BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers

Subject: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Bagpuss
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 10:11 AM

I really must be bored...

blickety blick

Redheads "more susceptible to pain"
People with red hair are more susceptible to pain and require more anaesthesia than those with other hair colouring, according to US researchers.


Anaesthesiologists at the University of Louisville's Outcomes Research Institute, in Kentucky, say the findings have implications for redheads who require surgery and provide a better understanding of how anaesthesia works in humans.

Dr Edwin Liem and colleagues found that redheads need about 20 per cent more anaesthesia than people with other hair colours and speculate that this may be due to genetics. They say that variations in the melanocortin 1 receptor, which is associated with red hair, in certain cells may be to blame.

Dr Liem explains that the dysfunction of this receptor triggers a feedback mechanism that increases the release of the hormone that stimulates these cells.

The same hormone also stimulates a related brain receptor that increases pain sensitivity, he says.

The researchers came to their conclusions after looking at healthy Caucasian women aged 19 to 40 who either had naturally red hair or dark hair.

The women were given the commonly used inhaled anaesthetic desflurane and their physical responses were monitored.

"Red hair is the first visible human trait or phenotype that is linked to anaesthetic requirement," according to Dr Liem.

"In a nutshell, redheads are likely to experience more pain from a given stimulus and therefore require more anaesthesia to alleviate that pain," he says.

And Dr Liem believes that the study could have a significant influence for further research into pain tolerance.

"Since red hair can be traced to particular mutations in the melanocortin 1 receptor, we now have the opportunity to evaluate central nervous system pathways that may influence or mediate anaesthetic requirement.

"Investigating the role of melanocortin system in the central nervous system is thus likely to help us understand fundamental questions such as which systems in the brain produce unconsciousness and which modulate pain perception," he added.

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: CapriUni
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 10:24 AM

Gee -- and I thought this was going to be a post about a delicious new, ginger-flavored treat.

I love ginger -- almost as much as chocolate!

... Um, you wouldn't happen to be a redhead, would you Bagpuss?

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Bagpuss
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 10:26 AM

Everyone knows that Bagpuss is pink and cream coloured....

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 10:46 AM

I thought that the thread was about whingers from Hull as in "Land of Green Ginger".

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 11:02 AM

I think more research needs to be done. Preferably on Chris Evans.

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Bert
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 08:47 PM

I always wondered why the dentist would never give me enough novacaine. Now I know why. My Mother was a redhead and so were/are all the women in that line, from my greatGandmother right down to my daughter..

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: khandu
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 08:52 PM

And now...duct tape gets rid of warts! My, my...I am amazed by the discoveries our scientist are making nowadaze!

k

Subject: RE: BS: Complete BS - Ginger Whingers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Oct 02 - 09:06 PM

OH GAWD