Dr. Keith Wollen at Washington State University, in Port Angeles, has written a review of treatment options.
Let’s focus on CAM. Continue reading Review: CAM for treating Alzheimer’s disease
Monthly Archives: November 2011
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Dr. John Russo, Jr. is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website. He was also chief-of-operations and director of continuing medical education at Churchill Communications North America.
Before entering the field of medical communications, Dr. Russo was associate professor of clinical pharmacy and adjunct associate professor of surgery at the University of Utah. Dr. Russo graduated from Rutgers University with a BS degree in pharmacy. He received a master of science degree in institutional pharmacy practice at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions in New York, and a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Dr. Russo has written and edited hundreds of articles, symposium proceedings, and monographs, as well as edited several medical textbooks. The C.A.M. Report exists because there is a need to fill, and it is enjoyable to do.
Does music benefit patients on a respirator?
This Cochrane review examined the effects of music on anxiety and physiological responses in mechanically ventilated patients. Continue reading Does music benefit patients on a respirator?
Interaction between inhaled cannabinoid and opioids
Cannabinoids and opioids share several pharmacologic properties. They might act synergistically to manage pain, but the safety of the combination isn’t known.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, undertook a study to answer these questions. Continue reading Interaction between inhaled cannabinoid and opioids
Consumer Alert: FDA takes legal action against ATF Fitness Products Inc.
This is the first time FDA has taken legal action against a dietary supplement manufacturer (ATF Fitness Products) of this size for failure to comply with the dietary supplement current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations. Continue reading Consumer Alert: FDA takes legal action against ATF Fitness Products Inc.
Need to go to the emergency department? Call ahead.
Due to emergency care overcrowding, it’s necessary to provide the best care in a timely manor.
Researchers at Sophia Children’s Hospital, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, attempted to validate a computer-based Netherlands Triage System developed for physical triage at emergency departments and telephone triage at general practitioner cooperatives. Continue reading Need to go to the emergency department? Call ahead.
The association between vitamin D and hyperglycemia in older people
This relationship is potentially of high public health importance because of the adverse effect of both on well-being.
Researchers at the Royal Free and University College, London Medical School, in the UK, investigated the association. Continue reading The association between vitamin D and hyperglycemia in older people
No benefit from milk thistle to treat hepatitis C
The botanical extract silymarin (milk thistle,) has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and is used by patients with chronic liver disease.
Researchers throughout the U.S. collaborated to evaluate the response to high doses of silymarin taken by mouth on disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The results were presented during the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases November Annual Meeting. Continue reading No benefit from milk thistle to treat hepatitis C
Re-assessing the sodium-heart disease connection
Almost everyone knows that moderation of salt intake might reduce cardiovascular events. Right?
Researchers in Europe studied whether 24-hour urinary sodium excretion predicts blood pressure and health outcomes. Continue reading Re-assessing the sodium-heart disease connection
Telephone-delivered CBT and exercise to treat chronic widespread pain
Researchers at the University of Manchester, in the UK, studied the clinical impact of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exercise alone vs both for patients with chronic widespread pain. Continue reading Telephone-delivered CBT and exercise to treat chronic widespread pain
Comparing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
In the past few years this weblog has published dozens of entries on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Therefore, it’s a good time to define and distinguish between these psychological treatment options.
Continue reading Comparing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
Stroke as an opportunity for the chiropractic profession
Dr. Donald Murphy is Clinical Director of the Rhode Island Spine Center and a member of the Clinical Faculty at Brown University School of Medicine and the Postgraduate Faculty of 4 chiropractic schools.
Here’s his perspective on cervical manipulation, stroke, and what does it mean for the chiropractic profession. Continue reading Stroke as an opportunity for the chiropractic profession
Cannabis and the genetic vulnerability for depression
Evidence for the association between cannabis and depression is inconsistent.
Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen, in The Netherlands, evaluated the potential influence of a person’s genetics on the cannabis/depression risk. Continue reading Cannabis and the genetic vulnerability for depression
Acupuncture to prevent dry mouth after radiation therapy
Xerostomia (dry mouth) after head/neck radiation is a common problem among cancer patients, and available treatments are of little benefit.
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center determined whether acupuncture can prevent xerostomia among head/neck patients undergoing radiotherapy. Continue reading Acupuncture to prevent dry mouth after radiation therapy
Safety of acupuncture in children
Researchers at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, reviewed the adverse events associated with needle acupuncture in children. Continue reading Safety of acupuncture in children
E-cigs from a public health perspective
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have experienced rapid growth in popularity, but little is known about how they are used.
Researchers at the Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, in Hershey, surveyed the pattern of e-cig use and their impact on tobacco use. Continue reading E-cigs from a public health perspective
Vitamin D and high blood pressure in African-Americans
Higher prevalence of hypertension among African Americans is a key cause of racial disparity in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Researchers in New York and California assessed the contribution of vitamin D to racial disparity in blood pressure. Continue reading Vitamin D and high blood pressure in African-Americans
Sodium effects on blood pressure
Just how effective is a low sodium diet to treat high blood pressure?
This Cochrane review presents the evidence. Continue reading Sodium effects on blood pressure
Marijuana and brain volume changes in people at high risk of schizophrenia
Researchers at Royal Edinburgh Hospital, in the UK are the first to follow patients over 2 years. Continue reading Marijuana and brain volume changes in people at high risk of schizophrenia
Reviewing the reviews of tai chi
Prof. Ernst and a colleague critically evaluated the systematic reviews of tai chi for any improvement of medical conditions or clinical symptoms. Continue reading Reviewing the reviews of tai chi