Study Identifies Itch-specific Nerves
Scientists have been looking for itch-specific nerves for decades. New research from investigators at Johns Hopkins University and Yale University in the United States and several universities in China has identified sensory neurons in mice that are dedicated to relaying itchy sensations from the top layers of skin to the spinal cord [1].
In 1835, Johannes Peter Müller proposed the law of specific nerve energies. It stated that everything we feel and experience relies on the stimulation of particular neuronal pathways — and thus that the actual, external stimulus is irrelevant. He wrote:
The same cause, such as e...
Source: Highlight HEALTH - January 29, 2013 Category: Medical Scientists Authors: Diana Gitig, Ph.D. Source Type: blogs
A subpopulation of nociceptors specifically linked to itch
http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v16/n2/full/nn.3289.html
Excerpt from the abstract: “We genetically labeled and manipulated MrgprA3+ neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and found that they exclusively innervated the epidermis of the skin and responded to multiple pruritogens. Ablation of MrgprA3+ neurons led to substantial reductions in scratching evoked by multiple pruritogens and occurring spontaneously under chronic itch conditions, whereas pain sensitivity remained intact.” (Source: neurodudes)
Source: neurodudes - January 28, 2013 Category: Neurologists Authors: Bayle Shanks Tags: Medicine itch Source Type: blogs
I am not a patient patient
at the best of times. Overnight delivery has spoiled me (and most Americans) to expect instant gratification. To quote Violet from Willy Wonka, "I want it now!"On Friday I went to see my pain doctor who is in charge of relieving me of pain, as opposed to cancer cootie detection and other specialties. The biggest news I could share with him was that my rheumatologist, to whom he referred me, is leaving the hospital to go to another one.He suggested, his usual poking, prodding and contortions (does it hurt when you do this?), that I should increase my dose of my pain patches back up to 10 mcg/hr and then suggested I s...
Source: Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog - January 27, 2013 Category: Cancer Tags: prescriptions pain medication costs Source Type: blogs
The Fear
When I was 14, my immune system started down its deep,dark path toward permanent dysfunction. It started with a bump,a small red itchy bump that turned into dozens & dozens of bumps in a raised rash that marched up my left arm, across the left side of my chest,down my left armpit & across my back. And then those bumps swelled up,with a yellowish disgusting gunk..to the point of bursting. At that point,convinced that I had cancer, I told my parents & they took me to the doctor.The diagnosis was immeadiete & straightforward."You have the shingles."Isn't that something older people get? Well,yes, but anyone who has had the go...
Source: The D-Log Cabin - January 24, 2013 Category: Diabetes Authors: HVS Source Type: blogs
USMLE Questions – Characteristic Disease Findings
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is designed to emphasize knowledge of clinical scenarios and clinical pearls, even on Step I. Listed below are some commonly encountered disease findings and characteristics.
Feature
Disease
45, X chromosome
Turner’s syndrome
5-HIAA increased in urine
Carcinoid syndrome
Aganglionic rectum
Hirschsrpung’s disease
Apple-core sign on barium enema
Colon cancer
Arched back (opisthotonos)
Tetanus
Argyll-Robertson pupil
Syphilis
Ash leaf on forehead
Tuberous sclerosis
Auer rods
Acute myelogenous leukemia
Austin Flint murmur
Aortic regurgitation...
Source: Inside Surgery - January 18, 2013 Category: Surgeons Authors: Editor Tags: Surgpedia USMLE diseases findings VMA water hammer pulse Source Type: blogs
In the Trenches.
What was different about yesterday? At first, I thought the Dexcom sensor was quitting. It was Day 8 of this sensor, but even though the adhesive was hanging on by a thread the day prior, the results were so matchy-matchy with my glucose meter that I was reluctant to pull the sensor. (That, and it didn't itch at all, so if it was spot-on and not giving me leg leprosy, I was all in.) I slapped on some Opsite Flexifix tape around the edges, in hopes of grabbing a few more days."GIVE ME YOUR BLOOD" the receiver shouted (or offered up the little blood droplet equivalent of that demand). It wan...
Source: Six Until Me. - January 18, 2013 Category: Diabetes Tags: Blood Sugar Source Type: blogs
update: looking up
The pity party is over. I'm feeling much better now.My energy levels have started to come back and my walks are getting longer and faster.I had a wonderful week in Florida that contributed greatly to healing. I even swam a bit while I was there. I can do the sidestroke and the crawl but my neck won't yet let me do the breast stroke.I did a bunch of balance tests today that I passed with flying colours. My balance wasn't really that bad but the tests I found challenging (pretty much the same as a sobriety test) two months ago were really easy to do today. I hope that translates into less falling down.I still have pain in th...
Source: Not just about cancer - January 18, 2013 Category: Cancer Tags: metastatic breast cancer lucky brain metastasis pissed off show and tell surgery cancer blog CT scan radiation cyber knife Source Type: blogs
Mirror, Mirror, on the Bed…
By Jan Chait
Do I have to wake up? All I want to do is sleep. When I'm asleep, my (nonexistent) leg doesn't bother me. (For the unaware, a bone infection led to a below-the-knee amputation of my left leg a little over two years ago.)
From the middle of my shin to the very tips of my toes, my left leg has, of late, been extremely annoying. It tingles. It throbs. Sometimes there are stabbing pains. Mostly, however, it doesn't want to stay still.
"Sit here," it says. "No, I want to lie down… Wait. Maybe the bed isn't a good idea; how about the desk chair? No, I believe I prefer the recliner. With the leg rest up. No, do...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - January 15, 2013 Category: Diabetes Authors: Jan Chait Source Type: blogs
A Short(ened) Note on Ion Torrent & High G+C
As one might guess from reading this space, I always have an itch to try new sequencing technologies or updates to existing ones. That's generally a good thing in my position, though more than a few times I experience buyers remorse. At least this time, I found something a bit interestingRead more » (Source: Omics! Omics!)
Source: Omics! Omics! - January 14, 2013 Category: Bioinformaticians Authors: Keith Robison Source Type: blogs
October 2011: How is Your Crohn’s Today?
Hello everyone! I hope that you are doing well today! It is time for us to have another edition of ‘How is your Crohn’s today?’.
For those who are new to the blog, every now and then I like to check in with everyone to hear how you are doing and how your Crohn’s is holding up.
Here’s how I’ve been doing: I started the Stem Cell Clinical Trial and had the first infusion on the 12th of October. I was really nervous about the first one since I don’t have good success with medications (I always seem to get those rare side effects!), so I asked my husband to take me. It was good that I brought him because they...
Source: Life with Crohn's - October 24, 2011 Category: Other Conditions Authors: Kelly R Tags: Crohn's disease Crohn's community crohns How is your Crohn's today medication Source Type: blogs
Real Teens Ask about Effects of Heroin
At NIDA’s last Chat Day, we got this question from a high school student:
”Why do people scratch a lot when they are high on heroin?"
A NIDA scientist responded that he had done years of research on this topic. He explained: “Heroin activates connections in the brain called opioid receptors. These receptors then activate fibers that transmit itch information (aka ‘pruritus’) to the brain. Thus, heroin users feel itchy. Good question.”
But before heroin can activate opioid receptors, it has to enter the blood stream and reach the brain. So how does this happen?
People usually inject heroin into their blood strea...
Source: NIDA Drugs and Health Blog - June 17, 2011 Category: Addiction Authors: Sara Bellum Source Type: blogs
A reminder….
(I apologise if this reads like a pat on the back to myself – maybe it is, but I think I need it at the minute!)
It’s no secret that over the past few weeks I have been reconsidering my future and where I want to be in the next part of career. I have been looking at a variety of opportunities both inside and outside of the Ambulance Service.
Something has changed, and I am not sure what it is, but since I wrote my ‘Itchy Feet’ post, things just haven’t been the same.
Maybe it is just the run of stupidly busy shifts; the constant barrage of ‘patients’ with no apparent illness or injury that warrants going to h...
Source: Medic999 - January 27, 2011 Category: Ambulance Crew Authors: medicblog999 Tags: Ambulance Source Type: blogs
Over the counter psoriasis lotions – have you tried them?
While we were in the States I was amazed at the wide range of over the counter products are available there. In one supermarket alone there were aisles of things we can either only get on prescription or can’t get at all. I was really interested to see that there are a number of creams available for sale aimed at psoriasis ‘sufferers.’ I must add here, as an aside, that I don’t actually like the term sufferer, although it probably technically is correct because we do suffer at time with this stuff…but it makes us sound more like victims and I hope that is not the case.
But back to the tropic; ...
Source: Life with Psoriasis - November 20, 2007 Category: Other Conditions Authors: Christa Joyce Tags: coal tar flaking skin health itch Itchy skin OTC psoriasis lotions over the counter psoriasis lotions PA psoriasis medicine Psoriasis treatment psoriasis1 psoriatic lesions Psoriatic RA red spots on skin skin condition skin i Source Type: blogs
Does air conditioning make my psoriasis worse?
We travel quite a lot. And living on a small island as we do, that usually involves flying. I’m not sure why but every time we fly my elbows in particular get very sore and extra dry.
Now I know this to be the case, and I always use extra moisturizer and or prescription creams prior to flying. What I use and how much/how often depends largely on the state of my skin at the time, but planning a complex trip – or even a simple one – can be quite stressful, and the results are often clear to see.
Now I’m not really sure why my elbows should be more affected than the rest of me? I’m not the kind o...
Source: Life with Psoriasis - November 6, 2007 Category: Other Conditions Authors: Christa Joyce Tags: air conditioning health itch Itchy skin PA Psoriasis psoriasis eyes Psoriasis lifestyle Psoriasis lotions Psoriasis treatment psoriasis1 psoriatic arthritis psoriatic elbows psoriatic lesions Source Type: blogs
