Protriptyline, Chronic Tension-Type Headaches, and Weight Loss in Women

Twenty-five women with chronic tension-type headaches were treated with protriptyline for 3 months, with attention paid to days of monthly headaches before and while taking the medication, as well as change in weight and side effects. One patient stopped the medication because of side effects and 2 did not return for follow-up, yielding 22 patients. The typical dose of protriptyline was 20 mg every morning. Eighty-six percent of patients had fewer headaches each month, with the mean dropping from 28.2 to 11.7 days. Seventy-three percent had a 50% or greater reduction in the number of headaches per month. The average weight change was a loss of slightly over 3 pounds during the study period. The advantages and disadvantages of protriptyline in the treatment of chronic tension-type headaches are discussed, as are mechanisms of action.     

Dementia: Weight Loss and Mealtime Challenges

Weight loss and problems with mealtime are challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These challenges are also difficult for caregivers who struggle to ensure that their family members have adequate nutritional intake. Although feeding tubes were once considered an effective solution, there is no evidence that they are effective, they may cause harm, and many authorities suggest that they not be used in people with advanced dementia. This article presents evidence-based recommendations for the assessment and management of weight loss in those with dementia and suggests supportive strategies for families striving to create meaningful mealtimes.     

Two Cases of Thyrotoxicosis due to Redotex Ingestion,a Mexican Weight Loss Drug

BackgroundRedotex? is a Mexican weight-loss supplement that is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved. It consists of the following five ingredients: tri-iodothyronine 75 μg, atropine 0.36 mg, diazepam 8 mg, aloin 16 mg, and d-norpseudoephedrine 50 mg per tablet. There are few case reports with clinically severe ingestions. We report two cases of clinical thyrotoxicosis due to use of Redotex.Case ReportsA 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with anxiety and palpitations. She reported taking Redotex daily for 1 week. Her temperature was 37.1°C, blood pressure (BP) was 166/104 mm Hg, and heart rate (HR) was 140 beats/min. Laboratory analysis was significant for a bicarbonate level of 20 mmol/L (reference 22–29 mmol/L), free T4 0.75 ng/dL (reference 0.93–1.70 ng/dL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.05 uIU/mL (reference 0.27–4.20 uIU/mL). She was treated with 2 mg i.v. lorazepam and 20 mg oral propranolol. A 37-year-old woman presented with chest pain, palpitations, and nausea after taking Redotex 1 to 2 tablets daily for 6 weeks. Her HR was 134 beats/min and BP was 130/66 mm Hg. Thyroid function tests on initial presentation showed a TSH of 0.013 uU/mL, free T4 of 0.24 ng/dL, and free T3 of >30 pg/mL. She was treated with propranolol 1 mg i.v. twice per day and 2 doses of lorazepam 1 mg. Both patients had resolution of their symptoms.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?When taken chronically and at recommended doses, Redotex can present with clinically significant T3 thyrotoxicosis. This has not been seen in prior reports.     

Unintentional Weight Loss and Bilirubinuria in an Adolescent Female

Exacerbations in Crohn’s disease may be accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations. Clinicians should be aware of possible extraintestinal organ involvement to aid in diagnosis and to rule out possible life-threatening manifestations. This case report presents a patient whose initial onset of Crohn’s disease had multiorgan involvement that expanded the differential diagnoses. Discussion includes assessment diagnostic criteria, possible extraintestinal manifestations of Crohn’s, and recommended treatment for severe initial presentation of disease.     

Improvement in the Spatial Distribution of Pain,Somatic Symptoms,and Depression After a Weight Loss Intervention

Weight loss is known to improve pain localized to weight-bearing joints but it is not known how weight loss affects the spatial distribution of pain and associated somatic symptoms like fatigue. We sought to determine if weight loss using a low-calorie diet improves pain, affect, and somatic symptoms commonly associated with chronic pain conditions in an observational study. We also documented changes in inflammatory markers in serum before and after weight loss. Participants were 123 obese individuals undergoing a 12- to 16-week calorie restriction weight loss intervention. The spatial distribution of pain, symptom severity (eg, fatigue, sleep difficulties), depression, and total fibromyalgia scale scores were measured before and after weight loss. Pain (P?=?. 022), symptom severity (P?=?.004), depression (P?<?.001), and fibromyalgia scores (P?=?.004) improved after weight loss; men showed greater improvement than women on somatic symptoms and fibromyalgia scores (both P?<?.01). Those who lost at least 10% of body weight showed greater improvement than those who lost <10%. Levels of the regulatory cytokine interleukin-10 increased after the intervention (P?=?.002). Weight loss may improve diffuse pain and comorbid symptoms commonly seen in chronic pain participants.

Long-Term Weight Loss and Metabolic Health in Adults Concerned With Maintaining or Losing Weight: Findings From NHANES

More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, with many attempting to lose weight to avoid adverse health outcomes and improve well-being. Achieving long-term weight loss (LTWL) success, defined as reaching at least a 5% to 10% weight loss goal, is challenging, yet important for overall metabolic health. It is currently unclear whether achieving higher thresholds of LTWL is associated with improved health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between LTWL thresholds (5%-9.9%, 10%-14.9%, 15%-19.9%, ≥20%) and metabolic health (metabolic syndrome and metabolic risk z score) among 7670 US adult respondents to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014) who were overweight or obese (past or present), were not underweight in the past year, not pregnant, and attempting to lose or maintain weight. A subsample of 3362 participants was used in the analysis of the metabolic risk z score. Multivariable regression models were constructed adjusting for covariates. Results indicate that the lowest and the 2 highest LTWL thresholds were related to lower odds for metabolic syndrome; for example, greater than or equal to 20% LTWL (odds ratio=0.52; 95% CI, 0.23-0.44; P<.001). All LTWL thresholds were significantly associated with the metabolic risk z score, with the largest effect among the 2 highest LTWL thresholds, that is, 15% to 19.9% LTWL (β=?0.45; 95% CI, ?0.54 to ?0.36; P<.001) and greater than or equal to 20% LTWL (β=?0.35; 95% CI, ?0.53 to ?0.17; P<.001). In conclusion, although achieving the currently recommended LTWL target was related to improved metabolic health, the 15% LTWL threshold was associated with more favorable outcomes.     

Effects of a Stimulant-Free Dietary Supplement on Body Weight and Fat Loss in Obese Adults: A Six-Week Exploratory Study

Background: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and stroke. Stimulants, such as ephedrine and caffeine and their herbal counterparts, have proved effective in facilitating body weight loss, but their use is controversial due to their undesired effects. Other nutraceuticals have shown moderate success in reducing body weight, whereas several other compounds have demonstrated little or no effect. Therefore, a tolerable and effective nutraceutical that can increase energy expenditure and/or decrease caloric intake is desirable for body weight reduction.Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the tolerability and effectiveness of a novel, stimulant-free, dietary supplement containing glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre, and vitamin C on body weight and fat loss and change in body composition in obese adults.Methods: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario, Canada), obese adults (aged 20-50 years; body mass index [BMI], ≥30 kg/m²) were randomized to the treatment or placebo group. The treatment group received 6 capsules of a dietary supplement containing a proprietary blend of glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, G sylvestre, and vitamin C daily for 6 weeks, and the placebo group received 6 capsules of rice flour daily for 6 weeks. Body weight; percentage of body fat; absolute fat mass; lean body mass; BMI; upper abdominal, waist, and hip circumference; and anthropometric measurements were recorded at baseline and at study end. Patients completed daily dietary intake records on days 1 to 3 and days 40 to 42. They also completed weekly activity logs throughout the study.Results: Twenty-four subjects (mean [SD] age, 37.0 [8.2] years [range, 21-48years]; mean [SD] BMI, 35.7 [6.2] kg/m² [range, 28.9-50.9 kg/m²]) were assigned to the treatment group (8 women, 4 men) or the placebo group (9 women,3 men). Two subjects (8.3%; 1 patient [8.3%] from each group) dropped out for personal reasons unrelated to the study. No significant changes in the consumption of total calories; the percentage of calories ingested as carbohydrates, fat, or protein; or activity levels were found in either group throughout the study. Compared with the placebo group, the treatment group lost significantly more body weight (−2.3 kg vs 0.0 kg; P<0.01), percentage of body fat (−1.1% vs 0.2%; P<0.05), and absolute fat mass (−2.0 kg vs 0.2 kg; P<0.001). The treatment group also experienced a significantly greater reduction in upper abdominal circumference (−4.5 cm vs −0.7 cm), waist circumference (−4.1 cm vs 0.1 cm), and hip circumference (−2.9 cm vs 0.6 cm) compared with the placebo group (P<0.05 for all). No significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure were found in either group. Both the treatment and the placebo were well tolerated.Conclusion: Within the context of this study, the novel combination of glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, G sylvestre, and vitamin C results in significant body weight and fat loss in obese adults.Disclosure: Derek E. Woodgate, MSc, is president and owner of NxCare Inc., which produces the dietary supplement containing glucomannan, chitosan, fenugreek, Gymnema sylvestre, and vitamin C (trade name Calorie-Care™).     

失效模式与效应分析在预防减重手术患者压力性损伤中的应用及效果

目的 探讨失效模式与效应分析(failure mode and effect analysis,FMEA)在预防减重手术患者压力性损伤中的应用及效果.方法 便利抽样法选择2018年1月至2019年12月在某院行减重手术治疗的病态性肥胖症患者及其手术护士为研究对象.将2018年行减重手术者(共34例)作为对照组,采用常规...     

Weight loss methods used by African American and Euro-American women

In this naturalistic study employing intensive interviews and anthropometric measures, an educationally and economically diverse community-based sample of 40 African American and 40 Euro-American women described their lifetime experiences with weight management. Twenty types of weight loss methods were identified and grouped into one of three categories: lifestyle work, head work, and professional services. The most frequently used weight loss methods were from the lifestyle work category, with the leading methods identified as exercise on own and reduce high calorie and/or increase low calorie foods. African Americans and Euro-Americans overwhelmingly used similar weight loss methods, with the only significant difference occurring in the more frequent use of commercial diet products among the African American group. Methods from the head work category were used significantly more often by women with higher social status, while heavier women more frequently sought professional services to lose weight than thinner women. The Euro-American women engaged in weight loss methods for significantly longer periods of time and were found to weigh significantly less than the African American women. These findings suggest that the shorter duration of weight loss attempts may be a major factor contributing to the larger body size in African American women. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 20: 413–423, 1997     

Weight loss methods and changes in eating habits among successful weight losers

Background Changes in several lifestyle related factors are required for successful long-term weight loss. Identification of these factors is of major importance from a public health point of view.

Methods/subjects This study was based upon findings from the Finnish Weight Control Registry (FWCR), a web-based registry. In total, 316 people were recruited and 184 met the study inclusion criteria. The aims of this study were to assess means and typical changes in eating habits associated with successful long-term weight loss.

Results Half of the participants (48%) reported that they lost weight slowly primarily with dietary changes. Self-weighing frequency was high, 92% was weighing themselves at least once a week during the weight loss phase, and 75% during the maintenance phase. Dietary aspects associated with successful weight loss and weight maintenance included an increase in intake of vegetables, a reduction in frequency of eating candies and fast food, regular meal frequency and application of the Plate model.

Conclusions Both slow and fast weight loss may lead to successful long-term results and weight maintenance. A decrease in energy intake was achieved by reducing intake of energy-dense food, applying the Plate model and by regular meal frequency.

• Key messages

• Successful long-term weight loss is associated with a reduction in intake of energy-dense food. A more regular meal frequency and a high frequency of self-weighing seem to be helpful.

     

磁共振弥散加权成像和表面弥散系数图在脑梗死诊断中的应用

目的:探讨磁共振弥散加权成像（diffusion　weight imaging,DWI）和表面弥散系数图（apparent diffusion coefficient　map-ping,ADCmap）对各期脑梗死的诊断作用。方法:应用磁共振T1加权（MRI　T1　W）、T2加权（T2W）和水抑制反转恢复成像（fluid-attenuated inversion recovery,FLAIR）和DWI对70例各期脑梗死病人进行86人次MRI检查,并作ADC图,测定病灶ADC平均值及病灶中心至边缘的值。结果:在超急性脑梗死病例中,DWI和ADC图均表现缺血,病灶中心至边缘的ADC值呈梯度增高,但T2及FLAIR成像均正常,病灶的ADC值随梗死时间延长,呈由低向高变化趋势。结论:对急性脑缺血病变,DWI比T2W和FLAIR更敏感,ADC图可量化缺血程度,二者结合应用对脑梗死的早期诊断和病灶的转归评估有重要意义。