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Home / Critical illness cover / - Motor Neurone Disease
Definition
Confirmation by a Consultant Neurologist of a definite diagnosis of Motor Neurone disease.
What does this mean?
Motor Neurone disease causes a rapid deterioration of the motor neurones. These are the nerve cells in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord, which are responsible for the movement of the body. The disease advances quite quickly and leads to severe disability and death usually within three to four years. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can alter the outcome of this serious condition.
NEWS
Cat owners at reduced risk of stroke
20 March 2008 17:09:49
People who own cats are less likely to suffer a stroke or a heart attack than their non cat owning counterparts, new research shows.
According to scientists in America, who looked at 4,435 adults aged between the age of 30 and 75, having a cat as a pet reduces the risk of strokes by more than a third.
Even when other heart disease-triggering lifestyle factors such as smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol were taken into account cat owners were still found to be significantly less vulnerable.
While it was unclear why this was the case, Professor Adnan Qureshi from the Minnesota University said it is possible that owning a cat relieves stress and anxiety, which subsequently lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart rate.
Alternatively, it could be the case that the type of people who choose to own cats as pets are generally more stress-free and are therefore healthier, allowing them to enjoy cheaper life insurance premiums.
According to the Stroke Association an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year, around 67,000 of whom die as a result.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, and critical illnesslife insurance policies online
Critical illness cover: HIV 'communication gap'
16 October 2007 13:33:31
Women living with HIV are suffering a gap in communication with healthcare providers about treatment, according to reports.
A survey from Women Living Positive focussed on HIV sufferers' access to information about treatment options that best suit their individual needs.
The results of the poll, supported by independent pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim, showed that 55 per cent of female patients had not discussed how treatments may affect women differently.
Over nine in ten of those who enquired about such matters said they got a satisfactory response, with a similar proportion of respondents revealing they felt comfortable about asking questions on the matter.
"With the rise of HIV infections in women, it is important to understand their struggles and unique issues when evaluating their care and treatment options," commented Kathleen Squires, director of infectious diseases and environmental medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
She added that women should engage in discussions about their emotional welfare, as well as family planning considerations, with healthcare professionals.
Earlier this year Boehringer Ingelheim noted the efficacy of Viramune as a treatment for the HIV-1 infection, pointing out that women are at greater risk of experiencing adverse effects of the medication.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice
Epilepsy drug could help alcoholics
10 June 2008 17:41:40
Researchers have discovered that a drug currently used to treat epilepsy could be employed in the treatment of alcoholism.
When tested on rats by researchers from the University of Virginia topiramate immediately affected the drug seeking part of the animal's brain.
Of the 317 people that took part in the trial, those that took the epilepsy treatment had "fewer obsessive thoughts and compulsions about using alcohol" and experienced better general health.
Lead researcher Professor Bankole Johnson said: "What we've found is that topiramate treats the alcohol addiction, not just the 'symptom' of drinking."
Patients that responded positively to the treatment experienced weight loss, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure.
Most significantly they had lowered levels of liver enzymes linked to "fatty liver" disease which is the forerunner of cirrhosis which can kill alcoholics.
The results of this latest research, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, may now encourage more doctors to prescribe the medication, although caution over possible side affects needs to be considered.
20 March 2008 17:09:49
People who own cats are less likely to suffer a stroke or a heart attack than their non cat owning counterparts, new research shows.
According to scientists in America, who looked at 4,435 adults aged between the age of 30 and 75, having a cat as a pet reduces the risk of strokes by more than a third.
Even when other heart disease-triggering lifestyle factors such as smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol were taken into account cat owners were still found to be significantly less vulnerable.
While it was unclear why this was the case, Professor Adnan Qureshi from the Minnesota University said it is possible that owning a cat relieves stress and anxiety, which subsequently lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart rate.
Alternatively, it could be the case that the type of people who choose to own cats as pets are generally more stress-free and are therefore healthier, allowing them to enjoy cheaper life insurance premiums.
According to the Stroke Association an estimated 150,000 people in the UK have a stroke each year, around 67,000 of whom die as a result.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, and critical illnesslife insurance policies online
16 October 2007 13:33:31
Women living with HIV are suffering a gap in communication with healthcare providers about treatment, according to reports.
A survey from Women Living Positive focussed on HIV sufferers' access to information about treatment options that best suit their individual needs.
The results of the poll, supported by independent pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim, showed that 55 per cent of female patients had not discussed how treatments may affect women differently.
Over nine in ten of those who enquired about such matters said they got a satisfactory response, with a similar proportion of respondents revealing they felt comfortable about asking questions on the matter.
"With the rise of HIV infections in women, it is important to understand their struggles and unique issues when evaluating their care and treatment options," commented Kathleen Squires, director of infectious diseases and environmental medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
She added that women should engage in discussions about their emotional welfare, as well as family planning considerations, with healthcare professionals.
Earlier this year Boehringer Ingelheim noted the efficacy of Viramune as a treatment for the HIV-1 infection, pointing out that women are at greater risk of experiencing adverse effects of the medication.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice
10 June 2008 17:41:40
Researchers have discovered that a drug currently used to treat epilepsy could be employed in the treatment of alcoholism.
When tested on rats by researchers from the University of Virginia topiramate immediately affected the drug seeking part of the animal's brain.
Of the 317 people that took part in the trial, those that took the epilepsy treatment had "fewer obsessive thoughts and compulsions about using alcohol" and experienced better general health.
Lead researcher Professor Bankole Johnson said: "What we've found is that topiramate treats the alcohol addiction, not just the 'symptom' of drinking."
Patients that responded positively to the treatment experienced weight loss, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure.
Most significantly they had lowered levels of liver enzymes linked to "fatty liver" disease which is the forerunner of cirrhosis which can kill alcoholics.
The results of this latest research, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, may now encourage more doctors to prescribe the medication, although caution over possible side affects needs to be considered.