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

Archive for the 'Ulcers' Category

Consumer alert: Reumofan Plus

Monday, June 4th, 2012

FDA is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as a natural dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the label that could be harmful.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Electromagnetic therapy for venous leg ulcers

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

In this Cochrane review, researchers at the University of Malaya, in Kuala Lumpur, reviewed this common, chronic, recurring condition, which has a prevalence in the UK of 1.5 to 3 per 1000 and is estimated to cost the NHS £400m ($720m; €600m) a year. (more…)

Are maggots cost-effect for leg ulcers?

Saturday, January 8th, 2011

No, according to researchers in the UK who conducted the VenUS II study.

But should that be the ultimate measure of its value in patients with venous ulcers? (more…)

What’s zinc good for?

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Dr. Désirée Lie from the University of California at Irvine Medical Center has reviewed the literature.

She presents case histories and guidelines for its use. Here are the highlights. (more…)

Herbal alternative to control intestinal spasm

Monday, December 8th, 2008

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer.

Researchers from Chiba University in Japan used shakuyaku-kanzo-to (TJ-68) to suppress spasms of the small intestine during ERCP procedures. (more…)

Honey to treat wounds

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

 In some cases, it might speed healing, according to this review from The Cochrane Library. (more…)

Adding yogurt to H pylori treatment

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

 Helicobacter pylori are bacteria that cause chronic low-level inflammation of the stomach lining and are linked to the development of duodenal and gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.

Researchers from the College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea added a probiotic-containing yogurt to usual therapy. (more…)

The poor record of CAM to treat H. pylori bacteria

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

It’s unclear whether killing the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori improves symptoms in patients with dyspepsia (ie, stomach pain with fullness, bloating, or nausea). But there is benefit in people with ulcers.

Here’s a review from American Family Physician that recommends that all of us with dyspepsia be tested and treated if H. pylori is found. Recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology are here.

Is there a role for CAM?

(more…)

A complementary role for acupuncture in heartburn

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

Adding acupuncture is more effective than doubling the proton pump inhibitor drug (PPI) dose in controlling gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms in patients who failed standard-dose PPI. (more…)

Alternative therapies in patients with osteoarthritis

Monday, May 12th, 2008

Here’s a sobering account of the effect of alternative therapies on the quality of life and healthcare spending of Chinese patients with osteoarthritis (OA). (more…)

Preventing pressure ulcers

Sunday, March 2nd, 2008

They occur when the skin breaks down after staying in one position for too long. Constant pressure against the skin reduces the blood supply and the tissue dies.

It’s a problem for people in a wheelchair or bedridden. (more…)

Probiotics and lactoferrin improve treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer

Friday, June 1st, 2007

In about 25% of people, the usual triple drug therapy fails to kill the bacteria Helicobacter pylori — the cause of the inflamed stomach and ulcer.

In this study, triple drug therapy was complemented by a probiotic capsule (Probinul) and lactoferrin. (more…)

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): Where’s the data?

Sunday, April 29th, 2007

Dr. Cathy Wong is a licensed naturopath and certified nutritionist. She writes an upbeat column on the About website.

In one article she discusses Althaea for cough and sore throat, ulcers, and irritated skin. (more…)

Zinc carnosine stimulates repair of intestinal damage

Friday, March 2nd, 2007

Indomethacin (Indocin) can cause serious intestinal side effects including inflammation, bleeding, and ulcers. So, if you’re going to test the value of a supplement that claims to protect the intestines, what better than to see if it protects against indomethacin side effects.

Here are the details.

(more…)

Trying to treat stomach infections with probiotics

Wednesday, January 17th, 2007

Helicobacter pylori is a common infection of the stomach. Although most people have no symptoms, it’s related to the development of ulcers and is probably related to cancers involving the stomach.

Currently, H pylori infection is treated with a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics — called triple therapy. Adding a probiotic food to triple therapy does not appear to help eliminate this bacteria in children.

(more…)

Pycnogenol treatment of venous insufficiency

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

In the past year, several studies on this topic have appeared. The results are positive.

So, let’s review.
(more…)

Improvement in diabetic ulcers with pycnogenol

Sunday, November 5th, 2006

One of the major complications of diabetes mellitus is the change in small blood vessels called microangiopathy. It’s associated with kidney failure and blindness, as well as other conditions such as diabetic ulcers.

Here are the results of a study of pycnogenol in people with diabetic ulcers.

(more…)

The benefits of weight control in type 2 diabetes

Wednesday, September 6th, 2006

An algorithm for treating type 2 diabetes appears in Diabetes Care this month. Here’s a summary of the impressive effects of weight control ? if you can maintain it over the long-term.

Benefits of weight loss.

(more…)

High-strength hydrogen peroxide. Be careful

Thursday, August 3rd, 2006

It’s possible to purchase 35% hydrogen peroxide over the Internet and use it to treat AIDS, cancer, emphysema, and other serious and life-threatening diseases. But is it a good idea?

(more…)