Occupational therapists have for many years been identified as key contributors to the rehabilitation of people with stroke.
Dr. Peter Langhorne and an international group of coworkers reviewed the Cochrane database and concluded, “occupational therapy should be available to everyone who has had a stroke.” Continue reading Review of occupational therapy following stroke
 Should you eat more omega-3-rich fish for a healthier heart, or avoid fish because of contaminants, such as mercury?
Dr. Donald Hensrud, who is chair of Mayo Clinic’s Division of Preventive Medicine has posted his thoughts on MayoClinic.com. And, I found a useful link to safe seafood, state to state. Continue reading A guide to eating safe fish
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet lowers blood pressure, But what is the effect on stroke and coronary heart disease?
Here’s an estimate from research reported during the American Heart Association 2007 Scientific Sessions and published on Medscape. Continue reading The real value of the DASH diet
Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University report that the combination is better than either treatment alone. Continue reading TENS plus task-related training in stroke patients
Researchers from Belgium and Norway reviewed the evidence for non-pharmacological management of orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing) during the early rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injury.
Here’s what they found. Continue reading Treating orthostatic hypotension after spinal injury
Among older adults, modest consumption of fish is associated with a lower prevalence of subclinical brain infarcts (“tiny” strokes) — changes in the brain consistent with a stroke, but without the usual outward signs and symptoms. Continue reading Fatty fish and the risk of “tiny” strokes
Difficulty swallowing (dysphasia) after stroke occurs in up to 60% of patients, and is associated with other complications and death, particularly if it’s prolonged.
Acupuncture is used to treat this complication in China. Cochrane reviews the scientific support. Continue reading Acupuncture for dysphasia after stroke
Teaching children to recognize stroke. Continue reading “Hip-Hop” Stroke
Dietary sources of flavonoids in Western societies include onions (flavonols); cocoa (proanthocyanidins); tea, apples, and red wine (flavonols and catechins); citrus fruit (flavanones); berries and cherries (anthocyanidins); and soy (isoflavones).
Here’s how far we’ve come. Continue reading Historical perspective on flavonoids
Both beverages have antioxidant properties, and coffee may improve insulin sensitivity.
OK, but is there an association between coffee and tea consumption with the risk of stroke? Continue reading Coffee, tea, and the risk of stroke
“People should not routinely be recommended to take plant sterols and stanols for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD).”
That’s the word from the London-based National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). Continue reading NICE says no to cholesterol-cutting foods
Slow walking speed is a strong predictor of increased risk of incident ischemic stroke among postmenopausal women, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Continue reading Walking speed and the risk of stroke
Standing balance deficits are common after stroke. One way to address these deficits is to provide feedback from a force platform while balance activities are performed. Continue reading Balance training after stroke
The National Stroke Association along with Bristol-Meyers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals sponsors the STARS program, which is designed to inform stoke patients how to reduce their risk for recurrent stroke.
There are 5 things to do. How many of them include at least some component of CAM? Continue reading STARS (Steps Against Recurrent Stroke)
People at high risk of heart disease or stroke who changed to the Traditional Mediterranean Diet (TMD) showed significant reductions in LDL (bad) cholesterol. Continue reading More benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet
Professor Ernst finds that “The value of reiki remains unproven.” Continue reading Is there a role for reiki in medicine?
The UC Berkeley Wellness Letter tells us, “There’s some evidence that tea drinking is associated with a reduced risk of heart attack. But it’s too soon to recommend tea as a way to prevent heart attacks.”
OK, but researchers from the UK have identified 2 possible protective mechanisms. The results are interesting because they go beyond simply stating that tea has “antioxidant” effects. Continue reading Focusing on how black tea might protect from heart disease and stroke
Acupuncture is not better than placebo, according to researchers at Aldermoor Health Centre in Southampton, UK. Continue reading Debating acupuncture’s benefits in stroke recovery
Physiotherapy (or physical therapy) is defined as the treatment of disease by physical exercise, massage, or other manipulative body-based methods — not drugs. Wikipedia has a good overview.
Cochrane has judged the evidence. Continue reading The value of physiotherapy following stroke
ttmed reports on the 2nd International Conference on Hypertension, Lipids, Diabetes and Stroke Prevention in Prague.
Here are the CAM highlights. Continue reading Meeting highlights