Antiviral medication – a role in the young population!

Tamiflu (brand-name) – a common antiviral medication is used against influenza virus (usually against H1N1). It has already been studied that this antiviral medication has adverse effect in the central nervous system, especially in the brain. There may be psychiatric symptom such as depression is common. Both adult and young people may have adverse effects from this drug administration. Recently one study in Japan using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method showed that young people may have more adverse effects (i.e., depression like symptom) than the older people. So, dose-maintenance and specific observation are obligatory to prevent from any depression like symptom.

Central Brain Function AND Psychology.

Brain is the central regulator of physiological function of humans. It is acknowledged that chemical substances synthesized from the brain cells pursue specific physiological activities. Human psychology is a complicated phenomenon, which is regulated by the central brain function. There are some specific chemical substances produced by the brain cells, relating with the psychological status of human. It has already been studied that neuropsychological disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders (depression like disorder) etc. are linked with abnormal synthesis of certain chemical substance in the brain. Recently, functional imaging technique, positron emission tomography is useful to investigate psychological status of humans.

Winter flu and precautions!

Low temperature is always succeptible to flu infection. Usually temperature below 10 degree celsius is a suitable circumstance to catch a cold among humans. Children mostly suffer from influenza virus, which is critical for 'lung pneumonia'. In Japan, norovirus, a type of RNA virus is common flu-induced problem among children. Norovirus has also gastrointestinal symptom. The geriatric population (older population) are also victims of these viral infections during winter season, who mostly suffer from lung pneumonia, referring severe cardiorespiratory problem. Sometime this flu-induced infection among children and geriatric population become fatal. Therefore, precaution should be taken to keep body temperature increased. In addition, washing hands and rinsing mouths (gargle) are suggested after returning back home.

Is personality a factor for heart disease!

It is already acknowledged that personality has been related with development of heart disease by blocking artery of heart. Then, we look for personality which is harmful for our heart. It is suggested that people with type-A personality are susceptible to grow heart disease. People with type-A personality have more sympathetic outflow from autonomic nervous system, that eventually inducing excessive fat deposition on the cardiac arterial wall, developing blockage of cardiac artery. Sometime, social environment may aggravate behavioral anxiety, initiating aggressive personality in exuding excessive sympathetic flow. 'Self-meditation' such as deep breathing relaxation may be useful in abstaining from personality relating heart disease.

Importance of Brain Scan in Seizure: A Perspective!

The unintentional jerking of body (involuntary) is termed as seizure in medicine. The symptom of seizure has significant importance during clinical evaluation of a patient. For example, one young adult person may have seizure without other abnormality, so whole-brain scan should be additional investigation for clinical interpretation. With this perspective, childhood trauma of brain can not be ruled out as one cause, that can be assessed by brain imaging technique. Usually, CT and MRI are useful imaging techniques. Therefore, nowadays, advanced nuclear medicine technique such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging has also significant role in the functional and anatomical assessment among seizure patients with childhood brain trauma.

Benefits of Tomato against cancer!

For last few days, I am thinking to write about the beneficial effects of ‘tomato’, a seasonal fruit. There is a mixed impression on this fruit (tomato) relating with the taste. I myself use to take it as salad. However, the benefit of ingredient of tomato is little known to us, which is called lycopene, a carotenoid pigment usually found in the red and yellow fruits and vegetables. It has been studied that lycopene has anti-oxidant effect, that may prevent abnormal growth of cells in the body. I would like to mention that this lycopene has anti-cancer affect. It is studied that lycopene in the tomato may prevent prostate cancer in the middle decade of life. In addition, it has been postulated that lycopene has also anti-oxidant effect against breast cancer. Why do not we take tomato in our daily recipe? For any inconvenient taste of tomato, it can be taken as ketchup with our daily meal, I suggest.

Non-therapeutic approach: a benefit for psychological health!

Psychological symptom may be pronounced at any stage of life. Advanced technology such as nuclear medicine imaging method (positron emission tomography) has already stated that some neurotransmitters (chemical substances in the brain) have vast role in controlling human psychological status, synchronizing the brain and mind (emotion). Therefore, it is acknowledged that the emotion is mostly influenced by the higher brain function. There is therapeutic option (psychiatric medication) to prevent this psychological disorder in the medical procedure. However, some non-therapeutic approaches may have beneficial effects on higher brain function for modulating psychological symptoms. Body mind training (BMT) such as ‘deep breathing exercise’ is one useful non-therapeutic approach for psychological disorder, I suggest.