Impact Medical

01/08/2025

You have a second heart – and it lives in your calves.

Your body has a hidden circulatory booster, and it’s located in your lower legs. It’s called the soleus muscle, and it acts like a “second heart,” pumping blood from your legs back up toward your chest. This helps your actual heart overcome gravity and keep circulation flowing.

But here’s the important part: this second heart only works when you move.

If you sit or stand still for too long, blood can start to pool in your legs. Over time, this can lead to swelling, varicose veins, or even serious blood clots, according to experts at the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.

The solution is simple: keep moving. A short walk every hour is enough to activate your calf pump. Even small actions like standing up, stretching, or doing toe raises can help. If you’re dealing with chronic swelling, elevating your legs or using compression socks can provide relief – but consistent movement is the real key.

Even more interesting? Some scientists are exploring how soleus-focused movements (like seated heel raises) can help regulate blood sugar and improve metabolism – meaning this second heart might have benefits beyond circulation.

So whether you’re pacing the room or just lifting your heels at your desk, remember: you’re not just moving your legs – you’re keeping your second heart beating strong.

20/07/2025

08/07/2025

This drug may be the migraine breakthrough we've been waiting for.

And it works using an entirely new mechanism.

In a promising early study, the diabetes and obesity drug liraglutide slashed migraine frequency by nearly half among patients with chronic headaches.

The small trial, presented at the European Academy of Neurology conference, involved 31 patients who had not responded to other migraine treatments.

After 12 weeks of taking liraglutide—part of the same GLP-1 agonist family as Ozempic—participants reported a drop in monthly headache days from 20 to 9, with some seeing their migraines nearly vanish entirely. Crucially, the benefits appeared unrelated to weight loss, suggesting a new and unexplored mechanism at work.

Though the results are encouraging, researchers urge caution. The study lacked a placebo group and involved a small sample size, limiting the strength of the conclusions. Still, experts say the magnitude of the improvement and the drug's success in previously treatment-resistant cases make this a compelling avenue for further research. If confirmed in larger trials, GLP-1 drugs like liraglutide could offer a novel treatment for migraine sufferers—especially those who haven’t found relief with current medications.

learn more https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/drug-slashes-migraine-days-by-half-in-early-trial-and-it-may-work-with-completely-new-mechanism

04/07/2025

Secondary complications of diabetes mellitus, which are primarily due to chronic hyperglycemia affecting multiple organs and systems. Here’s a breakdown by organ/system:

(Diabetic Retinopathy and Cataracts)
• Microaneurysms: Earliest sign of diabetic retinopathy.
• Microaneurysms with hemorrhage: Indicating progression of disease.
• Microaneurysms, hemorrhage, and exudates: Reflect further vascular damage.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Advanced stage with neovascularization.
• Cataracts: Clouding of the lens due to glycation and oxidative stress.

(Diabetic Nephropathy)
• Glomerulosclerosis: Thickening and scarring of glomeruli leading to kidney failure.
• Necrotizing papillitis: Severe infection and ischemia of renal papillae, can lead to papillary necrosis.

System
• Coronary atherosclerosis: Narrowing of coronary arteries, increasing risk of heart attack.
• Occlusive atherosclerosis: Blockage of arteries elsewhere, leading to ischemia.
• Calcium and atheroma deposition: Seen in vascular walls as part of chronic atherosclerosis.

System (Diabetic Neuropathy)
• Focal demyelination: Damage to myelin sheath in peripheral nerves.
• Autonomic dysfunction: Can manifest as gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea.

(Diabetic Foot Complications)
• Chronic ulcers: Poor wound healing due to neuropathy and poor circulation.
• Dry gangrene: Tissue death from ischemia without infection; a severe late complication.

03/07/2025

And scientists may have found a way to reverse it!

New research suggests that polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS), a common reproductive condition, may be inherited through epigenetic changes—chemical tags on DNA that influence gene activity without altering the genetic code itself.

Scientists analyzing eggs and embryos from 133 people with PCOS found distinctive patterns in three types of epigenetic marks that either silence or activate genes by tightening or loosening DNA coils.

These alterations were linked to changes in embryo metabolism and may contribute to PCOS development in offspring, providing fresh insights into how the condition is passed down.

Although genetics have long been suspected to play a role in PCOS, known mutations account for only a fraction of its heritability. This study, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, offers a new path forward: potential therapies that target and reverse harmful epigenetic markers. Early trials using drugs to erase these marks show promise. If confirmed, this research could also enable clinicians to screen for PCOS risk during IVF and intervene earlier to prevent its transmission across generations.

learn more https://www.newscientist.com/article/2486325-polycystic-o***y-syndrome-may-be-passed-on-via-chemical-tags-on-dna/

30/06/2025

Pressure Measurement With A Sphygmomanometer
1. Cuff Inflated – Artery Closed
The cuff is pumped up to stop blood flow in the arm. You hear nothing through the stethoscope.
2. Cuff Pressure Drops – Artery Opens Slightly
Air is slowly released. When blood starts to squeeze through, it makes a tapping sound (called Korotkoff sounds).
→ First sound = Systolic pressure (top number)
3. Cuff Pressure Drops More – Artery Fully Open
Blood flows smoothly again and the sound disappears.
→ Last sound = Diastolic pressure (bottom number)

Tools:
• Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure device) includes:
• Gauge: Shows the pressure in mmHg.
• Bulb: Pumped by hand to inflate the cuff.
• Valve: Releases air slowly to lower the pressure.
• Cuff: Wrapped around the upper arm and inflated to squeeze the artery.
• Stethoscope: Used to listen to blood sounds in the arm.

Body Parts Involved:
• Heart: Pumps blood through the body.
• Brachial artery: Main artery used for measuring blood pressure.
• Radial & Ulnar arteries: Branch from the brachial artery but not directly used during this measurement.

28/06/2025

Early-onset type 2 diabetes remains under-researched and undertreated.

In our new issue, our Editorial highlights the need for strong public health action to address the growing burden of early-onset type 2 diabetes worldwide.

Read this and more, link in comments 👇

04/02/2025

Urgent action is needed to scale-up cancer prevention and care services.

Cancer registries can play a crucial role in this.

On , our Editorial explores the benefits and challenges of cancer registries in global cancer care ▶️ https://hubs.li/Q0351Tyc0

18/01/2025

Over 1 billion people live with obesity. There is an urgent need for a universal definition and diagnosis.

🆕 A Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission introduces a new model with categories: clinical obesity (an illness) and pre-clinical obesity. This reframing identifies medically meaningful targets for prevention and treatment.

Joe Nadglowski, patient advocate and Commissioner, adds: “Studies show that the way obesity is usually talked about adds to weight stigma, making it harder to prevent, manage and treat. The approach proposed by this Commission can help clear up misconceptions.”

Read in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology ➡️ https://hubs.li/Q032Bd2_0

Alt: An infographic panel for the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on clinical obesity.

18/01/2025

When you work out, are you doing too much or not enough? There’s a simple way to know: Your target heart rate

A wearable activity tracker makes it super easy to track your heart rate or take your pulse on the inside of your wrist. If your heart rate is too high, you’re straining. If your heart rate is too low, you may want to push yourself a little harder, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.

06/12/2024

One in five people are at high risk for cardiovascular disease & aortic valve stenosis due to high lipoprotein(a).

A Review discusses the history, management, and future treatments of high lipoprotein(a): https://hubs.li/Q02ZYdkx0

👇 Figure: The suggested role of high plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations in thrombus growth at sites of atherosclerotic plaque rupture.