HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 10:19:29 CST
From: Howard Wachtel <U13054@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition,misc.health.alternative
Subject: Re: Ginseng

In article <1993Jan19.145346.111266@fourd.com>, Joe_Fensterblau@fourd.com says:
>
>A while back someone posted asking about ginseng in general and Ginsana in
>particluar. Maybe I missed something, but I did not see any replies to his
>question (he wanted to know whether ginseng has any positive or negative
>effects, and if Ginsana would really be better than regular old ginseng).
>
>If anyone has any thoughts, could you please post here?

   I posted the original question some time ago.  In addition to the
question about Ginseng in general, I was interested in the validity of
the claims made in the radio commercial for GINSANA, namely that it improves
one's energy and endurance.  GINSANA is much more expensive than regular
(Korean) Ginseng, and its main ingredient is called G115; I was wondering
if this ingredient gives the product more benefits than other kinds of
Ginseng.
   There were no follow-ups to my original post, and I received only one
reply by e-mail, which stated that Ginseng has no long-term effects,
but provides only a short-term boost to one's energy, much like drinking
several cups of coffee.  I am cross-posting this to misc.health.alternative,
hoping for better luck this time.
________________________________________________________________
Howard K. Wachtel              University of Illinois at Chicago
U13054@UICVM.CC.UIC.EDU        Phone (312) 975-7970
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition
From: paulk@garfield.cs.mun.ca (Paul E. King)
Subject: Re: Primrose Oil
Organization: CS Dept., Memorial University of Newfoundland
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 23:10:48 GMT

jr1@ElSegundoCA.ncr.com (Joseph Rayhanian) writes:


>Does any body has any experience with Primrose Oil.  My friend told me
>it is good for the your hair, and in some cases it even stops the hair loss in
>men.  

>Any comments is appreciated.


I have not heard of this, but I know that it is high in omega-3 fatty acids,
and one book on multiple sclerosis specifically recommended evening primrose
oil, chiefly for its content of omega-3. My fiancee takes it in the hope that
it will lessen the effect of multiple sclerosis.

Omega-3, though widely known to be helpful in treating coronary heart disease,
and other circulatory ailments, it has also been suspected to aid in a 
wide variety of autoimmune diseases as well, ranging from asthma to psoriasis
to -- you guessed it -- multiple sclerosis. However, the results of these 
investigations are not nearly as conclusive as they are for CHD. In spite of
this, I have heard of tests going on which seek the effect of omega-3 in 
diseases ranging from sickle-cell anemia to AIDS. As to the latter two, I know 
nothing about the results of these tests. On the whole the research of the
effects of omega-3 on autoimmune disease is inconclusive, with not enough
research being done as of the last time I wrote a paper on it (about a year
go). Research is fast and furious on the topic. 

One of the nice things about omega-3 is that there really is no limit to the
amount of omega-3 you can ingest. This only applies to the purified forms
of omega-3, such as Max-EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid, in purified form. There
are probably others), however. Cod liver oil, and Evening primrose oil contain
omega-3, but an unlimited ingestion of these will cause toxicity due to the 
impuriries present in these extracts particularly from the vitamins in cod
liver oil. 

This is slightly off-topic, but if you have any questions on omega-3, you can
ask. I can offer you some reading material (journals, etc.) if you wish. 
I ask you to be specific when requesting journal references, since there is 
an enourmous amount of information out there on the omega-3's. 

paulk
-- 
paulk@odie.cs.mun.ca

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: janet@ntmtv.UUCP (Janet Jakstys)
Subject: Information request on MIDRIN for MIGRAINES
Organization: Northern Telecom Inc, Mountain View, CA
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 23:12:53 GMT

I have been using Cafergot for my migraine headaches for several years.
Just today, my doctor gave me a couple samples of Midrin to see
if it will be more effective than Cafergot.

I would like any information on Midrin, in general, and specifically versus Cafergot.  I'll take a FAQ if there is one!

Thanks in advance.
-- 
**********************************************************************
Janet Jakstys         UUCP:{ames,pyramid!amdahl,hplabs}!ntmtv!janet
Northern Telecom      INTERNET:ntmtv!janet@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Mtn. View, CA.

**********************************************************************
From: jin@gandalf.rutgers.edu (GJ)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: hypertension and hair-loss ?
Date: 28 Jan 93 07:13:21 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


Are hypertension and hair-loss related? I have both problems.

My blood pressure was 160/100 when I was 18. Now I'm 30. I have been
doing exercise everyday for 7 months to control the bp without taking
medicine. My bp now is around 140/80. Meanwhile, I started losing my
hair two years ago.  I'm wondering if I should start taking some
hypertension drug, which I heard can recover hair.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: mrl@nerus.pfc.mit.edu
Subject: RE: Rapid Onset of IBS?
Organization: MIT PLASMA FUSION CENTER
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 17:45:27 GMT

In a previous article, jaa@su19a.ess.harris.com" wrote:
> 
>I became ill approximately 2 months ago: large amounts of
>gas, diarrhea, and painful stomach cramps, especially in
>my lower right abdomen.  The time from the first sign of
>any symptoms to the time I needed to seek medical help was
>approximately 3 weeks.  My physician suspected a
>parasitic infection (I won't even try to spell it):
>gee-ar-dia.  After a negative stool sample, the diagnosis
>became IBS.  I began taking Librax 3 times daily.
> 
>The Librax relieved the diarrhea, but the gas and cramps
>remain.  The efficacy of the Librax seems to be waning as
>time goes by, as well.
> 

Yes, I would start to question the IBS diagnosis.  For someone having this
problem for 2 months, I would definitely consult a gastro-intestinal
specialist.   BTW, I have seen that something like a bad case of diarrhea could
trigger problems.  I.e., a friend of mine got food poisoning.  Afterwards, he
could no longer tolerate diary products.  He probably was slightly lactose
intolerant before then, I suspect, but the food poisoning probably messed up
his stomach bacteria so that it because worse.  Similarly, I used to be able to
tolerate eating wheat once and a while, but now can't eat it and all, and
suspect I am gluten intolerant.  In any event, a good gastro doctor should find
the real cause, and if it is IBS, he should give you dietary advise that should
get you off the medication.  (P.s. Stomach problems can also be very stress
related also, so if you are going there any emotional problems, that could be a
factor.)

Mark London
MRL@NERUS.PFC.MIT.EDU
From: turpin@cs.utexas.edu (Russell Turpin)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: How does the body adjust to high altitude?
Date: 25 Jan 1993 13:03:51 -0600
Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin
NNTP-Posting-Host: im4u.cs.utexas.edu

-*----
This last ski vacation, for the first time in my life, I
suffered some altitude sickness.  My first day on the slopes
ended after an hour with massive fatigue and a sense of
breathlessness.  The second day I felt fine, even after 
a whole day of skiing.  Clearly, my body did something in
those 24 hours to adjust to the high altitude.

What did it do?

Russell
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: krm@sdc.boeing.com (Keith Michaels)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: LSD
Keywords: LSD Flashbacks
Date: 27 Jan 93 01:06:21 GMT
Followup-To: sci.med
Organization: Boeing Computer Services (ESP), Seattle, WA

In article <10358@amsaa-cleo.brl.mil>, kreisel@amsaa-cleo.brl.mil (Robert G. Kreisel) writes:
-snip-
|> 
|> If anyone has answers to these questions, or suggestions of good books
|> to read on the subject, your answers would be appreciated.
|> 
|> -rob

I just finished an excellent book on the subject:
Acid Dreams: The Social History of LSD
The author's last name is Lee (I can't remember the first name).
It's not a medical book, but as the title implies it chronicles the evolution
of LSD from its discovery, through the "Acid Generation", and to the present.

Re flashbacks:  I heard a theory once (not in the aforementioned book) that 
the psychoactive nature of LSD is due to its ability to make random connections 
in the brain, similar to the connections that develop from normal learning 
processes.  For example, learning to ride a bicycle causes new connections 
to be established between eye, hand, and balance centers in the brain.  
LSD may make just as permanent a connection between the concept of God and 
the taste of raspberries, or anything else for that matter.

According to this theory, flashbacks result from the process of 
recollection, just like a "normal" mind might suddenly recall a memory because
of a connection to it from a current situation.  If the connection leads to
a memory established long ago due to LSD, then the "trip" is "reexperienced".  
The problems arise when the conscious rational mind tries to make sense of the 
experience...

Disclaimer: this is just some guys theory, and maybe I'm even remembering it 
wrong.  I am not an expert in this area.
-- 
/*----------------------------------------------*
 * Keith R. Michaels       | The Boeing Company *
 * krm@sdc.boeing.com      | Seattle, WA.       *
 *----------------------------------------------*/
Newsgroups: sci.med,talk.politics.med
From: dgidez@netcom.com (Daniel Gidez)
Subject: Long Term Effects: Rubbing Alcohol
Keywords: Suicide Attempt
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 21:58:31 GMT

I am asking this question for a friend of mine who drank rubbing alcohol
(isopropyl) 4 weeks ago during a suicide attempt.

Now that this clown is out of the psycho ward and is healing, he's thinking
about trying it again (I know who to call dont tell me), so I wanna scare him
with truthful facts (not hype).


Does anyone know what the long term effects of this stuff could be??

I know what happened to him short term but how about permanent damage (some 
good scare stories or facts should do), or -- is the stuff beningn long
term.

I tried to ask poison control and doctors but the poison control only is 
a "crises outlet" and the doctors are too busy to return my call.


Any help would be appreciated......
From: bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (William E. White )
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Date: 24 Jan 93 04:32:33 GMT
Organization: Ohio University, Computer Science Department

In article <1993Jan22.035614.918158@locus.com> yazz@locus.com (Bob Yazz) writes:
>bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (William E. White ) writes:
>| I expect that new 5HT uptake inhibitor
>| (don't remember the name -- Zoloft?) could be used.

>If fluoxetine (Prozac) is a stupid way to fix the problem, why would
>sertraline (Zoloft) be any smarter?  Both are 5HT reuptake inhibitors.

Well, I meant stupid as in, there seems to me to be a better way of fixing
the problem.  I didn't mean that sertraline (thank you, couldn't remember) 
would be any less "stupid", just that it would probably work.  Actually the
people I've known on uptake inhibitors who have chosen this over phototherapy
did so because of the inability to keep a strict waking hour schedule or
because of travel requirements.


>== Bob Yazz ==


-- 
|  Bill White   +1-614-594-3434     | bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu             |
|  31 Curran Dr., Athens OH  45701  | bwhite@bigbird.cs.ohiou.edu (alternate) |
|  SCA: Erasmus Marwick, Dernehealde Pursuivant, Dernehealde, Middle Kingdom  |
Newsgroups: sci.med,alt.drugs,talk.politics.drugs
From: chorley@vms.ocom.okstate.edu
Subject: Re: requests for abortifacient info
Followup-To: sci.med
Organization: OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 15:49:38 GMT

In article <1993Jan14.163230.6471@henson.cc.wwu.edu>, n9020351@henson.cc.wwu.edu (James Douglas Del-Vecchio) writes:
> dart@rock-opera.cc.purdue.edu (Dartanyan) writes:
> 
>>twice before i've had an abortion.  the first time it was explained to me
>>what my condition, a bicorneal (two-chambered) uterus, means as far as my
>>reproductive future goes.
>>if i try to carry past the second trimester, i risk my life.
>>this means that an abortion is less of a choice for me than it is a necessity
>>the reason i've been asking for alternative abortifacients is that, having
>>been through two abortions, i'd rather see if i can avoid that again.
>>they are not pleasant, but i don't have much of a choice.
> 
>>i know about pennyroyal (and tansy) and would like to find a more palatable
>>alternative to them...  if there are any.
> 
> 	How about a vasectomy for your husband?   "Cheap" seems to be your
> main concern, per your earlier posts, and there's no way the fee for a 
> regular vasectomy (what, 150 bucks?) is going to come close to the costs 
> of an abortion or the possible costs for an e-room visit because you tried 
> to induce a miscarriage by eating a poison toadstool recipie that you 
> solicited for on the net.
> 
>>i also most certainly know about doctors
>>...and planned parenthood.
>>if you can give me any .other. useful info, i would appreciate it.
> 
> 	Why don't you just spend a little on a V-job now, and save 
> yourself from having to do a re-run of this thread next time you get 
> knocked up?
> 
> JIm Del Vecchio
What about having your tubes tied? If your spouse/SO won't have his manhood
threatened, it would seem to be the most responsible action on your part.
If cost is the most overriding factor, I'm sure that there are state programs
at all medical schools which would enable you to be sterilized for a minimal
fee.
From: mikef@dcs.ed.ac.uk (Mike Fourman)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Passive Smoking -- Dangers??
Date: 21 Jan 93 17:09:22 GMT
Followup-To: mikef@dcs.ed.ac.uk
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh

Could anyone give me details, figures and references 
for the dangers of passive smoking please? 

Reply by email as I don't usually read this group.

Thanks,
 
-- 
Prof. Michael P. Fourman                     email        mikef@dcs.ed.ac.uk
Dept. of Computer Science                    'PHONE (+44) (0)31-650 5198 (sec)
JCMB, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road,              (+44) (0)31-650 5197
Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, Scotland, UK                 FAX (+44) (0)31 667 7209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Voodoo varicocele
Date: 24 Jan 93 23:54:52 GMT
Organization: I.E.C.C.

I just had a varicocele repair operation because of fertility problems.
My housemate happened to bring home his new Merck manual, we looked up
varicocele, and it said that among other things there's never been a
proper study to see if varicocele repair alleviates infertility, the only
condition for which the operation is indicated.

This seemed kind of strange, so I asked the doctor when I went in for the
followup.  He pulled out all his books, and we found that although there's
considerable evidence that it improves sperm counts and motility, nobody
has ever done a study where they measured the indicator that really
matters, i.e. number of babies.

I'm not particularly upset, since there is little downside risk and I have
few other options (we've tried everything else), but I am surprised.  Is
this sort of situation common, where doctors sort of assume that a
procedure works, but they've never done studies to validate it?

(FLAME FOLLOWS) If so, why is varicocele surgery medicallly respectable
but homeopathy isn't?  Same situation: lots of anectodal reports, no hard
facts.

-- 
John R. Levine, IECC, POB 349, Cambridge MA 02238, +1 617 492 3869
johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {ima|spdcc|world}!iecc!johnl
"Time is Money!  Steal some today!"
From: rind@enterprise.bih.harvard.edu (David Rind)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Depression; was: Re: Thyroid info needed
Date: 24 Jan 93 04:11:09 GMT
Organization: Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass., USA

In article <C12vzy.6zo@athena.cs.uga.edu> mcovingt@athena.cs.uga.edu
 (Michael A. Covington) writes:
[responding to my point that depression is underdiagnosed by primary
care physicians]

>Well, doesn't it make sense to look for potentially curable causes of
>vaguely ill health before assuming it's a problem that can only be treated
>symptomatically?

Certainly it makes sense to look for physiologic problems causing 
fatigue, but in a primary care setting it will be rare to find any.
The point I was making was that rather than saying "it's depression"
too quickly, the evidence suggests that primary care physicians
are in fact far too slow to make this diagnosis.

I'm not sure it's fair to say that depression can only be treated
"symptomatically."  People can have long remissions even after
antidepressants have been discontinued.
-- 
David Rind
rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: ron.roth@rose.com (ron roth)
Subject: Re: Triglycerides
Organization: Rose Media Inc, Toronto, Ontario.
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 17:22:04 GMT
X-Gated-By: Usenet <==> RoseMail Gateway (v1.70)


Date Entered: 01-22-93 12:19

D >  On a related note, I have a question about triglycerides.  I am undergoing
D >  monthly blood tests for cancer surveillance.  During the first test, I 
D >  noticed that my triglyceride level was 299 mg/dl (normal is 10-190)
D >  however, none of my doctors seemed to notice.  This past month the
D >  triglyceride level was 286.  I pointed that out to the nurse and she
D >  said to go on a low fat diet.  BTW, my cholesterol level was 160 and
D >  I am 27 years old.  I'm sure I can cut out some fat from my diet, 
D >  but I don't like fish, and I really like cheese.
D >  
D >  What are these triglycerides, and are they really causing any problems?
D >  (I will get my HDL/LDL ratio tested next week)
D >  
D >  Doug Bank

There are good (HDL) and bad (LDL) triglycerides just as with 
cholesterol.
The test you had done most likely measured your TOTAL triglycerides, 
which is as inaccurate as measuring the TOTAL cholesterol only,
without distinguishing between the good and the bad types, as in days 
gone by.

Triglycerides are largely produced by the liver from carbohydrates.
They insulate the body against heat loss and provide an efficient form
of energy storage.
Dietary sources of COMPLEX carbohydrates result in the production of
good, or "unclogging" - types of triglycerides, with the intake of
SIMPLE carbohydrates promoting the bad, or "clogging" ones.

According to a couple of sources, triglycerides are four times
more likely to be responsible for heart disease and strokes than 
cholesterol.
For some strange reason, foods containing high levels of zinc (seeds,
nuts, shell fish, etc.) also raise total triglycerides.

While cheese (your favorite) doesn't directly affect triglyceride
LEVELS, its high calcium content indirectly promotes a higher ratio
of the "bad" type, on the other hand, foods high in phosphorus
(whole grain products, starches, lecithin, alcohol, etc.) promote
a higher production ratio of the "good" type.

Taking essential fatty acid supplements (EFA's) of the Omega 3 type
is another way to combat LDL-type triglycerides.

Reducing your sugar intake in any form or shape is the best insurance 
to keep your triglycerides under control!

                                               ~Ron Roth~
---
   RoseReader 1.70 R002472: Microbiology Lab:  Staph Only!
   RoseMail 2.00 : Usenet: Rose Media - Hamilton (416) 575-5363
From: 90397106@bradford.ac.uk (JR HAVELOCK)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Life begins at .....
Keywords: Gestation
Date: 22 Jan 93 13:10:24 GMT
Followup-To: Life begins at ....
Organization: University of Bradford, UK
Originator: 90397106@whisky


I am currently writing an article on gestation and the stages wherein. If anyone has any 
technical details then please send them to me. On a more phiosophical note if anyone has
any views on when life begins I would really appreciate these too.

 Thanks for any trouble,

James Havelock   (J.R.HAVELOCK@bradford.ac.uk)
From: rind@enterprise.bih.harvard.edu (David Rind)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Question about prednisone usage
Date: 27 Jan 93 14:25:29 GMT
Organization: Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass., USA

In article <1993Jan25.132732.8207@walter.cray.com> laser@buckwheat.cray.com
 (Catherine Hartman  {68387 CF/DEV}) writes:
>doctor has tapered me down to 5mg every other day.  I have no more
>symptoms, yet he refuses to take me off.  He told me the
>dosage was too low to cause any damage. I've heard many bad 

It's not clear from your post why your doctor wants you to remain on
Prednisone.  Presumably he or she has some reason.  Doctors are
usually quite anxious to get people off steroids when possible.

Alternate day therapy with 5mg of Prednisone probably has relatively
few long term side-effects.
-- 
David Rind
rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: yozzo@watson.ibm.com (Ralph Yozzo)
Subject: Skin Cancer Vaccine.
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 15:54:59 GMT
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

The UPI from London reports that the British are working on a vaccine
for melanoma, the most serious of the skin cancers which kills about
2,000 people each year in Britainy.  It is still awaiting approval.

-- 
 Ralph Yozzo (yozzo@watson.ibm.com)  
 From the beautiful and historic New York State Mid-Hudson Valley.
Xref: sparky sci.med:24479 rec.pets.dogs:17056
From: time@coos.dartmouth.edu (Susan M. Kennedy)
Newsgroups: sci.med,rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Lyme vacine statis needed
Date: 26 Jan 93 16:54:41 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

I know this comes up fairly often, but I don't recall what was said
about the statis of a vacine is. My husband and I are going to be building
a house on Nantucket Is.this spring and I would like the protection for us,
the kids, and our dog if it is available and effective.

smk@mac.dartmouth.edu
From: gw@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Gordon Wilson)
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 03:02:43 GMT
Subject: Re: Blood Pressure
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA
Newsgroups: sci.med

In sci.med, fgedzium@BBN.COM (FrancEs Gedzium) writes:

> My yearly check-up yesterday showed my blood pressure to be 150/105.
> The doctor said it was blood pressure medicine time.  I asked to please 
> stuff deleted
  On a related note.  My mom has high blood pressure, and uses one of
those battery powered automatic blood pressure monitor machines manufactured
by Sunbeam ($120).  It is pretty accurate, but not very.  I wonder if there
is a more accurate machine available.  I was at the local Fry's computer
store on the weekend, and they have a PC version of a blood pressure
monitor.  I would guess that it is more accurate since it can test for
problems.  It costs $130, plus the cost of a PC.  

gordon
From: western@iosg.enet.dec.com (Jennifer Western)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Pergonal/Clomid
Date: 24 Jan 93 18:45:27 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


  Just wondering which drug, Pergonal or clomid, has been
  in use for the longest time.  I know that clomid was
  introduced in the 60's, but I can't seem to find any
  info on the history of Pergonal. 

  Thanks.


  Jennifer
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: sjha+@cs.cmu.edu (Somesh Jha)
Subject: Carpal Tunnel. Reasons and Prevention?
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 16:39:44 GMT


Hi:

I just wanted to know about reasons and prevention of Carpal Tunnel.
Since I am in the Computer Field, lot of people around me have it.
What are the exact reasons for it? How does one prevent it?


Somesh






Newsgroups: sci.med