Improved MRI scans could aid in development of arthritis treatments

An algorithm that analyses MRI images and automatically detects small changes in knee joints over time could be used in the development of new treatments for arthritis.

 A team of engineers, radiologists and physicians, led by the University of Cambridge, developed the algorithm, which builds a three-dimensional model of an individual's knee joint in order to map where arthritis is affecting the knee. It then automatically creates 'change maps' which not only tell researchers whether there have been significant changes during the study but allow them to locate exactly where these are.

There are few effective treatments for arthritis, and the technique could be a considerable boost to efforts to develop and monitor new therapies for the condition. The results are reported in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. It develops when the articular cartilage that coats the ends of bones and allows them to glide smoothly over each other at joints, is worn down, resulting in painful, immobile joints. Currently there is no recognised cure and the only definitive treatment is surgery for artificial joint replacement.

Osteoarthritis is normally identified on an X-ray by a narrowing of the space between the bones of the joint due to a loss of cartilage. However, X-rays do not have enough sensitivity to detect subtle changes in the joint over time.

 "We don't have a good way of detecting these tiny changes in the joint over time in order to see if treatments are having any effect," said Dr James MacKay from Cambridge's Department of Radiology, and the study's lead author. "In addition, if we're able to detect the early signs of cartilage breakdown in joints, it will help us understand the disease better, which could lead to new treatments for this painful condition."

The current study builds on earlier work from the same team, who developed an algorithm to monitor subtle changes in arthritic joints in CT scans. Now, they are using similar techniques for MRI, which provides more complete information about the composition of tissue - not just information about the thickness of cartilage or bone. 

MRI is already widely used to diagnose joint problems, including 

arthritis, but manually labelling each image is time-consuming, 

and may be less accurate than automated or semi-automated 

techniques when detecting small changes over a period of months 

or years.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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3 massage techniques to get relief from sinus pain

Only a person suffering from the problem of sinusitis knows how painful the condition is. Stuffy nose, headaches, coughing, and fever can knock off anyone and make a person feel lousy. Sinusitis is the swelling of the sinuses, which is caused due to seasonal allergies or a common cold. But some people experience this due to abnormal tissue growth inside the nose, an uneven wall of tissue and other illnesses. Generally, people take over-the counter-drugs to get some relief from the sinus pain, but massage can also be an excellent alternative.

How massage helps
Massage is an easy way to get relief from the problem of sinusitis. You just have to gently rub some specific sinus points and that's all. A human body has four pairs of sinuses found in different areas of the face. Each one is named after the bones in which it is found. It is said massaging these points can provide relief from sinus pain and congestion. 

The 3 massage points are:
1. Frontal sinus points
The frontal sinus is found in the center of the forehead. The point is located just above your eyes near the nasal bridge.
How to massage the point: Place your index and middle finger on both the sides of the forehead, just above your eyebrows. Massage the points slowly in a circular outward motion for 30 seconds.
2. Maxillary sinus points
Maxillary sinuses are the largest of all the four sinuses found in the human body. The points can be found on either side of the nose below your cheekbones and above the jaws.
How to massage the point: Place your index and middle finger between your cheekbones and the upper jaw, on both the sides of your nose. Massage this area in a circular motion for about 30 seconds.

3. Sphenoid/ethmoid sinus points

The sphenoid sinuses are located just behind the nose and between the eyes, while the ethmoid sinuses are located in the ethmoid bone that divides the nasal cavity from the brain.

How to massage the point: Place your index fingers on both the sides of the bridge of your nose. The point is located between your nasal bone and the corner of the eyes. Apply pressure on this area with your fingers for about 15 seconds. Then gently stroke downward along the side of the bridge of your nose with your fingers. Repeat this for about 30 seconds.

The bottom line:
You can repeat all these massages several times until you feel better. You can also try some home remedies like steam, warm and cold compresses along with these massages. 

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                     FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                   

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The Japanese Breathing Technique: The Long-Breath Diet

Trying to buy the purest, most organic ingredients, signing up for the gym, and purchasing new fitness accessories can cost a lot of money. It’s lucky for you that we are here to share with you a brilliant free way to lose weight, using only the right breathing technique.

The long-breath diet was discovered by Japanese actor Miki Ryosuke, who used his accidental exercise to lose 28 lbs. (and 5 inches around the waist!) in a mere 50 days. Ryosuke was practicing some breathing exercises to provide pain relief as he recovered from a recent back injury, when he discovered he could lose weight quickly by spending only two to five minutes per day taking long, deep breaths and exhaling while contracting all the body’s muscles.

 

The long breath diet can be done in two simple ways. Here we’ll take you step by step through what you need to do to master it. 

Long Breath Diet Technique 1

Tighten your buttocks and, at the same time, place one foot in front of your body, expending 90% of your body weight on your back foot. Standing in this position, inhale for a count of three seconds while lifting your arms above your head. Then, when you exhale, your body’s muscles will be forced to contract while the air is being let out (for seven seconds). 

Repeat this process for between two and five minutes every day to see the best results.

Long Breath Diet Technique 2 This time, stand upright and tighten your buttocks. Place a hand upon your abdomen and another hand on your lower back. While sucking in your midsection, inhale for three seconds. Then for seven seconds exhale, while continuing to suck in your stomach for seven seconds.

Repeat this exercise for between two and five minutes a day to see the best results.

Deep Breathing and Weight Loss If you’re sitting there wondering whether there is any way at all that breathing can help you lose weight, you’re far from alone. Yet, as Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP explains, there is much good that breathing can do to help while dieting. Even if you only use Ryosuke’s technique as part of a wider exercise regimen “deep breathing enhances the benefits.” This is because breathing fills the body with the oxygen that’s necessary for the body to absorb nutrients and remove toxins, both of which aid and lead to weight loss. 

Study Supports Deep Breathing Claims

A study revealed that a combination of yoga and deep breathing exercises aided teens losing weight. The study divided 60 boys and girls into two groups. The first undertook 40 minutes of yoga and deep breathing (pranayama), four times a week for 12 weeks. The second group did none of this. At the end of the trial, the first group had lost and average of 6 lbs. without any change in their diets. 
The study’s author, Anand B. Shetty, concludes with the following advice: “I recommend 30 minutes of pranayama and yoga, three to four times a week. This can easily be incorporated at home during leisure time.”
How Breathing Helps Break Down Fat Furthermore, the creator of Oxycise, claims that “the more oxygen our bodies use, the more fat we will burn.” This is because fat is made up of oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. When oxygen is breathed in it reaches the fat molecules and breaks them down into carbon dioxide and water. Then, as the blood picks up the carbon dioxide it sends it to the lungs to be breathed out. 
The combination of good regular exercise and deep breathing can therefore safely be relied upon to lead to significant weight loss.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                              PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                   

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