Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices produce electrical currents to stimulate nerves through unbroken skin.
Here’s the Cochrane review. Continue reading TENS for cancer pain
Monthly Archives: August 2010
NCCAM-sponsored study of tai chi to treat fibromyalgia
Researchers at Tufts Medical Center, in Boston reported their findings in that bastion of allopathic medicine, The New England Journal of Medicine. Continue reading NCCAM-sponsored study of tai chi to treat fibromyalgia
Consumer Alert: TimeOut
It’s labeled as “100% natural” and consumers may mistakenly assume the product is harmless and poses no health risk.
The FDA says, Not so fast, all you erectilely challenged people out there. Continue reading Consumer Alert: TimeOut
Consumer Alert: Mr. Magic
According to the distributor, it will awaken your magical power.
But he FDA says Mr. Magic contains hydroxythiohomosildenafil and sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil (Viagra), the FDA-approved drug for male erectile dysfunction (ED), making this product an unapproved drug. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Mr. Magic
Nonpharmacologic management of osteoporosis
This Medscape review covers orthoses, exercise, calcium and vitamin D therapy, and kyphoplasty from an academic perspective. Continue reading Nonpharmacologic management of osteoporosis
Preventing prostate cancer progression with green tea
Men with prostate cancer who consumed the active compounds in green tea demonstrated a reduction in test results that predict prostate cancer progression, according to researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, in Louisiana. Continue reading Preventing prostate cancer progression with green tea
Acupuncture for chronic sinusitis. Worth the cost?
It’s commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis, though there’s little documentation for any effect.
Researchers from Norway looked for evidence of improved quality of life. Continue reading Acupuncture for chronic sinusitis. Worth the cost?
Wash your hands
Done properly, it’s “one of the best ways to avoid getting sick,” according to MayoClinic.com.
Vitamin D supplementation and hip fracture risk
Researchers from Australia and the UK reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Vitamin D supplementation and hip fracture risk
Changes in memory afer drinking blueberry juice
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers at Tufts University, in Boston studied the effects of drinking wild blueberry juice in older adults with early memory changes. Continue reading Changes in memory afer drinking blueberry juice
Effects of recreational drugs on sleep
This article by researchers at Freiburg University Medical Center in Germany reviews cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana.
Let’s focus on the one purported CAM, marijuana. Continue reading Effects of recreational drugs on sleep
Is napping “bad” for nighttime sleep?
Two published studies conclude it is not. Continue reading Is napping “bad” for nighttime sleep?
Cannabis and the risk for developing psychosis
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, hypothesized that cannabis use (or a cannabis use disorder) at a younger age relates to a high-risk symptoms at a younger age.
And a second study comes to rather odd conclusions about marijuana and schizophrenia severity. Continue reading Cannabis and the risk for developing psychosis
Hypnosis to help manage children in the dentist’s chair
It’s a challenge.
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Military Dental Centre in Seeb, Oman, reviewed the evidence for hypnosis (with or without sedation). Continue reading Hypnosis to help manage children in the dentist’s chair
Acupuncture treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome
It’s the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. The cause is unknown, but afflicted women have difficulty becoming pregnant.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia reviewed the evidence for acupuncture. Continue reading Acupuncture treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome
Consumer Alert: Prolatis
The distributor of this product recommends to, “Be ready when the time is right!”
The FDA says not so fast. Prolatis contains “sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil [Viagra],… making Prolatis an unapproved drug.” Continue reading Consumer Alert: Prolatis
Prevalence of CAM use in England
The English commonly combine CAM with prescription drugs.
Let’s compare these findings by Prof. Ernst and colleagues to CAM use in other countries. Continue reading Prevalence of CAM use in England
CAM for spinal cord injury pain
Researchers at the University Medical Centre Utrecht and De Hoogstraat, in The Netherlands surveyed the use of CAM in a large group of Dutch patients with spinal cord injury. Continue reading CAM for spinal cord injury pain
Review of aromatherapy to treat high blood pressure
Prof. Ernst reviewed the evidence and finds that more is needed. Continue reading Review of aromatherapy to treat high blood pressure
Placebo effect with homeopathic vs conventional drugs
Wikipedia states, “Claims of homeopathy’s efficacy beyond the placebo effect are unsupported by the collective weight of scientific and clinical evidence.”
But this study from Germany concludes that the evidence doesn’t support this belief. Continue reading Placebo effect with homeopathic vs conventional drugs