Battling For Health

An enriched extract of the frankincense herb may reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Such were the suggested findings of a study recently reported at Arthritis Research & Therapy.

The authors of the said study have reported that patients who took the enriched herb experienced reduction in pain and increase in mobility in as little as seven days.

The herb was enriched with 30 percent AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), which exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. This enzyme transforms essential fatty acids into leukotrienes, which use signals to regulate the body’s response to inflammation.

AKBA is believed to be the most active ingredient of the B. serrata herb.

“AKBA has anti-inflammatory properties, and we have shown that B. serrata enriched with AKBA can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee,” said study leader Siba Raychaudhuri, a faculty member of the University of California, Davis.

“The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications has created great interest in the search for an effective and safe alternative treatment,” Raychaudhuri said.

Frankincense is something we knew that is used in incense and in perfumes. From wikipedia:

Frankincense is tapped from the very scraggly but hardy Boswellia tree through slashing the bark and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. There are numerous species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity in the resin, even within the same species.

In the abovementioned study, the frankincense specie used is Boswellia serrata enriched with 30% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) — a product called 5-Loxin®.

5-Loxin(R) is a novel Boswellia serrata extract enriched with 30% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), which exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme. A 90-day, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin(R) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

5-Loxin(R) reduces pain and improves physical functioning significantly in OA patients; and it is safe for human consumption. 5-Loxin(R) may exert its beneficial effects by controlling inflammatory responses through reducing proinflammatory modulators, and it may improve joint health by reducing the enzymatic degradation of cartilage in OA patients.

5-Loxin® is a new, patent-pending joint health ingredient from P.L. Thomas.

Story sources: FOX News, Arthritis Research & Therapy abstract

5-LOXIN is a new, patent-pending joint health ingredient that is steeped in the historic roots of boswellia serrata extracts. The boswellia plant has been used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India, and recent studies have shown its benefits in promoting joint comfort, knee mobility and walking distance.

The application of modern science by the researchers at the renowned Laila Impex Research Center in India has resulted in the identification of the most powerful boswellia compound, acetyl-11-keto-beta boswellic acid, or AKBA.

I’m guessing it won’t take too long before this product makes it to the market for public consumption. Soon enough this will be the new osteoarthritis anti-inflammatory/pain drug, don’t you think?

Story sources: FOX News and Arthritis Research & Therapy abstract

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Roche is happy to announce that its rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab) has won the recommending approval of the US FDA’s Arthritis Advisory Committee.

The committee’s vote was made after Roche presented results from five Phase III clinical trials. The clinical development program evaluated the effects of Actemra on signs and symptoms of RA, physical function, progression of structural damage, and health-related quality of life.

Of these five studies, three trials were conducted in patients with inadequate response to disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), one trial was conducted in patients who failed anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and one monotherapy study comparing Actemra to methotrexate, a current standard of care, was also conducted.

Results of these studies demonstrated that treatment with Actemra, alone or combined with methotrexate or other DMARDs, significantly reduced RA symptoms regardless of previous therapy or disease severity, compared with current DMARDs.

Actemra (already approved in Japan, but not yet in the US and Europe) is a novel interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody, for reducing the signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Actemra is the result of research collaboration by Chugai and is being co-developed globally with Chugai. Actemra is the first humanized interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody. An extensive clinical development program of five Phase III trials was designed to evaluate clinical findings of Actemra. T

he five studies have reported meeting their primary endpoints. Actemra is awaiting approval in the United States and Europe. In Japan, Actemra was launched by Chugai in June 2005 as a therapy for Castleman’s disease; in April 2008, additional indications for rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis were also approved in Japan.

With the FDA panel’s recommending approval, it is almost sure that the FDA will grant approval of Actemra in September.

According to William M. Burns, CEO of Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division:

“We are pleased with the FDA advisory committee’s very positive recommendation for Actemra, which helps move this promising new therapy closer to becoming available for patients who suffer from the debilitating symptoms of RA.

Based on the compelling data presented, and this positive recommendation from the committee, we remain hopeful that the FDA will approve Actemra for the treatment of RA and provide a new option to patients who are not achieving adequate symptom relief with current therapies.”

Actemra is generally well tolerated, as reported by Roche. Now reports are saying that if the drug gets FDA approval, Actemra is a potential blockbuster. Well…from a patient’s perspective, let’s cross our fingers that the drug really works well against rheumatoid arthritis.

The overall safety profile of Actemra is consistent across all global clinical studies. Serious adverse events reported in Actemra clinical trials include serious infections, diverticular perforations and hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis.

The most common adverse events reported in clinical trials were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, headache and hypertension. Increases in liver function tests (ALT and AST) were seen in some patients; these increases were generally mild and reversible, without injuries or any observed impact on liver function.

Laboratory changes, including increases in lipids (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) and decreases in neutrophils and platelets, were seen in some patients without association with clinical outcomes.

Read more from the Roche press release or the report from Reuters.

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These cancer sites may not be news to you but they are to me and I like to share when I find something new and different.

Cancer . com, has a great interactive site. Almost eerily interactive as three speakers chat it up with you and follow you around the site.

You can personalize your homepage according to whether you are recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment or are a caregiver. Each of the hosts will give you their personal story as well.

It’s a very cool and VERY informative site. My only complaint is it took me eight tries to create a password and my own homepage.

Check this out….

My Biopsy. org-information about cancer diagnosis from the College of American Pathologists.

“Each page includes answers to questions about what the disease is, what treatment options are available, questions you should ask your doctors, a definition of key terms, and pictures of a normal tissue as well as one that is diseased.”

Cancer . Net

An ASCO website, Making a Difference in Cancer Care.

In addition to disease-specific content, the site features a find an oncologist database and information on clinical trials, managing side effects, coping and survivorship, news and podcasts. Information is also available in Spanish. Sign up for the free newsletter. Be sure to check out the ASCO Resource Portal for more patient information resources.

UICC, The International Union Against Cancer

The International Union Against Cancer (UICC) is the leading international non-governmental organization dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer.

Its vision is of a world where cancer is eliminated as a major life-threatening disease for future generations.

UICC’s mission is to build and lead the global cancer control community engaged in

• sharing and exchanging knowledge and competence
• transferring scientific findings to clinical, patient and public settings
• systematically reducing and eliminating disparities in prevention, early detection and treatment and
• delivering the best possible care to people living with cancer in every part of the world

Have you found any new and interesting sites in your travels across the internet?

Share them with us here at Battling Cancer!!

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Music has the amazing ability to turn emotions on and off, to transport us to another place and yes, to heal.

Music transcends race, sex, religion and boundaries of time and space.

What’s playing on your iPod, your computer, or in the background of your mind?

Right now I’m listening to Paul Baker’s, Tranquil Harp, because to me the music translates to calming empowerment.

We’ve discussed the Diabetes/Stress Connection before.

Stress releases hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) that will increase your blood glucose levels. While this is good on a temporary basis to provide energy to deal with a threatening fight or flight situation, chronic stress keeps your glucose levels elevated which can create insulin resistance and high glucose levels.

Did you know music therapy is a great way to reduce stress levels?

From the American Music Therapy Association, the definition of music therapy:

Music Therapy is an established health care profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

• promote wellness
• manage stress
• alleviate pain
• express feelings
• enhance memory
• improve communication
• promote physical rehabilitation

Combining music and science to promote healing and wellness, is the philosophy of The Institute of Music and Neurological Function.

The Institute utilizes psychotherapy trained music therapists to facilitate with the goal of facilitating self-expression and providing emotional support. Music becomes a method of communication, a tool of expression and a coping mechanism.

Goals of a this type of emotional support therapy include reduced pain, relaxation, stimulated communication and learned coping skills.

The Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy located on the campus of NYU and affiliated with a graduate program in music therapy, offers programs for children, adolescents and adults to cope with life stressors and to provide therapeutic self expression.

Stanford University’s Center for Music Research and Acoustics released some preliminary symposium results stating that “music with a strong beat stimulates the brain and ultimately causes brainwaves to resonate in time with the rhythm, research has shown. Slow beats encourage the slow brainwaves that are associated with hypnotic or meditative states. Faster beats may encourage more alert and concentrated thinking.”

Don Campbell’s The Mozart Effect Resource Center is all about the “transformational powers of music, health, education and well being.”

Campbell’s book, The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind and Unlock the Creative Spirit.

Publisher description: Stimulating, authoritative, and often lyrical, The Mozart Effect has a simple but life-changing message: music is medicine for the body, the mind, and the soul. Campbell shows how modern science has begun to confirm this ancient wisdom, finding evidence that listening to certain types of music can improve the quality of life in almost every respect. Here are dramatic accounts of how music is used to deal with everything from anxiety to cancer, high blood pressure, chronic pain, dyslexia, and even mental illness.

I recently asked a friend what she was listening to on her iPod as we waited for the light rail to arrive. She told me and then added, “I think of it as background music for my life.”

I like that.

Why not deliberately stage the background music for your life?

Resources:

Press TV, July 30, 2008. Stress Linked to Diabetes in Men.

The Times Online, May 22, 2007. Body and Mind: How the Power of Music Lifts and Heals.

American Diabetes Association–Stress: All About Diabetes

Duke Medical News:Stress Management Can Help Control Glucose in Type 2 Diabetes

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What exactly is a retina?

The retina is the area at the back of your eye that receives light. Impulses are then transmitted by the optic nerve to the brain. In order to do its job the retina utilizes a system of small blood vessels.

Diabetic retinopathy is progressive damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the retina.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Source: Mayo Clinic.

“Your chances of developing retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. If you have had diabetes for 10 years, you have a 50 percent chance of having retinopathy; if you have had diabetes for 20 years you are almost certain to have background retinopathy….it may just mean that there are early signs of damage to your retinal blood vessels.”

Source: Diabetes: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Health by Rosemary Walker & Jill Rodgers

The good news is that according to the American Diabetes Association, while diabetics are at greater risk for retinopathy, “most people who have diabetes have nothing more than minor eye disorders. ”

Types of Retinopathy:

Nonproliferative: per Merck Manual: produces increased capillary permeability, microaneurysms, hemorrhages, exudates, and macular edema and causes vision loss if untreated.

Proliferative:per Merck Manual: is characterized by abnormal new vessel formation, which occurs on the vitreous surface of the retina and may extend into the vitreous cavity and cause vitreous hemorrhages. Vision loss with proliferative retinopathy may be severe.

Some Complications of Retinopathy:

Glaucoma: is a group of conditions resulting in optic nerve damage. High pressure inside your eye is usually what causes this damage.

Cataracts:Is a clouding of the lens. It is a slowly progressive disease.

Retinal Detachment: This is considered a medical emergency and occurs when the retina detaches from the blood vessels that support the retina itself.

Vitreous Hemorrhage: per Mayo Clinic: The new blood vessels may bleed into the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of your eye. If the amount of bleeding is small, you might see only a few dark spots or floaters. In more severe cases, blood can fill the vitreous cavity and completely block your vision. Vitreous hemorrhage by itself usually doesn’t cause permanent vision loss. The blood often clears from the eye within a few weeks or months.

Macular Edema: Caused when amaged blood vessels leak fluid and lipids onto the macula

Resources:

Diabetic Eyes . com: The website of Dr. A. Paul Chous; eye doctor, diabetes educator, and author of the highly-acclaimed book Diabetic Eye Disease: Lessons From A Diabetic Eye Doctor.

Take Dr. Chous’ Eye-Q-Test.

And remember to protect your vision with controlled blood sugar levels and yearly eye exams.

Battling Books:

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There are an array of quality periodicals available that deal with cancer support, education and advocacy including:

CURE: cancer updates, research and information.

CURE is a quarterly magazine with an annual Resource Guide and special issue, that combines the science and humanity of cancer for those who have to deal with it on a daily basis. CURE provides scientific information in easy-to-understand language with equally understandable illustrations. CURE is free to cancer patients, their families and caregivers.

Coping With Cancer is America’s consumer magazine for people whose lives have been touched by cancer™. Now in its 22nd year of providing knowledge, hope and inspiration, its readers include cancer patients (survivors) and their families, caregivers, healthcare teams and support group leaders.

Subscription and submission guidelines and the current issue in pdf available here.

MAMM-Women, Cancer, Community. Subscribe here.

The debut of MAMM marked the first consumer publication of its kind: a magazine devoted to meeting the needs of women diagnosed with breast and reproductive cancer. MAMM is for everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer—directly or indirectly. MAMM is for the millions of women and their families living with cancer. It is for those who have just been diagnosed. It is for longtime survivors. It is for all of us who yearn for a broad range of factual and accessible information about cancer.

A publication of the American Cancer Society, and created especially for the American Cancer Society’s most dedicated supporters, Triumph shows readers how their gifts are making an impact in the fight against cancer. In every issue of this award-winning magazine, courageous survivors tell how they have been helped by American Cancer Society programs, pioneering researchers discuss how their lifesaving work is made possible by donor contributions, and committed volunteers and donors share why they believe in the Society’s mission. Readers also get the latest details on cancer resources, patient service programs and opportunities to get involved. Check it out here.

Women & Cancer-Health, Wellness, Prevention, Treatment, Community & Cancer. Women & Cancer is the premier women’s health and wellness magazine, delivering breaking news about topics critical to women making informed decisions about their own and their family’s health and emphasizing cancer prevention, early detection, management, and survivorship.

Complementary issues are available to all cancer patients courtesy of Amgen. Check out the site here.

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What: Workshop On Rheumatoid Arthritis

When: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Where: Holiday Inn Express (North Platte, Nebraska)

Sponsored by Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) and North Platte Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, this workshop is free and open to the public.

If anybody reading this is near the area, you may want to drop by and listen to Dr. E. Scott Carroll present the seminar:

Dr. E. Scott Carroll, who will present the seminar, began practicing at GPRMC in April 2008. Carroll specializes in hand injuries and pathology. Specifically, he offers wrist arthroscopy, thumb basal joint procedures for arthritis, care of fractures and all hand trauma, including tendon, nerve and arterial repair.

Soft tissue flap coverage of the mutilated hand, as well as replantation of digits is performed here in North Platte. Distal radius fractures, ganglion cysts, fractures of the carpal bones, as well as carpal tunnel release are within the scope of his practice. He will also treat trigger fingers, Dupuytren’ s disease excision and tumors of the hand.

Carroll received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, then attended the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following his schooling, he held a rotating internship and general surgery residency in Des Moines, Iowa.

Carroll then accepted a residency in cardiothoracic surgery in New Jersey for three years. Following the program in New Jersey, Carroll then worked as a heart surgeon in Florida, and practiced in Kearney since March 2001.

It is good to know that such an expert is holding a free seminar. Pretty use he will attract more and more patients.

Which brings me to this other news saying that baby boomers are more like to seek arthritis care for their foot and ankle arthritis.

Foot and ankle surgeons say Baby Boomers are more likely than previous generations to seek care when arthritis develops in their toes, feet and ankles.

“Unlike their parents, Baby Boomers do not accept foot pain as a natural part of aging,” says John Giurini, DPM, a Boston foot and ankle surgeon and president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “When conservative treatments fail, they want to know what other options exist.”

“This generation has witnessed an explosion of new medical technology during its lifetime,” says Stephen Frania, DPM, a Cleveland foot and ankle surgeon. “They have high expectations, sometimes too high.”

Surgeons say many Boomers who seek treatment for arthritis assume they’ll be able to resume activities such as running or playing sports. Seeking treatment early can improve the odds of preventing irreversible joint damage. While there is no fountain of youth for arthritis, surgeons say there are more medical options available to Baby Boomers than ever before.

There are more  advanced treatment options these days, that is undeniable. Also the younger generation are enjoying the readily available resources that will urge them to seek healthcare when they feel something is wrong in their body.

Well the other extreme of that really is:  each one of us it at risk of the ‘knowing too much’ and the ‘reading too much information’ syndromes in this day and age. Like i have always said, information like the ones in this blog are for educational purposes only…don’t forget to seek the expert practicing doctor.

Let us not forget finding the right balance in all these.

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The July 10th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology reported that survival rates for breast cancer decreased with increased BMI or body mass index. Women with higher BMI showed a 52 percent increase in mortality rates compared to women with the lowest BMI.

Source: Reuters

Read the full article here.

What exactly is BMI?

Per the Centers for Disease Control:

“Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history,”

Use the CDC easy Adult BMI Calculator

or the Mayo Clinic BMI Calculator

What’s Next?

Talk to your health care provider about a lifestyle plan which includes healthy eating and exercise.

Check out the CDC’s Healthy Weight Plan site.

Get active, get healthy, your life depends on it.

It should be no suprise that the CDC levels this warning:

Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as “overweight” and “obesity,”* the risks for the following conditions also increases:¹

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
• Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
• Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
• Some gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility)

*Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.”

Getting healthy is really all about lifestyle changes, not quick fixes—and the time for weight loss isn’t during cancer treatment.

Consult your health care team and begin making healthy lifestyle CHOICES!

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