...Ulcerative Colitis Did you know that it is possible to live without a large intestine? Have you ever had such an excruciating pain that you thought it would be better if you just curled up in a ball and never felt a thing ever again? Well that’s how I felt when I had Ulcerative Colitis. The idea of having a chronic illness is one of the scariest things you could imagine. That’s why I am here, with a personal experience to help talk through and explain it. It has been recently argued that, “Since we do not know the basic cause of Ulcerative Colitis, formal definition of the disease is impossible and should not be attempted” (Bargen 1966). However, that is wrong. Ulcerative Colitis itself, the symptoms and effects it has on your body, and the...
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...Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune chronic disease that affects the digestive tract by causing painful inflammation and ulcers along the large intestine, colon, and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is the most common inflammatory disorder and is one of many in a group of IBD, or irritable bowel disease, another one of these being crohn’s disease. Unlike crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis is not, by itself, life threatening; Although, some symptoms from ulcerative colitis can be life altering and have life threatening complications. Ulcerative Colitis typically begins to show in people from ages 15 to 30 and those of Jewish and Caucasian. People in the upper middle class have a higher risk of getting it. About 900,000 people in the United States suffer from ulcerative colitis. The large intestine consists of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. Normally, the large intestine is lined on the...
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...Necrotizing enter colitis is a serious disease that affects premature infants. The disease involves an infection and inflammation that causes the bowels to be intentionally destroyed. The disease such as necrotizing enter colitis is more prevalent in developing countries such as Africa A recent research article in February 2010 focuses on data collections within developing countries such as Africa that is experiencing an high rate of necrotizing enter colitis. Through the uses of statistical data and analysis the article also provides information on the long-term prospect of the disease and whether or not it is lacking in developing countries. The article focuses on data this is collected by South Africa during the pre human immunodeficiency virus era. The focus of this paper is to provide information on the statistical procedure and the significance of the study. The statistical procedures within this research article began with what is known as a cohort. A cohort is a group of subjects which shares a particular experience during a specific time span. During this research article the focus is mainly within a specific cohort of premature infants that are born in South Africa between the years of 1992 and 1995. The study expresses the mean values and how the data ranges throughout the article. For example the mean within the article is known as the gestational age of the cohort, which is thirty two weeks gestation. The range for gestational ages is from twenty...
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...recent research article in February 2010 focuses on data collections within developing countries such as Africa that is experiencing an high rate of necrotizing enter colitis. Through the uses of statistical data and analysis the article also provides information on the long-term prospect of the disease and whether or not it is lacking in developing countries. The article focuses on data which is collected by South Africa during the pre human immunodeficiency virus era. The focus of this paper is to provide information on the statistical procedure and the statistical significance of the study. Statistical Procedures The statistical procedures within this research article began with what is known as a cohort. A cohort is a group of subjects, which shares a particular experience during a specific time span. During this research article the focus is mainly within a specific cohort of premature infants born in South Africa between the years of 1992 and 1995. The study expresses the mean values and how the data ranges throughout the article. For example the mean within the article is known as the gestational age of the cohort, which is 32 weeks gestation. The range for gestational ages is from 22 weeks gestation to 40 weeks gestation. The t test is also a part of this research article, and it evaluates ongoing variables for statistical significance. The cohorts within this study consist of 128 subjects, which is not considered as small test group. The research article...
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...published a study in a prestigious medical journal Lancet that linked the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism in children. Mr. Wakefield’s ethics were questioned due to the manner in which he carried out his research. In a ruling, the General Medical Council, ruled that Wakefield acted dishonestly and irresponsibly during his research and had no regard to his human study subjects (Harrell, 2010). Mr. Wakefield carried out test such as colonoscopies and spinal taps; these tests are invasive and can have ill effects on children. Wakefield was also accused of paying children at his son’s birthday party to give blood. Mr. Wakefield also failed to mention that he was being paid by the lawyers representing the parents who thought their children were injured by the MMR shots (Harrell, 2010). Twelve years after the study was published The Lancet retracted the paper. A statement published in the British medical journal states that several elements of the paper it published by author Dr. Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues are incorrect. The original paper by Dr. Wakefield and his coauthors claimed to have studied a consecutive series of children. Each of these children were referred to the Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine with chronic enter colitis and regressive developmental disorder. They reported that the parents of eight of the children believed that their children’s loss of acquired skills, including language was...
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...Secrets of the MMR scare: How the case against the MMR vaccine was fixed February 28, 1998, there was a paper published in the Lancet which would go on to create a worldwide MMR vaccine scare. Authored by Andrew Wakefield, John Walker-Smith, and 11 others from the Royal Free medical school, London. 12 developmentally challenged children were reported on. 11 boys, 1 girl; ages 3-9 They made claims which they adopted as facts __Behavioral symptoms reported by parents in 8 of the 12 children. __Average interval from exposure to 1st behavioral symptoms was 6.3 days (range 1-14). __9 children diagnosed with regressive autism. __ Autistic enterocolitis (unproven bowel disease) November 2000, Wakefield grants an interview to CBS’s 60 minutes; epidemic of autism . He campaigned for boycott of the MMR vaccine in favor of single shots. Concerns for Thimerosal in vaccine also occurring at this time What Got Deer Started: Around the time the Lancet paper was published, a woman in Ireland was compensated for vaccine injury caused to her son. 2003 begins to take a closer look at Wakefield’s claims. Deer’s Findings: The research alleging link between MMR and Autism had been funded from the onset by a group of lawyers. Wakefield was on their payroll for two years prior to the paper being published and before the research began. Wakefield and his cohorts created “the problem” Children enrolled in the study were members of JAB as well as clients...
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...The idea behind this theorized therapy is that the lack of exposure to pathogens and parasites, due to the industrialization of the regions with the highest Crohn’s prevalence, “...may result in an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases.”. The background research cited by proponents of this treatment shows that helminth infestation has played a significant role in shaping the evolution of parts of our immune system. According to Summers et al, this is especially true of the genes responsible for several inflammatory bowel diseases. During their study, 29 Crohn’s sufferers ingested the ova of Trichuris suis, the porcine whipworm. Of these patients, 23 responded with a decrease of 100 points or more on their CDAI. The mean decrease of those who responded to the treatment was 177.1 points below their baseline CDAI score. None of the participants had an increase in their scores, and no new symptoms or side effects developed. Though the authors themselves admit more testing on a larger scale is needed...
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...discussed a variety of complementary and alternative methods to manage and treat varying types of pain. The article was not inclusive of all CAMs, only the most common practices of complementary alternative medicine. Including on the list discussed was acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathy, naturopathy, and tai chi. These are the more common modalities of CAM, as well as other CAMs that were new to me such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, lymphatic therapy, myofascial therapy and craniosacral therapy. Also included were reviews and evidence base practice regarding some of these therapies. Though the article made mention of several research and clinical trials. For example, “In randomized clinical trials, qigong has been shown to be effective in significantly reducing pain when compared with the general pain care.” (Schulenburg, 2015, p. 322), it was not a research paper or clinical analysis. It is a journal article written by a registered nurse for the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurse journal. The targeted audience for this article is nurses, particularly perioperative nurses and nurses who work with a population that experiences high incidences of pain. The author’s purpose is to inform and provide nurses with information and evidence of complementary alternative medicinal practices that can alone or as adjunct therapy for...
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...subsequent infection. Presence of pathogens in food products imposes potential hazard for consumers and causes grave economic loss and loss in human productivity via food-borne disease. Symptoms of SFD include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea. Preventive measures include safe food handling and processing practice, maintaining cold chain, adequate cleaning and disinfection of equipment, prevention of cross-contamination in home and kitchen, and prevention of contamination from farm to fork. This paper provides a brief overview of SFD, contributing factors, risk that it imposes to the consumers, current research gaps, and preventive measures. Clostridium difficile was first described as part of the normal microbiota in stool samples from healthy infants in 1935 (59) and is still detected in significant numbers of healthy asymptomatic infants (143). Later, it was identified as a pathogen associated with pseudomembranous colitis and occasionally with wound and lung infections. (12;96;153;153) Now it has become the most common cause of diarrhea in hospitals and long term care facilities causing billions of dollars in excess costs. (43) C. difficile...
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...Xantham gum Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide, derived from the bacterial coat of Xanthomonas campestris, used as a food additive and rheologymodifier,[2] commonly used as a food thickening agent (in salad dressings, for example) and a stabilizer (in cosmetic products, for example, to prevent ingredients from separating). It is produced by the fermentation of glucose, sucrose, or lactose by the Xanthomonas campestrisbacterium. After a fermentation period, the polysaccharide is precipitated from a growth medium with isopropyl alcohol, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Later, it is added to a liquid medium to form the gum.[3] It was discovered by an extensive research effort by Allene Rosalind Jeanes and her research team at the United States Department of Agriculture anthan gum derives its name from the strain of bacteria used during the fermentation process, Xanthomonas campestris One of the most remarkable properties of xanthan gum is its ability to produce a large increase in the viscosity of a liquid by adding a very small quantity of gum, on the order of one percent. In most foods, it is used at 0.5%, and can be used in lower concentrations. The viscosity of xanthan gum solutions decreases with higher shear rates; this is called shear thinning or pseudoplasticity. This means that a product subjected to shear, whether from mixing, shaking or even chewing, will thin out, but once the shear forces are removed, the food will thicken back up. A practical use would be in salad...
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...A review paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal provides a summary of the current understanding of ASD and suggests a comprehensive set of guidelines on best practices for detection, diagnosis and treatment for children with autism based on the currently available evidence randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews. - See more at: "We have come to understand ASD as a remarkably heterogeneous constellation of conditions that covary with other disabilities and disorders (e.g., intellectual disability, epilepsy, ADHD, anxiety disorders) and various medical problems," writes Dr. Stephen Scherer, senior scientist and director of The Centre for Applied Genomics at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and director of the McLaughlin Centre at the University of Toronto, with coauthors. "Recent discoveries of underlying genomic factors have shown great complexity and implicate various networks of causal factors." ASD, which includes a variety of traits that range from mild to severe, is estimated to affect about 1% of the population, although it is under-recognized in the developing world. The review, by specialists in pediatrics, psychiatry, epidemiology, neurology and genetics from across Canada, outlines the current understanding of ASD and best practices for pediatricians, family doctors and specialist clinics, and identifies resources for clinicians. Topics include: What causes autism? The causes are thought to be multi-factorial: genetic...
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...Lived Experience Paper Irritable Bowel Syndrome Brooke Rogers Florida State University College of Nursing NUR3125 – Fall ‘09 November 10, 2009 Introduction Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is recorded to be the most common intestinal complaint and reasoning for a patient’s direct referral to a gastroenterologist (Medline Plus Organization, 2009). This paper will give a summarized desciption of the characterisitics of IBS, as well as a glimpse into the life experience of a patient whom deals with the symptoms of irritable bowel on a daily basis. My hopes would be for people to get a more cathartic understanding of the effects that these constant symptoms have on a regular person. Description IBS is described as, a functional gastrointestinal disorder in which the patient experiences periods of abdominal pain and discomfort, along with changes in their normal bowel movement habits (Longstreth, 2006). However, unlike more serious gastrointestinal diseases, IBS does not bring about bowel inflammation or permanent alterations in bowel tissue; therefore, it does not contribute either to irreversible damage of the colon, or an increased risk of colorectal cancer. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). Epidemiology and Populations at Risk Studies suggest that genetic susceptibility plays a role in IBS. Patients with a first-degree relative diagnosed with IBS have an increased risk of this disorder. Approximately 1 in every 5 people in the world...
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...recommends breastfeeding infants for a minimum of six months, with added benefits when breastfeeding continues for more than a year. Their overall opinion is that the greatest health benefits occur when it is done for one or two years (Ryan, 2012). The United States national health objective, Healthy People 2010, set a goal to increase the number of women who breastfeed for at least six months to 50 %, focusing specifically on low-income women (Pugh et al., 2002). This research paper will look into the many benefits associated with breastfeeding for at least six months. First, what added health benefits does the infant receive if they are breastfed for at least six months when compared to an infant who is fed formula. Second, what added health benefits does a nursing mother receive by breastfeeding for at least six months or longer. Lastly, what are the added benefits that are realized by the family of a mother who breastfeeds her child for at least the first six months of their life. Therefore, this paper suggests that...
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...Amy Taylor BIOL 1101 4/15/2011 Anatomy and Physiology of Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestines with usually peak between 15 and 35. It is one of many Inflammatory bowl disease (IBD), and is sometimes also called Regional enteritis, Morbus Crohn’s, Terminal iletis, or Granulomatous enteritis. It primarily affects the small and large intestine, but can affect the digestive system anywhere between the mouth and the anus. It is named after the physician who examined the disease in a landmark paper written in 1932. Crohn's disease lasts for many years throughout life, and many patients require surgery at some point and even then they can have recurring symptoms. The cause of CD is unknown, although there are two major theories. One theory is that the structural changes in the cells of the bowel are perceived by the immune system as foreign and are attacked, leading to constant inflammation. The second theory is that an unknown type of bacterium persistently attacks the bowel, which also leads to constant inflammation. Patients with CD are usually nutritionally deficient which is mainly due to a decreased intake and malabsorption of nutrients. This tends to happen because certain parts of the abdomen might be inflamed so the patient may not be able to properly absorb the food, which can cause them to be deficient in certain vitamins and other nutrients. Although diet may affect the symptoms in patients...
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...Depression Treatment: The Natural Way There is a lot of controversy about appropriate treatments for depression. Today antidepressants are among the most prescribed medications in the world. Despite their popularity, research has suggested that antidepressant medications may not be as successful as people had imagined in counteracting depression (Johnson & Kirsch, 2008, p. 1). Extensive research and studies show that natural remedies are better than antidepressants for treating depression because there are fewer side effects, more health benefits and according to most studies, antidepressants are no more effective than placebos. Although there are many natural remedies for treating the symptoms of depression, this paper will focus on St. John’s Wort, omega-3 fatty acids, SAM-e and exercise. These four natural remedies are the most widely used and studied alternatives to treating depression. Side Effects According to Dr. Hyla Cass (2007) and a study done in 1998, prescription medication puts more than one million people in the hospital every year. The study also states that prescription medication kills more than one hundred thousand people per year. Doctor Cass (2007) states that there are almost no deaths from herbal use and that the side effects from herbs are usually mild. One report says that for every one million people prescribed antidepressants in a year, 30.1 of them will die from an overdose. Doctor Cass (2007) quotes Norman Farnsworth, Ph.D., (as cited in Cass...
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