Another reason to stop smoking
Researchers at The Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, determined the effect of smoking in noncardiac surgical patients.
First study of music therapy in organ transplant patients
Organ transplant recipients experience high levels of anxiety, pain, and nausea. Researchers at the University of Minnesota, conducted the first...
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A systematic review of reflexology
Prof. Ernst has reviewed all the studies.
Massage after heart surgery
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, studied role of massage therapy following surgery.
Benefits of music on stress after surgery
Researchers at Orebro University Hospital, in Sweden, evaluated the effect of bed rest + music on the first day after...
Risk of cognitive decline in the elderly following surgery
It’s generally assumed that older adults may experience memory loss and other problems in cognition (reasoning) following surgery. Results from...
Smoking cessation lowers risk of complications after surgery
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, Sweden, studied whether a smoking cessation program, started during hospitalization, might reduce complications following...
Homeopathic A. montana + B. albain in aortic valve surgery
Arnica montana and other homoeopathic extracts have been used to control inflammation, swelling, and blood loss, with controversial result, say...
Benefits and limits of music during colonoscopy
Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, in Columbia reviewed 8 studies and came to different conclusions than...
Effect of electro-acupuncture on bowel dysfunction after abdominal surgery
The inability to take food by mouth, pass gas, and have a bowel movement is a common problem that usually...
Capsicum plaster to reduce pain after surgery
Capsicum plaster at classical Chinese acupoints is an alternative to acupuncture for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting, sore throat, and...
Chest physiotherapy after upper abdominal surgery
 Researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil evaluated the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy during the immediate postoperative period...
Auricular acupuncture to control pain after surgery
Prof. Ernst and colleagues report, “The evidence that auricular acupuncture reduces postoperative pain is promising. But is it compelling?
Active rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery
Cochrane review reports, “Exercise programs starting 4 to 6 weeks after the operation could lead to more rapid pain relief...
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...
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...
Onion extract gel for surgical scars
Dr. Zoe Draelos from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina reports on the use of onion...
Review of acupuncture for pain after surgery
Acupuncture around the time of surgery may reduce acute postoperative pain, according to this 2008 review by researchers at Duke...
Magnetic acupuncture for post-op nausea and vomiting
 This study assessed magnetic acupressure to prevent nausea and vomiting following ear-nose-throat (ENT) or gynecological surgeries. But should we apply...
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What not to take before surgery
OK, you’re scheduled for surgery, and you take herbals. Does your surgeon know what you take? Be smart. If you...