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■ 1 I
Page 2 • The Battalion
HEALTH
pRONTIERS
SCIENCE
Monday-September l) ( jj onday . Se
Health center pressures research on Lyme s Diseasghu
Simulated underwater breathing stimulates
healing process of many debilitating ailments
By Katherine Arnold
The Battalion
The researchers in Texas
A&M’s Hyperbaric Lab may be
at the top of research in their
field, but all their work is done
under pressure.
Located in the A.P. Beutel
Health Center, the hyperbaric
chamber is one of about 90 mul
tiperson chambers in the Unit
ed States. Texas A&M is one of
the few universities that con
duct research in hyperbarics.
Hyperbaric treatment in
volves increasing air pressure
and breathing pure oxygen,
Jennifer Seely, hyperbaric tech
nician, said.
“The patient is placed in the
chamber and the pressure is in
creased to simulate being 45
feet underwater,” Seely said.
“A plastic hood is placed over
the patient’s head, and 100 per
cent oxygen fills the hood, while
the carbon dioxide exhaled by
the patient is pumped out.”
This process supplies the
plasma and cells in the blood
with pure oxygen, enhancing
the healing process.
Dr. Donald Freeman, direc
tor of the hyperbaric laborato
ry, said hyperbaric medicine is
used in many types of treat
ments.
“We use hyperbaric to treat
decompression sickness, non
healing wounds and carbon
monoxide poisoning,” Freeman
said. “We are also conducting
experimental treatments for
migraine headaches, post-polio
syndrome, chronic fatigue syn
drome and closed head injuries.
“Right now about 50 to 60
percent of our work is for clini
cal care,” he said.
Treatment in the hyperbaric
chamber usually involves a 60
to 90 minute session daily for
30 to 90 days.
The side effects from treat
ment are minimal, Freeman
said.
“The biggest problem is
equalizing pressure in your
ears,” he said. “There are other
precautions we take too. For
example, we do not treat asth
matics, and we stay well within
the safety limits for hyperbaric
treatment to avoid complica
tions.”
Dr. William Fife, professor of
hyperbaric medicine in the
Texas A&M Health Science
Center, established the hyper
baric program at A&M in 1968.
At that time, the lab was locat
ed near the airport.
When the health center was
remodeled in 1986, a new facili
ty was built in the basement.
Fife’s research has been con
tinuous throughout his years at
A&M.
“I started out working main
ly with decompression sick
ness,” Fife said. “We also
worked on animals to research
the effects of hyperbaric on cer
tain diseases. Now, there are
about 25 diseases that can be
treated with hyperbaric medi
cine.”
The University began experi
mental treatment on a patient
with Lyme’s Disease in 1992.
Kara Wilson, who is currently a
freshman journalism major,
came to A&M for three months
to receive treatment, and has
periodically received treatment
since that time.
“My joints are completely
frozen, and I have limited
movement,” Wilson said. “The
treatment keeps my energy lev
el up and keeps me from get
ting worse.”
Wilson’s doctors had written
to the University requesting as
sistance in possible treatment.
The lab received approval from
the Institutional Review Board,
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Lab technician Jennifer Seely monitors the control panel of the Hyperbaric Chamber at the A.PT
Health Center.
which must approve any experi- ing more patients like Kara," this will be a breakthroi:|
ments conducted on human pa- Fife said. “We are working on a other Lyme’s Disease
tients. theory about treatment of Ly- ers."
“We are interested in treat- me’s Disease, and if it is true.
Hyperbaric laboratory patient
chooses life as Texas Aggie
By Katherine Arnold
The Battalion
Kara Wilson may be in a wheelchair, but
not much stops her from getting around.
Wilson is a freshman journalism major
from Oregon. She has Lyme’s Disease, which
she contracted from a tick bite when she was
six years old.
“It started off as |HHimHHHH|HHHHH||||^HH|
but it does slow down the debilitating effects.
“Hyperbaric oxygen suppresses some as
pects of the immune system,” Fife said. “The
oxygen helps to suppress the inflammatory
process in her joints.”
Wilson is the only person in the United
States undergoing hyperbaric treatment for
Lyme’s Disease, Fife said.
Wilson came to
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j^nTsweiiing/wir "> went to two games, two yell prac-
son said. No one tices and Silver Taps. I was sold.
knew what I had.” . . .
Lyme s Disease There was no way I was going to go
is a disease spread anywhere else."
by ticks infected '
with a bacterial m- Kara Wilson, freshman
journalism major dent.
- “While I
fection. The tick
injects bacteria into
its host and the
A&M in August
1992 for three
months of treat
ment.
She returned
again in summer
1993 for more
treatments. She
then decided to at
tend A&M as a stu-
was
bacteria begins to grow in the body. The im
mune system eventually begins to form an
immunity against itself.
Wilson was diagnosed with Lyme’s Dis
ease in May of 1989 and sought treatment at
A&M’s hyperbaric lab, where researchers
had been conducting experiments on differ
ent types of diseases.
Dr. William Fife, professor of hyperbaric
medicine, said he and Dr. Donald Freeman,
director of the hyperbaric laboratory, decided
to accept Wilson as a patient.
“We decided to see what we could do,” Fife
said. “The benefits of treating Kara out
weighed any possible harms.”
Hyperbaric treatment cannot cure Wilson,
here for the first round of treatments I went
to two games, two yell practices, and Silver
Taps,” Wilson said. “I was sold. There was
no way I was going to go anywhere else.”
Most of Wilson’s joints are frozen and can
not be moved. She has some movement in
her shoulders, her hands, and hips. Surgery
to regain mobility in the joints was an op
tion, but Wilson chose not to go through the
long process.
“It would have been a four or five year
process to reconstruct my knees,” Wilson
said.
“I had to make a decision: to go to school
or go through rehab and have all these surg
eries. I chose to have a life,” she said.
By Kindell Peters
Beutel Health Center
With much public interest, the Reality female
condom became widely available to customers dur
ing the month of August. It has been declared by
its makers as a new alternative for women to pro
tect themselves from unplanned pregnancy and
sexually transmitted diseases. The new female
condom hopes to join the ranks of the traditional
latex condom in popularity among sexually active
individuals who choose to engage in safer sex.
The Reality female condom is a thin, soft, loose-
fitting polyurethane sheath which is placed inside
the female’s vagina prior to intercourse. It is visu
ally similar to the male condom except it is loose-
fitting and has two flexible rings, one at each end
of the sheath. The inner ring lies inside ah the
closed end of the sheath and aids in insertion and
placement. The outer ring forms the external,
open end of the condom. This outer ring and about
one inch of the sheath remain outside the female’s
body to aid in the protection against semen and
harmful pathogens. The sheath is prelubricated
with a silicon-based lubricant and comes with an
additional water-based lubricant.
The Reality female condom is intended for one
time use and does not contain spermicide,
nonoxynol-9. It should not be used in conjunction
with the male condom. For those who are allergic
to latex, the female condom may be a valid alterna
tive since it is made of polyurethane. Polyurethane
is also thinner than latex and may result in a more
“natural” feel. Some males report increased fric
tion, therefore increased feeling. The female con
dom also allows females more “power” in the deci
sion to practice safer sex. The failure rate of the fe
male condom is 5 to 21 out of 100. This means that
5 to 21 percent of women experienced an accidental
pregnancy within the first year of using thei,
The cost of the Reality female condom is ak:
to S7.50 for a box of 3 (which includes lubricar;
about S2.50 each.
Advantages to the Female Condom—
The female condom is stronger than latex
doms and less likely to tear or break. Theripli
rate is less than 1 percent. The main cause; j
rip/tear are sharp or jagged objects such as
rings or other jewelry. The female condom i:
susceptible to the deterioration effects (M-l
lubricants, whereas oil-based lubricants shoulJ
be used with latex condoms. The femalecondei
less susceptible than latex to deterioration te
storage. It can be inserted up to 8 hours priij <«
intercourse. Polyurethane is strong and impel
able to organisms as small as the HIV virus,
less the female condom slips out of place oris
it should provide protection against sexually
mitted diseases. This protection is at least as
as that provided by the male condom, howevei
search documentation is not yet ava
demonstrate this conclusively except for
patitis B, and possibly thichomoniasis. Theft
condom may also provide more protection
external genitalia.
Disadvantages to the Female Condom-
The female condom may cause discomfort
tation or allergic reaction to polyurethane. I
vaginal barrier methods increases the risk L
nary tract infection, vaginal bacterial and p
fections. The female condom may be difficul
sert. Just remember that you must practice
ing the device. It may make squeaky noises
intercourse, so make sure to use adequate*
tion and keep a sense of humor! When usiif
device make sure the outer ring, at the o r
the sheath, does not accidentally slip insidi
vagina.
Restai
Continued fi
Pat Ferre
restaurant i
of the Bry:
restaurant l
the number
area is not a
“We hav
many,” Fen
needs busii
mote jobs
restaurants.
“Factori
manufactu:
jobs and hel
said. “New
hurting es
owners.”
Ferreri s
that new re
hard on th
that don’t h
comers.
“When
comes to to
to try it out,
tive econon
rent businei
Dr. Thor
A&M disti
and director
prise Resea
restaurants
Graduate and Professional Students
"Expose Your Research"
in the first ever
Graduate Student Council University-Wide
Research Poster Competition
"Search for Significance: Graduate Research Defined"
Cash prize for top entry in Each College or
Related Research Area.
Minimum Cash Prize of *200 Per College
Awards to be presented by the Director of the
National Science Foundation...that's right. National
recognition for your outstanding research.
The Entry Deadline Has Been Extended Until
SEPTEMBER 26
GET YOUR ENTRY IN SOON
for more information or entry forms
contact the GSC Hotline: 862-1974
at + ( Tu r ro‘KjKg
260-2660
Tickets on sale Sunday, 9/18 from 5-7pm.
3 PM
SUN 9/18
MON 9/19
TUE 9/20
WED 9/21
6 PM
PHYS 201
Dr. Ford & Yarich
Set A
PHYS 201
Dr. Yarich
Set B
PHYS 201
Dr. Ford
SctC
8 PM
PHYS 218
CH 1,2,3
PHYS 218
CH 4,5
PHYS 218
Practice Exams
A
PHYS 218
Practice Exams
B
10
P
M
CHEM 102
Practice Exams
A
CHEM 102
Practice Exams
B
MON 9/19
TUE 9/20
WED 9/21
THURS 9/22
9 PM
ACCT229
CH. 1 & 2
ACCT 229
CH. 3
ACCT 229
CH. 4
ACCT 229
Practice Exams
It PM
ACCT 230
CH 16
ACCT 230
CH 17
ACCT 230
CH 1 & 2
ACCT 230
CH 3 & 4
SUN 9/18
MON 9/19
TUE 9/20
FFNC 341
CH 1,2, 3
8- 10 PM
FINC 341
CH 3,4
7-9 PM
FINC 341
Practice Exams
7-9 PM
MON 9/19
TUE 9/20
WED 9/21
THURS 9/22
3 PM
MATH 152
Review I
MATH 152
Review II
MATH 152
Review III
MATH 152
Practice Test I
5 PM
MATH 151
Review I
MATH 151
Review II
MATH 151
Review III
MATH 151
Practice Test I
SUNDAY 9/18
4 - 6 PM CHEM 111 LAB & REPORT PREPARATION
6 - 8 PM CHEM 112 LAB & REPORT PREPARATION
MON 9/19
TUE 9/20
3-5 PM
CHEM 111 Lab & report preparation
3 - 5 PM
CHEM 112 Lab & report preparation
The Battalion
BELINDA BLANCARTE, Editor in chief
MARK EVANS, Managing editor
HEATHER WINCH, Night News editor
MARK SMITH, Night News editor
KIM MCGUIRE, City editor
JAY ROBBINS, Opinion editor
STEWART MILNE, Photo editor
DAVE WINDER, Sports editor
ROB CLARK, Aggielife editor
Staff Members
City desk — Jan Higginbotham, Katherine Arnold, Michele Brinkmann, Stephanie Dube, SOT' |
Fehlis, Eloise Film, Amanda Fowle, Melissa Jacobs, Lisa Messer, Angela Neaves,^
Owen, Constance Parien and Tracy Smith
News desk— Robin Greathouse, Sterling Hayman, )ody Holley, Shafi Islam, Jennifer Monliel
Tiffany Moore and Stacy Stanton
Photographers - Stacey Cameron, David Birch, Blake Griggs, J.D. lacoby, Tim Moog, Gina
Painton, Nick Rodnicki, Amy Brown and Carrie Thompson
Aggielife- Anas Ben-Musa, Margaret Claughton, Christi Erwin, lennifer Gressett and Jeremy
Keddie
Sports writers- Nick Georgandis, Drew Diener and Stewart Doreen
Opinion desk— Jenny Magee, Lynn Booher, Josef Elchanan, Laura Frnka, Aja Henderson, Erial"
Jeremy Keddie, Michael Landauer, Melissa Megliola, George Nasr, ElizabethP*
Gerardo Quezada and Frank Stanford
Cartoonists — Greg Argo, Brad Graeber, Alvaro Gutierrez and Quatro Oakley
Office Assistants— Heather Fitch, Adam Hill, Karen Hoffman and Michelle Oleson
Writing Coach— Timm Doolen
The Battalion (USES 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall andsf ■;
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