Paralysis and hemiplegic migraineWritten by James Cottrill
Those who think of migraine as "just a bad headache" may be surprised to hear about hemiplegic migraine, a type of migraine that can involve weakness or even paralysis on one side of body. But those familiar with migraine know that it's much more than a headache. In fact, it's often not a headache at all! Migraine attacks involve a number of symptoms. Headache is a common one, but there can also be nausea, skin sensitivity, a sensitivity to light or sound, confusion or weakness.Hemiplegic migraine is a specific type of migraine. Usually, it's divided into two types - sporadic hemiplegic migraine and familial hemiplegic migraine. BOth types are similar, difference being that those with familial hemiplegic have a close relative that gets migraine with aura - particularly symptom of weakness. If you've got hemiplegic migraine, either familial or sporadic, you may experience: * Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of body (temporary) * Numbness, a pins-and-needles prickling sensation * Difficulty speaking * Headache Headache and hemiplegic migraine may go together. This is considered to be one of most severe forms of migraine, with reason. The sufferer can be incapacitate by an attack. This is good reason to see a doctor, and if diagnosed to make sure that you carry with you some sort of medical identification at all times.
| | Chemotherapy Drugs: Little known side effect YOU need to know about!Written by James Arond-Thomas, MD
In January, 2005 it was reported that cancer has surpassed heart disease – for first time – as top killer of Americans younger than 85. In 2002, most recent year for which information is available, 476,009 Americans younger than 85 died of cancer, compared with 450,637 who died of heart disease. An estimated 1,372,910 new cancer cases and 570,260 cancer deaths are expected this year. Paclitaxel, a preferred treatment for lung and breast cancers, has a cancer-promoting risk as well…. Lung cancer remains biggest cancer killer, projected to claim 163,510 lives this year. Paclitaxel will be used in attempt to save lives of many of these patients. However, one little-known effect of Paclitaxel is that in a subset of these patients there will be up to a fivefold increase in production of Interleukin – 8 (IL-8) – a cellular communication molecule that initiates growth of new blood vessels to feed growing cancer. In other words, if you fall into this subset of patients, treatment using Paclitaxel alone may not be effective at preventing recurrence. NF-kB blockade enhances cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel! IL-8 is under control of an inflammatory regulating protein called nuclear factor-kappa Beta (NF-kB). When activation of NF-kB is blocked, IL-8 dries up, much like a faucet that has been turned off. Thus, blocking NF-kB activation enhances cancer killing ability of Paclitaxel. These results were seen with many types of cancer cells, including lung and esophageal cancer cells. Paclitaxel is NOT Only Drug that Promotes Excessive NF-kB Paclitaxel is but one of a group of drugs that has this unwanted side-effect of activating NF-kB. Other drugs in this group include Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, VP-16 (Etoposide), ARA-C, and Methotrexate. In addition, research demonstrates that excessive NF-kB activity contributes to cancer development in following types of cancers: non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic, primary liver, head and neck cancer, prostate, breast, esophageal, stomach, colon, Hodgkin’s disease, and multiple myeloma. Supportive treatment that improves chemotherapy effectiveness….. Paclitaxel, along with other NF-kB activating chemotherapeutic drugs, is approved for treatment of a wide range of cancers. It appears likely that they will continue to be used for foreseeable future. If you are on (or considering using) Paclitaxel or one of other drugs in this group to treat cancer, there is a supportive treatment that you need to know about that improves effectiveness of these drugs and reduces your risk of having a cancer recurrence. We have a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Reducing Inflammation that Complements and Enhances Impact of these Drugs! At Center for Learning about Healing in Ann Arbor, MI where I practice integrative medicine and behavioral oncology, I focus on multi-dimensional ways to empower patients to evaluate and change patterns of eating, behaving, thinking, and coping that are known to contribute to inflammatory reactions in body. These methods complement cancer killing effects of Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin, 5-FU, and other such drugs. Genomic Testing Can Clarify Your Specific Inflammatory Molecular Mechanisms that Sustain Your Cancer Inflammation is present before, and during life of a cancer. In cancer, inflammation is a pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cellular and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. However, inflammation is also essential for tissue repair and tissue rebuilding. Genomic testing (easily performed with saliva or blood samples) allows us to create a personalized map of your inflammatory tendencies based on your genomic predispositions. This method is revolutionary because it allows you to regulate your genomic capabilities to your advantage, which then allows you to reduce expression of your inflammation-related genes.
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