My third-year Botanical Medicine prof is a genius. No lie. He is super knowledgeable about all things naturopathic medicine (which I guess is no surprise because he's been practicing for twenty years as an ND, I do believe), especially herbs. Often the judicial system calls upon him as an expert witness whenever there is a legal issue involving herbs/botany.
Anywho, I mention this smart professor because his Bot Med lectures are usually filled with so much interesting material; cool stuff that goes above and beyond the course curriculum. Here are five neat things (not necessarily related to botanicals) that we discussed in his classes over the last couple of weeks:
1) Top three causes of infantile colic in breastfeeding moms: coffee, garlic, or onions in the mom's diet.
2) Long term consequence of Epilepsy medications: osteoporosis.
3) 90% of our melatonin receptors are in our gut. Therefore supplemental melatonin (which people normally take to help them sleep better) maybe be beneficial for those suffering from gut issues (such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)).
4) Beer has estrogenic effects, so perhaps it is not the best beverage for men...
5) Three side effects of potassium depletion: Alzheimer's disease, leg cramps, and heart arrhythmias.
Showing posts with label Tid-bit.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tid-bit.. Show all posts
2012-12-01
2012-11-29
Semester Books
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| My Year 3, Semester 1 Notebook. |
Another semester about to wrap up, which means that I've completed yet another semester book.
What is a year book? When I started at CCNM in the Fall of 2010, I found myself learning so many cool things that I needed a place to document them all! Plus, my mind was racing at the start of CCNM and I find journaling (and blogging!) to be very therapeutic; I'm the type of person why needs to write things down. I wanted something small enough that I could carry it with me too (I don't always bring my laptop to class). I decided to start bringing a little notebook around with me where I could jot down these important notes because some things are just too important to be lost in the kerfuffle of course notes.
What I have included in these books over the past 3ish years: funny things profs said or did, blog post ideas, to-do lists, goals, memories, inspiring quotes, fun facts, reminders for fourth year, and future practice ideas. Many of my interesting tid-bits were taken straight from these notebooks!
Don't forget that ACE-inhibitor drugs cause coughs... purchase a tabletop dishwasher for tea mugs in my future clinic... recommend the book The Easy Way to Quit Smoking by Alan Carr to patients who want to quit smoking... talk about orange peels on the blog...
...these are a few examples of things that are written down daily in my semester-long notebooks (I thought I would have one book per year, but I guess there are too many cool things to document during my time at CCNM that I ended up needing a new book every semester. The book featured above has two unfilled pages left and there is only one week left of classes: what perfect timing!
Now when it comes to time to look back at my time at CCNM, not only do I have this blog, but I'll have eight little notebooks to remind me of what was important, inspiring, blog-worthy, and so on. I am especially grateful that I kept a running list of "future practice ideas" because almost daily something comes up that is important but I know that I'll forget about if it doesn't get written down. I also don't want to have to rummage through thousands and thousands of course notes to remember what is the best supplement brand of 5-HTP (a mood enhancing supplement), for instance. Hopefully I've kept the best notes in these little books, which means I'll only have to read eight little books instead of potentially hundreds in order to find out that brand (which is Natural Factors, by the way).
2012-10-01
Monday Highlights.
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| Image source here. |
Today was a brain-bursting kind of day. Lots of cool info all packed into one (typically) boring Monday! Some highlights:
- How to determine if a seed is still fresh (e.g. cumin seeds, mustard seeds, anise seeds, parsley seeds, etc): chew on one! If it tastes woody and not flavorful, then the seed is old and the medicinal volatile oils have evaporated or degraded.
- Classmate says to professor: "How do you reduce male pattern baldness?" Professor's response: "If I knew the answer to that question, I'd been lounging on an island right now".
- People with kidney stones are often dehydrated and deficient in vitamin B6 and magnesium. Supplement these nutrients or eat foods rich in them.
- Apitherapy (apis = bee) is a technique used by some (not NDs! We just learned about it for fun) to treat rheumatism arthritis. It involves stinging a patient's rheumatic/flared-up joint with a live honey bee! Apparently the bee sting is enough for the immune system to stop attacking the body's own joint and focus on the bee sting instead. Repeated stinging yields best results.
- Another reason to supplement vitamin D this Winter: new research reveals that vitamin D is precursor in the tumor fighting pathway of the body.
- When blood sugar levels reach 9-10 mmol/L, the sugar (glucose) spills into the urine, giving urine a sweet smell and taste... yes, taste. Before the invention of urinalysis, doctors used to taste their patient's urine to assess for sweetness and thus diabetes.
- Lastly, I got to play doctor and interview a patient today during Primary Care. In addition to asking a million questions, I also had to chart my findings (aka complete a medical record) and perform relevant physical exams on the patient. It was a great experience and I was proud of my performance (not sure what the prof thought, doesn't matter though, I'll see my evaluation in two weeks). Anywho, the point of this story: I think I've picked the right profession when I find taking a case to be "fun" :)
2012-09-12
20 Years!
September 2012 marks my twentieth year of school! Wowzers.
Will I ever consider September to be anything other than the 'back to school' month? Probably not... the anticipation, change in routine, and return to the books will forever be ingrained in me.
But even if you aren't going back to school this September, it's still a good time to learn something new. Now's the time: let's make the September the new 'learn something new' month. Here are some ideas:
Check out your local library and pick up a book on a new topic you want to learn about... sign up for a new fitness class or hobby... sign up for a free-online class (there are surprisingly many) or subscribe to a blog or website with tutorials (I once did a yoga tutorial website's 30 day challenge (I failed the challenge, lol) but I started out with good intentions!)... are you a senior citizen? Most universities offer classes for free to those over 65 years old... what about the daily newspaper, why not complete the crossword puzzle everyday? Etc, etc.
Memory/learning boosting exercises help keep the brain 'fit' and ward off mental degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease (and on a more nutritional note, do you know what nutrient prevents these diseases: fat! Yep, the brain thrives off of healthy fats. Coconut oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fatty fish, and egg yolks are all excellent sources of brain-boosting essential fatty acids. I heard a hypothesis that rates of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases sky-rocketed after the 'fat free' fad in the 90s. I have no sources to support this, but I wonder if this also explains why more females suffer from these mental degenerative diseases then men... because they avoid fat more than men? Opting for 'skinny' lattes and fat-free yogurts? Hmm... some food for thought for sure.
2012-02-15
Did You Know...
...one of the reasons why gun bullets kill is because they allow the pathogen Staph aureus to enter the body.
...dwarfs/little people have normal sized heads because dwarfism only affects cartilaginous bones and the skull is not a cartilaginous bone.
...people with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) have blue eyes (sclera) because they have abnormal collagen synthesis and thus thin collagen in their eyes that allows underlying veins (containing deoxygenated "blue blood") to be visible, giving the eye a blue tinge.
...changes in the weather can cause increased discomfort and pain for some people due to the changes in barometric pressure. Especially in people with arthritis.
...foot pain can cause headaches. Some people's headaches relieve when they are given proper orthotics.
...hygiene is important, but not just physical hygiene. Don't forget sleep hygiene, food hygiene, and emotional hygiene. How are you "cleaning yourself" from bad thoughts and negativity at the end of the day?
...that you can get a headache after you wash your bed sheets. The harsh chemicals in detergent still linger the first night you sleep in clean sheets. If you are sensitive to chemicals/fragrances, this could trigger a headache. Try to wash sheets in the morning to let them "air" before bed or switch to fragrance-free detergent.
...when a doctor examines the inside of your eye (the retina) he or she is technically looking at your brain (he optic nerve is a visible nerve and is an extension of brain matter).
...muscle twitches may be a sign of low calcium.
...maximum bone density is reached at age 30, then 0.7% of bone is lost each year after this age.
...acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter important in memory function. Boost your acetylcholine levels by eating eggs and soy lecithin (found at health food stores and is most dark chocolate bars).
...dwarfs/little people have normal sized heads because dwarfism only affects cartilaginous bones and the skull is not a cartilaginous bone.
...people with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) have blue eyes (sclera) because they have abnormal collagen synthesis and thus thin collagen in their eyes that allows underlying veins (containing deoxygenated "blue blood") to be visible, giving the eye a blue tinge.
...changes in the weather can cause increased discomfort and pain for some people due to the changes in barometric pressure. Especially in people with arthritis.
...foot pain can cause headaches. Some people's headaches relieve when they are given proper orthotics.
...hygiene is important, but not just physical hygiene. Don't forget sleep hygiene, food hygiene, and emotional hygiene. How are you "cleaning yourself" from bad thoughts and negativity at the end of the day?
...that you can get a headache after you wash your bed sheets. The harsh chemicals in detergent still linger the first night you sleep in clean sheets. If you are sensitive to chemicals/fragrances, this could trigger a headache. Try to wash sheets in the morning to let them "air" before bed or switch to fragrance-free detergent.
...when a doctor examines the inside of your eye (the retina) he or she is technically looking at your brain (he optic nerve is a visible nerve and is an extension of brain matter).
...muscle twitches may be a sign of low calcium.
...maximum bone density is reached at age 30, then 0.7% of bone is lost each year after this age.
...acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter important in memory function. Boost your acetylcholine levels by eating eggs and soy lecithin (found at health food stores and is most dark chocolate bars).
2012-01-17
Random Notes.
Random Note #1: snake bites can cause pancreatitis (aka an inflamed, swollen, and painful pancreas). The vemon of many snakes has been shown to harm--out of all of our organs--the pancreas.
Random Note #2: candles and campfires have been linked to lung cancer. So sad, I know, because these are two beautiful things. Unfortunately the smoke coming from these is similar in structure to the smoke coming from cigarettes, which has obviously been tied to lung cancer.
Random Note #3: one reason why goat dairy is good (for those who want to eat dairy) is because the molecule looks very similar to human breast milk. This may be why more people can tolerate goat's milk better than cow's milk (the latter looks very dissimilar to Mother's milk on a molecular level).
Random Note #2: candles and campfires have been linked to lung cancer. So sad, I know, because these are two beautiful things. Unfortunately the smoke coming from these is similar in structure to the smoke coming from cigarettes, which has obviously been tied to lung cancer.
Random Note #3: one reason why goat dairy is good (for those who want to eat dairy) is because the molecule looks very similar to human breast milk. This may be why more people can tolerate goat's milk better than cow's milk (the latter looks very dissimilar to Mother's milk on a molecular level).
2011-12-04
Honey Pee.
Diabetes Mellitus(I'm sure the Blue Prince and baby H both already known all about this; they're the experts on this topic, not I!)
The word mellitus is the latin word for "sweet as honey" (also the French word for honey is miel). Honey pee is what doctors used to describe the urine of a diabetic patient. When the body has too much sugar and is in a state of hyperglycemia, the kidneys stop filtering out glucose and let the extra sugar be secreted into the urine. This makes the urine sugary. Back before labs were readily available, doctors used to taste the pee of a patient they suspected had diabetes, and if it tasted sweet, there hypothesis was deemed correct. Aren't I glad that I can now order glucose-tolerance tests from laboratories instead of tasting my patients' urine if I suspect diabetes :P
Image source here.
2011-10-20
...and then there was one.
One more midterm to go (Microbiology)!
Stages of Sickness:
Invasion (of body with microorganism) -->
Incubation Period (the microorganism divides in the body, starts wrecking havoc on healthy cells, starts hijacking good cells and their molecular machinery) -->
Subclinical Infection (no signs or symptoms of the sickness are showing (the person is asymptomatic), but he or she can easily infect other people with the microorganism... most contagious when not really "sick") -->
Prodromal Period (when signs and symptoms of the sickness begin, but aren't that bad) -->
Illness Period (when the signs and symptoms are at their worst) -->
Convaiescent Period (start getting better, signs and symptoms are improving) -->
All Better :)
P.S. Acupuncture is over, (phew). It was certainly stressful, especially when your partner needles you in the HEAD with only thirty-seconds remaining in the exam. Oh, and Tony's inspirational words to me before my Chinese Medicine theory exam: conquer Chinese (Medicine) just like Genghis Khan. Ha!
P.P.S. The picture from earlier this week represents Pumpkin Pi(e). Cleaver!
Stages of Sickness:
Invasion (of body with microorganism) -->
Incubation Period (the microorganism divides in the body, starts wrecking havoc on healthy cells, starts hijacking good cells and their molecular machinery) -->
Subclinical Infection (no signs or symptoms of the sickness are showing (the person is asymptomatic), but he or she can easily infect other people with the microorganism... most contagious when not really "sick") -->
Prodromal Period (when signs and symptoms of the sickness begin, but aren't that bad) -->
Illness Period (when the signs and symptoms are at their worst) -->
Convaiescent Period (start getting better, signs and symptoms are improving) -->
All Better :)
P.S. Acupuncture is over, (phew). It was certainly stressful, especially when your partner needles you in the HEAD with only thirty-seconds remaining in the exam. Oh, and Tony's inspirational words to me before my Chinese Medicine theory exam: conquer Chinese (Medicine) just like Genghis Khan. Ha!
P.P.S. The picture from earlier this week represents Pumpkin Pi(e). Cleaver!
2011-04-26
(Last) Interesting Tid-Bits.
This is my LAST interesting tid-bits post of the 2010-2011 school year. Enjoy!
- As ridiculous as it sounds, doctors actually preform the "kidney punch test" to determine whether on not a patient has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a kidney infection (because both infections preform with similar symptoms). A kidney punch test requires the doctor to punch (literally) the back of kidneys (the kidneys are attached to the posterior abdominal cavity wall. If the patient feels pain after the punch test, the kidneys are likely infected.
- The male and female reproductive organs are actually very similar. For instance, the major labia of females (located on either side of the vagina) are equivalent to the scrotum in males. Another example (there are in fact many) the glans penis and the clitoris are also equivalent structures.
- On our heart and in our face, we have arteries that are spiraled in a coil-like shape (they sort of look like a spring). These arteries are coiled so that they are able to easily stretch during the pumping/contracting of the heart and during the moving of the mouth during talking and eating. Evolution is so cool; our arteries have evolved into flexible shapes to protect themselves!
- Although sugar in excess is bad for the immune system and or overall health, it is important to recognize its role in baked goods. Sugar acts as a bactericide, meaning it inhibits bacterial growth. When baking sugar-free, freeze leftover goodies to preserve them as they won't last as long resting on the counter.
- The "5Fs" are at a higher risk for developing gallstones (fat, female, fair-skin, fertile, and forties).
- The stomach is full of acid (hydrochloric acid to be precise) for two important reasons: one, to start the digestion process (the super strong acid starts decomposing food upon contact), and two, to kill bacteria that has been eaten or inhaled. With our mouth making constant contact with the external world, the stomach has to be armed and ready to intake invaders so they don't get a chance to get to more delicate organs during later parts of the digestive tract.
- As ridiculous as it sounds, doctors actually preform the "kidney punch test" to determine whether on not a patient has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a kidney infection (because both infections preform with similar symptoms). A kidney punch test requires the doctor to punch (literally) the back of kidneys (the kidneys are attached to the posterior abdominal cavity wall. If the patient feels pain after the punch test, the kidneys are likely infected.
- The male and female reproductive organs are actually very similar. For instance, the major labia of females (located on either side of the vagina) are equivalent to the scrotum in males. Another example (there are in fact many) the glans penis and the clitoris are also equivalent structures.
- On our heart and in our face, we have arteries that are spiraled in a coil-like shape (they sort of look like a spring). These arteries are coiled so that they are able to easily stretch during the pumping/contracting of the heart and during the moving of the mouth during talking and eating. Evolution is so cool; our arteries have evolved into flexible shapes to protect themselves!
- Although sugar in excess is bad for the immune system and or overall health, it is important to recognize its role in baked goods. Sugar acts as a bactericide, meaning it inhibits bacterial growth. When baking sugar-free, freeze leftover goodies to preserve them as they won't last as long resting on the counter.
- The "5Fs" are at a higher risk for developing gallstones (fat, female, fair-skin, fertile, and forties).
- The stomach is full of acid (hydrochloric acid to be precise) for two important reasons: one, to start the digestion process (the super strong acid starts decomposing food upon contact), and two, to kill bacteria that has been eaten or inhaled. With our mouth making constant contact with the external world, the stomach has to be armed and ready to intake invaders so they don't get a chance to get to more delicate organs during later parts of the digestive tract.
2011-04-13
Interesting Tid-Bits 8.
- When protein powder is cold, it is better absorbed by the body (so adding protein powder to smoothies with COLD milk or a FROZEN banana is best). Protein powder-based smoothies are also excellent fuel after strenuous exercise because digestion is inhibited during exercise and thus it is an easy-to-digest way of getting protein and nutrients into the body while digestion is slowly resuming.
- It is good for the brain to watch foreign films as it forces the brain to activate multiple sensory receptors at once: reading, listening, viewing, interpreting language, etc. It is quite a mental exercise to watch and read subtitles at the same time.
- Mild exercise is good when you're not feeling well. Exercise generates heat and puts the body in a fever-state, which boosts the immune system.
- Changes in lifestyle are key to managing chronic disease. (Also, apparently 60% of those who use alternative medicine have chronic disease).
- We are better rested the next day when our sleep did not involve lots of dreams.
- Babies are not to be given honey under the age of one because honey contains bacteria that their new immune systems may not be able to combat. A consequence may be botulism.
- Skin tenting is when the skin on the back of a relaxed hand is pulled upward. If the skin doesn't immediately spring back to normal, the person may be dehydrated.
- Electrolyte drinks that are better than Gatorade (which has way too much sugar) are homemade chicken broth, coconut water, or a mixture of lemon water, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
- It is good for the brain to watch foreign films as it forces the brain to activate multiple sensory receptors at once: reading, listening, viewing, interpreting language, etc. It is quite a mental exercise to watch and read subtitles at the same time.
- Mild exercise is good when you're not feeling well. Exercise generates heat and puts the body in a fever-state, which boosts the immune system.
- Changes in lifestyle are key to managing chronic disease. (Also, apparently 60% of those who use alternative medicine have chronic disease).
- We are better rested the next day when our sleep did not involve lots of dreams.
- Babies are not to be given honey under the age of one because honey contains bacteria that their new immune systems may not be able to combat. A consequence may be botulism.
- Skin tenting is when the skin on the back of a relaxed hand is pulled upward. If the skin doesn't immediately spring back to normal, the person may be dehydrated.
- Electrolyte drinks that are better than Gatorade (which has way too much sugar) are homemade chicken broth, coconut water, or a mixture of lemon water, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
2011-03-21
Interesting Tid-bits 7.
Happy Spring! Apparently it is officially Spring when the Canadian geese migrate home. Luckily I saw a bunch this weekend :)
- Jaundice (i.e. yellowish or jaune colored skin) could be a side-effect of gallstones.
- When sick with a bad cold or flu, lots of soup (fluids!) and a BRAT diet are best (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast).
- Why do we sometimes get hiccups after eating too much? Because our expanded stomach presses up into our diaphragm.
- Men who wear tight jeans are more at risk for male sterility due to semi-compression of the testicles.
- The back of the neck is a reflex point for our nose. To help reduce the effects of a runny or bloody nose, a cold washcloth can be placed to the back of the neck for a long period of time to cause nasal constriction.
- The proper name for the belly button is the umbilicus.
- Frequent muscle twitches and/or weakness may be due to low calcium levels.
- Also on the subject of calcium, "growing pains" in adolescents can be caused by a calcium deficiency.
- Kellogg (the man behind the Kellogg's brand) was a nature doctor. His first product was Corn Flakes and it was one of the healthiest products available in his time (and was more nutritious than the cereal that exists today).
- Jaundice (i.e. yellowish or jaune colored skin) could be a side-effect of gallstones.
- When sick with a bad cold or flu, lots of soup (fluids!) and a BRAT diet are best (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast).
- Why do we sometimes get hiccups after eating too much? Because our expanded stomach presses up into our diaphragm.
- Men who wear tight jeans are more at risk for male sterility due to semi-compression of the testicles.
- The back of the neck is a reflex point for our nose. To help reduce the effects of a runny or bloody nose, a cold washcloth can be placed to the back of the neck for a long period of time to cause nasal constriction.
- The proper name for the belly button is the umbilicus.
- Frequent muscle twitches and/or weakness may be due to low calcium levels.
- Also on the subject of calcium, "growing pains" in adolescents can be caused by a calcium deficiency.
- Kellogg (the man behind the Kellogg's brand) was a nature doctor. His first product was Corn Flakes and it was one of the healthiest products available in his time (and was more nutritious than the cereal that exists today).
2011-03-11
Interesting (Nutrition) Tid-bits 3.
Dear Aunt K, I hope you are doing better. Love Becca.
- When we eat fat, proteins, and carbohydrates. Specific chemicals are sent to the brain to tell it that it has enough of these macronutrients and the chemical signals tell the brain when the stomach is "full". Synthetic chemicals, however, that were created dieting (e.g. artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose), artificial fats (orlistat, olestra)), don't cause these signals to be sent to the brain, so the brain thinks the body is still hungry and needs more fat, carbohydrates, etc, causing our body to crave certain foods and/or continue to feel hungry despite eating.
- Dehydration is a serious concern for athletes and for those who eat a lot of protein. Protein is high in nitrogen and nitrogen requires extra water to help it be excreted from the body through urine. For instance, 100 Calories of carbohydrates requires 50 grams of water to help their excretion, while 100 Calories of protein require 350 grams of water.
- Contrary to popular belief, osteoporosis is not caused by a deficiency in dietary calcium, but is caused by a diet high in acid-forming proteins. Acid-forming proteins (such as animal proteins) cause calcium to leech out of bones. Why? Acidic proteins generating more acidic ash in the body, putting it in a state of metabolic acidosis. As the body wants to maintain balance (i.e. homeostasis), it tries to balance the excess acid with more base. Calcium stored in our bones is basic. Buffering against the excess ingested acid is done at the expense of bones, pulling basic minerals out of bone to neutralize the acids.
- Serotonin in converted into melatonin in our eyes during periods darkness. Melatonin helps with sleep. This is why we sleep best at nighttime and have a harder time falling asleep in broad daylight.
- More about melatonin... high melatonin levels are associated with lower risks of breast cancer. As such, it has been found that nurses who work night shifts have higher incidences of breast cancer (they have low melatonin levels because their eyes aren't exposed to darkness). On the other hand, blind women have highest melatonin levels and the lowest risk of breast cancer because their eyes are always in darkness.
- When we eat fat, proteins, and carbohydrates. Specific chemicals are sent to the brain to tell it that it has enough of these macronutrients and the chemical signals tell the brain when the stomach is "full". Synthetic chemicals, however, that were created dieting (e.g. artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose), artificial fats (orlistat, olestra)), don't cause these signals to be sent to the brain, so the brain thinks the body is still hungry and needs more fat, carbohydrates, etc, causing our body to crave certain foods and/or continue to feel hungry despite eating.
- Dehydration is a serious concern for athletes and for those who eat a lot of protein. Protein is high in nitrogen and nitrogen requires extra water to help it be excreted from the body through urine. For instance, 100 Calories of carbohydrates requires 50 grams of water to help their excretion, while 100 Calories of protein require 350 grams of water.
- Contrary to popular belief, osteoporosis is not caused by a deficiency in dietary calcium, but is caused by a diet high in acid-forming proteins. Acid-forming proteins (such as animal proteins) cause calcium to leech out of bones. Why? Acidic proteins generating more acidic ash in the body, putting it in a state of metabolic acidosis. As the body wants to maintain balance (i.e. homeostasis), it tries to balance the excess acid with more base. Calcium stored in our bones is basic. Buffering against the excess ingested acid is done at the expense of bones, pulling basic minerals out of bone to neutralize the acids.
- Serotonin in converted into melatonin in our eyes during periods darkness. Melatonin helps with sleep. This is why we sleep best at nighttime and have a harder time falling asleep in broad daylight.
- More about melatonin... high melatonin levels are associated with lower risks of breast cancer. As such, it has been found that nurses who work night shifts have higher incidences of breast cancer (they have low melatonin levels because their eyes aren't exposed to darkness). On the other hand, blind women have highest melatonin levels and the lowest risk of breast cancer because their eyes are always in darkness.
2011-03-07
Interesting (Anatomy) Tid-bits.
- Humans are excellent at detecting surface pain, but not internal pain. When an organ is in pain, the body refers the pain to another area of the body (this is called referred pain). Examples include appendix pain radiating to the abdominal wall, kidney, bladder, or gallbladder pain radiating to the testes, and heart pain radiating to the left arm. The brain can't differentiate whether the pain is coming from the organ or from the skin as both the associated skin patch and organ (e.g. the left arm and the heart) have pain receptors that cross over in the spinal column at the same spot, making it hard to differentiate the two. Thus even though the heart is in pain, the brain can think that the arm that is in pain instead.
- The number of pain receptors varies all over the body. The face, for instance, has many, many more receptors than on our back. Think about it: if your back feels itchy, you scratch your back randomly and roughly until you feel like the itch is gone, but if you felt an itch on your face, you would never scratch rough and randomly because you'd probably due some damage to its delicate skin. You'd scratch only a specific spot because if you scratched anymore, you'd activate more pain receptors and you'd end up hurting yourself rather than getting rid of the itch.
- Phantom limb pain (which I talked about briefly last year) can be experienced by amputees. Although it may sound crazy, it is true that they may describe pain coming from their missing limb. How is this possible? After the limb was removed, the main nerve of the limb will continue to grow, as if it were attempting to repopulate the limb with branches of the main nerve. As the nerve grows, all of the newly formed branches pile up in the scar tissue where the limb was removed. Every once and awhile the newly formed nerves (that correspond to the missing limb) can be stimulated, hence the phantom limb pain.
- The anterior abdominal wall (aka the skin layer on top of the stomach) is 13 layers deep! (This is not the entire abdomen but just the outermost wall, and it does not include any organs ...this is why I included the exclamation mark at the end of the previous sentence, but 13 layers is crazy).
- The posterior abdominal wall is also known as the psoas major (as this is the name of the main muscle that makes up the wall). Psoas means loin in Greek. The psoas major of most animals is referred to as the tenderloin by butchers.
- The number of pain receptors varies all over the body. The face, for instance, has many, many more receptors than on our back. Think about it: if your back feels itchy, you scratch your back randomly and roughly until you feel like the itch is gone, but if you felt an itch on your face, you would never scratch rough and randomly because you'd probably due some damage to its delicate skin. You'd scratch only a specific spot because if you scratched anymore, you'd activate more pain receptors and you'd end up hurting yourself rather than getting rid of the itch.
- Phantom limb pain (which I talked about briefly last year) can be experienced by amputees. Although it may sound crazy, it is true that they may describe pain coming from their missing limb. How is this possible? After the limb was removed, the main nerve of the limb will continue to grow, as if it were attempting to repopulate the limb with branches of the main nerve. As the nerve grows, all of the newly formed branches pile up in the scar tissue where the limb was removed. Every once and awhile the newly formed nerves (that correspond to the missing limb) can be stimulated, hence the phantom limb pain.
- The anterior abdominal wall (aka the skin layer on top of the stomach) is 13 layers deep! (This is not the entire abdomen but just the outermost wall, and it does not include any organs ...this is why I included the exclamation mark at the end of the previous sentence, but 13 layers is crazy).
- The posterior abdominal wall is also known as the psoas major (as this is the name of the main muscle that makes up the wall). Psoas means loin in Greek. The psoas major of most animals is referred to as the tenderloin by butchers.
2011-02-24
(Even More) Interesting (Nutrition) Tid-bits.
Two more down and only two to go. Speaking of exams, I am thankful for not only my supportive family, but for my super supportive classmates. It is such a great feeling to walk out of a bad exam into a group discussion about just how bad the exam was. When the majority of my classmates think an exam or particular question was unfair, then it must have been unfair to have so many people in agreement!
In preparation for my Nutrition midterm tomorrow, here are some more interesting tid-bits. I promise after today's post I will stop talking about nutrition for a bit; I just find nutrition so facinating.
- Vitamin C is good for allergies and skin conditions as it decreases the amount of histamine in the blood (and histamine levels are increased during a skin or allergy flare-up).
- The absorption of vitamin C is reduced by Aluminum (if you drink a lot of pop or beer out of cans, then you may not be absorbing your vitamin C. Also, note to self: canned orange juice is a pointless product!).
- On the other hand, vitamin C absorption is increased when consumed with green tea due to the epicatechin (EGCG) content. (Note to self: drink some green tea with my clementine snack!).
- The body requires more vitamin C when it is sick or when it is stressed.
- (By this point you are probably thinking, Wow, she learned a lot about vitamin C. You're right; we spent three hours learning all about it one day).
- Whole grains go bad quicker than "white" or refined products as whole grains contain bran. Bran contains healthy fats which eventually go rancid, making the product spoil.
- White rice is created by "polishing" the rice grain, removing its bran and subsequently its nutrients. It was created by those who thought that white rice would have a better texture than regular brown rice.
- Milk is no longer stored in glass bottles in order protect the riboflavin (vitamin B2) as riboflavin degrades easily when exposed to light.
- Riboflavin (flavin means yellow in Latin) also contributes to the yellow color of urine. If you start taking a multi-vitamin, you may see your urine turn more yellow in color due to the extra vitamin B2 you are receiving.
In preparation for my Nutrition midterm tomorrow, here are some more interesting tid-bits. I promise after today's post I will stop talking about nutrition for a bit; I just find nutrition so facinating.
- Vitamin C is good for allergies and skin conditions as it decreases the amount of histamine in the blood (and histamine levels are increased during a skin or allergy flare-up).
- The absorption of vitamin C is reduced by Aluminum (if you drink a lot of pop or beer out of cans, then you may not be absorbing your vitamin C. Also, note to self: canned orange juice is a pointless product!).
- On the other hand, vitamin C absorption is increased when consumed with green tea due to the epicatechin (EGCG) content. (Note to self: drink some green tea with my clementine snack!).
- The body requires more vitamin C when it is sick or when it is stressed.
- (By this point you are probably thinking, Wow, she learned a lot about vitamin C. You're right; we spent three hours learning all about it one day).
- Whole grains go bad quicker than "white" or refined products as whole grains contain bran. Bran contains healthy fats which eventually go rancid, making the product spoil.
- White rice is created by "polishing" the rice grain, removing its bran and subsequently its nutrients. It was created by those who thought that white rice would have a better texture than regular brown rice.
- Milk is no longer stored in glass bottles in order protect the riboflavin (vitamin B2) as riboflavin degrades easily when exposed to light.
- Riboflavin (flavin means yellow in Latin) also contributes to the yellow color of urine. If you start taking a multi-vitamin, you may see your urine turn more yellow in color due to the extra vitamin B2 you are receiving.
2011-02-20
Interesting (Nutrition) Tid-bits.
After some Nutrition studying last night, I rounded-up the following tid-bits:
- Cranberry juice is effective at clearing and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The bacteria that cause UTIs bind to D-mannose, a sugar present in cranberries, and thus no longer bind to the wall of the urinary tract (where they cause infection). You can literally flush the bacteria out during a UTI with cranberry juice as the bacteria leave the body when the juice leaves the body during urination.
- The fats we eat determine the inflammation in the body. This is why it is important to eat a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids as they are anti-inflammatory fats.
- Vitamin E and rosemary are often added to oils that go rancid easily (e.g. flax oil, fish oil) as they are antioxidants and lessen the amount of harmful free-radicals that develop in the oils overtime.
- It is important to brush your teeth multiple times a day because mutants of the mouth-residing bacteria Streptococcus produce acids from any lingering food sugars. If left on the tooth for too long, these acids can demineralize tooth enamel, cause tooth decay, and can contribute to cavity formation. Also, sucrose (a type of sugar) can also be converted into polysaccharides called dextrans which stick to the tooth and form plaques.
- Pectin is a gel-like substance found in a variety of foods (e.g. apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, carob). Pectin is a prebiotic (i.e. food for probiotics). Pectin is only digested through microbial action, meaning only the probiotics of the gut can digest it.
- Buteric acid is a component of the fat in butter. It is what gives butter its name
- Cranberry juice is effective at clearing and preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). The bacteria that cause UTIs bind to D-mannose, a sugar present in cranberries, and thus no longer bind to the wall of the urinary tract (where they cause infection). You can literally flush the bacteria out during a UTI with cranberry juice as the bacteria leave the body when the juice leaves the body during urination.
- The fats we eat determine the inflammation in the body. This is why it is important to eat a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids as they are anti-inflammatory fats.
- Vitamin E and rosemary are often added to oils that go rancid easily (e.g. flax oil, fish oil) as they are antioxidants and lessen the amount of harmful free-radicals that develop in the oils overtime.
- It is important to brush your teeth multiple times a day because mutants of the mouth-residing bacteria Streptococcus produce acids from any lingering food sugars. If left on the tooth for too long, these acids can demineralize tooth enamel, cause tooth decay, and can contribute to cavity formation. Also, sucrose (a type of sugar) can also be converted into polysaccharides called dextrans which stick to the tooth and form plaques.
- Pectin is a gel-like substance found in a variety of foods (e.g. apples, strawberries, citrus fruits, carob). Pectin is a prebiotic (i.e. food for probiotics). Pectin is only digested through microbial action, meaning only the probiotics of the gut can digest it.
- Buteric acid is a component of the fat in butter. It is what gives butter its name
2011-02-18
Interesting (Immunology) Tid-bits.
As a result of studying Immunology all morning, I now have many interesting tid-bits to share:
- Babies make a TH2 immune response to prevent their mothers from rejecting them. However, after nine months in utero, babies stop making this response, so their mother can now reject them, and literally does by ejecting them via the birthing process. I don't want you anymore mass of foreign cells, out you go!
- The majority of childhood allergies are out-grown-of by age fifteen as the body starts making TH1 responses and stops making its childhood TH2 responses. Becca was allergic to milk as a baby, but then grew-out of it, success!
- A general rule of thumb is that if a child experiences more than three upper-respiratory infections before age three, then it is far more likely that he or she will develop asthma. (Childhood eczema and excessive antibiotic administration are also indicative of a future asthma diagnosis).
- Our immune systems operate best when we have a parasitic infection. Through evolution, we have have developed specific immune factors and cells (IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils) for parasitic infections. As the majority of North Americans will never catch a parasite, these factors and cells get very bored and turn their attention onto common everyday particles (such as peanuts, dust, gluten, dander), causing allergies and sensitivities. My professor said that (generally) there are no cases of food allergies nor any asthma in Africa due to the abundance of parasites (and thus the correct activation of the immune system).
- Immunotherapy (which is actually immunoeducation) attempts to reeducate the immune system. In some cases, it just teaches the body how to make a less invasive (e.g. non-inflammatory) immune response against the so-called antigens Body, please don't attack cat dander, it's really not that bad. But, if you must attack it, just don't make me swell-up. Thanks.
- Early and often microbe exposure is best to prevent babies from developing atopic symptoms (i.e. allergies, asthma, eczema). According to my professor, babies should eat dirt at least twice. :P
I love Immunology.
- Babies make a TH2 immune response to prevent their mothers from rejecting them. However, after nine months in utero, babies stop making this response, so their mother can now reject them, and literally does by ejecting them via the birthing process. I don't want you anymore mass of foreign cells, out you go!
- The majority of childhood allergies are out-grown-of by age fifteen as the body starts making TH1 responses and stops making its childhood TH2 responses. Becca was allergic to milk as a baby, but then grew-out of it, success!
- A general rule of thumb is that if a child experiences more than three upper-respiratory infections before age three, then it is far more likely that he or she will develop asthma. (Childhood eczema and excessive antibiotic administration are also indicative of a future asthma diagnosis).
- Our immune systems operate best when we have a parasitic infection. Through evolution, we have have developed specific immune factors and cells (IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils) for parasitic infections. As the majority of North Americans will never catch a parasite, these factors and cells get very bored and turn their attention onto common everyday particles (such as peanuts, dust, gluten, dander), causing allergies and sensitivities. My professor said that (generally) there are no cases of food allergies nor any asthma in Africa due to the abundance of parasites (and thus the correct activation of the immune system).
- Immunotherapy (which is actually immunoeducation) attempts to reeducate the immune system. In some cases, it just teaches the body how to make a less invasive (e.g. non-inflammatory) immune response against the so-called antigens Body, please don't attack cat dander, it's really not that bad. But, if you must attack it, just don't make me swell-up. Thanks.
- Early and often microbe exposure is best to prevent babies from developing atopic symptoms (i.e. allergies, asthma, eczema). According to my professor, babies should eat dirt at least twice. :P
I love Immunology.
2011-02-04
Interesting Tid-bits 6.
- Children under the age of 4 who develop eczema are far more likely to develop asthma later in their childhood.
- Surgical masks worn in public places only prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading his or her disease. They do not prevent against catching disease unless they are N95 masks (the only type that prevents breathing in microbes).
- The Adam's Apple is officially named the laryngeal prominence.
- The word "vaccine” is derived from the Latin word vaccus which means cow (the first vaccine was grown in a cow).
- The more exercise preformed, the bigger the heart grows (remember, the heart is mainly muscle).
- I had another hour and a half massage yesterday, only this time it was preformed by four different people! Here at CCNM, we get real comfortable with real fast.
- My Public Health professor said that sometimes the only way to make the public healthy is to create a law that forces them to do so. For instance, it was made mandatory to wear seat belts in cars because too many people weren't listening to the advice of health experts and too many lives were being lost in car crashes. By making it legal, people were forced to get healthier in terms of their driving techniques. (Hmm, maybe the next law should make eating fast food illegal...). ;)
- Surgical masks worn in public places only prevent the person wearing the mask from spreading his or her disease. They do not prevent against catching disease unless they are N95 masks (the only type that prevents breathing in microbes).
- The Adam's Apple is officially named the laryngeal prominence.
- The word "vaccine” is derived from the Latin word vaccus which means cow (the first vaccine was grown in a cow).
- The more exercise preformed, the bigger the heart grows (remember, the heart is mainly muscle).
- I had another hour and a half massage yesterday, only this time it was preformed by four different people! Here at CCNM, we get real comfortable with real fast.
- My Public Health professor said that sometimes the only way to make the public healthy is to create a law that forces them to do so. For instance, it was made mandatory to wear seat belts in cars because too many people weren't listening to the advice of health experts and too many lives were being lost in car crashes. By making it legal, people were forced to get healthier in terms of their driving techniques. (Hmm, maybe the next law should make eating fast food illegal...). ;)
2011-01-29
Interesting Tid-bits 5.
- Allergies are always against a protein. For example, air-born allergy symptoms arise when the body is sensitive to a protein lingering in the air, and citrus allergies are due to a reaction against a protein within the fruit (note: everything is made of protein, not just meat and beans). Oh, and the technical word for allergy is hypersensitivity.
- Why do many people of African decent have sickle-cell anemia? Because it was evolutionary beneficial for their survival. A case in point: Having mis-shaped red blood cells (i.e. sickle-cells) prevented the contraption of malaria.
- Seeds (including pumpkin, flax, sesame, and sunflower) are helpful in regulating menses (aka female periods). For the first 15 days of the menstrual cycle, both sesame and sunflower seeds should be eaten daily. Then, for the latter half of the cycle, pumpkin and flax are to be consumed.
- Appointments with Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are not just for when you're sick. NDs are trained in maintaining overall wellness . You could go see an ND to receive some relaxing acupuncture, massage, counseling, or to be taught some at home water "spa" techniques, breathing exercises, and at-home meditation techniques. Remember, NDs promote preventative medicine and believe that everyone should be feeling their best!
Some interesting tid-bits just about me...
- I now have weekly human cadaver labs down at the University of Toronto's Department of Anatomy. This past week we examined brains, real and very squishy brains. We also got to examine lots of human skulls.
- Today I had a baking flop. Boo! I used such good quality ingredients that I can't bear to part with the not-so-great-tasting scones. For now I have banished them to the freezer until I have come up with an idea of salvaging them.
- I have a bunch of new classmates (well, sort of). There are two ways to start the ND program at CCNM: in September or in January. I now have 50ish new classmates who I will join in September 2011. For now, the January students will learn all the things I did last semester and will continue studying into the summer in order to catch-up with the September students. My Anatomy prof made a joke regarding the newbies: "The January students are all smiles. They are smiling because they have no idea". Ha ha.
- Why do many people of African decent have sickle-cell anemia? Because it was evolutionary beneficial for their survival. A case in point: Having mis-shaped red blood cells (i.e. sickle-cells) prevented the contraption of malaria.
- Seeds (including pumpkin, flax, sesame, and sunflower) are helpful in regulating menses (aka female periods). For the first 15 days of the menstrual cycle, both sesame and sunflower seeds should be eaten daily. Then, for the latter half of the cycle, pumpkin and flax are to be consumed.
- Appointments with Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are not just for when you're sick. NDs are trained in maintaining overall wellness . You could go see an ND to receive some relaxing acupuncture, massage, counseling, or to be taught some at home water "spa" techniques, breathing exercises, and at-home meditation techniques. Remember, NDs promote preventative medicine and believe that everyone should be feeling their best!
Some interesting tid-bits just about me...
- I now have weekly human cadaver labs down at the University of Toronto's Department of Anatomy. This past week we examined brains, real and very squishy brains. We also got to examine lots of human skulls.
- Today I had a baking flop. Boo! I used such good quality ingredients that I can't bear to part with the not-so-great-tasting scones. For now I have banished them to the freezer until I have come up with an idea of salvaging them.
- I have a bunch of new classmates (well, sort of). There are two ways to start the ND program at CCNM: in September or in January. I now have 50ish new classmates who I will join in September 2011. For now, the January students will learn all the things I did last semester and will continue studying into the summer in order to catch-up with the September students. My Anatomy prof made a joke regarding the newbies: "The January students are all smiles. They are smiling because they have no idea". Ha ha.
2011-01-22
Interesting Tid-bits 4.
- Cannonau wine is a type of grape (used to make red wine) with the highest amount of polyphenols (so, in a sense, this may be the healthiest wine!).
- The seaside is very good for respiratory diseases as the air is very clean and cleansing.
- Fruit is better eaten in the morning as it is easy on the digestive system. Fruit should also be eaten alone fruit digests very quickly (quicker than every other food). When fruit is combined with other foods, it often starts to rot and ferment (i.e. turn into alcohol) as it sits in the stomach as the other foods digests.
- Wrinkly fingers (when in the pool or the bathtub) are the result of water diffusing out of the body.
- Dust allergies are technically named wrong; people are not actually allergic to dust but to protein particles that are stuck to the dust.
- 75% of childhood allergies are grown-out-of by age 15.
- Betacyanin gives beets their red/purple color and it is the chemical that turns urine and stool redish/purplish.
- Try not to discuss stressful topics at the dinner table (e.g. work, finances) as stress can inhibit digestion.
- Some people find the act of physically cleaning very rewarding as it gives them time to mentally clean.
P.S. I started to add labels to my posts. Now if you are interested in a particular topic featured on a post, click on the associated label to see other related posts.
- The seaside is very good for respiratory diseases as the air is very clean and cleansing.
- Fruit is better eaten in the morning as it is easy on the digestive system. Fruit should also be eaten alone fruit digests very quickly (quicker than every other food). When fruit is combined with other foods, it often starts to rot and ferment (i.e. turn into alcohol) as it sits in the stomach as the other foods digests.
- Wrinkly fingers (when in the pool or the bathtub) are the result of water diffusing out of the body.
- Dust allergies are technically named wrong; people are not actually allergic to dust but to protein particles that are stuck to the dust.
- 75% of childhood allergies are grown-out-of by age 15.
- Betacyanin gives beets their red/purple color and it is the chemical that turns urine and stool redish/purplish.
- Try not to discuss stressful topics at the dinner table (e.g. work, finances) as stress can inhibit digestion.
- Some people find the act of physically cleaning very rewarding as it gives them time to mentally clean.
P.S. I started to add labels to my posts. Now if you are interested in a particular topic featured on a post, click on the associated label to see other related posts.
2010-12-20
Interesting (Physiology) Tid-bits.
As I study Physiology--with a mug of cocoa in hand--for my exam tomorrow, I came across some interesting things to share:
- The vagal nerve supplies the heart and the gut, and as a result, when some women experience heart attacks, it feels like a bad case of indigestion.
- Sour foods (e.g. citrus fruits, vinegar) are important for blood acidity as they provide H+ ions, while salty foods are important for blood electrolyte levels as they provide Na+ and Cl- ions.
- Tonic Receptors: these receptors continue to fire action potentials until the stimulus (that the receptor is responding to) has stopped. At first they fire more frequently, then their rate decreases slightly and maintains this reduced rate until the stimulus is gone. Example: when you get a paper cut, you feel the pain sharply at first, then it decreases slightly, but the pain does not go away until the cut is healed (or fairly healed).
- Phasic Receptors: these receptors fire initially, but then turn off as they adapt to the stimulus. Example: when you turn the light on, you see and recognize the new light; however after these 2 seconds, you are no longer consciously aware that the light is on. When the light is later turned off, the phasic light receptors would fire again, letting you know the light is off, but again they would stop stimulating as you become used to the darkness.
- Respiration depends on a pressure gradient and not necessarily on the inspiration and expiration muscles.
- Sound wakes you when sleeping as the temporal lobe (i.e. sound region) of the brain is located close the the reticular formation of the brain, which is responsible for keeping you asleep.
- The lung is responsible for filtering out blood clots. As blood travels through the vessels of the lung, it eventually reaches the smallest vessels: the alveoli. If there is a clot in the blood, it will get stuck in the alveoli. The clot-containing alveoli is then degraded (and it is okay to sacrifice alveoli for clot removal because we have millions of them).
Tea Party
If one thing is learned from my blog entries this semester, it's that herbal tea is a great addition to the diet.
Recently a bunch of my family members sat down together to enjoy a cuppa herbal tea. Also this week, Tony bought himself a box of tea to sip. I'm so proud. Here's tea you, my loyal readers!
- The vagal nerve supplies the heart and the gut, and as a result, when some women experience heart attacks, it feels like a bad case of indigestion.
- Sour foods (e.g. citrus fruits, vinegar) are important for blood acidity as they provide H+ ions, while salty foods are important for blood electrolyte levels as they provide Na+ and Cl- ions.
- Tonic Receptors: these receptors continue to fire action potentials until the stimulus (that the receptor is responding to) has stopped. At first they fire more frequently, then their rate decreases slightly and maintains this reduced rate until the stimulus is gone. Example: when you get a paper cut, you feel the pain sharply at first, then it decreases slightly, but the pain does not go away until the cut is healed (or fairly healed).
- Phasic Receptors: these receptors fire initially, but then turn off as they adapt to the stimulus. Example: when you turn the light on, you see and recognize the new light; however after these 2 seconds, you are no longer consciously aware that the light is on. When the light is later turned off, the phasic light receptors would fire again, letting you know the light is off, but again they would stop stimulating as you become used to the darkness.
- Respiration depends on a pressure gradient and not necessarily on the inspiration and expiration muscles.
- Sound wakes you when sleeping as the temporal lobe (i.e. sound region) of the brain is located close the the reticular formation of the brain, which is responsible for keeping you asleep.
- The lung is responsible for filtering out blood clots. As blood travels through the vessels of the lung, it eventually reaches the smallest vessels: the alveoli. If there is a clot in the blood, it will get stuck in the alveoli. The clot-containing alveoli is then degraded (and it is okay to sacrifice alveoli for clot removal because we have millions of them).
Tea Party
If one thing is learned from my blog entries this semester, it's that herbal tea is a great addition to the diet.
Recently a bunch of my family members sat down together to enjoy a cuppa herbal tea. Also this week, Tony bought himself a box of tea to sip. I'm so proud. Here's tea you, my loyal readers!
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