Can a Happy Relationship Predict a Happy Life? Apparently, Yes

The association between overall life satisfaction (LS) and relationship satisfaction (RS) was investigated longitudinally among 67,000 mothers in Norway.

Data were collected twice during pregnancy, and at 6 and 36 months postpartum:

- Satisfaction increased during pregnancy.

- However, relationship satisfaction decreased immediately following birth.

- Life satisfaction showed an initial increase followed by a decrease postpartum.

Relationship satisfaction predicted change in life satisfaction. Having a satisfying romantic relationship was important for retaining and increasing future life satisfaction.

References:

Can a Happy Relationship Predict a Happy Life? A Population-Based Study of Maternal Well-Being During the Life Transition of Pregnancy, Infancy, and Toddlerhood, Journal of Happiness Studies, Volume 11, 663-793, Number 6 / December 2010.

Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain.

Exercises to Avoid with Osteoarthritis of the Knee or Hip

Participation in sport is associated with a with a 20—40% reduction in all-cause mortality compared with non-participation. Exercise might also be considered as a fifth vital sign, according to the Lancet: http://goo.gl/gyxYf

Exercises to Avoid with Osteoarthritis of the Knee or Hip include:

- Running and jogging. The difference between how much force goes through your joints jogging or running, as opposed to with walking, is sometimes more than 10-fold your whole body weight
- Jumping rope
- High-impact aerobics
- Any activity where, at any time, you have both feet off the ground at once, however briefly (basketball, jumping)

Fortunately, that leaves a lot of activities that are OK for people with knee and hip osteoarthritis and that can help keep you mobile - see the list at WebMD.

Research Finds Exercise is Good for Arthritis (a Cleveland Clinic video):



References:

Knee and Hip Exercises for Osteoarthritis. WebMD.
Image source: OpenClipart.org, public domain.

Management of Hirsutism (Excess Hair)

Hirsutism is a source of significant anxiety in women. While polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other endocrine conditions are responsible for excess androgen in many patients, other patients have normal menses and normal androgen levels (“idiopathic” hirsutism).

The finding of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound is not required for the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Gonadotropin-dependent ovarian hyperandrogenism is believed to cause PCOS. However, mild adrenocorticotropic-dependent adrenal hyperandrogenism also is a feature in many cases.

Even women with mild hirsutism can have elevated androgen levels, and thus, they may benefit from a laboratory evaluation.

Laser treatment does not result in complete, permanent hair reduction, but it is more effective than other methods such as shaving, waxing, and electrolysis. It produces hair reduction for up to 6 months. The effect is enhanced with multiple treatments. Interestingly, a portable laser hair removal device is currently available from Amazon (this post is not a recommendation or endorsement of the product).

References:

Update on the management of hirsutism. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine June 2010 vol. 77 6 388-398.

Image source: Skin layers. Wikipedia, public domain.

A home hair removal laser device is available without prescription from Amazon.com (not a recommendation to buy any product, see the link below). A similar device is available from Costco.

"Netiquette" and married couples

From the study:

Men are more associated with activities that have been associated with internet addiction. Men usually take more risks in their online activity.

Women are more likely to have lower computer self-efficacy and less positive internet attitudes. Women are more aware of privacy and economic risks in online transactions.

6% of married internet users have met their partner online.

In 30% of the couples at least one person checked their partner’s emails or read their partner’s SMS messages without them knowing. In 20% of the couples at least one the partners had checked their spouse’s browser history.

References:
Netiquette within married couples
Online Snooping: Is Your Partner Secretly Watching You?

Helsper, E., & Whitty, M. (2010). Netiquette within married couples: Agreement about acceptable online behavior and surveillance between partners Computers in Human Behavior DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2010.02.006

Persistent Sexual Side Effects Related to Finasteride (Popecia) Use for Male Hair Loss

Finasteride (Propecia) has been associated with reversible adverse sexual side effects in multiple trials for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (MPHL).

This study included 71 otherwise healthy men aged 21–46 years who reported new onset of sexual side effects associated with the temporal use of finasteride, and in which the symptoms persisted for 3 months despite the discontinuation of finasteride.

Patients reported the following new-onset persistent sexual dysfunction associated with the use of finasteride:

- 94% developed low libido
- 92% developed erectile dysfunction
- 92% developed decreased arousal
- 69% developed problems with orgasm

The mean duration of finasteride use was 28 months and the mean duration of persistent sexual side effects was 40 months from the time of finasteride cessation to the interview date.

Physicians treating MPHL should discuss the potential risk of persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride


Minoxodil - Costco.

References:

Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss. Michael S. Irwig MD, Swapna Kolukula. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2011.

Survival Guide - Chigoe Flea - National Geographic Video

Survival Guide - Chigoe Flea - National Geographic Video.

Tunga penetrans is hyperendemic in East Asia, India, and South America, where it originated, and in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it was introduced from South America in the late 19th century.

Tungiasis is caused by the penetration of the gravid female chigoe flea into the epidermis to feed on blood and tissue juices, usually on the feet and under the toenails or in the interdigital web spaces.

Management strategies for tungiasis include extracting all embedded fleas immediately with sterile needles or curettes, administering tetanus prophylaxis, and treating secondary wound infections with appropriate antibiotics. For heavy infestations with multiple lesions, oral therapy for 3 days with either thiabendazole or a single oral dose of niridazole (30 mg/kg) has been recommended.

References:

The Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Ectoparasitic Diseases in Travelers. James H. Diaz MD, Dr PH. Journal of Travel Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 2, pages 100–111, March 2006.

Related reading:

Adult stem cell infusion to treat MS - collaboration trial between Cleveland Clinic and Case

Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University are collaborating on a clinical trial designed to treat the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis by using a patient's own adult stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are found in the bone marrow. More than 150 clinical trials are currently testing MSCs' ability to encourage tissue repair as a way to treat a variety of conditions such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, emphysema and stroke.

In this trial, a patient's MSCs are harvested at Case's University Hospital, cultivated in a special laboratory and then injected intravenously back into the patient at the Cleveland Clinic.

See the two videos below that describe the project - the first is from the Cleveland Clinic and shows one of the patients, the second is from Case and focuses on the researchers:





Multiple Sclerosis Overview - Mayo Clinic YouTube http://bit.ly/181FCi4



References:

Clinical trials using adult stem cells to treat MS. Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab helps patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) (Lancet, 2011).

Related: