FDA Orders Some New Packaging for Cigarettes

            The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided that the simple written warning on the side of pack of cigarettes is not good enough of a deterrent for people to stop smoking. The new idea that will be put into effect soon, is to have the packaging feature graphic images and warning messages of the ill effects of using tobacco products. We can expect to see all of the anti-smoking images we have come to know over the years. From the photos of the black lungs, people smoking through their tracheotomy tube, and the like.

            They say that this is in attempt to deter children from becoming new smokers and to join the ranks of the graphic warning labels used in other countries. The question is whether or not this new campaign will do anything to stop smoking. People have been bombarded with the “smoking is bad for you” ad campaigns over the last couple decades.

In most schools anti-drug programs are used to teach kids about the dangers of drugs and tobacco. Any health fair features the graphic images that are slated to be worked into cigarette packages. And still new smokers emerge.

Smokers are often hit with the majority of the “Sin Tax” legislation, paying higher taxes on tobacco products because the price hike was supposed to deter them from smoking. California is heavy on the anti-smoking laws, but other parts of the country are not so strict. Even with all of the added taxes and laws, smokers still exists. For the most part, people know what they are doing. They smoke because they like it, they smoke because they are addicted, and they smoke because people tell them not to.

Take a look at the concept images for the new cigarette packaging warning labels.

     Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders, commonly called "TMJ", refer to a complex and poorly understood set of conditions that can cause pain in the area of the jaw joint and associated muscles and/or problems using the jaw. Both or just one of the temporomandibular joints may be affected. TMJ diseases and disorders can affect a person’s ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, and even breathe.

      A study conducted by The Lewin Group prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that many TMJ patients have other health problems. These may include Fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chemical sensitivity, Mitral Valve Prolapse, and Hypermobile Joints. The relationship between these conditions and TMJ diseases and disorders needs further research. Moreover, certain medical conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Dystonia, Lyme Disease and Scleroderma also may have an effect on the TMJ.

     Researchers generally agree that TMJ diseases and disorders fall mainly into three categories. A person may have one or more of these conditions at the same time.

Myofascial pain. This refers to discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and can also extend to the muscles in the neck and shoulders.

Internal derangement of the joint. This involves displacement of the disc that acts as a cushion between the skull and lower jaw.

Inflammatory joint disease.

Arthritis. This is an inflammatory condition that affects a joint. Various forms of Arthritis can affect the TMJ such as Degenerative (Osteoarthritis), Rheumatoid, Traumatic, Infectious, Psoriatic, and Gouty Arthritis.

Synovitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the synovial membrane. The synovial membrane lines the joint and produces a fluid that lubricates the joint.

     It is important to note that even if you are diagnosed with one or more of the conditions listed above, you may or may not experience pain in the jaw area and/or have jaw dysfunction. Research has found that many people who have these conditions are completely unaware of them and lead perfectly healthy lives.

Who is affected by TMJ Diseases/Disorders?

     The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. Both men and women experience TMJ problems; however, 90 percent of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.

Recent research indicates that more women seek medical care for a TMJ problem than men, and women are more likely than men to report ongoing pain. Physiological differences in pain signal processing may explain why more women suffer from TMJ conditions than men.

In baboon studies, estrogen receptors were found in the temporomandibular joints of the female baboons, none were found in the males.

Recent research has focused attention on the relationship between sex hormones and pain. A study conducted by Dr. Linda LeResche, University of Washington in Seattle, demonstrated that women on hormone replacement therapy were 77% more likely to seek treatment for jaw pain than those not undergoing such treatment. Also, women on oral contraceptive therapy were 19% more likely to seek treatment. Evidence is emerging in support of a biological explanation for why there are more women suffering from TMJ pain.

A study done by Dr. Peter Waite, University of Alabama at Birmingham "demonstrates a high incidence of TMJ dysfunction among Mitral Valve Prolapse patients and leads to a suspicion of a common connective tissue disorder." In an unrelated survey conducted by the Society for Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome, of 240 patients surveyed 51% had also been diagnosed with TMJ

Symptoms:

Pain is the most common symptom. TMJ pain is often described as a dull aching pain in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear, which comes and goes. Some people, however, report no pain, but still have problems using their jaws. Other symptoms can include:

Being unable to open the mouth comfortably

Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint

Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth

Headaches

A bite that feels uncomfortable or “off”

Neck, shoulder and back pain

Swelling on the side of the face

Additional symptoms may include: ringing in the ears, ear pain, decreased hearing, dizziness and vision problems.

Keep in mind that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common, and is not always a cause for concern. Many people with certain TMJ problems get better without treatment. Often the problem goes away on its own in several weeks to months. However, if the pain is severe and lasts more than a few weeks, see your healthcare provider.

Treatment:

Because most common jaw joint and muscle problems are temporary, lasting only weeks or months, simple care is all that is usually needed to relieve the discomfort. Self-care practices, for example, eating soft foods, applying ice or moist heat, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, loud singing, and gum chewing) are useful in easing symptoms.

Unfortunately, treatments are based largely on beliefs that are not grounded in thorough scientific research. As a result, some patients are made worse by these treatments.

Insurance Coverage:

Many medical and dental insurance plans do not pay for treatment of jaw joint and muscle disorders, or only pay for some procedures. Until the causes of the various TMJ diseases and disorders have been discovered, and quality science demonstrates that treatments are effective without causing harm, insurance companies will not recognize treatments that have questionable outcomes. Contact your insurance company to see which treatments are covered.

Can TMJ Diseases/Disorders be Prevented?:

Patients who are told they should undergo treat-ment(s) to prevent the development of a TMJ problem should know that there is currently no evidence that such conditions can be prevented

Diagnosis:

Diagnosing TMJ diseases and disorders can be difficult and confusing. For example, facial pain can be a symptom of many conditions, such as sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, and facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain).

At present, there is no widely accepted, standard test to correctly identify all TMJ conditions. In most cases, however, a complete evaluation, including a detailed medical history, the patient’s description of symptoms, and physical examination of the head, neck, face and jaw provide information useful for making a diagnosis.

Tests that are recommended are often intended to rule out other possible medical conditions. A diagnosis of TMJ diseases and disorders may be made only after every other possibility has been considered and eliminated. Many TMJ patients see multiple healthcare providers, such as primary care physicians, dentists, sleep specialists, ear, nose and throat specialists, neurologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, pain specialists, chiropractors, etc., in their search for answers.

Before undergoing any costly diagnostic test, it is always wise to get an independent opinion from another healthcare provider of your choice and one not associated with your current provider.

Progression of TMJ Diseases and Disorders:

     Some TMJ problems improve on their own, without treatment, within weeks or  months with simple home therapy. For others, symptoms worsen over time and develop into long-term, persistent and debilitating pain. Most people with TMJ problems have relatively mild or periodic symptoms.

The Temporomandibular Joint

            Also known as the TMJ or simply the jaw joint, the temporomandibular joint is responsible for connecting the lower jaw bone (the mandible) to the skull. Therefore you have two TMJ joints, one in front of each ear, connecting that respective side of the jaw bone. These joints allow for the movement necessary to move the jaw up and down, forward and back, and side to side. As well as providing the ability to bite, chew, swallow, speak, and facial expressions.

            Temporomandibular joint diseases and disorders, commonly called TMJ diseases, are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. Injuries and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also affect the temporomandibular joint.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems at any given time. While both men and women experience TMJ problems, the majority of those seeking treatment are women in their childbearing years.

Not all causes are known. Some possible causes or contributing factors are injuries to the jaw area, various forms of Arthritis, dental procedures, genetics, hormones, low-level infections, auto-immune diseases, stretching of the jaw as occurs with inserting a breathing tube before surgery, and clenching or grinding of the teeth.

Fifty percent of Americans over 65 suffer from hearing loss, although it is more common in older men than in older women. Problems can be small (missing certain sounds) or large (not hearing at all). Unfortunately, not many older people with hearing problems visit a hearing specialist or wear a hearing aid. The result is many older people who cannot understand what others are saying.

Hearing loss occurs gradually. One of the first signs to watch for is that the older person turns up the volume on the television. In addition, he or she frequently requests you to repeat yourself or does not clearly understand what you have said. However, when you do repeat yourself in a louder tone, the older person may ask you to stop shouting. This is because the problem is not that you are speaking too quietly but that the older person is having trouble hearing and understanding certain sounds. High-pitched tones may sound fuzzy and certain consonants such as "s," "f," and "t" are not clearly understood.

Infections, certain medicines, and exposure to very loud noises over a long time can lead to hearing loss. However, for the most part, hearing loss in older people is the result of age-related changes in the ear.

Wrinkles and age spots are normal skin conditions that occur as a person ages. These are natural processes. Nevertheless, some elderly people can develop skin disorders that give rise to serious medical problems. Older skin is less oily, less elastic, and thinner. It bruises easily and can take a long time to heal when cut. This means that older people will need to give their skin more care than when they were younger.

It is important to use a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen with protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher before going outdoors at any age, even on cloudy or foggy days. This will protect against most kinds of skin cancer. A long sleeved shirt and shady hat give good protection from the sun.

Parkinson's disease: 

 It is a slowly progressing, degenerative disease that is usually associated with the following symptoms, all of which result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells: tremor or trembling of the arms, jaw, legs, and face, stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk, slowness of movement, and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination.

The specific cause of PD is unknown, however, medical experts believe the symptoms are related to a chemical imbalance in the brain caused by brain-cell death. Parkinson's disease is chronic and progressive (symptoms grow worse).

Although the disease may appear in younger patients, it usually affects people in late middle age, and men and women in almost equal numbers. There is also a form that strikes teenagers.

Strokes - also called "brain attacks," happen when brain cells die because of inadequate blood flow. A stroke is considered to be a cardiovascular disease and a neurological disorder. Most strokes are caused by the blockage of an artery in the neck or brain, and the rest by bleeding into or around the brain. When brain cells die, function of the body parts they control becomes damaged or destroyed. This may include paralysis, speech problems, memory and reasoning deficits, coma, and possibly death.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. When the brain doesn't get the needed blood flow, it is deprived of oxygen. Thus, nerve cells cannot properly function and die within minutes. And when nerve cells cannot function, the part of the body controlled by these cells cannot function either. The devastating effects of stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells are not replaced.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) - is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign, disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be mildly affected while others may lose their ability to write, speak, or walk -- when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted.

In multiple sclerosis, the body incorrectly directs antibodies and white blood cells against proteins in the myelin sheath, which surrounds nerves in your brain and spinal cord. This causes inflammation and injury to the sheath and ultimately to the nerves that it surrounds. The result may be multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis). Eventually, this damage can slow or block the nerve signals that control muscle coordination, strength, sensation and vision.

There are many possible causes of MS, including viruses, environmental factors, genetic factors, and immune system factors.