This is relevant because of the importance of animal-assisted therapy, and because I love little kittens and puppies.
Category Archives: THINGS THAT DON’T FIT ABOVE
More evidence of interest in CAM among medical students
In this survey, most medical students expressed an interest in learning more about CAM in order to make informed recommendations to their patients.
Continue reading More evidence of interest in CAM among medical students
Marijuana: A life-saving medication?
Did you hear the story about Angel Raich who wants to take marijuana every few hours, under her doctor’s advice, to control pain and give her an appetite? Her doctor claims without it she would “starve to death.”
I think she needs a second opinion.
Cell phones don’t affect hospital equipment
Spending more than a day without Internet or cell phone access stresses me out. Therefore, I see it as complementary antianxiety therapy.
Last year, I spent 3 days being checked out in my local hospital. I complained about the lack of a cell to no avail.
Now, we have evidence from an impeccable source that debunks this silly rule.
Continue reading Cell phones don’t affect hospital equipment
The importance of choice in healthcare
Researchers at Osher Institute at Harvard investigated the effectiveness and cost-of-care based on patients’ choice of acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy compared with usual care to treat acute low back pain.
Update on an FDA warning about “natural alternatives” to treat impotence
Last year, the FDA warned consumers not to buy or use 7 supplements that were sold online to treat impotence and enhance sexual performance.
All but one are still marketed either by the same name or a different name. So, I’ve restated the warning with an update on the new names.
- Zimaxx contains sildenafil (Viagra): Now called Zimaxx 2000.
The rest contain vardenafil, the active ingredient in Levitra, another prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence.
- Libidus: Now called Maxidus
- Neophase: Continues to be sold by that name
- Nasutra: Now called Kama Sutra Rx
- Vigor-25: Now called Rize 2
- Actra-Rx: Now called Actra-Sx
- 4Everon: Doesn’t appear to be sold anymore
You can’t be sure that the “new” products eliminated the Viagra or Levitra from their formualtions.
The problem is that consumers may not know that these ingredients can interact with medications and dangerously lower their blood pressure.
7/13/06 10:25 JR Updated 3/6/07 00:22 JR
Where does an agoraphobic go for treatment of panic disorder?
Despite effective treatment, people with panic disorder complicated by agoraphobia often find it prohibitively difficult to seek treatment, according to Dr. Claudio Soares in a Journal Watch article.
What to do?
Continue reading Where does an agoraphobic go for treatment of panic disorder?
Collaborative healthcare in Italy
In a previous Consumer alert: FDA recalls Liviro3
Liviro3 is a dietary supplement produced by Ebek, Inc.
If you use it, stop now and read this. Report headaches and flushing to your doctor.
Medical students support CAM
Medical students have a long-standing interest in learning more about CAM.
Here’s what they think at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC.
History of cannabis in medicine
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria has an exhaustive review.
I summarize it here.
The use of CAM by people with asthma
During the most recent meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians Dr. Paul Blanc from the University of California at San Francisco reported that half of all people with asthma use CAM.
Here are the highlights from Medscape.
Acupuncture and TCM now regulated in Ontario
Last year, legislation was submitted in Ontario, Canada that would regulate acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in that province.
The deed is done.
Continue reading Acupuncture and TCM now regulated in Ontario
Recall of Natural Tan Tan Tofu Panda Flavor Soybean Juice
The product is sold only in California. It comes in an opaque plastic container with no lot number or expiration date.
Continue reading Recall of Natural Tan Tan Tofu Panda Flavor Soybean Juice
Re-evaluating homeopathic research
Dr. Lex Rutten is project leader of the LR- (likelihood ratio) project sponsored by the Dutch Association of Homeopathic Physicians.
Here’s what he says about research in homeopathy today. Continue reading Re-evaluating homeopathic research
Review: The German Commission E Monographs
Under German drug laws, there is a separate drug registration category for herbal medicines — also known as phytomedicines. In the United States, the very same herbs are regulated as “dietary supplements.”
Therefore, in the absence of regulatory oversight by any U.S. agency (as discussed in a previous post), we turn to Germany for guidance.
The winner in CAM for 2006
Winner: If you can stick a pin in it, researchers are eager to study acupuncture.
Worried about global warming?
Here’s a list of research designed to allow grains to offset the effects of global warming. Thanks to genetic engineering, some are in development, while others are already being used.
Al Gore, take note.
Continue reading Worried about global warming?
Yoga for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome
According to these study results, yoga complements the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBD).
Continue reading Yoga for adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome
Libertarian perspectives on anti-trans fat legislation
Last week, New York City became the first city in the US to ban trans fats.
Good news? Here are some other points of view.
Continue reading Libertarian perspectives on anti-trans fat legislation