Weekly Medical Tips

Strokes during pregnancy and after childbirth have been on the rise. High blood pressure during pregnancy seems to be the culprit.  Research compared pregnancy related strokes during 1994-1995 and 2006-2007. Strokes in 1994-1995 totaled 4,000 or 2,000 per year. In 2006-07 totaled 6,000 equivalent to 3,000 per year. Younger women between 24-34 were more likely of having a stroke. Contributing factors that cause strokes are obesity, low physical activity, diabetes and blood clotting disorders. Treating high blood pressure during pregnancy is complicated. Women should consider their lifestyle and their physical being before becoming pregnant so they may decrease the risk of a stroke. Women should stop smoking, loose weight and keep their  diabetes under control before they become pregnant. They should maintain physical activity during pregnancy.

Doheny, K. (July28,2011).  Researchers Say Rising Rate of High Blood Pressure is a Factor in the increase in Stroke. health & pregnancy. Retrieved July 29, 2011, from   Strokes During Pregnancy, Childbirth on the Rise

Weekly Medical Tips

Rabid bats are in the news 10 were confirmed with rabies in Ventura, California

Several homes in Moorpark have been a breeding ground for rabid bats. 

 The average amount of rabid bats are ten to twelve per year, but in Ventura county 10 were  tested positive for rabies within the  last two months. The number may rise as more bats are found.

Steve Spence from Moorpark was bitten by a rabid bat as he was throwing out his garbage. He shook the bat off from his barefoot and there was a red mark where the bat bit his foot. His house is now under quarantine by the Ventura County Department of Public Health. He is being treated with vaccines and his dog an American bulldog was also bitten and he is not sure how. His dog is also being quarantined. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have reported large amounts of rabid bats this summer. Twelve have been reported in Los Angeles and the majority of rabid bats have been focused in Spence's neighborhood in Moorpark.. 

Rabies is  a disease that effects the central nervous system. Rabies is carried through the saliva of the effected host and can be transmitted through a bite or a scratch. When gone untreated it is fatal to humans and animals. When a bat is seen during the day it may be an indication that the bat is rabid. People must stay away from the bat or any wild animal that appears aggressive or overly docile and call animal control or the health department.

CBS Los Angeles. ( July 21, 2011). Officials: Sharp Rise In Number Of Rabid Bats Found In SoCal. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Officials: Sharp Rise In Number Of Rabid Bats Found In SoCal « CBS Los Angeles

Journalgazette.net. (September 15, 2011). Verbatim: Bats might pose Rabies risk. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Verbatim: Bats might pose rabies risk | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Los Angeles Times. Rabid bat bites Moorpark Man. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from Moorpark man infected by rabid bat - latimes.com

Weekly Medical Tips

A new study has shown that resveratrol an antioxidant found in red 

wines can slow muscle deterioration

Lack of exercise can lead to muscle atrophy, diabetes,  bone destiny and osteo problems that can occur during menopause. A study in the journal of the American Societies for Experimental Biology implied that resveratrol a phenol that is found in red wine, may inhibit the deterioration due to the lack of excerise. The study consisted of two rats that were exposed to the same environmental circumstances. One group was given resveratrol and the other none. The group that was given resveratrol did not show bone loss and  insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes. Study suggest that if you have not made it to the gym in the past week have a glass of red wine and "Pinot noir has the highest concentration of the muscle-building nutrient."

Fontevecchia, A. (July 2, 2011). Didn't Have Time to Exercise? Drink Some Red Wine. Forbes. Retrieved July 15, 2011, from Looking For A Boost After Exercising? Sip Red Wine « CBS Los Angeles

CBS Los Angeles.com. (July 13, 2011). Looking For A Boost After Exercising? Sip On Reed Wine. Retrieved July 15, 2011, from      Looking For A Boost After Exercising? Sip On Red Wine « CBS Los Angeles

Weekly Medical Tips

Medical Marijuana and treating Autism 

A mother in California states that medical marijuana  has shown to improve her son's overall health. Her son Joey was deteriorating quickly  by the hour. Joey is severely autistic and had no interest in food and he was losing body mass. He only weighted 48 pounds at 10 years old and his appearance was frightening as if he was starving. His mother 'Mieko' said "it all changed when she fed him marijuana brownies." He is not only eating, but he is also communicating. She claims that "he never made noises until his first batch of brownies."
CBSNews. (2009). Mom: Marijuana Helps My Son's Autism. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from  Mom: Marijuana Helps My Son's Autism - CBS News

Another mother was running out of options when her  autistic son refused to eat. She gave her ten year old who only weighted 46 pounds brownies with marijuana and she saw major improvement in his eating and also behavior. He no longer is self inflicting himself and his aggressive behavior decreased.

A mother from Rhode Island had the same result when she fed her son marijuana in brownies. His aggressive behavior changed and began socializing.

Many parents have found that marijuana has been the antidote to change behavior of their autistic children.

NY Teachers. ( 2010). Medical Marijuana and Autism. Retrieved July 8, 2011, from
Medical Marijuana and Autism | NY Teachers

Weekly Medical Tips

The FDA voted against 'Avastin' a drug for breast cancer treatment

There appears to be a lot of controversy about the drug and many women have found that the drug has prolong their lives. This cancer drug is the best selling treatment around the world. The FDA does not want the drug to used on breast cancer patients. A panel of cancer experts have ruled against the drug for treating breast cancer patients and this will cause the government to remove its endorsements from the drug. Patients can still get the drug, but most likely their insurance will not cover the cost. The FDA has stated that "Avastin does not help breast cancer patients live longer or have an overall better life, but instead the drug can be fatal with cardiovascular problems and other side effects. Medicare will still cover payment for Avastin for breast cancer patients and hopefully private insurance will follow suit.

CBC Los Angeles. (June 29, 2011). FDA Panel Votes Against Avastin For Breast Cancer Treatment. Retrieved July 1. 2011, from   FDA Panel Votes Against Avastin For Breast Cancer Treatment « CBS Los Angeles

Staton, T. (July 1, 2011). Medicare won't drop Avastin for breast cancer. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from
 Medicare won't drop Avastin for breast cancer - FiercePharma

Zwillich, T. (June 29, 2011). FDA Panel Opposes Avastin for Breast Cancer. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from FDA Panel Opposes Avastin for Breast Cancer