Previous Medical News
2010/05/22
1. Viagra could double risk of hearing loss (Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 5/18/10)
Men who take Viagra or similar drugs for erectile dysfunction may double their chances of hearing impairment.
2. Cell phone-brain cancer link inconclusive (International Journal of Epidemiology, 5/18/10)
A major international study into the link between cell phone use and two types of brain cancer has proved inconclusive. A 10-year survey of almost 13,000 participants found most cell phone use didn't increase the risk of developing meningioma — a common and frequently benign tumor — or glioma — a rarer but deadlier form of cancer. There were "suggestions" that using cell phones for more than 30 minutes each day could increase the risk of glioma.
3. FDA Approves Intranasal NSAID: ketorolac tromethamine (Sprix) (FDA, 5/19/10)
The FDA approved ketorolac tromethamine (Sprix), a short-term use, intranasal painkiller for moderate to moderately severe pain, for use in patients who require an analgesic at the opioid level.
4. Wal-Mart pulls jewelry over cadmium (AP, 5/20/10)
Wal-Mart said it is pulling an entire line of Miley Cyrus-brand necklaces and bracelets from its shelves after tests performed found the jewelry contained high levels of the toxic metal cadmium. Cadmium in jewelry is not known to be dangerous if the items are simply worn. Concerns come when youngsters bite or suck on the jewelry, as many children are apt to do.
5. Research links pesticides with ADHD in children (Pediatrics, 5/17/10)
A new analysis of U.S. health data links children's attention-deficit disorder with exposure to common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables.
6. Gene variants may raise risk of infectious disease (New England Journal of Medicine, 5/19/10)
Scientists have found a group of gene variants that increase susceptibility to infectious diseases like tuberculosis and malaria and say the discovery may help in designing new drugs to tackle several illnesses at once. Several different mutations of a gene called CISH are linked to a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases.
7. CPAP Reduces Heart Risk in Nonsleepy Patients (American Thoracic Society meeting, 5/19/10)
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) showed potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and hypertension in nonsleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
8. U.S. Does Not Have Enough Resources to Fight Cancer (National Cancer Institute, 5/20/10)
The United States does not produce or import anywhere near enough fruits and vegetables to provide Americans the right kind of diet to prevent cancer. And Americans also overestimate how much they exercise, another barrier to fighting two of the biggest known cancer risks.
9. Scientists Create Synthetic Organism (Science, 5/10)
Scientists for the first time have created a synthetic cell, completely controlled by man-made genetic instructions. This is the first synthetic cell, created at a cost of $40 million and has the potential to transform genetic engineering.
10. Less Invasive Fix for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Works (New England Journal of Medicine, 5/20/10)
For patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a less invasive procedure called endovascular repair appears as good as conventional surgery.
11. Moderate Drinking Linked to Better Health: Study Challenges Notion That Moderate Drinking Protects the Heart (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 5/10)
People who drink alcohol in low or moderate amounts are healthier on average than teetotalers, European researchers say. The researchers found that low and moderate drinkers among both men and women were in better health than those who never drink. They also were in better overall health than people who identified themselves as heavy drinkers. Alcohol intake for men and women was strongly associated with increased concentrations of HDL "good" cholesterol. But the researchers say they could not determine whether the influence of alcohol on HDL had a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Another finding suggests that moderate alcohol consumption is an indicator of optimal social status, which the researchers say could explain why people who drink alcohol in low or moderate amounts are healthier than nondrinkers.
12. Talk With Doctor Helps Heart Attack Patients Resume Sex: Sex life better among heart patients who consult their docs (American Heart Association's Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, 5/21/10)
People who don't have a frank talk about sex with their doctor after they have had a heart attack are less likely to resume sexual activity.
13. Burger & Fries Worsen Asthma (American Thoracic Society's International Conference, 5/16/10)
Patients with asthma who ate a high-fat meal had increased inflammation in their airways soon afterward, and did not respond as well to treatment as those who ate a low-fat meal.
14. More bran tied to longer life in diabetic women (Circulation, 5/10)
Among women with diabetes, those who bulk up their diets with plenty of bran may live longer and be less likely to die of heart disease. The fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients in whole grains may help lower cholesterol, blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as improve blood vessel functioning and reduce inflammation in the circulatory system.
15. Too Much Belly Fat Linked to Dementia (Annals of Neurology, 5/20/10)
Excess belly fat may make your brain shrink and boost your risk of dementia later. The deep fat is the culprit. Women should keep their waist size below 35 and men below 40. The cause seems to be increased inflammation and hormone changes.
16. Common diabetes drug (Metformin) linked to vitamin B12 deficiency (British Medical Journal, 5/10)
Patients treated over long periods with metformin, a common drug for diabetes, are at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency which is also likely to get worse over time. Regular checking of vitamin B-12 levels during long-term metformin treatment should be "strongly considered" to try to prevent deficiency and its effects. Vitamin B12 is essential to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is found in meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, shellfish and fortified breakfast cereals, and it also can be taken as a supplement. Symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, mental changes, anemia and nerve damage known as neuropathy.
17. No risk of cancer with statins (BMJ, 5/20/10)
A detailed epidemiological study of more than two million patients in the UK has found no risk of cancer associated with the use of statins.
18. Autism Families: High Divorce Rate Is a Myth (International Meeting for Autism Research, Philadelphia, May 20-22, 2010)
Divorce rates are similar for parents with and without autistic children. Parents of autistic children often hear that the divorce rate in families with autism is 80%, but this new study debunks that figure as a myth.
19. 'Autism Diet' May Not Improve Symptoms (International Meeting for Autism Research, Philadelphia, May 20-22, 2010)
The so-called autism diet -- a gluten-free, casein-free eating plan -- does not appear to improve the symptoms of children with the group of neurodevelopmental disorders known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD. Casein is a protein found in milk and other dairy products, and gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and other grains. ASD is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and communication. Bowel problems are also common in ASD children.
20. Studies Link Infertility Treatments to Autism: IVF, Fertility Drugs Might Boost Autism Risk (International Meeting for Autism Research, 5/20/10)
Women, does taking an infertility drug to get pregnant contribute to your child developing autism? Autism was nearly twice as common among the children of women who were treated with the ovulation-inducing drug Clomid and other similar drugs than women who did not suffer from infertility, and the link persisted even after researchers accounted for the women's age. Being conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or born prematurely also seemed to up the risk of autism.
21. New Hope for Early Detection of Autism (International Meeting for Autism Research, 5/19/10)
A type of brain scan, using functional MRI to measure brain responses to spoken words in sleeping infants and toddlers, can predict the development of autism, leading to early detection and early intervention.
22. Happiness Comes With Age (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 5/10)
Life looks a little rosier after 50. Gallup phone survey from 2008 of more than 340,000 Americans revealed that older people in their mid- to late-50s are generally happier, and experience less stress and worry than young adults in their 20s. Older people are better at controlling their emotions than younger people. Older people remember fewer negative memories and so are happier. Also, older people might focus less on what they have or have not achieved, and more on how to get the most out of the rest of their lives.
23. Pistachio Nuts May Lower Cholesterol (The Journal of Nutrition, 6/10)
Pistachio nuts may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, in part by decreasing cholesterol levels. Pistachios are packed with antioxidants and are rich in several vitamins and minerals, such as selenium and iron, and also have healthy fats.
24. Yoga helps fatigue, sleep in cancer survivors (American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, 6/10)
Cancer survivors might want to try yoga to sleep better and have more energy. Here we have a complementary treatment, one that has been subjected to clinical trials and, lo and behold, it seems to be beneficial.
25. For Depression, Phone Therapy May Be an Answer (Behavior Therapy, 6/10)
A new study suggests that therapy for depression by telephone is almost as effective as face-to-face.
26. Study suggests processed meat a real health risk (Circulation, 5/10)
Eating bacon, sausage, hot dogs and other processed meats can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
27. Suicide a risk in retirement, nursing communities (PLoS Medicine, 5/10)
Seniors who move into residential homes are often at risk for suicide, yet these communities are ill equipped to deal with these problems.
28. Mom's Warmth May Ward Off Children’s Illness (Molecular Psychiatry, 5/10)
Mothers from poor families who provide strong emotional support for their children can reduce their children’s future risk of mental and physical illnesses. Mom’s emotional and physical support may be protective against disease.
29. C-Sections May Raise Celiac Disease Risk in Offspring (Pediatrics, 6/10)
Children born by cesarean section may be more likely to develop celiac disease, a chronic digestive disorder, than children born vaginally.
30. Breastfeeding Cuts Fever Risk After Vaccines (Pediatrics, 6/10)
Infants who are exclusively breastfed are less likely to run fevers after their routine immunizations than infants who are partially breastfed or only receive formula.
31. Yogurt Found to Reduce Children's Infections (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 5/10)
Parents who want to reduce the number of coughs, stomach aches and infections in their children may want to reach for the probiotic yogurt.
32. Heavy caffeine intake may mean smaller babies (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 4/28/10)
Pregnant women who down six coffee cups' worth of caffeine every day may have smaller babies than those who consume less caffeine.
33. Look before you leap into dirty public pools (CDC, 5/20/10)
One in eight public swimming pools were shut down two years ago because of dirty water or other problems, like missing safety equipment. Kiddie pools were most likely to be the germiest, from fecal matter and improper chlorination. The report is based on more than 120,000 inspections of public swimming pools in 2008, including those in parks and hotels.
34. That new baby can bring depression to dad, too (Journal of the American Medical Association, 5/19/10)
A significant number of fathers — about 10 percent — experience prenatal or postpartum depression.
