Guest guest Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 Rense.com ---------- ---- Drinking Water 'Helps Low Blood Pressure' BBC News 12-6-4 Drinking tap or bottled water could help people suffering from low blood pressure who faint while standing up, scientists have said. Researchers from Imperial College London found drinking two glasses of water (480ml) can raise blood pressure. They had studied of 14 people whose bodies had problems regulating blood pressure and whose blood pressure fell when they stood up. The Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry published the research. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the control of bodily functions not consciously directed, such as blood pressure, heart rate and sweating. The researchers focused on 14 patients with autonomic failure. Seven had pure autonomic failure (PAF), a disorder affecting only the autonomic nervous system The others had multiple system atrophy (MSA), a neurodegenerative disease marked by a combination of symptoms affecting movement, blood pressure and other body functions. In each case the act of standing up caused a fall in blood pressure. Distilled water The patients were asked to drink 480ml of distilled water. The PAF patients registered a significant rise in blood pressure five minutes after their drink. For the MSA patients the effect was the same, but took 13 minutes to become apparent. In both groups drinking water appeared to be enough to counter the fall in blood pressure caused by standing up. Researcher Professor Christopher Mathias said: " People with low blood pressure caused by autonomic failure are at a greater risk of fainting when standing upright, after food or even after mild exertion. " This can affect their life in many ways, stopping them from driving, or in extreme cases, from being able to work. " This discovery could be of considerable use in helping these patients to understand why this happens. " It may also benefit the many without autonomic failure who faint as a result of low blood pressure. " The Sarah Matheson Trust, which supports people with PAF and MSA, helped fund the research. Alison Abery, a liaison nurse for the trust, said members would welcome the findings. " It will be good for them to have something that helps to manage low blood pressure without the need to take on board extra medication, " she said. © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4063049.stm http://www.rense.com/general60/shampoorisktounborn.htm Rense.com --------------------------- Shampoo 'Risk' To Unborn Babies ---------- ---- By James Meikle Health Correspondent The Guardian - UK 12-6-4 ( Ideally best not to put anything on your skin that you can't eat.N) Unborn children may be at risk from the shampoos and hand lotions used by their pregnant mothers, it was claimed yesterday. A chemical commonly used in these toiletries can affect the growth of structures in the immature nerve cells of rats, according to researchers at Pittsburgh University in the United States. Methylisothiazoline (Mit) could also harm the developing nervous systems of humans. The compound is used as a preservative in personal care products and, because it kills harmful bacteria growing near water, is used in water cooling systems and in factories using water in manufacturing. Elias Aizenman, professor of neurobiology at Pittsburg, conceded that more work was needed but suggested that Mit inhibited the development of structures that were essential for transmitting signals between cells. " This chemical is being used more and more extensively, yet there have been no neurotoxicity studies in humans to indicate what kind and at what level exposure is safe ... Based on our data, there very well could be neuro-developmental consequences from Mit. " Dr Aizenman said: " I would be particularly concerned about occupational exposure in pregnant women and the possibility of risk to the foetus. " The Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association said Mit had passed numerous safety tests. " People use these products every day. There is no cause for concern, " its director general, Chris Flower, said. The EU commission had been advised that it was safe. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004 http://www.guardian.co.uk/ medicine/story/0,11381,1367195,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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