In a recent issue of the journal Muscle and Nerve, the study maintains that people without carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms can register abnormal results on the nerve conduction tests. Likewise, those people with symptoms of wrist pain and tingling will no t register as having nerve damage.
According to the study, co-authored by physical medicine and rehabilitation associate Prof. Robert Werner and neurology Prof. James Albers, physicians should use a continuous scale to evaluate test results instead of choosing a cutoff point to distinguish between normal and abnormal results.
The study examined 158 workers, mostly women, who spend a large amount of time at work on the computer keyboard. The study noted that women between the ages of 30 and 60 are most often affected.
An estimated 850,000 Americans complain of carpal-tunnel-like symptoms and 260,000 undergo corrective wrist surgery annually.
The study's researchers said it is important to ensure accurate and reliable testing.
After meeting with Epilepsy Foundation President Arlene Gorelick last summer, the governor dedicated the month to promote awareness of the disorder.
In response to the governor's declaration, the foundation launched a statewide awareness campaign to shift the public perception of the disorder.
The campaign will include a print ad campaign promoting a low carbohydrate ketogenic diet to eliminate seizures. It will also promote wearing helmets to prevent head trauma during outdoor activities.
In addition, there will be television and radio public service announcements and fundraising events at 12 metro Detroit Borders Books and Music stores.
Gorelick said she hopes to dispel the myths and misconceptions associated with Epilepsy by providing factual information to the public.
The study, led by psychiatry Prof. Rena Wing and psychiatry assistant research Prof. John Jakicic, showed that women with home exercise equipment lost an average of 16.3 pounds each, while the other women lost an average of 8.1 pounds each.
Jakicic said the reason for the difference is that having the equipment at home made the women's exercise regimens more flexible.
Jakicic also said that people are more inclined to use the treadmill, for example, when it is raining, instead of going outside and getting wet traveling to a gym..
The study also concluded that women who did shorter, multiple sessions of daily exercise lost an average of 16.3 pounds each, while women who did a longer, single daily session lost an average of 12.8 pounds each.
HIV drugs linked to heart disease
According to a University of Wisconsin at Madison study, HIV drugs may increase risk of developing coronary artery disease.
Researchers claim that HIV protease inhibitors, which prevent the virus from attacking the body's immune system and replicating, tend to increase blood sugar levels. These high blood sugar levels can cause weight gain and increased blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors for coronary heart disease.
University of Wisconsin assistant professor of medicine James Stein and cardiologist James Sosman studied 28 HIV-positive patients for signs of dysfunction in the blood vessel lining. The 21 patients on protease inhibitors showed impaired responses while the other seven, who were not on the inhibitors, showed normal blood flow and clotting.
Stein said this is no cause for alarm, but patients on the protease inhibitors should be sure to get their cholesterol and blood levels checked regularly.
-compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Risa Berrin
11-11-99
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