Health is Wealth: February 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Heart risk link to eye condition

Eye

AMD is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK

Age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness, has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers found the risk of dying from the cardiovascular conditions was at least doubled in people with AMD.

The study raises the possibility - disputed by UK experts - that drugs for the condition may be to blame.

The University of Sydney research appears in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

There are two forms - wet and dry - with the dry form being far more common

The wet type is the most aggressive and accounts for around 90% of blindness caused by the condition

More than 20,000 people in the UK are newly-diagnosed with wet AMD each year

AMD affects the centre of the retina (macula) at the back of the eye, which is used for fine central vision tasks, such as reading and driving.

It is most common in the elderly, among whom it is a major cause of untreatable blindness in developed countries. It is estimated to affect 500,000 people in the UK alone.

The Sydney team assessed the general and eye health of over 3,600 people, all aged at least 49 years at the start of the study.

Of these 2,335 people were re-examined five years later, and 1,952 were examined again 10 years later.

Among people under the age of 75 at the start of the study, early AMD was associated with a doubling in the risks of dying from a heart attack or stroke within the next decade.

Those with late stage disease at the start of the study had five times the risk of dying from a heart attack, and 10 times the risk of dying from a stroke.

Possible reasons

The researchers admitted that more work was needed to confirm their work, as the numbers in their study were relatively small.

They said the reason for a link between AMD and cardiovascular disease was unclear.

The likely reason for the link is vascular degeneration

Mr Winfried Amoaku
Royal College of Ophthalmologists

It could simply be that AMD is a sign that the body is ageing, and vulnerable to all sorts of disease.

Alternatively, it may be that AMD and cardiovascular disease are caused by the same problems, such as inflammation, thickening of the arteries or general tissue damage caused by unstable particles called free radicals.

Another possibility is that anti-VEGF drug treatments for AMD may raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Anti-VEGF drugs work by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels.

This is an effective strategy for AMD because the condition is caused by unstable new blood vessels in the eye, which leak fluid and blood under the retina and cause scarring, which in turn leads to irreversible sight loss.

However, there is concern that inhibiting blood vessel growth may have a wider impact on the cardiovascular system.

Monitoring

The researchers said: "Our results suggest that individuals with a high cardiovascular risk profile may potentially need to be monitored closely if receiving anti-VEGF therapy."

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) eased restrictions on NHS use of one of the anti-VEGF drugs, Lucentis last year, following a campaign to make it more widely available to AMD patients.

Mr Winfried Amoaku, of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said other research had also suggested a link between AMD and cardiovascular disease.

But he said anti-VEGF drugs approved for UK use had been shown to be safe.

He said: "The likely reason for the link is vascular degeneration. This is a systemic failure that can affect several parts of the body in relatively quick succession."

The RNIB said the study had not established that the drugs raised the risk of cardiovascular disease, and urged patients not to be put off seeking treatment.

Novartis, the makers of Lucentis, said the drug was very effective, and had proved safe in major clinical trials.

Inflammation genes

A second study in the same journal highlights variations in genes that control the production of chemicals involved in inflammation as a possible key to AMD.

A team from the University of Southampton examined variations in genes controlling production and suppression of cytokines - powerful chemicals involved in inflammatory processes in the body.

They compared DNA samples from people with AMD to those who showed no signs of the disease.

One particular gene variant was significantly more common in the people with AMD.

Gold: Give Yourself The Edge Of Bullion

Forex eBook: Read and Learn

You g|et paid to read the contents of RupeeMail

Monday, February 25, 2008

'Depression makes you stronger'

LONDON: Depression is common but it's not a sign of weakness. In fact, experiencing the condition for a brief period can actually benefit you.

A leading psychiatrist has claimed that a bout of depression could be good for the soul — it may bring misery to its sufferers, but it can also leave them tougher and more resilient, the Daily Mail reported on Monday.

"We see it as a defect — often patients see themselves as broken in some way — whereas I think of it as a defence mechanism. It has simply adapted in the human species to give us long term benefits," Dr Paul Keedwell of Institute of Psychiatry in London was quoted as saying.

According to him, depression, which has played a key role in evolution, can also spark creativity. However, Keedwell had warned that the condition in severe form can be terrible and life threatening, unless treated. "But for many it is a short term painful episode," he explained.

Estimates suggest that as many as one in four people will suffer from depression at some stage in their lives, and that 5% of the population is currently living with it.

Keedwell's book How Sadness Survived , published last month, comes as a growing number of experts question whether doctors and drug companies are too keen to treat the condition with powerful and harmful drugs.

Keedwell, said, "We see it as a defect. Often patients see themselves as broken in some way, whereas I think of it as a defence mechanism."

Saturday, February 23, 2008

High-fibre diet is heart-healthy

Here’s how you can keep strokes at bay

Fish oil won’t help prevent a stroke, but a highfibre diet might make a difference, say two new studies designed to assess the impact of nutrition on stroke. “Fish oils are not as good as people claim them to be,” said Dr Craig Anderson, lead author of the fish oil study and director of the neurological and mental health division at the George Institute for International Health at the University of Sydney, in Australia. On the other hand, “eating 20 to 35 grams of fibre per day may reduce the risk of stroke and may result in better outcomes if you do have a stroke,” said Angela Besanger, lead author of the fibre study and a nutritionist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Both studies were expected to be presented recenlty at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in New Orleans. Every year, more than 700,000 Americans have a stroke, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Stroke is the third-leading killer in the United States and is the leading cause of disability. Known risk factors for stroke include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Past research has suggested that fish oil — either directly from fish or from supplements — could improve cardiovascular health and possibly decrease the risk of stroke. “From our research and on the basis of other data, I do not recommend lowmedium doses of fish oil to my patients. Conversely, though, I do not discourage them if they personally wish to take the treatment as it might encourage other lifestyle changes,” Anderson said.
The fibre study, which Besanger said is the first of its kind, included 50 people who’d just had a stroke. The researchers asked them to recall everything they’d eaten within 24 hours of having a stroke and compared that information to their disability level and general health at six months. They found that those with the highest levels of fibre intake had better outcomes, but study co-author Dr Karen Furie, director of the stroke service at Massachusetts General, pointed out that “this wasn’t a clinical trial. We didn’t give people fibre. The association was pretty dramatic, but this was a small sample size, and it’s only observational data. These findings need to be replicated in a larger study.” However, Furie also noted that a recommendation to increase the amount of fibre in your diet is “a recommendation that’s pretty easy to endorse. There are no downsides to increasing fibre intake.”

FOOD FOR HEART: Eating 20 to 35 grams of fibre per day may reduce stroke risk

Gold: Give Yourself The Edge Of Bullion

Forex eBook: Read and Learn

You g|et paid to read the contents of RupeeMail

Top 10 detox foods

There's no better time to give your body a healthy, fresh start than now! Plus if you're thinking about lowering your weight - and your RealAge "eating clean" is a great first step. Add these 10 foods to your grocery cart and you'll get three terrific benefits:

1. Lots of super-healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients.

2. Fiber to keep your GI tract fit.

3. Foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver, your body's built-in detox center.

The top 10:

1. Green leafy vegetables. Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and is an all-round liver protector.

2. Lemons. You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C - considered the detox vitamin - helps convert toxins into a water - soluble form that's easily flushed away.

3. Watercress. Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.

4. Garlic. Add it to everything - salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.

5. Green tea. This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.

6. Broccoli sprouts. Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

7. Sesame seeds. They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.

8. Cabbage. There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?

9. Psyllium. A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

10. Fruits, fruits, fruits. They're full of almost all the good things above - vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Ultimate Detox Recipe

Easy Wilted Garlic-Sesame Salad

Toss dark, leafy greens in hot, garlicky oil for a cleansing-and delicious - dish
4 servings, about 65 calories each

1 Tsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. spinach, stemmed,
or 1 lb. Swiss chard, stems sliced, leaves torn
or 1 lb. mixture of spinach and watercress
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 Tsp. sesame seeds for garnish

Warm oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir until lightly browned, about 45 seconds. Add greens (do in two batches, if necessary) and toss until just wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Gold: Give Yourself The Edge Of Bullion

Forex eBook: Read and Learn

You g|et paid to read the contents of RupeeMail

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

BREATH TEST FOR CANCER

Scientists show that a person’s breath can be used to detect various diseases including asthma and diabetes

Scientists in the UK and US – in two separate studies – have shown that various diseases such as diabetes, asthma and cancer can be detected by merely checking a person’s breath.
The researchers at UK’s Swansea University – for their part – are using “GCMS-TD” (gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal desorption) technology to analyse the concentrations of “Volatile Organic Compounds” (VOCs) in breath.
Whereas the team of US scientists at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado (CU), have shown that by sampling a person’s breath using “optical frequency comb spectroscopy” they can detect molecules in the breath that may be markers for diseases.
HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS
Every time we breathe in, we inhale a mixture of gasses – mostly nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour, but also traces of other gasses, such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, etc.
Each time we exhale, we blow out a slightly different mixture with less oxygen, more carbon dioxide, and a rich collection of more than a thousand types of other molecules – most of which are present only in trace amounts.
Some of these tracer breath molecules are biomarkers of disease. Just as bad breath may indicate dental problems, excess methylamine can be used to detect liver and kidney disease, ammonia on the breath may be a sign of renal failure or hepatitis, elevated acetone levels in the breath can indicate diabetes, dimethyl sulphide is linked to cirrhosis, and nitric oxide levels can be used to diagnose asthma.
When many breath molecules are detected simultaneously, highly reliable and diseasespecific information can be collected.
RESEARCH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM…
“Studies have shown that high concentrations of certain VOCs in breath can correlate with disease,” said Dr Masood Yousef, a senior research assistant at Swansea. “If unique markers for diseases can be recognised earlier than traditional techniques, then there is a potential to diagnose disease before any symptoms have developed, and without the need for invasive procedures.”
The GCMS-TD system works by analysing all the chemicals and compounds that make up a patient’s breath. It creates a breath profile, which allows scientists to identify VOCs that may signify the presence of disease.
Dr Yousef believes that the breath test will provide a more convenient method for diagnosing serious diseases than blood or urine analysis.
It is hoped that the research in Swansea will lead to the development of diagnostic tools such as test strips that give positive results for specific illness markers.
... AND IN THE UNITED STATES
While many studies have been done to showcase the potential of optical technologies for breath analysis, the JILA approach takes an important step toward demonstrating the full power of optics for this prospective medical application.
“Our technique – called cavity-enhanced direct optical frequency comb spectroscopy – can give a broad picture of many different molecules in the breath all at once,” said research leader Jun Ye, a fellow of JILA, NIST and a professor at Colorado University’s Department of Physics.
“Optical comb spectroscopy is powerful enough to sort through all the molecules in human breath,” Ye said, “but it is also sensitive enough to find those rarest molecules that may be markers of specific diseases.”
In the experiments performed by Ye and his colleagues, the technique was used to analyse the breath of several student volunteers.
The researchers had the students breathe into an optical cavity – a space between two standing mirrors. The optical cavity was designed so that when they aimed a pulsed laser light into it, the light bounced back and forth so many times that it covered a distance of several kilometres by the time it exited the cavity. This essentially allowed the light to sample the entire volume of the cavity, striking all the molecules therein.
In addition, this lengthens the light-molecule interaction time thereby increasing the sensitivity.
By comparing the light coming out of the cavity to the light that went in, Ye and his colleagues could determine which frequencies of light were absorbed and by how much. This information allows them to sensitively identify many different molecules.
FROM LABS TO DISPENSARIES
While the efficacy of these techniques has yet to be evaluated in clinical trials, monitoring the breath for such biomarkers is an attractive approach to medicine because breath analysis is the ultimate non-invasive and low-cost procedure.
“Breath samples are much easier to collect than blood and urine,” Dr Yousef said. “They can be collected anywhere by people with no medical training, and there are no associated biohazard risks.”

Friday, February 8, 2008

HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol.

HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol

Your doctor says you need to lower your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. You're working hard at that goal but now your doctor says it's important to raise your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. You're not sure whether you're coming or going. It might sound like a mixed message, but this one-two punch — reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol — is the best way to lower your risk of heart disease.

Understanding HDL cholesterol

Cholesterol is carried through your blood attached to proteins. The cholesterol-protein package is called a lipoprotein.

Low-density lipoproteins. LDL, or "bad," cholesterol carries cholesterol throughout your body, depositing it along the walls of your arteries. Cholesterol buildup forms plaques that make arteries hard and narrow — ultimately increasing the risk of coronary artery disease.

High-density lipoproteins. HDL, or "good," cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol in your blood and takes it back to your liver for disposal. The higher your HDL cholesterol, the less bad cholesterol you'll have in your blood.

The message to lower LDL cholesterol is loud and clear — but it might not be enough for people at high risk of heart disease. So doctors are beginning to turn their attention to HDL cholesterol.

In one study, every 1 percent increase in HDL cholesterol was linked to a 2 percent reduction in the development of coronary artery disease. In the same study, participants with the highest HDL levels had half the risk of developing coronary artery disease as did those with the lowest HDL levels.

Set your target

Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. When it comes to HDL cholesterol, think high. Most people should aim for an HDL level of 60 mg/dL or above. An HDL level below 40 mg/dL increases the risk of heart disease.

For the average man, HDL cholesterol ranges from 40 to 50 mg/dL. Thanks to female sex hormones — which have a positive effect on HDL cholesterol — the average woman fares better, with HDL cholesterol ranging from 50 to 60 mg/dL. But both men and women can benefit from increasing those averages.

If you don't know your HDL level, ask your doctor for a baseline cholesterol test. If your HDL value isn't within a desirable range, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to boost your HDL cholesterol.

Make your lifestyle count

Your lifestyle has the single greatest impact on your HDL cholesterol. Even small changes to your daily habits can help you meet your HDL target.

Don't smoke. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol and increases your blood's tendency to clot. If you smoke, quit. To increase your odds of success, you might want to try more than one strategy at a time. For example, combine medication to reduce nicotine cravings with a support group or individual counseling. Talk with your doctor about your options for quitting.

Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds take a toll on HDL cholesterol. But there's good news. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds can improve your HDL level. For every 2 pounds you lose, your HDL may increase by .35 mg/dL. That's about 1 mg/dL for every 6 pounds. To keep your weight in a healthy range, focus on permanent changes to your eating and exercise habits. Motivate yourself by remembering the benefits of losing weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy and improved self-esteem.

Get more physical activity. In one study, regular aerobic exercise increased HDL cholesterol by 3 percent to 9 percent in otherwise healthy sedentary adults. Try to get at least 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity on most days of the week. Better yet, exercise every day. Take a brisk daily walk. Ride your bike. Swim laps. If you can't fit in a long workout, break it up into smaller sessions spread throughout the day.

Choose healthier fats. A healthy diet includes some fat, but there's a limit. In a heart-healthy diet, up to 25 percent to 35 percent of your total daily calories can come from fat — but saturated fat should account for less than 7 percent of your total daily calories. Avoid foods that contain trans fat, which raises LDL cholesterol and lowers HDL cholesterol. This includes many margarines, most commercial baked products and anything that contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Monounsaturated fat — found in olive, peanut and canola oils — is a healthier option. Nuts, fish and other foods containing omega-3 fatty acids are other good choices.

Drink alcohol only in moderation. In some studies, moderate use of alcohol (particularly red wine) has been linked with higher levels of HDL cholesterol — but the benefits aren't strong enough to recommend alcohol for anyone who doesn't drink already. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. This means no more than one drink a day for women, and one to two drinks a day for men.

What about medication?

Some medications used to lower LDL cholesterol may also increase HDL cholesterol, including niacin, fibrates (Lopid, others) and statins (Lipitor, Zocor, others).

A study on a promising HDL-raising drug called torcetrapib was halted in late 2006 because more people than expected died while taking the experimental medication. But, while researchers continue to study other options, lifestyle changes will help you on your way to an optimal HDL level.

If your doctor prescribes medication to help control your cholesterol, take it as directed while you continue to focus on a healthy lifestyle.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Obesity can lead to diabetes and other serious health implications. So watch out

Amitabh Baxi

I STUMBLED upon an interesting terminology at recent interaction with a leading endocrinologist of the Capital. He was talking about ‘diabesity’ — a term derived after studying the role of obesity in the spread of diabetes, in the backdrop of the fact that India is now among the top 10 0most obese countries in India.
    The linkage evoked my curiosity. Not because it’s something new. Far from it. Traditional wisdom always had it that ‘You are what you eat’. What intrigued me was the conscious choice we prefer to indulge in: Putting taste before health, we first spend money buying greasy, fatty junk food, land ourselves with a host of health-related problems, including obesity, and then spend money on how to lose it by going to gyms and health clinics.
    That’s no logic, folks. But a hard reality. Stats spell out the bulging problem: The prevalence of obesity in India is estimated at 35.5% in males and 48.6% in females, while the overall prevalence is 42.7%. What’s worse, reports have it that over 17% of children today are obese and 85% children diagnosed with type II diabetes are overweight or obese.
    So, what’s the bottomline, you may ask. Well, obesity is bad news as it causes a high risk of diseases such as diabetes, stroke and heart disease, among others. Studies also indicate that the likelihood of developing cancer is greater among those who weigh more than 35% above their ideal body weight.
    Dr Ambrish Mithal, senior consultant, endocrinology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, feels that the problem of obesity is quite severe among Indians and blames it on the shift from rural to urban lifestyle. “Physical inactivity and the fast food culture are taking a toll on the nation’s health,” he says.
    Put simply, obesity is defined as the excess storage of energy in the body, in the form of fat. Overweight implies weighing more than a given standard level of height and weight. Body fat results from many factors such as diet, hormonal balance, genetic predisposition, physical exercise, basal metabolism and others. The condition, interestingly, strikes both young and old alike and children who are obese are at greater risk of becoming obese adults. Which means that the risk of falling prey to lifestyle diseases like diabetes is much higher in them.
    Doctors already note a doubling of the prevalence of obesity, and diabetes, among children and describe it as the twin epidemics presenting the biggest public health challenge in the 21st century. Explaining the concept of Syndrome X — a condition where poor lifestyle and obesity make an individual vulnerable to diseases — Dr Mithal cautions that overweight people (body mass index of 25 and above) are also at an increased risk for diseases such as high blood pressure, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, coronary heart disease, stroke, gout, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea and respiratory problems and poor female reproductive health. Another little known fact is that obesity may lead to psychological disorders such as stress which, in turn, makes people over-eat. This gives rise to social factors such as teasing and isolation which may contribute to depression and lead to loss of selfesteem. In fact, several studies conducted in Delhi schools have found clear sociological and behavioural problems with obese children who preferred seclusion. As a way out, experts feel that children need to be explained the ill-effects of obesity and the role of good diet and physical activity in their lifestyle. Right changes made right at the beginning will help nip the problem in the bud and save future health and financial losses, they add. Well, that’s food for thought! amitabh.

baxi @timesgroup .com CHECK THAT
WHO has formulated an index for defining obesity. Known as the body mass index (BMI), it is based on a person’s height in meters and weight in kgs. This classification works for all persons except those at the extremes of height or muscle mass, where body proportions affect the calculation.

Mobiles linked to disturbed sleep

India-growth Story | Ways4Forex | women-of-21stCentury

Ways2trade | Ways2Finance | Ways2fitness |ways2health

Gold: Give Yourself The Edge Of Bullion

Tata 'People's Car' - environmental disaster?

For Free Live intraday trading call Click Here Ways2trade

20 Stocks That Can Make You Rich - VALUE PICKS FROM

Foods That Curb Hunger

You get paid to read the contents of RupeeMail

Saturday, February 2, 2008

How scratching impacts on brain

Boy scratching

Scratching impacts of various areas of the brain

Researchers have discovered why scratching an itch may be so addictive.

A team from Wake Forest University in North Carolina used imaging technology to follow the changes that take place in the brain when we scratch.

Activity was reduced in areas associated with unpleasant emotions, and memories, but increased in an area associated with compulsive behaviour.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology study raises hopes of new treatments for itching disorders.

Understanding how the process works could lead to new treatments

Dr Gil Yosipovitch
Wake Forest University

For some people the irritation of an itch can be so intense that they scratch so hard they draw blood.

Among those who are most badly affected are people with eczema and those on kidney dialysis.

The researchers used functoinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to monitor the brains of 13 volunteers while they were scratched on the lower leg with a small brush.

The scratching went on for 30 seconds and was then stopped for 30 seconds - for a total of about five minutes.

The results showed reduced activity in an area of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, which is linked to unpleasant sensory experiences, and in the posterior cingulate cortex, which is associated with memory.

When the volunteers reported the scratching was most intense, activity in these areas was at its lowest.

Lead researcher Dr Gil Yosipovitch said: "This is the first real scientific evidence showing that itch may be inhibited by scratching.

"We know scratching is pleasurable, but we haven't known why.

"It is possible that scratching may suppress the emotional components of itch and bring about its relief.

"Of course, scratching is not recommended because it can damage the skin.

"But understanding how the process works could lead to new treatments. For example, drugs that deactivate this part of the brain might be effective."

Compulsion

The study also found some areas of the brain were made more active by the scratching.

These included the secondary somatosensory cortex, a sensory area involved in pain, and the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with compulsive behaviour.

One drawback to the study is that the scratching occurred in the absence of itch. The researchers now plan to examine whether the same pattern of brain activity is produced when a chronic itch is scratched.

Dr Irene Tracey, an expert in pain at the University of Oxford, said effective new treatments for itching would be a significant advance, as the problem could be a debilitating for some people.

"I know of people who have been given morphine for pain relief, and have developed a facial itch that was so severe they have opted to come off the morphine and put up with the pain," she said.

Dr Tracey said identifying the areas of the brain affected by itching and scratching could potentially lead to new treatments.

However, she said cognitive behaviour therapy designed to impact on the relevant areas was likely to be the most productive approach.