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Elon Musk claims that “disk replacement” worked for him. However, there is a lack of evidence that this surgery helps treat chronic pain

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Last week, in a post on X, the owner of the platform, Elon Musk Recommended people consider disc alternative in the event that they experience severe neck or back pain.

According to the billionaire’s biography, he suffered from chronic back and neck pain since he tried “judo throw” The 350-pound sumo wrestler was at a Japanese-themed event celebrating his forty second birthday in 2013 and blew out a disc at the bottom of his neck.

In the comments below the post, Musk said the surgery was a “game changer” and significantly reduced his pain.

Musk’s original post has to date had over 50 million views and was generated dispute. So what is disk alternative surgery and what does the evidence tell us about its advantages and harms?

What does disk alternative involve?

Disc alternative is a type of surgery wherein a number of of the spinal discs (the cushion between the bones of the spine, also called vertebrae) are removed and replaced with a man-made disc to keep up movement between the vertebrae. Artificial discs are made of metal or combination made of metal and plastic.

Disk alternative could be performed in case many reasonsincluding slipped discs within the neck, as appears to be the case with Musk.

Disk alternative is possible major surgery. It requires general anesthesia and the surgery often takes 2-4 hours. Most people stay within the hospital for 2-7 days. After surgery, patients can walk, but must avoid physical exercise and driving for 3-6 weeks. You might have to wear a neck brace (after neck surgery) or a back brace (after spine surgery) for about 6 weeks.



Costs vary depending on whether you might have surgery in the general public or private health care system, whether you might have private medical insurance, and in your level of coverage, if that’s the case. In Australia, even when you might have medical insurance, disc alternative surgery can leave you with over A$12,000 out of pocket.

Disc alternative surgery is not performed as often as other spine surgeries (spinal fusion, for example), but its use is increasing.

IN New South Wales for example, privately funded disc alternative rates increased sixfold from 6.2 per million people in 2010–2011 to 38.4 per million in 2019–2020.

What are the advantages and harms?

People considering surgery often consider this option before not having surgery. However, only a few studies have been conducted comparing disc alternative surgery with non-surgical treatment.

Clinical trials are the most effective strategy to check whether treatment is effective. You first want to point out that the brand new treatment is higher than doing nothing, before you begin comparing it with other treatments. In the case of surgical procedures, the following step could also be to check the procedure with non-surgical alternatives.

Unfortunately, these crucial first research steps have been largely missed in disc alternative surgery for neck and back pain. As a result, there is great uncertainty about treatment.

We usually are not aware of any clinical trials examining whether disc alternative is effective in treating neck pain in comparison with nothing or in comparison with non-surgical treatment.

For low back pain, the one clinical trial to our knowledge comparing disc alternative with a non-surgical alternative found that disc alternative surgery was barely simpler than an intensive rehabilitation program after two years AND eight years.

Many people experience chronic pain.
Yan Krukau/Pexels

Complications usually are not unusual and may contain artificial disc dislocation, artificial disc fracture (rupture) and infection.

In the above-mentioned clinical study 26 of 77 patients undergoing surgery a complication occurred inside two years of the follow-up visit, including one one who underwent revision surgery, which resulted in damage to an artery resulting in the necessity to amputate the leg. Revision surgery means redoing the unique surgery if something needs repairing.

Are there effective alternatives?

The very first thing to think about is whether surgery is mandatory. searching second opinion can aid you feel higher informed about your options.

Many surgeons view disc alternative as an alternative choice to spinal fusion, and that is the selection often presented to patients. Indeed, the research evidence used to support disk alternative comes primarily from comparative studies disk alternative Down spinal fusion. These studies show that individuals with neck pain can get better and return to work more quickly after a disc alternative in comparison with a spinal fusion procedure, and that individuals with back pain may get barely more pain relief after a disc alternative than after a spinal fusion procedure.

However, spinal fusion is also not well supported by evidence comparing it to non-surgical alternatives and, like disc alternative, is also expensive and carries a significant risk of harm.

Fortunately, latest, non-surgical treatments can be found to patients neck and back pain, which evidence shows are effective – and less expensive than surgery. These include therapies that address each physical and psychological aspects that contribute to a person’s pain, similar to cognitive-functional therapy.



Although Musk reported good immediate results from disk alternative surgery, given the evidence – or lack thereof – we advise caution when considering this surgery. And for those who’re faced with a selection between disc alternative and spinal fusion, you could want to think about a third alternative: no surgery in any respect.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler is now available – Essence

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Moncler

Willow Smith’s debut collection with Moncler has been launched. The capsule is a mixture of the inside of a musician, actress, writer and creator. In it, a futuristic and unbelievable world is explored through clothes. Smith’s personal style was also showcased. The lineup was originally revealed in Shanghai.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“Minimalism and utilitarianism. Femininity and masculinity. Black and white. “Putting ideas together in an elegant way is something that really excites me and I wanted to explore that with this collection,” Willow shared.

“Willow’s magnetic energy is captured in a series of images exploring the primary themes of the collection: clashing contrasts, rebirth and renewal, yin and yang, recent beginnings – inspired by Moncler’s mountain origins and love of nature. “Willow’s creativity influences every aspect of the videos and photos accompanying the collection: she not only drives the concept, but also models her designs, narrates the short film and provides the soundtrack,” the brand said in a press release. The launch is accompanied by black and white campaign photos – the dramatization of those photos ushers in an exciting era for Smith.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

The collection is dominated by knitwear perfect for layering, a down jacket and heavy sweatshirts created in shrunken proportions. The capsule is accomplished with extensive outerwear options and a brief-sleeved T-shirt with silver eyelet. The T-shirt is also available in an extended-sleeved version. The collection includes cream and black shades. The down vest with a hood and a brief cut stands out.

Salix leather boots are characterised by an interesting design. In addition to nodding to punk influences, this footwear option is designed with a Moncler logo on the toe, elastic panels on the front and a rubber sole.

Willow Smith's debut collection with Moncler is now available
Moncler

“I am incredibly passionate about the outdoors and exploring this wonderful land. I imagine these pieces can easily transition from overnight camping to fashionable evening wear,” Willow added, emphasizing the natural duality of the collection.

Moncler X Willow Smith is currently available in chosen Moncler stores and more moncler.com .

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Women are less likely to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation than men. Training on breast mannequins could be helpful

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If someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, this may increasingly have happened minutes of life. Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation may increase their probabilities of survival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps blood pumping, delivering oxygen to the brain and vital organs until specialized treatment arrives.

However, research shows that bystanders are less likely to intervene to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person is a girl. AND latest Australian study analyzed 4,491 cardiac arrest cases between 2017 and 2019 and located that bystanders were more likely to perform CPR on men (74%) than on women (65%).

Could this be partly because CPR training mannequins (so-called dummies) shouldn’t have breasts? Our recent research we checked out mannequins available all over the world to train people to perform CPR and located that 95% of them were flat-chested.

Anatomically, breasts don’t change the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique. However, they’ll influence whether people try to accomplish that – and hesitation at these key moments could mean the difference between life and death.

Differences in heart health

Cardiovascular diseases – including heart disease, stroke and cardiac arrest – are probably the most common diseases important reason behind death for ladies all over the world.

But if a girl goes into cardiac arrest outside the hospital (meaning her heart stops pumping air properly), that is actually what happens. 10% less likely receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation than a person. Women too less likely survive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and are at greater risk of brain damage following cardiac arrest.

Bystanders are less likely to intervene if a girl needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to a person.
Doublelee/Shutterstock

These are just among the many health inequalities experienced by women, in addition to transgender and non-binary people. Compared to men, their symptoms they are more likely to be rejected or misdiagnosed, or it could take longer to receive a diagnosis.

Reluctance of the witness

There can also be growth evidence women are less likely to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to men.

This may be partly due to the concerns of those being accused of sexual harassmentworry may cause damage (in some cases based on the assumption that ladies are more “fragile”) and discomfort related to touching women’s breasts.

Bystanders may also get into trouble recognition the lady has a cardiac arrest.

Even in simulated scenarios, researchers found that interveners were less likely to remove women’s clothing prepare for resuscitationcompared to men. And there have been women less likely to receive Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation (an electrical charge to restart the center) – even when the training was in the shape of a web based game that didn’t require touching anyone.

There is evidence of how people behave in resuscitation training scenarios reflects what they do in real emergency situations. This means it is amazingly vital to train people to recognize cardiac arrest and prepare for intervention, no matter gender or body type.

Attached to men’s bodies

Very Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training resources depict male bodies or don’t specify gender. If bodies shouldn’t have breasts, it’s a male default.

For example, the 12 months 2022 test taking a look at CPR training in North, Central, and South America, it was found that nearly all of available mannequins were white (88%), male (94%), and slim (99%).

The woman's hands press the torso of a mannequin wearing a blue jacket.
It is amazingly rare for a mannequin to have breasts or a bigger body.
M Isolation photo/Shutterstock

This research reflects what we see in our work once we train other healthcare professionals to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We noticed that every one the mannequins available for training are flat chested. One of us (Rebecca) had difficulty finding training mannequins with breasts.

Single mannequin with breasts

Our recent research we checked what cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins are available and the way diverse they are. In 2023, we identified 20 cardiopulmonary resuscitation mannequins in the worldwide market. Mannequins are often torsos with no head and without arms.

Of the 20 available, five (25%) were sold as “female”, but only considered one of them had breasts. This implies that 95% of obtainable CPR training mannequins were flat-chested.

We also checked out other diversity characteristics, including skin tone and bigger bodies. We found that 65% had more than one skin tone available, but just one had a bigger body. Further research is required on the impact of those elements on bystanders when performing CPR.

Breasts don’t change cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique doesn’t change when someone has breasts. The barriers are cultural. And although you could feel uncomfortable, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation as soon as possible can save your life.

Signs that somebody may have cardiopulmonary resuscitation include not respiration properly or completely or not responding to you.

Perform effective cardiopulmonary resuscitationit’s best to:

  • place the heel of your hand in the middle of your chest

  • place your second hand on top of the primary and interlace your fingers (keep your arms straight)

  • press firmly to a depth of about 5 cm before releasing

  • press your chest with a frequency of 100-120 beats per minute (you may sing a song) in your head to show you how to keep time!)

An example of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation – using a flat-chest manikin.

What a couple of defibrillator?

You haven’t got to remove someone’s bra to perform CPR. But you could need to accomplish that if a defibrillator is required.

AND defibrillator is a tool that uses an electrical charge to restart the center. An underwired bra may cause minor skin burns when the debrillator pads apply an electrical charge. However, in case you cannot take your bra off, don’t let it delay your care.

What should change?

Our research highlights the necessity for a big selection of breast CPR training mannequins, in addition to a wide range of body sizes.

Training resources need to higher prepare people to intervene and perform CPR on individuals with breasts. We also need greater education on the chance of developing and dying from heart disease in women.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Ant stings can be painful. Here’s how to avoid getting stung this summer (and what to do if it happens)

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The starting of summer is just a couple of days away, and plenty of of us will be looking forward to long, sunny days spent on the beach, by the pool, camping or having a picnic within the park.

Insects love summer too. Most of them right then grow and feed. However, this shared appreciation of the season can sometimes lead to conflict.

Insects have long been preyed upon by many species, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and other insects. Accordingly, quite a lot of defense mechanisms have evolved – perhaps none more familiar to humans than the sting.

Many ants have a stinger on their rear end which they use to deliver venom. It will not be the sting itself that causes pain, but relatively venom. Ant venom accommodates a mix of various chemicals, a few of which have evolved specifically to manipulate the nerve endings in our skin to cause pain.

Let’s take a have a look at the several ant stings chances are you’ll experience this summer in Australia and how to respond.

Bull ants

Bull ants (also often called bulldog ants, jumper ants, or jumper ants) are large for an ant. Some species can grow to length 4 centimeters. They are easily identified by their large eyes, long mandibles (jaws), and aggressive nature.

Their sting is immediate, hot, sharp and unambiguous, similar to that of a honey bee. The intense pain will only last a couple of minutes before being replaced by redness and swelling across the sting site.

There are many differing kinds of bull ants in Australia.
Sam Robinson

Green-headed ants

Green-headed ants are also called green ants (but not to be confused with green ants). green tree ants northern Australia, which do not sting). Green-headed ants are common and love our lawns.

About Length 6 millimetersthey’re much smaller than bull ants. They can be recognized by their shiny green-purple exoskeleton.

Green-headed ants are frequently less aggressive than bull ants, but they can still deliver a big sting. The pain from a green ant sting can construct up step by step and cause intense, sticky pain.

Green-headed ant.
Green-headed ants can be identified by their color.
Sam Robinson

Fire ants

Fire ants (or imported red fire ants) are native to South America. They were detected first in Brisbane in 2001it probably moved in containers and has since spread across south-east Queensland.

Fire ants are reddish brown and black and range in size from Length 2–6 millimeters.

You will almost certainly encounter fire ants of their nests, which appear like a pile of loose dirt. A hearth ant nest has no obvious entrance, which is way to distinguish it from other similar ant nests.

Disturbing a hearth ant nest will awaken an offended mass of a whole bunch of ants and expose you to being stung.

The initial pain from a single sting seems like an intense, hot itch, although it can be controlled. However, fire ant stings rarely occur in the only digits. One ant can sting multiple times, and plenty of ants can sting one person, which can lead to a whole bunch of stings. A hearth ant sting can cause pus-filled ulcers and scarring in the next days.

If you reside in an area where fire ants are present, it’s price taking a couple of minutes to learn how to do this recognize and report their.

Electric ants

Electric ants is one other nasty random import, coming from Central and South America. Currently limited to Cairns and surroundingsthese are tiny (1.5 millimeters long) yellow ants.

Like fire ants, these ants are frequently defensive, so lots of them will sting without delay. Their sting is more painful than you’ll expect from such a tiny creature. I compare it to being showered with red, hot sparks.

If you think that you see electric ants, please report it Biosecurity in Queensland.

Australian ants should not the worst

You may be surprised to hear that Australian ants don’t even make it to the rostrum when it comes to essentially the most painful ant stings. The winners include: harvester ants (North and South America), which cause severe, sticky pain, comparable to a drill slowly rotating in a muscle – for up to 12 hours.

The gold medal goes to the sting of the South and Central American bullet ant, which has been described How:

Pure, intense, sensible pain. It’s like walking on burning charcoal with a 3-inch nail stuck in your heel.

How to avoid getting stung (and what to do if you do)

Fortunately, the answer is frequently quite simple. Look around before you sit on the bottom or unfolded a picnic blanket, avoiding places where you see ant nests or a lot of foraging ants.

The selection of footwear might also be necessary. In my experience, most stings occur on the feet of those wearing thongs.

If you get stung, generally the situation will improve by itself. The pain often subsides after a couple of minutes (sometimes slightly longer within the case of a green ant sting). The redness, swelling and itching that sometimes follows may last for several days.

In the meantime, if mandatory, ice pack it will help with the pain. If it’s particularly bad, a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine may provide temporary relief. You can get it over-the-counter at a pharmacy.

A small proportion of individuals may experience an allergic response to ant stings. In very severe cases this may include respiratory problems or ingestion. If you or a loved one experiences these symptoms after an ant sting, you need to seek urgent medical attention.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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