NEW STUDY: Fat Makes You Stupid?

Boost your brainpower by shrinking your waistline: A Kent State University study finds that for obese people, losing weight improves brain function and memory.

The ongoing study followed more than 100 obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. Researchers asked the subjects to remember words from a list read aloud to them, which tested the participants real-world ability to learn new information.

Before the surgery, most subjects showed below-average memory skills. But 12 weeks after surgery, the group’s collective BMI had dropped around 6 points—and their memory test scores had improved to within the average range for all adults.

More research is needed to uncover the actual mechanisms connecting obesity to brain function, but previous studies on obesity-related diseases give researchers a solid starting point.

“Scientists have known for some time that medical conditions like hypertension and type 2 diabetes can directly damage the brain, including brain atrophy (shrinkage), causing tiny strokes throughout the brain, and altering blood flow patterns within the brain,” says researcher John Gunstad, Ph.D, of Kent State University. “This damage is often found in brain regions important for memory, including processing new information and then being able to retrieve it later.” Weight loss improves these conditions, which, presumably, improves memory, says Gunstad.

But you don’t have to have expensive, dangerous surgery to see the results: Obese patients who lose weight through diet and exercise should also see memory improvement, Gunstad says. “We know that better diet is associated with better mental performance,” says Gunstad. “We also know that becoming more cardiovascular fit is associated with better performance. So if you’re eating better, exercising more, and actually losing weight—those are three factors that have all gotten better, and memory is likely also to get better.” (Related from MensHealth.com: 20 Reasons to Drop 20 Pounds.)

Did you know that a happy mood could drain memory—but moderate drinking might help keep it strong? Here’s how to Remember Every Memory.

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Prostate cancer screening doesn't cut the mortality rate

20-year study from Sweden suggest that significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer testing the death disease.

On the other hand, good men can be false-positive results and overtreatment, adding an element of risk, the researchers report widescale screening to 31. March online issue of the BMJ.

"According to our findings, I would say that the benefit of the classification is not sufficient to support the mass screening," said study author Dr. Gabriel Sandblom, associate professor at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.

"However," he added, "the study of Sandblom was initiated more than 20 years ago, when the DOG [prostate specific antigen testing] were not available and the treatment of localized prostate cancer has not been as effective as it is today. Therefore, I recommend the PSA testing nor categorically on the basis of individual decisions from a man who feels concerned about prostate cancer. "

This Council is not in accordance with the recently updated guidelines for screening for prostate cancer from the Government of the United States of America. The recommendations, released in 2008, critically prostate cancer screenings in any age, healthy men and definitely recommend against them exclusively for men over 75.

American society for cancer also recently revisited the question of screening for prostate cancer.

"A little over a year ago, the American society for cancer to revise its guidelines, which reinforces the message that men need to be informed, that are known advantages, but also the boundaries of the projection, the DOG," said Dr. Durado Brooks, Director of prostate cancer and Colon cancer in American society. "The American Cancer Society, and is not to encourage or discourage them from prostate cancer screenings.

This new study to carry with him a number of important weaknesses, said Brooks. In particular, due to the timing and design studies, most men only received one and at most two PSA tests.

"At best, it is the study of one or two tests of the DOG in men in their late 50 's and early 1960 's," he said.

For the study, researchers looked at all the people in the Swedish city of Norrkoping, who were aged 50 to 69 in 1987, a total of 9,026 people.

One of them was 1,494 men detection prostate cancer – first with the digital sound (DRE) and since 1993, DRE and PSA tests – every three years.

In 1996, were reviewed, only men aged 69 or below.

The remaining men have undergone screening and 7532 served as the Group of comparison.

Mortality rate of men who have been subjected to examination was not significantly different in the control group, although the tumors in the screened group rather smaller and more localized.

Commenting on the study, Dr. Chad LaGrange, Professor of Urology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, said he believes that the findings add "much greater uncertainty" already complex issue.

More and more research on this topic, "the guidelines have become vague recommendations," he said. "We have no really no rules."

The bottom line: "it's not just as simple as a DOG or a screening work. Patients should talk with their doctor about it, "said LaGrange. "PSA testing should not be just a reflex."

But the good news is hidden here is that the number of deaths from prostate cancer continues to decline, whether it be a better classification or better treatment, he said. "We're doing something right," said LaGrange.

SOURCE: Gabriel Sandblom, M.D., Ph.d., Associate Professor, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Chad LaGrange, m.d., Assistant Professor, urology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha; Durado Brooks, m.d., Director, prostate cancer, and colon, American society for cancer, Atlanta; March 31, 2011, BMJ, online

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Genital Herpes (HSV)

What is Herpes?

Oral and genital herpes is caused by only two of six herpes viruses that can infect people family. These viruses are very easy to transfer, and is therefore very common. The two herpes virus associated with oral and genital herpes are:

HSV1: Usually causes cold sore, but can also infect the genital regionHSV2: the main cause of genital herpes, but it can also cause cold wound in the face

Genital Herpes Symptoms
Warning: the Images may offend some viewers

Herpes (genital or oral) infections are characterized by an outbreak of small, painful wounds, which can be covered with a thin layer of inflammation. Often people just before an outbreak, so-called prod romal symptoms, which may include itching or tingling at the site of infection. These symptoms vary from person to person, but in the end many people with recurring outbreaks teacher which sensations signal as the active wounds are displayed.

Most people with genital herpes will never have any symptoms. Generally, if symptoms will appear, showing the last two weeks after the first period of the infection. The first outbreak is usually the worst, and many people experience symptoms will do only once. For most others, severity and frequency of symptoms decrease over time.

How common is Genital Herpes?

Herpes virus is extremely common. One out of every four women and one out of every five men in the United States becomes infected with HSV2 at some time in their lives. HSV1 is even more common. More than half of all Americans are living with herpes-genital organs or oral-and you can have both oral and genital tract infections at the same time. Contrary to protects one infection not you from another

A lot of negativity directed against persons who have genital herpes, but it is important to remember that it is a virus that will affect a good proportion of the population at one point in their lives. Having herpes does not mean that a person is dirty, or a bad person. It simply means that they have been exposed to a disease that affects more than a quarter of the population. In addition, anyone who has ever had a cold sore experienced an outbreak of a herpes virus. Empathy is a more productive option than DOM. Herpes tests may have a difficult time distinguishing between types of infection, unless a person has been tested during an outbreak.

How can prevent Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes can spread by oral, vaginal and anal sex as well as other intimate contact. Because it is spread by contact with the skin to the skin, and not only through the exchange of bodily fluids not condoms completely prevent transmission, even though they slightly reduce the risk. It is important to know that herpes can be transmitted even in the absence of symptoms, although there is a greater risk of infection when wounds are visible. Individuals with genital herpes is usually advised to abstain from sex during active outbreaks, and an active herpes infection can also increase the individual's risk of contracting HIV.

The only guaranteed way to avoid a herpes genital infection is to refrain from sexual contact. The safest sex is taking place within a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner that has been tested and found to be negative for herpes virus. HSV1, although normally associated with cold sore, is even more contagious than HSV2, and some researchers believe that the number of cases of genital herpes associated HSV1 may be increasing.

Herpes treatment there is no cure for genital herpes, whatever some may require, but it can be treated. Antiviral drugs can be used to shorten the duration of outbreaks and reduce their frequency. For people with frequent outbreaks or uninfected partners can be recommended for daily suppressive therapy. In this case would antivirals be taken continuously to reduce the risk of not only the symptoms but transmission. Even when suppressive therapy is very effective at eliminating an infected person outbreaks, can he still be able to transfer herpes virus to a partner.

Herpes and pregnancy Herpes infection can be fatal in infants. Infection transmission from mother to child during pregnancy is thankfully relatively rare. If you know that your computer is infected with genital herpes, you should discuss your diagnosis with your obstetrician. A cesarean section can be recommended if you have an active outbreak at the time you give birth.

Living with Herpes

Genital herpes is a scary diagnosis for many people. Society may have exposed them to the messages suggest that people with herpes genital infections are dirty or something lacking, and it is tempting to lash and look for someone to blame. Genital herpes is, however, simply a disease like any other--a disease, in fact, that affect approximately one in five Americans. And since it is incurable, it is something that they end up having to live with and deal with for many years. Fortunately, you can do many things that make living with herpes easier.

Sources:

CDC Herpes Fact Sheet

C-health: Herpes Virus page

Herpes virus (part of Ken Todar microbial world at u. Wisconsin Madison)

Xu, f. et al. (2006) "trends in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 seroprevalence in United States," JAMA, 296: 964-973

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Chlamydia: an overview

Chlamydia is the most common curable sexually transmitted disease, and this is because obbligato intracellular parasite Chlamydia trachomatis. Hundreds of thousands of new cases reported each year, but that represents probably less than half of all infections. This is because half of all Chlamydia cases in men and three quarters of cases in women, Chlamydia have no symptoms. Scientists estimate that in the United States alone is 3-4 million new cases per year

Primary infection site for Chlamydia in men is the urethra, the tube inside the penis that carries urine and sperm. Infection of the urethra is known as urethritis. Chlamydia symptoms in men may include: burning pain on urination discharge from the opening of the penis (urethra) pain in pain in the testicles, or discharge from the rectum

Primary infection site for chlamydia in women is the cervix, the opening that connects the vagina or uterus in the womb. Infection in the cervix is known as cervicitis. Chlamydia symptoms in women can include Vaginal discharge Vaginal irritation: painful intercourse Pain in, or discharge from, the rectum Nondescript pain in lower abdomen strong pelvic cavities pain from an infection, have ascended from the cervix to the upper reproductive tract.

The symptoms that are described above, however, can also be caused by other infections. If you have signs of discharge from genital organs or unexplained irritation, you should speak to the health service provider of your choice for Chlamydia testing.

If you are uncomfortable to see your regular doctor about possible STD diagnosis, has many regional areas in public STD clinics. Planned Parenthood is also a good resource for STD treatment and diagnosis. Both Government run clinics and planned parenthood scale treatment prices to your income, so that the money should not be a problem in to seek treatment.

Because so many people with chlamydia have no symptoms, it is important to ask your doctor to screen you for disease on their annual visit, if there is any chance you may have been exposed. If you have had unprotected sex with a partner who is infected with, or has not been tested for Chlamydia should you consider themselves at risk of disease.

Before the conclusion of a new sexual relations, or begin to have unprotected sex in your current relationship, many sex educators recommend that both you and your partner be screened for Chlamydia, and other common Stds. Use condoms, which has shown itself to be effective in preventing the spread of Chlamydia in case of doubt.

Next: diagnosis and treatment

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To get tested for a STD

STD testing is done in many different ways. When you go to a doctor to be tested for Std, to start by asking questions about your risk factors. After assessing what diseases you risk because they will test you for these conditions. Anyone with a new partner or multiple partners should be screened for Chlamydia and gonorrhea, but testing for other Stds is usually done at the doctor's discretion. Syphilis screening, e.g. is recommended for pregnant women and certain high risk groups including prison inmates, men who have high risk sex with men and patients with another STD. In the absence of symptoms, but other people are not normally tested for syphilis because of the risk of false positives. If you know you are at risk for a specific disease, speech. The best way to ensure you screened is question.

Below you can find links that describe how doctors test for some of the most common Std.

Although public clinics, as planned parenthood, often for Std testing as a standard part of an annual exam, many private doctors are not. Although you might think you're safe because your doctor told you that you have an infection, it is possible that you may not have actually been tested at all. You should always ask what screening tests, your doctor has done, and do not hesitate to ask for further samples if you think they are relevant. It is better to be safe than sorry.

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Safer sex for lesbians

Many adult women circling health care on the need for contraception. In many ways is American medical establishment designed around this accepted fact. Women often get their primary care via OB/GYNs and similar handlers, which delivers not only gynecological services, but also regular health screening exams. Women who do not need contraception, either on grounds of age, sexual orientation or other issues, lifestyle, are less inclined to take advantage of recommended preventive health services. In some cases, this can be life threatening. The lack of regular pap smears among lesbians and older women have been implicated in their increased risk of dying from cervical cancer.

Lesbians can also have other obstacles for the handling of mainstream medical system. Even if they use traditional health care, they may feel uncomfortable disclosing their sexuality doctors if they fear they will be judged. Inability to discuss sexual health, however, can affect other areas of a woman's life. When you close the door to talking about something as important as sexuality, you also lose the opportunity to speak about many other health issues.

It may be difficult for a woman to discuss sexual health issues with his doctor. It is often easier when they just need to answer the direct question, but these questions can not be relevant to lesbians and other women who have sex with women (WSW). For example, the doctor asks "how many men have you had sex with this year?" or "Use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse?" and neither the question would give an accurate picture of a WSW sexual history. This, combined with a fear of prejudice, can be intensified by these heterosexist assumptions can make lesbians reluctant to discuss their sexual history with a doctor. Even, or perhaps especially when this sexual history occasionally include men.

Many women who identify as lesbians have had sex with a man at least once in their lives. For many reasons, women who identify as lesbians are less inclined to use protection during sexual encounters with men. This increases the risk of transmission of the disease at each meeting, which means that many lesbians male sexual partners, when they have them, tend to be higher risk than heterosexual women partners.

These lesbians, who has never slept with a man is also threatened by sexually transmitted diseases. A higher number of female partners have been associated with increased risk of bacterial vaginosis, herpes and HPV in various studies. This risk is aggravated by the fact that many lesbians and bisexual women consider sex between women a low risk activity and so do not practice safer sex.

Lesbian safer sex is not an oxymoron. There are ways to improve the safety of most, if not all, sexual activity, which takes place between women. Mechanics in many safer sexual acts between women are the same as for many other types of couples and include: user obstacles, such as dental dams, saran wrap or carved open the condoms for oral, vaginal and oral-anal contact. Use gloves when inserting fingers into the vagina or rectum. Put condoms on the insertable property sex toys and change the condom for each partner.
Note: Condoms should also be changed when you move a toy from the vagina to the rectum, or vice versa.

Sources:

Roberts SJ. "Health care recommendations for lesbian women." J. Obstet. Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2006 Sep-Oct; 35 (5): 583-91.

McNair r. "risks and prevention of sexually transmissible infections among women who have sex with women. Sex health. 2005; 2 (4): 209-17.

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Squamous Cell

Definition:

A squamous cell is a type of epithelial cell, found in many different areas of the carcase. Although many people think epithelial cells as "skin" cells, they can actually be found cover many layers of the human body-not just without.

Squamous cells are flat, in contrast to the square (cuboidal) or rectangular (single column), epithelial cells are found in many parts of the body. You can find squamous cells in the mouth, lips, and on the cervix, as well as in in the middle layer of the skin. Squamous cells are epithelial cells pretty utilitarian, used to cover just about everywhere.

Most people only become familiar with the term squamous cell when they are diagnosed with a squamøs cell carcinoma-a kind of cancer. Squamøs cell carcinomas are the most common cancer in the oral cavity and is also commonly found in the cervix and the skin.

Women can also be familiar with the term squamous cell, because potentially precancerous, abnormal Pap smear results are diagnosed as squamous intraepithelial lesions. In this case, the squamous cells in the cervix has taken an abnormal morphology, or a figure, but they have not necessarily becoming malignant. Actually heal lower grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical dysplasias often even without intervention.

Source:
R. Abu-Eid and g. Landini "Tissue architecture and cell morphology, squamøs cell Carcinomas Compared to granular cell tumours Pseudo-epitheliomatous Hyperplasia and normal oral Mucosae." in Losa GA et al. (eds) (2005) Fractals in biology and medicine

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Oral Herpes-HSV-1

Although they are usually caused by viruses, which depart in less than 17 percent of their genome, and can even derive from the same virus, genital herpes and oral herpes is perceived very differently by the public. Genital herpes, usually caused by HSV-2, is a scourge to frighten children, while oral herpes, usually caused by HSV-1 is just a fact.

Just about everyone knows someone afflicted with cold sore, but very few people are aware that they are caused by herpes virus HSV-1. Oral herpes, IE. cold sore, is a very common infection. There are estimates that approximately one in every two Americans are infected with HSV-1 and the numbers could easily be much greater, because so many cases are asymptomatic.

Still, HSV-1 and HSV-2 is barely different whatsoever. The so that is similar, in fact, that although HSV-1 preferentially infects area foot and HSV-2 preferentially infect the genitals, they are quite capable of jumping from one site to another during oral sex. Several studies have found that in recent years, that at least half of all the first outbreak of genital herpes in fact caused by HSV-1 not HSV-2.

Why is there such a strong social stigma associated with genital herpes, but not with oral herpes? Because the Americans still feel dirty shame is associated with about their sexual activities, or gender. Herpes virus HSV-1 and HSV-2, however, Show quite clearly how arbitrary and silly, such judgments.

After all why should you be judged to have one virus instead of another, when the two do almost exactly the same?

Sources:
Gupta R, Warren T, Wald a. (2007) "Genital herpes." Lancet, 22; 370 (9605): 2127-37
Xu, f. et al. (2006) "trends in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 seroprevalence in United States," JAMA, 296: 964-973

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Flavored condoms

Flavored condoms cost not generally more than other condoms.Available at many drugstores with more options available online.Use during vaginal intercourse: read the box to see if the product is recommended for use during vaginal sex, since some flavouring substances could cause irritation. In particular, avoid putting sweetened flavored lubricants in the vagina, since they could increase the risk of a yeast infection. Oral sex is raison d of flavored condoms. When you are sure they are not just a news item (see below), go to the city.Read the box. Some of the tastes of the ingredients, can cause unpleasant problems if used for any kind of sex than oral. If the box says not to use condoms for vaginal sex, you should avoid using them to anal sex, as well as. Flavored condoms or condoms with flavored personal lubricants, often marketed as a way to improve the experience of performing safe oral sex, specifically safer blowjobs. When you buy them, however, you should be very specific, they are not sold strictly as a new item. Consider sticking well-known condom brands flavored varieties, and place a check mark in this field; There should be a Declaration on their suitability for use during the actual sex (or lack of same).

If you really want a tasty treats up to spice up your sex life, I recommend buying an assortment finally. You may find that the taste of some of the flavored condoms are more likely to make you gag than taste of plain old latex.

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Female genital mutilation

Each year more than 2 million girls and women are forced to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM). Although the specific rationale behind the practice varies from country to country and culture to culture, the ordinary basic remains the same – to deny women the possibility of having pleasurable sexual intercourse and thus cause them to reserve their sexuality with their husbands. It can also be a religious rite of initiation in the Philosoph, a way to clean a part of the ugly body, required by God, or simply a way to increase the male pleasure. FGM, also known as female genital cutting or circumcision, is practiced in more than 30 countries, mainly in a belt stretching across Africa north of the equator.

Although suggests, FGM is not necessarily increase a woman's risk for sexually transmitted diseases, it is certainly not protective. In most countries where FGM is practised, women who have undergone genital mutilation, similar rates of sexually transmitted diseases to those whose bodies remain intact. Female genital mutilation, however, women do put on an increased risk of HIV and AIDS when unsanitary surgical methods in the procedure.

Genital mutilation of women is not a uniform practice. It ranges from a symbolic cutting of genitals, total removal of the clitoris and external genitalia with stitching of the two sides of the open wound together with just enough of an opening to allow the release of artificial blood and urine. The World Health Organisation has actually developed a classification system for FGM, which divides it into categories as follows: Type in: excision of the prepuce (clitoral hood) and part or all of the clitoris; Type II: excision of the prepuce and clitoris together with partial or total excision of the labia minora; Type III: Female Circumcision. Excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching together cut the labour market to varying; and Type IV: pricking, piercing, incision, stretch, scraping, or other harmful procedures be performed on the clitoris, labia, or both. The actual experiences of FGM is not always in one of these categories. The extent of surgery varies between local professionals as well as between cultural groups, and their practices may include aspects of one or more types of mutilation.

It is extremely generous to refer to FGM as a surgical intervention. These mutilations carried out most of traditional Auditors without anesthesia, whatever they can find instruments – from sharp sticks and stone scissors and penknives – and devices are not generally sterilized between women. In the case of female circumcision a girl ben can be entrusted with the task of bound together in 2-6 weeks in order to promote healing of the wound. When it heals, she left is with an un-layers of Scarred skin breached between his legs with only a small opening in the bottom of the release of urine and menstrual discomfort fluid. This opening is sometimes so small that a man may be able to penetrate her with success, at which point it can be expanded with a knife or other instrument at your fingertips. Where female circumcision is a common practice, if the opening is too big after vaginal delivery or other circumstances, can actually be a woman reinfibulated to restore the original opening small size.

Circumcision is performed most often when the women are between 4 and 10 years, although it can occur as early as infancy and as late as during a first pregnancy. Depending on the extent of genital mutilation can have severe physical and psychological side effects. Accidental physical effects of FGM include uncontrolled bleeding, environmental damage caused by the urethra and bladder, urinary infection, and retention, broken bones, in the pelvis and legs from which women were restrained at the same time fighting, systemic infection, sterility and even death. Psychologically, can women show symptoms of Post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and – as intended — a fear of sexual intercourse.

World travel will be more straightforward and migration patterns change, FGM is changed from a primarily African problem one, affecting countries around the world. Western nations have generally two types of legal experience with FGM – refugees seeking asylum to escape it and migrants who are seeking legal protection to perform it. Although most countries are doing their best to respect the cultural and religious beliefs of immigrants, there is a growing consensus, FGM is an unacceptable violation of human rights. Countries increasingly decide to respect this type of cultural rite … is wrong. United States banned the practice in 1997, and several European Nations is prosecuted medical professionals to perform FGM, which has led to an interesting debate. If parents want to find a way in which their daughters can fralægges, however, that, where appropriate, send them on a holiday to their home countries have done the procedure, it would be better to allow the practice to occur in the security of a modern medical facility, which will at least reduce the risk of unintended complications and infection?

Some doctors have found that a symbolic pricking the clitoris or small clips on the genitals, is an acceptable substitute for more comprehensive FGM in some groups. Where the bloodletting is the only requirement, can a procedure performed by a doctor performed under anesthesia and rectified immediately without lasting physical or mental injury to the child. However, prohibit most Western medical society their practitioners to engage in such an unnecessary procedure on the genitals. Although the reasons for such provisions are clear, some people argued that in this case, Western morals and ethics actually get in the way of child welfare … especially as they symbolic procedures are far less extensive than male circumcision.

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