Archive for April, 2009
Drug Patches may Cause Burns During MRI
Tags: Drug patches, MRI scan
Posted in Drug patches, MRI on April 14th, 2009
Government health officials warns the public that nicotine or other drug patches poses risk for burns to patients who want to go for an MRI scan. They found out that these patches contain minute metal elements that can be heated up by the big magnet of the MRI.
Some of the patches were found to contain aluminum which can cause overheating and burns during an MRI procedure. Recently, there were five recorded incidents of burns during MRI scanning where patients incurred bad sunburn like insult to the skin.
Only a fraction of the patch burning incidents are alarming but the public is warned that there are 20 drug patches marketed in the United States that contain metal fragments.
Experts suggest that people using the drug patches must read the label or the box prior to getting an MRI. The boxes of these drug patches do not warn patients of their contents. Only a small percentage of patients using them read the small prints prior to use.
Diabetes blamed for Depression During and Post Pregnancy
Posted in Depression, Diabetes on April 5th, 2009
A recent study of the Harvard Medical School found out that diabetes in low in come pregnant women may be linked to depression compared to moms-to-be who have normal insulin levels.
The study points out diabetes as a factor which may double the chances of depression. Other factors like insulin or other medications and when the pregnant woman was affected with diabetes do not play major roles.
The study did not look into the association of diabetes and depression but cites the physiological changes that happen when someone has diabetes. It also points out to the stress level of the person managing the chronic problem of diabetes.
The background information of the study relates that about 10% of women suffer from depression around 2 to 6 months after delivery. The problem must be addressed since this can affect the development of a healthy relationship between the mother and child.