It’s time to get back to normal and focus on chronic conditions and not just Covid-19. A lot of the medical literature is focused on the pandemic, but there is also important news pertaining to other conditions.
PAIN
People with
Rheumatoid Arthritis Have Higher Risk for Heart Disease: A new study
published in the journal RMD Open concluded that the presence of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) may be associated with an increased risk of major adverse
cardiovascular events, also known as MACE.
Smartphone
Use Linked to Increased Meds Required for Headache: Use of smartphones seems to be
associated with increased requirements for acute medication for headache and
less relief with acute medication, according to a study published online March
4 in Neurology Clinical Practice.
Vitamin D
Tied to Back Problems in Postmenopausal Women: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with lumbar disc
degeneration (LDD) and low back pain (LBP) in postmenopausal women, according
to a study published online Feb. 10 in Menopause.
Keeping lower back pain at bay:
Better exercises: Scientists have devised a spinal stabilization exercise
program for managing lower back pain for people who perform a sedentary job.
After testing the program with 70 volunteers, the researchers have found that
the exercises are not only efficient in diminishing the non-specific lower back
pain, but their effect lasts 3 times longer than that of a usual muscle
strengthening exercise program. Clinical
Biomechanics
For better
migraine treatment, try adding some downward dogs: Adding yoga to your regularly
prescribed migraine treatment may be better than medication alone, according to
a new study. The new research suggests yoga may help people with migraines have
headaches that happen less often, don't last as long and are less painful. Neurology
Long-Term Physical Activity Not Tied to Knee Arthritis: There is no association between long-term strenuous
physical activity participation and incident radiographic knee osteoarthritis
(KOA), according to a study published online May 4 in JAMA Network Open.
Outcomes Better at One Year With Physical Therapy for Knee OA: For patients with osteoarthritis of the
knee, those undergoing physical therapy have less pain and functional
disability at one year compared with those who receive an intraarticular
glucocorticoid injection, according to a study published in the April 9 issue
of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Many Legal Marijuana Products Too Strong for Treating Pain: Legally dispensed marijuana products
have stronger concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol
(CBD) than needed for chronic pain relief, according to a study published
online March 26 in PLOS ONE.
Prophylactic Manual Acupuncture Reduces Migraine Days: For patients with episodic migraine without aura,
undergoing 20 sessions of manual acupuncture is superior to sham acupuncture
and usual care for prophylactic treatment, according to a study published
online March 25 in The BMJ.
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Online
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to improve lingering depression: Researchers have found that online
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can improve lingering depressive
symptoms. JAMA Psychiatry
NCCIH
Clinical Digest: Yoga for Health:The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has issued a new
clinical digest Yoga for Health. Many people practice yoga for health-related
reasons, such as for well-being and fitness, to help control stress, or to help
manage or prevent a health problem. Results of studies on the effects of yoga
on health have found that yoga may be more beneficial for some health
conditions than for others. This issue of the digest summarizes the current
research on yoga for several health conditions and in
different populations.
Yoga May Help Ease Depressive Symptoms:
Yoga is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms among adults with a
diagnosed mental health disorder, according to a review published online May 18
in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Coronavirus
and Alternative Treatments:There is no scientific evidence that any of these alternative remedies can
prevent or cure the illness caused by this virus. In fact, some of them may not
be safe to consume. NCCIH
Cannabis
Smoking May Increase Risk for Fungal Infection: The likelihood of having a fungal
infection was increased in association with cannabis use in 2016, according to
a study published online May 13 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a
publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mindfulness training shows promise for people with MS: New research suggests mindfulness training may help
multiple sclerosis patients in two very different ways: regulating negative
emotions and improving processing speed. Rehabilitation
Psychology, and secondary analysis in Neuropsychology.
FDA ACTION
• Approved
three drugs for nonprescription over-the-counter use: Voltaren Arthritis Pain
(diclofenac sodium topical gel, 1 percent), Pataday Twice Daily Relief
(olopatadine HCl ophthalmic solution/drops, 0.1 percent), and Pataday Once
Daily Relief (olopatadine HCl ophthalmic solution/drops, 0.2 percent)
• Approved
Nexletol as an alternative for people who cannot tolerate, or fully respond to
statins for cholesterol lowering
• issued
Boxed warning for allergy drug Singulair due to serious side effects including
suicidal thoughts.
• Approved
Isturisa oral tables for adults with Cushing disease.
• Spproved
generic versions of two drugs: one for ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate)
Inhalation Aerosol to treat or prevent bronchospasm and one for Daraprim
(pyrimethamine) tablets for treatment of toxoplasmosis when used with a
sulfonamide.
• Approved Retevmo for Certain Lung, Thyroid Cancers
• Approved First Antigen Test to Quickly Spot COVID-19
• Approved
first at home saliva test for Covid-19
• Approved
Tabrecta for Metastatic NSCLC with specific mutations
• ø˚s
Farxiga for heart failure with reduced Ejection Fraction
• Approved
Qinlock as Fourth Line Treatment for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors
(GIST)
PREVENTION: Exercise
Anxiety, Depression Can Be Eased with 150 Minutes of Exercise a Week: Researchers say exercising for 150
minutes a week can help ease mental health disorders such as anxiety and
depression. Those who exercise outdoors get more benefits than people who
exercise indoors. There are mental health benefits to both team sports as well
as individual activities. Researchers cautioned that more isn’t necessarily better,
so a moderate amount of exercise is best for most people. Human Movement
Here’s Why HIIT Workouts May Be Best for Your Body — and Brain: Research finds that workout routines
with bursts of intensity followed by short periods of rest have a positive
effect on the brain’s neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s
ability to adapt to change by altering its functional and structural
properties. Researchers say longer bouts
of high intensity exercise may increase levels of cortisol in the body enough
to interfere with some of the positive benefits from the exercise. Journal of
Science & Medicine in Sport
Getting In
Your Daily Steps Can Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: The researchers state that middle-aged
study participants who walked the most steps per day over an average of 9 years
had a 43 percent lower risk of diabetes and a 31 percent lower risk of high
blood pressure. Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic
Health Scientific Sessions 2020
Older Adults
Can Reduce Brain Shrinkage by Gardening, Dancing, Walking:
Researchers say moderate exercise such as gardening, swimming and even
dancing can help slow down brain shrinkage. In their study, the researchers
said people who did a moderate or high level of exercise per week had brains
that had the equivalent of 4 fewer years of brain aging. American Academy of
Neurology’s annual meeting
PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition
Want to Lose
Weight? Researchers Say a Registered Dietitian May Be Your Best Bet:
Researchers say people who used a dietitian lost an average of 2.6
pounds while those who didn’t use a dietitian gained 0.5 pounds. Experts say
dietitians can help guide people through lifestyle changes as well as
personalize a diet plan. They add that a dietitian may not work for everyone, so
people should stick to whatever system is best for them. Family Practice
More Good
News About Mediterranean, Plant-Based Diets and Your Gut Health: Researchers say a plant-based diet such
as the Mediterranean diet can improve the gut microbiome in a number of ways.
One study
concluded these diets can increase the type of gut bacteria associated with
healthy aging in older adults. Another study
concluded plant-based diets can reduce the kind of gut bacteria associated with
heart disease. Experts say plant-based diets can also reduce inflammation in
the body and improve a person’s overall health.
Milk: Is it
as healthful as we think?:
Many people include milk in their diet, but few meet the daily recommended
quantities. Experts now urge us to rethink these recommendations and explain
why milk may not be as healthful as we think. The evidence does not support
milk consumption to reduce the risk of hip fractures. On the contrary,
countries with high milk and calcium intake also have the highest hip fracture
rates. Some studies linked milk consumption to a lower risk of developing
colorectal cancer, possibly due to the high levels of calcium found in milk.
Other studies, however, pointed to increased rates of breast, prostate, and
endometrial cancer. New England Journal of Medicine
New study
associates intake of dairy milk with greater risk of breast cancer: Dairy, soy and risk of breast cancer:
Those confounded milks, published in the International Journal of
Epidemiology, found that even relatively moderate amounts of
dairy milk consumption can increase women's risk of breast cancer -- up to 80%
depending on the amount consumed. First author of the paper, Gary E. Fraser, MBChB, PhD, said the observational study
gives "fairly strong evidence that either dairy milk or some other factor
closely related to drinking dairy milk is a cause of breast cancer in women.
"Consuming as little as 1/4 to 1/3 cup of dairy milk per day was
associated with an increased risk of breast cancer of 30%," Fraser said.
"By drinking up to one cup per day, the associated risk went up to 50%,
and for those drinking two to three cups per day, the risk increased further to
70% to 80%." No important associations were noted with cheese and yogurt.
How Sugary Drinks Can Affect Cholesterol Levels and Heart Health: New research finds that adults who
drink at least one sugary beverage, when compared with those who don’t, have a
greater risk for developing dyslipidemia, or higher levels of unhealthy fats
(like LDL cholesterol or triglycerides), which can increase the risk of heart
disease. Journal of the American Heart Association
Eating Less
Red Meat, More Plant Protein and Dairy Can Improve Your Heart Health: Two new studies are promoting the heart
health benefits of eating more plant-based protein and dairy products and
consuming less red meat. The first study found that people in the United States who got
more of their calories from plant-based sources were less likely to die from
any cause and also less likely to die specifically of coronary artery disease. A
second study presented at the American Heart Association
conference came to similar conclusions. Researchers in that study found that
men could drastically lower their risk of coronary heart disease by
substituting a single serving of red meat or processed meat with foods such as
nuts, legumes, whole grains, or dairy.
How Just
Half a Tablespoon of Olive Oil a Day Can Improve Heart Health: Their analysis of long-term data, dating back
to 1990, shows that eating more than 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil per day lowers
one’s risk of cardiovascular disease by 15 percent and the risk of coronary
heart disease by 21 percent. Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions
Is Eating an Egg a Day OK for Heart Health?
Latest Research Says It Is: A new study
concludes that eating one egg a day may not significantly increase your
cholesterol levels or risk of heart disease. The research is the latest in a
long line of studies that present conflicting conclusions on how healthy eggs
are in a person’s daily diet. British Medical Journal
Combining
carbs and sweeteners could affect insulin sensitivity: A new study shows that mixing
artificial sweeteners with carbohydrates alters a person’s sensitivity to sweet
tastes, which may impact insulin sensitivity. Cell Metabolism,
‘Dry Fasting’ Urges You Not to Drink Water — Why That Might Not Be a Good Idea: A diet fad known as “dry fasting”
recommends people get their daily water intake from fruits and vegetables and
not from the tap. Supporters say the diet helps with weight loss and
strengthens the immune system as well as reduces inflammation. Opponents, however,
say the diet can lead to dehydration, low blood pressure, and other serious
health issues. Healthline
Low
flavonoid intake associated with Alzheimer’s risk: A new study links a low intake of
flavonoid-rich foods — such as berries, apples, and tea — with a higher risk of
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition.
Fruit-Veggie-Rich Diet May Soon Lower Markers for Cardiac Injury: For middle-aged adults without
preexisting cardiovascular disease, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
over eight weeks is associated with lower levels of markers for subclinical
cardiac damage and strain, according to a study published online May 19 in the Annals
of Internal Medicine.
Higher Intake of Whole-Fat Dairy May Cut Metabolic Syndrome Risk: Higher intake of whole-fat dairy
products is associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) as
well as hypertension and diabetes, according to a study published online May 18
in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
Drinking sugary drinks daily may be linked to higher risk of CVD in women In a study of female California
teachers, drinking one or more sugary beverages daily was associated with
nearly a 20% higher risk of having cardiovascular disease when compared to
those who rarely or never drank sugary beverages. Daily consumption of fruit
drinks with added sugars was associated with a 42% greater likelihood of having
cardiovascular disease when compared to those who rarely or never drank sugary
beverages. Journal of the American Heart Association
PREVENTION: Supplements
Fish oil supplements offer 'little or no benefit' against cancer: The research relates specifically to supplements, rather
than omega-3 derived from eating fish, with experts still suggesting the latter
is good for the heart, as well as general health. Omega 3 supplements do not
protect against cancer, scientists have said. Researchers performed two
systematic reviews using data from more than 100,000 participants to get the
clearest possible view of the risks and benefits associated with the food
supplement. They found omega 3 supplements may slightly reduce the risk of
heart disease while marginally increasing the risk of prostate cancer, with the
overall beneficial and harmful effects to be quite small. Irish Times
Antioxidant supplements do not improve male fertility, NIH study suggests: Antioxidant supplements do not improve
semen quality among men with infertility, according to a new study. The study
also found that antioxidant supplements likely do not improve pregnancy and
live birth rates. Fertility
and Sterility
Regular Aspirin Use Tied to Lower Risk for Digestive Tract Cancers: Regular aspirin use is associated with
a lower risk for colorectal and other digestive tract cancers, according to a
review published in the May 1 issue of the Annals of Oncology.
Good news for menopausal women taking hop supplements: Tests show no drug interactions: Hop-based dietary
supplements that many women use to ease the night sweats and hot flashes
commonly reported during menopause aren't likely to cause drug interactions,
new research shows. Journal of
Agricultural and Food Chemistry
PREVENTION:
Other
Is Your Partner Optimistic? Why That Impacts Your Health as You Age: Researchers say being in a romantic
relationship with an optimist may help you avoid cognitive decline as you age.
Optimistic people tend to exhibit healthier behaviors that are linked to good
cognitive function. An optimistic partner might set a good example for their
spouse to follow. Optimism is a quality that can be learned. Journal of
Personality
Chemicals
Used in Cosmetics May Be Tied to Increased Risk of Autism: Exposure to phthalates was associated
with autism traits in boys (but not girls) between ages 3 and 4 years,
according to a new study. However, the
risk was diminished in women who took folic acid during their pregnancy. This
study is the first to find that folic acid supplements provide a protective
effect from phthalates. Environmental Health Perspectives
How Your
Lack of Sleep May Be Affecting Your Diet — and Heart Health: A new study has found a link between
poor sleep, unhealthy diet, and overeating in women. Unhealthy diet is a risk
factor for heart disease. Researchers believe this may explain why poor sleep
is linked to increased risk for heart disease. Improved sleep quality may
reduce risk.
Eating a heart
healthy diet may also lower your risk. Journal of the American Heart Assocation
Vaccine
Effectiveness 45 Percent for Flu Virus Linked to ARI: The overall vaccine effectiveness (VE)
against any influenza virus associated with medically attended acute
respiratory illness (ARI) is 45 percent for the current influenza season,
according to research published in the Feb. 21 issue of Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report.
https://www.physiciansbriefing.com/infectious-disease-8/flu-news-314/vaccine-effectiveness-45-percent-for-flu-virus-linked-to-ari-755037.html
Activities for
brain health: It’s the variety that counts: Individuals who participate in a variety
of activities are likely to have better cognitive abilities than those who do
not, according to a recent study. Journals
of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.
Adults don't need tetanus, diphtheria boosters if fully vaccinated as children: Adults do not need tetanus or
diphtheria booster shots if they've already completed their childhood
vaccination series against these rare, but debilitating diseases. The
conclusion aligns with the World Health Organization's recent recommendations
to only routinely give adults tetanus and diphtheria vaccines if they didn't
receive a full series of shots as children. In the U.S., the CDC's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices still recommends all adults receive booster
shots every 10 years. Clinical
Infectious Diseases
Continuing
Annual Breast Cancer Screening No Benefit in Over-75s: For women aged 75 years or older,
continuing annual breast cancer screening does not result in significant
reductions in eight-year breast cancer mortality compared with stopping
screening, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the Annals of Internal
Medicine.
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. New figures released by the American Cancer Society seem to
back that up.
High blood
pressure linked with lower mortality in older adults: According to a recent investigation,
high blood pressure in people aged over 85 may be associated with reduced
mortality. The researchers also found that the risk of mortality was even lower
for older adults with moderate or severe frailty. Age and Ageing.
Replacing time spent sitting with sleep or light activity may improve your mood New research, published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine,
found that substituting prolonged sedentary time with sleep was associated with
lower stress, better mood and lower body mass index (BMI), and substituting
light physical activity was associated with improved mood and lower BMI across
the next year.
TREATMENT
The Potential Side Effects from Diuretic Drugs Taken for High Blood Pressure: A new study concludes that the diuretic
drug chlorthalidone may cause more side effects than hydrochlorothiazide,
another commonly prescribed medication for high blood pressure. Researchers say
chlorthalidone can produce dangerously low levels of potassium, a nutrient
that’s critical to controlling heart and muscle function.
However,
experts say the research on diuretics is conflicting, so people shouldn’t
switch drugs until more studies are done. JAMA Internal Medicine
Several Drugs Have Similar Efficacy for Plaque Psoriasis: Four drugs have similar Psoriasis Area
and Severity Index (PASI) response rates for both short- and long-term
treatment of plaque psoriasis, according to a review published online Feb. 5 in
JAMA Dermatology.
Lower dose of newer clot-buster may be appropriate for some stroke patients: New research confirms that the lower
0.25mg/kg dose of the clot-busting agent tenecteplase is appropriate for
eligible stroke patients and can reduce the need for mechanical clot removal,
according to late breaking science presented today at the American Stroke Association's
International Stroke Conference 2020.
Gabapentin Seems Efficacious for Alcohol Use Disorder: Gabapentin appears to be efficacious for the treatment of
alcohol use disorder (AUD), especially among those with high alcohol
withdrawal, according to a study published online March 9 in JAMA Internal
Medicine.
Osteoporotic Fracture Risk Lower for DOAC Than Warfarin in A-Fib: For patients with atrial fibrillation
(AF), the risk for osteoporotic fracture appears to be lower with direct oral
anticoagulant (DOAC) use compared with warfarin use, according to a study
published online May 19 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Sports Concussion Recovery May Be Slower Than Thought: Less than half of patients with
sports-related mild traumatic brain injury (SR-mTBI) achieve clinical recovery
within two weeks after injury, according to a study published in the March
issue of the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine.
CAREGIVING
19.2 Percent of Unpaid Caregivers in Fair, Poor Health: Almost 20 percent of informal caregivers in the United
States report being in fair or poor health, with considerable variation between
states, according to research published in the Feb. 21 issue of Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report.
OTHER
Taller men
might have a lower risk of dementia:
A new longitudinal study that analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of men
found a link between height and the likelihood of developing dementia. Specifically,
men who were taller than average appeared to have a lower risk of dementia than
men who were shorter than average.
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