Searching for the Holy Grail among ear drops

Introduction and aim of the study: Ear wax plays many roles in maintaining ear health, such as cleansing, shielding, and lubricating the external auditory canal. Sometimes, when earwax obstruction occurs, for example as a result of improper hygiene procedures (such as using cotton swabs), it can cause a number of disorders ranging from discomfort to even loss of hearing. In such cases, various methods can be used to remove the cerumen impaction. One of these and also the most commonly used, involves the usage of ear drops, which can contain different active substances (water-based compounds, oil-based compounds, a combination of oil and water-based compounds, and non-water, non-oil solutions). The aim of our study is to present current state of knowledge about effectiveness of various types of ear drops in wax cleaning. Material and methods: Our review is based on the analysis of materials collected in Pubmed”, „Google Scholar” and other scientific articles using keywords: „earwax”, cerumen impaction”, „cerumenolytics”, „ear drops”, „cerumen”, „earwax solvents”, „wax solvents”. Conclusions: Despite numerous studies, the Holy Grail has not been found among ear drops. The majority conducted studies did not show that any of the cerumenolitics were superior to the others in a statistically significant way. The only result that was statistically significant was the one showing a higher effectiveness of 2.5% sodium bicarbonate compared to docusate sodium. Further research is needed

The treatment of chronic wounds using bacteriophages

Introduction and aim of study: Chronic wounds are increasingly challenging global healthcare. These wounds, which take over 3 months to heal, are complicated by untreated infections and the formation of biofilm, hindering healing and antibiotic effectiveness. To tackle these issues, new treatments like bacteriophage therapy are being explored. Bacteriophages, viruses that target bacteria, offer promise in overcoming antibiotic resistance. However, their use presents challenges that need to be addressed. Material and methods:  Our review is based on the analysis of materials collected in Pubmed, Elsevier and other scientific articles using keywords: “chronic wound”, “chronic wounds infection”, “biofilms”, “MDR”, “bacteriophage”, “phage therapy”. Conclusions: The rise of chronic wounds due to resistant infections poses a significant challenge for patients and healthcare systems. Multidrug-resistant bacteria, often forming biofilm, evade current treatments, urging the search for alternatives. Phage therapy, showing efficacy against various stubborn infections, including those from surgery or diabetes, gains attention. Advanced delivery systems enhance targeted treatment, while phage cocktails improve effectiveness, especially against multiple resistant strains. Safety is generally observed, but larger trials are needed. Though not a replacement for antibiotics, phage therapy offers hope, needing robust clinical validation. While challenges exist, its societal, commercial, and economic benefits suggest a promising future beyond clinical use

Treatment Methods for Varicose Veins of the Lower Limbs

Introduction and Purpose: Varicose veins in the lower limbs are common, particularly among those with prolonged standing occupations, contributing to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI affects about 60% of adults, with varicose veins present in 25–33% of women and 10–20% of men, increasing with age. Understanding and addressing this condition is crucial as it impacts daily life and raises the risk of thrombosis. Effective treatments are essential to alleviate these health issues. State of Knowledge: Varicose veins result from a mix of genetic, hemodynamic, and vein wall factors. Family history plays a significant role, increasing susceptibility. Hemodynamic issues include malfunctioning venous valves and elevated venous pressure. Vein wall changes and thrombotic activity also contribute. Symptoms range from cosmetic concerns to pain and complications like venous ulcers. Understanding these factors is key for effective management. Conclusions: Surgical treatments like high ligation and stripping are standard but have drawbacks such as scarring and long recovery. Valvuloplasty addresses deep venous valve issues but is limited. Minimally invasive options, such as endovenous laser therapy and sclerotherapy, offer promising alternatives but with some recurrence risk. Compression therapies, including elastic stockings and pneumatic compression, aid recovery and symptom relief. Elastic bandage therapy is effective but requires precise application to avoid complications. Each method has pros and cons, underscoring the need for tailored treatment approaches

Exploring the efficacy of cannabinoids in the management of multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, marked by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. It severely impacts quality of life with symptoms like spasticity, pain, and cognitive impairment. Conventional treatments often fail, necessitating alternative therapies. Purpose: This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of cannabis extracts in treating MS, enhancing understanding of their benefits and limitations. State of knowledge: Studies suggest that cannabinoids may alleviate MS symptoms, particularly spasticity and pain. Clinical trials have shown significant reductions in muscle stiffness and pain, along with improved sleep quality. Meta-analyses, by Whiting et al. and Cochrane, support these findings but highlight the risk of side effects, which may limit long-term use. Additionally, research on animal models and in vitro studies indicate that cannabinoids may have neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, potentially reducing neuroinflammation and demyelination. Conclusion: Cannabinoids exhibit potential as a complementary therapy for managing MS symptoms, especially spasticity and pain. However, evidence is mixed, with some studies showing limited efficacy and considerable risk of side effects. More long-term, high-quality studies are needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential and safety profile of cannabinoids in MS treatment. Despite the challenges, the growing availability and changing legal status of medical cannabis suggest it could be a viable option for some patients, provided its use is carefully monitored and adapted to individual needs

Exploring the efficacy of cannabinoids in the management of multiple sclerosis

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, marked by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. It severely impacts quality of life with symptoms like spasticity, pain, and cognitive impairment. Conventional treatments often fail, necessitating alternative therapies. Purpose: This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of cannabis extracts in treating MS, enhancing understanding of their benefits and limitations. State of knowledge: Studies suggest that cannabinoids may alleviate MS symptoms, particularly spasticity and pain. Clinical trials have shown significant reductions in muscle stiffness and pain, along with improved sleep quality. Meta-analyses, by Whiting et al. and Cochrane, support these findings but highlight the risk of side effects, which may limit long-term use. Additionally, research on animal models and in vitro studies indicate that cannabinoids may have neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, potentially reducing neuroinflammation and demyelination. Conclusion: Cannabinoids exhibit potential as a complementary therapy for managing MS symptoms, especially spasticity and pain. However, evidence is mixed, with some studies showing limited efficacy and considerable risk of side effects. More long-term, high-quality studies are needed to fully understand the therapeutic potential and safety profile of cannabinoids in MS treatment. Despite the challenges, the growing availability and changing legal status of medical cannabis suggest it could be a viable option for some patients, provided its use is carefully monitored and adapted to individual needs

Treatment Methods for Varicose Veins of the Lower Limbs

Introduction and Purpose: Varicose veins in the lower limbs are common, particularly among those with prolonged standing occupations, contributing to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI affects about 60% of adults, with varicose veins present in 25–33% of women and 10–20% of men, increasing with age. Understanding and addressing this condition is crucial as it impacts daily life and raises the risk of thrombosis. Effective treatments are essential to alleviate these health issues. State of Knowledge: Varicose veins result from a mix of genetic, hemodynamic, and vein wall factors. Family history plays a significant role, increasing susceptibility. Hemodynamic issues include malfunctioning venous valves and elevated venous pressure. Vein wall changes and thrombotic activity also contribute. Symptoms range from cosmetic concerns to pain and complications like venous ulcers. Understanding these factors is key for effective management. Conclusions: Surgical treatments like high ligation and stripping are standard but have drawbacks such as scarring and long recovery. Valvuloplasty addresses deep venous valve issues but is limited. Minimally invasive options, such as endovenous laser therapy and sclerotherapy, offer promising alternatives but with some recurrence risk. Compression therapies, including elastic stockings and pneumatic compression, aid recovery and symptom relief. Elastic bandage therapy is effective but requires precise application to avoid complications. Each method has pros and cons, underscoring the need for tailored treatment approaches

Searching for the Holy Grail among ear drops

Introduction and aim of the study: Ear wax plays many roles in maintaining ear health, such as cleansing, shielding, and lubricating the external auditory canal. Sometimes, when earwax obstruction occurs, for example as a result of improper hygiene procedures (such as using cotton swabs), it can cause a number of disorders ranging from discomfort to even loss of hearing. In such cases, various methods can be used to remove the cerumen impaction. One of these and also the most commonly used, involves the usage of ear drops, which can contain different active substances (water-based compounds, oil-based compounds, a combination of oil and water-based compounds, and non-water, non-oil solutions). The aim of our study is to present current state of knowledge about effectiveness of various types of ear drops in wax cleaning. Material and methods: Our review is based on the analysis of materials collected in Pubmed”, „Google Scholar” and other scientific articles using keywords: „earwax”, cerumen impaction”, „cerumenolytics”, „ear drops”, „cerumen”, „earwax solvents”, „wax solvents”. Conclusions: Despite numerous studies, the Holy Grail has not been found among ear drops. The majority conducted studies did not show that any of the cerumenolitics were superior to the others in a statistically significant way. The only result that was statistically significant was the one showing a higher effectiveness of 2.5% sodium bicarbonate compared to docusate sodium. Further research is needed

Personality and temperament types and stress coping strategies of mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Wprowadzenie. Rodzice wychowujący dziecko z diagnozą autyzmu doświadczają wielu wyzwań związanych z opieką nad nim, które wpływają na poziom doświadczanego przez nich stresu. Cel. Celem pracy była analiza zależności między cechami osobowości i temperamentu matek wychowujących dzieci z diagnozą zaburzeń należących do spektrum autyzmu (ASD) a stylami radzenia sobie ze stresem. Materiały i metody. Badaniami objęto 58 kobiet wychowujących dzieci z diagnozą lekarską zaburzeń należących do spektrum autyzmu (według DSM-5). W pracy zastosowano różne narzędzia badawcze, takie jak: własna ankieta, Kwestionariusz Radzenia Sobie w Sytuacjach Stresowych CISS, Kwestionariusz Temperamentu EAS-D w wersji dla dorosłych oraz polską adaptację 10-punktowego Inwentarza Osobowości TIPI-PL. Wyniki i wnioski. Wyniki analiz statystycznych informują o występowaniu znaczących ujemnych korelacji między czynnikami osobowości matek: ekstrawersją i stabilnością emocjonalną, a stylem radzenia sobie ze stresem zorientowanym na emocjach. Dodatnie korelacje otrzymano między cechami temperamentu badanych: negatywną emocjonalnością a stylem radzenia sobie ze stresem zorientowanym na emocjach i unikaniu. Na podstawie analizy skupień wyodrębniono dwie grupy matek: z typem osobowości i temperamentu introwertywnym/niestabilnym emocjonalnie/z negatywną emocjonalnością oraz typem ekstrawertywnym/stabilnym emocjonalnie/z pozytywną emocjonalnością, które różnią się istotnie preferowanymi stylami radzenia sobie ze stresem. Cechy osobowości badanych kobiet: nasilona introwersja, nieśmiałość i neurotyczność łączą się istotnie z preferowaniem stylu radzenia sobie ze stresem skoncentrowanego na emocjach. Cechy temperamentu badanych kobiet: tendencja do reagowania niezadowoleniem, złością, agresją, czyli negatywna emocjonalność, łączy się ze stylem radzenia sobie ze stresem skoncentrowanym na emocjach oraz na unikaniu. Kobiety z typem osobowości introwertywnym/niestabilnym emocjonalnie/z negatywną emocjonalnością istotnie częściej niż kobiety z typem osobowości ekstrawertywnym/stabilnym emocjonalnie stosują w sytuacji stresu styl skoncentrowany na emocjach.Introduction. Parents raising a child diagnosed with autism experience numerous challenges related to caring for the child, which impact the levels of stress they undergo. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between personality and temperament traits in mothers raising children diagnosed with disorders within the autism spectrum (ASD) and their stress coping strategies. The study also sought answers to the question of whether examined mothers, differing in personality and temperament types, significantly differ in their preferred stress coping strategies. Materials and methods. The study involved 58 women raising children with a medical diagnosis of disorders within the autism spectrum (acc. to DSM-5). Various research tools were applied in the study, such as a custom survey, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), the adult version of the EAS-D Temperament Questionnaire, and the Polish adaptation of the 10-item Big Five Personality Inventory (TIPI-PL). Results and conclusion. The results of statistical analyses indicate the presence of statistically significant negative correlations between mothers’ personality factors such as extraversion and emotional stability and stress coping emotions-oriented strategies. Positive correlations were found between the temperament traits of the examined mothers – negative emotionality and stress coping strategies focused on emotions and avoidance. Based on the cluster analysis, two groups of mothers were identified: those with introverted/emotionally unstable/negative emotionality personality type and those with extraverted/emotionally stable/positive emotionality personality type, significantly differing in their preferred stress coping strategies. Personality traits of the examined women, such as increased introversion, shyness, and neuroticism are significantly correlated with a preference for stress coping strategies focused on emotions. Temperament traits of the examined women, such as a tendency to react with dissatisfaction, anger, and aggression (i.e., negative emotionality) are correlated with stress coping strategies focused on emotions and avoidance. Women with an introverted/emotionally unstable/negative emotionality personality type significantly more often employ stress coping strategies focused on emotions in stressful situations than do women with an extraverted/emotionally stable personality type