 This meta-analysis concludes, “Hypnosis could be a clinically valuable intervention [to reduce] anticipatory and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children with cancer.” Continue reading Hypnosis in children receiving cancer chemotherapy
Category Archives: Nausea/Vomiting
Acupuncture in women after breast cancer surgery
“Acupuncture reduced by half the hot flushes caused by tamoxifen in 59 breast cancer patients after surgery,” according to this study presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) in Berlin. Continue reading Acupuncture in women after breast cancer surgery
Dolly Parton has back pain
It’s so bad that she canceled her concert tour.
Here’s the state-of-the-art (not including pharmacology and surgery) for treating lower back pain (LBP) from the North American Spine Society. Continue reading Dolly Parton has back pain
Acupuncture for children
Researchers from Los Angeles reviewed the literature and found acupuncture holds promise but,… surprise … more research is needed.
Here’s what we know today. Continue reading Acupuncture for children
Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
It’s only one patient (not the one in the photo), but it might reflect a bigger problem.
Here’s what happened.
Continue reading Arsenic poisoning from an herbal kelp supplement
Ginger to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery
In a previous entry, the use of ginger to prevent motion sickness was discussed.
Now, an article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that the combined results from 5 randomized trials of more than 300 patients indicate that a fixed dose at least 1 gram of ginger is more effective than placebo for the prevention of nausea and vomiting following surgery. Continue reading Ginger to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery
Herbal supplements for weight loss: What works, what doesn’t
In preparation for the upcoming weight management conferences in Europe, here is what we know about the value of herbals as an aid to weight loss.
Continue reading Herbal supplements for weight loss: What works, what doesn’t
Acupuncture does not reduce radiotherapy-induced nausea
However, said Dr. Anna Enblom during her presentation to the attendees at the 14th European Cancer Conference, “Both groups [sham and real acupuncture] of patients reported that they believed the treatment had been invasive and effective in reducing nausea.” Continue reading Acupuncture does not reduce radiotherapy-induced nausea
Transplant patients are cautioned about taking Schisandra
Schisandra sphenanthera (Nan Wu Wei Zi, lemon-wood) is “commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs.” I found no clinical study in humans to support the many claims for this Chinese herbal medicine.
Now, there’s a report of a drug interaction with tacrolimus (Prograf) — a drug used to suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection of liver, kidney, or heart transplants. Continue reading Transplant patients are cautioned about taking Schisandra
P6 acupressure for nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients
This study used Pericardium 6 (Neiguan) acupoint (photo) to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
It raises as many questions as it attempts to answer.
Continue reading P6 acupressure for nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients
CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Ms. Jennifer Rheingans is a nurse educator for pediatrics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida. In the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing she reviews nonpharmacological therapies as a potential source of assistance for children with symptoms due to cancer treatment.
Symptoms and CAM options are listed below. Continue reading CAM options for symptom management in children with cancer
Guidelines to prevent nausea and vomiting include acupuncture
Updated guidelines for managing post-operative nausea and vomiting announced during the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists include using acupuncture.
Here’s some supporting data.
Continue reading Guidelines to prevent nausea and vomiting include acupuncture
The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Dr. Frederick Burgess, who is clinical associate professor of surgery (anesthesiology) at Brown University in Rhode Island, has these thoughts from the American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting this past February. Continue reading The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Dr. Sheila Wilhelm and two colleagues at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit have published a review in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy on preventing nausea and vomiting following surgery (ie, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PONY).
It’s nice to see CAM options considered along with pharmacological options. Continue reading Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Using massage and acupuncture to help control symptoms after cancer surgery
More data from the University of California, San Francisco in support of CAM in the care of cancer patients.
Continue reading Using massage and acupuncture to help control symptoms after cancer surgery
Advisory issued for black cohosh
This site has discussed black cohosh before. Our focus was on the lack of effectiveness for the treatment for menopausal symptoms, and the lack of manufacturing standards that result in variability in product content of black cohosh.
Now, following an analysis of 16 case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of Cimicifugae racemosae rhizoma (black cohosh, root), the European Medicines Agency has advised consumers to stop taking black cohosh and consult their doctor immediately if they develop signs and symptoms suggestive of liver injury. Examples include tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and eyes, or severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting or dark urine.
Be forewarned.
7/21/06 21:11 JR
The winner in CAM for 2006
Winner: If you can stick a pin in it, researchers are eager to study acupuncture.
State-of-the-art: Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting
In a published review, the effectiveness of acupuncture was evaluated in postoperative nausea and vomiting, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
Continue reading State-of-the-art: Acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting
An alternative delivery system for tetrahydrocannabinol
The Food and Drug Administration issued a statement in April that no sound scientific studies support the medicinal use of marijuana for treatment. This lead to a seemingly endless list of editorials and articles assailing the FDA for political bias – here, here, here, here, and here.
You get the message.
Back on earth…
Continue reading An alternative delivery system for tetrahydrocannabinol
Treating pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting with ginger
The available evidence suggests, “Ginger may be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.”
Researchers from the University of Naples in Italy came to this conclusion based on their review of the medical literature, and the results of 6 well-designed clinical studies of 675 pregnant women.
Continue reading Treating pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting with ginger