A couple of years ago Prof. Ernst evaluated the risk of bias in studies of acupuncture that use the A + B versus B study design. Continue reading CAM Archive: Flawed study designs in acupuncture
Category Archives: THINGS THAT DON’T FIT ABOVE
CAM: It might be “natural,” but is it safe?
Not always, according to this report from the Royal Children’s Hospital, in Melbourne, Australia. Continue reading CAM: It might be “natural,” but is it safe?
Chewing gum to prevent otitis media
Acute otitis media is the most common bacterial infection among young children in the United States.
In this Cochrane review, the results of studies of xylitol to prevent acute otitis media in children up to 12 years old were evaluated. Continue reading Chewing gum to prevent otitis media
Failed policy: Banning sugar-sweetened drinks in schools
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago determined the effect of state policies that regulate beverages among adolescents. Continue reading Failed policy: Banning sugar-sweetened drinks in schools
Failure of a written action plan for children with asthma
Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program stipulate that self-management for asthma should include a written action plan.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in Seattle, measured the association between a written action plan and asthma outcomes in inner-city children. Continue reading Failure of a written action plan for children with asthma
CAM use by Americans
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston conducted a review of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey of non-institutionalized US residents conducted by the National Center of Health Statistics of the Center for Disease Control. Continue reading CAM use by Americans
Side effects from herbals used as laxatives
Researchers at the University of Rome, in Italy, report on adverse reactions associated with herbal laxatives reported to the Italian Medicines Agency and the Italian National Institute of Health over 9 years. Continue reading Side effects from herbals used as laxatives
Increasing the legal age for tanning
Medical New Today reports that the youngest legal age for using tanning beds has gone up from 14 to 18 years in California now that Governor Jerry Brown signed a new bill into law. Continue reading Increasing the legal age for tanning
Using the Internet to treat migraine
The value of the Internet has been demonstrated for behavioral treatment of headache disorders, but not specifically for migraine.
In this study, researchers at the University of Gavle, in Sweden, developed and evaluated Internet-based behavior treatment. Continue reading Using the Internet to treat migraine
Final word on the statin-grapefruit juice interaction?
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, in Boston, are the first to evaluate changes in the cholesterol-lowering effects of atorvastatin (Lipitor) in patients with high cholesterol taking stable doses atorvastatin while drinking typical quantities of grapefruit juice. Continue reading Final word on the statin-grapefruit juice interaction?
Risky business: Tanning salons
Everyone knows, or should know, that exposure to UV radiation — from the sun or artificial sources such as sunlamps in tanning beds — increases the risk of developing skin cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Here are other risks to consider. Continue reading Risky business: Tanning salons
Cost effective Transcendental Meditation
Dr. Robert Herron, an independent researcher, and director of the Center for Health Systems Analysis in Quebec, Canada, retrospectively assessed government payments to physicians for treating the TM and no-treatment (NT) groups. Continue reading Cost effective Transcendental Meditation
Risk of drug interactions with dietary supplements
Researchers in the US reviewed the incidence and severity of potential interactions between prescription medicine and dietary supplements. Continue reading Risk of drug interactions with dietary supplements
Grapefruit interaction with tolvaptan
Tolvaptan (Samsca) is used to treat hyponatremia — too little sodium in the blood.
Patients with heart failure, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) may have hyponatremia. Continue reading Grapefruit interaction with tolvaptan
Marijuana interaction with warfarin reported
Researchers from the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center, in Wyoming report that when taken together, 1 patient experienced bleeding from the blood “thinner” warfarin (Coumadin). Continue reading Marijuana interaction with warfarin reported
Limited value of herbals to lower blood pressure
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in New York, reviewed non-drug treatments.
Let’s focus on herbals. Continue reading Limited value of herbals to lower blood pressure
The biggest problem with St. John’s wort
It’s one of the most popular herbal supplements for treating depression. Dr. Perry Halushka from the Medical University of South Carolina has reviewed the scientific literature, including the many drug interactions associated with its use.
But the biggest problem is the lack of standardization and reliability of the contents of commercially available brands of St. John’s wort.
Continue reading The biggest problem with St. John’s wort
Do CAM users feel healthier?
CAM is used by about 4 of 10 adults in the US; but little is known about the association between CAM use and health status.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, surveyed people about the relationship between their CAM use and perceived health status. Continue reading Do CAM users feel healthier?
Why do some people insist on tanning?
People who say they’re addicted to tanning act like alcoholics and drug addicts.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, think they know why. Continue reading Why do some people insist on tanning?
Herbal supplements: Caveat Emptor
Researchers at the University of Leeds, in Woodhouse, evaluated written information provided with commonly used herbal products in the UK in advance of a European Union Directive that tightens regulations for some herbal products, including requirements to provide safety information. Continue reading Herbal supplements: Caveat Emptor