Cough is a major cause of doctor visits among children and adults. It can impact quality of life, cause anxiety, and affect sleep for parents and their children.
Here’s a Cochrane review of the evidence supporting the use of honey to treat acute cough in children. Continue reading Treating cough with honey
Researchers at Iowa State University’s Nutrition and Wellness Research Center in Ames determined whether the main compound in a flaxseed product, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, could lower cholesterol.
Here’s a preview of the results they will present during the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. Continue reading Flaxseed product fails to lower cholesterol in women
Despite recommendations that CAM be offered to medical students in Wales, little is offered.
Here’s what we know.
Continue reading Sad state of CAM education in Wales’ medical schools
Researchers from the State University of New York, at Binghamton studied the response to kiko (video here), to prevent headaches.
Here are the results of the first study of this Japanese practice of qigong that uses repetitive coordinated breathing and movement. Continue reading Kiko exercises to prevent migraine headache
Researchers in Georgia and Massachusetts measured the vitamin D status of black and white adolescents in the southeastern United States and the relationship with adiposity. Continue reading More evidence of vitamin D deficiency in adolescents
Researchers at RMIT University, in Victoria, Australia reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Review: Ear acupressure to treat allergic rhinitis
Most of patients with moderate-to-severe disease are in a constant catabolic state resulting in poor weight gain and growth failure.
Researchers at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, in New York City studied whether an exclusion diet combined with nutraceutical therapy could induce sustained remission of disease with weight gain, and enhance the ability for growth hormone to reverse growth failure. Continue reading Nutraceutical therapy to treat juvenile Crohn’s disease
Researchers from the Kuang Tien General Hospital, in Taiwan believe it’s an option.
And a reader agrees. Continue reading Acupuncture to treat carpal tunnel syndrome
Researchers from Catholic University in Washington, DC searched the literature for treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome.
33 published studies were reviewed. Continue reading Which treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?
The American Botanical Council (ABC) has published a 40-page review of an emerging new product and market category called “energy shots.” The report focuses on shots sold mainly in the United States and the United Kingdom. Continue reading Reviewing “energy shot” products
Hyperhomocysteinemia (high blood levels of homocysteine) increases the risk of blood vessel complications in people with diabetes. Supplementation with B vitamins (pyridoxine, folic acid, B12) reduces these levels.
Researchers in Canada report the results of the (Diabetic Intervention with Vitamins to Improve Nephropathy [DIVINe]) study, which was designed to determine whether B-vitamin therapy might slow progression of diabetic kidney disease and prevent vascular complications. Continue reading B vitamins to treat diabetic kidney disease?
Yohimbine (yo HIM bean) increases the amount of blood flowing into the penis and prevents blood from flowing out, resulting in an erection. It’s sold under many brand names.
Here’s a report on side effect reported to the California Poison Control System. Continue reading Increasing prevalence of side effects with yohimbine
It occurs in up to 20% of patients with cirrhosis of the liver and should be considered in anyone who develops difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
In 1992, researchers from the University of Florida published a report of a patient with hepatopulmonary syndrome who failed drug therapy, refused surgery, but improved while taking garlic supplements.
Here’s the latest study from the Medical College Calcutta, in India. Continue reading Growing evidence supports garlic to treat hepatopulmonary syndrome
It’s an exercise-based treatment developed at the University of Florida for swallowing disorders (dysphagia).
Results at that institution are reported here. Continue reading The McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program
Researchers from the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, in Daejeon, compared nicotine withdrawal symptoms (depression and anxiety) after acupuncture and sham acupuncture. Continue reading Republishing results with acupuncture on nicotine withdrawal symptoms
The FDA advises consumers not to purchase nor consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc. of Rosemead, California.
This product may contain hazardous levels of lead. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Vita Breath
National Pet Week is May 2-8.
Nurse Janet Eggiman reports a 10-year-old girl with post-traumatic stress disorder and a history of physical and sexual abuse. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) was used as part of a broader cognitive behavioral therapy, with a dramatic change in behavior.
Interesting, but of greater interest is the literature review of the history of AAT presented by Ms. Eggiman.
Writing on Medscape, Dr. Michael Compton reviewed the effects of marijuana. Continue reading Associations between cannabis and psychosis
Researchers at the University of Munich, in Germany, studied the immediate effects of different types of acupuncture on thermal, mechanical, and vibratory sensory thresholds. Continue reading Evidence of an analgesic response to acupuncture in healthy adults
During the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting, researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston reported their findings using a markedly higher dose than currently recommended. Continue reading Vitamin D lowers risk of complications during pregnancy