Comments for From Arthritis to Zoster http://naturallyimmunemd.com The Immune Connection Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:25:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 Comment on Vitamin D and Immunity by Jan-Øyvind Lorgen http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=79#comment-6458 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:20:23 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=79#comment-6458 Hi. I am a Norwegian medical student. Thought your comments regarding the beta-carotene study was very interesting. Do you have a reference regarding your comment "Notably, though, beta-carotene’s anti-oxidant activity is most effective in low-oxygen environments (i.e., the capillaries and deep tissues). In high-oxygen environments, beta-carotene actually becomes a pro-oxidant—more like a free radical itself—unless it is balanced by another antioxidant like vitamin E." ? I also wonder why you recommend no more than 2000 IU of vitamin D per day. The body produces 10 000 IU if it is exposed to sunrays for 20-30 minutes. Hi. I am a Norwegian medical student. Thought your comments regarding the beta-carotene study was very interesting. Do you have a reference regarding your comment
“Notably, though, beta-carotene’s anti-oxidant activity is most effective in low-oxygen environments (i.e., the capillaries and deep tissues). In high-oxygen environments, beta-carotene actually becomes a pro-oxidant—more like a free radical itself—unless it is balanced by another antioxidant like vitamin E.”
?

I also wonder why you recommend no more than 2000 IU of vitamin D per day. The body produces 10 000 IU if it is exposed to sunrays for 20-30 minutes.

]]> Comment on The Doc by The Doc http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-6131 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:14:27 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-6131 Dr. Gobbi, The Physician's Desk Reference, of course, is the primary resource that most doctors consult when they need information about a drug's safety. Downloadable versions of the PDR keep it up to date with data on new agents -- as well as new information on old drugs. Websites like safefetus.com and obfocus.com are also helpful. Finally, there are several books (e.g., Gerald Briggs' "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation") that offer valuable advice. Unfortunately, such books quickly become obsolete due to the ongoing development of pharmaceutical agents. Dr. Gobbi,
The Physician’s Desk Reference, of course, is the primary resource that most doctors consult when they need information about a drug’s safety. Downloadable versions of the PDR keep it up to date with data on new agents — as well as new information on old drugs. Websites like safefetus.com and obfocus.com are also helpful. Finally, there are several books (e.g., Gerald Briggs’ “Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation”) that offer valuable advice. Unfortunately, such books quickly become obsolete due to the ongoing development of pharmaceutical agents.

]]> Comment on The Doc by Humberto Gobbi http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-5965 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:20:30 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-5965 Dear Colleague I need regular information about psychopharmacological drugs that can be precribed during pregnancy and that have been approved by FDA Thanks a lot Dr.Humberto Gobbi,MD. Psychiatrist hgobbi@gmail.com Adress: Ave. Coronel Diaz 2277 Buenos Aires CP 1425 - Argentina Dear Colleague
I need regular information about psychopharmacological drugs that can be precribed during pregnancy and that have been approved by FDA
Thanks a lot
Dr.Humberto Gobbi,MD.
Psychiatrist
hgobbi@gmail.com
Adress: Ave. Coronel Diaz 2277
Buenos Aires
CP 1425 - Argentina

]]> Comment on Cytokines: Molecular Movers and Shakers by From Arthritis to Zoster » Blog Archive » Leukemia — The Basics http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5861 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:35:06 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5861 [...] Interferon, a cytokine that influences the immune system, is often used to treat chronic leukemias. Ostensibly, interferon limits the reproduction of leukemia cells while enhancing the immune system’s response to the cancer. Other cytokines have found similar use in treating different forms of leukemia. [...] […] Interferon, a cytokine that influences the immune system, is often used to treat chronic leukemias. Ostensibly, interferon limits the reproduction of leukemia cells while enhancing the immune system’s response to the cancer. Other cytokines have found similar use in treating different forms of leukemia. […]

]]> Comment on The Doc by Batsheva Lazarus BBC http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-5551 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:48:58 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=2#comment-5551 Dear Dr. Christensen, My name is Batsheva Lazarus and I am part of a team working on a documentary on the topic of drinks at The BBC. As part of this program we are looking into drinks that make health claims-such as dietary supplements, endurance and even slimming aids. We have found your name associated with research on the supplement L-Carnitine and were hoping you might be able to lend us your expert opinion on the topic. We are researching claims made by some drinks intended for "slimming"-specifically a product sold in The UK called "Bio Skinny Water". This drink contains L-Carnitine (a 500mg dose per bottle, recommended 4 bottles a day). We are trying to gage the effectiveness of L-Carnitine in general for weight loss and specifically in the dosage recommended by Bio Skinny Water. In short, will The L-Carnitine in Bio Skinny Water help you "get skinny"? We have read many studies that claim different effects of this supplement and would be so grateful for some clarification on the subject. Might this be something you might be able to guide us on? We would be thrilled to speak with you and possible arrange an interview by phone. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing from you! Many Thanks, Batsheva Lazarus BBC Batsheva.lazarus@bbc.co.uk Dear Dr. Christensen,

My name is Batsheva Lazarus and I am part of a team working on a documentary on the topic of drinks at The BBC.
As part of this program we are looking into drinks that make health claims-such as dietary supplements, endurance and even slimming aids.

We have found your name associated with research on the supplement L-Carnitine and were hoping you might be able to lend us your expert opinion on the topic.

We are researching claims made by some drinks intended for “slimming”-specifically a product sold in The UK called “Bio Skinny Water”. This drink contains L-Carnitine (a 500mg dose per bottle, recommended 4 bottles a day). We are trying to gage the effectiveness of L-Carnitine in general for weight loss and specifically in the dosage recommended by Bio Skinny Water.

In short, will The L-Carnitine in Bio Skinny Water help you “get skinny”?

We have read many studies that claim different effects of this supplement and would be so grateful for some clarification on the subject. Might this be something you might be able to guide us on?

We would be thrilled to speak with you and possible arrange an interview by phone.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Many Thanks,
Batsheva Lazarus
BBC
Batsheva.lazarus@bbc.co.uk

]]> Comment on Arthritis 2 (Rheumatoid) by From Arthritis to Zoster » Blog Archive » What’s Causing That Lymph Node to Swell? http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=17#comment-5471 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:05:09 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=17#comment-5471 [...] Connective tissue diseases: lupus; dermatomyositis; mixed connective tissue disease; Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. [...] […] Connective tissue diseases: lupus; dermatomyositis; mixed connective tissue disease; Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. […]

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by The Doc http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5453 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:45:30 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5453 Ranjith, You're right: Varicella and zoster are the same virus; there is no antigenic difference between the two. Once you have had chickenpox (varicella), you are susceptible to shingles (zoster) because the virus retreats to your central nervous system when the chickenpox clears. Your immune system then keeps it sequestered there. When some immune insult (a cold, stress, sleep deprivation, or merely getting older) weakens your immune system, the virus is allowed to temporarily "escape." It travels down a nerve root and causes a localized infection. However, since your immune system "remembers" the virus, it quickly manages to catch up with the infection before it can spread all over your body. Furthermore, since you already have antibodies and white cells that can rapidly react to the reawakened virus, the immune response can be fairly vigorous; this is what causes the marked inflammation and pain that often accompany shingles. I hope that helps. Doc Ranjith,
You’re right: Varicella and zoster are the same virus; there is no antigenic difference between the two. Once you have had chickenpox (varicella), you are susceptible to shingles (zoster) because the virus retreats to your central nervous system when the chickenpox clears. Your immune system then keeps it sequestered there. When some immune insult (a cold, stress, sleep deprivation, or merely getting older) weakens your immune system, the virus is allowed to temporarily “escape.” It travels down a nerve root and causes a localized infection. However, since your immune system “remembers” the virus, it quickly manages to catch up with the infection before it can spread all over your body. Furthermore, since you already have antibodies and white cells that can rapidly react to the reawakened virus, the immune response can be fairly vigorous; this is what causes the marked inflammation and pain that often accompany shingles.
I hope that helps.
Doc

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by Ranjith http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5424 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:48:43 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5424 Varicella and Zoster are the same virus..Why is immunity lacking to Zoster virus when Varicella can never recur?..Is there any antigenic difference between Varicella and Zoster virus? Varicella and Zoster are the same virus..Why is immunity lacking to Zoster virus when Varicella can never recur?..Is there any antigenic difference between Varicella and Zoster virus?

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by The Doc http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5396 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:16:46 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5396 Did you have chickenpox (a whole-body rash), or did you have shingles (rash limited to a small area on one side of the body)? Post-herpetic pain is common with shingles, and its treatment is fairly straightforward. However, if you had generalized varicella (chickenpox), it's possible that you have developed a radiculitis, which is an inflammation of the nerve root(s) that lead to your arm. Do you have any problems with your immune system, such as diabetes, long-term prednisone therapy, etc? A compromised immune system can increase your chances of developing radiculitis. And, since you're apparently an adult, it's a bit late for you to be getting chickenpox, which makes me wonder about immune deficiency. Your doctor is the best one to sort this out and recommend appropriate therapy (i.e., corticosteroids, gabapentin, etc.) Good luck...sounds like you're pretty uncomfortable. Did you have chickenpox (a whole-body rash), or did you have shingles (rash limited to a small area on one side of the body)? Post-herpetic pain is common with shingles, and its treatment is fairly straightforward. However, if you had generalized varicella (chickenpox), it’s possible that you have developed a radiculitis, which is an inflammation of the nerve root(s) that lead to your arm. Do you have any problems with your immune system, such as diabetes, long-term prednisone therapy, etc? A compromised immune system can increase your chances of developing radiculitis. And, since you’re apparently an adult, it’s a bit late for you to be getting chickenpox, which makes me wonder about immune deficiency.
Your doctor is the best one to sort this out and recommend appropriate therapy (i.e., corticosteroids, gabapentin, etc.)
Good luck…sounds like you’re pretty uncomfortable.

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by shalet http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5380 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:06:13 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-5380 I have a pain in my right arm after i had a bout of chicken pox, I had pox and a week later was down with high fever and pain in my right arm.The doctor suspected respiratory infection and gave me antibiotics for it, I still have pain in my arms and I have constant pain while doing routine tasks and working(at the computer). I have more pain in right hand and sometimes in left hand as well. When i try to massage or squeeze the area it hurts. The doctor i am seeing prescribed paracetamol. and it doesnt work. Please give me an answer. thanks doc I have a pain in my right arm after i had a bout of chicken pox, I had pox and a week later was down with high fever and pain in my right arm.The doctor suspected respiratory infection and gave me antibiotics for it, I still have pain in my arms and I have constant pain while doing routine tasks and working(at the computer). I have more pain in right hand and sometimes in left hand as well. When i try to massage or squeeze the area it hurts.
The doctor i am seeing prescribed paracetamol. and it doesnt work.
Please give me an answer.
thanks doc

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