 The days of having your blood pressure taken with an uncomfortable arm-squeezing cuff may be numbered, after scientists developed a far more pleasant technique.
Researchers used an ultrasound scanner, more commonly used on pregnant women, to measure a person's blood pressure pulse at various points around the body.
The team, from the Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands, said the procedure would help prevent heart attacks and strokes by giving a far clearer picture of the condition of the heart and blood vessels.
Dr Nathalie Binjnens, said scientists had been searching for such a non-invasive method for years. She said: 'The usual method is to insert a catheter with a pressure sensor. But that’s an invasive procedure, and not suitable for preventive diagnostics.
'There’s also the traditional method using an inflatable arm cuff. But that doesn’t allow any conclusions to be drawn about – for example – the blood pressure in the carotid artery.'
The cartoid arteries are found on each side of the neck and provide the main blood supply to the brain. 'You won’t find anyone willing to have the blood pressure in their neck measured using an inflatable cuff,' Dr Binjnens said.
In the new technique doctors apply a small amount of gel to various points around the body so that the scanner makes good contact with the skin. The researchers then use a mathematical model to achieve a good visualisation of the blood flow and the blood vessel wall motion, from which the blood pressure can be derived. They can also see the variations in blood pressure and flow in time as a result of the beating of the heart. The simultaneous knowledge of pressure and flow also provides information about ‘downstream’ parts of the vascular system. Doctors will be able to use the technique to give an early warning to patients in danger of developing cardiovascular problems.
Dr Binjens said: 'By performing a simple scan, the physician can detect vascular disease in an early stage and decide for a preventive treatment.' She said it could be used to monitor diseases such as thrombosos or aneurysms (dangerous dilations of a blood vessel that can lead to strokes).
The researchers published their results last month in the scientific journal Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. The method was first tested on elastic plastic tubes, and after that on pigs’ carotid arteries from an abattoir, with good results. It is currently being tested on volunteers in advance of clinical tests with patients. The results have been promising but researchers say it will take a few years to develop before it is ready for GP practices.
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Daily Mail Reporter
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2003715/Heart-attack-risk-reduced-Ultrasound-scanner-spell-end-arm-squeezing-cuff-blood-pressure.html
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 a) Thoracic X-ray of a patient with amoebic liver abscess showing the elevation of the right hemi-diaphragm. Ultrasound images of: b) Single large amoebic abscess and c) Three amoebic hepatic abscesses. d) Contrasted computed tomography (CT) scan of a single abscess and e) Three clear amoebic liver abscesses OREM, UT, June 02, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Just as insurance carriers are scrutinizing the higher cost of a CT scan versus that of an ultrasound for diagnostic screenings, patients are becoming aware of and concerned about the amount of radiation delivered by a CT scan. This is leading to an increased number of ultrasounds being performed in several medical situations. KLAS's "Ultrasound 2011--Innovation on the Move" investigates a number of ultrasound vendors--what they offer and how that offering aligns with the diverse and expanding needs of healthcare providers.
"Providers, determined to respond to the concerns of both patients and insurance companies, must know they can count on ultrasound technology that will perform well across multiple specialties," noted Emily Crane, author of the report. "They want a system that is easy to move, because the anticipated increase in use means ultrasound scans will be performed across diverse departments throughout a facility."The 237 respondents, 73 percent of whom are either radiologists or sonographers working in facilities with 500 beds or less, named the six ultrasound vendor firms they currently work with: GE, Hitachi, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba, and ZONARE. Philips and GE are performing extremely well with their newest customers and are seeing early adoption of new technologies and procedures.Of the top three ranked performers--GE, Toshiba, and Philips--the most satisfied customers belong to GE and Philips. Although reported costs are on the high end, GE received the highest marks for overall image quality while still being mobile enough for most providers. One hundred percent of GE customers say they would buy the LOGIQ E9 again. Philips customers generally feel the units perform very well on most scan types and offer excellent technology; however, the system's mobility is not highly rated. And although Toshiba customers are generally pleased with cost, reliability, and image quality, newer customers are not as happy with implementation and training. They too are less satisfied with mobility and the ease of use."New research presented at the 2011 American Institute of Ultrasound annual meeting revealed that partially substituting ultrasound for CT scans in evaluating appendicitis alone could save the U.S. healthcare system more than $1.2 billion annually," said Crane. "This is financially significant and should lead to greater numbers of ultrasound scans being performed. Providers need to determine what matters most to them, and then select the ultrasound system that will best satisfy their imaging requirements."Ultrasound customers are always looking for new technology, and the 'buzz' in 2011 is focused around breast imaging, but there are a number of benefits to consider. Some providers want low prices, dependable service, and thorough training. Others are looking for technical innovations such as image fusion, elastrography, and 3D/4D applications. As providers ramp up and broaden their use of ultrasounds across specialties, it will be easier for them to determine which services they value most highly.
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World News Report
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http://www.einnews.com/247pr/216724_________________________________________________________________________
 Eczema is a chronic skin condition that can range from wet blisters to dry flakes. It is usually itchy and can occur on any surface of the body. It is most commonly associated with allergies from contact or foods, and is usually aggravated by stress.First, you must track down the allergic factor by avoiding and challenging soaps, clothes, jewelry, and certain foods. For children, pay particular attention to dust and dust mites as a possible cause.You must also investigate and treat yeast overgrowth, especially if eczema develops after taking antibiotics. Yeast overgrowth on the skin or yeast toxins from intestinal yeast overgrowth can cause or aggravate any skin condition. The medical treatment for eczema is cortisone cream. Using cortisone creams for eczema, however, merely suppresses symptoms; it also stimulates more yeast and fungal
growth. First Aid:
* Avoid showers, because they strip the acid mantle of the skin.
* Use two ounces of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of bath oil or a cotton pouch of oatmeal in your bath.
* Use coconut oil as a body lotion.
* Dry indoor air is bad for eczema; use a humidifier and external creams and lotions from organic sources.
* Avoid wool and use cotton clothing.
* Use dust mite mattress and pillow covers, and launder sheets and pillowcases frequently.
* Do several rinse cycles on your laundry and don’t use scented antistatic products in the dryer.
* Make sure the soap you use does not irritate the skin. Use a neutral pH soap like castile ‐ made from olive oil, almond oil, or coconut oil.
* Remove carpeting, stuffed toys, and vacuum frequently.Detoxification:
* To remove toxins (yeast, heavy metals, radiation) that may be causing eczema use clay baths from LL's Magnetic Clay. Start with the “Natural Clay.” Blend 1/4 to 1/2 cup of clay in your blender with 32oz of water and pour that into your hot water foot bath or tub. Soak for 30 min and shower off. Do a bath or footbath at least three times a week, more if you have time.Supplements:
* Essential fatty acids: Choose one high in DHA for children and high in EFA for adults. Dosage: follow the label for children; adults, 2‐3,000 mg daily.
* Evening primrose oil and/or borage oil: Both provide essential omega‐6 fatty acids and support the immune system. Dosage: 1,000 mg twice daily.
Take EFAs with meals and avoid water with your meals so that fats and oils in your food will be absorbed properly. Water in the stomach along with oil will cause the oil globules to combine together in an oil puddle, which the body will have trouble absorbing.
* Vitamin D. Current research shows that most people require at lease 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day.
* Zinc: Choose an angstrom‐sized liquid mineral product. Take one dose twice daily.Homeopathy:
Consult a homeopath or naturopath to find a homeopathic remedy suited to your condition. *Excerpted and edited from my Future Health Now Encyclopedia eBook.NOTE: If cortisone has been used for a long time before switching to natural remedies, the skin may go through an aggravation or worsening before getting better.
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Dr. Carolyn Dean MD, ND
The Doctor of the Future___________________________________
 My friend, Dr. Galina Migalko just opened her new office. It’s called Universal Medical Imaging Group. Dr. Migalko is an expert in using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. She can do a head-to-toe ultrasound that rivals a CT scan or MRI.
I love ultrasound because there is no radiation involved, no needles and no magnetic fields. And in the hands of an expert like Galina, who can see beyond the sound wave pictures, you can be assured of your diagnosis. I’ve referred people from across the country for the accuracy of her testing.
I know most of you don’t live in Los Angeles or travel there. But if you do or have friends or relatives in LA, please consider using Galina’s services. For the rest of you, this note may serve as a reminder that when you go for allopathic tests ask your doctor if an ultrasound test would suffice instead of an X-ray, CT scan or MRI.
Media Update: You can find my latest article, “The Medical Monopoly: It’s not about who’s right or wrong but who’s in charge” at Mike Adams, NaturalNews.com.
“Diagnostitis: The Power of Words” is another article that will be up shortly.
Here is a great piece of tongue-in-cheek satire from my friend, Dr. Roby Mitchell that describes the current state of allopathic medicine. “I started hearing this knocking sound in my engine and this warning sign came up on the instrument panel. Fortunately, a good friend is a doctor. He prescribed some ear plugs and duct tape. Now I can’t hear the noise and the sign is blocked by the duct tape. An added bonus is he said this will take care of any problem I have later with squeaking brakes.”
The message? Don’t cover up symptoms with treatments that will only cause more problems in the future.
Roby’s byline is “You can’t medicate yourself out of symptoms that you behaved yourself into.” Both Roby and Galina support my Future Health Now! 2-Year Online Wellness Programas the best way to gently change your lifestyle to be compatible with a long and healthy life!
-------------------------- Dr. Carolyn Dean MD, ND
The Doctor of the Future------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Yahoo! I’ve finally finished producing my online wellness program Future Health Now!
It took two long years and thousands of happy hours. The 104 modules are delivered by email every week. Each module covers a major topic and includes an action plan for implementing lifestyle and wellness behaviors. All the modules reflect my personal experience in my own life and recommendations given to my patients and clients over the past forty years.I’d like the program to reach more people because I think it’s an excellent way to stay healthy. The monthly cost is only $10.00. Just go to my website and click the Wellness Program link. If you would like to have the complete program immediately, from start to finish, it’s only $200, just email me for details.The following is the list of my 104 modules to show the broad scope of the program. Please join me.1. Eat What Your Ancestors Ate
2. Old Fashion Vitamin C
3. Nasal Lubrication
4. Sleeping Without Electricity
5. The Power of Protein
6. The Stomach Vacuum
7. Safe Cookware
8. Backwards Walking
9. Beefing Up
10. How to Sit on the Toilet
11. B Calm
12. Melatonin Magic
13. Dairy Dichotomy
14. Maximizing Magnesium
15. Placebo Power
16. Nuts and Seeds
17. Relearning to See
18. Reducing Wireless Worries
19. Not to Little, Nor Too Much
20. Taming the TV (Part 1)
21. Body Temperature and Sleep
22. Fish for Thought
23. Super Squats
24. Taming the TV (Part 2)
25. Maximizing Absorption by Chewing
26. Chlorine-Free Bathing
27. Flaxseed: The Forgotten Superfood
28. Eggs: A Nutritional Storehouse
29. Safe Commercial Cleaning Supplies
30. Theatre of the Mind
31. Special Feature: Liver Snacking
32. Taming the Tongue: Moderate Eating
33. How to Safely Stop Armpit Odor
34. Psyllium Seed Husk
35. Yeast-Free Eating: Is it for You?
36. The Cobra
37. Early to Bed, Early to Rise
38. An Overdue Review
39. How to Eat Leftovers Without The Mold, Yeast and Bacteria
40. Brain Fitness Games
41. Carpet Care
42. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
43. Calling All Chickens
44. Sensuous Stretching
45. Unrecognized Leftovers
46. Chewing Chia
47. Wheat Withdrawal
48. Natural Bedtime Remedies
49. Negating the Nocebo
50. Gargling and Snorting
51. Fermented Dairy
52. The Breath of Life
53. Homemade Green Drinks
54. Purifying the Air
55. Intuitive Eating
56. Eating and drinking Before Bed
57. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
58. Milk Substitutes
59. Coconut & Sesame Oil Pulling
60. Working At A Pedestal Desk
61. Sugar Avoidance
62. Savoring Cilantro
63. Weekly Fasting
64. Mind-Dump Your To Do List
65. The Law of Attraction
66. Caring For Your Teeth & Gums
67. Safe Sprouting
68. Moving Through Your Day
69. Detoxifying with Chlorella
70. Healthy Cooking
71. Friendly Fats & Oils
72. Meet Your Mattress
73. Walking Meditation & Prayer
74. Self-Massage
75. Sugar Substitutes
76. Spinal Twist
77. Enhancing Your Digestive Enzymes
78. Eliminate Mold & Mildew
79. Protein Powders
80. Pillow Talk
81. Ho’oponopono
82. Poo-Free Hair
83. Herbs and Spices
84. Strengthening Your Core
85. Introducing Iodine
86. Organic Farming
87. Eat Your Vegetables & Fruit
88. Angstrom Minerals
89. Synchronicity
90. Sunlight & Vitamin D
91. Combining with Legumes
92. Powerful Probiotics
93. Great Grains
94. Five Body Theory
95. Water, Water Everywhere
96. Therapies While You Sleep
97. Healing Your Health Story with EFT
98. iON
99. Juice & Blend
100. SuperBrain Yoga®
101. Water, Clay & Magnesium
102. Earthing & Grounding
103. Bach Flower Remedies
104. The Sunset of Future Health Now!
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Dr. Carolyn Dean MD, ND
The Doctor of the Future
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