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
Supervised vs home exercise to treat intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is a diagnosis for muscle pain (ache, cramp, numbness, or sense of fatigue) typically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise and is relieved by a short period of rest.
Researchers at Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, in Oklahoma City, compared home-based exercise to a supervised exercise program. Continue reading Supervised vs home exercise to treat intermittent claudication
Maca plant as a treatment for menopausal symptoms
Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a plant in the mustard family has been used in the Andes to manage anemia, infertility, and female hormone balance.
Researchers in South Korea and the UK reviewed the evidence for relieving symptoms of menopause. Continue reading Maca plant as a treatment for menopausal symptoms
Importance of vitamin D for bisphosphonate therapy
Several studies suggest that the response to bisphosphonates could in part be dependent on circulating blood levels of vitamin D.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College, in New York City, examined the association between blood levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and the response to bisphosphonate treatment. Continue reading Importance of vitamin D for bisphosphonate therapy
Another review of Pilates for low back pain
Researchers at Peninsula Medical School, in Exeter, UK reviewed all studies of Pilates vs placebo to treat low back pain. Continue reading Another review of Pilates for low back pain
Review: Yoga for arthritis
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Yoga for arthritis
Marijuana and the risk of motor vehicle accidents
It’s the most commonly detected nonalcoholic drug in drivers.
Researchers at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York City, reviewed the evidence for its role in causing crashes. Continue reading Marijuana and the risk of motor vehicle accidents
Vitamin E and an increased risk of prostate cancer
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) found no reduction in risk of prostate cancer with vitamin E supplements.
As a follow-up, researchers in the US determined the long-term effect of vitamin E and selenium in relatively healthy men. Continue reading Vitamin E and an increased risk of prostate cancer
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?
Failure of saw palmetto to reduce BPH symptoms
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) fruit extracts are used for treat lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Researchers in the Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urological Symptoms (CAMUS) Study Group report the response to increasing doses. Continue reading Failure of saw palmetto to reduce BPH symptoms
Benefits of tai chi in patients with kidney disease
Researchers at Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, in Hong Kong, China, studied patients with end-stage kidney disease — complete, or almost complete failure of the kidneys to function.
The hardest part is maintaining commitment. Continue reading Benefits of tai chi in patients with kidney disease
Further support for the cannabis/psychosis connection
Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center, in the Netherlands, studied the use of cannabis in adolescence and their risk for psychotic outcomes. Continue reading Further support for the cannabis/psychosis connection
Dietary supplements and the risk of death in older women
Dietary supplements are commonly taken to prevent chronic disease.
Researchers in Finland, Norway, and the Republic of Korea studied the long-term health consequences. Continue reading Dietary supplements and the risk of death in older women
Yogurt fortified with vitamin D to help control diabetes
Low blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] have been associated with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.
Researchers at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran studied the effects of vitamin D3 + calcium–fortified yogurt drink on blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Continue reading Yogurt fortified with vitamin D to help control diabetes
Effect of proton pump inhibitors on magnesium
FDA advises that prescription proton pump inhibitor drugs may cause low magnesium blood levels (hypomagnesemia) if taken, in most cases, longer than one year.
Proton pump inhibitors reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus. Continue reading Effect of proton pump inhibitors on magnesium
Review: CAM for arthritis
Prof. Ernst and colleague evaluated the evidence on CAM treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Continue reading Review: CAM for arthritis
Review: Acupuncture to treat pain
Prof. Ernst and a colleague reviewed previous Cochrane reviews. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to treat pain
TENS to treat latent myofascial trigger points
Myofascial trigger points may cause joint pain, headaches, and other kinds of pain so severe that it doesn’t respond well to painkillers.
Researchers at CEU-San Pablo University, in Madrid, Spain, assessed the response to burst application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Continue reading TENS to treat latent myofascial trigger points
TENS to treat trapezius muscle trigger points
The trapezius muscle contains trigger points (hyperirritable spots). Referred pain from these trigger points frequently cause patients to seek treatment.
Researchers at Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, in Bournemouth, UK, studied the immediate effect of electric point stimulation (TENS). Continue reading TENS to treat trapezius muscle trigger points