Dangers of using sleeping pills

November 1, 2013 by Bukola Adebayo 

It’s the middle of the night and you are staring at the bedroom ceiling, thinking about work, expenses, or the kids. Sleep just won’t come. Before you reach for that sleeping pill, you may want to think again. Do you know that relying on them may put your life at risk?

Sleeping pills help us to have a decent night sleep, especially when we cannot seem to do it on our own. But a new research by scientists in Pennsylvania, USA,  has revealed that these pills doing more than knocking you out.

The study, which involved over 10,000 patients who took sleeping pills and 20,000 matched patients who did not, shows that users are four times likely to die from it than non-users.

According to the lead scientist, Dr. Daniel Kripke, patients who took sleeping pills died 4.6 times as often during follow-ups averaging 2.5 years.

 It also shows that the patients who took higher doses (averaging over 132 pills per year) died five times as often, while those who took fewer than 18 pills per year had very significantly elevated mortality than patients who were not using it.

 Kripke, an emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, who began looking at a possible link between sleeping pills and death risk in 1975, also links indiscriminate use of sleeping pills to cancer.

“We found out that those who averaged over 132 sleeping pills per year were 35 per cent more likely to develop a new cancer. We are not certain. But it looks like sleeping pills could be as risky as smoking cigarettes,” he says.

Also, results from clinical trials conducted by the Food and Drug Administration in the 80s shows that rats and mice that were given high doses of some sleeping pills developed cancer.

The report states,“The sleeping pills  broke chromosomes, which is a well-known specific chemical mechanism by which drugs cause cancer. The animals that were given a particular pill in the market, which contained zolpidem, developed three kinds of cancer. We are concerned about these hints of carcinogenicity.”

An analysis of studies financed by the National Institutes of Health, United States of America  found that sleeping pills had chemical substances that were hynoptic in nature which could impair brain activity the next day.

One of the experts in the study, a sleep disorders specialist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Dr. Gary Richardson, says taking sleeping pills is well known to impair brain and bodily function the following day. So it should not be taken as an alternative to getting a refreshing sleep.

He says, “Unlike getting a restful night’s sleep, which will leave you alert and refreshed, getting slightly more sleep (or what you think is more sleep) by taking a sleeping pill is not the same thing. Sleeping pills make your brain less active, they produce immediate impairments in memory and performance. Furthermore, there is extensive evidence that these pills on the average impair performance and memory on the following day.”

Richardson notes that the hangover feeling users experience from taking sleeping aids may cause confusion, sleepiness and increase their risks for falls and automobile accidents.

He states, “Certain sleeping pills are very strong. They can have a half life of about 18 hours. So, if you take them every night, you are basically sedated for a large portion of the day as well! Not surprisingly, they are associated with cognitive deficits in the morning.”

They note that most sleeping pills are potent anti-cholinergics, which suppress REM sleep and dreaming, and this could increase the risk for dementia in seniors and hallucination in young people.

The experts conclude that sleeping pills do nothing to help the underlying reasons why one is having trouble sleeping in the first place.

Instead of depending on drugs, here are some tips that would help you overcome sleeplessness.

Cover your windows with blackout shades or drapes to ensure complete darkness

Even the tiniest bit of light in the room can disrupt your internal clock and your pineal gland’s production of melatonin and serotonin. Even the faint glow from your clock radio could be interfering with your sleep.

Also close your bedroom door, get rid of night-lights, and refrain from turning on any light during the night, even when getting up to go to the bathroom. If you have to use a light, install so-called ‘low blue’ light bulbs in your bedroom and bathroom. These emit an amber or red light that will not suppress your natural melatonin production.

Keep the temperature in your bedroom at or below 70 degrees F (21 degrees Celsius)

Many people keep their homes and particularly their upstairs bedrooms too warm. Studies show that the optimal room temperature for sleep is quite cool, between 60 to 68 degrees F (15.5 to 20 C). Keeping your room cooler or hotter can lead to restless sleep.

When you sleep, your body’s internal temperature drops to its lowest level, generally about four hours after you fall asleep. Scientists believe a cooler bedroom may therefore be most conducive to sleep, since it mimics your body’s natural temperature drop.

  Check your bedroom for electro-magnetic fields

 These can disrupt your pineal gland and the production of melatonin and serotonin, and may have other negative effects as well.

 Some experts even recommend pulling your circuit breaker before bed to kill all power in your house. Move alarm clocks and other electrical devices away from your head. If these devices must be used, keep them as far away from your bed as possible, preferably at least three feet.

Shut down

If you are feeling anxious or restless, try to shut down emotional problems two hours before sleep. This can help you address psychological issues that might keep you tossing and turning at night.

How to prevent migraines - PUNCH

October 31, 2013 by Agency Reporter 

Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraines. If you are one of these unlucky victims, you know the annoying and sometime debilitating symptoms they can cause. Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are some of the unpleasant problems that accompany the severe headaches. If you catch a migraine before it begins, you can reduce its severity. By identifying and avoiding specific triggers, you can minimise your chances of suffering from a migraine.

Avoid loud noises and bright lights

Loud noises, flashing lights, and sensory stimulation are common triggers for migraine headaches. These stimuli may be difficult to avoid, but things like driving at night, movie theaters, clubs and crowded venues, and glare from the sun are common environments that may cause migraines. Take breaks from the TV or computer screen to rest your eyes, and adjust the brightness levels on these screens. Pay close attention to all visual and audio disturbances and make sure you can easily avoid them if a migraine arises.

Pay attention to food choices

Certain foods, such as chocolate, red wine and dark-colored alcohol, processed meats, sweeteners and cheese, can initiate the headaches. Know which foods and additives bring about a headache and learn to avoid them. Foods and drinks with caffeine or alcohol are common triggers, so limit the amount you consume during the day.

Sleep and eat on a regular schedule

Fasting or skipping meals can trigger migraine headaches. Make sure you eat within an hour after waking up and then every three hours. Hunger and dehydration both cause migraines, so make sure you are drinking enough water and never skip a meal.

What you need to know about pile - PUNCH

October 31, 2013 by Agency Reporter 

Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum. The haemorrhoidal veins are located in the lowest part of the rectum and the anus. Sometimes, they swell so that the vein walls become stretched, thin, and irritated by passing bowel movements. Haemorrhoids are classified into two general categories: internal and external.

Internal haemorrhoids lie far enough inside the rectum that you can’t see or feel them. They don’t usually hurt because there are few pain-sensing nerves in the rectum. Bleeding may be the only sign that they are there. Sometimes internal haemorrhoids  prolapse, or enlarge and protrude outside the anal sphincter. If so, you may be able to see or feel them as moist, pink pads of skin that are pinker than the surrounding area. Prolapsed haemorrhoids may hurt because they become irritated by rubbing from clothing and sitting. They usually recede into the rectum on their own; if they don’t, they can be gently pushed back into place.

External haemorrhoids lie within the anus and are often uncomfortable. If an external haemorrhoid prolapses to the outside (usually in the course of passing a stool), you can see and feel it. Blood clots sometimes form within prolapsed external haemorrhoids, causing an extremely painful condition called a thrombosis. If an external haemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, it can look rather frightening, turning purple or blue, and could possibly bleed. Despite their appearance, thrombosed haemorrhoids are usually not serious and will resolve themselves in about a week. If the pain is unbearable, the thrombosed haemorrhoid can be removed with surgery, which stops the pain.

Anal bleeding and pain of any sort is alarming and should be evaluated by a doctor; it can indicate a life-threatening condition, such as  colorectal cancer. Haemorrhoids are the main cause of anal bleeding and are rarely dangerous, but a definite diagnosis from your doctor is essential.

What causes haemorrhoids?

Anyone at any age can be affected by haemorrhoids. They are very common, with about 50% of people experiencing them at some time in their life. However, they are usually more common in elderly people and during  pregnancy. Researchers are not certain what causes haemorrhoids. “Weak” veins – leading to haemorrhoids and other  varicose veins – may be inherited.

It’s likely that extreme abdominal pressure causes the veins to swell and become susceptible to irritation. The pressure can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and holding your breath while straining to do physical labour.

Diet has a pivotal role in causing – and preventing – haemorrhoids. People who consistently eat a high-fibre diet are less likely to get haemorrhoids, but those who prefer a diet high in processed foods are at greater risk of haemorrhoids. A low-fibre diet or inadequate fluid intake can cause constipation, which can contribute to haemorrhoids in two ways: it promotes straining on the toilet and it also aggravates the haemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.

The symptoms of haemorrhoids include:Bright red bleeding from the anus. Blood may streak the bowel movement or the toilet paper,tenderness or pain during bowel movements, a painful swelling or a lump near the anus, anal itching, a mucous anal discharge.

 Treatments for piles

There are treatments for piles available from pharmacies or through a general practitioner.

Creams, ointments and suppositories can help relieve swelling and inflammation symptoms in the short term. However, a doctor may recommend corticosteroid cream for severe inflammation. An internal haemorrhoid can be injected with a solution that creates a scar and closes off the haemorrhoid. The injection will only hurt a little.

If your hemorrhoids produce only mild discomfort, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories or pads. These products contain ingredients, such as witch hazel or hydrocortisone, that can relieve pain and itching, at least temporarily.

Don’t use an over-the-counter cream or other product for more than a week unless directed by your doctor. These products can cause side effects, such as skin rash, inflammation and skin thinning.

Also, warm (but not hot) sitz baths are a traditional therapy for piles: sit in about 8 cm of warm water for 15 minutes, several times a day, especially after a bowel movement.

Painkillers, such as paracetamol, can help relieve pain caused by piles. Products with local anaesthetic may be prescribed to treat painful haemorrhoids.

If you are constipated, a GP may recommend using a laxative.

However, these treatments do not get rid of the haemorrhoids themselves.

If you are pregnant, discuss any treatment, including dietary changes, with your doctor before proceeding.If symptoms persist, your doctor may suggest one of the following procedures. Many can be performed as a day-case:

160,000 Nigerians suffer stroke yearly —Experts

By Bukola Adebayo

Nkeng and Gbiri

Experts identify ignorance and poor state of health care facilities as reasons why many do not survive stroke, Bukola Adebayo writes

Though the incidence of stroke is increasing globally, the situation in Nigeria is more pathetic, experts have said. They say Nigerians, especially, suffer stroke due to preventable circumstances such as ignorance, undetected and poorly-managed conditions like hypertension, diabetes and lack of health care facilities.

They state that 80 per cent of the 160,000 cases of stroke that occur in the country yearly can be prevented if there are well-equipped hospitals and if Nigerians living with high blood pressure and diabetes manage their health properly.

Though there is no national statistics on the number of Nigerians suffering stroke, neurophysiotherapist and lecturer at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr. Caleb Gbiri, says the population of Nigerians that suffer stroke is on the increase.

He says unlike before,when he saw few patients, these days, he attends to at least five to six new cases of stroke in his practice every month.

Gbiri states,“Recent statistics collated from hospitals suggests that more than  0.001 per cent of the Nigerian population suffer stroke yearly. This means that more than 160,000 Nigerians develop stroke yearly. We have not added the statistics of those that herbalists, pastors; Imams and so-called traditional healers manage.

“This figure is just too high for only one disease.”

The expert links this increase to ignorance. According to him, the majority of Nigerians who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol content in their system and end-stage diabetes and diseases that predispose to stroke do not even know that they have it.

He says,“ It is disheartening to know that 80 per cent out of the 160,000 cases of  stroke can be prevented if only people who are have hypertension, diabetes or  heart diseases can manage their health. What we see now is that most Nigerians are not ready to modify their lifestyle to the reality on ground.”

He adds that a prevailing factor why stroke patients do not survive is the myth associated with the disease in the country. According to him, investigations conducted by experts revealed that more than 50 per cent of those who suffer stroke seek medical care from quacks and unqualified persons in Nigeria.

Gbiri states,“Stroke is a brain attack, not a spiritual attack. The belief that stroke is a spiritual attack will not make an individual who has just suffered his first stroke come to the hospital. One goes go to spiritual homes to solve spiritual problems. Stroke is a condition in which the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen and not because one is struck by lightning.

“Stroke occurs when blood flow in the body has been obstructed or there is a rupture in the artery that feeds the brain. It is a medical problem, not a satanic problem.”

Corroborating his view, stroke nurse consultant with Kings College Hospital, London, Mrs. Gloria Nkeng, whose organisation, Strokecare International, championed a road show in Lagos on Tuesday, as part of activities to mark the World Stroke Day, says the incidence of stroke continues to rise among Nigerians due to poor health-seeking behaviour.

Narrating a personal experience, Nkeng notes that ignorance reigns over knowledge when it comes to seeking treatment for the disease.

She says,“I once saw a 40-year old banker with chronic stroke who had been bedridden for two years because he had been misled. When he suffered the first stroke, he boarded a plane to Enugu, instead of heading for the hospital. He managed the condition at a traditional healer place for two years in his village.

“He was later brought to the hospital where we discovered that it was high blood pressure that caused it. It could have been detected and managed properly to prevent paralysis if he had just gone to a hospital the first day he had it.

“That is how ignorance is killing Nigerians daily.”

The Nigerian government has also not helped the situation going by the poor state of health facilities, according to the UK-trained nurse.

Asked to compare stroke care facilities in Nigeria with what obtains abroad, she quickly says, “It is incomparable. We cannot compare even the hospital beds that we have in the UK with the hospital beds here.

“The standard practice to resuscitate a stroke patient in England is 20 minutes from the period that the ambulance picks the patient up to when he/she is admitted to the stroke ward. During these minutes, we would have done a brain scan and body scan, cut through the necessary vessels and the patient stabilised in a stroke unit where there are experts, heart and blood pressure monitors and there is an alarm if anything changes.

“Even after the patient is discharged, there are experts in the community waiting to give support at home. Do you have these here?”

She also notes that the number of Nigerians going abroad for stroke care is increasing and thus calls on government and well-meaning Nigerians to establish stroke care centres in major cities. This, she says,  will improve the treatment and management of stroke survivors.

Nkeng adds, “I see a lot wealthy Nigerians, especially politicians, who come to England  to spend 10,000 pounds a week for stroke rehabilitation. Many Nigerians who can afford it are travelling abroad for treatment. We can duplicate these facilities in Nigeria. One person in this country can do it. Only if they have both political and moral will to do so.”

Save yourself from hip dislocation

By Solaade Ayo-Aderele 

A paediatrician at the University College London, Dr. Alastair Sutcliffe, caused a stir earlier in the week when he suggested that based on research findings, carrying babies with the legs splayed around the waist could lead to hip dislocation.

Nigeria was singled out mainly because of the way we strap babies to the back, with the legs wrapped round mother’s waist.

The study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, warns that while many parents insist that the technique is soothing and aids their child’s sleep, “researchers underlined that links have been observed to osteoarthritis and hip replacement in middle age.”

In addition, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Mr. Nicholas Clarke, says this traditional way of carrying infants is a risk factor for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Researchers say it is easier for an infant’s hip to become misaligned or dislocate than an adult hip because an infant’s hip socket is mostly soft, pliable, cartilage; whereas an adult’s hip socket is hard bone.

The physicians advise, “In order to allow for healthy hip development, (babies) legs should be able to bend up and out at the hips. This position allows for natural development of the hip joints. The babies’ legs should not be tightly wrapped in extension and pressed together.”

What is hip dislocation?

The online portal, orthoinfo.aaos.org, says a hip dislocation occurs when the head of the thigh bone (femur) slips out of its socket in the hip bone (pelvis).

It warns, “In approximately 90 per cent of patients, the thigh bone is pushed out of its socket in a backwards direction, leaving the hip in a fixed position, bent and twisted in toward the middle of the body.”

Physicians say the thigh bone can also slip out of its socket in a forward direction, making the hip to bend slightly, in which case the leg will twist out and away from the middle of the body.

Experts warn that hip dislocation is very painful, and that patients will be unable to move the leg. Worse still, they say, if it is attended by nerve damage, the victim may not have any feeling in the foot or ankle area for some time to come.

Causes

Orthopaedic surgeons say among adults, direct trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, is the most common cause of hip dislocations; saying that is why wearing a seatbelt whenever you are in a moving vehicle is imperative because it can greatly reduce your risk.

Again, they say, falls from a height (such as a fall from a ladder) or industrial accidents can also generate enough force to dislocate a hip.

Physicians say though a violent force is usually required to dislocate an adult’s hip, children may sustain a hip dislocation following relatively minor trauma.

At an earlier encounter, bone specialist/Group Medical Director, Lagoon Hospitals, Dr. Kunle Onakoya, says with hip dislocations, there are often other injuries, including fractures in the pelvis and legs, back injuries, or head injuries. He warns that it takes time — sometimes two to three months — for the hip to heal after a dislocation.

He adds that depending on the extent of the injury, leg deformity may also occur. “This depends on the nature and extent of penetration into the pelvis. If it is severe, the leg may be shortened, abducted or adducted, and internally or externally rotated,” he explains.

While physicians say hip dislocation may not necessarily lead to death, they warn that “associated injuries of the pelvis, head, or thorax may lead to death,” as these factors are likely to complicate the injury.

Worse still, physicians say, recurrent dislocation may occur or become common because of the damage done to supporting ligaments.

Symptoms

Experts say in an accident victim or a pedestrian hit by a vehicle, a traumatic hip dislocation can cause:

• Severe hip pain, especially when the leg is moved.

• The injured leg is shorter than the uninjured leg.

• The injured leg lies in an abnormal position. In most cases, the leg is bent at the hip, turned inward and pulled toward the middle of the body.

Physicians say it is absolutely necessary to see the doctor immediately if you cannot move your hip joint after a fall or other traumatic injury; or if the affected hip is painful, swollen, tender or deformed.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons contends that although the outlook depends on many factors, the timing of treatment is particularly important.

For example, it says, “One study showed that 88 per cent of patients had good or excellent results if a dislocated hip was restored to its normal position in its socket within six hours after injury. After six hours, the risk of permanent damage increased significantly, and it was highest when treatment was delayed for 24 hours or more.”

Foods for healthy bones - PUNCH

October 30, 2013 by Agency Reporter 

When it comes to building strong bones, there are two key nutrients: calcium and vitamin D. Calcium supports your bones and teeth structure, while vitamin D improves calcium absorption and bone growth. These nutrients are important early in life, but they may also help as you age.

Yoghurt: Most people get their vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but certain foods, like yoghurt, are fortified with vitamin D.

Milk: There’s a reason milk is the poster child for calcium. Choose a brand fortified with vitamin D to get double the benefits.

Sardines: These tiny fish, often found in cans, have surprisingly high levels of both vitamin D and calcium. Though they may look a bit odd, they have a savoury taste that can be delicious in pastas and salads.

Eggs: Though eggs only contain six per cent of your daily vitamin D need, they’re a quick and easy way to get it. Just don’t opt for egg whites — they may cut calories, but the vitamin D is in the yolk.

Salmon: Salmon is known for having plenty of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but a 3-ounce piece of sockeye salmon contains more than 100% of your vitamin D. So, eat up for your heart and your bones.

Fortified cereals: When you don’t have time to cook salmon or get out in the sun, cereals can be a tasty way to get your vitamin D.

Tuna: Tuna, another fatty fish, is a good source of vitamin D. Three ounces of canned tuna contains 154 IU, or about 39 per cent of your daily dose of the sunshine vitamin.

Zobo drink, hypertension medicines, a dangerous mix! - TRIBUNE

• Written by  Sade Oguntola
• Thursday, 24 October 2013 00:00

TAKING herbal remedies is tempting. Testimonials abound from people who have solved their medical problems with many medicinal herbs and home remedies.
Being natural products, individuals wrongly believe they are always safe, others fear that health care professionals may have negative attitudes towards their use and do not report using such remedies to avoid confrontations. In addition, health care professionals are often not likely to ask patients about their self medication.
Although local drinks, dietary and multi-vitamin supplements seem harmless, some can be potentially dangerous, especially to anyone taking medication for hypertension. One of such is the commonly consumed beverages containing Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts (HSEs) called zobo that people take to quench their thirst.
Others take it because the calyx of the plant is well known to help lower blood pressure.
More than 300 species of hibiscus can be found around the world and most of its varieties are used as ornamentals. However, there are two main types of Hibiscus sabdariffa cultivated for its jute like fibre and its edible calyces. The variant cultivated for its edible bright red calyces has many common names including roselle, red sorrel, jelly okra and many others. Its infusion made from its bright red calyces, which is commonly called zobo, is consumed both hot and cold. This tea is often sweetened with sugar.
Reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, diuretic, emollient, purgative, refrigerant, resolvent, sedative, stomachic and tonic, sorrel is a folk remedy for abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy and strangury.
Certainly, it is not unusual for patients who are on orthodox antihypertensive medications to take iced zobo drink  without regard to the possibility of herb– drug interactions. But experts’ assessment of this common beverage indicated that it is best avoided by people taking conventional medications for hypertension because of the possibility of a herb-drug interaction. Regrettably, its synergist reaction caused a lowering of the blood pressure than initially planned, thus making this potentially dangerous.
When herbal therapies and drugs (prescription or non-prescription medications) are used together, they can interact in the body, causing changes in the way the herbs and/or the drugs work. Such changes are called herb-drug interactions. They can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the type of interaction. Nonetheless, the greatest danger from herb-drug interactions is faced by younger and older people and those with multiple health conditions.
Hypertension is one of the disease conditions where multiple-drug therapy is inevitable and this raises the possibility of drug interactions. In addition, foods, medicinal foods and herbs that are taken alongside with drugs could also alter the responses to the drug.
Researchers at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, looked at the herb-drug interaction between extracts of hibiscus sabdariffa and a class of antihypertensive medication (Hydrochlorothiazide, a commonly prescribed diuretic drug) in rats and rabbits under laboratory conditions. They found that taking this hypertension medicine with hibiscus tea caused a significant increase in the volume of urine excreted, among other things.
The researchers included Okechukwu O. Ndu; Chukwuemeka S. Nworu; Chinwendu O. Ehiemere; Nichola C. Ndukwe and Izuchukwu S. Ochiogu. The study was entitled, “Herb–Drug Interaction between the Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Hydrochlorothiazide in Experimental Animals.”
The researchers, who suggested that intake of  hibiscus tea was reasonably safe when taken alone, wrote in the 2011 edition of the Journal of Medicinal Food that “although there is evidence supporting possible antihypertensive activities of H. sabdariffa-containing beverages, patients should avoid concomitant usage of a H. Sabdariffa containing herbal beverage with HCT diuretics in the management of hypertension.”
In a literature review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Mayo Clinic heart doctors warn of the potentially dangerous interactions that some herbal supplements can cause in heart patients who take blood thinners and drugs to treat high blood pressure, among other medications.
Arshad Jahangir, cardiologist and researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz, stated: “All these products do have a biologic effect; they are taken because of these effects. Natural does not always mean safe.”
The supplements can lessen the effects of a prescribed medication—say, a drug to control irregular heart beat (atria fibrillation), which can put the person at risk of a stroke. Alternatively, herbs might intensify the way a prescribed medication works. For example, the effect of hypertension medications might be enhanced to the point that dangerously low blood pressure results, increasing the risk of dizziness, fainting, falls, and in extreme cases, shock.
People on hypertension medicines that also take garlic to lower their cholesterol or treat cold or certain infections also need to be mindful of its use also increasing chances of bleeding when taken with blood-thinning drugs like mini doses of aspirin.
Ginger, purported to alleviate nausea and motion sickness, lower blood cholesterol, decrease platelet aggregation, and as a digestive aid and antioxidant, is taken by millions. Research shows that it can also interfere with blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood-thinners such as aspirin and warfarin. High dose has been associated with abnormal heart rhythm and blood pressure changes.
In addition, ginseng and green tea, according to research, can increase blood pressure, making it dangerous for those trying to keep their blood pressure under control with medications.
The interaction of other food items like grapefruit juice with medicines has also been suggested by experts, who advise that people also avoid taking drugs like statins, hypertension medicines, psychiatric drugs and Viagra with grapefruit juice.

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Sex keeps you healthy - PUNCH

October 29, 2013 by Oladapo Ashiru 

Oladapo Ashiru

Men who have sex at least twice in a week can almost halve their risk of heart disease, according to new research. This study was conducted with over 1,000 men.

Sex is an activity that involves intense physical and emotional elements. Sexual intercourse may be a marker for a healthy heart because sex can be a form of physical activity which, like exercise, gives your heart a workout. People who have a desire for frequent sex, and are able to do so, are likely healthier overall; especially because men who have regular sex may also be in a supportive relationship, which offers stress reduction and emotional benefits.

The medical world is finding that regular sex is so good for you that when you go to see a doctor, they are asking many questions about your sex life to give them an indication of your overall health. Apparently, sex is not only good for your heart, it also keeps many other illnesses away.

For example, sex can actually cause you to get fewer colds. Research has shown that couples who have sex weekly have a 30 percent increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights infection. Sex can also help women have a more predictable period schedule, as a result of being exposed to male pheromones.

In addition, having sex reduces stress — for physiological as well as emotional reasons. Anything that will reduce stress is good for you, as too much stress can lead to many diseases, including cancer. Sex activates a nerve that has a calming effect. Having sex also lowers blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

Sex can even reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol! The following are other good health results that a good sex life can give you:

• Fewer colds because of an increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that fights infection

• Women can get more predictable periods because of exposure to male pheromones

• A better physical response to stress

• Lower blood pressure, which lowers your risk of heart disease

• Lower your bad cholesterol and increase your good cholesterol

• Help tone your abdomen and pretty much any muscle in your body

• Natural increases in estrogen, thus improving the appearance of your hair, skin and nails

• Improve your memory because blood flow  increases to your brain

• Increased feelings of motivation because of the release of endorphins

As you can see, a good sex life is one way to stay happy, healthy and fit. So, if your doctor starts grilling you about your bedroom habits, now at least you know why.

And this is actually only the tip of the iceberg. Sex has also been found to boost self-esteem and improve intimacy in your relationship. This is because sex and orgasms result in increased levels of the hormone oxytocin — the “love” hormone — that helps you feel bonded to your partner.

As oxytocin increases, so do hormones known as endorphins, which in turn lessens feelings of pain related to everything from headaches and arthritis to symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, PMS. It can also help you to get a better night’s sleep.

Further, for women, having sex can help strengthen the muscles of your pelvic floor (the same ones used to stop urination). As you age, having strong pelvic floor muscles reduces your risk of accidents.

Of course, these benefits are assuming you’re having sex with a mutually monogamous partner, otherwise you risk catching a sexually transmitted disease.

Sexual pleasure begins in your brain

Your brain and nervous system control your sex glands and genitals, and this is why they also control your sexual desire, as well as orgasms. This is why, for example, visual images trigger sexual desire in both sexes.

Your brain stem also emits nerve impulses that control erectile function. These nerve impulses navigate through the erection centre of your spinal column to the erectile tissue of your penis, where they trigger a chain reaction in the membranes of your vascular muscle cells. This sophisticated chain reaction is dependent on a messenger molecule called cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP.

However, this works in reverse as well: an erection softens as soon as another enzyme, called phosphodiesterase, starts to degrade the cGMP molecules.

Drugs like Viagra, Levitra and Cialis work by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which may help maintain your erection. But, these pills will not create an erection in and of themselves. Your initial erection still has to be triggered psychologically. Without that initial impetus, potency pills will have no effect whatsoever. This is also why these pills are ineffective for many men who take them hoping for a magic jack-in-the box effect.

As you might suspect, because your sexuality is so intimately tied to your mind, anxiety, defensiveness, fear, and failure of communication are all destructive psychological forces that can take a heavy toll on your libido, whether you’re a man or a woman, by acting as road blocks to desire.

According to Professor Gert Holstege of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, fear and anxiety need to be avoided at all costs if a woman wishes to have an orgasm.

You can reduce your risk of breast cancer - PUNCH

October 29, 2013 by Solaade Ayo-Aderele 

October has been designated as the Pink Month in a global effort to draw attention to issues relating to breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to educate everyone about the disease and, consequently, reduce to the barest minimum the incident of breast cancer.

Oncologists say breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, representing 16 per cent of all female cancers. Again, scientific studies have found that women have a 12 per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, though individual risks may be higher or lower than that. “Individual risk is affected by many different factors, such as family history, reproductive history, lifestyle, environment, and others,” researchers say.

For instance, in terms of unhealthy lifestyle, research has shown that taking two alcoholic drinks a day could increase breast cancer risk by 21 percent. However, most people who develop breast cancer may be teetotalers.

The World Health Organisation Global Burden of Disease estimates that 519,000 women died in 2004 alone due to breast cancer, with the majority (69 per cent) of all breast cancer deaths occurring in developing countries such as Nigeria.

Why cancer kills

Ordinarily, experts say, being diagnosed with breast cancer does not necessarily mean that you’ve been handed a death sentence. But that only means your symptoms are diagnosed at the earliest stage and tackled headlong.

Experts say though the developed world has achieved great strides in reducing the incident of breast cancer and the associated death rates, less developed countries such ours have continued to record low survival rates — a situation that can be attributed mainly to the lack of early detection programmes.

According to the Head of Oncology Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof. Remi Ajekigbe, Nigeria records high death rate from breast cancer mainly because a high proportion of women present with late-stage disease.

Until recently, most tertiary centres in Nigeria lack adequate diagnosis and treatment facilities, a situation that also contributed hugely to the mortality rate among women with the disease.

Symptoms

The online portal, breastcancer.org, notes that, initially, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. It states that you may not even feel or notice a small lump; or, where it is present, the lump may be too small to cause any unusual changes that you can notice on your own.

Usually, physicians say, it’s only when you do a mammogram (X-ray of the breast) that the machine picks an abnormal area, following which the doctor will recommend further testing.

The American Cancer Society proffers that in some cases, the first sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast that you or your doctor can feel.

“A lump that is painless, hard, and has uneven edges is more likely to be cancer,” Ajekigbe warns. He adds, “But sometimes, cancers can be tender, soft, and rounded. So it’s important to have anything unusual checked by your doctor.”

The oncologist advises all women to have a clinical breast exam at least every three years; and annual exams and mammograms starting at age 40. “Women with a family history of breast cancer should begin screening 10 years prior to the family member’s age of diagnosis,” Ajekigbe adds.

The American Cancer Society says any of the following unusual changes in the breast can be a symptom of breast cancer:

•         Swelling of all or part of the breast

•         Skin irritation or dimpling

•         Breast pain

•         Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward

•         Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or                        breast skin

•         A nipple discharge other than breast milk

•         A lump in the underarm area

Of course, physicians say, these changes can also be signs of less serious conditions that are not cancerous, such as an infection or a cyst. But, in order to be sure, it’s important to get any breast changes checked out promptly by a doctor, experts advise.

Improving survival rate

At the launch of a new set of cancer diagnosing machines — Ventana Benchmark GX — donated by Roche Pharma, Nigeria, to LUTH last week, the Country Manager, Mr. Charles Forjour, says using the Benchmark GX will help physicians to differentiate the type of breast cancer an individual has, as well as enabling oncologists to determine the best medication a particular patient will benefit from.

The Head of Department of Pathology Unit of LUTH, Prof. Abdulkareem Fatimah, said, “With this machine, you eliminate trial and error, as well as the long period of waiting for manual test. “As for the patients, it saves them the stress of paying for ticket, hotel bills, visa fees and the high cost of seeing a foreign oncologist or oncology surgeon.”

The hospital’s Medical Director, Prof. Akin Osibogun, noted that when the machine becomes operational, breast cancer diagnosis and treatment will be based on clinical evidence, which will ultimately lead to increased survival among patients.

“It will improve the quality of test and immunohistochemistry report by the pathologist; and at the same time, enhance local research in cancers, which will ultimately help in gathering local data for clinical and policy decisions,” Osibogun said.

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Eat to beat fatigue - PUNCH

October 28, 2013 by Agency Reporter 

• Eat a power-packed breakfast: After 10-12 hours without food, it’s important to eat a healthy breakfast to kick-start your body into gear for the day. It will help you to think clearer and eat healthier for the rest of the day. Research has also shown that breakfast eaters have higher intakes of important nutrients like fibre, calcium and vitamins and minerals, compared to non-breakfast eaters. Those who eat breakfast are also more likely to have healthier body weights.

• The ideal breakfast should contain wholegrain carbohydrates (i.e. cereal, porridge, or wholegrain toast); protein foods or reduced-fat dairy products (i.e. eggs, yoghurt, milk); fruit and/or vegetables (fresh fruit, fruit canned in juice, grilled mushrooms or tomatoes).

• Sustaining snacks: If you are hungry inbetween meals, have a small snack to keep you going. This will ensure your brain gets a constant supply of carbohydrates for energy. This may be a piece of fresh fruit, yoghurt, a handful or unsalted nuts/seeds/dried fruit, wholegrain crackers topped with sliced avocado and tomato.

• The right lunch: Eating a lunch filled with low-GI carbohydrates, some lean protein and plenty of vegetables will help to get you through the afternoon without needing a nap. If you are always looking for something else after lunch, try having a piece of fresh fruit. It’s sweet, juicy and will signify the end of the meal to your brain.

• Water: Not drinking enough water or fluid can make people feel drowsy and lethargic. Dehydration is also often mistaken for hunger, so make sure you get enough fluid, especially water throughout the day. If you find water too bland, try a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice for some zing!

• Take fresh air: Sometimes, there is no better solution to tiredness than a quick walk outside. Try a 10-15 power walk in the sunshine and fresh air to blow away that fatigue.

Politicians and stroke

October 28, 2013 by Dr. Biodun Ogungbo 

Dr. Biodun Ogungbo

Stroke is a significant economic, medical and social problem all over the world. Politicians are a significant economic and social force in Nigeria. It should be possible to utilise these similarities in stimulating the development of management strategies for stroke, customised to the unique health structure in Nigeria.

The current situation

Currently, there are limited resources, manpower shortage, lack of an organised stroke unit, poor neuro-imaging facilities, lack of ambulance services, poor education of patients and general practitioners, as well as impracticable use of life-saving thrombolytics.

The way forward       

We need to harness the power of the political cadre and encourage their interest in stroke care. One thought was that providing data on the increasing incidence, high number of families affected, high morbidity and significant mortality of stroke in Nigeria would pique their interest. However, despite numerous publications in medical and lay media, we are no further forward.

Stroke and politicians

Perhaps a more interesting statistic may be to analyse the incidence of stroke among politicians? The key questions would be to find out how many politicians have suffered a stroke directly related to the high stress levels and the impact of politics on their lives. Where was the stroke care carried out? What is the outcome of care? What was the cost and continuing recurrent expenditure following the stroke? Are the survivors empowered to improve stroke care delivery in their communities? (Please send your answers privately to my email box).

Even if politicians are not suffering from stroke, they would know — or be aware of someone close — who has had a stroke. Stroke has touched the life of every single Nigerian.

The stroke burden

We do not know the actual number of Nigerians suffering a stroke each year. But, we can estimate. The population of Nigeria exceeds 168,833,379 million people. If we assume an average stroke incidence of 116 per 100,000 of the population in Nigeria, then 195,846 people suffer a stroke in Nigeria yearly. Using figures from Sagamu, Ogun State, it can be estimated that roughly 34 per cent (n=59,160) will die within a month and 60 per cent (n=118,320) within six months.

Who can afford a stroke?

No one, no matter how rich, can afford to have a stroke. In Nigeria, the impact on the local economy and the financial burden of stroke has not been estimated. The size of the problem appears to be underestimated by the government, as no actual publications or statements exist acknowledging the impact of stroke on the health of the nation.

A more up-to-date and current information on the magnitude of the stroke problem in Nigeria is needed. The majority of the stroke costs are borne by individual families. There is the need to evaluate the percentage of patients dependent on carers and the yearly expenditure on hospital stay, home rehabilitation, as well as information on the loss of income for the patient and carers.

This is one problem that medical tourism to India, South Africa or the United Kingdom cannot solve. Once you have had a stroke, you are at risk of further strokes and early death.

Where do we go from here?

Stroke is a preventable and treatable condition, but the management of stroke patients in Nigeria is sub-optimal. Specialised stroke units are not available. Neuro-imaging centres are very few and access limited by cost and distance. We need to do something about these.

However, the main focus in Nigeria must be on preventive strategies and ways to harness local resources in the acute treatment of stroke patients. Health education of the community, with emphasis on control of the predisposing factors, especially hypertension, would reduce the burden of stroke in the country.

Risk factor management should begin in childhood, with emphasis on exercise, nutrition, weight and blood sugar control, avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol.

Politicians should support Stroke Action

Doctors, nurses, drug companies, the public and officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, with other specialists, will deliberate on and create advocacy on stroke. We need the help of the political cadre in Nigeria. Start and support stroke advocacy and activities in your local areas.

Stroke Action, Nigeria held the first Nigeria Stroke Assembly last year and generated massive public awareness about stroke. People now know that stroke is not an untreatable condition. The next edition comes up tomorrow (see below for details).

The politicians (You!) must in return help Stroke Action, Nigeria by

• Supporting and sponsoring Stroke Action, Nigeria’s stroke outreach programmes

• Investing ‘seed finance’ for capacity building to establish a pilot Stroke Action Life After Stroke Centre

• Supporting the sustainability of the service, and subsequent efforts to reduce the incidence of stroke.

We need your help physically, morally and financially to reduce the incidence of stroke in Nigeria, by creating much awareness about this dreadful disease. Call or email me for more information on how you can help locally.

You can also pop into Transcorp Hilton Hotel on October 29, 2013 (World Stroke Day). We have the Nigeria Stroke Assembly starting at 10am till 4pm. You will learn all you can and have your questions answered.

For donations, please make payments to:

Account Name: Stroke Action LTD/GTE

Diamond Bank: Acct No. 0029726120 (giving your office/name as a reference).

In answer to our prayers, President Goodluck Jonathan flagged off the campaign about stroke and heart attacks a few weeks ago.

Stroke Action, Nigeria has therefore taken on the mantle of spearheading the awareness campaign, in collaboration with the office of the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

NB: A BIG THANK YOU to our esteemed and highly generous PUNCH readers who raised the N2m for the lady with head tumour, published last Monday.

We are highly honoured and indebted to you all.

Growing up poor, stressed impacts brain function as adult - PUNCH

October 28, 2013 by Agency Reporter 

Childhood poverty and chronic stress may lead to problems regulating emotions as an adult, according to research published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“Our findings suggest that the stress-burden of growing up poor may be an underlying mechanism that accounts for the relationship between poverty as a child and how well your brain works as an adult,” said Dr. K. Luan Phan, professor of psychiatry at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and senior author of the study.

The study was conducted by researchers at UIC, Cornell University, University of Michigan and University of Denver.

The researchers found that test subjects who had lower family incomes at age 9 exhibited, as adults, greater activity in the amygdala, an area in the brain known for its role in fear and other negative emotions. These individuals showed less activity in areas of the prefrontal cortex, an area in the brain thought to regulate negative emotion.

Amygdala and prefrontal cortex dysfunction has been associated with mood disorders including depression, anxiety, impulsive aggression and substance abuse, according to the authors.

Phan said it is well known that the negative effects of poverty can set up “a cascade of increasing risk factors” for children to develop physical and psychological problems as an adult. But it has not been known how childhood poverty might affect brain function, particularly in emotional regulation. The ability to regulate negative emotions can provide protection against the physical and psychological health consequences of acute and chronic stress, he said.

The study examined associations between childhood poverty at age 9, exposure to chronic stressors during childhood, and neural activity in areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation at age 24.

The 49 participants were part of a longitudinal study of childhood poverty. Data on family income, stressor exposures, physiological stress responses, socio-emotional development, and parent-child interactions were collected. About half the participants were from low-income families.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, the researchers evaluated the participants’ brain activity as they performed an emotional-regulation task. Subjects were asked to try to suppress negative emotions while viewing pictures, using a cognitive coping strategy.

“This serves as a brain-behavioural index of a person’s day-to-day ability to cope with stress and negative emotions as they encounter them,” Phan said.

Source: sciencedaily.com

Always feeling tired? Here’s why - PUNCH

October 28, 2013 by Solaade Ayo-Aderele

It’s Monday morning and you are fully prepared to confront the week headlong. But then, the tiredness you’ve been feeling for sometime just won’t go, even when you think you had enough rest during the weekend.

When tiredness lingers for days or, sometimes, for weeks, physicians say it may be due to potpourri of reasons; and that instead of worrying about it, the best bet is to take stock and get a way round the problem before it assumes emergency proportion.

According to Family Physician, Dr. Greg Akinduyile, about 10 per cent of us at any one time suffer from persistent tiredness. Again, experts warn, persistent tiredness is more common among women than men.

Akinduyile notes that the average modern man or woman is busy, while the race for economic survival takes its toll on a person’s overall health. As a result, he says, most people will, at some time or the other, experience tiredness.

Experts say under normal circumstances, tiredness does disappear after a good night’s sleep, though Akinduyile also argues that it may not be the same for everybody. Such people will discover that fatigue is a chronic problem that may ultimately undermine their day-to-day functioning and significantly affect their quality of life.

The physician says knowing the cause of the problem will help you — and your physician — to get solution. So, what causes tiredness or fatigue?

Cholestrol-lowering drugs

According to a pharmacist and CEO, RxEconsult LLC, Dr. Omudhome Ogbru, drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver are technically called statins.

Though cholesterol is critical to the normal function of every cell in the body, physicians say it also contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol-containing plaques form within arteries, with the attendant health consequences, including heart attack and stroke.

If you are taking any of this class of drugs and regularly feel tired, Akinduyile says you may need to intimate your physician without further delay.

This is because, scientists say, statins can cause tiredness. According to a study by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, published in Archives of Internal Medicine, “statins, among the most commonly prescribed medications, can cause tiredness and decreased energy upon exertion.”

Lead researcher, Dr. Beatrice Golomb, urges doctors to bear this in mind when prescribing statins; adding that the effects statins have on energy levels, especially on exercise, have gained increasing attention recently.

Glandular fever

Akinduyile says glandular fever is a type of viral infection that mostly affects young adults, with common symptoms that include a high temperature of 38ºC or above, sore throat, swollen nodes in the neck and extreme tiredness.

The doctor notes that, on the average, around one in 10 of people with glandular fever will experience prolonged fatigue, which may last for six months or more after the initial infection.

Indeed, some Australian researchers suggest that particularly severe glandular fever infections may affect the nervous system at the genetic level, leading to prolonged fatigue.

“What this translates into is that when you feel too ill to do your regular routine, don’t resort to self-medication, consult your doctor without delay,” experts warn.

Iron-deficiency anaemia

Physicians describe anaemia as a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, which the human body produces through the aid of iron in the body.

“When your body does not have enough iron, it will make fewer red blood cells or, when it does, the red blood cells will be too small. This is called iron deficiency anaemia,” experts say.

Akinduyile says many people suffering from iron deficiency anaemia will only display a few signs or symptoms of the illness, and such common symptoms include tiredness, lack of energy (lethargy) and dyspnoea (shortness of breath).

The doctor warns that iron-deficiency anaemia is not the kind of condition you treat at home. But as you prepare to visit your doctor, you will help your condition by including a reasonable quantity of red meat in your diet, among others, doctors advise.

Wrong diet

Nutritionists also warn that feasting on wrong diets on regular basis can lead to fatigue. A nutritionist, Dr. Remi Omotunde, says taking too much caffeine-rich beverages, as well as eating sugary foods, can make you more fatigued as your blood sugar levels fluctuate wildly.

He advises eating balanced, healthy diet, complete with fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.

“Such a diet has numerous advantages because, in addition to nourishing your body, it also balances your weight and prevents you from being obese — another condition that can make you feel fatigued all the time.”

Dehydration

A study published in The Journal of Nutrition concludes that healthy women who failed to replace a mere 1.5 per cent of their water weight experienced mood swings and low energy levels.

The researchers suggest that when this happens, the neurons in the brain region responsible for controlling things like hydration and body temperature (hypothalamus) would send mood-altering messages to the rest of your brain as an early warning to drink more water. Failure to heed the warning, they say, may lead to tiredness as the day wears on.

Experts urge constant rehydration by drinking water at regular intervals. Plus, they say, this flushes the body and makes your urine clear.

Undiagnosed heart disease

Cardiologists warn that tiredness can also be a sign of heart trouble, particularly in women.

An ex-president of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Fred Ralston Jr. advises, “If you have trouble with exercise you used to do easily, or if you start feeling worse when you exercise, this could be a red flag for heart trouble. If you have any doubts, see your doctor.”

But again, start with the basics: your sleep, your diet, and your activity level. Sometimes the simplest fixes are all it takes.

Stress

We all experience stress at one time or the other; and, sometimes, some days might feel like 20 days packed into one in terms of many things that require urgent attention. At such times, it’s not unusual to feel stressed out.

However, physicians warn, if you are always feeling as if you will drop dead any moment; or if it feels as if you can’t stand the next moment, do see your physician.

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Cholera: FG expresses worry as Plateau death toll rises - PUNCH

October 24, 2013 by NAN 

The Federal Government on Thursday expressed concern over the rising number of deaths arising from the Cholera outbreak in Namu village in Qua’pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Deputy Director, Disease and Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Moses Anefiong, expressed the concern during a joint assessment tour of the affected area.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the number of deaths since the outbreak of the epidemic in the state has risen from eight to nine, while the number of people hospitalised jumped from the initial 61 to 86 persons.
He said, “In as much as government is doing all it can to provide potable water for its citizens, people on their parts should maintain personal hygiene. The Minister of Health is worried that people are still dying of cholera disease today. It is more worrisome as the number of casualties and infected persons are on the increase daily.
“As government is making efforts to provide potable water, people should not relegate the issue of personal hygiene to the background. All they need to always do is simple hand washing before eating, and after going to the toilet, and should also cover their foods against flies.
“Above all, the issue of sanitation must also be taken seriously by the people. These are simple things, but very important.”

Health and fitness news - PUNCH

October 14, 2013 by Agency Reporter

Hyperactivity linked to inner ear defect

When hyperactivity is found in children with severe hearing loss, it is often assumed to stem from frustrations they have communicating or socialising.

But a new study says a genetic defect in the inner ear may also play a role in causing hyperactive behavior, suggesting that at least in some cases, hyperactivity can have a neurobiological root.

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx caused inner-ear defects in young mice by knocking out a gene called Slc12a2, causing a loss of hearing and sense of balance.

But the removal of the gene also resulted in higher levels of two proteins, pERK and pCREB, in the striatum, a part of the brain that helps regulate motor functions.

The mice then displayed hyperactive behavior, like running rapidly in a circle.

Suspecting that the higher protein levels were causing the behavior, the researchers lowered them. With normal levels of pERK and pCREB restored, the mice’s behavior returned to normal.

Precisely which neural pathway from the ear to the brain was active in this case is not yet clear, said the study’s lead author, Jean M. Hébert, a neuroscientist at Einstein.

“Is it the activation of the normal neural network that is causing the increase in these proteins and this behavior?” he said.

“We haven’t checked that yet.”

He also noted that the study, which was published Friday in the journal Science, potentially identified only a single source of hyperactivity, which is likely to have many causes.

“I wouldn’t start having hyperactive kids tested for their hearing,” he said.

Male sensitivity written in the genes

In human development, certain genes act as master switches, ensuring that we are born with similar attributes (one head, two lungs, 10 fingers) in nearly all circumstances. Such genes tend to be highly reliable and resistant to environmental factors.

But the gene responsible for activating male development is surprisingly unstable, leaving the pathway to male sexuality fraught with inconsistency, a study finds.

The SRY gene on the Y chromosome sets off the growth of male sex organs in human embryos (all of which start out essentially female).

To study the gene, researchers at Case Western Reserve University looked at families in which daughters inherited a Y chromosome, a rare occurrence in which SRY fails to fire, leaving a genetically male embryo to develop as a sterile female.

They found that SRY is highly vulnerable to environmental factors, allowing the slightest interruption to significantly alter male sexual development.

That leads to a wide divergence of testosterone-related male attributes (among them muscle mass, aggression and genitalia development) from one man to another, according to the study, which was published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The variability probably serves an evolutionary purpose, said one of the authors, Dr. Michael Weiss.

“This tenuous switch is what underlies the variability of testosterone secretion in utero,” he said, producing men with a wide range of gender styles and capabilities that can help ensure a community’s survival.

New York Times Service