The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

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    Archive for July, 2011

    Physicians rate acupuncture for pain management

    Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

    Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, collected information from pain physicians and referral physicians who manage the care of patients in pain. (more…)

    Cranberries vs antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection

    Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

    Concern over the risk of resistance to antimicrobial agents has stimulated interest in cranberries to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

    Researchers in the Netherlands compared trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (Septra, Bactrim) to cranberry capsules. (more…)

    Failure to lower skin cancer risk with vitamin D

    Thursday, July 21st, 2011

    Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, in Redwood City, California, evaluated the effects of vitamin D combined with calcium supplementation on melanoma skin cancers. (more…)

    Lowering hospitalizations for diverticular disease

    Thursday, July 21st, 2011

    Diverticular disease occurs when pouches (diverticula) in the intestine become inflamed.

    Researchers at University of Oxford, in the UK, examined the associations of a vegetarian diet and fiber intake with the risk of diverticular disease. (more…)

    Is yoga safe for people with heart failure?

    Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

    Apparently so, according to researchers at the University of California, in San Francisco.

    And, others agree. (more…)

    More research on vitamin D and diabetes

    Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

    It has been observed that low levels of vitamin D and calcium are associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

    Now, researchers in Boston report an explanation underlying the relationship. (more…)

    Benefits of yoga in cancer survivors

    Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

    Researchers at the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, in Seneca, South Carolina, studied the effects of the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life.

    The results were reported during the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. (more…)

    Aromatherapy for pain during labor?

    Sunday, July 17th, 2011

    Many women want to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management during labor, and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management.

    In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Western Sydney, in Australia, evaluated the evidence supporting the aromatherapy for pain management in labor. (more…)

    Lower your risk of falling

    Sunday, July 17th, 2011

    A multifactorial fall-risk assessment including a fall history, physical exam, gait and balance evaluation, and environmental assessment is recommended for all older adults who have fallen or have a problem with gait or balance, according to Dr. Sara Bradley, assistant professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. (more…)

    Melissa to treat agitation in Alzheimer’s disease

    Sunday, July 17th, 2011

    Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, compared Melissa officinalis aromatherapyalso referred to as lemon balm — to donepezil (Aricept). (more…)

    The role of soy isoflavones in menopausal health

    Friday, July 15th, 2011

    The beneficial effects of soy protein, soy isoflavones, and their metabolites on women’s health are unclear.

    So, the North American Menopause Society convened a seminar of experts in the field. (more…)

    Effects of resistance training and soy on postmenopausal women

    Friday, July 15th, 2011

    Researchers at Sao Paulo State University, in Brazil, determined the individual and combined effects of resistance training and soy isoflavone on body composition. (more…)

    Benefits of music therapy during kidney dialysis

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011

    Researchers at the Cardinal Tien Hospital, in New Taipei City, Taiwan, explored the use of music during hemodialysis as a complementary therapy to improve overall well-being in elderly patients. (more…)

    Music therapy during an acute psychotic episode

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011

    It might be useful for some patients, say researchers at the University of Sydney, in Australia.

    But which ones? (more…)

    Risk of interactions between supplements and blood thinners

    Thursday, July 14th, 2011

    Dr. Jennifer Strohecker at the Intermountain Medical Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah, tells us the safety of warfarin (Coumadin) use can be compromised by many popular herbal and nonherbal supplements.

    Here’s what we know from her research. (more…)

    Comparing 2 massage techniques to treat chronic back pain

    Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

    Researchers in the US compared 2 types of massage and usual care. (more…)

    Does reducing salt intake lower blood pressure?

    Friday, July 8th, 2011

    … and does it matter?

    This Cochrane review summarizes the evidence for dietary salt reduction. (more…)

    Reviewing non-pharmacological options to prevent migraine

    Thursday, July 7th, 2011

    At the University of Turin, in Italy, researchers reviewed the evidence.

    And contributors to the US Headache Consortium tell us why it’s important. (more…)