Swine Flu and the Cytokine Storm

With the Swine flu threatening pandemic status the real danger is its unusual veracity among younger populations.

Normal seasonal flu will often be of greatest threat to children and the elderly; those with weaker immune systems.

It is theorized that certain strains of the influenza such as the swine flu cause a cytokine storm triggering an extreme immune reaction in healthy people between 18 and 40 years old.

A cytokine storm creates a potentially fatal feedback loop between cytokines and immune cells (Osterholm, 2005).

Cytokines are a diverse group of signaling molecules that, among other functions, are secreted in response to pathogens such as the influenza virus thereby activating and recruiting an increasing number of immune cells.

In normal situations this is a healthy response, however, for unknown reasons, a cytokine storm occurs when in the presence of a highly pathogenic invader (Osterholm, 2005).

If a cytokine storm occurs in the lungs, for example, there is a potential that the lungs will become filled with fluid and immune cells with the possibility of blocking of the airway leading to eventual death.

It is believed that the cytokine storm reaction caused the high number of fatalities during the 1918 pandemic flu epidemic (Osterholm, 2005).

In 1918, “more than half the deaths occurred among largely healthy people between 18 and 40 years of age and were caused by a virus-induced cytokine storm that led to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)” (Osterholm, 2005).

• Proposed Method of Cytokine Storm (New England Journal of Medicine).

Gardasil to be Approved for Men and Boys?

The vaccine Gardasil, approved in Canada for treating the human papillomavirus (HPV) in women, could soon be approved to treat the virus in males.

In December, in the US, pharmaceutical company Merck & Co requested the FDA approve the vaccine in males against the human papillomavirus (HPV).

In women, HPV is known to cause cervical and other sexually transmitted cancers. Specifically, the vaccine works by boosting the immune system so that it fights off four types of human papillomavirus, one of the world’s most common STDs.

A Merck research study, included in their application, involved about 4,000 males, ages 16 to 26. The study showed that Gardasil prevented 90 per cent of cases of penile cancer and genital warts linked to four common HPV virus strains targeted by the vaccine.

Approval for the vaccine’s use in men would be a substantial boost to Merek & Co’s economic clout. Currently, the vaccine makes the drug company over $1 billion US a year. That number could potentially top $4 million US if the vaccine is approved in males.

The vaccine itself is one of the most costliest at $360 for a three dose treatment for women.

Sources:

• CBC News
• Canoe.ca
• HPV Brouchure and Fact Sheet
• Merek Press Release

Health Concerns: Student Mental Health During the Strike

I read a student online discussion recently where students were asked to express their mood at the week 5 point of the current York University strike. Students expressed a wide range of concerns and emotions. Some students commented that they felt down slightly while others wrote they felt
depressed. Many students expressed feelings of anger, resentment, loneliness, loss and despair. In an informal online poll concerning the strike, 49 per cent of 338 students who took part said they thought they were depressed (source).

When it comes to mental health, university students are considered a vulnerable population. According to Statistics Canada, teenagers and young adults aged 15-24 have among the highest incidence of mental illness of any age group in Canada (source).

University mental health issues are by no means a new phenominon. In 1918, Harvard University’s dean of students indicated that student mental health problems were the number one health challenge for college and university administrators (Benton & Benton, 2006).

Today, with high debt loads, heavy demands on time and high stress levels of student life, mental health issues have become a primary health concern in student populations. Now, with the addition of the strike to add to student stress, student mental health is a clear concern.

“Faculty and staff are often in a position to identify early on those students who may be struggling with emotional and psychological problems” writes Anjum Nayyar for UofT’s The Bullitin (source). However, without the student-professor relationship as a point of first contact, some students will need to find other places to ask for help from the pressures of the strike.

Who can students turn to when they need help?

York University has ensured that its student counselling service will remain open during the strike (click). The program offers a wide range of services. Students can call to set up an appointment and access the many resources available.

Another alternative is to contact the Community Crisis Response Program at # 416-498-0043 in York Region it is 905-310-cope. The program will help those who are distraught over the strike.

Sources:
1. Benton, S.A. & Benton S.L. (2006). College student mental health: Effective services and strategies across campus. Washington DC: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

2. http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions/campuses/exp/1

3. http://csd.mcmaster.ca/mentalhealth/index.html

4. http://www.news.utoronto.ca/health-and-medicine/a-collaborative-approach-to-student-mental-health.html

Health Concerns: York Anti-Strike Students Plan Hunger Strike

On the Facebook group York University Anti-Strike, a group of York University students are planning a hunger strike in protest the ongoing University strike.

A hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance or pressure in which participants fast as an act of political protest. But what are the possible dangers and impacts on health and nutritional information that students, choosing to participate in this type of protest, should be aware of? This article seeks some answers.

What happens to the body during starvation:

Starvation is the result of a severe lack of nutrients needed to maintain life. The starvation process is the body’s ability to compensate for loss of food intake. During the starvation process, the body will at first use its carbohydrate (glycogen) storage to meet metabolic needs (Lewis, Heitkemper & Dirksen, 2006). This carbohydrate storage will be depleted in approximately 18 hours (Lewis et al., 2006). Once carbohydrate stores are gone the body begins to convert protein to glucose for its energy needs; a process called gluconeogenesis (Lewis et al., 2006). In approximately 5 to 9 days, fat stores becomes the body’s primary energy source (Lewis et al., 2006). If starvation is prolonged as much as 97 per cent of calories are used from fat while the body preserves its protein (Lewis et al., 2006). After an additional four to six weeks, body proteins is now the last choice for the body to acquire energy (Lewis et al., 2006). This remaining protein is used by the body rapidly because there are no other energy sources now available (Lewis et al., 2006). As protein depletion continues, the body slows its ability to make proteins. In late stage starvation, edema (swelling of external body tissue) is present in the face and legs, and the skin becomes dry and wrinkled (Lewis et al., 2006). At this point, proteins and essential body nutrients must be given immediately or death will occur rapidly (Lewis et al., 2006).

What can you do when preparing for and during a hunger strike:

1. Drink plenty of water during your hunger strike. Your body can go a long time without food, but it can not survive long without water.

1. Put a spoonful of salt in your water a day. Your body depletes salt as you starve and replacing this salt will keep your blood pressure from getting too low which could be hazardous.

1. Take vitamins on a daily basis. This will give you energy to last longer than the typical 30 to 60 days, especially if you take liquid vitamins which will absorb into the body more effectively.

1. Put unrefined sugar in your water several times a day during your hunger strike. This will keep you from losing weight as fast and will prolong your fasting time significantly

(http://www.ehow.com/how_4430787_go-hunger-strike-safely.html)

Characteristic symptoms of starvation can include:

• Hunger
  Most are surprised by the disappearance of hunger after a few days of fasting. Hunger may reemerge at times, due to overly-pulpy juices that reawaken the digestive tract.
• Weakness
  Water fasting will result in weakness and lack of energy. There can even be dips in stamina during a juice fast if you have a high metabolism. Your expectations should be adjusted when planning a fast.
• Backaches
  Back pain can increase due to toxins in the lower intestine. Blood vessels that draw nutrients from the colon are very close to the nerves of the spine. Back pain will often decrease after elimination of the toxins. Back exercises can also relieve some pain. A cold pack also will help.
• Bad Breath
  Waste passes through the lungs, which are an eliminative organ. Brushing the tongue with a toothbrush using dental floss and rinsing with mouthwash will reduce bad breath. Rinse your mouth with plain water or water mixed with lemon juice to relieve these symptoms.
• Cankers
  Toxic build-up in the mouth and the absence of the washing-action of chewing food can allow an increase of bacteria between the teeth. The tongue becomes coated with waste. To stop cankers, gargle with sea salt mixed with water several times daily. Dabbing the sore with tea tree oil or vitamin E quickens the healing process.
• Colds and other viruses
  Mucous is the perfect food for viruses. Toxins weaken the immune system. When large quantities of toxins and mucus are in the blood due to a fast, they can cause susceptibility to colds. To fight a cold, continue fasting to eliminate mucus. Increase intake of citrus juices.
• Blackouts
  During fasting the body conserves energy. The heart pumps slower and blood pressure lowers. Standing or moving quickly from a resting position will cause the blood to flow to the legs, causing blackouts and dizziness. To stop blackouts get down on one knee or sit. Lowering your center of gravity will instantly stop a blackout. Blackouts are more frequent during water fasting.
• Diarrhea
  Fruit juices have a laxative effect which is more pronounced after water fasting. Diarrhea early on is a natural consequence.
• Headaches
  Toxins can cause muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders. This can result in tension headaches. Massaging the neck and shoulders will help relieve the tension.
• Muscle Tightness
  The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be affected, as toxins accumulate in the large muscles. A self-massage, hot baths, stretching and exercising will help to release the toxins.
• Nausea
  When waste is released too quickly by the lymph glands some of the toxic overload is taken by the liver and secreted with bile into the stomach. This causes nausea. Drink water or carrot juice.
• Nervousness
  The elimination of toxins can irritate damaged nerves. Light exercise will help relieve this.
• Skin Disturbances
• Tiredness
  Sleepiness is normal during water or restricted juice fasting.
• Feeling Cold
  The individual may be more susceptible to cold since the body has a harder time keeping warm and trying to conserve energy at the same time.
• Insomnia
  Be sure to nap during the day if your sleep at night is lighter
• Abdominal pains
• Depression
• Constipation
• Nightmares

(Lewis et al., 2006, http://www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org/docs/hunger_strike_facts.do)

Individuals should not fast if:

• They have a personal history or family history of diabetes
• They have an poor health history
• They have a history of an eating disorder
• They have a history of mental health issues or psychological disorder
• They require medication (changes in body dynamics can cause medications to work improperly)

(Lewis et al., 2006)

Breaking a fast:

When fasting is complete, the individual should follow a specific diet to ensure the body recovers quickly and safely. The longer one spends not eating the more care must be taken in recovering. The greatest danger lies in eating too frequently and too much at a time. After a long fast the digestive organs are in a condition of complete inactivity, and to overload them suddenly with a large amount of food may provoke acute attacks of indigestion and produce many other kinds of serious disturbances. The organs must be trained to return to normal activity gradually, beginning with very small quantities of light food.

(Lewis et al., 2006, http://www.healthandyoga.com/HTML/fasting/break.html)

Finally, and most importantly, prior to fasting and after fasting individuals should consult their healthcare specialist.

References:

Lewis, S. M., Heitkemper, M. M., & Dirksen S. R. (2006). Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada (3st ed.). Toronto: Elsevier Canada, Harcourt Canada Division.