WeirdMedical™

…Fully Absorbable!

For years scientists and doctors have been developing stents that can be absorbed into the body after they have done their job. Abbott’s new Absorb stent, an Everolimus-coated stent made from polylactic acid (PLA), is finally showing progress towards this futuristic goal.

The way the stent works is that water in the artery wall converts the polylactic acid into lactic acid, which is then completely absorbed back into the body.

In an article by Amy Feldman of Fast Company (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/122/artery-heal-thyself.html) it was stated that Abbott is hoping for FDA approval by in the United States by 2012 with the potential to market in Europe even earlier. At first it may seem weird to have a device break down into your body, but it represents a new evolution of devices to keep open the artery during healing.

Absorb Stent (Source: Fast Company, "Artery, Heal Thyself")

It’s about time – let’s use it when we need it…and get rid of it when we don’t!

Look-out brewers of America!

In a move that may send many more American workers home jobless the Senate Finance Committee has announced their consideration of a 150% hike on federal beer taxes. This increase would directly fund the Healthcare Reform promised in the 2008 election. Additionally a number of states are considering raising taxes to offset their budgets as well.

If you enjoy freedom of choice and free enterprise as well do, let your Senators know! Read more below…

Weird Way to Fund Reform (Source: Chicago Business)

For more information and to learn how to join others in you state to be heard on your position on this issue visit:

• Beer Advocate
• Beer Activists

A thought…perhaps this tax is a weird effort to reform Americans from “heathen” and “unhealthy” habits?

With the fall of 2009 coming soon, swine Influenza has many looking for ways to protect themselves and there families.

One not just weird but unsafe way that developed in early 2009 and seems to be staying with us is “swine flu parties.“ Similar to chicken pox parties these include parents intentionally exposing their children to others infected with the disease.

Dr Richard Jarvis, chairman of the British Medical Association’s public health committee, recently said “I have heard of reports of people throwing swine flu parties. I don’t think it is a good idea…I would not want it myself. It is quite a mild virus, but people still get ill and there is a risk of mortality.” While this flu does not carry a high mortality rate, this weird way of inoculating children is most likely unwise.

With the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting well over 300 confirmed H1N1 related deaths earlier this year health, and with June report of 263 deaths in the U.S., (see the U.S. Center for Disease Control CDC website) officials do not like this development.

In addition on June 10, the CDC released a “Phase 6″ warning about Swine Flu – Verbatim from the CDC website:

“A Pandemic Is Declared – On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.”

(Doctors warn against 'swine flu parties,' Souce: CNN.com)

Stay tuned for CDC & WHO experts’ suggestions of better safeguards.

In a 40 patient study of patients undergoing spinal operations and split into two groups, researchers found that those in a group who gargled a solution with licorice five minutes prior to receiving anesthesia reported lower rates of sore throat than those in the non-licorice group. Patients were split into two groups of 20 and only four patients in the licorice group had a sore throat due to anesthesia compared to 15 in the non-licorice group. At 24-hours, two licorice-garglers still had a sore throat compared to seven in the non-licorice group. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/health/research/07regi.html?_r=1&ref=health)

The soothing properties of licorice make it appealing for coughs and sore throats and it has been used for thousands years – now it is again resurfacing as a useful treatment for new medical problems (Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/licorice-000262.htm).

Source: http://www.licoricecandytwist.com/

Most couples marry with the dream of reproducing, however life and biology can hinder that. One element, sperm DNA damage, has recently been studied. An Australian study of 118 people having sex every day for a week significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage in their patients’ sperm. However sperm DNA is (obviously) only one part of the fertility equation, as Bill Ledger (not connected to the research), a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Sheffield, stated, “Maybe this will improve pregnancy rates, but we still need to do more studies.” Definitely not weird…but no harm in “trying.”

Study: More Sex May Help Damaged Sperm, Source: http://abcnews.go.com

A famous cardiovascular surgeon in most U.S. households, Dr. Mehmet C. Oz of Oprah show and “You” books fame, takes this claim further. His and Dr. Michael F. Rozen’s “prescription” is that frequency helps increase men’s life expectancy by decreasing the risk of stroke and heart attack by 50%. They claim the magic number is 200 times per year. (No kidding…see the ABC News, Dr. Oz  & “You” book )

Not so weird…now you gentlemen have medically and scientifically proven reasons to plead your case!

Enjoy your long Independence Day weekend!