Breathlessness (aka dyspnea) is difficult to manage in palliative care.
Researchers in the UK reviewed and ranked the most effective nonpharmacological strategies. Continue reading Nonpharmacological strategies for breathlessness
Prevalence of supplement and tea use among infants
Researchers in Ohio and Maryland describe the use of dietary botanical supplements and teas among infants. Continue reading Prevalence of supplement and tea use among infants
Benefits of Pilates in ankylosing spondylitis
Researchers at the University of Uludag, in Bursa, Turkey, investigated the effects of Pilates on pain, functional status, and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Continue reading Benefits of Pilates in ankylosing spondylitis
Behavioral weight-loss in patients with cardiovascular risk
Obesity and its cardiovascular complications are common medical problems, but evidence on accomplishing weight loss in clinical practice is sparse.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, examined the effects of two behavioral weight-loss interventions. Continue reading Behavioral weight-loss in patients with cardiovascular risk
Pomegranate juice improves cardiovascular risk factors
During the American Society of Nephrology Annual Meeting, researchers at Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya, Israel, reported that patients on hemodialysis who drank moderate amounts of pomegranate juice saw improvement in lipids, blood pressure, and the number of antihypertensive medications required. Continue reading Pomegranate juice improves cardiovascular risk factors
Review: CAM options to induce labor
Researchers at Monash University, in Victoria, Australia, examined the scientific evidence for the use of CAM to stimulate labor. Continue reading Review: CAM options to induce labor
B vitamins and the risk of dementia
Researchers at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, examined the effect of taking folic acid, vitamin B-12, and vitamin B-6 on cognitive change in women with cardiovascular disease or risk factors cardiovascular disease. Continue reading B vitamins and the risk of dementia
New view of the risks of sodium intake on health and disease
After more than 2 decades of warning us about the evils of too much salt in the diet, an international group of researchers looked for an association between estimated urinary sodium and potassium excretion (surrogates for intake) and cardiovascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Continue reading New view of the risks of sodium intake on health and disease
Predictors of a positive response to acupuncture for chronic pain
Researchers in Germany searched the records from almost 10,000 patients for predictors of a positive response. Continue reading Predictors of a positive response to acupuncture for chronic pain
Vitamin A and the risk of asthma
Animal research suggests that a vitamin A deficiency adversely affects lung development and promotes airway hyper-responsiveness, which may predispose to asthma.
Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, in Maryland, examined the long-term effects of vitamin A supplementation early in life on asthma risk. Continue reading Vitamin A and the risk of asthma
Acupuncture as a treatment for PMS
Acupuncture is often used in obstetrics and gynecology. But is it useful to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
Researchers at Kyung Hee University, in Seoul, Korea, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Acupuncture as a treatment for PMS
Review: CAM for treating Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Keith Wollen at Washington State University, in Port Angeles, has written a review of treatment options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM for treating Alzheimer’s disease
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Dr. John Russo, Jr. is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website. He was also chief-of-operations and director of continuing medical education at Churchill Communications North America.
Before entering the field of medical communications, Dr. Russo was associate professor of clinical pharmacy and adjunct associate professor of surgery at the University of Utah. Dr. Russo graduated from Rutgers University with a BS degree in pharmacy. He received a master of science degree in institutional pharmacy practice at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in New York, and a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Russo has written and edited hundreds of articles, symposium proceedings, and monographs, as well as edited several medical textbooks. The C.A.M. Report exists because there is a need to fill, and it is enjoyable to do.
Does music benefit patients on a respirator?
This Cochrane review examined the effects of music on anxiety and physiological responses in mechanically ventilated patients. Continue reading Does music benefit patients on a respirator?
Interaction between inhaled cannabinoid and opioids
Cannabinoids and opioids share several pharmacologic properties. They might act synergistically to manage pain, but the safety of the combination isn’t known.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, undertook a study to answer these questions. Continue reading Interaction between inhaled cannabinoid and opioids
Consumer Alert: FDA takes legal action against ATF Fitness Products Inc.
This is the first time FDA has taken legal action against a dietary supplement manufacturer (ATF Fitness Products) of this size for failure to comply with the dietary supplement current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations. Continue reading Consumer Alert: FDA takes legal action against ATF Fitness Products Inc.
Need to go to the emergency department? Call ahead.
Due to emergency care overcrowding, it’s necessary to provide the best care in a timely manor.
Researchers at Sophia Children’s Hospital, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, attempted to validate a computer-based Netherlands Triage System developed for physical triage at emergency departments and telephone triage at general practitioner cooperatives. Continue reading Need to go to the emergency department? Call ahead.
The association between vitamin D and hyperglycemia in older people
This relationship is potentially of high public health importance because of the adverse effect of both on well-being.
Researchers at the Royal Free and University College, London Medical School, in the UK, investigated the association. Continue reading The association between vitamin D and hyperglycemia in older people
No benefit from milk thistle to treat hepatitis C
The botanical extract silymarin (milk thistle,) has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and is used by patients with chronic liver disease.
Researchers throughout the U.S. collaborated to evaluate the response to high doses of silymarin taken by mouth on disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The results were presented during the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases November Annual Meeting. Continue reading No benefit from milk thistle to treat hepatitis C
Re-assessing the sodium-heart disease connection
Almost everyone knows that moderation of salt intake might reduce cardiovascular events. Right?
Researchers in Europe studied whether 24-hour urinary sodium excretion predicts blood pressure and health outcomes. Continue reading Re-assessing the sodium-heart disease connection