Wellnews by Scott LaFee

An asymmetrical arm swing — one arm swinging less than the other — when walking is an early sign of Parkinson's disease, say researchers at Penn State University. When recognized early, scientists say asymmetrical swinging can be a prompt for a more effective intervention to slow the progression of the currently incurable neurological disorder.

Writing in the journal Gait & Posture, the scientists say they attached inexpensive accelerometers to the arms of eight Parkinson's patients in the early stages of the disease — within three years of diagnosis. They also attached accelerometers to 8 persons of similar age and sex who did not have the disease.

"Scientists have known for some time that people with Parkinson's disease exhibit reduced arm swing during the later stages of the disease, but no one had come up with an easy way to measure this," said Stephen Piazza, an associate professor of kinesiology.

"We found that not only do people with the disease exhibit reduced arm swing, but they also exhibit asymmetric arm swing, and this asymmetric arm swing can easily be detected early in the disease's progression."

Some Parkinson's researchers have proposed a smell test to identify early-stage Parkinson's patients because the disease causes patients to lose their ability to distinguish odors. However, other diseases have the same symptom, making it less than tell-tale.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

The average person's skin weighs more than twice that of his or her brain: 8 to 10 pounds compared to just over three, respectively.

NUMBER CRUNCHER

A large, 10-inch flour tortilla (70 grams) contains 210 calories, 40 from fat. It has 4.5 grams of total fat or 7 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains 210 milligrams sodium (9 percent); 36 grams of total carbohydrates (12 percent); 1 gram of sugar; 2 g of dietary fiber (8 percent) and 6 g of protein.

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

Cornell University scientists have created a "fake" intestine that might offer relief to children who have lost parts of the organ or who are born with a disease called "short bowel syndrome." In such cases, the children cannot absorb food properly and need to have nutrients directly injected.

Traditional treatment involves an intestine transplant, but these are limited in supply.

The artificial intestine consists of a tiny, three-dimensional scaffolding composed of collagen upon which intestinal stem cells are induced to grow. The next step is to test the implantable tube in mice. If successful, the scientists will move onto pigs, they are more comparable in size and abdominal characteristics.

DOC TALK

Fluttering eye syndrome - patient who fakes unconsciousness.

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Epistaxiophobia — fear of nosebleeds

NEVER SAY DIET

The world's speed-eating record for grilled cheese sandwiches is 47 in 10 minutes, held by Joey Chestnut.

OBSERVATION

"It is a good thing for a physician to have prematurely gray hair and itching piles. The first makes him appear to know more than he does, and the second gives him an expression of concern, which the patient interprets as being on his behalf.

— American physician and writer A. Benson Cannon (1888-1950).

CURTAIN CALLS

In 1999, professional wrestler Owen Hart was being lowered into the ring from the rafters of Kember Arena in Kansas City, Mo., when his safety harness was accidentally released early. He fell 78 feet, landing chest-first on the ring's top rope. The impact severed the aorta in his heart, killing him.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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