Many people believe it “increases the patients’ emotional distress.”
To the contrary, researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston report, “such conversations can actually lead to improved quality of life — both for patients and their loved ones.” Continue reading Discussing end-of-life issues with patients
Oh, Oh. They added belladonna.
FDA found that this homeopathic product contains inconsistent amounts of belladonna, and using it may pose a risk to children. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Hyland’s Teething Tablets
Falls prevention programs reduce the risk in older people. But are they cost-effective?
Researchers in the UK evaluated the fiscal benefits. Continue reading Cost-effectiveness: Falls prevention in high-risk elderly
Approximately 35% of people over 65 fall each year, with this figure rising to 50% in those aged 80 and over.
Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, reviewed the value of this strength and balance retraining program to reduce the risk of death and falls. Continue reading Review: Otago exercise program to reduce falls in the elderly
International experts recommend that pregnant women increase their DHA intakes.
But researchers at the Women’s and Children’s Health Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia, failed to identify benefits in the DOMInO (DHA to Optimize Mother Infant Outcome) study. Continue reading Lack of effect of omega-3 on maternal depression and baby’s intelligence
In gestational diabetes, women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Little is known about the effects of resistance exercise in this group of women. So, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, in Brazil, studied the effects. Continue reading Benefits of resistance exercise in women with gestational diabetes
Attorney General Eric Holder says the US Justice Department will no longer raid medical marijuana clubs. His declaration is a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Barack Obama, and marks a major shift from the previous administration.
In fact, there’s scant support for medical marijuana based on medical science. Here’s what’s been published in just the past 6 months. Continue reading Marijuana: Politics trumps reality
Medical News Today reports on this study in the journal, Psychological Science.
Apparently, “older people who spent at least 14 hours a week taking care of a disabled spouse lived longer than others” who spent less time or no time, according to researchers at the University of Michigan. Continue reading Beneficial health effects of care giving
More than half of oncologists think that yoga might be beneficial, but research is scant.
Now, researchers at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, in Minneapolis, take a first baby step to fill that void. Continue reading Yoga for pediatric oncology patients and their patients
Researchers from Sweden and India evaluated the effect of acupressure during the active phase of labor on nulliparous (first pregnancy) women’s ratings of labor pain. Continue reading Acupressure to reduce pain during labor
In November 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doubled the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for infants and children, from 200 IU/day (2003 recommendation) to 400 IU/day.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, Georgia assessed whether infants in the US are meeting these recommendations during their first year of life. Continue reading Infants not consuming adequate vitamin D
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Maryland reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Does vitamin D reduce the risk of falls in older adults?
The American Physical Therapy Association is urging older adults to take a moment to complete a room-by-room checklist to identify and repair possible fall hazards in their homes and begin an exercise plan to reduce chances of falling and risk of injury.
Let’s focus on the risks and consequences of falls among the elderly. Continue reading September 23rd is Falls Prevention Awareness Day
GeriPal is rethinking advanced care planning (ACP).
Rather than focusing on making prespecified decisions, ACP should help patients and their families make the best possible in-the-moment decisions. Continue reading Advanced care planning: Accounting for changing perspectives
It’s a rare condition in which urination occurs during laughing. Researchers from North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, in New York studied the value of biofeedback in a small group of children. Continue reading Treating giggle incontinence
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada studied the effects on cognitive function. Continue reading Benefits of balance and tone exercise in older women
Researchers at the University College London, in the UK, tell us, “Many infants admitted to [the] hospital undergo repeated invasive procedures. Oral sucrose is frequently given to relieve procedural pain in neonates on the basis of its effect on behavioral and physiological pain scores.”
Here are the results of their study that measured brain activity during an acute painful procedure. Continue reading Giving sugar to infants to control pain
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers at Tufts University, in Boston studied the effects of drinking wild blueberry juice in older adults with early memory changes. Continue reading Changes in memory afer drinking blueberry juice
Two published studies conclude it is not. Continue reading Is napping “bad” for nighttime sleep?
It’s a challenge.
In this Cochrane review, researchers at the Military Dental Centre in Seeb, Oman, reviewed the evidence for hypnosis (with or without sedation). Continue reading Hypnosis to help manage children in the dentist’s chair