there was about a 40% increased risk of an afib episode.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210517124943.htm

#alcohol #atrialfibrillation

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dkFX9GP8U34

Just one glass of wine, beer, or a cocktail doubles the chances of an atrial fibrillation episode sometime during the following 4 hours.  Cardiologists at UC-San Francisco report this finding following their study of 100 patients with intermittent bouts of atrial fibrillation.

Each participant was fitted with a wearable cardiac monitor and a data box that clocked their self-reported alcohol consumption.  The accuracy of the self-reporting was testing using finger-stick blood alcohol level determinations.

Two or more drinks in one sitting tripled the risk of afib.  For every 0.1% increase in blood alcohol levels there was about a 40% increased risk of an afib episode.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210517124943.htm

#alcohol #atrialfibrillation

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RA7DqmDw51E

Boys born prematurely and weighing less than one kilogram age faster than normal.  Canadian researchers draw this conclusion from their study comparing the adult cells from 45 with extremely low birth weights with those of 49 normal birth weight controls.

Calculating cellular age using a DNA methylation assay of adult cheek cells, the low birth weight men were older than normal men by 4.8 years.  They were 2.7 years older than low birth weight women.

Premature birth with an extremely low birth weight is associated with accelerated male aging.  Whatever the cause of this aging, these boys and men deserve careful monitoring and health surveillance throughout life.

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2021/05/13/peds.2020-001230

#premies #boys #lowbirthweight #aging

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/RA7DqmDw51E

Boys born prematurely and weighing less than one kilogram age faster than normal.  Canadian researchers draw this conclusion from their study comparing the adult cells from 45 with extremely low birth weights with those of 49 normal birth weight controls.

Calculating cellular age using a DNA methylation assay of adult cheek cells, the low birth weight men were older than normal men by 4.8 years.  They were 2.7 years older than low birth weight women.

Premature birth with an extremely low birth weight is associated with accelerated male aging.  Whatever the cause of this aging, these boys and men deserve careful monitoring and health surveillance throughout life.

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2021/05/13/peds.2020-001230

#premies #boys #lowbirthweight #aging

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/0ITzY3wa7DA

The time-honored recommendation to put ice packs on injured extremities now comes under question with the publication of a Japanese study.  Using a mouse model, Kobe University researchers show that cold unduly delays muscle regeneration following contraction trauma that mimics a muscle tear.

Slower healing of cold tissues occurs since low temperatures impede the migration and function of pro-inflammatory macrophages.  These scavenger cells must clean up and dispose of damaged muscle before healing may commence.  After they do, they also prevent excess inflammation.

The old adage recommending RICE, that is rest, ice, compression, and elevation, may require updating and the omission of ice.  The other components continue to be helpful.

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/japplphysiol.01069.2020

#sports #injury #rice #icing #macrophages

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/0ITzY3wa7DA

The time-honored recommendation to put ice packs on injured extremities now comes under question with the publication of a Japanese study.  Using a mouse model, Kobe University researchers show that cold unduly delays muscle regeneration following contraction trauma that mimics a muscle tear.

Slower healing of cold tissues occurs since low temperatures impede the migration and function of pro-inflammatory macrophages.  These scavenger cells must clean up and dispose of damaged muscle before healing may commence.  After they do, they also prevent excess inflammation.

The old adage recommending RICE, that is rest, ice, compression, and elevation, may require updating and the omission of ice.  The other components continue to be helpful.

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/japplphysiol.01069.2020

#sports #injury #rice #icing #macrophages

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Y-Mix9FjKOI

Everyone in every state now has the right to access their medical records and those of their children.  On April 5th, 2021, a federal rule became operative and it guarantees you immediate electronic access via your computer or smartphone to your doctors’ notes as well as lab and imaging test results.

Your legal right to the information isn’t new, but healthcare offices and networks have often made it costly charging per page fees and difficult by only providing paper storms.  Many providers were already providing such access, but now everyone must.

Raw information without context may be confusing and terrifying.  Knowing their patients will be receiving results directly, providers should communicate earlier.

https://www.healthit.gov/curesrule/

#patients #portals #healthinformation 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Y-Mix9FjKOI

Everyone in every state now has the right to access their medical records and those of their children.  On April 5th, 2021, a federal rule became operative and it guarantees you immediate electronic access via your computer or smartphone to your doctors’ notes as well as lab and imaging test results.

Your legal right to the information isn’t new, but healthcare offices and networks have often made it costly charging per page fees and difficult by only providing paper storms.  Many providers were already providing such access, but now everyone must.

Raw information without context may be confusing and terrifying.  Knowing their patients will be receiving results directly, providers should communicate earlier.

https://www.healthit.gov/curesrule/

#patients #portals #healthinformation