COVID
Can Secondhand Smoke Transmit the Novel Coronavirus?: Experts
say secondhand smoke from cigarettes as well as e-cigarettes can transmit the
novel coronavirus farther than usual. They also note that smokers and vapers have
a higher risk for developing COVID-19 than the general population.
No Proof
Convalescent Plasma Effective Against COVID-19: There is no evidence to support the use
of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients, and doctors should not
consider it a standard of care until more research is completed, a U.S.
National Institutes of Health expert panel said
U.S. Will
Not Join International COVID-19 Vaccine Effort: The United States will not join an
international effort to create and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine, the Trump
administration said. In the announcement, the White House said it does not want
to be constrained by multinational groups such as the World Health
Organization, the Associated Press reported. In early July, the Trump
administration announced it was pulling out of the WHO.
Corticosteroids
reduce risk of death by 20% in critically ill COVID-19 patients: An inexpensive, widely available class
of drug called corticosteroids (dexamethasone or hydrocortisone)reduces the
risk of death among critically ill COVID-19 patients by 20%, an analysis of
seven trials found. JAMA
Likely Deficient Vitamin D Status Linked to COVID-19 Risk: Risk for testing positive for COVID-19
increased for likely deficient versus likely sufficient vitamin D groups. JAMA
Open Networks
COVID-19
study links strict social distancing to much lower chance of infection: Using public transportation, visiting a
place of worship, or otherwise traveling from the home is associated with a
significantly higher likelihood of testing positive with the coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2, while practicing strict social distancing is associated with a
markedly lower likelihood
Heart and
Lung Damage from COVID-19 Can Improve Over Time If Rehab Starts Early: Researchers reported that people with
COVID-19 can experience long-term lung and heart damage, but for many of these
patients, this condition tends to improve over time. The sooner patients start
pulmonary rehabilitation programs after coming off ventilators, the better and
faster their recovery, the researchers said. European Respiratory Society International Congress 2020
Restaurants
May Be Key Component to COVID-19 Spread: Restaurants appear to play a key role in the spread of
COVID-19. Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas
shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use. A
recent study found that those who became infected were 2.4 times more likely to
have eaten at a restaurant in the 2 weeks prior to becoming ill. In the study,
restaurant dining included being seated at a patio, being seated outdoors, or
being seated indoors. Findings were
published in Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report on September 11.
Fauci:
'About 40%-45% of Infections Are Asymptomatic': Anthony Fauci, MD, highlighting the
latest COVID-19 developments, said, "It is now clear that about 40%-45% of
infections are asymptomatic."
Fauci Disagrees With Trump on Coronavirus, Cites Disturbing US Statistics: Top government infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci
said on Friday he disagreed with President Donald Trump's assessment the United
States has "rounded the corner" on the coronavirus pandemic, saying
the statistics are disturbing. Fauci, the outspoken director of the National Institutes of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the United States was starting the flu
season with a high baseline of around 40,000 new cases a day and deaths are
averaging around 1,000 daily. Trump, who has admitted playing down the severity
of the virus since it emerged early this presidential election year, said on
Thursday he believed the United States was "rounding the corner" on
the crisis.
Counterintuitive
Findings for Domestic Violence During COVID-19: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has not
increased during the COVD-19 pandemic, at least during the early stages of the
pandemic, new research suggests. In April 2020, investigators surveyed over
1750 individuals in intimate partner relationships. The survey was drawn from
social media and e-mail distribution lists. The researchers found that of the
roughly one fifth who screened positive for IPV, half stated that the degree of
victimization had remained the same since the COVID-19 outbreak; 17% reported
that it had worsened; and one third reported that it had gotten better. Those
who reported worsening victimization said that sexual and physical violence, in
particular, were exacerbated early in the pandemic's course. Study was published
online September 1 in Injury
Prevention.
Eli Lilly's
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Accelerates Recovery in COVID-19 Patients: Lilly reported its drug, baricitinib,
branded as Olumiant, in combination with remdesivir cut the median recovery
time by about a day, compared to patients treated with remdesivir alone.
Antihistamines
May Help Calm COVID-19 Cytokine Storm:
Dual histamine-receptor blockade with cetirizine and famotidine appears to
reduce pulmonary symptoms and may have other benefits in patients with
COVID-19, according to a new study. Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Will YourCOVID-19 Mask Protect You from Wildfire Smoke? People in the West now have to protect
themselves not only from the novel coronavirus, but from wildfire smoke as
well. Health experts say an N95 mask is your best bet for protecting yourself
from both the novel coronavirus and wildfire smoke. Research shows KN95 masks are just as
effective. Healthline
Vitamin D
Can Help Reduce COVID-19 Risks: Here’s How: New studies conclude that vitamin D can
reduce your risk
of developing COVID-19 as well as decrease the severity of the illness.
Experts
say vitamin D boosts the immune system, which can help fight off
ailments such
as COVID-19. The best way to get vitamin D is through sunshine and
healthy
meals, but supplements can also be used. Healthline
PAIN
Conservative osteoarthritis therapy programme delays need for knee and hip joint replacement surgery: With
implementation of conservative treatment methods like physiotherapy and
individually tailored, adjusted exercises, quality of osteoarthritis care can
improve and patients can delay the need for an artificial hip or knee joint.
This has been demonstrated by a clinical study from Norway that was recently
presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR 2020) Online Annual
Congress.
Most Shoulder Replacements Last More Than 10 Years: A bout 90 percent of shoulder
replacements last for longer than 10 years, and patient-reported outcome
measures show sustained benefits, according to a review published online Aug.
26 in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Turmeric Curcuma
longa Extract Improves Knee Pain in Osteoarthritis: For patients with knee osteoarthritis,
Curcuma longa extract (CL) is more effective than placebo for knee pain
but does not improve knee effusion-synovitis, according to a study published
online Sept. 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Study Finds
Ibuprofen Likely Doesn’t Make COVID-19 Symptoms Worse During the beginning of the COVID-19
outbreak in the United States, the WHO said people shouldn’t take ibuprofen if
they had COVID-19. A new report found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
like ibuprofen aren’t linked to any adverse effects in people who were positive
for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. PLOS Medicine
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Honey found to be a better treatment for upper respiratory tract infections than traditional remedies: A
trio of researchers at Oxford University has found that honey is a better
treatment for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) than traditional
remedies. In their paper published in BMJ Evidence-based Medicine the
team looked at data from 14 clinical trials involving 1,761 patients. Studies
included virtually all of the traditional remedies such as over-the-counter
cold and sinus medicines as well as antibiotics—and honey. They found that
honey proved to be the best therapy among all of those tested. In addition to
proving more effective in treating coughing (36 percent better at reducing the
amount of coughing and 44 percent better at reducing coughing severity), it also
led to a reduction in average duration of infection by two days.
Anxiety and
Complementary Health Approaches: What the Science Says: Researchers are studying a variety of
complementary health approaches to see whether they might be helpful for
occasional anxiety or anxiety disorders. There is some evidence that
mindfulness and other forms of meditation, music, relaxation techniques, and
melatonin may be efficacious for anxiety, especially anxiety associated with
medical procedures or chronic medical problems. However, there is not enough
evidence on other complementary health approaches for anxiety to draw
definitive conclusions about their efficacy. NCCIH
Kundalini
Yoga Is Helpful for Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder but not as
Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Kundalini yoga can reduce anxiety in adults with
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but it’s not as effective as cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT), according to a new study. The study results support
CBT as a first-line treatment for GAD but also suggest that Kundalini yoga may
have short-term benefits for some people with GAD. JAMA Psychiatry
National Yoga
Month Livestream:
The Science and Practice of Yoga: Many people practice yoga for health-related
reasons, such as for fitness and well-being, to help control stress, or to help
manage or prevent a health problem. To learn more about the science and
practice of yoga, join Dr. Lanay Mudd and Dr. Pam Jeter of NCCIH on
Tuesday, September 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET for a National Yoga Month livestream.
They will discuss the latest research on yoga for health while demonstrating
several yoga poses you can do at home. Watch live on the NCCIH Facebook and Twitter pages.
Medical
Marijuana Tied to Fewer Admissions in Sickle Cell Disease: Use of medical marijuana is associated
with fewer hospitalizations among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD),
according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Blood Advances.
FDA ACTION
• Approved The
first rapid COVID-19 test that does not need any special computer equipment to
produce results
• Approved the
MiniMed 770G System for patients ages 2 to 6 years with type 1 diabetes
PREVENTION: Exercise
Exercise
improves learning and memory in young adults: Just a single exercise workout has positive effects on
learning and memory in young adults, according to a recent review of published
studies. The review, which is published in Translational
Sports Medicine, included 13 relevant studies. The types of
exercise that were studied involved walking, running, and bicycling in
individuals between 18 to 35 years of age.
PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition
Red hot meat:The wrong recipe for heart disease: A new study found that study found that
consuming red and processed meat increased a protein compound that may increase
the risk of heart disease, stroke, and complications in diabetes. "When
red meat is seared at high temperatures, such as grilling, roasting or frying,
it creates compounds called advanced glycation end products -- or AGEs ¬- which
when consumed, can accumulate in your body and interfere with normal cell
functions. Nutrients
Women
Increasingly at Risk for Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: The report, which was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that the
number of non-Hispanic white women dying from ALD grew more rapidly compared to
rates for non-Hispanic Black women. Though
men have higher death rates, the gap between death rates of men and women is
getting smaller. This is especially true of women who are 25 to 34 years of
age. Higher
levels of endotoxins from gut bacteria are found in women compared to men after
a single episode of binge drinking.
Does the
Mediterranean diet protect against rheumatoid arthritis? The analysis included 62,629 women from
France who have been taking part in a questionnaire-based study assessing
dietary intake since 1990. In total, 480 women developed rheumatoid arthritis.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was not associated with rheumatoid
arthritis risk overall; however, among women who smoked or used to smoke, it
was associated with a decreased risk.
Coffee, Tea,
Soda Tied to Higher Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux: Consuming water, juice, milk not linked
to increased risk for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Clinical
Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Coffee
Linked to Reduced Disease Progression, Death in CRC: For patients with advanced or
metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), coffee consumption is associated with
reduced risk of disease progression and death, according to a study published
online Sept. 17 in JAMA Oncology.
A
Pesco-Mediterranean Diet and Intermittent Fasting Can Help Your Heart: A recent study indicates that the Pesco-Mediterranean diet, when
combined with intermittent fasting, may lower the risk of heart disease. The
diet involves eating plants, nuts, whole grains, extra-virgin olive oil, and
fish or seafood. It limits the amount of red meat, dairy, and eggs a person
eats. Journal of the American College of
Cardiology
Blackout
Drinking May Increase Risk of Dementia: New research finds that even moderate drinkers can double
their risk of dementia, if they drink themselves unconscious — even rarely. Experts
say there are long-term, irreversible effects of long-term alcohol exposure. Heavy
drinking is considered eight or more drinks per week for women or greater than
14 drinks per week for men. No one believes getting so drunk you pass out
doesn’t have serious health consequences. However, a new studyTrusted Source
finds the price you pay involves much more than waking up with a hangover.
PREVENTION: Supplements
Vitamin D twice a day may keep vertigo away:
Taking vitamin D and calcium twice a day may reduce chances of getting vertigo
again. Neurology®
Multivitamin,mineral supplement linked to less-severe, shorter-lasting illness symptoms:
Older adults who took a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with zinc and
high amounts of vitamin C in a 12-week study experienced sickness for shorter
periods and with less severe symptoms than counterparts in a control group
receiving a placebo. Nutrients
EPA, DHA
Supplementation Linked to Reduced Risk for MI, CHD: Supplementation with eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with a reduced risk for
myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary heart disease (CHD) events, according
to a meta-analysis published online Sept. 17 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
PREVENTION
A New
Warning About Low-Dose Aspirin:
Daily Use Could Increase Cancer Risk for Older Adults: Now, findingsTrusted Source
from a new study published earlier this month in the Journal of the National
Cancer Institute (JNCI) show that taking a daily low-dose aspirin could
accelerate the progression of cancer in adults over the age of 70. In their
analysis of nearly 20,000 older adults in Australia and the United States, the
researchers found that taking a daily aspirin doubled the risk of a person age
70 or older dying from stage 3 cancer. This same group also saw the risk of
their cancer spreading to other parts of the body increase by about 20 percent.
Personal use
of permanent hair dye not associated with greater risk of most cancers or
cancer death: Women who
use permanent hair dye products to color their hair at home do not experience
greater risk of most cancers or greater cancer related mortality, finds a study
published by The BMJ
Common drugs tied to increased risk of cognitive decline: A class of drugs used for many conditions, including
allergies, colds, high blood pressure and depression, may be associated with an
increased risk of developing mild thinking and memory problems, particularly in
people who have genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease or markers of this
condition, according to a study published in the September 2, 2020, online
issue of Neurology. These types of drugs, called anticholinergic drugs,
are used for motion sickness, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder,
Parkinson's disease and high blood pressure. There are approximately 100 such
drugs in widespread use, with some requiring a prescription and many others
that may be purchased over the counter.
Studies:
E-cigarettes won't help smokers quit, but they may become addicted to vaping: E-cigarettes are now the most popular
product used for smoking cessation in the United States, ahead of all U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cessation aids combined, from nicotine
patches and gum to prescription medications. However, two recently published
analyses of a large nationally representative longitudinal study report that
e-cigarettes are not effective in helping adults to quit smoking.
When doing
good boosts health, well-being:
Performing acts of kindness and helping other people can be good for people's
health and well-being, according to research published by the American
Psychological Association. But not all good-hearted behavior is equally
beneficial to the giver. The strength of the link depends on many factors,
including the type of kindness, the definition of well-being, and the giver's
age, gender and other demographic factors. Random acts of kindness such as
helping an older neighbor carry groceries, were more strongly associated with
overall well-being than formal prosocial behavior, such as scheduled
volunteering for a charity.
Skin creams, make-up and shampoos should be free from Pluralibacter: If products contaminated with P.
gergoviae are used, the bacterium can enter the body via open wounds or the
mucous membranes. Severe infections may develop in people with pre-existing
conditions.
Sleep apnea
linked with higher spine fracture risk among women: Emerging evidence suggests that
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may negatively affect bone health. Results from a
new study published in the Journal
of Bone and Mineral Research now indicate that women with history
of OSA may face a higher risk of spine, or vertebral, fractures.
Lifestyle improvements may lessen cognitive decline: In the study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 119
individuals older than 65 years of age who were experiencing cognitive decline
were randomized to a control group or an intervention group for 8 weeks. The
control group received online information related to dementia and lifestyle
risk factors, Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and cognitive engagement.
Over 6 months of follow-up, investigators noted that participants in the
intervention group were able to improve their lifestyle and had higher
cognition scores than those in the control group. The results suggest that
lifestyle-based changes may modify the course of cognitive decline.
Get Your Flu
Shot, It Can Protect Your Heart:
The study, which was published in the Annals
of Internal Medicine in late August, looked at the health data of almost
90,000 flu patients and found that about 12 percent — or 1 in 8 people —
experienced serious heart complications soon after being diagnosed with the
flu.
BMI May Be a
Bigger Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes Than Genetics: Researchers say body mass index (BMI)
may be a higher risk factor for type 2 diabetes than genetics. Other experts
say genetics is actually the number one factor for developing diabetes, but
they note that lowering BMI can help delay or even prevent the onset of the
disease. They say you can lower your risk for type 2 diabetes by having your
blood sugar screened every 3 years after age 45 as well as exercising
regularly, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking. Managing your weight may
prevent type 2 diabetes, delay onset, or even reverse it in some cases,
according to new research presented at the European Society of Cardiology
Congress 2020.
Study Suggests Smoking Causes Fatal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Large, long-term twin study reveals
link between smoking and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke
TREATMENT
Only one in
10 medical treatments are backed by high-quality evidence: The analysis, which is published in
the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, included 154 Cochrane systematic
reviews published between 2015 and 2019.
No Link
Between Hyperthyroidism Treatment, Solid Cancer Death: There is no association between
treatment type for hyperthyroidism and later risk of solid cancer mortality,
according to a study published online July 23 in JAMA Network Open.
Common class
of drugs linked to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease: Researchers report that a class of
drugs used for a broad array of conditions, from allergies and colds to
hypertension and urinary incontinence, may be associated with an increased risk
of cognitive decline, particularly in older adults at greater risk for
Alzheimer's disease. Anticholinergic drugs are widely used for dozens of
conditions, over the counter and prescription. although older persons
metabolize anticholinergic drugs differently than younger people,
anticholinergic medications were being taken at levels much higher than the
lowest effective dose recommended for older adults, with 57 percent taken at
twice the recommended dosage and 18 percent at least four times the recommended
dosage.
Neurology
The widely used
and well-tolerated drug commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease may help
significantly reduce the need for more costly, more invasive treatments, report
investigators in The American Journal of Medicine
Treating
hypertension lowers the risk for orthostatic hypotension, or drop in blood
pressure upon standing:
A systematic review of published evidence suggests that hypertension treatment
lowers the risk for orthostatic hypotension, or extreme drop in blood pressure
upon standing. Annals of Internal
Medicine
Electroconvulsive
therapy shown to significantly reduce suicide risk in Bipolar patients: One of the largest ever studies of
patients with untreatable bipolar disorder has shown that ECT
(Electroconvulsive Therapy) was able to reduce suicide risk by 84% in high-risk
patients, as well as giving effective treatment to around 72% of sufferers. The
World Journal of Biological Psychiatry
Large Study
Finds No Link Between Blood Pressure Medications and Cancer: Blood pressure
medications have no link to cancer, a new large study has concluded. The research was presented last week at the ESC Congress 2020. The findings have not been peer reviewed
or published yet.
Testosterone
as a possible alternative to weight loss surgery: Data spanning more than 11 years
suggest that testosterone injections could be a novel treatment for obesity in
men. The results show that long-term testosterone therapy may be comparable to
weight loss surgery, with a lower risk of complications. European and International
Congress on Obesity
OTHER
Concussion
discovery reveals dire, unknown effect of even mild brain injuries: Researchers have discovered that
concussions and traumatic brain injuries, even when mild, cause swelling that
blocks the brain's ability to clean itself of harmful toxins and debris. In addition to an immediate impact on memory
and brain inflammation, this may seed the brain for Alzheimer's, dementia and
other neurodegenerative diseases.
