PAIN
The
neuroanatomy of trigeminal neuralgia´s treatment response: Neuroimaging findings suggest that the
trigeminal nerve and hippocampus volumes predict surgical treatment success. Cephalalgia
Virtual Physical Therapy Feasible Following Knee Replacement: Virtual physical therapy (PT) with
telerehabilitation for skilled clinical oversight significantly lowers
three-month health care costs after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) while
providing similar effectiveness to traditional PT, according to a study published
in the Jan. 15 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
More autonomy at work reduces the risk of low back pain: A team of psychologists has carried out
a meta-analysis to identify psychosocial work factors that pose a risk for the
development of chronic low back pain (CLBP). Their study clearly indicates that
not only physical but also psychological and social factors exert considerable
influence on the development of the disease. BMC
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Proactive
Pain Management May Cut Postop Opioid Prescriptions: An enhanced recovery after surgery
program complemented by a preemptive pain management program is associated with
a decrease in opioid prescriptions at discharge following minimally invasive
foregut surgery, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal
of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
An ACL Tear
Can Affect Your Brain in Addition to Your Knee: A new study
finds a knee
injury affects brain structure and can have negative impacts on it. Various
types of injuries, and to specific parts of the body, can affect the brain
differently, but the effects can be similar. NeuroImage
Back pain:
How effective are yoga, tai chi, and qigong? Low back pain affects a substantial proportion of adults.
Currently, the treatment options are limited and often fall short. A new review
asks if yoga, tai chi, and qigong might prove effective in reducing pain. The
latest review concludes that these practices may benefit some people with low
back pain. However, because there is so little high quality research, it is
currently impossible to reach reliable conclusions. Holistic Nursing Practice,
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Medicinal Cannabis May Not Help with Sleep in the Long Run: A new study found some beneficial
effects of medical cannabis on sleep in people with chronic pain, but frequent
cannabis use may cause other sleep problems. Researchers found that people who
used medical cannabis were slightly less likely to report waking up in the
middle of the night compared to non-medical cannabis users. Researchers still
aren’t sure how the mechanisms behind the possible sleep benefits of cannabis
work. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care
Understand the Link Between Heart Disease and Marijuana: When it comes to marijuana’s health effects on humans, the issue can be as gray and elusive as smoke. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology states that links between heart disease and marijuana are becoming clearer, although as more marijuana-infused products hit the market, its cardiovascular effects are “not well understood.
Cannabis
could make people more prone to false memories: New research finds that intoxication
with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis, makes
people more predisposed to forming false memories. The findings have
significant legal implications. Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences.
Cognitive Behavioral Program Benefits Patients With Diabetes: A peer-delivered cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT)-based intervention may improve quality of life (QOL) among
patients with diabetes and chronic pain, according to a study published in the
January/February issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
People with obesity who experience self-directed weight shaming benefit from intervention: in a first-of-its-kind study,
researchers at Penn Medicine showed that people who received a new
stigma-reduction intervention, along with standard behavioral weight loss
treatment, devalued themselves less due to their weight compared to
participants who only received the weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting
and Clinical Psychology
FDA ACTION
• Approved
Tepezza (teprotumumab-trbw) for treatment of thyroid eye disease
• Approved Tazverik to treat metastatic, locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma
• Approved
Palforzia (Peanut [Arachis hypogaea] Allergen Powder-dnfp) to alleviate
allergic reactions to accidental peanut exposure,
• authorized
marketing of software to assist medical professionals in the acquisition of
cardiac ultrasound, or echocardiography, images
• Issued
an emergency use authorization to enable emergency use of the CDC’s 2019-nCoV
Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel
• Requests
Market withdrawal of Blviq (weight loss drug) due to cancer risk
• Recalled
MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pumps made by Medtronic due to a defect that puts
users at risk for serious harm or death
PREVENTION: Exercise
How High Energy Music Can Make Your Workout More Effective: A new study from Italy found that
listening to high tempo music during exercise can distract you and make your
workouts seem less challenging, ultimately making them more beneficial.
Frontiers in Psychology
How Playing Golf Can Help Your Health:
Researchers found that playing golf regularly, at least once a month, was
associated with a lower risk of death. The study authors believe that the
social nature of golf is valuable to individuals who may not be able to try a
rigorous exercise routine. International Stroke Conference
PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition
What Nutritionists Think About Starbucks’ 3 New Plant-Based Drinks:
Not so much! Starbucks has added 3 new plant-based, dairy-free coffee drinks to
their menu: Almondmilk Honey Flat White, Oatmilk Honey Latte, and Coconutmilk
Latte. Nutritionists point out that these new drinks are high in sugar and
calories and advise they be enjoyed occasionally rather than viewed as a daily
coffee option. The 16-ounce or Grande-sized drinks for all 3 new beverages also
contain more caffeine than many energy drinks. Healthline
Low-Carb, Low-Fat Diets Not Tied to Mortality Overall: Low-carbohydrate diet and low-fat diet scores are not
associated with total mortality, according to a study published online Jan. 21
in JAMA Internal Medicine. However, unhealthy low-carb diet, low-fat
diet associated with higher total mortality.
To Help IBD Symptoms,
Target Your Microbiome with These Foods: People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are often
confused about which foods may ease symptoms and which ones may make them
worse. Based on medical research, there’s no single plan that definitively offers
relief. But a recent study on a new diet called the IBD-AID
diet has shown that it may help. The diet focuses on correcting gut bacteria
balance with probiotic and prebiotic foods. Healthline
'2–3 oz of
walnuts' daily may benefit heart and gut health: A new trial suggests that people who
eat walnuts every day may have better gut health and a lower risk of heart
disease. Journal of Nutrition
Every Girl
Scout Cookie Ranked from Healthiest to Unhealthiest: Shortbread/Trefoils were considered the
healthiest while many peoples favorite-Thin Mints-came in a close second. In
last place was Girl Scout S’mores. Healthline
With high fiber diets, more protein may mean more bloating: People who eat high fiber diets are
more likely to experience bloating if their high fiber diet is protein-rich as
compared to carbohydrate-rich, according to a study. Clinical and Translational
Gastroenterology
An egg a day
not tied to risk of heart disease:An analysis of three large, long-term multinational studies suggests that
moderate egg intake, which is about one egg per day in most people, does not
increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or mortality even if people have a
history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Vegetarian
diet associated with a 16% lower risk of developing a UTI: Studying Taiwanese buddhists has
revealed a link between plant-based foods and a lower risk of urinary tract
infections. Scientific Reports
Eating meat was linked to higher risk of heart disease: Researchers looked at the health data
of nearly 30,000 adults who had no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at
baseline and provided follow-up data for up to three decades. Those who ate
higher amounts of processed meat, unprocessed meat or poultry, but not fish,
were significantly associated with a slightly higher risk of heart disease.
People who ate higher amounts of processed and unprocessed meat, but not
chicken or fish, were strongly associated with a slightly higher risk of death,
according to the new studyTrusted Source
in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Eat More Plants, Less Meat, to Lower Your Diabetes, Heart Disease Risk: People with a lower intake of sulfur
amino acids were found to have a lower cardiometabolic disease risk score.
Cardiometabolic diseases include conditions such as diabetes, heart disease,
and stroke. Study participants had a sulfur amino acid intake about 2 1/2 times
greater than what’s recommended. It appears that many people could benefit from
reducing their protein intake. Eating more plant foods and less meat can help
people take in fewer sulfur amino acids. The Lancet
Not all
in-home drinking water filters completely remove toxic PFAS: A new study finds that - while using any
filter is better than using none - many household filters are only partially
effective at removing toxic perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
from drinking water. A few, if not properly maintained, can even make the
situation worse. "In
contrast, the effectiveness of activated-carbon filters used in many pitcher,
countertop, refrigerator and faucet-mounted styles was inconsistent and
unpredictable. The whole-house systems were also widely variable and in some
cases actually increased PFAS levels in the water." Environmental Science & Technology
Letters
Alzheimer’s
Risk May Be Reduced by Eating Apples and Other Foods Rich in Flavonoids: In a study published in the journal Neurology, researchers say
that consuming flavonoids might help fight the advancement of Alzheimer’s
disease. Flavonoids are found in fruits, vegetables, chocolate, tea, and wine.
Participants who consumed the most flavonoids had a 48 percent lower chance of
developing Alzheimer’s disease. Experts say a healthy diet, including foods
with flavonoids, as well as lifestyle factors like exercise and sleep can help
reduce dementia risk.
Cocoa Consumption May Improve Walking Performance in PAD: Cocoa consumption may improve walking
performance in individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to a
study published online Feb. 14 in Circulation Research.
PREVENTION: Supplements
Online
information about probiotics often misleading: As probiotics grow in popularity, a
recent study investigates the reliability of online information. They find that
the majority of "top" websites provide information that lacks
scientific evidence. Frontiers in Medicine.
Algae shown to improve gastrointestinal health:
Project is the first to test green algae on symptoms related to human
digestion: A green, single-celled organism called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has
served as a model species for topics spanning algae-based biofuels to plant
evolution. While algae have been used as dietary nutraceuticals that provide
beneficial oils, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and antioxidants, the
benefits of consuming C. reinhardtii were previously unexplored. Researchers
have now completed the first study in humans demonstrating that C. reinhardtii
helps improve human gastrointestinal problems related to irritable bowel
syndrome, including diarrhea, gas and bloating. Journal of Functional Foods
Zinc
lozenges did not shorten the duration of colds: Administration of zinc acetate lozenges
to common cold patients did not shorten colds in a randomized trial. BMJ Open
PREVENTION:
Other
Belly Fat Linked to Increased Risk of Repeat Heart Attacks: Researchers say belly fat is
a major risk factor for repeat heart attacks, even more than BMI readings.
Experts say abdominal obesity can increase a person’s risk for a second heart
attack even if they are taking proper medication and following other medical
advice. They note that a first attack can cause inflammation, stress, and
changes in arteries that
can lead to a second attack. Healthline
Exposure to diesel exhaust particles linked to pneumococcal disease susceptibility: A new study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology, shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs)
can increase an individual's susceptibility to pneumococcal disease. The
bacterium Streptococcus
pneumoniae is the most common cause of pneumonia and meningitis and
the leading cause of infectious disease deaths in under-5s and elderly groups
worldwide.
Shingles:
Does adult exposure to chickenpox lower risk? A new study questions the notion that re exposure to
chickenpox in adulthood completely prevents the development of herpes zoster,
or shingles. The new findings show that while the risk drops significantly,
full immunization is unlikely. As a result, the researchers call for a
reappraisal of childhood vaccination policies. The BMJ
Alcohol-related
death rates are rising in nearly every age group: According to a recent study, more
people in the United States are drinking more alcohol and experiencing the
harmful effects. The number of hospitalizations is rising, as are death rates. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research.
New
Recommendation to Start Colorectal Cancer Screenings at Age 45: A new study recommends colorectal
cancer screenings start at age 45. Researchers say that’s because of the
increasing number of colorectal cancer cases in younger adults. Experts say
obesity is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer and the country’s obesity
crisis makes earlier screening even more important. JAMA Network OpenTrusted
Source
U.S. Adult Immunization Schedule Updated for 2020: In a clinical guideline published online Feb. 4 in the Annals
of Internal Medicine, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) outlines its 2020 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule. Changes include
routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged 6 months and older
without contraindications. No preferential recommendation is made for one
influenza vaccine product over another. All persons with HIV aged 1 year or
older should be routinely vaccinated with the hepatitis A vaccine. The
hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for persons working in settings of
exposure; any person who wants to be protected against the hepatitis A virus
infection may be vaccinated. Catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is
recommended for all adults through age 26 years who are not adequately vaccinated.
Shared clinical decision making is recommended regarding HPV vaccination for
adults aged 27 to 45 years who are not adequately vaccinated; discussion of
vaccination should be considered for those most likely to benefit.
Soldiers
With Traumatic Brain Injury at Risk for Mental Illness: U.S. combat soldiers who have suffered
a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to experience
a range of mental health disorders than soldiers with other serious injuries,
according to a study recently published in Military Medicine.
Cervical cancer screening saves lives:
A new study led by University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
scientists shows that screening every three years instead of annually prevents
most cervical cancers. And of the cancers that are found during routine
screenings, most are caught before they've had a chance to spread, making them
far easier to treat. International
Journal of Cancer
Waking to
Music (Not a Beeping Alarm) Can Help You Feel More Alert: Australian researchers say the type of
alarm you use may affect how easily you wake up. More harsh tones may leave you
feeling groggy. More melodic alarms may help you wake up more alert. The study,
which was published in PLoS One, involved 50 people.
Shingles Can
Increase Stroke Risk. Getting the Vaccine Can Reduce It: A new study concludes that the risk of
stroke in people over 50 can be reduced by getting a shingles vaccine.
Researchers reported the effectiveness of the shingles vaccine decreases as
people get older. International Stroke Conference 2020
TREATMENT
Time of Day for Taking Warfarin Does Not Matter:
Time of day for taking warfarin makes no difference on the drug's effectiveness,
according to a study published in the January/February issue of the Annals
of Family Medicine.
5 major advances in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment: Breakthrough research to be presented
at the Crohn's & Colitis Congress®, includes: Lymphoma not associated with
anti-TNF therapy in pediatric IBD patients; AZD4205, a selective, GI
tract-enriched selective JAK1 inhibitor for Crohn's disease: preclinical
evidence and Phase I data; Diet as a microbiome-centered therapy for IBD;
Thanks to biologics, less ulcerative colitis patients need their colon removed;
Siblings close in age may make the best fecal microbiota donor for ulcerative
colitis patients.
High-Dose IV Vitamin C Does Not Speed Resolution of Septic Shock: Treatment with intravenous vitamin C,
hydrocortisone, and thiamine does not improve the duration of time alive and
vasopressor administration-free compared with intravenous hydrocortisone alone among
patients with septic shock, according to a study published online Jan. 17 in
the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Vitamin C-B1-steroid combo linked to lower septic shock mortality in kids: Treating septic shock in children with
a combination of intravenous vitamin C, vitamin B1 and hydrocortisone (a
commonly used steroid) is associated with lower mortality, according to a new
study. American Journal of
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Can lithium halt progression of Alzheimer's disease? Research has shown that, when given in a formulation that
facilitates passage to the brain, lithium in doses up to 400 times lower than
what is currently being prescribed for mood disorders is capable of both
halting signs of advanced Alzheimer's pathology such as amyloid plaques and of
recovering lost cognitive abilities. Journal
of Alzheimer's Disease
4 FDA Approved Drugs to Treat Flu Symptoms:
The flu vaccine can help prevent the flu, but if you do get sick, there are
four FDA-approved medications for treating flu symptoms- oseltamivir phosphate
(Tamiflu), baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir
(Relenza). Meds need to be taken within 24 to 48 hours of onset of symptoms to
be effective. Typically, the medications lessen severity of symptoms by
preventing the flu virus from multiplying.
The 2019-20 dominant flu strains have peaked at unusual times and are
also affecting children and young adults more than usual. Healthline
Blue light may aid recovery after concussion: A study that the United States military
funded concludes that blue light can help heal mild traumatic brain injury
simply by helping the person sleep better. “Our findings suggest that morning
blue light exposure helps reset the normal sleep-wake cycle each day, and this
maximizes the ability to get better sleep during the night, thus leading to
better recovery from concussion.” Neurobiology of Disease.
Excedrin
Migraine Products May Soon Be in Short Supply — What You Can Do: Production of two of the most
frequently used Excedrin migraine relief medications has been temporarily
halted. There aren’t expected to be any safety concerns or issues with
long-term availability, but there may be shortages of Excedrin Migraine and
Excedrin Extra Strength. Experts say people who get migraine headaches may want
to talk with a healthcare provider about treatment alternatives. Experts add
the shortages might not be such a bad thing, as using a particular medication
too frequently can lead to an increase in headaches. Healthline
Tramadol
Linked to Increased Hip Fracture Risk in Adults Aged ≥50: For older adults, initiation of
tramadol is associated with an increased risk for hip fracture compared with
initiation of codeine, ibuprofen, and other commonly used nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal
of Bone and Mineral Research.
Diabetes
drug may compromise cardiovascular health: New research uses high quality data to find that the type
2 diabetes drug rosiglitazone raises the risk of adverse cardiovascular events
by 33%. The
BMJ
Viagra Can
Cause Vision Problems in Some Men:
An eye specialist in Turkey reports that temporary vision problems have
occurred in some of his patients who use Viagra. Experts have reported vision
issues with Viagra use in the past. They say most of those problems happened in
men who took a larger than recommended dose of the erectile dysfunction drug.
Men with certain preexisting health conditions can also be more prone to vision
problems from Viagra. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Beta-blockers
and aspirin may protect the heart during bereavement: New research finds that a combination
of low dose aspirin and beta-blockers reduces blood pressure and decreases
symptoms of anxiety during bereavement. The findings could materialize into
preventive measures that clinicians incorporate into their practices. American Heart Journal
CAREGIVING
Family caregivers are rarely asked about needing assistance with caring for older adults: Most of the
surveyed caregivers who interacted with health care workers reported that the
latter always or usually listen to them (88.8 percent) and ask about their understanding
of older adults' treatments (72.1 percent). A much smaller proportion (28.2
percent) reported that health care workers always or usually asked them whether
they needed help in their care of the older adult. JAMA Open Network
Caregivers
Are in Need of Better Health Care Coverage, Access: Unpaid adult
caregivers are at higher risk for not having insurance and putting off
necessary health services due to cost, according to a study recently published
in Rehabilitation Psychology.
OTHER
Hot flashes impair memory performance:
If you're having difficulty identifying the right word to express yourself
clearly or remembering a story correctly, you may blame menopause. A new study
suggests that physiologic hot flashes are associated with decreased verbal
memory and with alterations in brain function during encoding and retrieval of
memory, especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Menopause
Resting
heart rate: No such thing as 'normal':
A recent study concludes that when it comes to resting heart rate (RHR),
“normal” does not exist. Although most people’s RHR is relatively stable over
time, from person to person, rates vary by as much as 70 beats per minute
(bpm). “A single measurement of heart rate provides very little useful
information about the current health of an individual, unless well out of the
expected range of normal.” PLOS ONE
1 in 5
Medical Procedures May Lead to Surprise Hospital Bills — Even If You’re
Insured: A new study
reports that 20 percent of hospital bills can contain surprise charges, even
for people who are fully insured. The researchers say many of the higher charges
involve “surgical assistants” and other ancillary personnel who aren’t in a
patient’s network coverage. JAMA
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2760735
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