COVID-19
Omicron 2.75: What You Should Know About the Latest Emerging COVID-19 Variant: Officials are keeping a close eye on the latest COVID-19 subvariant. They say Omicron BA.2.75 may be the most contagious variant yet with the ability to bypass previous immunity. So far, it’s been most prevalent in India, although it has shown up in about a dozen countries, including the United States. Experts say the new information reinforces the notion that people should continue to get vaccinated and boosted and those at an elevated risk should consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors and in crowded outdoor venues. Healthline
Covid-19 Prevention
Nonpharmaceutical COVID-19 responses in Brazil: When the first cases of COVID-19 appeared in Brazil in late February 2020, the twenty-seven Brazilian states responded by implementing a variety of nonpharmaceutical interventions: restrictions on public events, schools, and nonessential commerce, and somewhat later, masking ordinances. A study estimated the independent effects of seven of these interventions on COVID-19 cases and deaths in twelve Brazilian states, using daily data from March to December 2020. They found that two interventions—restrictions on public events and masking mandates—significantly reduced spread of the disease. Health Affairs
COVID-19: Vaccines/Boosters
COVID-19 vaccines saved 20 million lives in 1 year: A recent study published in the journal Lancet Infectious DiseaseTrusted Source estimates that COVID-19 vaccines helped reduce the global death toll by 63% during the first year they became available. The study also found that a more equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines could have prevented a significant number of deaths in low-income nations.
COVID-19 vaccines may temporarily cause changes to menstrual bleeding: The impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on menstruation was not measured during any of the clinical trials but now studies are looking into people’s reports to see if there is a link. A recent study has linked the COVID-19 vaccine to heavier menstrual flow and unexpected vaginal bleeding in some individuals. Reports of changes to the menstrual cycle indicate they are temporary and short-lived, but women and people who menstruate or have menstruated need reliable information to make informed choices, and hopefully, combat vaccine hesitancy. Medical News Today
COVID-19: Treatment
COVID-19 and “Alternative” Treatments: What You Need To Know: No Dietary Supplements or “alternative” remedies have been shown to prevent or cure COVID-19. And some of them may be harmful. The fact that a product is “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s effective or safe. If you’re interested in using an alternative product that’s promoted for Covid talk with your health care provider first.NCIH
COVID-19: Long-Covid
Long COVID: Disrupted sleep, fatigue common months after infection: The research was presented in June at Sleep 2022 found nearly half of those who recovered from COVID-19 experience at least moderate sleep issues. There is a risk of developing long COVID even for the vaccinated, and researchers suggest the condition can persist for years for some people.
Long COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents: What Do We Know? Among scientists, the existence of long COVID-19 in children and adolescents has been the subject of debate. Two published studies have drawn attention to long COVID-19 signs and symptoms in these patients. Published by a Mexican multidisciplinary group in Scientific Reports, the first study is a systematic review and meta-analysis. It identified mood symptoms as the most prevalent clinical manifestations of long COVID-19 in children and adolescents. These symptoms included sadness, tension, anger, depression, and anxiety (16.50%); fatigue (9.66%); and sleep disorders (8.42%). The second study, LongCOVIDKidsDK, was conducted in Denmark. It compared 11,000 children younger than 14 years who had tested positive for COVID-19 with 33,000 children who had no history of COVID-19. The study was published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.
Study shows that 8% of athletes have persistent symptoms after contracting COVID-19: Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil analyzed data from 43 scientific articles describing the effects of COVID-19 on athletes and concluded that while the disease was asymptomatic or mild in the vast majority of cases (94%), about 8% of the subjects concerned had persistent symptoms affecting their performance and potentially preventing a return to training and competing. The results are reported in an article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
COVID-19: Other
Dominant omicron subvariants better at evading vaccines, antibody treatments: The latest omicron subvariants—including the BA.4 and BA.5 forms causing new surges in infections in the United States—are even better at eluding vaccines and most antibody treatments than previous variants. Nature
People who practice intermittent fasting experience less severe complications from COVID-19, study finds:Intermittent fasting has previously shown to have a host of health benefits, including lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Researchers from Intermountain Healthcare have found that people who regularly fast are less like to experience severe complications from COVID-19, had lower hospitalization or died. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health
PAIN
Many pain medications can be used for spine-related pain in older adults: A new review study has found acetaminophen is safe in older adults, but non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) may be more effective for spine-related pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories should be used short-term in lower dose courses with gastrointestinal precaution while corticosteroids show the least evidence for treating nonspecific back pain. Drugs & Aging
Hypnosis Aids Pain Management in the Emergency Department
Sleep-Deprived Physicians Less Empathetic to Patient Pain? Physicians who are sleep deprived have less empathy for patients who report pain ― and they prescribe fewer analgesics, new research from two studies suggests. The findings were published online June 27 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Cannabidiol Treatment in Hand Osteoarthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis: According to a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial found neither clinically nor statistically significant effects of CBD for pain intensity in patients with hand osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis when compared with placebo. In addition, no statistically significant effects were found on sleep quality, depression, anxiety, or pain catastrophizing scores. Pain
Less sex during menopause transition not linked to sexual pain: According to a 13 year study, Having sex less often during the transition to menopause is not associated with an increased risk of developing pain with intercourse, according to a new study published recently by the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Both the media and some physicians tell patients that “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” which this this study provides some empirical evidence against this popular notion.
New study sheds light on why opioids can cause gastrointestinal problems: Opioids are the gold standard for treatment of chronic and acute pain; however, their use may result in significant gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The reasons behind these side effects are not well understood. A new study in The American Journal of Pathology,published by Elsevier, is the first report of how opioids like morphine cause gastric inflammation and how this condition can be reversed through treatment with proton pump inhibitor drugs like omeprazole, an over-the-counter medication commonly used to reduce stomach acid.
How older adults and their caregivers view pain, depression and other patient symptoms: Researchers found that patients and caregiver proxies agreed on severity of symptoms of pain, depression and anxiety as well as functional status between 50 to 60 percent of the time, with agreement on physical symptoms (pain and functionality) more likely than agreement on psychological symptoms (depression and anxiety). Proxies tended to overestimate patient impairment at lower levels of symptom severity and underestimate at higher levels. Caregivers who were under a lot of stress were more likely to over-report their patient’s symptoms. “Agreement between older adult patient and caregiver proxy symptom reports” is published in the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes.
Dissolving implantable device relieves pain without drugs: A Northwestern University-led team of researchers has developed a small, soft, flexible implant that relieves pain on demand and without the use of drugs. The first-of-its-kind device could provide a much-needed alternative to opioids and other highly addictive medications. The biocompatible, water-soluble device works by softly wrapping around nerves to deliver precise, targeted cooling, which numbs nerves and blocks pain signals to the brain. An external pump enables the user to remotely activate the device and then increase or decrease its intensity. After the device is no longer needed, it naturally absorbs into the body — bypassing the need for surgical extraction. The researchers believe the device has the potential to be most valuable for patients who undergo routine surgeries or even amputations that commonly require post-operative medications. Surgeons could implant the device during the procedure to help manage the patient’s post-operative pain. Science
Patients with severe brachial plexus injuries who undergo amputation report benefits, Mayo study finds:Reconstruction surgery may not work for some people with severe brachial plexus injuries, so they choose to undergo amputation. In a retrospective review by Mayo Clinic researchers, these patients reported less mechanical shoulder pain, higher employment rates and more satisfaction after amputation. The paper appears online in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
New guidance for cancer pain and opioid use disorder or opioid misuse: Opioids are a cornerstone of cancer pain management, but there is a lack of consensus on how to treat pain in cancer patients who also have struggled with opioid use disorder or prescription opioid misuse. In a study published in JAMA Oncology, researchers outline guidance for treating such patients and highlight obstacles and opportunities for better integration of addiction treatment in cancer care.
Chronic Pain: In Dept: The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have recently updated their Chronic Pain section. A growing body of evidence suggests that some complementary approaches, such as acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, mindfulness meditation, spinal manipulation, tai chi, and yoga, may help to manage some painful conditions.
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE:
Cognitive therapy shows promise in treating PTSD and headaches: Recently, researchers examined two nonpharmacological interventions for post-traumatic headaches — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT). They found that CBT for headaches was more effective than usual care at reducing disability associated with post-traumatic headaches and significantly impacted PTSD symptom severity in veterans. Meanwhile, CPT failed to improve headache disability, despite significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity. JAMA Neurology
Adolescents more vulnerable to cannabis addiction but not other mental health risks, study finds: Adolescents are over three times more vulnerable to developing a cannabis addiction than adults, but may not be at increased risk of other mental health problems related to the drug, according to a new study. Journal of Psychopharmacology
Mindfulness meditation reduces pain by separating it from the self: The study, published July 7, 2022 in PAIN, showed that mindfulness meditation interrupted the communication between brain areas involved in pain sensation and those that produce the sense of self. In the proposed mechanism, pain signals still move from the body to the brain, but the individual does not feel as much ownership over those pain sensations, so their pain and suffering are reduced.
The Association Between Acupuncture Therapies and Reduced Fracture Risk in Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Nationwide Retrospective Matched Cohort Study: Results revealed the association between acupuncture therapies and a reduced incidence of fracture development in patients with Osteoarthritis. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine
FDA ACTION
• Approved Genabio COVID-19 Rapid Self-Test, an over the counter
COVID-19 antigen diagnostic test that shows results in 15 minutes.
• Approved Wamind Speedy Swab Rapid COVID antigen test
• Approved emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• Approved COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) for active immunization to prevent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 12 through 15 years of age.
• Authorize state-licensed pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients, with certain limitations to ensure appropriate patient assessment and prescribing of Paxlovid.
• Recommends Inclusion of Omicron BA.4/5 Component for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses
• Approved an extension to the shelf-life from 18 months to 24 months for specific lots of the refrigerated AstraZeneca monoclonal antibody, Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab), which is currently authorized for emergency use for pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in certain adults and pediatric individuals.
• Issued a proposed rule titled, “Nonprescription Drug Product with an Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use,” which is intended to broaden the range of marketed nonprescription drugs available to consumers, empowering them to self-treat certain common conditions and improving public health.
• Unveiled its Action Plan for Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – a five-year strategy for improving and extending the lives of people living with rare neurodegenerative diseases by advancing the development of safe and effective medical products and facilitating patient access to novel treatments.
• Approved a second generic naloxone hydrochloride (HCI) intranasal spray. Naloxone HCI is an opioid antagonist indicated for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose.
• Approved Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Down to 6 Months of Age
PREVENTION: Exercise
Association of 'weekend warrior,’ Other leisure-time physical activity patterns with mortality: This study of more than 350,000 adults in the United States did not find any significant difference in mortality rates between “weekend warriors” (those who performed the recommended levels of weekly physical activity in one to two sessions) and regularly active participants. Compared with those who were physically inactive, active participants (both “weekend warrior” and regularly active) had lower all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates. JAMA Network
Higher physical activity may lower risk of heart disease in adults with chronic kidney disease: In this long-term study of 3,926 adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) recently published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD), researchers found that individuals with higher levels of physical activity were less likely to experience an atherosclerotic event (e.g. heart attack, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease), new-onset heart failure, and death as compared to those with lower levels of physical activity. American Journal of Kidney Diseases
Cardiovascular risk factors and low physical fitness associated with decline in social cognitive functions: A research collaboration has revealed that cardiovascular risk factors (obesity and high blood pressure) and low physical fitness are associated with decreased social brain network-related neural activity, which causes social cognitive functions to decline. This suggests that having a healthy lifestyle is not only beneficial for disease prevention but also for maintaining and improving sociability. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise’
You Can’t Exercise Your Way Out of an Unhealthy Diet: According to a new study, in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, high levels of physical activity do not counteract the detrimental effects of a poor diet on mortality risk. A study conducted at The University of Sydney found that participants who had both high levels of physical activity and a high-quality diet had the lowest risk of death. Compared to physically inactive participants with poor diets, those who had the highest physical activity and a high-quality diet had a mortality risk that was reduced by 17% from all causes.They also had a 19% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and 27% percent from certain cancers.
PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition
2-3 cups of coffee a day may reduce kidney injury risk by 23% After adjusting for demographic factors, they found that individuals who consumed any amount of coffee had an 11% lower risk of developing AKI compared to individuals who did not consume the beverage.
Daily avocados improve diet quality, help lower cholesterol levels: Eating one avocado a day for six months was found to have no effect on belly fat, liver fat or waist circumference in people with overweight or obesity, according to a new study. However, it did lead to a slight decrease in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Journal of the American Heart Association
Even Moderate Drinking May Contribute to Cognitive Decline: According to a study appearing in the July 14, 2022 issue of the journal PLOS Medicine, drinking seven or more units of alcohol per week was associated with higher levels of iron in the brain. Additionally, higher levels of iron in certain parts of the brain were linked to poorer results on cognitive tests.
Adding Salt to Your Food May Increase Risk of Premature Death: Adding salt to your food could take years off your life. That’s according to a new study looking at the relationship between salt and sodium intake and premature death. Premature death in the study published in the European Heart Journal is defined as death before the age of 75 years. The study participants were followed for an average of nine years. Researchers reported that the people who always added salt to their food had a 28% increased risk of dying prematurely compared with those who never or rarely added salt to their food.
The Mediterranean Diet May Help Reduce Risk of Cognitive Issues:A studyTrusted Source, published in JAMA Network Open, of 6,000 Hispanic and Latino individuals who followed a Mediterranean diet, found that strict adherence to the diet was associated with greater cognition and less memory decline.
PREVENTION: Vitamins/Supplements
Vitamin D supplement ‘overdosing’ is possible and harmful, warn doctors: ‘Overdosing’ on vitamin D supplements is both possible and harmful, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports after they treated a man who needed hospital admission for his excessive vitamin D intake. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/957594
Vitamins, supplements are a ‘waste of money’ for most Americans: Drawn to the allure of multivitamins and dietary supplements filling nutritional gaps in their diet, people in the U.S. in 2021 spent close to $50 billion on vitamins and dietary supplements. But Northwestern Medicine scientists say for non-pregnant, otherwise healthy Americans, vitamins are a waste of money because there isn’t enough evidence they help prevent cardiovascular disease or cancer. Editorial that will be published June 21 in JAMA that supports new recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Based on a systematic review of 84 studies, the USPSTF’s new guidelines state there was “insufficient evidence” that taking multivitamins, paired supplements or single supplements can help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer in otherwise healthy, non-pregnant adults. The task force is specifically recommending against taking beta-carotene supplements because of a possible increased risk of lung cancer, and is recommending against taking vitamin E supplements because it has no net benefit in reducing mortality, cardiovascular disease or cancer.
PREVENTION: Other
Life’s Essential 8: American Heart Association adds sleep to checklist: A recent American Heart Association presidential advisory published in the journal CirculationTrusted Source describes 8 lifestyle and health factors called Life’s Essential 8 that could help preserve optimal heart health and prevent CVD. The previous AHA advisory published in 2010 consisted of seven factors for assessing cardiac health, including physical activity, smoking, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, body mass index, and blood pressure. Four of the existing factors—diet, smoking, blood lipids and glucose—were updated to also include nicotine via e-cigarettes and vapes. The advisory now also highlights the role of mental health and socioeconomic and cultural factors such as racial discrimination in influencing cardiac health.
'Travel therapy' may offer treatment for dementia and benefit mental health: A forthcoming study publishing in the October 2022 edition of Tourism Management presents the thoughts of a cross-disciplinary team of experts in both dementia and tourism. The new research shows that tourism, or “travel therapy,” may be beneficial for mental well-being and may have several components that can positively impact brain health.
Flu vaccines linked to 40% reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease: Researchers have now found that the flu vaccine may have a protective effect, but it is not clear whether the vaccines themselves have an effect on risk, or whether preventing an infection does. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Untreated vision impairment in older adults linked to dementia: A new study from the Medical Informatics Center at Peking University in China has documented a strong association between older people who have vision issues and those who eventually develop dementia or cognitive impairment.
1930s ‘redlining’ connected to poor health outcomes today: A new study further proves that people living in areas that were subjected to housing discrimination decades ago now suffer from higher rates of poor health outcomes, including heart disease, kidney failure and diabetes. Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Men at heightened risk of prostate cancer may benefit from healthy lifestyle changes: A new study confirms that for men who are at heightened genetic risk of developing prostate cancer, genes are not destiny. Investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital looked at outcomes for men with nearly 30 years of follow-up for prostate cancer risk and prostate cancer mortality who were enrolled in two cohort studies — the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Physicians' Health Study. The team found that while men who followed a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle were equally likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, adherence to a healthy lifestyle was associated with close to a 50 percent reduced risk of developing lethal prostate cancer. Results are published in European Urology.
Reconnecting with Old Friends May Boost Your Mental Health — and Theirs: New research finds that reaching out to an old friend and asking what’s happening in their life can be good for your mental health — and theirs, too. In fact, people don’t realize how much an unexpected phone call, text, or email is appreciated, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
What to Know About the Monkeypox Outbreak and CDC’s Advice on Safe Sex Practices: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidance on how people can practice safer sex if they think they’ve recently been exposed to monkeypoxTrusted Source.
TREATMENT
Scientists Looking at ADHD Drugs as Potential Treatments for Alzheimer's Symptoms: Noradrenergic drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and high blood pressure might have some benefits when used in people with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to a new review of studies published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. In their review, researchers looked at studies published between 1980 and 2021 that focused on the potential of noradrenergic drugs being used to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers Report Fewer Relapses in Multiple Sclerosis with Off-Label Drug: According to new research from Sweden, pricing relief might be found by treating MS with an off-label drug called rituximab. Researchers add that rituximab might even be more effective than some MS treatments already approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure All There Is? Alternative Perioperative Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a widely prevalent problem, affecting almost 1 billion people worldwide This article in Anesthesiology reviews the pros and cons of various options including positional therapy; oral appliances; airway devices.
OTHER
How ‘Everyday Ageism’ Affects Health: A new study published in JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source finds nearly all adults experience some form of ageism in their day-to-day lives. These aggressions and micro-aggressions range from absorbing ageist messaging in the media, encountering people who believe they’re less capable because of their age, and believing stereotypes themselves about getting older. Researchers found a connection between experiencing ageism and chronic health conditions. Older adults who internalize ageist beliefs like “having health problems is a part of getting older” may not seek treatment and set themselves up for a self-fulfilling prophecy, experts say
Poor physical & mental health among older adults linked to childhood abuse history: Victims of childhood physical abuse are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety in later life, and are more likely to develop diabetes, cancer, migraines, arthritis & heart disease. “Health professionals serving older adults need to be aware that it is never too late to refer people for counselling. A promising intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], has been tested and found effective at reducing post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive and anxiety symptoms among survivors of childhood abuse. Aging Health and Research
How the Supreme Court’s EPA Ruling May Affect Your Health: U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the Clean Power Plan. This decision has limited the ability of the EPA to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions could impact health directly as well as indirectly by worsening climate change. Poor and marginalized populations are the most at risk. Experts say it is important for citizens to lobby for aggressive measures to combat climate change. Healthline
Insurers Have to Show What They Pay Medical Providers: Can it Help You Save Money?: Starting July 1, consumers can access data showing how much insurers pay different providers for medical services. The Transparency in Coverage Final Rule, issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is being rolled out in three stages. In the later phases, insurers will also have to provide an online price comparison tool that lets consumers see how much they would pay out of pocket for a service from a specific provider.
How overturning Roe V. Wade is affecting access to autoimmune medications: The overturning of the constitutional right to obtain an abortion has led some states to enact laws that ban not only surgical abortions but also medications that are used to terminate pregnancies. Methotrexate is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders, and the treatment of cancers but is also an abortion-inducing drug used to terminate ectopic pregnancies. Pharmacists in states like Texas have reportedly refused to fill methotrexate prescriptions for individuals with ectopic pregnancies or autoimmune disorders due to fear of legal repercussions. Methotrexate can also lead to birth defects, and the potential of accidental pregnancies in the absence of access to abortions has also led rheumatologists to reconsider prescribing the drug to women of child-bearing age. Medical News Today
The 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Is Live, but Are Call Centers Prepared? The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number became ‘988’ on July 16 to make help-seeking in a moment of crisis more accessible. Experts have expressed concern that the Lifeline has already struggled to meet demand due to the increase in youth suicide rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicidality is especially high among Youth of Color and marginalized groups, including LGBTQ youth. Increased federal funding to 988 networks across the U.S. may help ensure c https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-988-suicide-hotline-number-is-ready-to-launch-but-are-call-centers-preparedall centers are prepared to handle the expected surge in calls to the new hotline. Healthline
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