Marlie Casseus: A Medical Breakthrough
In the present day, it may not be that surprising if you suddenly find out that there are cure for diseases. As medical breakthroughs are improving every day. One of the most amazing breakthroughs was a story about the Haitian girl who had an unusual growth on her face. Her name is Marlie Casseus. Her news spread like wildfire and was translated to Thai language and other languages as her story reached internationally.
The medical breakthrough in the story was the removal of the 7 kg growth from her face. The mission to have the growth removed started when the growth started to be a hindrance with her daily activity. She cannot eat well, talk well, see well and the list goes on. It was a challenging and risky operation for Marlie. She was diagnosed with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia that does not have a cure. However, with the help of passionate and credible team of doctors lead by Dr. Jesús Gómez, Marlie was able to recover from the terrible condition.
With 17 procedures including the removal of the growth from both sides of the face and replacing facial parts, it was clearly a medical breakthrough and is considered as one of the most successful operations to date.
Turtle DNA may Lead to Frostbite and Heart Attack Treatments
The Western painted turtle may hold the key to several medical breakthroughs, according to scientists that have decoded its DNA.
While the information from the decoded DNA is still in its raw form and a lot of research is yet to be done to see what practical applications are possible, certain unique characteristics of the turtle makes for a promising source of medical innovations. Aside from its beautiful yellow and red-striped shell, what’s really notable about the turtle is that it “can freeze solid and return to life when thawed” and “can also hold its breath for up to four days at room temperature without suffering oxygen deprivation and up to four months when hibernating.” Because of this, they hope that the turtle can hold the key to finding ways to treat “hypothermia, frostbite, and heart attacks or strokes.” So while it might not sound as exciting to finding a cure to HIV, the turtle can save more lives and toes along the way.
Posted by Hannah on April 24th, 2013HIV Functionally Cured in 14 Adults and 1 Toddler
Recent news of an HIV cure has given hope to in the fight against AIDS. However, amidst much celebration, it should be noted that the cure does not really eradicate HIV. Instead, those cured are categorized as “functionally cured” with the effects of HIV under control, much like cancer in remission. Still, this is much cause to celebrate as it gives infected patients a chance to live a more abundant life free of endless medications and treatments. Obviously, it also frees up their finances with money that would have gone to medical bills free to be channeled to savings, mortgages, or even trivial things like phones, cosmetic procedures and beauty products.
As of this year, the total number of those functionally cured of HIV is 14 adults and 1 toddler. It may be a small percentage of the total number of HIV infected people, but this number expected to grow as more advances and breakthroughs come out of research and medical trials.
Posted by Hannah on March 26th, 2013
New Medical Technique Uses Reverse Liposuction for Breast Implant Replacement
We recently talked about cosmetic procedures and how they are improving the quality if life for many people despite the many criticisms that a lot of these procedures face. Well it seems that plastic surgeons just know their worth and so continue to improve their techniques and event invent new procedures to use on their patients.
One such new procedure is the use of “reverse liposuction” for breast implant replacement.
Breast augmentation is one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons, and with much success. However, the rate of patients who end up not entirely happy with their implants and opt to have them removed later on is also on the rise. Reasons for dissatisfaction differ from soft tissue problems to the usual beauty concerns. Whatever the reason may be though, conventional methods dictate replacing the implants with other kinds of implants so that the breasts do not end up sagging.
These days though, patients have an alternative to traditional implants with their own fats harvested from other areas of the body injected into the breasts where the implants are removed. Definitely good news for those looking for more “natural” options.
Image via American Society of Plastic Surgeons
On Cosmetic Procedures
Medical breakthroughs of all kinds are coming out each year. These breakthroughs affect all aspects of our lives, from our eyesight (LASIK) to possible cures for serious, even fatal, ailments.
When it comes to beauty procedures though, the medical industry is not behind at all with cosmetic procedures the Ipanema Tummy Tuck and the less known Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) being perfected by cosmetic surgeons and dentists every day.
This however puts the question of how much important these procedures are and if we’re better off having the medical community focus on “more important” research than developing such techniques and equipment. This is obviously up for debate, with those opting for cosmetic procedures obviously seeing the advantages that they bring.
Whichever side you may be on though, there’s no escaping the fact that these cosmetic procedures are improving the quality of life for many people, just as other kinds of medical procedures are doing.
Image via Melohel
Posted by Hannah on December 22nd, 2012Research victories for a diabetes cure
A Harvard Medical School study indicate that it may be possible to stop type 1 diabetes and renew the insulin-producing beta cells that are destroyed by the disease. The scientists used a mix of three drugs designed to tame the out-of-control immune response attacking the pancreas, and an enzyme called alpha 1 anti-trypsin, which is normally produced by the body to ease inflammation.. This has only been tested on mice so far but trials with human patients will be run soon.
At the same time, progress is also being done towards a cure for type 1 diabetes in Sydney, Australia. Scientists from Westmead Hospital transplanted islet cells from a donor’s pancreas into patients’ livers, where the new cells began to produce insulin. This procedure was successfully done on eight patients and the results were very promising: the patients’ need for insulin shots dropped dramatically, to zero in some cases.
Research on New Immunosuppressant Technology May Help those with MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease whose cure has eluded scientists for a long time. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks ones nerves, killing their capability to transmit impulses throughout the body, resulting in serious conditions such as paralysis. Note that MS is very different from paralysis due to spinal cord injuries.
The good news today though is that scientists are on the track to finding solutions for MS. In fact, Professor Nicholas King from Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney and Professor Stephen Miller at Northwestern University in the US may have found a way to halt MS and even other autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
They have developed a new immunosuppressant therapy approach that involved injecting small biodegradable myelin proteins into the body and having those get rid of old and dead cells from the body. After this the myelin then recoats the nerve cells and you get cells that have proper immune response, just like you would have a better house after some cleaning a house remodelling!
Image via Image Editor
Posted by Hannah on November 25th, 2012E- Cigarettes, Better Alternative?
An Electronic Cigarette (E-cigarette) is an a smoking device, non- flammable product that allows users to “smoke” without the fire or flame or tobacco. It doesn’t carry tar and other chemical substances but it still offers the same feel as though you were holding and smoking a real one. This is a popular option these days for smokers trying to get rid of their bad habit. Though there are no proven side effect from this product just yet, it not considered a healthy habit.
Recent study conducted by Greek researchers said that the device has little impact on the lungs, but there are no studies about the long term effect. “I don’t think it’s conclusive but there’s no doubt if you expose someone to fewer bioactive chemical compounds there is going to be less effect.” Dr. Russel Leupker of University of Minnesota said. Which states the obvious that this device is so much better for use than an actual cigarette.
Posted by Kitch on October 9th, 2012Vitamin D and cancer
Vitamin D is significant when it comes to the development of our organs. This vitamin is the regulator of calcium and phosphorous which is essential for the development of our bones. Vitamin D is also been said to be able to play a role in preventing diabetes and coronary diseases. The most recent findings on the benefits of vitamin D, though not yet extensively identified, is its ability to prevent the development of cancerous cells.
Calcitriol, a hormone of vitamin D is said to cause the death of cancerous cells. Several studies show that regular intake of vitamin D can deter the development of colon, breast, ovarian cancer and even prostate cancer. The link between vitamin D and colon cancer has produced the most interest among scientists and those in the medical field because it has shown a great potential.
Posted by Kip V on October 1st, 2012IMPROVING YOUR COMPUTER VISION
For those of you who spend almost 12 hours in front of your computer, there is a specialized specs to prevent eye irritation. Some of the people who spend lots of time in front of a computer screen can suffer from eye problems that may feel like sands in the eyes and makes your vision blurry and teary. It is called a computer vision syndrome. So an ophthalmologist, Richard Yee, saw how people suffer from dry eyes, light sensitivity and difficulty to focus at the computer that made him create special specs. It’s like having your eyes in the sauna making it comfortable for the eyes and screens out wind, drafts, dusts and anything in the environment that can irritate your eyes.
Posted by editor on August 17th, 2012