Glucagonoma Detailed Information

Glucagonoma is a tumor of the islet cells of the pancreas, which secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon. Glucagonoma is a tumor with a slow rate of growth. Most of the cases start with nonspecific symptoms. Frequency in males and females is nearly equal, although a greater frequency is reported in females. The primary physiological effect of glucagonoma is an overproduction of the peptide hormone glucagon, which enhances blood glucose levels through the activation of catabolic processes including gluconeogenesis and lipolysis. Gluconeogenesis produces glucose from protein and amino acid materials; lipolysis is the breakdown of fat. Diabetes mellitus also frequently results from the insulin and glucagon imbalance that occurs in glucagonoma. The cause is unknown, but genetic factors play major role of trigger. Risk factors include a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type I. MEN I is caused by a defect in a gene called RET. The condition causes tumors of various glands to appear in the same person, but not necessarily at the same time. The disorder may occur at any age, and affects men and women equally. Symptoms result from low levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which occur when the person does not eat for several hours.The symptoms include faintness, weakness, trembling, awareness of the heartbeat (palpitations), sweating, nervousness, and profound hunger. Other symptoms include headache, confusion, vision abnormalities, unsteadiness, and marked changes in personality. The low levels of sugar in the blood may even lead to a loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. Glucagonoma can be treated with the administration of octreotide, a somatostatin analog, which inhibits the release of glucagon. Doxorubicin and streptozotocin have also been used successfully to selectively damage alpha cells of the pancreatic islets. These do not destroy the tumor, but help to minimize progression of symptoms. Surgical removal of the tumor is the preferred treatment. Multimodal therapeutic interventions including liver transplantation are reported, but the results need further studies to confirm and validate such time and cost expensive procedure. Beyond neoplasm removal, resect healthy surrounding parenchyma and locoregional lymph nodes, which can occasionally be metastatic or, more rarely, the primary site of the tumor. In patients with glucagonoma, providing a supplemental protein supply in order to furnish amino acids is useful.

Summary-Health

People use drugs for a variety of reasons, including recreational or social, sensation-seeking, and religious or spiritual purposes; the achievement of altered states; as a sign of rebellion and alienation; and as a result of peer pressure. Usage usually involves a combination of reasons.Drugs are commonly classified according to the physiological effect they create. The five classifications are stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics, and inhalants. Caffeine is probably the most used drug in America. It is a stimulant that speeds heart rate, increases blood pressure, and can cause insomnia. Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug that is a major source of physical and emotional damage and death.The blood alcohol concentration of ethyl alcohol is affected by the rate of consumption, the type of alcoholic beverage being consumed, the body weight of the individual drinking, and the drinker’s tolerance to alcohol. Alcoholism is a disease in which a person loses control over drinking. Determining who will become an alcoholic is impossible. Alcoholism crosses all social, sexual, educational, and racial barriers. Nicotine is an addictive agent found in tobacco. The tars found in tobaccos are carcinogenic agents.The carbon monoxide formed when tobacco is smoked interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Side stream smoke has even higher concentrations of these agents than the smoke inhaled by the smoker. Cocaine use has become epidemic in the United States. Cocaine can be snorted, injected, or freebased (smoked). The consequences of cocaine use range from headaches and nausea to violence and death. Cocaine addiction is difficult to overcome . The primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana and hashish is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Carcinogens can be found in more potent levels in marijuana than in tobacco. Hashish is more potent than marijuana. Short-term effects of marijuana use include euphoria and perceptual impairment. Some people experience anxiety, a sense of depersonalization, and hallucinations. Long-term effects are not well documented. Some drugs have been abused by society for many years. They include heroin, methamphetamine (crank), and LSD. The newest form of methamphetamine is ice, which is smokable and more addictive, potent, and destructive than crack cocaine. Designer drugs are analogs of controlled substances and are more powerful and less predictable in the effects they create.

The Future of Herbal Medicines within Modern Society

What are Herbal Medicines?”Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy.” 1 These medicines use plant-based materials for the treatment of specific symptoms or diseases with many herbs and herbal formulations having been used for centuries within different cultures e.g. India and China.Current Trends and RegulationsToday, the public is more informed about their health and the options available to them to prevent and/or treat disease. Couple this knowledge with the current focus on organics and health foods, herbal medicines have become increasingly popular. The traditional herbs and herbal formulations used in India and China are making their way into Europe and so increasing the range of herbal medicines available. Because of this trend, it is even more important that people are aware that herbal medicines do have a physiological effect on the body and therefore, should be used with care. Until recently, the regulation of herbal remedies within the UK has been fairly relaxed but particular safety concerns have come to light, for example, the interaction of St John’s Wort with some conventional medicines.Currently herbal medicines can reach the market via the following three routes:• Unlicensed herbal remedies• Registered traditional herbal medicines• Licensed herbal medicinesa) Unlicensed herbal remediesAt the moment most herbal remedies within the UK are unlicensed as they are exempt from holding a product licence or marketing authorisation as per the exemption outlined in Section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968.b) Registered traditional herbal medicinesOn the 30th October 2005 a new scheme the “Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme” was introduced within the UK which is also a requirement of the European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products (2004/24/EC). This is a simplified registration scheme where remedies are required to meet standards of safety and quality but not necessarily the same level of efficacy as for a fully licensed product. c) Licensed herbal medicinesCurrently there are approximately 500 herbal medicines which have a product licence (marketing authorisation). In order to obtain a product licence, a company has to demonstrate that their herbal medicine meets certain standards of safety, quality and efficacy. For many, it has been difficult to meet the required criteria and this is one of the reasons why the Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme has been introduced. Licensed herbal medicines can be readily identified by a unique nine number Product Licence number on the product container or packaging with the prefix “PL”.The FutureDue to safety and quality concerns, the sale of unlicensed herbal remedies is no longer allowed and all herbal medicines must have either a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) or a Product Licence (PL). There is, however, one exception to this and that’s where the herbal remedy can meet both of the following requirements:1) it is legally on the UK market as an unlicensed herbal remedy in accordance with s12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 and2) was also legally on the UK market under s12(2) at 30 April 2004As long as the herbal remedy does meet these two requirements, it will qualify for transitional protection and, therefore, can continue to be marketed as an unlicensed herbal remedy until 30 April 2011 provided it continues to comply with the requirements of s12(2).2All companies must take note that any herbal remedy which does not have a Traditional Herbal Registration or a Product Licence after 30 April 2011 will not be allowed to sell or market their remedy. If it is already on the market, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will insist that it is withdrawn even if the company has submitted their application and are waiting for approval.Recently, the MHRA demonstrated their authority to withdraw a product from the market. They discovered that Neal’s Yard Remedies’ homeopathic product “Malaria Officinalis 30c” didn’t have a product licence even though all homeopathic remedies are classed as medicines and this product was clearly to be used for the treatment or prevention of malaria. The company have now withdrawn this remedy.3Today, the challenge for herbal companies is to provide the correct information to satisfy the criteria and standards set by the MHRA in order to continue selling their herbal remedies. With tight budgets and lack of resources, it is important to consultant a regulatory professional who has experience in liaising with the MHRA and deals with regulations on a day-to-day basis. A regulatory compliance consultancy, such as Global Regulatory Services, can help ease this extra regulatory burden and ensure that herbal remedies can continue to be offered to the public as a safe alternative and/or complementary product to conventional medicine. 1 Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia2 Source: MHRA3 Source: MHRA Press Release, 6 May 2008

MBT shoes, the hottest new shoe for doctors in the San Francisco area and New York for that matter. It’s short for Masai Barefoot Technology. They are based upon the Masai walk in Kenya, and other areas of Africa. What this walking shoe is designed to do is to give you a physiological workout of coordinated muscle groups. What is the physiological effect of MBT shoes and what does it mean to you? The benefits of Masai Barefoot Technology include improved gait and posture, relieves joint pressure in the back, there’s a multitude of muscles that are worked when walking or standing, so the mbt shoes help burn calories and stimulates metabolism. Additionally, MBT shoes have a firming effect on the abdominal, leg and buttock muscles. The concept for MBT walking shoes stems from studying the walking habits of the Masai tribe in Africa. The Masai are a semi-nomadic tribe whose lives center around tending to their cattle and hunting. A consequence of this is that they walk very long distances on a daily basis. It was discovered that as they walk on the natural uneven terrain they develop toned and lean leg muscles, have a perfect posture, and suffer a minimal amount of back and joint problems. The MBT shoes actually imitate the terrain the Masai walk on and turn the hard and uneven surfaces that we walk on everyday, into the soft and natural ground of the Masai. This causes the muscles to work harder and become the natural shock absorbers they were destined to be, in addition to protecting the back and joints. Doctors, physicians and nurses love the benefits from these shoes. With the MBT shoes, versatility is at your disposal. Fitness Walking is the claim to its fame, but the Masai Barefoot Technology comes in several flavors so there is a shoe that meets any needs. Recently featured on Fox News, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, the MBT Trainers have been highlighted for its ability to cushion your feet while challenging your muscles. Clinical studies suggest that regular use improves balance, posture and circulation. The footwear line includes sports shoes for avid fitness walkers, but they also have a nice line of sandals for the summer months spent at the beach or hiking, as well as an elegant line of professional footwear, perfect for business people and for casual wear.