Childhood leukemia survivors at increased risk of experiencing neurocognitive deficits, reduced exercise capacity

People who have survived the most commonly occurring childhood cancer - acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) - are at an increased risk of experiencing neurocognitive deficits and reduced exercise capacity, a new study has found.

Researchers looked for an association between these outcomes by examining exercise and neuropsychological test results, as well as questionnaire answers, from 341 adult survivors of childhood ALL and 288 healthy controls.

They measured how much physical activity survivors could tolerate and how that related to their ability to think, learn, memorise, read, and do math.

Compared with controls, survivors had worse cardiovascular fitness and poorer performance on neuropsychological tests, including those related to attention, memory, and academic skills.

After adjusting for age, sex, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, smoking status, and physical activity, the authors found that increases in exercise capacity were associated with better performance on various neuropsychological tests among survivors.

Previous studies in children and older adults without cancer have suggested that physical fitness can provide benefits to brain function and academic performance.

Results from the study published in the journal Cancer, indicate that such benefits might also be experienced by children with cancer who need potentially neurotoxic anticancer treatments.

"Our research suggests that a minor improvement in exercise tolerance, such as going from sitting on the couch and watching TV to walking around the block for 30 minutes a day, can have a significant impact on survivors' intellectual health," said lead author of the study.

"We know that memory and thinking skills decline as we age. Any improvement in exercise tolerance, even in adulthood, may have an impact on a survivor's ability to think, learn, and memorize," added another researcher.  

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Fitness trackers more accurate in predicting patient health outcomes

Researchers found that fitness trackers can better estimate exercise capacity and determine the health status of patients, rather than the cliche 6-minute walk distance test doctors opt for.

Researchers said the test results are another example in how wearable and monitoring devices like Fitbits and Apple watches can be used in patient care to improve outcomes.

For patients, this means we can track their progress more frequently in a manner that's less expensive and more convenient than current standarised testing, said the lead researcher.

The 6 minute walk distance is an important, objective standard used to assess exercise capacity. Patients walk for 6 minutes and then based on how many meters they cover in that time, physicians can predict outcomes and mortality for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases.

Normally, the 6 WMD test is done every few months or once a year. Now, we may be able to measure patients on a regular basis and know if we need to intervene if their estimated 6 WMD by step count changes, said the Dr.

In the study, researchers conducted a 12-week, blinded, randomised, cross-over trial with 52 patients, a group that included adults with a history of respiratory problems during periods of elevated air pollution. Wrist step counters tracked patient steps for those 12 weeks, and patients also filled out respiratory symptoms questionnaires.

Researchers found they could effectively estimate a patient's 6WMD results by using step counters, instead of having patients come in a clinical setting to do the 6WMD test.

Instead of having one measurements every few months, you could have weekly measurements, and have information at disease progression at more frequent intervals. This is a significant improvement and enhanced convenience for our patients, said the Dr.

The implications? Using wrist step counters will allow physicians to track how their patients are doing, the progression of the disease and whether a patient requires immediate intervention.

Being able to distill step counts into this clinically important metric is a first step in being able to think about how to use step counters in order to better manage health and detect deterioration earlier, added the Dr.

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Vitamin D pill a day keeps heart risk at bay

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 You may want to start popping Vitamin D pills as a recent research has found that taking the supplements can improve exercise performance and lower the risk of heart disease.

Vitamin D, which is both a vitamin and a hormone, helps control levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood and is essential for the formation of bones and teeth. Sources of Vitamin D include oily fish and eggs, but it can be difficult to get enough through diet alone. Most people generate vitamin D by exposing their skin to ultraviolet B rays in sunlight.

In the study, researchers from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that adults supplementing with vitamin D had lower blood pressure compared to those given a placebo, as well as having lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their urine.

A fitness test found that the group taking vitamin D could cycle 6.5km in 20 minutes, compared to just 5km at the start of the experiment. Despite cycling 30 percent further in the same time, the group taking vitamin D supplements also showed lower signs of physical exertion.

Lead author Emad Al-Dujaili said that vitamin D deficiency is a silent syndrome linked to insulin resistance, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and a higher risk for certain cancers, adding that the study adds to the body of evidence showing the importance of tackling this widespread problem.

The research has been presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Edinburgh.

Health Checks Worth Doing on a Regular Basis

Illness is something we as humans are forever dreading, especially since we know some cases can be chronic or life-threatening. The worst part is, we don’t realize we're ill until the symptoms become unavoidable. By following the self-checks below you can assure yourself of your body's health - they’re quick, easy and definitely worth knowing! You’d be surprised to see what the smallest sign in your body may indicate.

1. Check your eyes for cholesterol levels

A lack of white in your eyes normally indicates that you’re tired or hung-over, but surprisingly enough, excess white in your eyes, such as a white line circling your iris, might be indicative of high cholesterol levels. Finding that your eyelids have a flat, yellowish color with velvety patches is also a serious sign. Do not let this symptom go unnoticed and risk getting further complications, such as coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks in the future. See your GP to get your cholesterol checked and treated!

2. Count your moles to check for skin diseases

Moles are generally harmless, but if you find that you have more than 50 moles on your body, take this as a big warning sign, especially if they are multi-colored, growing in size, seem inflamed, or have a ragged edge. If you notice any of these signs in your moles, a good idea would be to regularly keep a record of their development by taking photos so it would be easier for your doctor to inspect them. If your moles also start to redden, become itchy or even bleed, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Such unusual-looking moles may be the cause of a type of skin cancer called malignant melanoma. 

3. Look for signs before you flush the toilet

Our excretions can also tell us about the health of our intestines, our digestion and our level of hydration. Every stool color, for instance, indicates different dietary causes or even problems. For example, a yellow color indicates excess fats, due to a malabsorption disorder such as celiac disease. What is most worrying is finding black or red stools, which may signify stomach or intestinal bleeding. These call for prompt medical attention. Urine can also be checked for its color: A pale color signifies good health, whereas a dark yellow color might mean you're dehydrated and need to increase your intake of water.

4. Check your eyebrows for thyroid health

If you notice an unusual lack of thickness in your eyebrows, it could be that you are suffering from an underactive thyroid, which means that your thyroid gland is not producing enough hormones. You may need to speak to a doctor, especially if you are also gaining weight and feeling tired and/or depressed. A blood test should easily confirm this problem. If  left untreated, it might lead to heart disease, the appearance of goiters, pregnancy complications and other health issues.

 

5. Watch your stomach for signs of Ovarian cancer

Bloating in your stomach area can have a range of different causes, including menstruation, intolerance to dairy products, eating too fast, constipation, medical side-effects, and a typically common assumption - weight gain. However, did you know this could also be the cause of very serious health conditions? Ovarian cancer is one of them, and its symptoms also include nausea and persistent pain or cramps in the stomach or back. Speak to a doctor if you experience these in a severe way so you can treat it in its early stages. Reduce general stomach bloating by eating more slowly, consuming less carbonated drinks, and avoiding chewing gum and drinking through straws.

6. Check your breathing by doing some step-ups

Have you been feeling more tired than usual after climbing up a flight of stairs? This can also be directly connected to your health. Doing some exercise can both act as a test for yourself and also as practice. Step-ups are mostly recommended because they elevate the heart rate and hence our breathing. For this exercise, you must find a relatively high step (not higher than your hips) and step up and down. Try doing 70 of these in three minutes and then put your fingers on your pulse to check it. If it’s over 100 and you’re still out of breath 10 minutes after the exercise, then you need to consider exercising more frequently. Lack of exercise can lead to serious diseases such obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even early death.

7. Calculate the time you spend sitting down daily

As we become more technology-dependent, we are adopting more of a sedentary lifestyle. According to the US Women’s Health Study, women over 50 who sit for 11 hours a day reduce their life expectancy by 9 years! The consequences for a sedentary lifestyle can be very serious, including deep vein thrombosis, colon cancer, osteoporosis, kidney stones and a Spinal disc herniation (slipped disc). Improve your lifestyle by adding regular physical activity to your routine, at least 2.5 hours a week.

8. Look out for temperature changes in your body

Care for your blood vessels' health and circulation by observing the temperature changes in your body, especially in extreme temperature conditions. Excess heat from the sun, stress, and eating very spicy food may cause flushing in the face – particularly redness in the cheeks and nose. This means that the blood vessels are dilating and this may not be a healthy sign, especially if you are a woman between 30 and 55. Cold conditions can be just as dangerous to our body if we aren’t prepared for them – frequently experiencing cold feet or hands indicates lack of circulation, which could lead to Raynaud’s disease (suffering from excessively reduced blood flow). So, make sure to take the necessary precautions before this becomes a risk!

9. Inspect your nipples for signs of breast cancer

A well-known pointer that calls for a professional body check-up is having abnormalities in your nipples. Be on the look-out for inward-facing nipples as this could be a typical sign of breast cancer. If your nipples show any eczema, discharge or bloodstains, take action. Make sure to look out for these signs regularly when showering and find time to do regular exercise, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and drink less alcohol to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer.

10. Examine your nails to look out for fungal infections

It is rather easy for toenails to get an infection and one of the obvious symptoms of this event is when the nail becomes discolored, thickens, or becomes brittle, causing discomfort in your feet. Keep your feet safe from this by checking them regularly, keeping them clean and dry from excess sweat due to the heat, using shoes that are just right for your feet and not too old, not trimming or picking the skin around the toenails, and avoid walking barefoot in public places. If you do suffer from an infected toenail, seek medical assistance and use antifungal spray or powder to treat it.

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Beetroot juice boosts exercise capacity of COPD patients

Drinking beetroot juice may improve exercise capacity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, a new study has claimed.

The research by Wake Forest University looked at a small group of COPD patients who drank beetroot juice as compared to a placebo drink before exercise.

“The intent of this study was to determine if acute ingestion of beetroot juice, which is rich with nitrates, prior to exercising could improve the exercise capacity of COPD patients,” said Michael Berry, who is the primary investigator and lead author of the study.

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, makes it difficult for patients to breathe and worsens over time.

Patients often complain of shortness of breath with exertion, so tasks like climbing steps can leave them gasping for air. In turn, they tend to limit their activities, become more sedentary, and lose fitness and physical function.

Berry said his study findings showed overall that those patients who drank beetroot juice were able to extend their exercise time, and had reduced exercise diastolic and resting systolic blood pressures.

This is the first study to demonstrate beneficial effects of dietary nitrite supplementation on exercise performance and blood pressure in patients with COPD, he added.

Researchers recruited 15 COPD patients; 11 white males, one African-American male and three white females. Patients completed four visits.

During visit one, they completed baseline pulmonary function testing, filled out health status questionnaires, had a brief medical examination and completed an incremental exercise test on a stationary bicycle to determine their maximal exercise work rate.

The second visit one week later consisted of additional pulmonary function and lung volume testing, as well as a familiarisation exercise test on an exercise bicycle at 75 per cent of the patients’ previously determined maximal work rates.

Participants were assigned to one of two treatments - beetroot juice (visit three) and placebo (visit four) or placebo (visit three) and beetroot juice (visit four). These visits were separated by at least a seven-day break.

The study was published in the journal Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry.

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