Previous Medical News
2009/08/15
1. Aspirin shows promise for colon cancer patients (Journal of the American Medical Association, 8/12/09)
Numerous studies have suggested that regular aspirin use may help lower the risk of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Now, a study published the Journal of the American Medical Association is among the first to link aspirin use and colon cancer survival. Colon cancer patients who took aspirin reduced their risk of death from the disease by nearly 30 percent.
2. Scientists find rare gene behind short sleepers: Gene Cuts Need for Sleep (Science, 8/14/09)
Scientists have discovered a rare mutation in a gene called DEC2. People with this mutation need less sleep. This is the first time a gene has been found in humans that critically and dramatically controls sleep.
3. Significant Improvements for Cancer-Stricken Boy Who Resisted Chemo (New Ulm, Minn., 8/13/09)
A 13-year-old cancer patient who fled the state with his mother rather than face chemotherapy is now well enough to work on the family farm and jump on his trampoline. Daniel Hauser, who has Hodgkin's lymphoma, started chemotherapy treatments in May. He has finished six partial rounds of chemo, and has two treatments more left. His tumor is just about gone. He should be done with all of the chemo by the middle of September. The family attributes most of Daniel's success to alternative treatments such as the supplements and acupressure that Daniel used in preparation for chemotherapy, but the parents do give a little credit to chemotherapy.
4. Breast-Feeding Linked to Lower Cancer Risk (Archives of Internal Medicine, 8/09)
Breast feeding is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer among a group of younger women who are at particularly high risk: those with breast cancer in the family.
5. 8 cities in US line up for swine flu vaccine test (AP, 8/11/09)
Hundreds of Americans in eight cities are lining up for experimental swine flu shots in a race to get a vaccine out in case the new flu virus regains strength this fall and winter. The study sites are Saint Louis University, Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Emory University, Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, University of Iowa, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University.
6. Which Birth Control Pill Is Safest? (BMJ, 8/09)
When it comes to the risk of blood clots, some oral contraceptive pills are safer than others. Oral contraceptives with levonorgestrel and a low dose of estrogen are associated with the lowest risk of venous thrombosis [blood clots] and are therefore the safest option.
7. Japan's Daiichi Sankyo says new flu drug effective: Laninamivir (AFP, 8/10/09)
A new flu drug under development has been shown to be as safe and effective as Tamiflu in clinical trials and was even more effective among children than Tamiflu.
8. Recession means fewer babies: US births fell 2 pct (National Center for Health Statistics, 8/8/09)
U.S. births fell in 2008, the first full year of the recession, marking the first annual decline in births since the start of the decade and ending an American baby boomlet.
9. Cancer Deaths Declining, Especially Among Young (Cancer Research, 8/09)
Death rates from cancer have been decreasing in all age groups in recent years, but the steepest declines have been among younger people. Measures for prevention, screening, and treatment are leading to lower death rates. Mortality data was analyzed from 1955 to 2004.
10. FDA OKs New Schizophrnia, Bipolar Drug: Saphris (FDA, 8/14/09)
The FDA has approved a new drug called Saphris to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults. The most common side effects in clinical trials of patients treated with Saphris for bipolar disorder were drowsiness, dizziness, movement disorders other than the inability to sit still or remain motionless, and weight gain.
11. 4 Healthy Habits That Cut Disease Risk (Archives of Internal Medicine, 8/09)
Don't smoke, lose weight, get exercise, and stick to a good diet. Following these four habits may lower your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, cancer by up to 80%.
12. Weightlifting helps breast cancer survivors (New England Journal of Medicine, 8/13/09)
Women who have had radiation to the armpit, or lymph nodes removed to check for cancer, can suffer lymphedema — a buildup of fluids that causes painful and unsightly swelling of the arms or hands. For decades, many doctors warned that lifting weights or even heavy groceries could cause painful arm swelling. New research shows that weight training actually helps prevent this problem.
13. Mediterranean Diet Plus Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk (Journal of the American Medical Association, 8/12/09)
People who mostly follow the Mediterranean diet lower their risk of mental decline by 40%-- and they lower this risk even more by 65% if they exercise.
The Mediterranean diet:
- Is very low in red meat and poultry
- Is very high in fruits, nuts, legumes (peas or beans), vegetables, and cereals
- Is high in fish
- Permits low-to-moderate amounts of wine
- Uses olive oil as the main source of fat
14. More evidence that fish is brain food (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 8/09)
Older adults in developing countries who regularly eat fish seem to have a lower risk of dementia.
15. Device May Offer Alternative to Warfarin for Arrhythmia (Lancet, 8/09)
Closing the heart's left atrial appendage (LAA) could offer an alternative to long-term warfarin treatment for people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are at risk for stroke. More than 90 percent of atrial blood clots in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation may originate in the LLA. People underwent percutaneous implantation of a device, known as the Watchman, to close off the LAA.
16. Antidepressant suicide risk varies by age (FDA, 8/11/09)
People under age 25 who take antidepressants have a higher risk of suicide, but adults older than that do not.
17. Optimism may do women's hearts good (Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 8/25/09)
Women with an optimistic outlook may live longer and be less likely to develop heart disease than women who take a dimmer view of life.
18. Beer May Strengthen Bones (Nutrition, 8/0)
Females who drink beer on a regular basis are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis. Beer has a high level of silicon, which slows down the thinning that leads to broken bones and helps form new ones. Beer also has phytoestrogens, which are also good for keeping bones healthy and strong. Women should not drink more than 0-1 alcoholic drinks per day.
19. Chocolate 'cuts death rate' in heart attack survivors (Journal of Internal Medicine, 9/09)
Heart attack survivors who eat chocolate two or more times per week cut their risk of dying from heart disease about threefold compared to those who never touch the stuff. Earlier research had established a strong link between cocoa-based confections and lowered blood pressure or improvement in blood flow. It had also shown that chocolate cuts the rate of heart-related mortality in healthy older men, along with post-menopausal women. The benefit was not in all sweets but was specific to chocolate. Antioxidants in cocoa are a likely candidate for explaining the live-saving properties.
20. For Macho Men, Doctor Visits Are Less Likely (American Sociological Association annual meeting in San Francisco, 8/10/09)
Middle-aged men who are most devoted to traditional beliefs about masculinity are half as likely as other men to get routine medical care.
21. Breast reconstruction may not boost well-being (Journal of the American College of Surgery, 7/09)
Women who have a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer seem to have a similar quality of life in the long term whether they have breast reconstruction surgery or not.
22. Sleep Less, Get Diabetes? (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 8/09)
If you're getting too little sleep, you may also be getting diabetes. People at risk of diabetes tend to get too little sleep. They also tend to exercise too little and eat unhealthy diets.
23. Lie-ins may be an early sign of dementia (European Journal of Neurology, 8/09)
Sleeping late in the mornings or napping in the afternoons doubles the chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. People aged over 65 who sleep more than eight or nine hours a night may be twice as likely to develop the deadly condition as those getting six to eight hours. Napping during the day may also have the same effect.
24. Rate of severe childhood obesity up sharply in U.S. (Academic Pediatrics, 9/09)
The rate of severe obesity among U.S. children and teenagers more than tripled over the past three decades.
25. Heart "concussion" more likely in lacrosse players (Pediatrics, 8/10/09)
Lacrosse players may be more likely than players in other sports to suffer from a heart-stopping condition sometimes referred to as "concussion of the heart" triggered by being hit in the chest with the lacrosse ball. Commercially available chest protectors may not offer adequate protection.
26. Recall: Adams Extract & Spice, LLC Announces Recall Because of Possible Health Risk: Salmonella in ground red pepper (FDA, 8/7/09)
27. Recall: Peregrina Cheese Corporation Recalls All Products Manufactured In Its Plant Because Of Possible Health Risk: Listeria monocytogenes (FDA, 8/12/09)
