All Articles by Lindsey Kay, MD
Dr. Kay is a medical doctor with training in pathology, and an avid writer. During his training, he worked on pre-clinical and clinical trials in a variety of laboratories related to alcohol effects on the brain, cancer diagnosis, and alternative medicine.
New Treatment Option for Difficult Diseases: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are two diagnosis that remain difficult discern, both to patients and physicians. Both produce nonspecific symptoms of fatigue and pain, with no clear underlying cause. They are a diagnosis of exclusion, given when all other possibilities have been ruled out.Many people believe that chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia result from an underlying psychiatric illness, based on the associated of anxiety and depression. Still others think an underlying autoimmune disorder or viral infection may be to blame.
The Science of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Women take a lot of criticism for premenstrual syndrome, being accused by male friends and partners of irritability and moodiness. Now, women may have a good explanation for their behavior.During the 2 weeks before their period, women experience a gradual surge of progesterone secretion. Progesterone is produced by an ovulated egg within the ovaries, and is released into the bloodstream. Is has effects throughout the body, most recognizably in preparing the lining of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.
The Increasing Influence of Biopsychosocial Medicine
The biopsychosocial model of health and disease was originally a fringe idea, and is still criticized by some. But its popularity is growing as more healthcare professionals and patients recognize the link between emotional health and physical disease. A recent literature search on Medline, the U.S. government database of medical literature, found 1,973 articles relating to the biopsychosocial model, with 433 published within the last three years alone.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Brain Revisited
A few weeks ago, I wrote about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the abnormal brain activity seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a recent clinical trial. These findings supported the theory that patients with IBS have an altered sensation of abdominal pain and respond more strongly and more emotionally to pain than unaffected patients.Now, researcher at the the University of Buffalo, State University of New York have shown that the powers of the mind can be harnessed to effectively reduce the symptoms of pain, bloating and altered bowel function.
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