HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tlin@eeyore.Berkeley.EDU (Tony Lin)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Swallowing difficulties
Date: 4 Jan 93 02:38:00 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Statistics, U. C. Berkeley

This is posted on behalf of a concerned father who does not have net
access...

-----

SUMMARY:  Looking for information regarding inability to swallow in a 6 
	  month old infant who was born 6/92 with a mild sacral spina bifida 
	  with an associated Arnold Chiari malformation.

This infant was noted to have a sacral myelomeningocyle at birth without
obvious neurological deficits.  She did develop hydrocephalus and at 3 weeks
received a ventriculoperitonsal shunt.  She was doing well until 6 weeks old.
She began to nurse poorly and several hours later had a respiratory arrest.
She was supportively treated for 5 days at a hospital near her home, then 
was referred to UCSF where decompensation of an Arnold Chiari malformation
was diagnosed to be the cause of her problem.  She subsequently had a 
cervical laminectomy to decompress the Chiari malformation.  

Post op she continued to be unable to manage her oral secretions and 
required a tracheostomy, then a feeding gastrostomy.  She also had episodes
of apnea requiring intermittent ventilatory support, which resolved 4-5
weeks after her laminectomy.

Currently she is living at home with her parents and is progressing well 
with her growth and development.  She continues to be unable to swallow 
and requires frequent tracheal suctioning to clear oral secretions that
drain down her trachea.  Her parents have noted an improvement in her
sucking and an increase in strength and control of her tongue.  Her 
inability to swallow remains her major problem.

We would appreciate any information any one may have on her condition, or
suggestions on methods to stimulate her swallowing, or exercises to help
her swallowing.

-----

Please direct comments either by email to my account (tlin@stat.Berkeley.edu),
or by sending a note to 

		Stracner
		272 River Park Drive
		Redding, CA  96003
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Bashing, truth, etc.
Date: 22 Dec 92 17:18:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Dec22.171835.21189
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

Indulging Herman Rubin by engaging him in a discussion is guaranteed to
yield nothing of "significance", no matter how many times it occurs.
It's the same damn one-note harangue each time--I can't imagine a bigger
waste of time.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
From: ifaq570@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Kitchen)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Dysautonomia help requested.
Date: 30 Dec 92 04:02:00 GMT
Reply-To: ifaq570@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Allen Kitchen)
Organization: The University of Texas at Austin
Originator: ifaq570@happy.cc.utexas.edu


	Can anyone out there tell me anything about Dysautonomia?
It affects the autonomous heart regulation, and at one point blood pressure
went to 60/60 because of it (in a hospital, luckily).  Can anyone tell me
what some of the causes, treatments, and side affects are?

	Thanks to all in advance...

Allen Kitchen
ifaq570@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
From: wc4209@writer.yorku.ca (Irene Berkovich)
Subject: Re: Strep Throat
Organization: Computer Assisted Writing Centre, York University, Toronto, Canada
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 1992 04:42:47 GMT

In article <135@ky3b.UUCP> km@ky3b.pgh.pa.us (Ken Mitchum) writes:
>In article <1992Dec14.222759.21149@unlv.edu>, robert@unlv.edu (Robert Cray) writes:
>
>|> How can you tell the diference between a bad cold and strep throat?
>|> I've been told that strep needs to be treated lest it damage the heart,
>|> however I feel rather foolish showing up at the doctors office with what
>|> is in all probability a cold.  Does strep really need to be treated, or is
>|> the heart thing a rare occurance?
>
>Streptococcal throat infections definitely need to be treated. Rheumatic heart
>disease is a very serious matter, and it is really sad to see someone with
>severe valvular heart disease which could have been prevented by a simple course
>of penicillin. When I was in St Vincent several years ago I saw teenagers with
>end-stage rheumatic heart disease - the disease doesn't progress that quickly
>here, but the idea is the same.
>
>Rheumatic heart disease IS an uncommon complication of Strept infection, but
>it is not that uncommon, and it so serious, but so easily preventable, that
>it is much better to culture a lot of viral throats and start people on penicillin
>pending culture, than ignore it.
>
>There really is NO reliable way for a physician to tell if a throat is due to
>Strept or not, short of doing a culture. Since the physician can't tell, there
>is little chance that you can. I don't know any doctor who thinks that patients
>are foolish to come in with sore throats! 
>
> -km

There are certain features of a cold/sore throat which can help
differentiate strep throat from viral infections.

Strep infections tend to have very rapid onset, an associated
headache, nausea, fever, and sore glands in the neck.

Features which make Strep less likely are associated coryzal symtoms
like a runny nose or cough.  Also a gradual onset of sore throat makes
Strep less likely.  Age younger than three or older than thirty also
makes Strep less likely.

The above features were nicely summarized in 'Emergency Medicine
Reports' a couple of years ago.

To be absolutely certain though, a throat culture is needed.

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Subject: Re: Cranberry Juice Antidote
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 23:56:00 GMT

In article <4260057@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com> donrm@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Don Montgomery) writes:
>Last December 19, on Discovery Channel's "Justice Files",  mention was made
>of a powerful, fast acting analgesic that had as it's antidote common cran-
>berry juice.  Anyone know what this drug was?  How does cranberry juice
>counter its effects?

I can't imagine what they'd be referring to; it sounds bogus and
probably apochryphal.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: kim@techbook.com (Kim Larsen)
Subject: Ear Care solution
Organization: TECHbooks --- Public Access UNIX --- (503) 220-0636
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 04:00:57 GMT


So that I could use one of my Christmas presents, I had my ears re-pierced
a day or so ago (at a store, not by a doctor).  After shooting me with the
earring gun, the clerk gave me a botle of "Ear Care Solution," which I am
supposed to use to anoint my earlobes three times a day for 6 weeks.

The solution lists as its active ingredient benzethonim chloride 0.13%.  What
is this stuff (some sort of anti-bacterial, I assume), why can't I just
use H2O2, and is it really necessary to use it for so long?

Idly wondering,

  --Kim

-- 
kim@techbook.COM    Not affiliated with TECHbooks
----------------------------------------------------------
From: rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu (David Rind)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: plaque
Date: 21 Dec 92 15:49:39 GMT
Distribution: sci
Organization: Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston Mass., USA

In article <4=fr!f=@lynx.unm.edu> bhjelle@carina.unm.edu writes:
>Good... now that we have "Dr. Science" on line maybe he
>can clear up the following for me:
>What is the difference between "an-gi-na" and "an-jy-na"?

Pronunciation number 2 is much harder to use in jokes.

>How much longer (or shorter) is a "sont-i-meter" than a "cent-i-meter"?

A cent-i-meter is a unit of measurement used by
physicists at non-Ivy League schools.  A sont-i-meter is a 
unit of measurement used by academic MD's.  To convert from
cent-i-meters to sont-i-meters, add $60,000/year.

Hope that clears things up.
-- 
David Rind
rind@binoc.bih.harvard.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: cfaks@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Alice Sanders)
Subject: Re: Uncontrollable Laughter
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 18:23:57 GMT
Organization: Eastern Illinois University

In article <17853@pitt.UUCP> geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks) writes:
>
>There are many patients who have damage to the tracts linking the
>frontal lobes to the limbic system who have such "emotional
>incontinence".  They usually have similar spells of uncontrollable
>crying, often in conjunction with the laughter.
>
>There are also gelastic seizures, a form of epilepsy that
>is characterized by uncontrolled laughter.


I once, actually twice, experienced uncontrollable laughter at a dentist's
office following an injection of novacaine in the back part of my jaw; he
was going to remove wisdom teeth.  He sent me home after I calmed down the
first time, saying he must have hit a nerve or something.  THe second time
the same thing happened.  I waited a few years to have the teeth removed.
I went to a different dentist, and this did not happen.  But I was told
that if the injection is given wrong, then you can get strange reactions,
like catatonia, hysterical laughing or crying.  I'd be curious if you know
the likelihood of this explanation and how it could happen.  I'm sure it
was not avoidance.  It was something chemical.  I felt real sleepy
afterwards, too.
From: Rick.Ellis@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Nov 17 1992
Date: 28 Dec 92  08:14:40

On <Dec 27 08:14> Steve Dyer writes:

 SD> When I get frustrated like this, I have to wonder who actually IS 
 SD> prescribing this drug; it wouldn't stay on the market if it wasn't 
 SD> being prescribed.

My doctor is.  I talked her into it after reading a Scientific American
article on S.A.D. in which d-fenfluramine was being used.
From: sabrams@desire.wright.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Medical Ebryology Text Needed
Date: 24 Dec 92 09:57:43 EST
Organization:  Wright State University 

Second year medical student needs a clean copy of Review of Medical Embryology
by Pen Pansky.  Reply by E-Mail to sabrams@desire.wright.edu
From: n9020351@henson.cc.wwu.edu (James Douglas Del-Vecchio)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
Date: 30 Dec 92 12:04:56 GMT
Article-I.D.: henson.1992Dec30.120456.16478
Organization: Western Washington University

caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg) writes:

>The 403 to 343 loss was a combination of Pearson&Shaw, Cambridge
>Diet, and 800 calories worth of Weight Watchers' frozen dinners,
>which resulted in hair loss, heart palpitations, funny looking
>fingernails, severe fatigue, stomach upsets, and piano legs.

	Piano legs?  What is that?
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: antiperspirants/deodorants
Date: 23 Dec 92 01:37:55 GMT
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Dec23.010519.24166@ll.mit.edu> rp@llex.ll.mit.edu ( Richard Pavelle) writes:
>How do these aluminum-based chemicals work? 
>Do they actually clog the pores and prevent perspiration?

They act as astringents, keeping the pores closed.

>Why does the deodorant action occur?

Both antiperspirants and deodorants have an antibacterial action.
Antiperspirants also cause less sweat to be secreted, so there is
less of a medium for bacterial growth, the phenomenon which actually
causes the odor.

>Are there any non-aluminum-based chemicals that are available
>for these purposes?

Well, most deodorants are simple antibacterial agents dispersed in a suitable
medium.  Speed Stick is essentially an antibacterial glycerine soap (try
putting it on a armpit wet from the shower.)  Zirconium salts were popular
for a while as alternates to aluminum salts, but they were withdrawn from
the market because they could cause granulomas.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
From: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Peter Breggin, _Toxic Psychiatry_ (Q)
Date: 23 Dec 92 16:11:07 GMT
Reply-To: geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks)
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science

In article <Bz9B1v.5nn@unx.sas.com> sasghm@theseus.unx.sas.com (Gary Merrill) writes:
>good one.  Phrases applied to Breggin's (and *other's*) criticisms
>of methodology such as "generally not shared by most academic
>psychiatrists" are carefully crafted to imply widespread agreement.
>But notice even here it is *generally*, *most*, and *academic
>psychiatrists*.  Remember, psychiatrists used to think (and not *that*
>long ago) that lobotomy was just a *dandy* way to go, and all kinds of
>justifications for it were offered.  All you guys who are saying you'd
>choose ECT for yourselves want to opt for lobotomy too?
>
Let's make it more clear then:  the overwhelming consensus of
scientific research into the effectiveness of these methods contravenes
Breggin's position.  Only a *tiny* minority of psychiatrists would
agree with Breggin.  No such research supported a widespread use
of lobotomy, although it was useful for certain conditions.  Under
current conditions, only accidental lobotomies are being performed,
although case reports do come up from time to time about people who
try to blow their brains out, but only get the frontal lobes and
are much better afterward.

>of the brain that can be treated.  The issue here is whether there is a
>mental disease (say schizophrenia) in the same sense that there is a
>physical disease (say scarlet fever)].  The attempt to give the impression
>that there is near universal agreement concerning the issues that Breggin
>and others raise is, I think, disingenuous.

There is near universal agreement that schizophrenia is a physical
disease of the brain.  There are a few holdout Freudians but
every year they get less and less.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "I have given you an argument; I am not obliged
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  to supply you with an understanding." -S.Johnson
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:01:35 EST
From: Fred Houlihan: 814-238-4123, Fax:238-1604 <FTH@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Unix software for medical imaging

I am attempting to find image processing software for medical
applications which run under Unix and would appreciate any
information on either commercially available or public domain
packages.  Also, if you know of any good references using Unix
workstations for these type applications I would appreciate a
post or e-mail.

Thanks, Fred Houlihan
From: nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu (David Nye)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: post-Prozac reactions
Date: 23 Dec 92 17:26:39 -0600
Organization: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

[reply to hank@well.sf.ca.us]
 
>In re the thread about antidepressants getting people up to a level
>of activity where they can actually commit suicide (before they
>get the antidepressant effect enough to feel better, I presume):
>
>Is this also what's going on with the high number of suicides while
>drunk? antidepressant effect allowing the person to act on the impulse?
 
No.  It's because alcohol reduces inhibitions and impairs judgement.

David Nye
nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu
From: Fulk%Cs.Rochester.Edu@f595.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Fulk@Cs.Rochester.Edu)
Sender: Usenet@f-454.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Herbs for Menopause
From: RGINZBERG@eagle.wesleyan.edu (Ruth Ginzberg)
Date: 31 Dec 92 09:41:28 EDT
Distribution: world
Organization: Philosophy Dept., Wesleyan University
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.20In-Reply-To: dyer@spdcc.com's message of Thu, 31 Dec 1992 07:55:22 GMTLines: 15

In <1992Dec31.075522.5298@spdcc.com> dyer@spdcc.com writes:
> In article <1992Dec31.013309.3018@cnsvax.uwec.edu> nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu (David Nye) writes:
> >>I would like to learn about herbs which women can take for menopausal
> >>symptoms.
> >If you don't get an answer here, ask over in talk.health.alternative, a
> >new newsgroup split off from sci.med just for these sort of questions.
> 
> You gave the wrong name for the other newsgroup

The correct name is misc.health.alternative


------------------------
Ruth Ginzberg <rginzberg@eagle.wesleyan.edu>
Philosophy Department;Wesleyan University;USA
From: nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu (David Nye)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Migraine Medication
Date: 22 Dec 92 14:18:28 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

[reply to amt@linus.mitre.org]
 
>If verapamil proved to be ineffective as a migraine prophylactic for a
>migraine sufferer, would propranolol be any better?  Are the
>medications significantly different enough for migraine control?  Would
>their in/effectiveness depend upon the individual?
 
Maybe, yes, and yes.  There are more than a dozen different medications
useful for migraine prophylaxis.  I usually start with verapamil 240 mg
SR at bedtime, then push the dose up to twice a day if the headaches
aren't under control on the lower dose in a month.  I like it because it
has the lowest incidence of side effects of any of the medications for
migraine prophylaxis.  You can also use the non-sustained release
tablets which are a good deal cheaper but have to be taken 3-4 times a
day.  If that doesn't work, I usually go to propranolol or Depakote
next.  Amitriptyline works as well as the rest of these, better if there
is a significant tension headache component, but has the most side
effects of the four.  Amitriptyline and propranolol together is a good
combination for particularly resistant migraines.  The trick is to give
each medication for at least a month, because they may take some time to
start working, and slowly push the dose up until side effects prevent
further increases.  Of course, even more important than choice of a
medication for migraine prophylaxis is to make sure that you have made
any necessary dietary or lifestyle adjustments (see the FAQ).

David Nye
nyeda@cnsvax.uwec.edu
Newsgroups: sci.med,sci.anthropology
From: tomca@microsoft.com (Tom B. Carey)
Subject: Re: Women Doctors
Date: 30 Dec 92 18:58:07 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

In article <1hqeogINN7a2@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> an725@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Paul L. Fortman, Jr.) writes:
>
>I also agree with, 
>in general, that only the best or most motivated or with the best endurance 
>survive med school (male dominated), although I would think this to be the 
>case with all women doctors, not just specialists.

I think this is pure speculation. You seem to be implying that there is
a higher failure rate for female medical students than for male medical 
students. I really doubt that this is the case.

Can you back it up?

By the way, nearly 50% of accepted med school applicants in US medical
schools are women. Men still dominate the applicant pool, so women are
accepted at a higher rate than men. It would be interesting to compare
the GPAs, MCATs, etc., of accepted applicants by gender, to see if
we find that women are discriminated against. Does anyone else think
that it is more likely that female gender is an advantage to gaining
acceptance to medical school, than a disadvantage? (I don't think
that this is necessarily bad, in case anyone cares. Viva diversity!)

I don't doubt that the med school faculties still contain a preponderence 
of men, but this will change over the next few decades. (and yes, that 
_is_ pure speculation on my part.)

Tom
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: tendonitis or what?
From: magic@netlink.cts.com (Andrea Newall)
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 92 21:31:45 PST
Organization: NetLink Online Communications, San Diego CA

Does anyone know if excercise is good or bad for tendonitis?  I'm a 
musician and have had pain and cramps in my hands for several years now, 
but especially in the last few months.  I've had a doctor give me braces 
and put me on anti-inflammatory drugs, but nothing seems to help.  He 
says he *thinks* this is chronic tendonitis; it's definitely not carpal 
tunnel syndrome.  He also suggested I lift weights to strengthen my 
wrists and arms.  Someone else promptly told me not to do that, as it put 
to much strain on already sore areas . . .
So what I would really like to know is:  1)is there something similar to 
tendonitis that would cause pain but no numbness?  (The pain is mostly 
when I play and always when I write; I also wake up with it sometimes)
2)Should I lift weights or do something else in the way of exercise?  I 
would be willing to put in a lot of work if it would help!

Thanks for any suggestions you might have!

And Happy New Year!
--Andrea

--                    
INTERNET:  magic@netlink.cts.com (Andrea Newall)
UUCP:   ...!ryptyde!netlink!magic
NetLink Online Communications * Public Access in San Diego, CA (619) 453-1115
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: kendall@sceng.ub.com (Greg Kendall)
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
Organization: Ungermann Bass
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 17:48:18 GMT

In article <17875@pitt.UUCP> geb@cs.pitt.edu (Gordon Banks) writes:

... stuff deleted ...

>Well, if you build a large calorimeter, put the person into it,
>measure the heat generated, the weight changes, and the food taken
>into the calorimeter, what other complex input conditions are there?
>Seems reasonably simple to me.

Your model seems to rest on the assumption that we all get the same
amount of energy out of our food.  Is there evidence to support this
assumption?
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: gpond@vpnet.chi.il.us (george pond)
Subject: What's Lorazepam
Organization: Vpnet Public Access
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 01:35:53 GMT

Whats Lorazepam and how does it compare to Valium or does it all.  Is
it addictive?  What's the usual dose.
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Tuesday, 22 Dec 1992 08:11:24 MST
From: <ICBAL@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject:    Health hazard in halogen lights?

My wife was looking for a small powerful light for her make-up table and
finally settled on one of those halogen desk lamps; the light it gives
is very strong. But someone said they heard somewhere that the light from
these lamps is not good for the eyes when viewed directly--you should use
them for reflected light only (reading, etc.).  Does anyone have any
information either way?

Bruce Long
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Adiposity 101
Date: 3 Jan 93 06:31:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1993Jan3.063107.9871
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1993Jan01.012918.4555@omen.UUCP> caf@omen.UUCP (Chuck Forsberg) writes:
>The papers describing surgical fat removal usually report
>permanent weight reduction.  There have been anecdotal reports
>of weight increase after love handle removal, but these may have
>involved previous dieting.  I am unaware of any reports of
>weight rebound caused by fat removal surgery itself - perhaps
>Gordon has some documentation he can share with us????????

How can you call the surgery described there "love handle removal"?
You're removing the steamer trunk, not the handles.

In any case, I've heard of weight regain after such major surgery.
It's not "caused" by this surgery, it's generally caused by massive
overeating after the surgery.  This is a surprise?

>As stated in Adiposity 101, the potential long term effects of
>immunological manipulation on fat cell numbers in obese subjects
>with adipocyte hyperplasia are unknown.  It hasn't been tried
>yet, but may be effective in reversing diet induced hyperplasia.

Let me just that that I wouldn't want to be the first to volunteer
for any kind of immunological attack on fat cells.  The potential
for disaster seems almost limitless.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer