 Massage might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education, according to reviewers from Ontario and Brazil. Continue reading Massage for low back pain
Use of herbals in women undergoing IVF
In the absence of specific evidence, it’s probably safe to assume that women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are taking herbal medicines.
That’s my conclusion based on the results of this survey of women in an Irish infertility treatment center by researchers at BC Women’s Hospital, in Vancouver, Canada. Continue reading Use of herbals in women undergoing IVF
Benefits of yoga in asthmatic children
Researchers from the Chung Jen College of Nursing, in Taiwan report improved physical fitness of school-age children with asthma. Continue reading Benefits of yoga in asthmatic children
Is there a cranberry:beta-lactam interaction?
 Drinking cranberry juice is often recommended along with taking low-dose antibiotics to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection.
Researchers from the University of Washington, in Seattle evaluated the potential risk of an interaction between cranberry juice and the β-lactam antibiotics, amoxicillin (amoxicilline, Amoxil) and cefaclor (Ceclor) that might lower the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Continue reading Is there a cranberry:beta-lactam interaction?
Biofeedback: Constipation and fecal incontinence
 Researchers from the University Hospital, in Tübingen, Germany, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Biofeedback: Constipation and fecal incontinence
Effect of the Mediterranean diet on longevity
Here are the results from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) Diet and Health Study. Continue reading Effect of the Mediterranean diet on longevity
Omega-3 supplementation in autistic adults
Researchers from the University of Pavia in Italy report the results from a small study. Continue reading Omega-3 supplementation in autistic adults
A pharmacogenomic-CAM connection in diabetes
Dr. Andrew Levy from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa makes the case for a new pharmacogenomic blood test that can be used to identify diabetes patients at highest risk for cardiovascular disease.
Presently, medical costs of treating cardiovascular complications of diabetes are more than $100 billion per year in the US. Continue reading A pharmacogenomic-CAM connection in diabetes
Music-therapy for spinal anesthesia
Since pre-medication isn’t widely accepted in spinal anesthesia, researchers from Saitama Medical University, in Kawagoe, Japan studied the potential benefits of music therapy to control anxiety. Continue reading Music-therapy for spinal anesthesia
Chewing gum aids bowel motility after caesarean
 Researchers from Ain Shams University, in Cairo, Egypt report it’s safe, well tolerated, and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal motility and shorter hospital stay. Continue reading Chewing gum aids bowel motility after caesarean
Consumer Alert: Stamina-Rx
FDA is removing a product sold under the name Stamina-Rx off the market. Continue reading Consumer Alert: Stamina-Rx
Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
 Perhaps you’ve heard that a company called Cannabis Science Inc. has offered Homeland Security Administration (HSA) Secretary Janet Napolitano to produce 1 million doses of its whole-cannabis lozenge, and provide them to HSA for distribution at cost. Continue reading Cannabis to treat H1N1 swine flu symptoms?
Treating Meniere’s syndrome with acupuncture
Meniere’s syndrome damages the balance and hearing parts of the inner ear.
Researchers from the University of Leeds, in the UK reviewed the effects of acupuncture. Continue reading Treating Meniere’s syndrome with acupuncture
Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s disease?
 Acupuncture is often used as a treatment for dementia.
Prof. Ernst has reviewed the evidence for acupuncture to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s disease?
Influence of religion and spirituality on health
Researchers at the University of Chicago report, “patients are likely to encounter quite different opinions about the relationship between their religion and spirituality (R/S) and their health, depending on the religious characteristics of their physicians.”
This conclusion is based on survey responses from 2000 practicing US physicians from all specialties. Continue reading Influence of religion and spirituality on health
Does byakkokaninjinto interact with antibiotics?
 Researchers from Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, in Japan studied the potential for the Kampo medicine, byakkokaninjinto (aka BN), to alter the metabolism of 2 antibiotics (ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and tetracycline). Continue reading Does byakkokaninjinto interact with antibiotics?
Swiss patients rate their satisfaction with homeopathy
This study was part of a nationwide assessment of complementary medicine in Switzerland.
The main objective of this report was to rate patient satisfaction and perception of side effects in homeopathic compared to conventional primary care. Continue reading Swiss patients rate their satisfaction with homeopathy
Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
That’s the result from a survey of internal medicine residency programs in the US. Continue reading Medical residents don’t know dietary supplements
Might exercise benefit diabetics with fatty liver?
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland believe this is the first study of its kind.
The results were presented during the annual meeting of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Continue reading Might exercise benefit diabetics with fatty liver?
Lavender oil as a source of allergic antigens
 The results of this study by researchers at Göteborg University in Gothenburg, Sweden have important implications for people who use lavender oil as aromatherapy. Continue reading Lavender oil as a source of allergic antigens