High Uric Acid: Beyond Gout
Did you know that high uric acid can create very different clinical presentations: the classic exquisite pain in a single joint or generalised muscle soreness?
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Inflammatory Gene Found
Researchers have identified a previously overlooked genetic region linked to chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis. Surprisingly, this DNA segment, often termed a “gene desert” due to its lack of protein-coding genes, has been shown to play a pivotal role in driving inflammation. The study, published in Nature, reveals that this region influences the activity of a gene…
Acupunture Mechanisms Revealed
Research on mice by da Silva et al has revealed new mechanisms underpinning the workings of acupuncture. They injected carrageenan into the calf muscles of mice. This created an inflammatory response with associated pain and swelling. Manual acupuncture of Spleen 6 (an acupuncture point in the lower leg) reduced pain, heat and swelling of the…
Yoga Can Help Prevent Diabetes (Type 2)
A new study by McDermott et al. was carried out to see if yoga could be effective at preventing type 2 diabetes in those who presented risk factors. The participants were randomly split into 2 groups: the yoga group and a walking group. The participants either had to attend a yoga class or complete monitored walking…
Lighting Up At Night?
A new study led by Samer Hattar at John Hopkins University has found that prolonged exposure to bright light at night affects the brain’s centre for mood, memory and learning. This can result in depression and lower mental function. His advice is to “switch on fewer lamps, and stick to less intense light bulbs”.
Pain And Emotion
Although mainly about the effects of emotion on reason, ‘Descartes’ Error‘ by Antonio Damasio contains a few fascinating nuggets on pain. He distinguishes 2 components to pain: Sensory perception from skin, mucosa, muscle, organ, etc. – the nerve endings stimulated in an area of the body lead to a ‘pain image’, a temporary representation of body…
Prolonged Sitting Affects Glucose Metabolism
New research published in the journal Diabetes Care has concluded that after meals, regular short bouts of light or moderate walking lower glucose and insulin levels. The subjects were asked to walk around for 2 mins every 20 mins. The effects of these short bouts of walking assist glucose metabolism and may reduce cardiovascular risk….