Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Symptoms of Not Knowing
A CDC study found that the vast majority of Americans (75%) don't know the signs of a heart attack, and only a few of those who do would know how to respond. Since heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the US, it's important to know the signs:
- Chest pain (usually squeezing or pressure)
- Pain in neck, shoulder, or jaw, arms or back
- Shortness of breath
- Others - nausea, cold sweat, light headedness.
Even if you're not sure a person with the signs is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Time to treatment is a top determinant of survival.
Speaking of not knowing, we really don't know what causes depression. Aside from the serotonin hypothesis, which is at best a gross oversimplification, and more likely a bad theory, research indicates that much of the effect of antidepressant medications may be placebo. The meta-analysis of numerous trials of the drugs found only marginal effects beyond placebo in all but the most severely depressed patients - a much smaller group indeed than those who take these drugs every day.
These results could well have some spectacular impacts on much of the field of health care, since so many patients are on antidepressants, and the costs are staggering. What if it's all a waste?
- Chest pain (usually squeezing or pressure)
- Pain in neck, shoulder, or jaw, arms or back
- Shortness of breath
- Others - nausea, cold sweat, light headedness.
Even if you're not sure a person with the signs is having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Time to treatment is a top determinant of survival.
Speaking of not knowing, we really don't know what causes depression. Aside from the serotonin hypothesis, which is at best a gross oversimplification, and more likely a bad theory, research indicates that much of the effect of antidepressant medications may be placebo. The meta-analysis of numerous trials of the drugs found only marginal effects beyond placebo in all but the most severely depressed patients - a much smaller group indeed than those who take these drugs every day.
These results could well have some spectacular impacts on much of the field of health care, since so many patients are on antidepressants, and the costs are staggering. What if it's all a waste?
Labels: depression, drugs, education, health, health care, heart attack, heart disease, knowledge, medication, placebo, SSRI
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
A New Year
Happy New Year, everyone! Kicking off 2007 right, there's all kinds of science out there, and we should take note.
Don't take too much note, however, of diet and weight-loss articles: they may be harmful! Unsurprisingly, researchers found that girls who read 'Attain your Perfect Body' articles in girly magazines are more likely to practice unhealthy weight-control habits (smoking, purging, et cetera) than were girls at a higher reading level.
Speaking of brain damage, US researchers have grown a dozen genetically engineered cattle without the gene for the prion disrupted in mad cow disease. These cattle, while not currently intended for food production, could be a fantastic proof-of-concept for future engineered livestock to be free of disease, or more nutritious. Cool!
The good news: regular, moderate drinking seems to lower your risk of a heart attack, even if you have high blood pressure. Pour me another!
Finally, a parrot has a vocabulary of almost 1000 English words, and seems to use the language as well as a human child - creating neologisms and some attempts at humor.
Cool!
Don't take too much note, however, of diet and weight-loss articles: they may be harmful! Unsurprisingly, researchers found that girls who read 'Attain your Perfect Body' articles in girly magazines are more likely to practice unhealthy weight-control habits (smoking, purging, et cetera) than were girls at a higher reading level.
Speaking of brain damage, US researchers have grown a dozen genetically engineered cattle without the gene for the prion disrupted in mad cow disease. These cattle, while not currently intended for food production, could be a fantastic proof-of-concept for future engineered livestock to be free of disease, or more nutritious. Cool!
The good news: regular, moderate drinking seems to lower your risk of a heart attack, even if you have high blood pressure. Pour me another!
Finally, a parrot has a vocabulary of almost 1000 English words, and seems to use the language as well as a human child - creating neologisms and some attempts at humor.
Cool!
Labels: blood pressure, brian, diet, drinking, genetic engineering, health, heart attack, mad cow, parrot, prions, science, technology, weight-loss
