MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with '- vagus'. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:16:40 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3590327&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8561 Spotted in Vagus’ blog When oncall, eat when you can, sleep when you can. Never think it’s too early for bed, just because it’s 8 pm. You never know when that pager will go off, and if you’ll get to see the callroom again for the rest of the night You’re human. You’ll screw up (I still do). Learn from it. Forgive yourself for it If you have to, use the Hide-In-The-Bathroom-To-Cry trick. I’ve had to employ that several times in my internship. Remember, even the worst day ever will eventually end You’re going to be (almost) perpetually tired for the entire year. Life goes on outside the hospital, so have a balance. Have a social life, even if you don’t feel like it Never piss off the nurses. If you do you’ll never get a good night&... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3590327 Fri, 21 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3590327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2782084&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_clinical_guidelines_for_the_management_of_major_de_.htm Conclusions: There is most evidence to support ECT as a first-line treatment under specific circumstances and rTMS as a second-line treatment. Evidence to support VNS is less robust and DBS remains an investigational treatment. Source... Copyright © 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2782084 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:34:00 +0100 2782084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670883&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fdbs_deep_brain_stimulation_for_ocd_reviewing_the_evidence.htm Psychiatry Weekly 200 Aug 3;4(17) DBS for OCD: Reviewing the Evidence and Proceeding with Care Goodman WK. Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Introduction Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are well known, though uncommonly used, treatments for several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Many of the reasons for the limited use of these novel, devise-based treatments concern their invasiveness, of course. Dr Wayne K. Goodman, a leading OCD researcher, explains the most important similarities and differences between these two treatments: "VNS and DBS are both interventions aimed at modulating activity in the brain. They both involve surgery. DBS is more invasive and involves greater risks, because, in contrast to VNS, it requires one or t... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670883 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:35:00 +0100 2670883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598213&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7446 This study investigated whether swearing affects cold-pressor pain tolerance (the ability to withstand immersing the hand in icy water), pain perception and heart rate. In a repeated measures design, pain outcomes were assessed in participants asked to repeat a swear word versus a neutral word. In addition, sex differences and the roles of pain catastrophising, fear of pain and trait anxiety were explored. Swearing increased pain tolerance, increased heart rate and decreased perceived pain compared with not swearing. However, swearing did not increase pain tolerance in males with a tendency to catastrophise. The observed pain-lessening (hypoalgesic) effect may occur because swearing induces a fight-or-flight response and nullifies the link between fear of pain and pain perception. Perhaps ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598213 Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2598213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2170626&cid=t_371561_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2Faussie-medical-blog-awards%2F Well, I’ve extracted myself from beneath the Sri Lankan rock I’ve been hiding under for the last month. Now I’m in freezing Lancashire following a mad-cap rush to the Northern Hemisphere. I found out the old man picked up a mystery illness in Angola and was (eventually - but that’s another story…) admitted under the loving care of the NHS. He’s on the mend now - there’s nothing a “she’ll be right” attitude can’t overcome - and because it’s too cold to go anywhere, I’ve found myself back in front of a computer. Firstly, I’d like to send my regards to all those back in Australia affected by the terrible bushfires - a truly shocking Saturday. Kia Kaha to all my Australian friends. Secondly, to my surprise I&#8... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2170626 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:48:22 +0100 2170626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750163&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D4293 I noticed this in the elevator while I was rounding on my patients today. I thought it was ironic to have the golden arches listed on the same board as the cardiac cath lab, endocrinology and the Wellness Center (gym). Irony, or Job Security? a Ironic (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750163 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1750163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1408260&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D3358 The process of getting into a US residency training program is a long and tedious (and very pricey) one. One usually needs several letters of references, USMLE Steps I and II and a good CV. After the complicated applications are in, you may get invited for interviews. Following that, you rank your programs while they rank the candidates in the order of preference. Come March, the ‘match’ results are released. With a match, foreign doctors must obtain the necessary J1 visa before they can enter the US for training. A prerequisite for this, is the ‘Letter of Need’ by the health ministry stating that doctors of that specialty are, indeed, needed in the respective countries of origin and that the applicant plans to return after training. However, it appears that the MOH... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1408260 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1408260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1354193&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_vagus_nerve_stimulation_for_depression_efficacy_a.htm Conclusions: VNS therapy was effective in reducing severity of depression; efficacy increased over time. Efficacy ratings were in the same range as those previously reported from a USA study using a similar protocol; at 12 months, reduction of symptom severity was significantly higher in the European sample. This might be explained by a small but significant difference in the baseline HAMD-28 score and the lower number of treatments in the current episode in the European study. Source... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1354193 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:22:00 +0100 1354193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1296163&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fdevicebased_therapies_for_refractory_depression_a_review_o.htm Psychiatry Weekly 2008 Mar 10;3(10) Phillip G. Janicak, MD A variety of methods and mechanisms comprise the genre of neuromodulation-device-based therapies most often used to treat refractory depressive disorders. Most of these treatments are still experimental, although several of them, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have been in use for many years. Other neuromodulation therapies include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and deep brain stimulation.More... © 2008 Psychiatry Weekly, LLC (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1296163 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:16:00 +0100 1296163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1106228&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D2907 These days, with the advent of cellphone cameras, the internet and blogs, it’s so easy to take and post interesting materials. This is especially so if the patient is sedated and under general anesthesia. Usually the intentions are noble (to share knowledge) though often they can be recreational as well (blogs, humour). This was a case of a surgeon who went too far, and thus the news is plastered all over the media. Embarrassing news indeed. He probably thought it was funny, seeing the words ‘Hot Rod’ tattooed on one’s genital. But, by taking pictures and then sharing it, he’s now at risk for losing his job. It’s easy sometimes to make mistakes like these without thinking. After all, we’ve all seen numerous pictures in each others’ websites. ... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1106228 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1106228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=819664&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_neurostimulation_therapies_in_depression.htm Conclusion: While additional studies are clearly warranted, treatments that directly stimulate the brain appear to hold great therapeutic promise for severe psychiatric disorders. Source + full text... (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=819664 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:09:00 +0100 819664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=812269&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fstudy_supports_vagus_nerve_stimulator_therapy_as_effective_d.htm A study, led by Ziad Nahas, M.D., associate professor, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Department of Psychiatry has found that Vagus Nerve Stimulator Therapy (VNS) modulates areas of the brain that control mood. The researchers also identified variables, such as length of use, strength of stimulation and level of depression, to better understand the impact of VNS Therapy. "These data provide further insight into VNS therapy's distinct mechanism of action and support its previously demonstrated long-term, sustained efficacy," Nahas said. "We are encouraged to see the unique benefit VNS therapy may bring to patients with one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of depression and are excited to continue neurostimulation research at MUSC." The study demonstrated that VNS Therapy mo... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=812269 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:42:00 +0100 812269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=747167&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D2405 And people think herbal medications are safe. I recently saw a 48 year old woman for ‘adrenal insufficiency’. Her ACTH (high-dose) stimulation test showed a flat cortisol response, and she had to be put on replacement hydrocortisone. She also had osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, truncal obesity, thin skin and a round face. In other words, she looked Cushingoid. Diagnosis? Her naturopathic ‘quacks’ had been treating her with 4 pills a day, weekly ‘vitamin infusions’, and a special herbal drink twice weekly. Because I was suspicious, I ordered a synthetic glucocorticoid screen. And she tested positive for triamcinolone, budesonide, dexamethasone and also fludrocortisone. Basically, this is a bad case of Cushing’s syndrome from occult ex... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=747167 Fri, 20 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 747167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=629166&cid=t_371561_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D2175 Blogging is such a phenomenon now that one finds hundreds of blogs by medical professionals. Some people blog to vent about work, some to share updates with friends, some blog to educate others, while others blog to try to find a girlfriend :P. So, I was fascinated by an article I saw in a medical newsjournal yesterday. Excerpts from Clinical Endocrinology News, May 2007, about medical professionals and blogging: When Dr. Allan Roberts launched his blog in May of 2002 with encouragement from a colleague, he was not sure what he was getting into. “I resisted for a year,” said Dr. Roberts, an ER physician from Texas. “I told myself ‘I just don’t have anything to say’. But after trying it out, I found out that I actually liked it. I still don’t have a... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=629166 Tue, 22 May 2007 22:15:35 +0100 629166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=583092&cid=t_371561_109_f&fid=34800&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FClinicalPsychologyAndPsychiatryACloserLook%2F%7E3%2F113407221%2Fcyberonics-says-ouch.html A CEO switch and a 15% cut in workforce, for starters. Things are not swinging so well at Cyberonics, manufacturer of the vagus nerve stimulator, used to treat severe depression. Concern regarding its efficacy has made VNS use quite infrequent. Cyberonics made my sights due to some clever (and ethically dubious) marketing on behalf of one of its associated academics, Charles Nemeroff. Background here and here.I've had readers provide numerous comments and send emails on VNS. Suffice to say, it is pretty controversial and there are some who swear by VNS and some who swear at it. The efficacy trials do not paint a generally favorable picture. Hat Tip: Pharmalot. (Source: Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look) Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry: A Closer Look blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=583092 Tue, 01 May 2007 18:20:00 +0100 583092