The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for September, 2010

Still useful: Coal tar for treating psoriasis

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

Applying the prescription drug tazarotene (Tazorac) to chronic plaque psoriasis is more effective than using a placebo. But how does it compare to the age-old remedy, coal tar?

Researchers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi reported their findings during the International Congress of Dermatology. (more…)

No effect of pine bark extract on cardiovascular disease risk

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

Pine bark extract is a dietary antioxidant supplement.

In this study, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, in California, attempt to correct past studies that they consider flawed. (more…)

The professor’s view of CAM and epilepsy

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Dr. Steven Schachter (photo) is Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.

He voices his view and challenges for CAM for the treatment of epilepsy in a recent issue of Current Opinion in Neurology. (more…)

September 23rd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

The American Physical Therapy Association is urging older adults to take a moment to complete a room-by-room checklist to identify and repair possible fall hazards in their homes and begin an exercise plan to reduce chances of falling and risk of injury.

Let’s focus on the risks and consequences of falls among the elderly. (more…)

Benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation on COPD

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

It improves quality of life even in patients with less-advanced cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Researchers from Maastricht University Medical Center, in the Netherlands reported their results during the annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society. (more…)

Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

The haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 gene is dysfunctional in people with diabetes and increases their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel, tested the antioxidant vitamin E to protect diabetic patients with HP 2-2 from cardiovascular complications. (more…)

Failure of glucosamine to reduce the use of pain relieving drugs

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Researchers at the Universitetet i Oslo, tell us, “Since 2004, glucosamine has been available as a prescription drug [in Norway] for symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was evaluate the use of glucosamine on the need for analgesic drugs. (more…)

Advanced care planning: Accounting for changing perspectives

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

GeriPal is rethinking advanced care planning (ACP).

Rather than focusing on making prespecified decisions, ACP should help patients and their families make the best possible in-the-moment decisions. (more…)

Consumer Alert: Aromatase inhibitors in dietary supplements

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.

Now, the FDA is recalling the following supplements that illegally contain these drugs. (more…)

Telephonic diabetes management in elderly Americans

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

It’s an effective option, according to researchers in the US. (more…)

White rice, brown rice, and the risk of type 2 diabetes

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

Because of differences in processing and nutrients, brown rice and white rice may have different effects on risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, examined white and brown rice consumption in relation to what is sometimes referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) risk. (more…)

Survey of American medical students about CAM

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Researchers from several US medical schools surveyed the students. (more…)

CAM to treat the cold and flu

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Dr. Mark Moyad (photo) is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor.

His recommendations. (more…)

Review: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and osteoarthritis

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Researchers in Europe reviewed the evidence for glucosamine, chondroitin, and the combination to treat osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. (more…)

Acupuncturists treating cancer patients need extra education

Friday, September 17th, 2010

That’s the recommendation from Dr. Barrie Cassileth, who is chief of the integrative medicine service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Highlights from the Medscape interview are listed below. (more…)

Effects of eating more fruits and veggies on cancer risk

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

It’s widely believed that cancer can be prevented by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.

Here’s what we really know. (more…)

Treating giggle incontinence

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

incontinenceIt’s a rare condition in which urination occurs during laughing. Researchers from North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, in New York studied the value of biofeedback in a small group of children. (more…)

Preventing recurrent bacterial vaginosis with probiotics, conveniently

Monday, September 13th, 2010

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, in China report positive results with a simplified probiotic treatment regimen. (more…)

Influence of aucpuncturists on treatment outcomes in osteoarthritis

Monday, September 13th, 2010

There’s conflicting evidence on the value of Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCA).

Now, researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston report the influence of the acupuncturist on the response to treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. (more…)

Swine flu not affected by hand sanitizers

Monday, September 13th, 2010

During the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), researchers from the University of Virginia reported that regular use of alcohol-based disinfecting hand gels has little effect on the Swine flu infection rate. (more…)