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

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…)