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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

TGA approved Donanemab to Alzheimer’s disease. How does this drug work and who will be able to access it?

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This week, Australia Administration of therapeutic goods (TGA) approved the drug called Donanamab for people within the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

DonanaMab was previously approved in lots of other countries, including United States.

So what’s Donanemab and who will be able to access it in Australia?

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How does Donanemab work?

There are over 100 different causes dementiaBut Alzheimer’s disease itself accounts for about 70% of them, what to do The most typical form dementia.

It is believed that the disease is brought on by the buildup of two abnormal proteins, amyloid and tau within the brain. It is believed that the primary is especially vital, and the “amyloid hypothesis” – which suggests that amyloid is the important thing explanation for Alzheimer’s disease – he has been conducting research for a few years.

Donanemab is a “monoclonal antibody” treatment. Antibodies are proteins that produce an immune system that’s related to harmful foreign “invaders” within the body or goals. Monoclonal antibodies have one specific purpose. In the case of Donanemab, this is amyloid protein. Donanemab is related to amyloid protein (platelet) protein within the brain and allows our bodies to remove them.

Donanemab is given every month by intravenous infusion.

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What do evidence say?

Australia’s approval appears consequently Clinical examination with the participation of 1736 people published in 2023.

This study showed that Donanemab led to a major slowdown within the progression of the disease in a gaggle of patients who had early Alzheimer’s disease, or mild cognitive disorders with signs of Alzheimer’s pathology. Before starting the study, all patients were detected by amyloid protein SCANNING OF DOMOTION ANIMALS.

Participants were randomized, and half received Donanamab, and the opposite half received placebo inside 18 months.

The accumulation of amyloid plates within the cerebral tissue is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
Katryna Kon/Shutterstock

For those who received an energetic drug, Alzheimer’s disease progressed 35% more slowly compared to those who received placebo. Scientists have determined this with the assistance Integrated scale of Alzheimer’s disease assessmentwhich measures cognition and function.

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Those who received Donanemab also showed a big reduction in the degrees of amyloid within the brain (measured by PET scans). Most, at the tip of the study, were considered below the brink that may normally indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease.

These results actually seem to confirm the hypothesis of amyloids that was caused the query by the outcomes of many Unsuccessful previous tests. They constitute significant progress in our understanding of the disease.

After saying, the patients within the study weren’t when it comes to cognition or function. They were still falling, although at a much slower pace than those who weren’t treated.

The real clinical significance was Debate topic. Some experts wondered if the meaning of this result for the patient is value a possible risk.

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Is the drug protected?

About 24% of participants of the rehearsal of the drug experienced brain edema. The rates increased to 40.6% in those with two copies of the gene called APoe4.

Although three -quarters of individuals who developed brain swelling didn’t experience any symptoms, three deaths took place within the treated group in a study related to Donanemab, probably consequently of brain edema.

This risk require regular monitoring with MRI scans when administering the drug.

About 26.8% of individuals who received Donanemab also experienced small brain bleeding (microemorrhages) compared to 12.5% ​​of placebo people.

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The cost is a barrier

Reports indicate that Donanemab may cost anywhere USD 40,000 and USD 80,000 Every 12 months in Australia. This puts him beyond the reach of many who can use it.

Eli Lilly, producer Donanemab, submitted a request to list the drug within the pharmaceutical profit program several months. Although this would make the medication way more accessible to patients, it could be a high cost for taxpayers.

The cost of the drug is an addition to the prices related to the monitoring required to ensure its safety and effectiveness (corresponding to doctor’s visits, MRI and PET scans).

A younger woman interacts with an older woman in a nursing home. Both look happy.
Donanemab will not be available to all patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
PixelStock/Shutterstock

Who will be able to access it?

This drug is useful for individuals with an early Alzheimer disease, so not everyone with Alzheimer’s disease will gain access to it.

Almost 80% of individuals who were shown to participate within the trial They were considered inappropriate to proceed.

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Conditions TGA approval Specify potential patients, they will first have to have a selected level of amyloid protein of their brains. This would be determined by PET scanning or sampling of lumbar spinal fluid puncture.

In addition, patients with two copies of the APoe4 gene were considered inappropriate to receive the drug. TGA assessed the chance/profit profile in order that this group is unfavorable. This genetic profile is just 2% of the final population, but 15% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Improving diagnosis and temperament expectations

It is estimated greater than 400,000 Australians They have dementia. But only 13% He currently receives a diagnosis inside a 12 months of developing symptoms.

Considering individuals with very early diseases, so as to profit from this treatment essentially the most, we must significantly expand our diagnostic dementia services.

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Finally, it’s best to alleviate your expectations as to what this drug can be achieved reasonably. It is vital to do not forget that this isn’t a medication.

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

These are the glasses you need in a make -up bag – essence

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These are the laxts with which you should update the makeup bag

Shutterstock.

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The last Kosmee trends have proven that the shiny finish has never been more fashionable. From glass leather and hair to a polished gel manicure, the fondness around the gluted appearance is sort of unanimous. But before the creation of the erased skin and the vocational leather lids, there was a gloss to the mouth. Dead, thick and never ceases to supply maximum gloss, lip glosses were the best beauty accessory – and so they return. In era 2.0, today’s lip glosses bend into nostalgic elements, while including modern formulations.

Forget about the balls and squeezing the pipes – these glosss provide greater than just gloss. Regardless of whether or not they activate plump ingredients or skincare staples for hydration and hydration, the latest cultivation brings something latest to the category. They are now not sticky or heavy, they’ve light formulas that work as well over lipsticks, for bare lips. But their best function can be the oldest. Like the tubes out of your youth, they supply a mirror gloss and a shiny finish that lasts an hour.

Before us, see the best adult lips to your lips so as to add your collection as soon as possible.

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We independently evaluate all advisable services. If you click the links we offer, we will receive compensation.

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

The investigation showed that there are less CDC health warnings

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The study reveals that health warnings from disease control centers (CDC) have It decreased amongst explosions across the country.

As the very best within the country, the healthcare agency, CDC goals to save lots of lives and protect people from health threats through critical scientific research and health information. However, as NPR notes, communication with the audience on its platforms died down or was not recurrently updated, as before.

“It works best when his experts can convey the work they do in real time, and this does not happen,” said Kevin Griffis, former communication director at CDC until March.

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He says that people’s lives could be threatened without critical health updates.

Which has modified to CDC

Before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, CDC managed most of her communication through social media platforms and newsletters. The staff communicated health messages every single day, weekly, monthly and quarterly via their network of 150 Bulletins on topics, including diabetes and food safety.

After the inauguration of President Trump, the Department of Health and Social Welfare, who supervises CDC, instructed CDC to vary his communication. Trump The administration sent directives to HHS, which stopped communication At the National Institutes of Health, FDA and CDC until further notice, reports.

As Americans, the change in CDC in health warnings affects

Social media is considered one of the fastest and effective ways to disseminate CDC information. Doctors, scientists and researchers could quickly update the platforms. CDC has over 13 million people on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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ACLeading to the NPR study, some publications that died down include CDC and a weekly publication on diseases. This is among the many historical growth of the Oder in some parts of the USA, Salmonella, Listeria and Viral Inflammation A and C.

The approval of HHS is currently a requirement for publishingBut CDC employees told investigators that the health department officials didn’t accept their content Social media.

However, the communication director at HHS Andrew Nixon says that CDC staff spread false rumors.

Looking on the CDC social media account, Last post on the foremost Facebook The page is a reel with germs and humidifiers on March 31 on the time of this report.

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In the last post of May 14, preliminary data showing a decrease in overdose deaths in 2023–2024 was discussed. Post previously responded to the message of May 3 on inaccurate reports.

(Tagstranslate) Centers for control and prevention of diseases (T) CDC (T) Department of Health and Social Welfare

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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