Medicine is an absolute miracle of science. Just think, at some point we went from using poisons like mercury to treat diseases to being able to grow a patient's own new ear , using his own cells. New and seemingly miraculous treatments are constantly emerging. Sometimes they are incredibly profound and the result of years of research and practice. And sometimes they are simply downright bizarre. Here are ten of the most surprising treatments for some common, everyday ailments.
10. Cocaine is prescribed to treat certain intestinal obstructions.
A can of Coca-Cola contains 39 grams sugar, which equals 140 calories per can. This is quite significant, and it's why many people insist that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks are bad for you. If you're a soda fan and need a reason to defend it from those who think it's unhealthy, you're in luck. Coca-Cola is a prescription drug for some people.
There's a type of intestinal obstruction that can occur in humans, caused by something called bezoars. They're caused by lumps of undigested food that stick together and become lodged in the intestinal tract, accumulating until they cause a blockage. They can be very serious and even fatal if not removed, which is often, but not always, surgically.
In some cases, bezoar removal is successful. was used Coca-Cola . According to research, baking soda is more than effective 90% cases Removing certain types of bezoars by dissolving them. The acid in Coca-Cola reacts effectively with these nasty little food pellets, softening and breaking them down so they can pass harmlessly through the digestive tract. Compared to surgery, this is a much safer and less stressful treatment.
9. The Epley maneuver can treat dizziness, and you can do it yourself
They say that before 40% Americans Everyone experiences dizziness at some point in their lives. This condition affects your sense of balance and can cause vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and related symptoms. However, there are many causes, so treatment can vary and may include a variety of medications and even surgery to disrupt specific nerves. However, one of the most effective treatments is the Epley maneuver.
Named after its creator, Dr. John Epley, the treatment works remarkably well, including in cases that have proven resistant to other treatments. Oddly enough, other professionals for many years ridiculed and rejected him . They simply didn't believe the treatment could be real because it was so simple, and as a result, they dragged Epley's name through the mud and even at one point threatened to revoke his license.
So what? What does this mysterious treatment include? You need to sit on your bed. Then turn your head 45 degrees toward the affected ear. Then quickly lie back with your head turned, resting it on your shoulder for 30 seconds. Then turn your head 90 degrees in the other direction and wait another 30 seconds. Turn your head and body another 90 degrees in the same direction and, you guessed it, wait another 30 seconds. Then just sit. That's it.
When used to treat certain types of dizziness in impressive 76% patients improvement is observed after a single use of the maneuver.
8. Ketogenic diets can treat epilepsy
Ketogenic diets have been quite popular in the fad diet world for several years. They are sometimes referred to as low-carb diets and typically include adequate protein but higher fat content than many other diets. The Atkins diet was a famous example of keto, and while some people have successfully eaten this way, others claim it's quite harmful to health , especially in the long term. But it turns out it has another unexpected benefit: the treatment of epilepsy.
There have been cases of epilepsy, especially drug-resistant epilepsy, being controlled with the keto diet. Since your body and brain rely on what you eat for energy, the keto diet can change way Getting energy from food changes how epilepsy works. Instead of carbohydrates, you train your body to burn fat for energy. How this alters seizure activity remains unclear, although it appears to be based on lowering blood sugar levels while increasing fat levels, which tricks your brain into functioning differently.
This approach is often used in children, Adults who have failed traditional epilepsy treatments may also benefit from it. However, doctors must closely monitor it, and it is by no means an overnight success; it will require patience.
7. Acid reflux can be treated with a magnetic ring
If you weren't sure how serious heartburn and acid reflux are, you should know that the global antacid market is worth $3.97 billion . That's a lot of Tums and a lot of stomach upset. And while antacids can often solve the problem, they don't always do it. Severe heartburn requires serious relief, like magnetic ring , installed in your esophagus.
The ring allows food to pass through but prevents acid and waste from coming back in. approved for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The metal ring is mainly constricts the throat, but not with enough force to prevent swallowing. You can think of it as a balloon pinched between your fingers. You can still force air into the air, but you hold it with enough force to prevent it from escaping.
6. 90s rap music was used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
For several years music therapy It has demonstrated benefits in treating a variety of disorders, including anxiety, phobias, and OCD. At least one doctor has further narrowed the scope when it comes to treating disorders by using 1990s rap music—so, presumably, a healthy dose of Snoop Dogg, MC Hammer, and Public Enemy.
In one case, a woman with a severe fear of thunderstorms was literally unable to leave her house due to the fear that overwhelmed her. After her therapist made her listen to Hypnotize by the Notorious BIG and focusing on the rhythm of the applause, she was able to distract herself from the rhythm long enough to go for a walk with her therapist, as her brain, and therefore her phobia, was otherwise occupied.
5. Cone snail venom can treat chronic pain
The ocean is an inhospitable place even at the best of times. Drowning is always a risk, and no one needs to be told about sharks anymore, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Even snails in the ocean can kill you. Without treatment, cone snail venom can kill you in just one hour . And as dangerous as this may sound, these are valuable items. Cone snail venom is also a powerful painkiller and cancer treatment.
One of the many compounds in the venom of some snails can be used to treat cancer and endocrine disorders, as well as severe and chronic pain. Somatostatin, a hormone and neuropeptide, is also produced by humans. Snails produce a chemically similar compound, but it is much more stable. The human version has a half-life of just three minutes. Snails are enough. for almost a week .
Painkillers like Prialt already exist and were derived from snail venom, but they must be administered in the spine, This makes them difficult to use. However, they are even more potent than morphine, so there is hope that the method of administering them will improve someday.
4. Botox injections are used to treat chronic migraines
Migraines can be extremely painful and debilitating. Often, standard treatments for common headaches don't work for migraines, and those who suffer from them may simply have to wait it out. But Sanitary and Quality Supervision Authority The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved One unusual treatment that, while not a cure, can definitely help relieve symptoms is Botox.
This treatment is not suitable for everyone. You must have serious problem with migraines , that is, about 15 migraine days per month for three months. However, since Botox paralyzes muscle and nerve receptors, it is believed that when injected into the forehead, scalp, and surrounding areas, it can also block the pain receptors associated with migraines.
3. Depression can be treated with sleep deprivation
Depression is one of the most common conditions in the world, affecting approximately 280 million people . While some can be treated with medication, many can develop a drug-resistant condition. This leads to a long battle that, in some cases, may never be cured.
There are alternatives to medications, and some are more surprising than others. Perhaps one of the most unusual is sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that it almost immediately reduces symptoms in approximately half of patients. This is a significant improvement over traditional medications, which can sometimes take weeks to show results.
For many patients, returning to sleep after sleep deprivation will result in a relapse, but this may only be partial, and the benefits may last for several weeks. When combined with medication, the positive effects can be stabilized and improved overall. There's also reason to believe that partial sleep deprivation may be just as effective as total sleep deprivation, meaning staying awake for more than 36 hours. As for why this has any effect at all, well, that's still a bit of a mystery.
2. Cognitive behavioral therapy can treat back pain
According to one study, more 65 million Americans Reported recent back pain, representing approximately 81% of all adults suffering from chronic back pain. Life is back pain. So, what can be done? Typically, it's over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol and Advil that take the brunt of back pain, but there's an intriguing drug-free alternative. Cognitive behavioral therapy, the same psychological treatment used for things like depression, can help treat back pain.
Comprehensive research covering more than 13,000 patients, Studies have shown that when a physical and psychological approach is used to treat pain, the results are much better than either approach alone. The approach must be comprehensive, and while it obviously won't eliminate the physical cause of the pain, it can help the patient learn coping mechanisms. psychological comorbidities . So, if your back pain also causes you depression, anxiety, anger, or something else, it can help you overcome that, which in turn leads to an overall reduction in perceived pain.
1. Fish scales can be used to treat burns.
About half a million burns are treated in hospitals each year. Of these, about 40 000 Burns can be so severe that they require hospitalization for treatment. And if you've ever suffered a burn yourself, you know you don't want to be burned so badly that you need hospitalization. It's one of the most painful injuries you can endure.
One of the most horrific aspects of severe burns is the damage they can cause to the skin. Skin grafts are one of the few treatment options available, involving the transfer of unburned skin from a healthy part of the body to the burnt area so it can heal.
Animal studies showed that fish skin can significantly speed up wound healing . Fish skin treated with a silver solution significantly reduces the risk of infection by reducing the number of bacteria and accelerating the growth of new skin. The same fish, tilapia, has been successfully used for treatment of human burns . Their skin is rich in something called type 1 collagen, which is essential for healing. After sterilization, the scales can be applied as a bandage, but they don't need to be changed. Human skin, of course, is more ideal, but in many developing countries, it's simply not an option. Since tilapia skin is useless after fish processing, it's an untapped resource with some obvious benefits.