The amazing things about Nevada: Coombs
The election is finally over and some people are very pleased by the results in our State while others are convinced we are now going to become the next California. The results statewide highly favored the Democrats in most races so there is change on the horizon. After reading many negative views on where our state is heading, I set out to find some very positive things that are happening and was pleasantly surprised at the depth of what is happening in our medical community that could have a large impact on the country and even the world.
First, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Iain Buxton, a foundation professor at the University of Nevada Medical School. He is working diligently with his colleagues to discover why women experience pre-term labor during pregnancy and look for ways to stop it. Currently, the only treatments are designed to only stop labor for a period long enough to inject steroids that will help the lung development of the baby prior to the premature delivery. There are no drugs available that work long term to stop pre-term labor and they are working hard to develop solutions for this emotionally and financially exhausting problem. Most premature babies are multi-million dollar babies as the neonatal isolette is the most expensive bed in the hospital. As a mother of two premature babies, I also understand the exhaustion and frustration that goes with the process of watching your baby struggle and the toll it takes on the whole family.
Dr. Buxton explained that humans are the only animal species that delivers prematurely. They are researching to understand the role that nitric oxide plays in helping the uterus relax and why the muscles won’t relax in a pre-term labor. They have collected tissues from 600 women so far to continue this study and hope that within the next four to five years they will have some medications that stop premature births. They have learned that there seems to be a genetic component and may be able to isolate the enzyme that causes pre-term labor. These studies at our own local medical school may have far reaching impact on what happens to families that might experience a premature birth. The research could mean the difference between life and death for these tiny babies.
Next, I interviewed Dr. Chris Rowan, the director of research for the Healthy Nevada Project. This project, being conducted at Renown Hospital, involves specific genetic testing that can help people determine if they have certain genes that can lead to heart attacks, heart disease, and blocked arteries. We specifically discussed a genetic condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) which causes unusually high total cholesterol in people that may be fit and eat healthy. They require treatment and don’t know it without this genetic test. The Healthy Nevada Project has joined with Helix to perform the genetic testing which provides this life-saving information. People with FH have a 50 percent chance of having a heart attack by age 50. The significant plaque deposits result in early heart disease and eventually premature death. The genetic testing is so important for families as if FH is discovered in one relative, it usually can be traced to five more. The medical recommendation for those with FH is treatment with medication by age 10. This is impossible to discover without the testing and the hard work being done by Dr. Rowan and his team at Renown will save many lives with this important research.
I was pleased to learn about all of the amazing medical advances being discovered here in Nevada to help prolong life and also reduce medical costs to families. While we may not all agree on the best way to deliver healthcare or offer health insurance, we all can agree that reducing expenses and prolonging healthy lives is important. Our great State is working hard to find the answers to medical issues that can impact everyone and as always I am proud to call myself a native Nevadan.