Researchers in Spain and Sweden measured the response to the effects of 4 month of tai chi in men with fibromyalgia. Continue reading Fibromyalgia after 4 months of tai chi
Effects of aerobic exercise on cannabis craving
Researchers at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, studied non-treatment seeking cannabis-dependent adults. Continue reading Effects of aerobic exercise on cannabis craving
Lowering drug blood levels with grapefruit juice: When’s it significant?
Ask about the grapefruit/drug interaction and most people think of the increased blood levels of statins when grapefruit is eaten before taking a dose.
Now, Dr. David Bailey at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, has reviewed fruit juice interactions that result in lower drug blood levels. Continue reading Lowering drug blood levels with grapefruit juice: When’s it significant?
Benefits of a bulb syringe to remove earwax
Self-irrigation using a bulb syringe is routine care in United Kingdom family practice clinics.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, in the UK, studied the impact of this procedure on healthcare costs. Continue reading Benefits of a bulb syringe to remove earwax
Use of CAM by people with cancer
Researchers at the University of Birmingham, in the UK, investigated the prevalence of herbal medicine use among cancer patients in the West Midlands — a metropolitan county in western central England. Continue reading Use of CAM by people with cancer
Facial exercise therapy for facial palsy
The effectiveness of facial exercise therapy for facial palsy has been debated.
Researchers at Universidade Estadual de Londrina-UEM, in Brazil, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Facial exercise therapy for facial palsy
The risk of contact allergy to essential oils
They’re used in perfumes and in products for aromatherapy or balneotherapy. Previous studies have shown some to be important contact sensitizers.
Researchers at the University of Erlangen/Nürnberg, in Germany, reviewed the records of more than 15,000 patients in order to estimate the risk. Continue reading The risk of contact allergy to essential oils
Vitamin D improves the response to steriods in asthmatics
Patients with asthma experience a variable response to inhaled corticosteroids.
Researchers from National Jewish Health, in Denver, Colorado studied the effect of vitamin D levels on this response. Continue reading Vitamin D improves the response to steriods in asthmatics
The bottom line on calcium supplements
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have written a succinct review.
Let’s cut to the chase. Continue reading The bottom line on calcium supplements
Survival with alternative therapy for breast cancer
Some breast cancer patients reject standard treatment, but data on outcomes for those choosing CAM as primary treatment are lacking.
Researchers at the Legacy Health System, Cancer Services, in Portland, Oregon, estimated 10-year survival statistics. Continue reading Survival with alternative therapy for breast cancer
Benefits of integrative care for advanced breast cancer
The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, in Evanston, Illinois has reported its survival data in patients who received a comprehensive clinical program combining conventional treatments with nutrition and supplementation, fitness, and mind-spirit instruction. Continue reading Benefits of integrative care for advanced breast cancer
Review: Qigong for healthcare
Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Qigong for healthcare
World’s first clinical trial
The website called Common Ground has an article about the Canadian healthcare system, CAM, and the Body Heals Conference, which will take place later this month.
As an intro, author Alan Cassels tells about the first clinical trial.
Continue reading World’s first clinical trial
Do we overhype drug-supplement interactions?
Real and hypothetical concerns exist.
Dr. Mark Moyad (photo), who is Director of Preventive and Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, puts it into perspective. Continue reading Do we overhype drug-supplement interactions?
Cost-effectiveness of lifestyle changes in diabetes patients
Lifestyle changes may reduce cardiovascular risk and the risk of diabetes mellitus.
Researchers at Umea University in Sweden studied the long term cost-effectiveness of a lifestyle educational program. Continue reading Cost-effectiveness of lifestyle changes in diabetes patients
Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
Uremic pruritus is characterized by continuous scratching, with lesions and superimposed infections. It’s a frustrating, common, and potentially disabling complication in patients treated with kidney dialysis.
Prof. Ernst reviewed the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating uremic pruritus in patients with end-stage renal disease. Continue reading Review: Acupuncture to control itch in dialysis patients
CAM for pediatric allergic disorders
Dr. Xiu-Min Lee (photo) is Director of Mount Sinai’s Center for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and Asthma, in New York.
She has reviewed the evidence and believes that traditional Chinese medicine can help treat food allergies and asthma. Continue reading CAM for pediatric allergic disorders
Lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic drug treatment in India
Using herbal/Ayurvedic medicine may lead to plumbism as heavy metals are often incorporated in such medications with the belief that the metals have medicinal properties.
Researchers at Maulana Azad Medical College, in Delhi, India, report the experience of 1 patient. Continue reading Lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic drug treatment in India
Latest report on coffee and the risk of stroke
Coffee consumption has been inconsistently associated with stroke incidence and mortality.
Researchers in Sweden and Finland investigated the association between coffee consumption and stroke incidence in women. Continue reading Latest report on coffee and the risk of stroke
Improving balance in fibromyalgia using whole-body vibration
Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a treatment where a patient stands on a platform that oscillates at a particular frequency and amplitude, causing muscle contractions through stimulation of sensory receptors.
These devices are available over the Internet and generally viewed as a fad.
Researchers at the University of Extremadura, in Caceres, Spain, studied the effects of WBV on dynamic balance (balance while moving) in women with fibromyalgia. Continue reading Improving balance in fibromyalgia using whole-body vibration