Cranberry-containing products are a folk remedy to prevent UTIs.
Researchers in Taipei and Boston evaluated their value and factors influencing their effectiveness. Continue reading Cranberry-containing products to prevent urinary tract infections
Category Archives: Infection
Dog and cat exposure and the risk of respiratory symptoms and infections
Researchers in Finland and Germany studied the first year of life. Continue reading Dog and cat exposure and the risk of respiratory symptoms and infections
Everything you wanted to know about cranberry
Drs. Catherine Neto and Joe Vinson from the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and the University of Scranton, in Pennsylvania, contributed a chapter on cranberry in the textbook, Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition, 2011.
Most of the chapter is detailed biochemistry — their specialty. But, they also review the status of cranberry in cancer therapy and managing urinary tract infections.
Let’s focus on urinary tract infections. Continue reading Everything you wanted to know about cranberry
Consumer Alert: “Koff & Kold” and “Kold Sore”
The FDA tells us that Wholistic Herbs Inc. is recalling all of its “Koff & Kold” spray with herbal extract and “Kold Sore” spray with liquid sea mineral. Continue reading Consumer Alert: “Koff & Kold” and “Kold Sore”
Homeopathic vs conventional treatment of otitis media
Researchers at the Regional Research Institute of Homeopathy, Jin aipur (Rajasthan), India, studied patients with acute otitis media. Continue reading Homeopathic vs conventional treatment of otitis media
Caution when using a neti pot
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is warning residents about the dangers of the improper use of neti pots. Continue reading Caution when using a neti pot
The chiropractic table. Is it contaminiated?
Researchers at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, in Toronto, recorded the attitudes and behaviors of chiropractors regarding table disinfection. Continue reading The chiropractic table. Is it contaminiated?
Chewing gum to prevent otitis media
Acute otitis media is the most common bacterial infection among young children in the United States.
In this Cochrane review, the results of studies of xylitol to prevent acute otitis media in children up to 12 years old were evaluated. Continue reading Chewing gum to prevent otitis media
Review: Zinc to prevent respiratory tract infections
Zinc supplementation is a potential option to prevent acute lower respiratory infection, especially in developing countries.
Researchers at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland make sense of the discrepant research findings. Continue reading Review: Zinc to prevent respiratory tract infections
Another reason to stop smoking
Researchers at The Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, determined the effect of smoking in noncardiac surgical patients. Continue reading Another reason to stop smoking
Maggots help heal wounds in diabetic patients
Diabetic patients face lower limb amputation when lesion on the foot or leg don”t heal.
During the meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, reported the response to biosurgery using the sterile larvae of the green blow-fly (Lucilia sericata). Continue reading Maggots help heal wounds in diabetic patients
The science of vitamin D
NutraIngredients.com has a review. Continue reading The science of vitamin D
Probiotics improve a person’s health
This Cochrane Review assessed the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory infections (URTIs). Continue reading Probiotics improve a person’s health
Exercise lessens symptoms of the common cold
Researchers at Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina, studied the effects of physical activity and fitness levels on the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. Continue reading Exercise lessens symptoms of the common cold
Itraconazole vs homeopathy to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis
It’s a common vaginal infection caused by a yeast-like fungus.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna, in Austria compared treatment with itraconazole (Sporanox) to classic homeopathy. Continue reading Itraconazole vs homeopathy to treat vulvovaginal candidiasis
Cranberries vs antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection
Concern over the risk of resistance to antimicrobial agents has stimulated interest in cranberries to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Researchers in the Netherlands compared trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (Septra, Bactrim) to cranberry capsules. Continue reading Cranberries vs antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection
Cranberry juice to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Catheter-associated bacteriuria is the most common healthcare–associated infection worldwide. It’s due to the widespread use of urinary catheterization.
An Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America reviewed the evidence and made recommendations to minimize this risk. Here’s what they say about cranberry juice. Continue reading Cranberry juice to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Vitamin A and zinc to treat tuberculosis
Low blood levels of vitamin A and zinc are common in tuberculosis patients. But do patients benefit from supplementation during treatment?
Researchers at the University of the Western Cape, in Cape Town, South Africa, looked for changes in adults with sputum smear–positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Continue reading Vitamin A and zinc to treat tuberculosis
Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in low and middle income countries and can lead to many adverse health consequences, including death.
This Cochrane review evaluated the effect of vitamin A supplementation in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Continue reading Vitamin A supplements prevent morbidity and mortality in children
Treating mastitis with probiotics
Mastitis is an infection of breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of the breast. It’s a common infection during lactation.
Researchers at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, in Spain compared 2 lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk to antibiotic therapy of lactational mastitis. Continue reading Treating mastitis with probiotics