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Tips for Living With Essential Tremor
Chronic pain and depression: Understanding 2 culprits in common
A 30% to 60% co-occurrence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain has been reported. Recent developments in neuroscience and psycho-immunology point to the fact that comorbid pain and depression may be driven by overlapping pathophysiological processes in the brain and the body. In this first of a 2-part article from Current Psychiatry, the authors review the scientific understanding of these shared processes and demonstrate how recent advances in epidemiology, phenomenology, and etiology of chronic pain and MDD provide important clues for more effective diagnosis. For more, go to: http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/chronic-pain-and-depression-understanding-2-culprits-in-common/2ec40661fbe6eed587a2ff8b6590399b.html.
A 30% to 60% co-occurrence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain has been reported. Recent developments in neuroscience and psycho-immunology point to the fact that comorbid pain and depression may be driven by overlapping pathophysiological processes in the brain and the body. In this first of a 2-part article from Current Psychiatry, the authors review the scientific understanding of these shared processes and demonstrate how recent advances in epidemiology, phenomenology, and etiology of chronic pain and MDD provide important clues for more effective diagnosis. For more, go to: http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/chronic-pain-and-depression-understanding-2-culprits-in-common/2ec40661fbe6eed587a2ff8b6590399b.html.
A 30% to 60% co-occurrence rate of major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain has been reported. Recent developments in neuroscience and psycho-immunology point to the fact that comorbid pain and depression may be driven by overlapping pathophysiological processes in the brain and the body. In this first of a 2-part article from Current Psychiatry, the authors review the scientific understanding of these shared processes and demonstrate how recent advances in epidemiology, phenomenology, and etiology of chronic pain and MDD provide important clues for more effective diagnosis. For more, go to: http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/the-publication/issue-single-view/chronic-pain-and-depression-understanding-2-culprits-in-common/2ec40661fbe6eed587a2ff8b6590399b.html.
FDA approves new treatment for chronic HCV genotypes 1 and 4
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepatier (elbasvir and grazoprevir) with or without ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 and 4 infections in adults.
Zepatier, marketed by Merck, was granted breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis and for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 4 infection. This designation expedites the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition when preliminary evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over an available therapy.
For more on Zepatier, see GI & Hepatology News: http://www.gihepnews.com/specialty-focus/liver-disease/single-article-page/fda-approves-new-treatment-for-chronic-hcv-genotypes-1-and-4/174b52697cbe2b7f82ce4ae71c9128b8.html.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepatier (elbasvir and grazoprevir) with or without ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 and 4 infections in adults.
Zepatier, marketed by Merck, was granted breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis and for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 4 infection. This designation expedites the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition when preliminary evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over an available therapy.
For more on Zepatier, see GI & Hepatology News: http://www.gihepnews.com/specialty-focus/liver-disease/single-article-page/fda-approves-new-treatment-for-chronic-hcv-genotypes-1-and-4/174b52697cbe2b7f82ce4ae71c9128b8.html.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zepatier (elbasvir and grazoprevir) with or without ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 and 4 infections in adults.
Zepatier, marketed by Merck, was granted breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis and for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 4 infection. This designation expedites the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition when preliminary evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over an available therapy.
For more on Zepatier, see GI & Hepatology News: http://www.gihepnews.com/specialty-focus/liver-disease/single-article-page/fda-approves-new-treatment-for-chronic-hcv-genotypes-1-and-4/174b52697cbe2b7f82ce4ae71c9128b8.html.
Can patients opt to turn off implantable cardioverter-defibrillators near the end of life?
Yes, it is reasonable to consider implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) deactivation if the patient or family wishes. Although ICDs prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with advanced heart failure, their benefit in terminally ill patients is small. More on this difficult decision, and a related commentary, can be found at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-opt-to-turn-off-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators-near-the-end-of-life/09d58fc5bb0433f014c2406ad4b5f9f5.html.
Yes, it is reasonable to consider implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) deactivation if the patient or family wishes. Although ICDs prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with advanced heart failure, their benefit in terminally ill patients is small. More on this difficult decision, and a related commentary, can be found at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-opt-to-turn-off-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators-near-the-end-of-life/09d58fc5bb0433f014c2406ad4b5f9f5.html.
Yes, it is reasonable to consider implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) deactivation if the patient or family wishes. Although ICDs prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with advanced heart failure, their benefit in terminally ill patients is small. More on this difficult decision, and a related commentary, can be found at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/current-issue/issue-single-view/can-patients-opt-to-turn-off-implantable-cardioverter-defibrillators-near-the-end-of-life/09d58fc5bb0433f014c2406ad4b5f9f5.html.
The intersection of obstructive lung disease and sleep apnea
Many patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—and vice versa. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/the-intersection-of-obstructive-lung-disease-and-sleep-apnea/dff50621172ad1329c163560b7f1b19b.html, explores the shared risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive lung diseases, describes potential pathophysiologic mechanisms explaining these associations, and highlights the importance of recognizing and individually treating the overlaps of OSA and COPD or asthma.
Many patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—and vice versa. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/the-intersection-of-obstructive-lung-disease-and-sleep-apnea/dff50621172ad1329c163560b7f1b19b.html, explores the shared risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive lung diseases, describes potential pathophysiologic mechanisms explaining these associations, and highlights the importance of recognizing and individually treating the overlaps of OSA and COPD or asthma.
Many patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—and vice versa. This review from Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, available at http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/the-intersection-of-obstructive-lung-disease-and-sleep-apnea/dff50621172ad1329c163560b7f1b19b.html, explores the shared risk factors for sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive lung diseases, describes potential pathophysiologic mechanisms explaining these associations, and highlights the importance of recognizing and individually treating the overlaps of OSA and COPD or asthma.
Guide helps patients make sense of DVT/PE testing and treatment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of the different diagnostic tests and treatment options for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, with easy-to-understand explanations. The resource helps patients understand what treatments are available, how they’re administered, and other options to keep in mind when anticoagulants can’t be used or don’t work well. The information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/diagnosis-treatment.html.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of the different diagnostic tests and treatment options for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, with easy-to-understand explanations. The resource helps patients understand what treatments are available, how they’re administered, and other options to keep in mind when anticoagulants can’t be used or don’t work well. The information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/diagnosis-treatment.html.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled a list of the different diagnostic tests and treatment options for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, with easy-to-understand explanations. The resource helps patients understand what treatments are available, how they’re administered, and other options to keep in mind when anticoagulants can’t be used or don’t work well. The information can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/diagnosis-treatment.html.
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Obstructive sleep apnea: Who should be tested, and how?
Only 10% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are diagnosed—a dismal statistic considering the consequences. So who’s at risk? Common risk factors include obesity, resistant hypertension, retrognathia, large neck circumference (> 17 inches in men, > 16 inches in women), and history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, nocturnal arrhythmias, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Patients who have risk factors for OSA or who report symptoms should be screened for it, first with a complete sleep history and standardized questionnaire, and then by objective testing if indicated. Read the full article at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/obstructive-sleep-apnea-who-should-be-tested-and-how/a486844138b1eb76c90923d6d1d1a255.html.
Only 10% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are diagnosed—a dismal statistic considering the consequences. So who’s at risk? Common risk factors include obesity, resistant hypertension, retrognathia, large neck circumference (> 17 inches in men, > 16 inches in women), and history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, nocturnal arrhythmias, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Patients who have risk factors for OSA or who report symptoms should be screened for it, first with a complete sleep history and standardized questionnaire, and then by objective testing if indicated. Read the full article at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/obstructive-sleep-apnea-who-should-be-tested-and-how/a486844138b1eb76c90923d6d1d1a255.html.
Only 10% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are diagnosed—a dismal statistic considering the consequences. So who’s at risk? Common risk factors include obesity, resistant hypertension, retrognathia, large neck circumference (> 17 inches in men, > 16 inches in women), and history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, nocturnal arrhythmias, heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. Patients who have risk factors for OSA or who report symptoms should be screened for it, first with a complete sleep history and standardized questionnaire, and then by objective testing if indicated. Read the full article at the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: http://www.ccjm.org/topics/obesity-weight-management/single-article-page/obstructive-sleep-apnea-who-should-be-tested-and-how/a486844138b1eb76c90923d6d1d1a255.html.
Exploring the connection between obesity and asthma
Because patients who are affected by obesity have a higher chance of developing asthma, it’s important for them to know how to control both. This brochure from the Obesity Action Coalition, available at http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/obesity-related-diseases/obesity-and-asthma, discusses the different mechanisms that may influence the relationship between obesity and asthma. The brochure also delves into the effects of weight loss on asthma, and the best ways to manage asthma flare-ups.
Because patients who are affected by obesity have a higher chance of developing asthma, it’s important for them to know how to control both. This brochure from the Obesity Action Coalition, available at http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/obesity-related-diseases/obesity-and-asthma, discusses the different mechanisms that may influence the relationship between obesity and asthma. The brochure also delves into the effects of weight loss on asthma, and the best ways to manage asthma flare-ups.
Because patients who are affected by obesity have a higher chance of developing asthma, it’s important for them to know how to control both. This brochure from the Obesity Action Coalition, available at http://www.obesityaction.org/educational-resources/resource-articles-2/obesity-related-diseases/obesity-and-asthma, discusses the different mechanisms that may influence the relationship between obesity and asthma. The brochure also delves into the effects of weight loss on asthma, and the best ways to manage asthma flare-ups.