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Bionic Brain Battery Battles Parkinson's
A new type of brain surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Neurofunctional Surgery Center, done while the patient is awake, is helping to control tremors in Parkinson's Disease patients like the surgery recently performed on a 56 year-old male.
Stereotactic-Guided Placement of a Deep Brain Stimulator has been available in Europe for several years, but only received FDA approval last year for use in the United States. According to Michel F. Levesque, M.D., Director of Cedars-Sinai's Neurofunctional Surgery Center, the state-of-the-art procedure identifies the exact location in the mid-brain that is causing tremors, showing the neurosurgeon precisely where to insert a battery-powered electrode (stimulator) that will send impulses to the thalamus -- the part of the brain that activates the tremors associated with Parkinson's Disease.
Once the target area has been identified, a hole about the size of a 50-cent coin is drilled in the crown of the patient's head, and an external voltage stimulator (test electrode) is carefully threaded between the two hemispheres of the brain to the thalamus. This electrode enables neurosurgeons to do extensive stimulation testing during surgery to determine precisely where within the thalamus to position the stimulator.
The testing must be done while the patient is awake so that he or she can move his hands, fingers or arms when asked to do so, or respond verbally to questions asked by the surgical team. "As we move the test electrode, we watch the patient closely to identify exactly when the tremor has completely stopped. Then we know exactly where to place the stimulator," says Dr. Levesque. Although awake, the patient does not experience pain during this testing, only tingling sensations.
Once the location is exact, the patient is given a general anesthesia, and surgeons tunnel down from the top of the head to just below the clavicle in order to insert a tiny generator - the size of a business card - in the patient's chest. This generator is battery-powered and is turned on and off by the patient with a magnetic device. Batteries usually have to be replaced after 10 years, but can last longer if they are not operated continuously.
Later, during follow-up visits, the generator can be programmed to suit the immediate needs of the patient because "different people require varying levels of stimulation", and again later because Parkinson's Disease is a progressive disorder", says Dr. Levesque. In addition to implanting a deep brain stimulator during the surgery, physicians also harvested some of the 56 year-old patient's brain cells, which will be genetically engineered and implanted at a future date. Researchers hope that the genetically engineered cells will replace defective cells, thereby offering the possibility of a cure for Parkinson's disease which presently has no known cure.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Brain Chemical Called Death Messenger"
"New Brain Scan May Predict Dementia"
"Brain Booster"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Pillow Prescriptions for Sleepless Seniors
Millions of senior citizens will deprive themselves of a good night's sleep tonight because they shared their bed with ... the wrong pillow. "It's your pillow, not your mattress, that usually plays the critical role in helping you get a comfortable and refreshing night's sleep," says Rick Williams, pillow specialist for The Company Store, one of America's largest manufacturers of pillows and featherbeds. Williams believes that your basic sleeping position should be your guide in deciding the density of the pillow that's best for you. And the best pillow for you is determined by your body's position while sleeping.
Cornell University sleep expert, James B. Maas agrees. "A good pillow, essential to long-term health, gives you comfort and automatically puts you in a healthy sleep posture." And Maas should know. He literally wrote the book on sleep, called "Power Sleep" in which he notes that both orthopedic doctors and chiropractors agree that "nearly all neck and back problems are worsened, if not caused, by improper sleeping habits and bad or worn-out pillows".
As a result, The Company Store recently commissioned a national survey of sleep habits. The survey found that the majority (59%) of Americans usually sleep on their sides, while 18% prefer to sleep on their back, and 13% usually snooze on their stomach. Here's the point. If you're sleeping on a pillow that doesn't match your sleep position, then you may suffer from restless nights. "Sleeping on a mismatched, poorly constructed or worn-out pillow can cause neck, shoulder, and back pain," says Williams.
"A good pillow comfortably supports your head and your neck, and keeps them level and aligned with your spine ... helping to avoid aches, pains, and fatigue." So how do you know what's the perfect pillow for you? Start with your sleep position. The Company Store survey identified four types of sleeper positions. Each sleeper requires a different type of pillow in order to get a good night's rest.
- Those who sleep on their side.
The best bet for proper full body alignment is a firm pillow, which provides support that eases the stress on your neck and shoulders. Unfortunately, only 25% of the side-sleepers surveyed use a firm pillow, while 43% sleep with a medium pillow and 30% use a soft pillow.
- Those who sleep on their back.
Back sleepers will be most comfortable with a medium-density pillow, which cradles the head at a level that correspondingly aligns the neck and the back in an anatomically proper line. Yet, the survey found that only 38% of back sleepers use a medium pillow. Thirty-four percent use a soft pillow and 26% use a firm pillow.
- Those who sleep on their stomach.
You should select a soft pillow of fine billowy down to cushion your head and neck at a natural, restful angle while you sleep. Fewer than half of the stomach sleepers use a soft pillow, while 36% use a medium pillow and 17% use a firm pillow.
- Those who frequently change sleep positions during the night,
should place a soft pillow on top of a firm pillow. Down pillows appear best because they scrunch and bounce back, conforming to each and every change in sleeping position.
You don't have to take your sleep problems lying down. The Company Store offers a free catalog of soft, medium, and firm down pillows. Those interested can request a catalog by calling: 1-800-285-3696.
See related article in the AgeVenture archives.
"Sleepless Seniors Seek Slumber Solutions"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Futurists Forecast Health Care Trends
By the year 2010, so-called "alternative" treatments such as chiropractic, oriental medicine, and homeopathy will be widely recognized as mainstream medicine, according to a new study by the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF). The study, titled "The Future of Complementary and Alternative Approaches (CAAs) in U.S. Health Care", examines the trends that are facilitating this transition in the role of conventional health care. The trends and their implications for healthcare are detailed below.
- Increased emphasis on preventable illness.
Approximately 90 percent of premature death is associated with lifestyle, genes, and the environment. Health care is beginning to address these factors, particularly lifestyle. In doing so, it is incorporating complementary and alternative therapies, which more frequently incorporate nutritional, physical, psychological, and spiritual components.
- Increased emphasis on addressing risk factors before disease occurs.
Risk factors are receiving growing attention in conventional health care. These risk factors include environmental risks, particularly global warming, along with less visible threats such as endocrine-disrupting pollutants that contribute to a range of health problems, including lower male fertility. Simultaneously, there is a growing recognition that poverty is the greatest risk factor for ill health in the United States. Health care will become creative in dealing with these issues.
- Significant advances in treating cancer and heart disease.
Progress in early detection, prevention, and treatment of cancer and heart disease is occurring for a number of reasons, including pharmacologic advances, full use of the information revolution, and integration of a range of treatments into mainstream health care. Integrated therapies, that synthesize body/mind/spirit approaches with conventional modalities, are already evincing themselves among the highest outcomes for treating heart disease, and will continue to grow.
- Increased "customization" or personalization of heath care.
As science learns more about the importance of each person’s unique genetic and psychological profile in determining health, greater emphasis will be placed on tailoring (or withholding) medicines and other treatments to improve efficacy and/or reduce side effects. The importance of customizing treatment will be recognized. This is an area where conventional medicine and CAAs will both challenge and learn from each other.
- Potential surpluses of health professionals.
The number of health care professionals is growing rapidly. Experts forecast massive surpluses of conventional health care providers (surpluses of 100,000 or more physicians, 200,000 or more nurses, and 40,000 pharmacists) by 2010. Training in complementary and alternative approaches is growing even more quickly, and some experts forecast surpluses in these fields as well (although the growing demand for "wellness" services could confound these forecasts).
- Managed care more effective, prevention-oriented, and customized.
By 2010, this change will have become significant.
- "Self-managed care" a major factor.
By 2010, the same information tools that enable managed care to become more effective, prevention-oriented, and customized will be available to individuals and families. Some individuals and families will choose to manage their own care, using only high-deductible catastrophic insurance as a backup.
The study was funded by a grant from the NCMIC Insurance Company. An executive summary of the study is available at the IAF website at www.altfutures.com. The Institute for Alternative Futures is a not-for-profit organization founded by Alvin Toffler and Clement Bezold in 1977. Its mission is to aid communities and organizations to "more wisely choose and create the futures they prefer".
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Gerontologists Seek Longevity Prescription"
"Is Longevity An Equal Opportunity Event?"
"PHRMA: Best Medicine For Longevity"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Health Care Regulations Counter-Productive
As lawmakers consider imposing tough new mandates on managed healthcare options, a new study published by The Heritage Foundation says states with the strictest health-insurance regulations have the fastest growing numbers of uninsured citizens. Between 1990 and 1994, sixteen states adopted far-reaching regulations designed to increase access to health insurance.
By 1996, the number of uninsured people in these states was rising eight times faster than in the 34 states that adopted less-intrusive regulations. The 16 states that imposed the toughest regulations were Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
Their new regulations included: mandates on insurers to sell policies to anyone (even those already sick) who applies and agrees to pay the premium; restrictions on excluding coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions; and requirements that insurers charge the same price to everyone in a community, regardless of the differences in risk posed by individuals.
Heritage Foundation health-care analysts believe the way to alleviate frustration with managed care is to create a new system of consumer choice that would give Americans the right to choose and own their healthcare plans, not limit them to the health plan chosen for them by their employer. This could be done, says Heritage, by transferring the tax break for health insurance from employers to workers and their families.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Retirement Policies Bankrupting Society"
"New Health Care Mandates Devastating"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Money Tips For GenX, Boomers, And Seniors
Experts estimate that most Americans will live at least 20 years in retirement. However, in order to live comfortably, you'll need to accumulate at least half a million dollars. Sound impossible? Not at all, says financial guru Jordan E. Goodman in his new book "Everyone's Money Book" (Dearborn Financial Publishing, 1998, $26.95). Goodman offers three separate retirement planning strategies for GenXers, Boomers, and Seniors. For each age group, the author gives advice on real estate, credit, cars, insurance, education, taxes, estate planning, employee benefits, and retirement income. Here's a sample of what the book has to offer.
- GenX (20s and 30s) should focus on establishing a financial foundation.
1. Create a budget with short and long-term goals.
2. Set aside 10% of after-tax income for investments via an automatic investing plan.
3. Favor stock funds over bond funds for greater growth potential for the long term.
4. Limit rent expenses to 30% or less of your income so you can save for a home.
5. Participate in a retirement savings program as soon as possible.
6. 70% of your retirement portfolio should consist of aggressive growth stocks.
- Boomers (40s and 50s) should take full advantage of their peak earning years.
1. Adjust your retirement portfolio from 70% to 30-50% in aggressive growth stocks.
2. Increase bond holdings to about 50-70% of your portfolio over time.
3. Reinvest any interest and dividends if you don't need the extra income.
4. Pay down your debt. Your debts should be declining, not accumulating.
5. Consider leasing rather than purchasing a new car. Invest the savings.
6. Consider investing in rental real estate as a source of future retirement income.
- Seniors (60s and older) should focus on preserving your assets.
1. Work on paying off your debts while still in your earning years.
1. Assemble a conservative mix of stocks and bonds for a more secure income.
2. Invest 80% of your assets in cash instruments and fixed-income assets.
3. Invest 20% of your money in stock as an inflationary hedge.
4. Pay off your mortgage. Later, you may consider applying for a reverse mortgage.
5. Reinvest the proceeds from your home sale in income-producing stocks and bonds.
"The bottom line," Goodman says, "is that everyone's financial picture and needs are different ... you need to understand all your options ... to take control of your money."
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
"Retirees Wrestle Wrongs Of Retirement Rites"
"Don't Myth Retirement"
"SAVER Act Promotes Retirement Planning"
"This Money Is On The House"
"How To Make Your Retirement Dough Rise"
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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