Caffeine, Useful or Harmful to Health?

Because every so often to see the drug pain relievers containing caffeine, I was interested to discuss about the benefits of caffeine in relieving pain. Many questions in my mind about the caffeine that I know a lot of diving this negative effect on health but why the drug pain relievers have caffeine levels are quite large.  Okay, we begin to examine and discuss the caffeine! Happy reading! 

chemical structure of Caffeine

Caffeine, or more popular caffeine, xanthine alkaloid compound is crystalline and bitter taste that works as a psychoactive stimulant drug and a mild diuretic. Caffeine is found naturally in foodstuffs such as coffee beans, tea leaves, fruits, cola, guarana, and mate. In plants, it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and turn off certain insects that eat the plants. It is typically consumed by humans by taking the extract of coffee beans and tea leaves.

Caffeine can be removed from the brain quickly, no stimulants such as alcohol or other central nervous system so as not to interfere with higher mental function, and footing the brain. Caffeine consumption in a sustainable manner will cause the body to become tolerant to the presence of caffeine. Therefore, if the internal production of caffeine removed (called “release dependency”), the body becomes less sensitive to adenosine, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure which resulted in headaches and so on other symptoms. Recent research says caffeine can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, but it still requires in-depth review.

Too much caffeine can cause poisoning (intoxication), caffeine (drunk due to caffeine). Between the symptoms of this disease are restlessness, worry, insomnia, volatility, flushing, frequent urination (diuresis), and the problem gastrointestial. These symptoms can occur even though only 250 mg of caffeine taken. If more than 1g of caffeine consumed in one day, symptoms like muscle spasms (muscle twitching), and the word tumult, kardium arrhythmias (disturbances in heart throb) m and the fluctuation of psychomotor (psychomotor agitation) may occur. Caffeine intoxication can lead to panic and disease concerns.

Some of the benefits of caffeine are:
Relieve pain
The scientists argue that the efficacy of caffeine as an analgesic materialized
through three mechanisms: inhibiting adenosine work, activating point
noragrenergik (adrenaline), stimulates the central nervous system.
* Caffeine is proven to be effective in overcoming the pressure at the condition had a headache.
* As is well known by doctors for almost five hundred
years, caffeine is also capable of relieving pain caused by MIGRAINE. Migraine proven
vascular inflammation is not caused by interference with the system but
serotonin.

Eradicate CANCER
Caffeine can reduce the risk of some cancers. Evaluation
of Coffee and Caffeine for Mutagenic, Carciogenic, and Anticarcinogenic
Activity (2000), Richard H. Adamson Ph. D, summarizes the research results in four
epidemiology and concluded that the amount of caffeine intake is associated with
protective effect of breast cancer development. Two studies claimed
3-4 cups of coffee a day REDUCE BREAST CANCER incidents are
significant.

Caffeine consumption also reduces the prevalence of colon cancer. In 1998, Professor
wdward Giovanucci, Harvard University epidemiologist to analyze 17
results of research and concluded,?? Drinking several cups of coffee each
day reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer as much as 30 percent compared
do not drink coffee at all.

The rest, here’s Short Summary-Health Effects of Caffeine

1. Protect the body from damage due to stroke
2. Prevent gallstone formation
3. Controlling the problem on the skin 
4. Not in general increase the risk of osteoporosis 
5. Helping to overcome airway disorders caused by asthma and  smoking habits 
6. Helping an alcoholic in overcoming the negative impact of consumption alcohol 
7. Help prevent the danger that arises because of low blood sugar levels in some diabetics 
8. Enhance male fertility; little or no effect female fertility 
9. Did not cause birth defects, but dangerous if consumed at the time  pregnant, and the exact amount can increase the chances of miscarriage
10. Glaucoma can worsen the condition if taken in doses of  highly high

that was my little article about caffeine and health benefits even though not yet led to specific questions in my mind that, how caffeine can relieve pain in many diseases. And how do these drugs work. Hopefully in the next I’m writing can be discussed and examined about it.

Tag:Biomedic, caffeine, dose, drug, health

Basic Principles of PET/CT

 

PET/CT is a new imaging tool that is highly advanced. PET/CT combines 2 different types of imaging into 1 procedure. PET and CT together produce a more accurate picture of what is happening in the body than either PET or CT alone. PET/CT is a very good tool for detecting cancer and how far it has spread. It can help the doctor decide on the best treatment for a patient. PET/CT also can show how the cancer is responding to treatment.

　

What is PET?

“PET” stands for positron emission tomography PET creates an image (scan) of your body’s biochemical activity. PET shows the rate at which your body’s cells break down and use sugar (glucose). This activity is called metabolism. Cancer cells metabolize sugar at a higher rate than normal cells do. A PET scan shows this abnormal cell activity. For your PET scan, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into your blood stream. This material is called a radioisotope. A PET scanner detects the radioisotope and then creates an image on the computer screen. PET exposes you to a very low level of radiation.

What is CT?

“CT” is short for computed tomography CT uses x-rays and a computer to make an image of sections of your body. A CT scan shows your body’s organs, bones, and tissues in greater detail than regular x-rays do. For your CT scan, you will receive a contrast enhancing agent by intravenous line (IV), which helps produce an even clearer image. CT exposes you to a small amount of radiation.

What does PET/CT do?

A PET image is color coded — different colors show various levels of cell activity. A CT scan shows the exact locations of the body’s organs and also can show abnormal growths. When a CT scan is laid over a PET scan, doctors can pinpoint the exact location of abnormal cell activity. They can also see the level and extent of that activity. Even when an abnormal growth is not yet visible on a CT scan, the PET scan can show the abnormal cell activity.

This is the difference results from the PET images, CT images and PET/CT images, the images most clearly is the result of PET/CT

 

 

What happens before the exam?

 

You will change into a hospital gown and remove all metal objects that could interfere with the scan. An IV will be inserted in your arm. You will receive the radioisotope through the IV. Then you’ll sit quietly for an hour while it moves through your body.

 

What happens during the exam?

 

 

You’ll be asked to empty your bladder, and then you will go to the scanning room. The PET/CT scanner is a machine that does PET and CT scanning in the same procedure. It has a large, deep ring — like a donut standing on its side. A scanning table will move slowly through the ring.

The technologist will help you onto the table. You must be able to lie very still on the table for the entire test, which takes about 30 minutes.

Next you will receive the enhancing agent through your IV. A brief sensation may move up your arm. You also may get a warm, flushed feeling; a taste of salt or metal in your mouth; or nausea for a few minutes. This is normal, but you should tell the technologist about these or other reactions. You may also have nausea, shortness of breath, itching, or sneezing. If any of these occur, tell the doctor or technologist right away.

The technologist will go into a room behind a glass window. The technologist can see you at all times during scanning and may give you added instructions. You’ll be able to talk to the technologist through an intercom during the scan. You should lie as quietly as possible. The scan is painless; you should not feel anything. It takes about one-half hour.

What happens after the exam?

 

Most of the radioisotope will collect in your bladder. After the exam, you should drink plenty of fluids to flush it out of your body. You may resume your normal diet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tag:Biomedic, CT, cyclotron, Electromedic, PET, PET/CT, radiation, radioisotop

Basic Principles of Radiation Measurement: Measured Quantities and Detection Mechanism

Measured quantities

Radiation is a way of propagation of energy from energy source to the environment without requiring a specific medium or materials penghantar. Nuclear radiation has two distinct characteristics:

• can not be felt directly and
• can penetrate many types of materials.

therefore to determine the presence or absence of nuclear radiation is needed an apparatus, namely measuring radiation, which is used weeks to measure the quantity, energy, or radiation dose.

1. The quantity of radiation
is the amount of radiation per unit time per unit area, at a point of measurement. The quantity of radiation is proportional to the activity of the source and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between the source and the measuring system.

2. Radiation energy (E)
is the ‘strength’ of any radiation emitted by radiation source. When sources of radiation in the form of radionuclide, the level of energy emitted depends on the type radionuklidanya. If the source of radiation such as X-ray machine, then the energy of radiation depends on the anode voltage (kV).

3. Radiation dose

is often defined as the amount of radiation energy absorbed or received by the materials including the human body. Value is determined by the quantity of doses of radiation, radiation type and energy and the type of material that dikenainya.

In the field of radiation protection is very important because this value is directly related to the effects of radiation on the human body. There is a limitation value of accumulated annual doses (NBD) and derivatives that are allowed per hour are:

•  50 mSv. per year or
•  25 μSv. per hour

Radiation Detection Mechanism
Radiation detector works by measuring changes caused by the absorption of radiation energy by absorbing medium. Actually there are many mechanisms that occur inside the detector but that is often used is the process of ionization and scintillation process.

1. Ionization processes
Ionization is the instant release of electrons from the bonds because the absorbing external energy. These events can occur directly by alpha or beta radiation and indirectly by the radiation of X-rays, gamma rays and neutrons.

The number of loose electrons (N) is proportional to the amount of energy absorbed by the SE divided by the power of an absorbent material ionization (w).
In the process of ionizing radiation energy converted to release a number of electrons (electrical energy). If there is an electric field then the electrons will move toward the positive pole so that it can induce a current or voltage. The greater the flow of radiation energy or the voltage produced is also greater.

 2. Scintillation process

Scintillation process is beam spark of light when the electrons transition from a higher energy level to a lower energy level in the detector, if there are vacancies of electrons in the deeper orbit. Emptiness can be caused by the escape of electrons (ionization process) or loncatnya electrons into a higher trajectory when subjected to radiation (excitation process).

In the process of scintillation, the energy beam radiation converted into visible light. The greater the radiation energy is absorbed, the more sparks of light.

Tag:Biomedic, detection and measurement, dose, Electromedic, energy, ionization, nuclear, radiation, x-ray