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new genetic eye disease - Macular dystrophy

 Genetic and clinical research reveals new type of macular dystrophy, a cause of central vision loss. National Eye Institute (NEI) have identified a new disease that affects the macula, a small part of the light-sensing retina needed for sharp, central vision. Scientists report their findings on the novel macular dystrophy, which is yet to be named, in JAMA Ophthalmology.  Retinal images of a patient with a TIMP3 mutation causing atypical symptoms. While there is visible damage in the retina (dark circles), there is no CNV present.  Macular dystrophies are disorders that usually cause central visual loss because of mutations in several genes, including ABCA4, BEST1, PRPH2, and TIMP3. For example, patients with Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy, a genetic eye disease specifically linked to TIMP3 variants, usually develop symptoms in adulthood. They often have sudden changes in visual acuity due to choroidal neovascularization– new, abnormal blood vessels that grow under the retina, leaking fluid

Hidden DNA' in The Blood Could Help Some Cancer Patients Avoid Chemo

In this article i will be discussing about the chemotherapy & its alternative advanced , aspect in cancer treatment   Chemotherapy is an incredible tool for annihilating cancer cells, but our regular cells end up in the crossfire, which can result in life-altering side effects. Chemotherapy or chemo for short is not always required for successful treatment either, but how to tell if someone requires it can be both an art and a science. Now, a new study provides clinicians with a technique that has already helped some stage II colon cancer patients avoid chemo, with no change to their clinical outcomes. The technique employed in this new study uses a type of DNA called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This is pretty self-explanatory – it's small sections of fragmented DNA from tumors that are circulating around in the blood stream. Importantly, they are not part of a tumor cell however, just the DNA from the tumor by itself . The presence of ctDNA in the bloodstream post-surgery p

Norovirus

  Norovirus (vomiting bug ) Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. The main symptoms of norovirus are: feeling sick (nausea) diarrhoea being sick (vomiting) You may also have: a high temperature a headache aching arms and legs The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days of being infected. How to treat norovirus yourself You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. You will usually start to feel better in 2 to 3 days. How norovirus is spread Norovirus can spread very easily. You can catch norovirus from: close contact with someone with norovirus touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the b

Need help focusing? Try monotasking

 How ‘Deep Work’ Can Help You Focus, Reduce Stress, and Be More Productive   This is Present Tense, a series on mindfulness for busy people (read: all of us). Whether you're at work, on a walk, or hanging with loved ones, mindfulness can help you stay connected and engaged – no matter what the circumstances . I have seven tabs open on my internet browser, an email drafted, a few notes scrawled into my agenda, and a creeping tension in my shoulder. ­ I feel like I’m balancing spinning plates. I can’t focus on just one, or the rest will fall. If I don’t make some adjustments fast, everything’s going to come crashing down on top of me. Can you relate? Luckily, I recently found a different way to approach my work that doesn’t leave me feeling scattered and overwhelmed. It’s called “deep work.” What is deep work? Deep work is when you’re fully present and immersed in the task at hand. Some people refer to it as being “in the zone” or in a state of flow. It involves being completely focu

The Relaxation Response Can Help You Fight Stress

 When you’re under stress, your body reacts by releasing hormones that produce the “fight-or-flight” response. Your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure go up, your muscles tense, and you sweat more. If this happens often, over a long period of time, it can worsen many health problems.   There is no drug to cure stress. But we do have access to a built-in “stress reset button.” It’s called the relaxation response. It slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and decreases oxygen consumption and levels of stress hormones.   Some complementary health approaches, such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices, and relaxation techniques, may help to produce the relaxation response and counteract the ill effects of stress.

NO Tobaco day

 You might think cigarettes make you cool, but it’s killing you, fools! Stop being a wacko and quit tobacco. This is no lie; if you keep smoking, then you’ll die. Just like you crush that cigarette butt, life will crush you if you don’t stop smoking. Every single day about 1300 people quit smoking – by dying. Quit tobacco today or else look at your future go in smoke. Cancer is certainly no joke, so quit that smoke.

ESR

  Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Does this test have other names? ESR, sed rate What is this test? Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test. It measures how quickly erythrocytes, or red blood cells, separate from a blood sample that has been treated so the blood will not clot. During this test, a small amount of your blood will be put in an upright tube. A lab specialist will measure the rate that your red blood cells settle toward the bottom of the tube after 1 hour. If you have a condition that causes inflammation or cell damage, your red blood cells tend to clump together. This makes them heavier, so they settle faster. The faster your red blood cells settle and fall, the higher your ESR. A high ESR tells your healthcare provider that you may have an active disease process in your body.  Why do I need this test? You may need this test if you have symptoms of one of the diseases that may cause ESR to go up. You may also need this test if you have already been diagnosed wi

Mind-Altering Parasite May Make Infected People More Attractive

 The brain-hijacking parasite Toxoplasma gondii seems to be almost everywhere. The microscopic invader is thought to infect up to 50 percent of people, and a range of studies suggests it may alter human behavior, in addition to that of many other animals. The parasite has been linked with a large range of neurological disorders, including schizophrenia and psychotic episodes, and scientists keep uncovering more mysterious effects that may result from infection. In one such new study, researchers found that men and women infected by the parasite ended up being rated as more attractive and healthier-looking than non-infected individuals. On the face of it, that might sound strange and unlikely. But hypothetically speaking, the phenomenon could make sense from an evolutionary biology standpoint, scientists say. Above: Composite images of 10 Toxoplasma-infected women and men (a), beside 10 composite images of 10 non-infected women and men (b). Amidst the many neurobiological changes T. gon

Tomato Flu

Tomato Fever: Feed a lot of water to infected children, take a bath by mixing... Tomato Flu: Most of the children have had problems with rashes, skin irritation and dehydration. The problem of blisters in some parts of the body has also been seen. Tomato fever is a rare virus that attacks only children. Especially those under the age of five. However, it is not yet confirmed whether this (unknown fever) is viral or dengue, chikungunya. Most of the children have had problems with rashes, skin irritation and dehydration. The problem of blisters in some parts of the body has also been seen. Tomato Fever: Where the Name comes from Tomato flu is named after this blister. The blisters look like red, wheeled tomatoes. It is still growing in Kollam so far. However, health officials have warned that it may soon spread to other parts of Kerala. The mysterious disease is also called Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. Tomato Fever: Measures to avoid infection  1. Feed a lot of water to infected childre

cardiovascular disease

 What to know about cardiovascular disease The cardiovascular, or circulatory, system supplies the body with blood. It consists of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. CVD is now the most common cause of death Trusted Source worldwide. However, there are many ways to reduce the risk of developing these conditions. There are also many treatment options available if do they occur. The treatment, symptoms, and prevention of the conditions that are part of CVD often overlap. In this article, we look at the different types of CVD, their symptoms and causes, and how to prevent and treat them. Types CVD comprises many different types of condition. Some of these might develop at the same time or lead to other conditions or diseases within the group. Diseases and conditions that affect the heart include: angina, a type of chest pain that occurs due to decreased blood flow into the heart arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm congenital heart disease, in which a problem wi