Here are highlights from the American Academy of Pain Medicine 23rd Annual Meeting
Sativex Oromucosal Spray Continue reading Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Monthly Archives: March 2007
AARP offers a free pedometer
The link is How might omega-3 improve mood?
Of course we don’t know for sure if it does improve mood, but just in case, Dr. Sarah Conklin from the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh has a possible mechanism.
She presented the results of this study during the American Psychosomatic Society’s Annual Meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
Using the telephone to complement psychotherapy for depression
An study in the April issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology concludes that when people receive brief telephone-based psychotherapy soon after starting antidepressant medication, strong positive effects may continue 18 months after their first session.
Continue reading Using the telephone to complement psychotherapy for depression
Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.
Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.
Continue reading Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
Omega-3 effects on mood, personality, and behavior
There’s growing interest in the relationship between fatty acids and variability in mood, behavior, and personality.
Here are the findings of a study conducted by researchers at the department of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh in the US.
Continue reading Omega-3 effects on mood, personality, and behavior
Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Dr. Sheila Wilhelm and two colleagues at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Detroit have published a review in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy on preventing nausea and vomiting following surgery (ie, postoperative nausea and vomiting; PONY).
It’s nice to see CAM options considered along with pharmacological options. Continue reading Considering CAM with other options to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
Fraudulent claims for diabetes treatments
The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are cracking down on the online sale of dietary supplements for diabetes that make fraudulent claims to help or cure diabetes.
There are 24 companies receiving warning letters for many more products, which are listed here.
Check it out.
10/23/06 JR 22:45
Chinese herbal medicine therapy for chemotherapy-induced toxicity
Patients with early-stage breast or colon cancer who required postoperative chemotherapy were eligible for the study.
Continue reading Chinese herbal medicine therapy for chemotherapy-induced toxicity
Pycnogenol reduces pain of endometriosis
Long-term treatment with French maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol) reduced symptoms of endometriosis, such as pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, in a study reported in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine.
Medscape has a summary.
Innovations and trends in weight loss and weight management
Two upcoming conferences in Germany and France will focus on ingredients, products, and trends in fighting obesity.
Slimming Germany has graciously permitted The C.A.M. Report to blog their meeting.
Continue reading Innovations and trends in weight loss and weight management
What to eat and not eat if you have inflammatory bowel disease
Dr. Richard MacDermott is head of the division of gastroenterology at Albany Medical College in New York. He has specialized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for 30 years and has an impressive resume.
Here are his dietary recommendations for people with IBS. My favorites are in italics.
Continue reading What to eat and not eat if you have inflammatory bowel disease
From Nobel laurate to QVC in less than 10 years
Dr. Ferid Murad (he’s the one on the right) won the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology.
In January 2007 he was selling his book, The Wellness Solution, on QVC, a home shopping television station.
Continue reading From Nobel laurate to QVC in less than 10 years
Another look at the effect of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes
Earlier studies on this topic suggested it’s necessary to drink 6 or 7 cups per day in order to lower the risk of diabetes.
Now, a study reports, “The amount of coffee consumption was not significantly predictive of incident diabetes.”
Continue reading Another look at the effect of coffee on the risk of type 2 diabetes
CAM from a biblical perspective
It claims to be “the most comprehensive, current, well-balanced, and trustworthy information available from both a scientific and a biblical perspective.”
Here’s the premise for Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, by Donal O’Mathuna and Walt Larimore, MD
Biofeedback helps defecation, again
This is the second study in 2 months to report a positive effect with biofeedback to treat pelvic floor dyssynergia-type constipation.
Duct tape and the pesky common wart
It’s pretty easy to find recommendations for duct tape to remove common warts.
But this study concludes there is “no statistically significant difference between duct tape and moleskin for the treatment of warts in an adult population.”
Huge study supports fiber as a way to lower breast cancer risk
In pre-menopausal women, total fiber intake protects against breast cancer.
In fact, according to this study, those with the greatest intake of fiber cut their risk of breast cancer in half.
Details here.
Continue reading Huge study supports fiber as a way to lower breast cancer risk
FDA recalls V-Max and Rhino Max
V-Max advertises itself as “a totally natural product containing herbal preparations scientifically proven to increase sexual performance and pleasure.”
Apparently, one of the “natural” ingredients is aminotadalafil, similar to tadalafil (Cialis), an FDA-approved drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Changes in spirituality and religiousness during treatment of heavy drinking
Here’s a study of the change in spirituality and religiousness among alcoholics during treatment and the associated changes in drinking outcomes.
Half of the 10 measures of spirituality changed significantly in 154 adults who participated in an Alcoholics Anonymous treatment program over 6 months.
Continue reading Changes in spirituality and religiousness during treatment of heavy drinking