Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina of the eye) is a complication of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness.
During the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, researchers at Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia, reported a significant relationship. Continue reading Low vitamin D and the risk of diabetic retinopathy
Researchers from the Medical University Vienna, in Austria report that phytoestrogens are generally safe. Continue reading Safety of phytoestrogens reviewed
Researchers at Case Western Reserve, University School of Medicine, in Cleveland, Ohio, studied the effect of music therapy on pain, anxiety, and muscle tension levels during dressing changes in burn patients. Continue reading Music therapy to aid burn dressing changes
Researchers from the University of Helsinki in Finland report that “everyday music listening during early stroke recovery offers a valuable addition to the patients’ care, especially if other active forms of rehabilitation are not yet feasible at this stage.
Music can be an individually targeted, easy-to-conduct, and inexpensive way to facilitate cognitive (reasoning) and emotional recovery. Continue reading Music helps recover from stroke
In this Cochrane review, the effects of manipulation and mobilization alone or combined with other treatment approaches on neck pain were evaluated. Continue reading Review: Manipulation vs mobilization to treat neck pain
Many people believe it “increases the patients’ emotional distress.”
To the contrary, researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston report, “such conversations can actually lead to improved quality of life — both for patients and their loved ones.” Continue reading Discussing end-of-life issues with patients
This review of balneotherapy comes from the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS), in Athens, Greece. Continue reading Balneotherapy: 2 reviews of the evidence
“Active” commuting (walking or biking) has many benefits, as reported in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Continue reading Benefits of walking or biking to work
Maryland’s largest city has handed out its first citation for repeat violations of its trans fat ban.
An eatery called Healthy Choice, on Lexington Street was hit with the $100 fine. “It was the second time they were found using a high trans fat level in their ingredients.” Continue reading Negative consequences of using trans fats in Baltimore
Testing by the MHRA (Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) found that these supposedly natural products contain an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient called sibutramine (Meridia). Continue reading Consumer Alert: Payouji tea and Pai You Guo Slim Capsules
Oh, Oh. They added belladonna.
FDA found that this homeopathic product contains inconsistent amounts of belladonna, and using it may pose a risk to children. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Hyland’s Teething Tablets
Men increasingly use herbal remedies to treat bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Yet, study results with these products are inconsistent.
Researchers from Princess Margaret Hospital, in Toronto, Ontario think it might be due to contamination of these products Continue reading Searching for contamination in herbals used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia
Falls prevention programs reduce the risk in older people. But are they cost-effective?
Researchers in the UK evaluated the fiscal benefits. Continue reading Cost-effectiveness: Falls prevention in high-risk elderly
Approximately 35% of people over 65 fall each year, with this figure rising to 50% in those aged 80 and over.
Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, reviewed the value of this strength and balance retraining program to reduce the risk of death and falls. Continue reading Review: Otago exercise program to reduce falls in the elderly
Surprisingly, only about 15% of Americans use sugar substitutes.
What might be the public health issues associated with recommending a switch from sugar to artificial sweeteners? Continue reading Benefits and potential risks of artificial sweeteners
International experts recommend that pregnant women increase their DHA intakes.
But researchers at the Women’s and Children’s Health Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia, failed to identify benefits in the DOMInO (DHA to Optimize Mother Infant Outcome) study. Continue reading Lack of effect of omega-3 on maternal depression and baby’s intelligence
In gestational diabetes, women without previously diagnosed diabetes exhibit high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
Little is known about the effects of resistance exercise in this group of women. So, researchers at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, in Brazil, studied the effects. Continue reading Benefits of resistance exercise in women with gestational diabetes
Prof. Ernst and colleagues reviewed the evidence and found it insufficient. Continue reading An Ernst review: Qigong for diabetes
Researchers from Japan and Australia investigated the relationship between soy consumption and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms. Continue reading Association between soy and COPD
During the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), researchers at the AISM Rehabilitation Center in Genoa, Italy, compared Wii to a traditional rehabilitation program in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Continue reading Effects of the Wii Balance Board in patients with multiple sclerosis