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If a dog bite pierces the skin, bacteria from the dog’s mouth can get into the body, which can cause an infection. This article looks at the causes, treatment, and possible complications of infected dog bites. Link naar het originele artikel
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Boarding an airport shuttle bus at 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday, I didn’t expect much in the way of conversation when I greeted the driver. I thought I’d receive a grunted “hello” in response. But instead, I got a talkative young man with a dream. Dreaming big During the short drive to the terminal, his enthusiasm was infectious. Since stumbling upon sarcoidosis in my early 30s, playing it safe has become a habit because of the disease’s unpredictability. I envied the wild abandon of my driver’s dream of moving to Colombia with no more forethought than getting a passport and learning a little Spanish. I attributed his carefree attitude to his youth. But as I made my way through the security checkpoint, it struck me that lofty dreams shouldn’t be a privilege of the young. We all could benefit from having ambitious aspirations, especially in the face of health battles, because dreams inject passion into our lives. Pathway to purpose During a recent annual medical examination, I asked my nurse how she was. She replied that though her life was fine, it felt dull because she wasn’t working toward achieving any goals. Lately, I’ve encountered others like her, who are on a quest to find more meaning in their lives. Some people I know are pursuing their dreams: a co-worker is taking courses to enter a new field, another has written a book, and a longtime friend plans to start her own business. Establishing goals can help us to remain engaged as we age, benefiting our mental and physical health, according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing. Setting goals and striving to meet them is a key way that I deal with health setbacks — like my favorite quarterback, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. After being given a 6- to 8-week recovery timetable for a thumb injury earlier this year, Brees, true to form, made it back in just five weeks, throwing three touchdowns during his return game. Chasing dreams Setting and accomplishing goals can bring focus and purpose to our lives. But the sense of satisfaction that we get upon meeting these small milestones pales in comparison to the passionate pursuit and attainment of our biggest dreams. A study found that 78 percent of adults don’t end up on the career paths they dreamed about in childhood. The 22 percent who do are “overwhelmingly happy with their careers,” Mashable reported. In that less than 10-minute ride to the airport terminal, I saw firsthand the happiness that a big dream can bring to someone’s life. That’s why I’m off to find one of my own to chase. What is your big dream? *** Note: Sarcoidosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sarcoidosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sarcoidosis. The post Big Dreams Can Help Us Overcome Health Setbacks appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
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Life-threatening lung inflammation linked to vaping in 16-year-old
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The fluid in e-cigarettes may cause a potentially life threatening lung inflammation in those who are susceptible, warn doctors in the Archives of Disease in Childhood after treating a teenage boy with respiratory failure linked to vaping. Link naar het originele artikel -
sIL-2R More Sensitive than ACE at Identifying Possible Cases of Sarcoidosis, Study Finds
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The soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) is more sensitive and specific than the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), one of the most common diagnostic biomarkers of sarcoidosis, at identifying people who might have the disease, a study found. The findings were reported in the study, “Sensitivity and specificity of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor for diagnosing sarcoidosis in a population of patients suspected of sarcoidosis,” published in the journal PLOS One. Sarcoidosis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin that mainly affects the lungs. It is usually diagnosed based on the presence of granulomas — small clumps of immune cells — in different organs that can be visualized in imaging tests, including X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scans. In addition to imaging scans, the disease can also be identified through laboratory tests that measure the degree of inflammation in the body. These include tests that measure the levels of ACE, an enzyme excessively produced in granulomas. “Although ACE is one of the most-used diagnostic biomarkers for sarcoidosis, it lacks sensitivity. High sensitivity is needed when a test is used in the initial diagnostic workup, especially when this test is used to rule out the disease,” the researchers stated. More recently, studies proposed the use of sIL-2R, a marker of immune cells’ activation that has been associated with inflammation in other types of autoimmune diseases, as a marker of disease activity in people with sarcoidosis. Now, scientists from the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands set out to investigate whether sIL-2R could be used as a diagnostic biomarker to identify people with sarcoidosis. The team reviewed the medical records of a group of people suspected of having sarcoidosis. All had a lab test assessing the blood levels of sIL-2R before receiving a final diagnosis. Standard diagnostic tests for sarcoidosis, including laboratory tests, imaging scans, and tissue biopsies, were performed on all participants to either confirm or rule out sarcoidosis. The specificity and sensitivity of sIL-2R as a diagnostic biomarker of sarcoidosis was compared to that of ACE. Of the 983 people whose medical records were screened, 189 were eligible to be included in the study. From these, 101 ended up being diagnosed with sarcoidosis, while the remaining 88 received a different diagnosis, including Sjögren’s syndrome, tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Findings showed that the median levels of sIL-2R were significantly higher among patients who were diagnosed with sarcoidosis, compared to those who were diagnosed with another medical condition — 6,100 pg/mL versus 2,600 pg/mL. “Thus, in a group of patients who have not yet received a definitive diagnosis, but are suspected of sarcoidosis, serum sIL-2R is able to discriminate between patients with and without sarcoidosis,” the researchers said. Further analyses also confirmed that compared to ACE, sIL-2R had higher sensitivity (88% versus 62% with ACE) and higher specificity (85% versus 76% with ACE) in identifying people with sarcoidosis. “Therefore, serum sIL-2R may serve as a diagnostic, discriminating tool, and as a biomarker for patients that are suspected for sarcoidosis. Due to its high sensitivity, sIL-2R can be a useful tool to rule out sarcoidosis in patients suspected of sarcoidosis,” the team concluded. The post sIL-2R More Sensitive than ACE at Identifying Possible Cases of Sarcoidosis, Study Finds appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel -
The bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the most potent virulence factors of Gram-negative bacteria that cause sepsis. Exposure to even tiny amounts can trigger a systemic—and potentially lethal—inflammatory response known as endotoxin shock. Link naar het originele artikel
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Life always gets in the way! I recently had a conversation about saving money. I mentioned that, over the years, I’ve managed to keep a few coins in my pocket, as I was fortunate to work for companies with good savings plans. My mother was right when she said to save as much as possible and to choose a company that would match my contributions. As we talked, I started thinking about what I’ve accomplished — and what I haven’t accomplished — over the past decade. I managed to save some money, but as we know, life gets in the way, especially when it comes to finances. Life interrupts Over the past two years, I’ve been in the hospital several times because of pulmonary sarcoidosis. I was once talking to a nurse about my career and my future post-spontaneous pneumothorax. She used to work for New York City’s mass transit system. She was there for some years, but was laid off because of budget cuts and wasn’t sure what to do next. Her husband would support any decision she made, but she was independent and panicking about her future. She always wanted to be a nurse but lacked confidence in herself. The layoff seemed like an opportunity for her to move forward. She decided to go to nursing school. With her husband carrying most of the family’s financial load, she bit the bullet. She was going to make the change and do what she really wanted. Twelve years later, I was blessed to have her as my nurse. She told me not to worry about my past career. Maybe sarcoidosis was a blessing, allowing me to pursue the things I really wanted in life. Therein lies the rub. I wanted to be a video producer, so I pursued that career, but I’ve always also had this deep-rooted love of cooking. I knew I had to make a move. I couldn’t return to shooting and editing at the level I was producing at. I figured I’d start by taking a nutrition class. In theory, a healthy diet can only improve your health, even with serious health issues. I’ve implemented a lot of what I’ve learned, and I feel the dietary changes have made a difference. I’ve even made suggestions to family and friends, who were very receptive. The end of a decade In hindsight, I never would’ve thought I’d be the person I am today — which isn’t a bad thing. If someone told me 10 years ago that I would suffer two spontaneous pneumothoraces one year apart and be laid off because of partial disability, I would’ve called them a liar. But those are the cards I’ve been dealt, and truth be told, I’m not angry or bitter about my circumstances. Many people wouldn’t be able to handle what comes with this if they were in my shoes. My nurse was correct. I have to start thinking about what I want to do to live a fulfilling life. This new adventure comes with unexpected obstacles, but to me, it’s no different than being a new parent. There are no instructions included. I’ve always been a risk-taker. I’ve lived every moment of my life by the seat of my pants. Why should living with health issues be any different? The way I look at it, we have little over one month of this decade left. I’m going to make it count. I’m going to shake some trees and be the person I’ve always been, and I’m going to enjoy every moment each day brings! At the end of the day, will you end this decade as a participant or a spectator? *** Note: Sarcoidosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sarcoidosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sarcoidosis. The post When Life Interrupts, Get out of Your Own Way appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
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Study: Chronic inflammatory effect in the oral cavity from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine
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Researchers of the CEU UCH university have published the first pilot study on the alterations to the levels of cytokines in the saliva of frequent consumers of these three stimulating substances Link naar het originele artikel -
Vitamin D and Omega 3 supplements do not reduce risk of systemic inflammation
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Vitamin D and marine omega-3 fatty acids—also known as fish oil—are purported to have many health benefits, including reducing systemic inflammation. Signals of systemic inflammation are tied to diseases of aging and obesity, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, some cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. While many consumers take supplements with the intention of lowering their inflammation and preventing disease, an analysis of the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital indicates that neither vitamin D nor omega-3s were effective at reducing systemic inflammation. The team's results are published in Clinical Chemistry. Link naar het originele artikel -
Can one protein open the door to West Nile and Zika treatments?
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The finding of a new study in mice could lead to an effective treatment for the West Nile and Zika viruses, even once they have reached the nervous system. Link naar het originele artikel -
Researchers find potential new target for treatment of inflammatory disease
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Researchers led by the University of Birmingham have found a potential new target to treat inflammatory disease. Link naar het originele artikel -
New technology promises improved treatment of inflammatory diseases
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A study led by researchers at Washington State University has uncovered a potential new treatment approach for diseases associated with inflammation, including sepsis, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, acute lung injury, and atherosclerosis. Link naar het originele artikel - Earlier
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Brachial neuritis is a type of nerve damage that causes pain and weakness in the shoulder and arm area. Here we look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments. Link naar het originele artikel
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Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Helps Provide Definitive Diagnose of Sarcoidosis, Study Suggests
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Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy — a relatively new method of collecting lung tissue for analysis — safely and successfully helps to provide a definitive sarcoidosis diagnosis when the usual and less-invasive diagnostic tools are insufficient, a Portuguese study suggests. The study, “Diagnostic yield and safety of transbronchial cryobiopsy in sarcoidosis,” was published in the journal ERJ Open Research. Sarcoidosis is a highly heterogeneous inflammatory disease that leads to the formation of small abnormal lumps or nodules — called granulomas — in several organs of the body. Lungs are the most frequently affected organ and often the only involved organ. The disease is part of a larger group of more than 200 chronic lung disorders — known as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) — that cause inflammation and scarring in the tissue in and around the lung air sacs, impairing the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream. Since sarcoidosis can show distinct symptoms, some of them mimicking other diseases, including other ILDs, it is a difficult disease to diagnose. Therefore, a significant proportion of patients requires a lung biopsy — the collection and analysis of lung tissue — to confirm the presence of granulomas and be diagnosed with the disease. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a safe and promising new lung biopsy technique that involves the insertion of a flexible tube through the nose or mouth, and whose tip can rapidly freeze and extract a small area of lung tissue. It allows the collection of larger and better-preserved lung tissue samples than conventional transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB), which uses forceps at the tube’s tip to collect tissue samples. TBLC has been reported to have a high diagnostic yield, typically higher than 80%, meaning that it provides the information needed to establish a definitive diagnosis in more than 80% of patients. While several studies have highlighted the usefulness of TBLC in diagnosing ILDs, its role on the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, specifically, remains unclear. Therefore, Portuguese researchers retrospectively evaluated the use and safety of TBLC in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis when less-invasive techniques were unable to reach a definitive diagnosis. The study included 32 people (19 men and 13 women; mean age of 47.7 years) who underwent TBLC in the context of ILD diagnosis at São João University Hospital, in Porto, Portugal, between May 2014 and December 2017. Patients were divided into three groups according to the level of suspected sarcoidosis before TBLC: highly likely sarcoidosis, due to typical sarcoidosis clinical and radiological features (21 patients); possible sarcoidosis, where possible disorders included sarcoidosis (six patients); and unlikely sarcoidosis, where clinical and/or radiological data did not suggest sarcoidosis, but TBLC showed features of the disease (five patients). Among the 27 patients with suspected sarcoidosis, TBLC confirmed sarcoidosis diagnosis in 20 (74%) of them — 17 (81%) in the highly likely sarcoidosis group, and three (50%) of those with possible sarcoidosis. It also definitively diagnosed other diseases in five patients, including fungal infection and silicosis (lung disease associated with exposure to silica). However, TBLC was unable to provide a definitive diagnosis in two patients with suspected sarcoidosis. Their diagnosis was subsequently confirmed through lung needle biopsy, which collects lung tissue through the chest wall. TBLC provided a definitive diagnosis (of sarcoidosis or other disease) in 25 out of the 27 patients with suspected sarcoidosis, representing a diagnostic yield of 92.6%, which was higher than reported for conventional TBLB in most studies, the researchers said. TBLC showed a sensitivity of 90.9% (20 true positives out of 22 patients with sarcoidosis), and a specificity of 100% (five true negatives out of five patients without sarcoidosis). Moreover, it was able to diagnose sarcoidosis in five patients who showed no features suggestive of the disease. The procedure was generally safe, with five patients (15.6%) having a subsequent pneumothorax (or collapsed lung), and one (3.13%) reporting moderate bleeding. No deaths occurred during the procedure or the 30-day post-intervention period. “Although easily managed with a chest tube and a short inpatient stay, pneumothorax was a significant adverse event,” the researchers wrote. Since these patients were among the first 200 patients undergoing TBLC in their center, the team believes that a larger patient population and increased experience in TBLC procedure would reduce the number of pneumothoraxes. Based on the findings, the researchers believe that TBLC can be used as a complementary biopsy method, and it may be particularly helpful in establishing a definitive diagnosis in patients without clear signs of sarcoidosis. “In atypical cases, when previous diagnostic methods are inconclusive, TBLC could avoid [surgical lung biopsy], which [is] associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality, higher costs, and longer hospital stays than TBLC,” they wrote. The team said, however, that future, multicenter, and prospective studies are required to clarify the role of TBLC and its accuracy in diagnosing sarcoidosis. The post Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Helps Provide Definitive Diagnose of Sarcoidosis, Study Suggests appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel -
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Atherosclerosis: Scientists identify new protein target in immune cells
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For the first time, scientists have demonstrated that a type of immune cell expresses a protein that promotes the buildup of fatty material in arteries. Link naar het originele artikel -
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New research applies complex statistical analyses to existing data and casts doubt on the existence of a direct link between depression and inflammation. Link naar het originele artikel
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Unusual Case of Tears in Heart Blood Vessels Found in Cardiac Sarcoidosis Patient
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Tears in blood vessels of the heart can occur in people with cardiac sarcoidosis, a case report found, although the incidence of this complication appears to be low. The report, “Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in cardiac sarcoidosis,” was published in Oxford Medical Case Reports. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is when a tear forms in the blood vessels of the heart. This can be life-threatening and, as such, requires prompt and appropriate medical treatment. Cardiac sarcoidosis — sarcoidosis in which the heart is affected, either solely or as part of more systemic disease — is considered a risk factor for SCAD, but it is not clear how common SCAD is among people with cardiac sarcoidosis. Researchers set out to estimate the prevalence of SCAD by analyzing data from registries of people with sarcoidosis in Finland and Canada. Out of 481 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis with a median follow-up time of 3.7 years per patient (approximately 1,800 total patient-years), just one case of SCAD was identified. That person, a 61-year-old female, was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis in 2012 after arriving at a hospital with an abnormal heart rhythm. She was subsequently started on treatment with prednisone and methotrexate, and weaned from the latter medication over time. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), a device that can help regulate heart rate, was placed in her heart. In 2015, she arrived at a hospital with acute chest pain. A coronary angiogram (an X-ray of the heart and blood vessels) revealed lesions in heart arteries that were consistent with SCAD. The patient was restarted on methotrexate, the dosage of prednisone was increased (to 20 mg daily), and clopidogrel and aspirin were also prescribed. A coronary angiogram several months later revealed that the lesions had resolved. “Since the SCAD in November 2015, the patient has been stable with no arrhythmias, chest pain or heart failure exacerbations,” the researchers wrote. Overall, this report suggests that SCAD in people with cardiac sarcoidosis is fairly unusual, with one case identified among 481 patients. Still, the researchers cautioned that “physicians should be aware that CS [cardiac sarcoidosis] can present with SCAD.” The post Unusual Case of Tears in Heart Blood Vessels Found in Cardiac Sarcoidosis Patient appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel -
Scientists are developing a way to counter ulcerative colitis
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Scientists from 34 countries with an IKBFU researcher among them are working on a medicine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Link naar het originele artikel -
Direct relationship between depression and inflammation called into question
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Depression has traditionally been linked to increased inflammation. Innovative research by psychologist Eiko Fried refutes this popular assumption. He shows that specific depression symptoms such as sleeping problems explain this relationship. Publication in Psychological Medicine . Link naar het originele artikel -
The flu shot cannot give a person the flu because it does not contain active viruses. In this article, learn about how the vaccine works and why a person may feel sick after a flu shot. Link naar het originele artikel
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A proof-of-concept trial has shown that a single dose of a new drug might significantly improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition. Link naar het originele artikel
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Sleep allows immune cells to do maintenance work on the brain
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Research in mice suggests that the brain's dedicated immune cells are better able to do repair work during sleep, and explains the underlying mechanism. Link naar het originele artikel -
I eat well, get adequate sleep, and lead a balanced lifestyle overall. My routine includes trying to keep my life as stress-free as possible. But despite my best intentions, an event invariably occurs to disrupt my attempts to maintain calmness. Sometimes it’s an unexpected household issue or a sick dog that catches me off guard. Other days it’s a vehicle that won’t start or a malfunctioning computer. When more than one of these occurs in a day, I’m left with a feeling of complete discombobulation. Regardless of the specific situation, the stresses of life don’t sit well with sarcoidosis. When I’m put under pressure, I become agitated and irritable in addition to not feeling my best. I know when stress is getting the best of me — it feels as if I’ve hit a brick wall. Feeling depleted, I would like nothing more than to lie in bed and rest. Sometimes I do just that. But I’d prefer it if it didn’t get to that point. I often wonder if the stress came before the sarcoidosis, or if it was the other way around. I’ve heard that stress can increase symptoms and the ability to deal with the disease. I discovered this study recently, which examined the influence of negative life events in patients with sarcoidosis. The researchers from the Institute of Pulmonary Diseases in Belgrade, Serbia, concluded that “psychological stressors may influence the development and expression of sarcoidosis.” Following diagnosis, it may not matter whether the stress came first or it accompanied the disease — but it often feels like a vicious cycle. Living with a chronic illness is already incredibly stressful and affects quality of life in many ways: financially, physically, and emotionally. However, taking steps to relieve one of those factors — trying to work, for instance — can be exhausting and lead to an exacerbation of symptoms, causing another type of stress. And the cycle continues. The obvious advice would be to minimize the stressors in your life. However, as we know, reducing the sources of stress is not straightforward or simple. Here are some tips that might help: Practice deep breathing exercises. Studies show deep breathing can assist in helping the body cope with stress. Spending time in nature can be helpful. Choose relationships wisely. Watch your caffeine intake. Try drinking water instead. Everyone claims to be stressed these days. None of us can entirely eliminate the stress in our lives. However, those of us with chronic health conditions may be particularly sensitive to stress. We owe it to ourselves to protect against these adverse effects as much as possible. *** Note: Sarcoidosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sarcoidosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sarcoidosis. The post I Wonder Which Came First: Stress or Sarcoidosis? appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel
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Autism spectrum disorder has neither a distinct pathogenesis nor pharmaceutical treatment, yet evidence continues to mount demonstrating immune dysfunction and inflammation in specific brain regions of children diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental condition. Link naar het originele artikel
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Depression and Anxiety May Worsen Quality of Life, Lung Function of Patients with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, Study Says
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Depression and anxiety may worsen the quality of life and lung function of patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, a study has found. The findings of the study, “Psychological burden associated with worse clinical outcomes in sarcoidosis,” were published in the journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research. Statistics indicate that 18% to 66% of patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis experience depression, and approximately a third (31% to 33%) struggle with anxiety. These values are higher than in the general population. “In other chronic pulmonary illnesses, psychological symptoms are associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) independent of disease severity,” the researchers wrote. “Depressive symptoms have been correlated with lower HRQoL in patients with sarcoidosis; however, these studies have not evaluated the association while controlling for other factors such as disease severity.” “Patients with sarcoidosis requiring treatment have higher rates of depressive symptoms and worse quality of life compared with asymptomatic patients, suggesting those requiring treatment should be evaluated separately,” the researchers added. In the study, a team from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore set out to investigate the possible link between the high prevalence of depression and anxiety and worse clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis requiring treatment. “We hypothesized that psychological symptoms would be associated with an increased odds of healthcare utilization, worse HRQoL, and worse pulmonary function,” the investigators wrote. The study involved a total of 112 adult patients (median age of 57 years) who had been diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis, and were receiving treatment at the Johns Hopkins Sarcoidosis Clinic. The degree of anxiety, depression, healthcare utilization, and health-related quality of life were all evaluated through questionnaires that the participants were asked to complete. Survey findings revealed that 34% of the patients enrolled in the study had mild depression, and 20% had moderate-to-severe depression. In addition, a fourth (25%) of the participants had mild anxiety, and 12% had moderate-to-severe anxiety. Statistical analyses showed that patients who had moderate-to-severe depression or anxiety were more likely (8.87 times for those with depression, and 13.05 times for those with anxiety) to have visited the hospital’s emergency department in the last six months, and to have worse HRQoL, compared to those who had no symptoms of anxiety or depression. In addition, the investigators found that patients who had moderate-to-severe depression tended to have worse lung function, as reflected by a lower carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, or DLCO (which measures the amount of oxygen that is transferred from the lungs to the blood), than those who had no symptoms of depression. No clear associations were found between depressive or anxiety symptoms and the chances of hospitalization, or the scores of other parameters commonly used to evaluate lung function, including forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second. “Our study confirms previous findings of high rates of psychological symptoms among sarcoidosis patients,” the researchers wrote. “Given the burden of psychological symptoms in sarcoidosis, and its associations with clinical outcomes, screening and treating for depression and anxiety may be especially important” in order to reduce acute healthcare utilization by patients and to improve their quality of life. The researchers noted, however, that future studies are still needed to better understand the impact that depression and anxiety may have on clinical outcomes in patients with sarcoidosis. The post Depression and Anxiety May Worsen Quality of Life, Lung Function of Patients with Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, Study Says appeared first on Sarcoidosis News. Link naar het originele artikel -
Ik vroeg mezelf af wie er ervaring heeft met vasten. Laatst was er bij Dokter van Morgen een hele uitzending gewijd aan vasten en werd er uitgebreid ingegaan op reuma en de effecten van vasten hierop. Op Pubmed kon ik maar 1 onderzoek vinden specifiek voor sarcoidose maar de uitslag vind ik verbluffend. 85% van de deelnemers voelden zich beter; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8744116/ Ik ben benieuwd naar jullie ervaringen.