The three men, Alonzo Bland, 33, and brothers Walt, 56, and David Anderson, 50, moved to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin in the middle of this year after winning a contest promoting traditional Chinese medicine, from the U.S. company China Connection.

The strict regime includes acupuncture in their hotel bedrooms at the Aimin Fat Reduction Hospital, a typical Chinese diet of rice, tofu, meat, vegetables and soup, as well as regular exercise.

Doctors say that acupuncture helps to increase metabolism rate and also reduces the appetite. Exercise helps to burn off the bodies fat reserves and the healthy diet ensures the patient consumes all the necessary nutrients during the program.

Since his arrival Bland has lost 227 lbs, dropping from 641 lbs to 414 lbs. Bland, who had a tracheotomy in 2000 because the fat in his face was putting too much pressure on his windpipe, said:

“The reason why I think it works here is that China is away from everything, all the stuff that I’m familiar with.”

David Anderson told reporters how he could not walk 20 feet without stopping to catch his breath. He now weighs 229 lbs after loosing 90 lbs.

His brother Walt, has lost 106 lbs and now weighs 394 lbs.

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Malissa Jones, now 18, weighed a staggering 34 stone when she was 16. She admits to constantly gorging on chocolate, crisps and junk food, and would sometimes consume 10 chocolate bars at once.

Dietitians estimate that Malissa was eating roughly 15,000 calories a day, 7½ times the recommended 2,000 cals for a girl her age.

By the time she was 17, Malissa was barely able to move, she need oxygen to assist her breathing while sleeping and she suffered from the heart disease angina.

Despite the risks for her age group, Malissa decided to have the bypass. She is the youngest person in the world to undergo the procedure.

“Doctors warned me there was a strong risk I could die from the op. But I knew I had no choice. Without it I would have died anyway.”

The surgery was success and helped Malissa to lose more than half her own body weight in just one year.

Now she plans to have more cosmetic surgery to remove the 14 lbs (1 stone) of excess skin left after her dramatic weight loss.

(Click here if you would like to find out more about Gastric Bypass and Weight Loss Surgery.)

“I’ve discovered a whole new world. I’m out every weekend clubbing. I’ve had a lot more boyfriends because I feel much more attractive and confident.”

Malissa’s eating problems started when she was just TWO and spiraled out of control when she was seven. Malissa explains:

“My mum had a stillborn baby and with so much upset in the family, food was comforting. When I was seven my parents separated and I got fatter. I couldn’t fit into a school uniform or run around the playground.”

Her mum Dawn, 45, took her to visit the doctors and locked the kitchen cupboards, but Malissa would still managed to steal food at home and buy Mars bars and Snickers with her pocket money.

“I knew Malissa was far too fat. But her eating habits proved impossible for anyone to control.” Dawn said.
During the night, Malissa admits to secretly stealing and partially microwaving burgers and nuggets from the freezer. She would thaw them just soft enough to chew.

“I was so ravenous I didn’t care. Other times I’d have 10 Mars bars in one go. I never felt sick…

“I only felt happy when I had food in my mouth. The longest I could go without eating was four hours. By then my body would be shaking like a drug addicts.”

At her heaviest, 5ft 8in Malissa had a Body Mass Index of 72.4. The healthy range is 18.5 to 25.

She was referred to an eating disorders specialist, counselors and nutritionists, but nothing worked.

“My life was a nightmare. I was constantly teased at school, and was in and out of hospital with kidney and chest infections. At 15, I collapsed with chest pains and was rushed to hospital with the first of three suspected heart attacks. I was diagnosed with angina…

“I also had sleep apnoea, where my weight pressed into my neck and cut off my breathing. And my body got so large I couldn’t get enough oxygen…

“I’d have bad asthma and spend most of the day stuck in a chair unable to move. At night I wore an oxygen mask to keep me alive…

“[At age 17]Doctors told me my weight was crushing my internal organs. I was so ill I had only months to live and I might not see my 18th birthday.”

Malissa thought her only hope was a gastric bypass to drastically reduce the size of her stomach and restrict the amount she could eat.

A year after her 36 hours operation, Malissa now weighs 14 stone (476 lbs), is size 16 and eats 1,000 calories a day.

Her asthma has gone and she has a full-time job in business admin. Malissa said:

“I’ve massive scars down my body where they had to slice through so much flesh to get to my stomach…
“But my confidence has soared and most of all I enjoy going out and looking normal.”

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A journalist for the UK’s Guardian Newspaper and social affairs correspondent for Channel 4 News, Victoria Macdonald, interview several doctors and politicians to find out the real scope on obesity in the UK.

Obesity is a growing problem in the UK. A government report suggests almost nine in ten adults and two-thirds of children will be obese or overweight by the year 2050, unless we act now.
In one tale of defeat, doctors in a south of England hospital said they had to remove the arms from the chairs in the pediatric unit waiting room because obese children and their obese parents were in danger of becoming stuck every time they sat down.

According to Macdonald one doctor said somewhat despairingly that when he sees the overweight child, accompanied by the overweight mother and the overweight grandmother, he fears that he will make no significant impact on that young person’s health. That they will, in their turn, grow up to be obese and will very likely suffer from the associated health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Trying to warn a whole nation on the dangers of eating is difficult task. “Smoking Kills” is an easy message to get across but “overeating kills” is a little more complex.

“We talk about people being ‘at risk of obesity’ instead of talking about people who eat too much and take too little exercise,” says Tory leader David Cameron.

The general consensus among politicians is to take an approach of libertarian paternalism – otherwise known as Nudge. This political concept states that all individuals should be free to make their own choices, but that sometimes they need the tools to help them make the right choice, in other words, a nudge.

The health secretary, Alan Johnson told a Fabian Society meeting last week that obese people must not be vilified, that lecturing them will not make them change their behavior. Instead, obesity requires all of society to engage, to fight this battle, he said, describing a “broader partnership, not only with families, but with employers, retailers, the leisure industry, the media, local government and the voluntary sector”.

Telling a nation to exercise more and eat five vegetables a day; or telling kids not to eat too much junk will simply not work. Instead, more subtle approaches need to be taken. For example, planning laws should change so there are no fast-food outlets at the school gates; playing fields and sports facilities need to be more accessible and more importantly “everyone, from the smallest community keep-fit class to the biggest retailers in the land” need to join in, Johnson said.

On the day Johnson made his Fabian Society speech, he also announced that several companies including Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s and Nestle, all headed by the Advertising Association, had “pledged” more than £200m towards tackling obesity.

While this may seem like a step in the right direction, the “£200m” claim needs to be treated with a pinch of salt. These very companies often entice the public by way of promotional offers. In one example Cadbury offered a free football net in return for a number of chocolate bar wrappers. So how many chocolate bars would one have to eat to “win” one football net? Only 5,400.

Unless big corporations and food manufacturers get together with the government and put in place a real structure for tackling obesity, the UK’s overweight epidemic may be here to stay.

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“Everything about me was already so public (mostly my own doing talk about dumb!), so of course everyone wanted to know what I had done. I was also terrified someone would have a tragic result after emulating me without making an informed decision with the doctor.”

Reynolds describes how out-of-control behavior began around her 40th birthday in 2002. Over the course of 17 months she rapidly gained 75 pounds (34 kg), weighing 307 pounds (139.25 kg) at her heaviest.

“I used to look in the mirror and take pride in my figure, but that was when I was legitimately a full-figured woman,” she says. “I’d gradually gone from full-figured to morbidly obese.”

“But the complete truth is, I was scared of what people might think of me,” she continues. “I was afraid to be vulnerable, and ashamed at not being able to get myself under control without this procedure.”

Now, nearly a year after speaking up about her weight loss surgery Star Jones Reynolds is still dealing with scrutiny from the media. In May earlier this year, colleague Barbra Walters appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show to talk about her new book “Audition”, in which Walters admits many things including her two year affair with married African-American Sen. Edward Brooke in the 1970s.

During the show Walters claimed she had to lie about Jones’ dramatic 160-pound weight loss in 2003, after Jones refused to appear on an episode of “20/20″ to discuss the surgery.

“We thought it would be helpful for people to see her losing and losing and losing weight, they should understand the dangers and the good things and so forth,” Walters said. “Then she decided she would tell nobody, and we had to then lie on the set every day.”

Reynolds has spoken up against Walters’ claim, arguing it was Walters who asked Jones to lie about her gastric-bypass surgery.

“It is a sad day when an icon like Barbara Walters, in the sunset of her life, is reduced to publicly branding herself as an adulterer, humiliating an innocent family with accounts of her illicit affair and speaking negatively against me all for the sake of selling a book,” Jones told Us. “It speaks to her true character.”

If you would like to find out more about Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery, Please Click Here>>>

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The lap band sits around the top of stomach to create a smaller gastric pouch, providing the similar function as a belt. The band is also connected to an access port below the surface of the skin.

The access port allows the surgeon to inflate or deflate the band by injecting or removing saline.

This inflatable ring helps control the amount of food that the stomach can hold at any one time. As the lap band is periodically inflated, the gastric pouch shrinks and the patient experiences a quicker sensation of fullness.

The reduced gastric pouch not only limits the amount of food the patient can consume, it also causes the food to empty slowly out of the stomach, resulting in the patient feeling full for longer.

This technique can help patients reduce their weight by 1-3 lbs. per week.

The adjustable system of the lap band is one of the main components which make lap band surgery very successful when it comes to weight loss.

Adjustments to the lap band are determined by the patient’s weight loss, the amount of food which can be comfortably consumed, as well as other issues regarding the patient’s health.

The lap band procedure has been widely used in Europe and Australia since 1993 and was later approved by the US FDA in June 2001.

We at ThaiMed specialize in personal medical packages to Bangkok, Thailand. If you would like to find out more regarding lap band surgery please continue reading.
If you would like find out more about what we offer in our personalized medical packages for Bariatric Surgery and Lap Band Sugery.

Best Candidate For Lap Band Surgery

The requirements for lap-band surgery are similar to any other weight loss surgery. These criteria were originally set in the early 1990s and have not changed.

Patients who are at least 60 pounds overweight may consider the lap band System.

A better way to judge whether lap band surgery is right for you, is to measure your body mass index (BMI). Lap band surgery is usually recommended for patients with a BMI of 30-65.

If your BMI is between 35 and 39, you must have other severe medical problems in order to be classed as a suitable candidate for the lap band.

Co-Morbidity Include The Following Medical Conditions:

• Diabetes.
• Hypertension.
• High cholesterol.

BMI Calculator

According to previous medical studies, clinically severe obese people have a 100% failure rate when it comes to loosing weight. Surgery is therefore necessary for patients with serve morbid obesity.

Advantages of gastric banding include:

• No cutting or stapling of the stomach.
• Adjustable pouch and stoma size.
• Short hospital stay.
• Fully reversible surgery.

Before Lap Banding

The doctor will discuss with you the reasons why you wish to have lap band surgery. He will then measure your BMI and check you medical history to see if you are a good candidate for the surgery.

The Lap Band Procedure

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and usually last between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The surgeon uses a laparoscope – a thin device with an attached camera – to see inside the body and visualize the placement of the lap band.

The surgeon makes small 1cm incisions in the abdomen into which the gastric band device is inserted.

Using the laparoscope the surgeon places the lap band around the top of the stomach forming a 15cc small pouch, the lap band is then held in place with sutures.

The surgeon connects the lap band to an access port which is placed underneath the skin on the top part of the abdomen.

The band can be inflated or deflated at any time. Your surgeon will advise you on when to come and adjust the band to help you loose weight and reach your preferred BMI.

Laparoscopic surgery is not always possible. If your surgeon determines that your case may not be suitable for laparoscopic surgery, you may need an open surgery method. Open surgery has only been required for around 5% of Lap Band surgery cases.

Lap Band Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, there are known complications that may arise. These include bleeding and infection; however there are also some risks which are specific to Lap Band Surgery.

Lap Band Risks Include:

• Slippage of the Band – On rare occasions, as you loose weight the band can slip causing heart burn or vomiting. This can usually be fixed laparoscopically. The band may also erode into the inside of the stomach.
• Spontaneous Deflation – The band can suddenly leak, either from the band itself, the reservoir or the tubing that connects them.
• The stomach pouch can enlarge.
• The stoma (stomach outlet) can be blocked.

Post-Op Lap Band and Recovery Period

Following the surgery you should able to return to work in approx a week. By this time you should feel minimal discomfort.

The surgeon will devise a strict nutrition plan which may include vitamin supplements. The nutrition plan is likely to consist of a liquid diet for the first few weeks or until you can tolerate solid foods.

You will also be advised to stick to a specific exercise program and behavioral-modification therapy to help you deal with lesser amounts of food you will consume.

To adjust the band you will be required to visit the office on a regular basis. On average, patients must adjust the lap band six to eight times in the first 18 months following the surgery.

You may feel some discomfort if the band is too tight, however the saline can be removed just as easily as it is injected.

The adjustment of the lap band takes place in a radiology suite; the procedure is painless and usually takes around 15 minutes

Within two of the surgery, you are likely to lose 50% to 60% of your excess body weight. Depending on how much weight you have lost, you may also be required to undergo additional plastic surgery.

Contact Us For More Information and a Free Surgery Price Quote

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The sisters from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, made medical history last year when they both had live saving operations to remove their stomachs, on the same day in the same hospital.

The Bendle sisters were found to carry a gene that puts them at greater risk of cancer. The genetic mutation of the E-Cadherin (CAD1) gene is thought to be responsible for causing stomach cancer as well as some types of breast and bowel cancer.

Stomach cancer has already claimed the lives of several of their family and without the radical surgery, the two sisters who have almost certainly died.

But with the rogue gene still part of their genetic make up, they still face the very real prospect of further life-threatening diseases. As Lisa, a schoolteacher explains:

“Unfortunately, we now have to confront the fact that we have a higher than average risk of contracting breast cancer, and if we want to beat those odds, we have to start the screening process….

“We also have to consider screening for bowel cancer.”

The screening process involves more pre-emptive surgery such as a mastectomy, or a procedure to have parts of the bowel removed and a colostomy bag fitted. The girls are fully aware that these preventative treatments can cause other major health problems however, if they do not take action, they face the constant dread of the disease. Ruth, a sociology and media studies student said,

“Of course it hangs over us,

“We can’t lead the normal, carefree lives that most girls our age have, which can be very upsetting.

“It can be particularly difficult when people moan away about having a cold or an upset stomach and I have to bite my lip. But I would have been the same a few years ago. They are normal – we are not.”

Genetic experts at the Addenbrooke’s Familial Gastric Cancer Registry in Cambridge, UK, think that the genetic mutation first appeared in the Bendles’ paternal grandmother, who died when she was just 27.

The girls aunt passed away when she was 43, just a week before their cousin died, aged 18, and three years ago, their father David also, died of stomach cancer

“Dad felt so guilty that he might be responsible for passing on such a dreadful legacy,,But it was just bad luck.”

The girls’ initial endoscopic examinations taken in December 2005 came back clear. It was later in July 2006 when further test were taken, that the family got the news they had been dreading. The girls mother Lynn, 52, a teacher recalled,

“Even as we went into hospital, we were reasoning that it couldn’t be both girls that were affected,”

Unfortunately, the doctor came back with news that both girls had been affected. Ruth’s situation proved to be more serious than Lisa, who had only a few early-stage cancer cells, but for both, the only chance of survival was a gastrectomy – the surgical removal of the stomach.

The sisters were put under the care of world-renowned gastric surgeon Richard Hardwick, who carried out the surgery on both girls at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

When Ruth had her stomach removed in September 2006, the organ was found to be riddled with cancer. Fortunately, it hadn’t spread from her stomach into her blood supply, but had she kept her stomach, she would have been dead within a year.

Since the operation the girls have found it difficult to lead a normal life. After a gastrectomy and without a stomach, the esophagus joins directly to the small bowel.

This means food can only be taken in very small amounts. Sometimes this food can get lodged causing intense discomfort and/or vomiting.

To ensure they get the required amount of calories, the girls must eat little and often.

“When we are not eating, we are recovering from eating, or planning the next snack,” says Lisa,.

“Basically, food has taken over our lives.”

Despite trying to eat high calorie foods, both the girls’ weight has been seriously affected.

Lisa shrunk from a size 14 to a tiny size eight and Ruth plummeted from a size 10 to a size 4.

The girls also found it difficult to return to everyday life. Ruth explains

“I truly hated being so thin,”

“I couldn’t find clothes to fit me and felt that everyone was staring at me. I didn’t recognize myself when I looked in the mirror…

“[also]The student culture is geared to drinking and late-night curries – things I just can’t do,”

On the bright side the family has received good news, Lisa explains,

“All but one of our cousins has now been screened, and none of them carries the gene.

“If we manage to screen it out of our children through embryonic gene selection, this terrible disease, which has caused so much grief and misery, will be gone from our family for ever. That would be an amazing ending to the Bendle story,”

“I’m quite happy for the doctors to keep removing bits of me, as long as it keeps me alive,” says Ruth.

“Obviously, I am not happy about the prospect of undergoing a mastectomy – what 22-year-old girl would be? But I trust the doctors implicitly. If they say I need surgery again, then I would have it without hesitation.”

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Alec Hutchinson, three, was born with Congenitally Corrected Transposition, an extremely rare condition which caused his heart pumped blood the wrong way around his body.

In sufferers, the artery taking oxygenated blood to the body, the aorta, is connected to the smaller pumping chamber of the heart, the right ventricle.

This means the heart cannot create a large enough amount of pressure to push the blood sufficiently around the body. As a result of this, Alec had very low oxygen levels in his blood, and was often breathless and blue.

In order to correct Alec’s heart, surgeons at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, England had to carryout and procedure known as a ‘double switch’.

There was a one in five chance that Alec would not survive the operation – but thankfully everything went to plan.

Because of their success, the Freeman Hospital will now offer the procedure to other youngsters with the same condition.

Mr. Hutchinson, 41, a maintenance engineer, said:

“Everyone thought it was just a viral infection at first but we knew something was wrong. He was just crying all the time and it was as if he was panting for breath,.

“They ran tests and eventually found he had an irregular heartbeat. Then we were told things were bad and he had a hole in his heart.”

Heart surgeon Asif Hasan said that further investigation revealed the extent of Alec’s condition.

“Alec’s heart was pretty scrambled really,” he said.

“The blue blood which comes into the heart was coming into the wrong side. He was blue because he had a low level of oxygen in his blood and he couldn’t have survived without an operation,

“We had to switch the blood vessels around so his heart was correctly connected. It’s a big operation but it went well. He was out of intensive care quickly and now he is home…

“His prognosis is good and he should lead a normal life. It’s an unusual operation to do and it’s the first one we have done here in Newcastle.”

Mr. Hutchinson said that Alec had found the operation draining, but had soon bounced back.

“Alec is back to his old self, bossing everybody around. He’s been a brave lad. Since the operation he’s been able to ride his bike again.”

Miss Hall, 30, a nursery assistant, added: “I’m over the moon now it’s all over. He’s back to his cheeky little self.”

Alec’s condition became apparent when he was just five weeks old. An initial operation to improve his condition was immediately carried out but the family was told that Alec would need the Double Switch while he was still very young.

Alec is now recovering with his parents, Lynne Hall and Brian Hutchinson, in Dipton, County Durham and is expected to lead a perfectly normal life.

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There are a number of tips to help you get optimally wired when drinking coffee. Follow these guidelines to help you battle tiredness whilst maintaining concentration and your overall health.

1. Consume in small, frequent amounts

Due to caffeine’s liquid solubility, the stimulant is able to cross the blood-brain barrier quickly, although it usually takes 45 minutes to be fully ingested. Under normal circumstances, the effects of caffeine remain stable for approx an hour before gradually fading in the following 3-4 hours, depending on a number of factors.

A landmark study conducted in 2004 found that approx 20-200mg (depending on body weight: 0.3mg per kg) per hour may be an optimal dose for cognitive function. Finding this recommended dosage can support extended wakefulness, potentially by counteracting the homeostatic sleep pressure. Homeostatic sleep pressure builds slowly throughout the day acting on the prefrontal cortex (an area of the brain thought to be responsible for executive and higher cognitive functions.

Research has also found; at doses of 600mg, caffeine’s effects on cognitive performance can be compared to those of modafinil, a type nootropic used to facilitate learning.

2. Play to your cognitive strengths while wired

Caffeine has long been known to improve vigilance; however it is not always beneficial. Caffeine can increase work production, decrease attention lapses and may even benefit recall. But when it comes to more complex tasks, it is possible that caffeine may hinder performance.

It is advised that you plan your caffeine consumption accordingly prior to consumption.

In tests of lateral prefrontal function, caffeine was shown to only remediate some fatigue-related symptoms. For example, in a random number generation task (a commonly-used measure of prefrontal function), caffeine increased the quantity of numbers generated to pre-fatigue levels, but did not significantly affect more demanding aspects of performance: caffeine didn’t affect the likelihood of subjects generating numbers outside the acceptable range, or their tendency to perseverate on particular numbers.

Another study indicates the same is true of caffeine’s effect on the medial prefrontal cortex. In that study, sleep deprivation-related decrements on the Iowa Gambling Task were not mitigated by caffeine.

3. Play to caffeine’s strengths

There are certain factors which maximize or minimize the effects of caffeine.

Many people add sugar to their coffee; one study found that these caffeine/glucose mixes can provide benefits for enhanced cognition.

Some flavoniods such as soy are thought to affect the adenosine receptor antagonism in the same way as caffeine. The evidence showing that markers of caffeine metabolism are slowed down by flavoniods suggests that ingestion of these flavoniods might enhance the effects of caffeine.

Some studies also show that grapefruit juice may help keep caffeine levels in the bloodstream for longer, although others report no such affect.

Caffeine’s effects might be hindered green tea extract, Kava Kava or St. Johns Wort. All of these on contain theanine which is associated with subjective feelings of relaxation. It is important to note that other preliminary evidence would suggest otherwise, showing that theanine might actually potentiate the benefits of caffeine on certain tasks.

Nicotine is also known to speed the metabolism of caffeine.

4. Know when to stop – and when to start again

Long-term ingestion of caffeine (by way of coffee) is also associated with a number of health benefits including reduction in risk for type 2 diabetes (c.f.), Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s . These beneficial effects may be related to the neuroprotective role of adenosine.

Established cognitive effects suggest that recall is best when matched with the context of encoding – for example if you’re caffeinated when you study for the test, you should be caffeinated when you take it.

Although caffeine may not seem addictive and dangerous, it is possible to become dependent on it and suffer withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can onset within 12 to 24 hours of caffeine consumption and last between 2 and 9 days.

Balance these concerns with the cognitive and health benefits associated with caffeine consumption – and appropriately timed resumption.

5. Finding good sources of caffeine

There is a large variety of caffeine sources out available; these range from caffeinated soap, to candy, chocolate and drinks.

However the optimal use of caffeine is likely to involve small, hourly doses along with cardioprotective agents. Something that also has health benefits such as green tea is a good idea.

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The topic of many dinner parties and social gatherings, these body mysteries often draw a little laugh and then get left unexplained.

So what are the top 5 body mysteries we managed to uncover?

1. Falling in Your Sleep
2. Shivering After You Pee
3. Dark Hairs on Your Tongue
4. Tonsil Stones
5. Priapism

1. Falling In Your Sleep _{(The Hypnic Jerk)}

The falling sensation or sudden jolt you sometimes feel just as you’re falling asleep is scientifically known as a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch. It’s a common phenomenon that studies estimate approx 70 percent of you have experienced.

The intensity of these muscle spasms ranges. Some may be light enough to be misinterpreted as a dream others can be so jarring, they physically shake you awake.

We know that the likelihood of experiencing a hypnagogic myoclonic twitch is increased if a person is exhausted or is sleeping in an uncomfortable position.

However experts can’t agree on what causes it. Most researchers feel that when the muscles begin to relax in preparation for sleep, the brain senses and misinterprets these relaxation signals, and assumes the body is falling.

A good example; imagine you’re leaning back in your chair until you are just about to topple over. When gravity begins to take hold, your body suddenly enters that frenzied state of no return and you begin to ‘jerk’ in an effort counteract this sensation and regain your balance.

This sensation is so physically comparable that the brain analyzes the two situations in the same way.

2. Pee Shivers _{(Post-Micturition Convulsion Syndrome)}

Commonly known as the ‘Pee Shakes’ (or a few other ‘adult’ terms which we will leave to the imagination) this is another common phenomenon that refers to the tingling sensation in the spine
sometimes felt when we pee, which can result in an involuntary twitch.

Aptly named because the shaking is similar to the prolonged shivering experiences when very cold, however some report that it feels like a small orgasm.

For some reason researchers have been rather reluctant to carry out studies on this topic so unfortunately we don’t know much about this body mystery.

Researcher’s best explanation so far is that the rapid release of warm fluid lowers the body’s overall temperature, causing you it to react the same way you would in a cold breeze.

An estimated 83 percent of males say they’ve experienced this, compared to only 58 percent of female population. Some researchers think that this may be related to the standing vs. sitting position we assume when we use the toilet.

3. Black Hairy Tongue

The appearance of dark hairs on the surface of the tongue may seem unbelievable but this condition is in fact true.

The mouth is teeming with millions of bacteria; the hairy tongue is an overgrowth of these bacteria, and sometimes yeasts that are present.

When the finger-like projections from the surface of the tongue known as papilla’s become awash in this bacterial stew, it can cause them to cease shedding properly. They begin to grow longer, creating more surface area for the bacteria to attach too; eventually they turn into what appears to be little black hairs.

As astounding as it may seem this horrendous affliction offers no immediate threat to your health, although black hairy tongue is associated with intravenous drug use or those who are HIV positive, so it could suggest other underlying problems.

To help combat this condition you can try can brushing your tongue twice a day and rinsing your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide (one part peroxide to five parts water).

To help prevent the problem cut down on drinking coffee and smoking and make sure you brush your teeth regularly.

4. Tonsil Stones _{(Tonsiloliths)}

Tonsil Stones are hard, yellowish-white globules that form in the back of the throat and can become dislodged by coughing or sneezing. The smell of these small ‘stones’ is quite repulsive but for those adults who still have their tonsils, unfortunately it’s quite common.

Tonsils stones start life as micro organisms that get stuck in the dimples of your tonsils known as tonsil crypts. When food particles get stuck in theses crypts they start to become covered in saliva, dead white blood cells and anaerobic bacteria.

Over time layers begin building and the stones begin to form. These strange throat pearls will remain until they become heavy enough to break free and are swallowed or expelled from the mouth.

The particles growth can cause slight discomfort and sometimes even mild pain. People often report that it feels like something lodged in the throat.

5. Priapism

Priapism is a condition in which the penis is unable to return to a flaccid state. The experience can be extremely painful but fortunately enough, priapism episodes are quite rare.

The medical community is divided on how much time should constitute a case of priapism, but most have settled on six hours. It is suggested however, that one should seek medical advice after four hours.

Although not every facet of the disorder is known, scientists are sure all cases happen from injury or damage to the mechanism that produces detumescence (relaxation after an orgasm) of the penis.

Cases are more common in men who are suffering from other diseases, such as sickle cell anemia, that prevent blood from flowing back out of said boner.

In the past a pill called Cialis was prescribed to men with erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately the side effects of Cialis are responsible for the second most common group to suffer from priapism.

Aside from the aforementioned blood disease and Cialis overdose, priapism can be caused by some sort of trauma-like spinal damage, drug/alcohol abuse, or even black widow spider bites.

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Most advances in retinal implants concentrate on restoring sight, that’s why this bionic contact lens, developed by a team of researchers at the University of Washington, is one of a kind.

The potential uses of this technology are numerous, ranging from virtual displays for pilots to video-game projections and even telescopic vision for soldiers.

A working prototype of a lens-embedded antenna that draws power for the device from radio frequencies has already been created. The next steps are to build a version that can display several pixels and begin testing on humans.

The contact is made using a technique called self-assembly. Researchers dust the specifically designed contact with microscale components that automatically bond to predetermined receptor sites. The shape of each component dictates where it attaches.

“There’s a lot of room to expand,” Babak Parviz, an assistant professor of electrical engineering at UW, says of the technology. “You can let your imagination run wild.”

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