Archive for December, 2009
« Previous Entries Next Entries »Persistent yeast infections are a problem for women and their doctors
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Dear Dr. Donohue: I have had a vaginal yeast infection for three years. I was retested, and it is a yeast infection. I tried over-the-counter stuff, and my doctor prescribed one thing after another. I have type 2 diabetes, and I know it makes me prone to yeast infection, but this is ridiculous. What is [...]
Caregivers of Bipolar Disorder patients show ill health and depression
Monday, December 14th, 2009People who care for bipolar disorder (BD) patients with increasing suicidal ideation (SI) over time and depressive, rather than manic, symptoms are prone to suffering from depression and worsening health, show US researchers.
“Our study results may help to prospectively identify caregivers at risk for adverse health outcomes who may benefit from prevention-focused intervention,” say Cheryl [...]
Research confirms benefit of intensive approach to lipid-lowering.
Monday, December 14th, 2009MedPage Today (12/11, Peck) reported that “post-hoc analyses of two landmark statin trials — PROVE-IT and IDEAL — affirm the value of an intensive versus moderate approach to lipid-lowering.” In fact, “staying the course with intensive lipid-lowering — in this case 80 mg atorvastatin (Lipitor) versus either 40 mg pravastatin [...]
Tamoxifen following chemotherapy improves breast cancer outcome
Friday, December 11th, 2009Source: MedWire News
Addition of chemotherapy to standard tamoxifen treatment for postmenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer significantly improves disease-free survival, and this benefit is maximized when the tamoxifen follows chemotherapy, US researchers report in The Lancet.
In a randomized trial of 1558 women with hormone-receptor-positive, node-positive breast cancer, Kathy Albain (Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois) and [...]
When cold weather hurts
Friday, December 11th, 2009Source: Consumer Reports Health
Cold winter weather can be especially hazardous for people who work outside or even for those who just like to spend lots of time outside. Cold-exposure injuries, including frostbite, have increased over the past 20 years. But sometimes the cold can cause other ailments, too.
A 40-year-old chef was still wearing woolen gloves [...]
Dark Chocolate and Walnuts - Tasty Treats for Good Health
Thursday, December 10th, 2009We all know that leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, and cruciferous vegetables are nutritional powerhouses, so we find ways to prepare them tastefully and incorporate them into our diets. But when delicious treats we love already turn out to have real health benefits, well, that is just sweet!
There has been mounting research that dark chocolate, rich [...]
Common Heart Rhythm Problem on the Rise in the U.S.
Thursday, December 10th, 2009Source: Reuters Health
About 3 million Americans suffer from the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation, and that number is likely to double by 2035, new research shows.
Atrial fibrillation occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart, the atria, stop contracting in a coordinated, steady fashion and instead begin to quiver. People [...]
Asthma diagnosis and treatment key
Thursday, December 10th, 2009Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN)
At least 22 million Americans have asthma. Many people do not know that they have it, or do not understand the seriousness of the condition. But Ashthma claims close to four thousand lives in this country every year.
Tamra Skahan’s severe asthma means she spends a lot of time in the doctor’s office.
“There [...]
House Democrats Blast Rise In Brand-Name Drug Prices
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009Reports of prescription drug price hikes have congressional Democrats complaining about price gouging and questioning whether drug companies are reneging on a pledge to provide billions of savings as part of a U.S. health care overhaul sought by President Barack Obama.
Prescription drugs account for about 10% of U.S. health care spending and prices appear to [...]
‘Tis the season for heartburn-free holidays
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009‘Tis the season for that that burning, uncomfortable feeling in the chest that often follows a big meal, which can result from indulging in food and drink. And no time can be more frustrating than the holidays for those who suffer with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), or acid reflux disease. The large amounts of food [...]
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