A new implantable medical device, developed by Mayo Clinic researchers, shows promise as a less invasive alternative to existing bariatric surgery, according to findings published in the July 2008 issue of the journal Surgery.

A six-month trial in Australia, Mexico and Norway, looked at 31 obese participants who received the vagal nerve blocking device, also called VBLOC vagal blocking therapy. The patients lost an average of nearly 15 percent of their excess weight. A quarter of the participants lost more than 25 percent, and three patients lost more than 30 percent.

Pacemaker for the Stomach

Exploding head syndrome is not nearly as dramatic or fatalistic as it may sound. It is actually a rare sleep disorder. As the name implies, this disorder interrupts sleep with an imagined explosion within the person's head. There is no actual explosion, but people who suffer from this rare sleep disorder imagine a huge explosion just as they fall asleep or sometimes after they have already been asleep for some time.

The imagined explosion wakes up the person affected by this disorder, and in some instances the event can be frightening and relatively traumatic. People who suffer from Exploding Head Syndrome may have additional stress when trying to fall asleep because they fear the potential of recurring explosions and the sheer fear of the event may be enough to make sleeping problematic.

Explosion is Painless

Sandals, Spa pedicures, running around barefoot; all synonymous with summer. But they might be doing more harm than good for your feet. Tracey Vlahovic, D.P.M. and associate professor at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, helps us dispel a few common myths about your feet. Think that flip-flops are helpful in hot weather? Think again.

Myth 1: Flip-flops and going Barefoot are Fine for your Feet

Fact: This is a common misconception, because we always hear about the problems with high heels,” says Dr. Vlahovic. “But these three present their own types of problems.”

Anyone can be affected by osteoporosis, yet it is most common in postmenopausal women. Fractures resulting from Osteoporosis are about twice as common in women than in men. Many do not become aware of their condition until they suffer a painful fracture.

It is a common misconception that osteoporosis only affects white women. Incidence of osteoporosis and fracture is often under reported, especially in minority populations. While African American women tend to have higher bone mineral density than white women throughout life, they are still at significant risk of developing osteoporosis.

Asian and Hispanic Women

Millions of people have allergies that come and go with the season and are usually blamed on pollen, grass and a host of other environmental factors. These allergies are easy to spot because they produce symptoms such as sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes that are rather obvious. However, what if you or a loved one had a food allergy? Would you necessarily know what symptoms or signs to look for?

It is interesting to note that some of the symptoms of a food allergy can also be reproduced via other means. Therefore it is important to be attuned to your body and recognize sudden or gradual (a few hours) onset of symptoms and their possible ties to food. Here are some of those symptoms and signs you should watch for that may signal an allergic reaction to food: