Category Archives: Family Health

Brain Monitoring: Delving Deeper into Religion’s Biggest Mystery

For millions of years, the human race has been fascinated by its own inner mechanisms. Curious minds have given rise to numerous branches of science and even the entire medical industry, all stemming from the complexity of biological life itself. While science has resolved many of the nagging questions cropping up in this arena, every answer seems to trigger hundreds of new mysteries.

Mind Matters

Perhaps one of the most perplexing puzzles of humanity is the brain, the literal nerve center of the body. This single organ, the fattiest one in the human body consisting mostly of water with neuron-riddled gray matter strewn across its surface, has been described as the most complex item known to man. Science knows what it’s made of and even a few details about how it operates, but so much remains unexplained.

Venturing into the Human Brain

People have marveled at the mind-boggling nature of the brain for millenia. As is the case with most situations, this innate thirst for knowledge has brought about a wide range of experiments and advancements over the years. Some of those means to new ends weren’t exactly safe, such as pneumoencephalography. Entailing draining fluid from around the brain and replacing it with air, this process may have led to certain interesting findings, but it also created unfortunate consequences.

While some of the theories presented over the years didn’t pan out, others did. Early imaging technology gave humanity its first non-invasive glimpses of the living tissue responsible for spurring on the body; unfortunately, those images were a bit disappointing. Science prevailed and moved on to find greater detail. Over time, the expansive world of brain monitoring known today came to fruition.

Taking a Deeper Look

Though ample advancements have made their way into the world of human brain watching, three key devices stand out from the crowd. Each has its own set of advantages where physical health and mental well-being are concerned. All have made their fair share of contributions to the medical and scientific realms.

  • Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): With fMRI, radio waves, magnetic fields and computer technology work in tandem to show variations in blood flow across different areas of the brain. At present, this type of monitoring is used to detect brain tumors and their growth as well as the extent of injuries from stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions. Studies are also being conducted on its capacity for diagnosing certain mental illnesses and its potential to replace traditional lie detector tests.
  • Magnetoencephalography (MEG): MEG imagery measures brain activity based on magnetic fields created during physical movement and mental thought processes. This method is used to create a type of map of the brain and is most often used to pinpoint the source of seizures. Once the source has been uncovered, physicians use the information to determine the best course of treatment.
  • Electroencephalography (EEG): As opposed to tracking blood flow or magnetic fields like fMRI and MEG, EEG looks into the brain’s electrical activity. EEG can be used to determine sleep disorders, tumors and head and brain tissue injuries as well as the origins of headaches, seizures and dizziness among other issues. This method can be conducted in a wide range of settings.

Certain similarities exist between these common types of brain monitoring; at the same time, they have their own differences as well. EEG focuses on timing whereas fMRI revolves around location. MEG offers the best of both worlds.

Exploring Yet-To-Be-Charted Territory

As far as potential use goes, monitoring brain activity still lies in its infantile stages. Perhaps even more importantly, humanity’s capacity to interpret the results of these scans has a long way to go before reaching its full potential. Looking ahead, science is particularly focusing on fMRI for its possible far-reaching applications. Analysts have already noted this method’s ability to offer insight into varying brain activity in regard to strong emotions and changing thought patterns.

Essentially, fMRI could also be used as a proactive measure in treating addiction and mental illnesses in the future. At present, though, this prospect is a bit dicey; after all, the complexity of the brain still leaves quite a bit of room for error. Certain other concepts are also currently being considered, developed and even tested. Some of them are considerably more in-depth than today’s widely used technology, but a few are also a great deal more invasive. The latter issue presents a growing margin for ethicality concerns.

Bottom Line

Science has come a long way in mapping the human brain and its activities. Connections are even being made between physical readouts and emotional responses. Having said that, far more lies beneath the surface. Humanity may one day thoroughly understand how a convoluted mass of water, fat and nerves can hold full dominion over a person’s physical and mental states as well as how the two interact with one another. For now, though, most of it remains a mystery.

Local Practitioners

Many of our clients did not start as true believers! In fact, many were downright skeptical, but driven to find solutions to their problems. They discovered biofeedback and neurofeedback works and helped them successfully recover from panic attacks, alcoholism, ADD, depression, chronic anxiety and addiction, post-traumatic stress and many others.

 

Diagnosis, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis

Many health conditions are specific to women, but endometriosis is one of the most misunderstood. Religious women are often afraid to talk about “Female issues” and those private parts. But we have to overcome that to work through the health problems with which many suffer. Although 10% of women of childbearing age suffer from the condition, knowledge is scarce. Even worse, about 75% of sufferers endure painful menstruation and pelvic pain on a monthly basis. The condition occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, and it causes pain when it breaks up each month. Here, women can learn more about this painful condition and its treatment methods.

Difficult Diagnosis

This condition is very frustrating for sufferers because it’s hard to diagnose. It’s been referred to as a ‘silent epidemic’ because it takes, on average, seven to ten years to diagnose. Some of its symptoms occur with other conditions as well, and others are highly subjective. Even a gynecologist may not be equipped to provide comprehensive care for women with this condition. The problem isn’t straightforward, and unfortunately it’s not a priority for medical researchers—which means thousands of patients and physicians are left unaware.

The Condition’s Causes

Medical researchers aren’t sure why this ailment occurs, but possible causes exist.

  • Retrograde menstruation: This occurs when blood and endometrial cells go back up the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic area instead of leaving the body. The endometrial cells stick to the organs, and they bleed with every menstrual cycle.
  • Hormone problems in puberty: Estrogen, in particular, may turn embryonic cells into endometrial cells. Other female hormones can turn peritoneal cells into endometrial cells, exacerbating the condition.
  • Scar implantation: Surgeries such as Cesarean sections and hysterectomies can encourage endometrial cells to attach to the incision.

Other things can potentially cause this condition. If a woman believes she has it, she should see her ob/gyn doctor right away.

Risk Factors

There are numerous risk factors for this condition. If a woman has never given birth, or she became pregnant at a later age, she’s at greater risk. Women who started their menstrual cycle before age 11, those with short cycles, and those who go through menopause later in life are also more likely to have this problem. Finally, women with a family history of similar problems, and those with medical conditions that prevent menstrual flow from leaving the body are at a greater risk of this painful condition. In the sections below, readers can learn some of the symptoms of endometrial problems.

Severe Cramps

While some cramping is normal, a woman with endometrial overgrowth may experience severe pain that gets worse with time. Pain may be persistent, dull, burning, or deep, and it can be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.

Heavy Menstrual Flow

All women experience different things during their cycles. While some only have light spotting, others have a heavier flow. If a woman’s period lasts longer than a week, or it’s severe enough to interfere with daily life, she should speak to a doctor.

Bloating

Excessive swelling and inflammation caused by errant endometrial cells can show itself as abdominal tenderness and bloat. In some women, swelling can be so significant that they gain pant sizes during their cycle.

Fatigue

Because of menstrual blood loss, fatigue is an often-cited symptom of this condition. Excessive tiredness can be caused by anemia and inflammation, and cramps make it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep.

Management

This condition is usually diagnosed during an MRI, a biopsy, a laparoscopy or an ultrasound. It’s classified in stages, from severe to minimal, and science hasn’t yet found a cure. However, many women manage the condition with surgery, pain relievers and hormone rebalancing. If a woman thinks she may have this condition, she should look for an endometrial specialist who can recommend the right treatment. Check your local Ob/Gyn for Endometriosis issues.