Latest news with #inflammation
Medical News Today
a day ago
- General
- Medical News Today
Is appendicitis hereditary? Understanding the genetics
Is it hereditary? Other causes Risk factors Contacting a doctor Summary Research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the development of appendicitis. Genetic variations may affect the risk and severity of appendicitis. Appendicitis is the medical term for inflammation of the appendix — a small, tube-shaped organ attached to the large intestine. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to this condition. Appendicitis symptoms can come on suddenly and may quickly become severe. Without immediate treatment, the condition can be life threatening. Christine La/Stocksy The researchers suggest certain genetic variations may play a role in determining an individual's appendicitis risk and severity. Scientists refer to these genetic variations as 'single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)' or 'snips.' According to the article, the snips HLX and CTSB appear to play a causal role in the development of appendicitis. These snips correlate with increased levels of an inflammatory biomarker called C-reactive protein (CRP). People with appendicitis often have higher levels of CRP in their blood. These findings suggest that certain genetic variations can make the appendix more susceptible to inflammation, increasing the risk of appendicitis. Similarly, a 2019 article associated appendicitis risk with genetic variation in genes that control cytokine production. Cytokines are proteins that help to control inflammation in the body, and one of their roles is to regulate CRP production. Overall, these findings suggest that certain variations in the genes that control inflammation can make someone more or less susceptible to appendicitis. However, more research may be necessary to fully understand this relationship. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), other possible causes of appendicitis include : hardened stool or growths that block the opening of the appendix enlarged tissue in the wall of the appendix due to an infection within the digestive tract or elsewhere in the body inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) However, they note that multiple factors can contribute to appendicitis and the cause is not often clear. Appendicitis occurs most often in people between the ages of 5 and 45 years. There is a slightly higher incidence of male appendicitis than female appendicitis. However, it can affect anyone, regardless of their sex, and the difference in prevalence among those of different sexes is not clinically significant. A 2023 observational study also suggests that the following dietary and lifestyle factors may increase the risk of appendicitis: However, the study's authors note that more research is necessary. As the NIDDK explains, appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires urgent treatment. Delaying treatment can cause the appendix to rupture, which can be life threatening. Around 2% of appendicitis cases progress to rupture around 36 hours from the onset of symptoms. This figure increases by around 5% for each additional 12 hours that pass without treatment. Anyone with symptoms of appendicitis should see a doctor or go to the emergency room immediately to ease the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. According to the NIDDK , the most common symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain, which may: come on suddenly begin near the belly button and spread to the lower-right part of the abdomen worsen with movement, or with deep breathing, coughing, or sneezing worsen within a matter of hours be severe, and feel different to any other type of pain Other possible symptoms of appendicitis include: Research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the development of appendicitis. Genetic variations in the genes that help to control inflammation may increase the risk of appendicitis in some cases. These genetic variants can pass from parents to offspring. As such, having a family history of appendicitis can increase a person's susceptibility to the disease. Anyone with symptoms of appendicitis should contact a doctor or attend their local accident and emergency department immediately. Without treatment, appendicitis can progress to a ruptured appendix, which can be fatal. Genetics GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Gut Health in Rosacea: Diet, Probiotics, and the Microbiome
Growing evidence suggested that the skin and gut may be more closely linked than once thought — especially in chronic inflammatory conditions like rosacea. In a comprehensive review recently published in Biomolecules , Marco Manfredini, MD, from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, and colleagues explored the evolving science around how diet, gut microbiota, and probiotics may influence rosacea pathogenesis and symptom severity. While more clinical studies are needed, the review highlighted new pathways linking gastrointestinal dysbiosis to cutaneous inflammation. The authors proposed that specific dietary modifications and the use of probiotics could support traditional treatment approaches for certain patients. Pathogenesis of Rosacea: A Multifactorial Inflammatory Process Rosacea arises from a complex interplay of multiple contributing factors. 'The pathogenesis of rosacea continues to be a subject of investigation,' the authors wrote, involving 'dysregulation of the innate immune response and neuropeptide activity, microbial involvement, environmental factors, dietary triggers, and skin barrier dysfunction.' Central to these mechanisms is the innate immune system. In rosacea, elevated levels of kallikrein-5 trigger excessive processing of antimicrobial peptides into proinflammatory fragments such as LL-37. These fragments promote oxidative stress, cytokine release, and blood vessel changes, contributing to the inflammation and vascular symptoms seen in the disease, according to the authors. Neurovascular dysregulation is also a hallmark of the disease. The authors noted, 'activation of TRPV1 [Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1] and related channels by environmental triggers like heat and UV [ultraviolet] radiation exacerbate flushing and erythema by promoting vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation.' These channels are hypersensitive in patients with rosacea, contributing to enhanced symptom severity. While the skin microbiome — particularly Demodex folliculorum and its associated Bacillus oleronius — has long been considered a contributing factor, recent attention has turned to the gut. 'Emerging evidence suggests that while microorganisms may not be central causative factors… alterations in the skin microbiome across multiple rosacea subtypes may act as trigger factors or potentiate inflammation,' the review authors wrote. 'Gastrointestinal dysbiosis, including conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infection and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),' they noted, 'has been hypothesized as a potential contributor to rosacea development.' Gut Dysbiosis and the Skin: The Available Evidence The concept of a gut–skin axis describes the bidirectional relationship between intestinal microbiota and skin inflammation. In rosacea, this relationship is supported by associations with conditions like SIBO, H pylori infection, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as highlighted in the Manfredini review. Asked to comment on this emerging topic, Rajani Katta, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, noted, 'We have strong evidence linking gut dysbiosis to rosacea, but it is important to note that this applies only to certain patients. In other words, only a subset of patients with rosacea seems to have gut dysbiosis, and in those patients, there appears to be a link.' Rajani Katta, MD Katta added that the most compelling mechanisms relate to inflammation. 'Patients with SIBO may have higher levels of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha. In other studies, gut dysbiosis can lead to the activation of specific inflammatory pathways like the kallikrein-kinin pathway. Activation of these pathways has multiple downstream effects, which may ultimately increase neurogenic inflammation in the skin.' The review by Manfredini and colleagues supported these theories, citing studies that show improvement in rosacea symptoms following SIBO eradication, although the benefit of H pylori treatment is less clear. 'The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea remains complex and influenced by several confounding factors,' the authors wrote. 'The antibiotic treatment required for H pylori eradication represents an important confounding factor.' The authors caution that without large-scale prospective studies examining the gut microbiome before and after intervention, firm conclusions about causality remain elusive. Dietary Triggers: What the Evidence Supports Dietary factors may influence rosacea by promoting vasodilation, activating sensory receptors, or altering the gut microbiome. Yet, data on specific triggers remain mixed, according to the authors. Asked to comment on dietary triggers in rosacea, Lauren Kole, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said that 'the best data for dietary triggers for rosacea are for alcohol and hot beverages. Alcohol may induce peripheral vasodilation, promote inflammation, modulate the immune system, and may trigger histamine release. Hot beverages may cause direct vasodilation and trigger other pathways that lead to flushing, stinging, and sensitive skin.' Katta also noted that alcohol and hot beverages 'are common triggers, likely because they lead to vasodilation, which causes flushing.' She also highlighted spicy foods as a culprit. 'Foods that contain capsaicin may result in vasodilation and thus flare rosacea, so avoiding spicy foods may be helpful.' Another category included foods that contain cinnamaldehyde — a compound found in cinnamon, tomatoes, and citrus —which may trigger flushing in sensitive individuals, according to Katta. Katta recommended a practical approach for patients. 'For most patients, a 6-week trial of eliminating the most commonly reported food triggers in rosacea is a good first step… I tell patients that it can take 6 weeks of avoiding these foods to see if it will be helpful, and I recommend a food diary.' Interestingly, certain foods may offer benefits. Dairy products have been associated with reduced rosacea severity in some populations, potentially because of their anti-inflammatory effects. High-fiber diets may support gut microbial diversity and caffeine — despite its reputation — has been inversely associated with rosacea in large observational studies, cited in the Manfredini review. Probiotics: Potential but Preliminary Probiotics are another area of growing interest. These live microorganisms may influence rosacea by rebalancing the gut microbiome, reducing inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancing skin barrier function, according to the authors. 'Dietary probiotics may help normalize skin dysbiosis in rosacea and may limit substance P-induced skin inflammation,' said Kole. She referenced a study that found improved skin barrier function and reduced sensitivity with oral probiotic use alongside doxycycline therapy. Katta said that she has not used probiotics for rosacea in her practice. 'Preliminary results appear intriguing, but there are still many questions about the optimal strain of probiotics as well as dose and duration,' she told Medscape Medical News . She added that the current evidence is 'too preliminary to recommend specific strains or delivery routes, although some have shown benefit,' referencing studies on strains of Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillus , and Escherichia coli Nissle included in the Manfredini review. Topical formulations are also being explored with promising results, and a product containing Vitreoscilla filiformis has shown reductions in facial erythema and Demodex density while improving transepidermal water loss, according to the review's authors. However, mirroring Katta's sentiment, the authors concluded that 'despite promising results, the evidence supporting the use of probiotics in the treatment of rosacea remains relatively limited. Further clinical trials are necessary to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of various probiotic strains and different methods of delivery, such as oral ingestion and topical use.' Looking Ahead: Clinical Considerations and Research Needs While the current research is promising, more rigorous studies are needed. 'One of the research areas that I'd love to see more of,' Katta said, 'is measuring rates of gut dysbiosis in patients with rosacea, with prospective studies examining gut microbiome composition before and after treatment, and how that correlates to rosacea severity.' For now, clinicians may consider an individualized approach, she said, and asking about gastrointestinal symptoms, evaluating for common dietary triggers, and discussing a food elimination trial can be helpful strategies. Although formal probiotic guidelines for rosacea are lacking, some patients may benefit from a monitored trial of supplementation — particularly if they also have gut-related complaints, she added. 'There are many gaps in our understanding of the gut–skin axis,' Katta emphasized. 'But it's an exciting area of dermatologic research.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New smart sanitary pads detect cancer, inflammation markers in menstrual blood
A new technology developed at ETH Zurich is transforming a long-overlooked source of medical data — menstrual blood — into a powerful health-monitoring tool. Dubbed MenstruAI, this innovative system integrates a non-electronic sensor into a sanitary towel, allowing users to analyze biomarkers in their menstrual blood using just a smartphone photo and a dedicated app. Lucas Dosnon, the study's first author, refers to the lack of research on menstrual blood as a 'systemic lack of interest in women's health." 'To date, menstrual blood has been regarded as waste. We are showing that it is a valuable source of information,' he adds. Menstrual blood contains hundreds of proteins, many of which correlate with concentrations in venous blood. Among these are biomarkers linked to inflammatory diseases and cancers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), a general marker for inflammation, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), often elevated in cancer, and CA-125, associated with ovarian cancer and endometriosis. At the core of MenstruAI is a paper-based test strip, similar in principle to rapid COVID-19 tests. Instead of saliva, it analyzes menstrual blood. The pad contains a small silicone chamber housing the test strip, which reacts to specific proteins by changing color — the darker the color, the higher the concentration of the biomarker. Users simply wear the pad, then take a photo of the used sensor with a smartphone. The MenstruAI app, powered by machine learning, analyzes the image to detect even subtle changes in color intensity, translating them into readable health insights. 'The app also recognises subtle differences, such as the amount of proteins present, and makes the result objectively measurable,' explains Dosnon. Following a successful feasibility study, the team is preparing a larger field study involving over 100 participants to test the technology under real-world conditions. Researchers will assess how biomarker concentrations vary across the menstrual cycle and among individuals, ensuring clinical relevance and accuracy. To improve usability and break down psychological barriers, the project team is collaborating with designers from the Zurich University of the Arts. 'It's also about designing the technology in such a way that makes it technically and socially acceptable,' says Inge Herrmann, a professor at the University of Zurich. 'Right from the outset, the aim was to develop a solution that can also be used in regions with poor healthcare provision and would be as cost-effective as possible, potentially enabling population-based screening,' says Herrmann. While it does not deliver definitive diagnoses, MenstruAI can alert users to concerning biomarker levels, encouraging them to seek medical advice. Over time, it could also support long-term health tracking, helping individuals detect trends and understand changes in their bodies. 'When we talk about healthcare, we can't simply phase out half of humanity,' Herrmann underlines. 'Courageous projects are called for to break down existing patterns of behaviour to ensure that women's health finally takes the place it deserves," concludes Dosnon. The study has been published in Advanced Science.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Strange link discovered between painful skin disease and stubborn belly fat
Researchers have discovered a surprising link between abdominal fat and painful psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Studies have shown obesity is a risk factor for psoriasis, but never before have scientists established the waist and belly to be the most influential spots. Psoriasis and obesity, which affects about 100million American adults, share the same biological pathway: chronic inflammation. Adipose (fat) tissue releases inflammatory chemicals that clash with the immune system, which can cause inflammation in the skin, and psoriasis' trademark red, scaly rash. The team of dermatologists from King's College London analyzed data from over 330,000 white people living in the UK, including more than 9,000 with psoriasis, which affects roughly 7.5million Americans. They examined 25 different body fat measures using traditional methods, such as calipers that pinch skin folds, and advanced imaging techniques, such as highly specialized X-ray scans, assessing how each was associated with psoriasis. Researchers found the waist-to-hip ratio on a person was the strongest risk factor for psoriasis, but didn't reveal why specifically that type of fat had the strongest association. Dr Ravi Ramessur, lead investigator on the study, said: 'Our research shows that where fat is stored in the body matters when it comes to psoriasis risk. Central fat — especially around the waist — seems to play a key role. 'This has important implications for how we identify individuals who may be more likely to develop psoriasis or experience more severe disease, and how we approach prevention and treatment strategies.' The researchers measured overall 'central' fat around the torso, encompassing subcutaneous fat right below the skin's surface, and dangerous visceral fat that wraps around the organs. The link between central fat and psoriasis remained consistent regardless of genetic predisposition, indicating that abdominal fat is an independent risk factor. Dr Catherine Smith, senior author, said: 'As rates of obesity continue to rise globally, understanding how different patterns of body fat influence chronic inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis is important. 'Our findings suggest that central body fat contributes to psoriasis risk irrespective of genetic predisposition and reinforces the importance of measuring waist circumference and pro-active healthy weight strategies in psoriasis care.' In addition to releasing inflammatory compounds, fat tissue hijacks the body's balance of hormones. The hormone leptin normally signals to the brain the body is full and it's time to stop eating. But fat cells overproduce this hormone, breaking that 'stop eating' signal. The overabundance of leptin also stimulates the production of inflammatory cytokines, leading to a psoriasis breakout of painful rashes and subsequent flare-ups in the skin. In a related editorial, Dr Joel Gelfand, a dermatology expert at the University of Pennsylvania, highlights the promise of specific gut hormone therapies – mainly GLP-1 and GIP, which help control blood sugar, digestion, and hunger – as potential therapies for psoriatic disease. These hormones, sold under brands like Ozmepic, Wegovy and Zepbound, are already used to treat diabetes, obesity, and obesity-related sleep apnea. A separate 2024 NIH-funded report in the journal Psoriasis analyzed four studies involving 23 patients with both psoriasis and type 2 diabetes who took a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug. Every study showed significant reductions in PASI scores, a measure of psoriasis severity. Two studies showed fewer markers of inflammation in layers of the skin and reduced harmful immune responses. Patients also reported improved quality of life. Now, researchers are exploring whether the drugs could also help manage psoriatic disease, possibly by tackling the inflammation and metabolic issues linked to psoriasis. According to Dr Gelfand, the powerful link between obesity and psoriasis, as well as the evidence that GLP-1 drugs could alleviate symptoms, signals it's time to launch clinical trials testing the drugs specifically for psoriasis. He said: 'The strong relationship between psoriasis and obesity and the emerging promise of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) for reducing psoriasis morbidity is a call to action for large scale clinical trials of GLP1RA monotherapy for treatment of psoriasis. 'Our current paradigm of just focusing on the skin and joint manifestations when treating psoriasis is outdated in the context of our evolving understanding of the tight relationship of psoriasis, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease.'
Medical News Today
5 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Heart health: Exercise not enough to offset effects of poor sleep
Poor sleep can impact health in many ways, particularly the heart. blackCAT/Getty Images A study led by researchers from Uppsala University examined how sleeping poorly can affect the body — specifically heart health. In the crossover study, scientists checked the participants' biomarkers after they underwent sessions of poor sleep and healthy sleep. They found that biomarkers associated with inflammation and heart health increased after just three nights of poor sleep. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep per night, this can sometimes be tough to achieve. Whether it is due to stress or underlying health issues, it is almost inevitable to get less than the recommended sleep at some point. A new study examines how quickly the body can start reacting negatively to poor sleep. The results show that getting a bad night's sleep just three nights in a row can start affecting health. When seeing whether exercise could offset the effects of three nights of poor sleep, the researchers learned that it could help but did not cancel the effects of poor sleep. The study appears in the journal Biomarker Research . The researchers noted that prior studies have shown the cardiovascular risks of chronic poor sleep. However, they thought research on short-term sleep deprivation and physiological factors needed to be expanded. This study examined the effects of poor sleep in 16 young men , who the researchers noted all had healthy weights. The researchers carried out the study over two sessions, each of which included three nights of monitoring in a sleep lab. In one session, the men underwent 3 nights of restricted sleep. On these nights, they only got around 4.25 hours of sleep. The researchers collected blood samples from the participants in the morning and evening and before and after high-intensity exercise. The high-intensity exercise sessions lasted 30 minutes each. In another 3-night session, the participants got a normal night's sleep of around 8.5 hours on average. The study analyzed 88 proteins related to cardiovascular disease, such as leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and galectin-9. After reviewing the data collected, the researchers found that short-term sleep restriction was enough to change the participants' biomarkers. Just three nights of poor sleep elevated proteins that are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise was not enough to completely cancel out the harm caused by sleep restriction. While exercise did impact protein levels to some degree, the participants still experienced increases in 16 proteins related to cardiovascular disease. According to the study authors, 'the upregulated set included several stress, interleukin, and chemokine-related proteins.' Some beneficial proteins that are connected to the positive effects of exercise, such as IL-6 and BDNF, were elevated regardless of sleep status. However, the proteins in people with sleep restriction were not elevated as much as in people with normal sleep. The study shows that short-term sleep restriction can contribute to biological changes even in young, healthy men. This information demonstrates the need for awareness of how just a few nights of poor sleep have the potential to impact the heart. The study authors emphasized that more research is necessary to determine the impacts that short-term sleep restriction can have on older adults and women. Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, spoke with Medical News Today about the study findings. 'This biomarker-based study found changes in blood chemistry associated with inflammation after a few nights of sleep restriction,' said Chen. 'This suggests a biochemical mechanism by which poor quality sleep can impact someone's health.' Chen said the results are 'not entirely surprising' and noted that poor sleep can impact numerous health factors. In addition to cardiovascular health, Chen said sleep restriction can negatively impact endocrine and immune functioning. For people who want to improve their sleep quality and reduce the chances of activating harmful proteins related to sleep restriction, Chen suggested that people maintain 'a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine.' 'We also recommend that people practice good sleep 'hygiene' including avoiding caffeine and alcohol later in the day, avoiding the use of electronic devices before bedtime, limiting long daytime naps, exercising regularly, and following a healthy diet,' Chen told MNT . Harneet Walia, MD, medical director of sleep for Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, also spoke with MNT . Walia noted the 'robust methods' used in the study and said, 'the findings add meaningful evidence to the growing literature suggesting that sleep duration directly impacts cardiovascular health.' 'This adds to the body of literature and amplifies the association of sleep restriction with a pro-inflammatory state, suggesting that even short-term sleep restriction can have significant health consequences.' — Harneet Walia, MD Walia recommended that people 'create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body it's time to wind down' to ensure the best chances for a good night's sleep. Heart Disease Cardiovascular / Cardiology Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
