HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: alanj@dadd.ti.com (Alan Jones)
Subject: Re: Hiccups
Reply-To: alanj@dadd.ti.com
Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:18:20 GMT

In article 16286@pitt.UUCP, km@speedy.cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum) writes:
>In article <1992Aug31.150629.20247@csc.ti.com- alanj@dadd.ti.com writes:
>-I don't know if this is the right group to post these questions to, but:
>-
>-1.  Does medical science understand what causes hiccups?
>-
>-2.  If so, what causes them?
>-
>-3.  What purpose do hiccups serve?
>-
>-If the answer to (3) is "dunno", I have a theory I'd like to offer . . .
>
>We know what causes them, but we'd like to hear your theory....
>
> -km

OK, here's my theory as to the purpose which hiccups serve.  (Uh, first I
should note that I have no medical background whatsoever.)  I'm sure there
are holes in this theory - let me know what they are!

My theory is that the purpose of hiccups is to clear/unobstruct the
esophagus.  The spasms in the diaphragm cause the chest to expand quickly,
causing a brief pressure differential between the inside of the esophagus
and the rest of the chest cavity, causing the esophagus to briefly increase
it's diameter.

Obviously I can't prove this, but there's some evidence to support it:

1.  Drinking fluids is a known way to end hiccups.  This could be because the
    fluids loosen any obstructions in the esophagus, resolving the need for the
    hiccups.

2.  Holding your breath is a known way to end hiccups, although for me it 
    works only when I do this with a chest full of air.  Could it be that 
    this action tends to open up the esophagus?

3.  My college roommate once told me that peanut butter gave him the hiccups.
    At the time I thought that the connection was absurd.  But peanut butter
    can be difficult to swallow for some people.

4.  I often have difficulty swallowing when I begin eating.  If I start to
    eat "bulky" food without chewing it sufficiently, it can get "caught" in my
    esophagus or throat, which is pretty uncomfortable, and if I can't get it
    down I sometimes have to throw it up (yech).  I sometimes get hiccups during
    these situations, and each hiccup seems to cause a brief relief of pressure
    in my esophagus.

Well, that's not much evidence, but it's my theory.  What's wrong with it??

---
sincerely,
Alan Jones  /  Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX  /  email=alanj@dadd.ti.com
From: ame@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Abdulrahman M El-Koubysi)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Need to find applications that could use EMI shielding
Keywords: EMI, shielding
Date: 31 Aug 92 06:11:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: matt.17tgc2INNcap
Organization: Kansas State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: matt.ksu.ksu.edu


I am trying to put together a list of applications that could possibly use
some shield from low frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI). Dose 
anybody out there know of an application that could be improved if shielded from
EMI????


A. R. El-Koubysi          | Internet: ame@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
College of Engineering    | Bitnet  : ame@ksuvm
147, Seaton Hall, KSU     | Phone   : (913) 532-5580 
Manhattan, KS 66506       | Fax     : (913) 532-6944
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Nizoral for toenail fungus
Date: 31 Aug 92 21:06:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: spdcc.1992Aug31.210630.22461
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Aug31.170110.20676@engage.pko.dec.com> bechtler@asdg.enet.dec.com (Laurie Bechtler) writes:
>I've just started taking Nizoral, and was planning to the library and
>find some information on it.  At the same time, I wanted to look up
>the other commonly prescribed oral medication for fungi.  At least,
>my doctor only mentioned two.  The problem is that I didn't write down
>the name of the second one and promptly forgot it (those catchy drug 
>names, many sound alike).  Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Griseofulvin.

>And I can't tell you how well the Nizoral works because I've only
>taken it for 4 days.  But my doctor wants to do a blood chemistry once
>a month because of "rare" side effects to the liver, which makes me
>want to read the list for myself.  Still, my desire to treat my bad

Giving someone ketaconazole (Nizoral) for toenail fungus is a little
controversial.  First, an infection of the nails is terribly hard to
treat, and you have to keep up drug therapy until uninfected nail
replaces infected nail.  That can take months, and a recurrence is
very common when the therapy stops.  Also, unlike griseofulvin (see
below), I don't believe that ketaconazole is concetrated to any degree
in the skin, so it wouldn't have a prolonged antifungal effect after
the drug was discontinued.  Second, and more importantly, ketaconazole is
a very toxic drug--it is not only potentially hepatotoxic, it also has a
rather profound effect on steroid biosynthesis.  People taking the
drug can have problems with adrenal insufficiency because it can
inhibit the production of cortisone.  It also can interfere with the
production of male and female sex hormones.  It also interferes with
the metabolism of several drugs, Seldane being the latest in the news.

Now, if you've got AIDS, and you're suffering from candidal or crypto-
coccal fungal infections, the risks of taking a drug like Nizoral are
less than the dangers of the disease being treated.  This is not the
case with toenail fungus--there hasn't been a "deathbed case" of
tinea infection encountered yet. :-)/2

For more than 30 years, griseofulvin has been the standard treatment of
skin, scalp and nail fungus unresponsive to topical treatment (and an
infection of the nails will not generally respond to topical antifungals.)
Its toxicity and side effects are well-understood, and generally mild,
though it has caused liver toxicity in some individuals.  Headache and
nausea are the most frequent side effects.  It acts very slowly by
concentrating in the keratin of the newly deposited nail.  You have to
take the drug for months until all diseased nail has grown out, and
even then, the fungus frequently returns when the drug is stopped.
While griseofulvin is not an innocuous drug, it is much less toxic
than ketaconazole.  I can't imagine trying ketaconazole first.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
From: km@speedy.cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Diabetic coma
Date: 28 Aug 92 13:15:49 GMT
Reply-To: km@cs.pitt.edu (Ken Mitchum)
Organization: Computer Science Dept., University of Pittsburgh

In article <1992Aug26.232922.17792@javelin.sim.es.com> bgeer@javelin.sim.es.com writes:
>
>As for "specifications", there are no specifications that I have seen
>for posting to the net.  However, my experience has been that the goal
>has traditionally been to communicate concisely, accurately, &
>precisely.  Medical information that is not communicated in this
>manner may quite easily mislead someone into injuring themselves or
>others.  
>

Well, I view this as the final straw. As I have indicated before, I
have always been worried about the possibility of people taking the
net too seriously, of view information here as medical advice and to
infer some type of doctor-patient relationship from encounters here.
The increasing insistence from others regarding the tone, nature,
and content of postings from medical people here has me worried.
Gordon posted honest, factual information regarding spina bifida and
associated conditions, and is being reamed for it because of
"netside manner", whatever that is.

The possibility of a lawsuit arising from the use of information or
advice carried by the net is real, and as mentioned before, I do not
carry malpractice insurance. I no longer think posting information
here that could be even conceivably be taken as medical advice is a
viable proposition.

 -km
From: sg@tredysvr.Tredydev.Unisys.COM (Susanne Gilliam)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Relafen Side Effects
Date: 4 Sep 92 12:08:47 GMT
Organization: Unisys Corporation, Tredyffrin, PA


  I have the connective tissue disorder known as Ehler's-Danlos (I'm the
most benign type -- III).  Last month I was given the NSAID Relafen for
some back pain I was having.  The bottle is marked "Relafen 500MG tablet;
(SK Beecham)"; the instructions are to take 2 tablets once a day.  I took
them on a full stomach, at breakfast time.
  I took them only for 4 days, as they helped a lot, and I don't like to
take them longer than necessary; by that point, I could start the prescribed
exercises.  However, over the next month, I noticed a substantial amount
of bruising over and above the rather spectacular level that is often
"normal" for Ehler's-Danlos patients.  I also began to notice other kinds
of excessive bleeding (like my gums, etc), and consulted my doctor;    
having ruled out the nasty possibilities, feels it is almost certainly
due to the Relafen.  He (and I) was amazed to find that another doctor
in the same group had seen another Ehler's-Danlos patient with exactly
the same thing after taking Relafen.
  This drug is too new (on the market less than a year according to my
doctor) to be in the PDR I have access to, but I'm curious if anyone else
has more detailed information available.  Is this particular drug more
likely to cause this kind of increased bleeding?  I have been on just
about all the NSAIDs on the market since 1969 (when I developed severe
arthritis in one knee, and lesser arthritis in other joints; it was the
knee problems that ultimately led to the diagnosis of the ED by my 
rheumatologist, and confirmed by Dr. McKusick at John Hopkins) and have
never had this problem before, except with high dose asprin type 
medications.
  If it matters, I am a 35 year old female; non-smoker, non-drinker, 
and have not/am not taking any other medications at all.  My blood
tests show a steady progression back to normal.  I'm certainly glad
I only took it for 4 days; I hate to think of what 2 weeks might have
done to me.  
 
				Susanne Gilliam
				sg@tredysvr.tredydev.unisys.com
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Reglan, Zantac: Physiology?
Date: 1 Sep 92 05:06:17 GMT
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <1992Sep1.033724.1493@athena.cs.uga.edu> mcovingt@athena.cs.uga.edu (Michael A. Covington) writes:
>Can someone briefly explain the mechanism of action of Reglan and Zantac?

Zantac (and Tagamet and Pepcid and Axid) are all H2-blockers, drugs
which block the actions of histamine in mediating the secretion of
stomach acid.  Strictly speaking, they're "antihistamines", but not
classical antihistamines, which block the actions of histamine at
capillaries and other sites related to the allergic response (the
receptor now called "H1" in contrast to "H2".)

This class of drug is useful in the treatment of peptic and duodenal
ulcer, as well as in treating other disorders involving gastric
hyperacidity, including chronic heartburn.  They are fairly non-toxic
and well-tolerated drugs, although Tagamet has some drug interactions
with other drugs affecting their dose, and H2-blockers can sometimes
cause confusion in elderly or debilitated individuals.

Reglan is the tradename for metoclopramide, a fascinating drug.
First, it's related to procaine (Novocaine) the local anesthetic
and procainamide (Pronestyl) the antiarrhythmic drug, but metoclopramide
has no important anesthetic or antiarrhythmic activity.  What it DOES
have is very potent anti-dopaminergic activity in certain regions of
the brain, so that like many of the antipsychotic drugs (prochlorperazine,
chlorpromazine, haloperidol, droperidol) it is a potent antiemetic drug.
That is, it stops nausea and vomiting from a variety of sources: febrile
illness or cancer chemotherapy being the best examples.  Interestingly,
it does not seem to have much antipsychotic activity.  However, like the
antipsychotic drugs, it can cause extrapyramidal side effects at high doses,
less frequently at low doses, and has very rarely been associated with
tardive dyskinesia after chronic use.

However, it's unlikely that this is why you asked about this together
with Zantac.  Time for another unusual effect of metoclopramide: it
has been described as having a "pro-kinetic" effect on the gut.  It
speeds gastric emptying, and also increases the tone of the esophageal
sphincter.  These actions are exploited when it's used adjunctively
to treat gastroesophageal reflux (a syndrome which ranges from
heartburn to outright espophageal erosion.)  I think the H2 blockers
would be more effective, if you had to choose a single agent, however.

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: alanj@dadd.ti.com (Alan Jones)
Subject: Re: Hiccups
Reply-To: alanj@dadd.ti.com
Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 22:05:17 GMT

In article 25371@castle.ed.ac.uk, eang42@castle.ed.ac.uk (L Bootland) writes:
>alanj@dadd.ti.com (Alan Jones) writes:
>
>>1.  Does medical science understand what causes hiccups?
>sortof
>>2.  If so, what causes them?
>spasms of the muscles in the diaphragm

This much I know (in fact, this sounds more like a definition of hiccups
rather than a cause) - what causes the spasms??

>>3.  What purpose do hiccups serve?
>none once you are born.  Fetuses make the same movement, it seems to be
>partly to swallow amniotic fluid (which is needed for something) and
>partly to exercise muscles that will be needed after birth. Its just a
>developmental hangover.

Is this a generally accepted explanation??

---
sincerely,
Alan Jones  /  Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX  /  email=alanj@dadd.ti.com
From: claudia@lonex.rl.af.mil (Claudia M. Servadio-Coyne)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Infra-red Glucose Meters
Date: 25 Aug 92 15:28:53 GMT
Organization: RL


Has anyone in the diabetic community heard any status at all on the
new infra-red glucose meters?  what company is making them?
Where FDA stands on approval? Is there any other place to get information
on this?

claudia@lonex.rl.af.mil
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: lowreypl@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Phillip Lowrey)
Subject: purulent mediastinitis
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 01:47:51 GMT

	Recently I read an autopsy report of a man who had sustained a stab
wound to the chest.  The coroner stated that the cause of death was 1.)
purulent mediastinitis and 2.) percarditis, both a direct result of the stab
wound.  I understand what both of the causes are in pathological terms,
however, what was the most likely mode of death (severe infection, heart
trauma, etc)?  Since the subject had time to develop an infection from the
wound it would seem reasonable that he did not die until several days
following the stabbing.  How long could one survive such trauma without
treatment?  I would appreciate any information regarding this topic.  Thanks.

Phil Lowrey

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: Peggy.Noonan@p0.f66.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Peggy Noonan)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Smartdrugs
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:35:30 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/66.0 - The WatchDesk, Thornton CO

TC>>In article <9515.2A88B8C2@stjhmc.fidonet.org>,
TC>Leon.Ubags@f211.n500.z2.fidonet.org (Leon Ubags) writes:
TC>>> Is there anyone who can tell me more about socalled smartdrugs or has 
        
Many others have replied on this topic, but if I many, there's 
another log to throw on the fire.
The September 1992 issue of OMNI magazine features a long and 
detailed article on Smart Drugs, which includes hydergine, phenylalanine, 
ephedra, etc., -- most all the smart drugs that are
currently touted.  It also discusses the various gurus of the movement. If you 
want to know where to learn more, that'd be a good
starting point and from that article you could get ideas on what else you want 
to research.
A second item:  I've just written a short piece for the same magazine about a 
memory improving steroid and during the interview with Dr. Eugene Roberts, 
discoverer of GABA, the topic of similar products which can be bought at 
health food stores came up.  The drug he's working with is old and well-tested 
with no side effects (it was used during the 1940s for a different purpose) 
but quite similar -- though not as powerful -- effects came from DHEA and 
DHEAS which Roberts says many people use for self-medicating. They buy it at 
health stores.  One person I know bought some at $20 for 60 capsules and said 
early results were amazingly good -- but that's only one person's comment and 
not hard science.  The medical literature will provide info for anyone wishing 
to search the topic.  (BTW, a side benefit of DHEA/DHEAS was it improves the 
immune system function...apparently AIDS victims are self-medicating with it.)
 

 

--  
Internet: Peggy.Noonan@p0.f66.n104.z1.fidonet.org
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Turning into a Pig
Date: 31 Aug 92 14:31:08 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <92240.133748RFLOOD@ESOC.BITNET> RFLOOD@ESOC.BITNET writes:
>A colleague of mine who wants to remain anonymous, and who is normally
>quite beautiful, seems to have some form of inflammation in her face
>which appeared in two days and which is making her appearance somewhat
>like the late lamented Miss Piggy. Her nose is turning up at the end,
>the upper lip is enlarging, and her cheeks are swelling. (No sign of
>a curly little tail yet, tho !). We think she's got an inflammation of
>the upper lip, or maybe in the gum above the teeth.
>(Bewitchment has also been suggested but we'd like to rule out physical
>ailments before turning to the supernatural).
>Any comments from the doctors or dentists out there ?

She'd best get in to see someone right away.  It could be a cellulitis
(infection) that could be dangerous.












-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: jfh@netcom.com (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Illegal Drug Use at the White House
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 5959
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 05:23:00 GMT

[Extracted from the San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, August 20, 1992]

Millie, the White House springer spaniel, regularly takes prednisone for
treatment of lupus.

Prednisone can be legally prescribed to a human for any purpose, but has
not been approved for the treatment of lupus in dogs.  According to a
1968 law, it is illegal to give a drug to an animal if the drug has not
been approved for the animal's particular condition.  Prednisone is not
an approved treatment for lupus in dogs.

Gerald Guest of the Food and Drug Administration said "We won't be going
after Millie.  You can be sure of that."

[sci.med.aids readers may compare this with how the FDA treats humans
 who wish to try experimental treatments for HIV.]

-- 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Hamilton   jfh@netcom.com   P. O. Box 281107   SF, CA   94128-1107
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: bob@anagld.analytics.com (Bob Smith)
Subject: aids treatement test at Boston City Hospital
Summary: a reliable source has reported to me that a new drug is indergoing clin
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Keywords: aids, immuno-theerapy, 714x, glaxol. gr109714x, somatides
Archive-Number: 6002
Organization: Computer Sciences Corporation - Systems Engineering Division
Date: 25 Aug 92 20:32:38 GMT

nic````
clinical testing of a newly named compound - Glaxol Reasearch
109714x is supposed to be being concducted at boston city hostpital
now.

Please excuse spelling.  lousy keyboard and slow fingers.

The drug is derived for`` from a treatement for breast canscer
and has been applied to aids.

glaxol has been open and mum on the drug.  They bought
the rites for the drug from a gentleman who had been associated with
laetril and are keeping that part quiet.

Nicen is supposed to be the phonetic spelling of the chemists
name...frecnh dude who also invented a microsope that looks athe
somieee somatides in the blode.  He contends that cancer and
aids are the a`same basic fault in body.
::

Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
From: jfh@netcom.com (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Re: Per-partner infectivity of oral receptive intercourse
Note: Copyright 1992, Dan R. Greening. Non-commercial reproduction allowed.
Archive-Number: 6008
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 92 04:16:38 GMT

In article <1992Aug24.114820.19211@cs.ucla.edu> lfoard@Turing.ORG (Lawrence 
C. Foard) writes:
>
><wondering why 12 years into AIDS we still don't have even basic facts
> needed to survive>

We do have the basic fact - avoid sharing "bodily fluids" and you're safe,
barring accidents.

In a number of postings you've made it clear that you want oral sex to be
safe.  I'd it to be safe also - it would restore a certain amount of
enjoyment to my life -  but there's reason to think that it's not safe in
all cases.  The level is risk is up for debate, but I don't think there's
any question that there is some risk to some people under some
circumstances.  

The question is, of course, "What risks?  What people?  What circumstances?"
We don't know.  I'm not sure that we'll ever know.  Do we know that for any
disease?  Do we know why some people get colds all the time and others
don't?

You're free to take all the risks you want, of course.  Personally, I
prefer to go the virtually-no-risk route and have some peace of mind.  I
think your choice is clear -  no risk, no worry or some risk, some worry.

I think you'd be better off learning to eroticize safe sex than to anguish
over what's OK and what's not.  It can be done.  There are even workshops
on it. 

-- 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack Hamilton   jfh@netcom.com   P. O. Box 281107   SF, CA   94128-1107
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids