Science and Technology is growing and expanding,I hear a lot about pacemakers and I know they help taking care of certain heart condition, but I am just realizing pacemakers goes beyond treating heart conditions. New studies shows electrical stimulation from pacemaker leads to reduced nausea and fewer days in hospital. Severe nausea and vomiting known as Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach empties very slowly without the evidence of blokage, mostly seen in gastric surgeries or diabetes.
According to the article on ScienceDaily (Mar. 31, 2010) stimulation somehow acts on the brain's center for nausea and vomiting by activating the neural pathways running from the stomach to the brain, (Andersson 2010). When 27 patients were included in a study testing electrical stimulation of the stomach. 22 had fewer symptoms as a result of initial temporary stimulation, and 20 of these then had a permanent pacemaker surgically inserted into the stomach. 90% Of the patients who responded well to temporary stimulation, with good results in a long term follow up of surgically inserted pacemaker. We have come a long with science and technology I think this is great news for people who suffer from gastroparesis especially people with advanced stages of diabetes.
Posted by Anna Moreno
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This is an interesting study I have not heard of pacemaker use outside of heart conditions before. I wonder how the electrical currents in the pacemaker stimulate specific regions of the brain related to nausea. It is possible that the electricity stimulates pathways used in the actual emptying of the stomach, so the reduction in vomiting and nausea is due to a progressive improvement in emptying ability of the stomach.
ReplyDeletePosted by Asia Barnes
It is a first for me also to hear about pacemaker helping other conditions than heart. But I think oit is amazing how science is growing and changing peoples lives.
ReplyDeletePosted by Anna Moreno
I also enjoy how this story shows how a scientific device responsible for saving countless lives has other beneficial side effects. So often we are bogged down with the endless information of how some necessary medical treatment comes with numerous, nagging costs. Sometimes even the cons outweigh the pros when considering various medical treatments. I will certainly remember this story next time I am about to complain at the end of a some medicine commercial that is mostly someone speed talking through the epic list of horrific side effects.
ReplyDeletePosted by Matt Grazewski
This is great news for those people. Yes, this is a very uncommon thing to think about, but the long term effects of the problems caused by these diseases. Reducing vomiting will help with a series of surgeries that are needed after years of acid eating away at the digestive tract. I would have never thought of a pacemaker helping to reduce anything or help anything besides breathing or the heart.
ReplyDeletePosted by Amanda HOstetter