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Many members of the primary immunodeficiency community experience delays in and denial of treatment due to insufficient Medicare reimbursement. A report from the Office of the Inspector General showed Medicare reimbursement for IVIG is lower than the cost many providers pay for the product. As a result, a number of physicians and hospitals cannot afford to administer IVIG treatment to Medicare patients. This serious problem affects the entire community as an increasing number of private pay insurers are following Medicare's lead to determine reimbursement rates for IVIG.

To fix this problem, legislation was introduced March 25, 2009 into the United States Senate. Senators John Kerry (MA), Lamar Alexander (TN), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Ron Wyden (OR) and Sam Brownback (KS), introduced the Senate Bill S. 701, The Medicare Patient IVIG Access Act. An identical House bill is expected to be introduced by the end of April 2009. This legislation, offers a solution to the current IVIG access crisis by establishing appropriate reimbursement in all sites of care for our patients. It also changes current policy regarding Medicare coverage of home infusion to include the cost of items and services related to the administration of IVIG in the home for primary immunodeficient patients.

IDF is working in coalition with other patient organizations and physician organizations including the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the Clinical Immunology Society (CIS). With the strong leadership of the policymakers who have signed onto support this legislation, IDF hopes to improve access to treatment and the quality of life of the countless patients who struggle with negative health outcomes, increased intervals of care, change in site of infusion, difficulty finding providers, and denial of treatment.

What you can do to help:

Contact your Senators to ask them to sign on as cosponsors to S. 701, The Medicare IVIG Patient Access Act. With your help, we can move forward to restore proper access to this life- saving treatment for patients with PIDD. Your legislators need to know why IVIG therapy is so important, so please utilize the text box below to add the story of how IVIG treatment impacts your life, focusing on any access problems.

Labels: Immune System, IVIG

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered a gene which prevents cells with faulty DNA passing on cancer-causing mistakes to new cells, according to a study published in Nature Cell Biology.

Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London have discovered how changes to a frog's immune system may be the key to beating a viral infection which is devastating frog populations across the UK.

Communities of common frogs (Rana temporaria) are being struck down by a foreign virus which is estimated to be killing tens of thousands of frogs in the UK each year. When it strikes garden ponds, the surrounding lawn becomes strewn with dead frogs, some with skin ulcers so severe they reduce limbs to stumps, others with internal bleeding. The virus, called Ranavirus, has invaded the home counties around London, and is now spreading north and west.

Writing in the journal PLoS One, Dr Amber Teacher describes how the frogs' immune system has responded to the virus. Working with her fellow scientists at Queen Mary, University of London and experts at the Institute of Zoology, she studied ponds where Ranavirus deaths are occurring year after year, and consistently found changes to a gene called the MHC, which codes for a major part of the frog's immune system.

Dr Teacher explains: "It seems, as Darwin would have predicted, that the plucky surviving frogs have passed on to their descendants an immune system which is better tuned to the new threat."

Teacher also found that the frogs' immune systems are simpler than many other animals, including humans, who have several MHC genes doing a similar job. She adds: "This discovery has helped identify the point in our evolutionary history when this multiplication of genes occurred. With luck, even the frog's simpler system will be sufficient to win their battle".

Labels: frogs, Immune System, virus

There is a growing epidemiological literature focusing on the association between psychosocial stress and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but inconsistent findings have been published.

I think we all know how linked our emotions are to physical ailments and stress. Depression and anxiety definitely take a physical toll on our bodies. Of course findings are inconsistent though because these are things are extremely subjective.

Despite these limitations, the present evidence from prospective observational studies suggests that further research into interventions to reduce distress/promote coping and examine the consequent effects on mortality and related outcomes in HIV is warranted. Specifically, psychological interventions should be considered in the arsenal of adjuvant therapies for this disease.

Yoichi Chida, Kavita Vedhara, Adverse psychosocial factors predict poorer prognosis in HIV disease: A meta-analytic review of prospective investigations, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 29 January 2009, ISSN 0889-1591, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2009.01.013.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WC1-4VGPSK1-3/2/964fab7a3b7b9afb23a211a5f7ccbafe)

Over the summer, research from the University of California, Los Angeles, was published which indicated chronic emotional stress ages the immune system. One cam easily surmise that with a diagnosis of the HIV virus a person would undoubtedly be weighed down with stress. And HIV specifically attacks your bodies immune system so it's a double whammy so to speak.

Stress harmones called Cortisol suppress the immune cells’ ability to activate their telomerase enzymes, which keep the cells young and in prime condition by enabling their ability to divide.

Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:

* Proper glucose metabolism
* Regulation of blood pressure
* Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
* Immune function
* Inflammatory response

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, because stress activates cortisol secretion.

And here in lies part of the problem for proving the whole emotional stress, immune system link. Cortisol secretion varies among individuals. People are biologically 'wired' to react differently to stress. One person may secrete higher levels of cortisol than another in the same situation.

Labels: AIDS, HIV, Immune System, psychology, stress

Let's talk about T-cells.

For those doctors and/or patients who deal with immune deficiencies it's very likely you are familiar with T-cells. Of your white blood cells that help fight infections, your t-cells are the bouncers essentially. They need to be balanced and work together to take care of the bad guys which invade your system.

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, many pediatricians don't really zero in on detailed t-cell activity. I mean they do blood work to make sure you have a sufficient amount of t-cells in your WBC count, but they don't take it that extra step to make sure the balance is there. Imagine you have T1, T2, T3 and T4 and if they don't work in a balanced fashion then your immune system can become oversensitive and start to bounce out more than just the bad stuff in your blood.

Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have been doing clinical research on regulatory t-cell dysfunction that I think would be very useful for all doctors to read over and embrace.

Another study done within the Department of Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute of Science was conducted in the year 2004, it showed mice deprived of mature T cells manifested cognitive deficits and behavioral abnormalities, which were remediable by T cell restoration. Cognitive activity IS affected by the integrity of the immune system.

Folks at the Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, recently began examining proinflammatory T helper 17 (Th17) cells control infections caused by microbial pathogens. Surprisingly, several recent reports now reveal that symbiotic gut bacteria modulate Th17 cell differentiation and function in the gastrointestinal tract. As various autoimmune and allergic disorders are mediated by uncontrolled Tcell responses, immune regulation by the microbiota may have direct implications for human health.

You would think with these conclusions and the study which has gone into understanding T cell dysfunction thus far, tat more pediatricians would realize children with weakened or oversensitive immune systems might have irregular T cell maturation. Furthermore, knowing this dysfunction can also impair cognitive ability should open the eyes of even more pediatricians because it could very well explain the behavior of children labeled as ADD or ADHD. I think you'll find those kids have more viruses and colds along with their behavior issues.

Parents, don't be afraid to learn and absorb on your own. Bring information to your doctors if you don't feel they are looking at your child with an open mind.

Labels: behavior, Immune System, t cells

This morning I stumbled across a blog post by a Mom named Carrissa who is having the same inner battle on vaccinations as I have been having with my brain. Where on the one hand I see clearly just how important they have been in ending fatal childhood epidemics. While on the other hand I realize now with the huge advances in technology and medicine those same childhood epidemics are no longer ones which are considered fatal disease. Plus, there are new epidemics coming out of the woodwork which seems to be very much linked to the vaccines we are giving our children.

You can read Carrissa's post on vaccines, here.

Also this morning I came across an article written by Dr. Lawrence B. Palevsky, MD, FAAP. The article is currently published on the National Vaccine Information Center website.

The title of this article is "Aluminum and Vaccine Ingredients: What Do We Know? What Don't We Know?" It's a well written and insightful article which discusses why mercury (Thimerosal) was pulled or supposed to be pulled from vaccines back in 1999.

Now the discussion has been in regards to the aluminum found in the following childhood vaccines - DTaP, Pediarix (DTaP-Hepatitis B-Polio combination), Pentacel (DTaP-HIB-Polio combination), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae B (HIB), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and Pneumococcal vaccines. Aluminum is a heavy metal with known neurotoxic effects on human and animal nervous systems.

The article also states, "In 1996, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a position paper on Aluminum Toxicity in Infants and Children which stated in the first paragraph, "Aluminum is now being implicated as interfering with a variety of cellular and metabolic processes in the nervous system and in other tissues."

You would think after 14 years of knowing this they would be pulling aluminum out of vaccines, too. But instead of doing that they have created more vaccines and put the schedule in which children receive them into overdrive.

The remainder of Dr. Palevsky's article discusses our cellular mediated immune system (TH1 cells - T-helper 1), a humoral immune system (TH2 cells - T-helper 2), and a regulator immune system (TH3 cells - T-helper 3) as major pieces of their overall immune systems. He gets into great detail about how these pieces must work together in a balanced environment. Vaccinations increase TH2, upset the balance, and in some kids can cause very dangerous effects to their entire immune system and eventually, due to inflammation, to their brain.

Now, it's not my job to tell anyone what to do in terms of their own children. But as a parent it is my job to be as educated as possible in terms of what goes into my children. Having a son with a sensitive immune system has opened my eyes to a lot. I thrive on knowledge and will continue to educate myself. I believe vaccines can be made safer and I believe they should be spread out over longer periods of time AND only given when the child is healthy (ie. no fever, no sniffles).

Labels: aluminum, Immune System, toxicity, vaccines

I knew this would happen in the future and I'm so glad it was sooner rather than later. All the reading I have done on the brain's amygdala has made it clear to me it plays a huge role in your body's immune system and neurological behavior, but of course I have no proof of means of finding proof.

For the first time, scientists at Children's National Medical Center have successfully identified a key developmental program for the amygdala - the part of the limbic system that impacts how the brain creates emotional memories and responses.

Using studies of embryonic mice, Corbin and his team located two specific pools of precursor cells marked by the transcription factor Dbx1 that migrate from both the ventral pallium and the preoptic area-a previously undiscovered pool of migratory cells-to create the requisite mix of excitatory and inhibitory neurons that ultimately comprise the amygdala. Remarkably, the preoptic area precursor cells are exclusive contributors to the development of the limbic system, and no other portion of the brain.

"Altered function of the amygdala is a hallmark characteristic of disorders such as autism," said Dr. Corbin. "A more clear understanding of the normal development of this important brain structure provides a roadmap to understand the consequences of altered brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders."

The Dbx1-positive, POA-derived population migrated specifically to the amygdala and, as defined by both immunochemical and electrophysiological criteria, generated a unique subclass of inhibitory neurons in the medial amygdala nucleus. Thus, this POA-derived population represents a previously unknown progenitor pool dedicated to the limbic system.

I can't wait until they publish the complete research.

SOURCE

To further explain the importance of understanding the amygdala you should know what it is suspected the amygdala controls.

"Compared with young adults, older adults had greater functional connectivity between the right amygdala and bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices, a possible reflection of increased emotional regulation of negative pictures, but decreased functional connectivity between the amygdala and typical subsequent-memory regions such as the hippocampus, a possible reflection of decreased modulation by the amygdala and decreased memory retrieval for negative pictures."

A new study appearing online January 2, 2009 reports that high levels of brain activity in an emotional center called the amygdala reflect patients' hypersensitivity to anticipation of adverse events. At the same time, high activity in a regulatory region known as the anterior cingulate cortex is associated with a positive clinical response to a common antidepressant medication.

The study will appear in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Labels: amygdala, brain, children, Immune System, neurology

As we know loss of sleep can really hurt your immune system. But what else do we need to know about having a healthy, or unhealthy, sleeping pattern?

According to a recent posting on Science Daily, there has been a recent study which shows losing sleep for even part of one night can trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation. The findings suggest a good night's sleep can ease the risk of both heart disease and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

SOURCE

In further reading, I found that sleeping pill use among young adults rose 85 percent between 2000 and 2004, according to Medco Health Solutions, and the older the person, the more likely they are to use sleeping pills.

One has to wonder if all these sleep issues could potentially be a big factor in the problem of obesity. I don't know about you but I am more likely to search out foods which will give me more energy when I'm tired and they tend to have a lot of sugar in them.

I suppose we shall see.

Labels: Autoimmunity, Biological Psychiatry, heart disease, Immune System, Inflammation, Rheumatoid arthritis, Science Daily, United States

Or so they say. Of course it is plant-like and dark green, but it's not spinach. The apparent super food of our time is a single-celled micro-algae which is cultivated in fresh water ponds. Eck.


Chlorella was identified in 1890 by a Dutch microbiologist, Martinus W. Beijerinck. It is the number one selling health food supplement in Japan. Yaeyama Chlorella helps boost energy levels while it supercharges your immune system. Yaeyama Chlorella also removes toxins from the body, promotes healthy brain and memory function, digestion, muscle and joint health and cardiac function while supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It cleanses the colon, blood, kidneys, lungs and liver.

Obviously you're not eating algae out of the pond. You take this in pill form just like you would any other vitamin or mineral supplements.

If it boosts immune systems and memory I might need to give it a try. I mean anything than can stimulate healing and improve your biological response to illness is something worth giving a shot, right?

In my research I have come across some people who are not fans of chlorella. Their reasoning is because if you end up taking contaminated chlorella it can cause harm. It is also not good for people who naturally have high amounts of sulfur in their system.

Pros and cons exist for nearly everything. I think if you were able to find this supplement from a store or brand you trusted than it would be worth a shot to give it a try.

Labels: algae, Immune System, supplement, toxins

You may or may not know me, but I think a higher being intended for me to be a nurse. I'd love to be, truly, but I'm far too emotional for such a job. I would befriend every patient and carry all of their pains with me. I would bring it home. Not the job for me.

However, I am always sick and so I have learned what it is like to be a frustrated patient. But thanks to my son, Braeden, I have also learned a great deal about our immune systems.

Braeden has an IgA Immune Deficiency. Basically, this means that his IgA immunoglobulins are lacking and his mucous membranes are far more susceptible to picking up a cold or a virus or really anything he could touch and breathe. The annoying things like colds, stomach bugs, sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, etc. He has asthma, he has had tubes in his ears, he has had several x-rays and cat scans. He sees doctors all the time and has made good friends with most of them. Braeden is three years old, he will be four in October of this year.

In the past 12 days, Brae and I have been to a doctor's office or lab a total of seven times. This is more than usual, but not necessarily atypical. We are currently waiting for blood work results and a TB reading and those tests are stemming from having found a lump on the left side of Braeden's head.

Me. I get sick a lot, too. Because my son is sick a lot. You see how that works. I have Multiple Sclerosis and was diagnosed when I was 21 years old. I am currently in remission. I also suffer from a chemical imbalance which causes severe depression. Thanks to great people in my life, talk sessions and medicine I have been able to regulate that and am moody still...but definitely far more balanced.

Why am I telling you all of this?

I wanted to create a Wellness section for BRING ME UP and I wasn't sure how to explain why. But those are the reasons why. I am faced with new health issues constantly and am always looking to learn more about them.

In this section I hope to post news on all realms of wellness whether it be physical, mental or emotional. It's important for people to realize that you are allowed and encouraged to talk about your health. There is no reason to feel any sort of embarrassment or shame. We all have bodies that run on chemical reactions and none of us are built perfectly.

And so without further adieu.

Welcome to Bring Me Up: Wellness.

Labels: Braeden, Emotional, IgA, Immune System, Mental, Physical