The impact of weather on human health.

The impact of weather on human health is a well-known fact, yet, alas, neglected in the past. Bioclimatology, a vast field of medical knowledge, has only been developed in the past few years. It shows that the air we breathe has a profound influence on our well-being.

Effect of manual lymphdrainage massage on blood components and urinary neurohormones in chronic lymphedema.

In an earlier paper we have shown that manual lymph drainage massage of edematous limbs can result in the excretion of up to 1 liter urine derived from reabsorption and transport from the interstitial fluid, simultaneously with significant changes in the excretion of urinary neurohormones. These findings indicated that histamine and serotonin were released from the edematous tissue and that circulation improved through increased output of adrenaline and noradrenaline. The results achieved led us to assume that similar changes may have occurred in the blood during treatment, and induced us to study the effect of manual lymphdrainage on various blood constituents and urinary neurohormones.

Preventive treatment of serotonin-migraine with 1,3,4,14b-tetrahydro-2,7-dimethyl-2H-dibenzo(b,f)pyrazino-(1,2--d)-(1,4)-oxazepine hydrogen maleate (Org GC 94). A double-blind study.

1,3,4,14b-Tetrahydro-2,7-dimethyl-2H-dibenzo(b,f)pyrazino-(1,2-d)-(1,4)-oxazepine hydrogen maleate (Org GC 94) is an oral "antamine" preparation with anti-serotoninergic and anti-histaminic effects. Its lack of unpleasant side-effects permits protracted use for the preventive treatment of serotonin-migraine. Its chemical structure--tetracyclic ring, C-beta, C-alpha, amine in a secondary position--allows block of the receptors for serotonin and histamine.

Migraine and headache due to weather and allied causes and its specific treatment.

Attacks of migraine resulting from climatic cold or heat-stress are a common occurrence in 20-30 per cent of a population exposed to weather changes. The electrical charges (positive ionisation and sferics) engendered by every incoming weather front produce a release of serotonin. In addition there also exists a syndrome of adrenaline deficiency, which may produce headache, while a third reaction, intermittent hyperthyreosis, plays a lesser role in evoking headache.

Effect of manual lymph drainage massage on urinary excretion of neurohormones and minerals in chronic lymphedema.

Treatment of 29 cases of chronic lymphedema of various origins, mostly of the lower limbs, by manual lymph drainage massage resulted in significant changes of neurohormone excretion in the urine, whereas the secretion of 17-KS, thyroxine, minerals, and creatinine was not significantly changed. Comparison of the values of urinalysis before and after manual lymph drainage of the patients showed the following changes: 17-KS; -3.5% (non significant); 17-OH: -31% (significant); adrenaline: +50% (significant); noradrenaline: +19% (significant); serotonin: -22% (significant); 5-HIAA: +21% (significant); histamine: +129% (highly significant); thyroxine: -17% (nonsignificant); creatinine: -17% (nonsignificant); sodium: -1% (nonsignificant); potassium: -14% (nonsignificant).

Quantitation of nitroglycerin in human blood after administration by sustained release.

Nitroglycerin was traced in the blood of 20 patients up to 4 h after oral administration of a sustained release preparation (Nitro-Mack Retard). The determination needs an extremely sensitive method using GLC-columns with 3% SE-30 (Packard) equipped with an electron capture detector.

[New methods in the treatment of weather sensitivity].

Changing weather fronts produce severe changes of daily rhythms. Electrical impulses arrive 1-2 days before the weather and create either atmospherics or "positive ions". They are responsible for the epidemic appearance of migraine and of thrombo-embolism.

Effect of indomethacin and cyproheptadine on onset of labour in rats.

An attempt was made to postpone term in 59 pregnant rats by s.c. injections of indomethacin or cyproheptadine, or a combination of both.