COVID-19 Updated Moderna Booster Shows Greater Activity Against COVID in Adults: The updated Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that targets the original virus and the Omicron variant was superior to the original COVID booster in adults aged 18 and older, new results indicate. The bivalent booster was superior regardless of age and whether a person had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, no new safety concerns emerged. Medscape
1 in 3 People Get COVID-19 Rebound Symptoms, Even Without Paxlovid: A new study foundTrusted Source that COVID-19 has “waxing and waning of symptoms,” whether people are treated with the anti-viral Paxlovid, or not. Researchers looked at 158 participants for 29 days and found that over 30% of those reporting a complete absence of symptoms, reported that symptoms had returned. JAMA Network Open
Cholesterol-Lowering Statins: Do They Help With COVID-19?: In the new study, researchers examined the electronic medical records of over 38,000 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in the United States between January and September 2020. Of the patients included in the study, 30% regularly used statins as a treatment for high cholesterol. By examining patients’ medical records, the authors of the new study found that statin users were 37% less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to people who didn’t use statins. In addition, regular statin users were less likely to be discharged to hospice, be admitted to the intensive care unit or develop blood clots. They also spent less time in the hospital and less time on a ventilator helping them breathe. The study was presented Oct. 22 at the 2022 American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting. It has not yet been peer-reviewed.
High Blood Pressure May Increase Risk of Severe COVID-19: Hypertension, is associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, according to a studyTrusted Source published today in the journal PLOS ONE. The scientists analyzed the health records of 16,134 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. They reported that high blood pressure was almost twice as prevalent in severe and fatal cases of COVID-19 than in COVID-19 cases overall cases
PAINHow Even Small Weight Gain Can Increase the Odds of Knee Replacement Surgery: Researchers say gaining as little as 11 pounds can increase the odds of knee replacement surgery for both men and women. Exercise is a good way to lower the risk of knee replacement surgery, especially for people in sedentary jobs. International Congress on Obesity in Melbourne, Australia.
Fibromyalgia: How Green Eyeglasses Can Help Ease Pain-Related Anxiety: Researchers say wearing green-tinted eyeglasses for several hours may help ease pain-related anxiety associated with fibromyalgia. The color green has healing powers and is the most relaxing color for the eye to view. Researchers add that daily exercise, a healthy sleep schedule, and relaxation techniques can also help. A study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2022 annual meeting.
Psychotherapy May Help You Find Relief From Chronic Back Pain — Here's How New research revealed that combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with tailored exercises could significantly support pain management. CBT is designed to change the way individuals thought processes, focus, and attitudes. The new findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment plans in treating chronic pain. The study analyzed data from 58 randomized control trials comprising over 10,000 individuals with chronic lower back pain. Healthline
How Chronic Pain in Your 40s Can Lead to Illness, Disease in 50s and 60s: According to a studyTrusted Source published in PLOS ONE participants who had chronic pain in their 40s were more likely to experience pain later in life as well as poor health and mental health issues. Chronic pain can be the result of a painful condition, so both should be treated. mental health issues should also be treated along with chronic pain.
Anesthetics that block nerves around the knee relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Results from a recent clinical trial published by Wiley in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrate that patients with knee osteoarthritis experience short term pain relief from genicular nerve blocks—or locally injected anesthetics that block nerves around the knee joint.
Restored blood flow meant less pain, better quality of life for those with leg artery disease: Restoring blood flow to the legs, whether through bypass surgery or a less invasive artery-opening procedure with a stent, reduced pain and improved quality of life for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022.
Ankle Replacement and Fusion Demonstrate Similar Effectiveness for Osteoarthritis: according to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine replacement surgery as well as fusion surgery can help people with ankle osteoarthritis.There are potential complications from both procedures. Milder forms of ankle osteoarthritis can be treated with steroid injections and topical creams. Reduce risk of osteoarthritis by staying active and wearing supportive shoes.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINECannabis Use Before Surgery Increases Pain Afterward: A new study finds that cannabis users may experience more pain, not less, after undergoing surgery. The study was presented at Anesthesiology 2022 annual meeting Cannabis users have a tendency to use more opioids after surgery. Experts say cannabinoid receptors in the brain may overlap with opioid receptors. Cannabis users may build up a tolerance for opioids, making those pain relievers less effective.
Cannabis and Other Drugs Increase Risk of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): A new study looks at how drugs including cannabis, opioids, cocaine and methamphetamine can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib.) AFib risk was highest among people who took cocaine or opioids. But all four drugs increased the risk of AFib. In the study, researchers identified nearly 1 million people who had no pre-existing AFib, but who were diagnosed with this condition during the study period.Experts say particulate matter in cannabis smoke may be responsible for increase in AFib risk. In the study, published Oct. 18 in the European Heart Journal, researchers analyzed data for every hospital admission, emergency room visit, and medical procedure in California that occurred from 2005 through 2015.
Medical Cannabis Safe for Huntington's, Parkinson's Disease? Medical cannabis doesn't appear to exacerbate disease or neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with movement disorders, two Israeli research teams reported. One retrospective study focused on Parkinson's disease while Another study, targeted Huntington's disease.
Marijuana vs. Tobacco: Lung Disease More Common in People Who Smoke Pot: Marijuana may be more harmful to the lungs than tobacco when it comes to the frequency of emphysema and airway inflammation. That’s according to a new study published today in Radiology. Researchers said the difference may come down to marijuana smoke entering the lungs unfiltered and that users tend to hold inhalations longer to glean the psychoactive effects. Emphysema and airway inflammation is more common in marijuana smokers than it is people who smoke tobacco. Both tobacco and marijuana smokers also have significantly higher rates of lung ailments than people who don’t use either substance.
Adding CBD to THC Won’t Reduce the Effects of Cannabis That Get You ‘High': In a new study, researchers from the United Kingdom and Australia tested different CBD-to-THC ratios to clarify how CBD and THC work in the body when inhaled together. The results, published in the journal NeuropsychopharmacologyTrusted Source, show no evidence that CBD reduces the negative or pleasurable effects of THC.
Novel Intervention Relieves Depression in MS Patients: An internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (iCBT) program specifically designed for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to usual treatment, new research shows. Participants in the randomized controlled trial who received iCBT either alone or in combination with weekly emails from therapists reported benefits that persisted up to a year after therapy. European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2022
Single Dose of Synthetic ‘Magic Mushroom’ Psilocybin Eases Severe Depression: A single dose of a synthetic version of the psychedelic drug psilocybin, alongside psychological support, reduced symptoms in people with treatment-resistant depression, a new study found. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial compared the impact on depression symptoms of a 25-milligram dose, 10-milligram dose, and 1-milligram dose of a synthetic version of the mind-altering component of “magic mushrooms.” The drug was administered in the presence of trained therapists. Participants in the study also met with a therapist several times before and after the psilocybin session. Results showed an almost immediate decrease in depression symptoms, with the strongest benefit seen among people taking 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin. The New England Journal of Medicine,
8-week mindfulness program ‘as effective’ as antidepressant for treating anxiety: A randomized control study has found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is “as effective” as the antidepressant escitalopram for reducing anxiety symptoms.
The researchers suggest their findings provide evidence that MBSR is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for anxiety disorders. JAMA PsychiatryTrusted Source.
How Apple Airpods and Other Wireless Earbuds Can Be Used as Hearing Aids: A new studyTrusted Source published in the journal iScience suggests that Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs), specifically smartphone-bundled Apple AirPods Pro, may work just as well as traditional hearing aids to improve speech intelligibility among people with mild to moderate hearing loss. scientists reported that AirPods Pro performed similarly to basic hearing aids in a quiet environment. However, its performance was slightly inferior to premium hearing aids. The AirPods 2 did not perform as well as AirPods Pro or basic hearing aids. However, the participants still heard more clearly while wearing an AirPods 2 than without any hearing assistive devices. Moreover, in an environment with background noise coming from the side, AirPods Pro performed comparably to premium hearing aids. However, the AirPods Pro and AirPods 2 failed to improve hearing ability when background noise was introduced from the front of the participants.
Ayahuasca: Psychoactive Drink Can Ease Mental Health Issues But There Are Side Effects:A study published from the University of Melbourne in Australia concludes that while there is a substantial rate of adverse physical and psychological effects from using the plant-based psychoactive, they are generally not severe. Overall, adverse health effects were reported by nearly 70% of participants with the most common effects being vomiting and nausea, headache, and abdominal pain. About 2% of participants who reported adverse physical events required medical attention. About 55% of participants reported adverse mental health effects ranging from hearing and seeing things to feeling disconnected to nightmares.Of the respondents reporting mental health effects, 87% believed they were completely or somewhat part of a positive growth process.
FDA ACTION• Approved Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr) as the second interchangeable biosimilar insulin product to Lantus (insulin glargine).
• Approved Tzield (teplizumab-mzwv) injection to delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in adults and pediatric patients 8 years and older who currently have stage 2 type 1 diabetes.
• Conditionally approved Panoquell-CA1 (fuzapladib sodium for injection) for the management of clinical signs associated with acute onset of pancreatitis in dogs.
• Issued Safety and Effectiveness of Certain Naloxone Hydrochloride Drug Products for Nonprescription Use
• warned consumers that aspirin-containing antacid medicines to treat heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion or upset stomach can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding in some people.
PREVENTION
ExerciseExercise During Chemo May Help Beat the Treatment's Effects: Exercising while undergoing chemotherapy can help cancer patients overcome the treatment's debilitating effects and return to normal life faster. That's according to a new study of 266 patients undergoing chemotherapy for testicular, breast, or colon cancer or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. All the participants took part in a 6-month exercise program, but half started the program during their chemo treatment (3 months before their chemo was scheduled to end), while the other half started after chemo was finished.
Exercise Later in the Day for Better Blood Glucose Control A new study found working out in the afternoon and evening may help control blood sugar. Researchers found that time spent doing moderate to vigorous physical activity reduced both liver fat content and insulin resistance. The team found no significant difference in insulin resistance in people who were more physically active in the morning or throughout the day. The study, published November 1 in the journal Diabetologia concluded that exercising between noon and midnight could significantly decrease insulin resistance compared to activity earlier in the day.
How Higher Intensity Exercise Can Improve Your Heart Health: A new study found that increasing brisk physical activity may help significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Brisk activity (such as running or speedwalking) may provide more benefits than moderate activity (such as walking), even when overall activity does not change. The study found an increase in brisk exercise could led to as much as a 40% drop in cardiac disease. European Heart JournalTrusted Source
8 Weeks of Exercise Improves Insulin Resistance, Aids in Weight Loss: New research shows that 8 weeks of exercise can restore healthy insulin activity in the brain. Restored insulin sensitivity was also connected to improved metabolism, reduced hunger, and loss of abdominal fat. According to the study authors, the findings could help pave the way for therapies to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. JCI Insight,
Light physical activity linked to milder symptoms from intracerebral hemorrhage: People who perform light physical activity, such as walking or bicycling for at least four hours per week, have a 3.5 times higher probability to experience mild symptoms from intracerebral hemorrhage, and more than twice the chance to survive five years, compared to those who are less active. Neurology
Exercise helps against insulin resistance in the brain: A recent study shows that as little as eight weeks of exercise can help restore the brain's insulin sensitivity in severely overweight adults. This opens up new therapeutic possibilities for reducing obesity and diabetes risk factors in the future
Diet/NutritionHow Snacking on Almonds Can Potentially Boost Gut Health: Eating a handful of almonds a day may significantly improve your gut health. According to a new studyTrusted Source funded by the Almond Board of California and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, when we digest almonds, it increases the production of a short-chain fatty acid known as butyrate, which provides fuel for cells in the colon lining. This in turn promotes gut health.
Menopause: Low Fat, Plant-Based Diet May Reduce Hot Flashes, Promote Weight Loss: According to a new study recently published in the journal Menopause by the North American Menopause Society, a low fat, plant-based diet rich in soy products was as effective as hormone replacement therapy for reducing hot flashes. Participants who followed the dietary protocol also experienced weight loss.
Osteoporosis: Prunes May Help Preserve Bone Mass, Fight Inflammation: Two new studies from Pennsylvania State University found that eating prunes daily could help prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. The findings of both studies are based on data from the same 235 postmenopausal women and were shared in a poster session at the North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The research was funded by the California Prune Board.
Low-Carb Diet May Help People with Pre-Diabetes Lower Their Blood Sugar Without Meds: Researchers found that people who followed a low-carb diet for six months saw a greater drop in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker for blood glucose levels, compared to people who ate their usual diet. The study was published Oct. 26 in JAMA Network OpenTrusted Source.
Does the Mediterranean Diet Prevent Obesity? The authors review studies that show that adherence to a Mediterranean diet even without energy restriction is associated with weight maintenance and not weight gain. The authors admit that there is "no single definition” of the Mediterranean diet, but it generally consists of little amounts of red meat, low to moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and large quantities of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and…unrestricted olive oil as a source of monounsaturated fatty acids."
Intermittent Fasting Linked to Disordered Eating, Other Dangerous Behaviors: New research suggests that intermittent fasting, while a popular diet trend, may lead to dangerous eating behaviors in some young people. Experts say that fasting may reinforce distorted self-image or compulsive behaviors in vulnerable individuals. More research is needed to confirm if this dietary approach is actually a healthy way to control weight. Eating Behaviors
SleepLess Than 6 Hours of Sleep a Night Linked to Serious, Chronic Illness: Individuals who are middle-aged and older and who sleep 5 hours or less a night may be at risk for an array of serious and chronic health conditions, ranging from heart disease to cancer, results of a large study show. Beginning at age 50, those who slept 5 hours or less a night had a 30% higher risk of developing multiple chronic diseases over time than those who slept at least 7 hours a night. By the time the participants were aged 70 years, that risk had increased to 40%. Prior research suggests that sleeping for 5 hours or less or 9 hours or more is associated with cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). 8000 civil servants in the UK, as part of the Whitehall II cohort study, reported the amount of sleep they received beginning at age 50 every 4 to 5 years for the next 25 years. Study participants were free of chronic disease at age 50 and were mostly male (67.5%) and White (90%). The study was published online October 18 in PLOS Medicine
Glaucoma: Poor Sleep, Insomnia and Snoring May Increase Risk: Poor quality sleep could be associated with developing glaucoma, which leads to irreversible vision loss, according to a large study published in the BMJ Open. Researchers found that insomnia, sleeping less than seven hours or longer than nine, and snoring were all associated with raised glaucoma risk. The findings also suggest that participants who developed glaucoma tended to be older, male, have smoked, and have high blood pressure or diabetes compared to those who didn’t have glaucoma.
3 in 10 U.S. Adults Report Sleep Difficulties: How to Get Better Rest: Daytime fatigue and nighttime sleep disturbances are common to an estimated 3 in 10 adults in the United States. That’s according to a new studyTrusted Source published in JAMA Network Open. Experts say a lack of quality sleep can cause an array of health issues. They add that it is difficult to “catch up” on sleep over a weekend. There are simple ways to get better rest, including going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day as well as limiting caffeine, alcohol, and electronic screens before bedtime.
USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation about screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the general adult population. This statement applies to asymptomatic adults and adults with unrecognized symptoms of OSA. Current prevalence of OSA in the United States is not well established. JAMA
Sleep Research Society position statement supports adoption of permanent standard time: With the annual change from daylight saving time to standard time approaching on Sunday, Nov. 6, a new position statement from the Sleep Research Society is advocating for the elimination of daylight saving time and the adoption of permanent standard time. The position statement was published online Sept. 26 as an advance article in the journal Sleep.
Vitamins/SupplementsVitamin B12 Protective Against Parkinson's Disease?: A high baseline intake of vitamin B12 is linked to lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD), new research suggests. “The results leave the door open for the possibility that vitamin B12 may have a beneficial effect in protecting against PD," lead author Mario H. Flores, PhD. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders (MDS) 2022. international meeting of the Movement Disorder Society.
Common Dietary Supplements are No Match for Statins in Combatting Cholesterol: A new study found that six dietary supplements commonly marketed as a way to lower cholesterol had no significant impact on levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterolTrusted Source, sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, compared to an inactive placebo. The supplements tested in the study over a 28-day period were fish oil, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice. In contrast, people in the study who took a low-dose prescription medication known as a statin saw a 35% average drop in their LDL cholesterol levels during that time. study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
OtherLonger Hours in a Stressful Job can Impact Depression Risk: A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the more hours a person works at a stressful job each week, the more their risk of depression increases. Working 90 or more hours per week led to three times the amount of changes in depression symptom scores versus those working 40 to 45 hours a week.
1 in 10 Older Americans Have Dementia: How to Reduce Your Risk: A new studyTrusted Source suggests that dementia is a growing problem. 10% of Americans ages 65 or over have dementia; 22% of participants over 65 were shown to have mild cognitive impairment. Dementia prevalence rates were found to rise with age, with a rate of 35% for those ages 90 or over. Lifestyle factors such as eating a healthy diet, staying active, and learning new skills can reduce your dementia risk.
Hair Straightening and Uterine Cancer: What to Know About the Risks: new researchTrusted Source conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has found that chemicals included in some hair straightening products may increase the risk of developing uterine cancer. Risk was doubled for those frequently using hair straightening products compared to those not using them.
Smoking, Vaping Appear to Have Similar Cardiovascular Health Effects: A pair of studies – one on humans, the other on rats – show similar cardiovascular effects from cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The findings also indicate that smoking and vaping together produce even more serious heart health issues. Researchers reported that the effects on blood vessel function are probably caused by airway irritation from inhaling a foreign substance, instead of specific components of cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular BiologyTrusted Source.
Crossword Puzzles May be Better for Improving Memory Than Sudoku, Wordle: A study, published recently in the journal NEJM Evidence found that in people with mild cognitive impairment, participants who played crossword puzzles didn’t experience as much decline in cognitive or functional ability as those who played other games. Additionally, the MRI scans revealed less brain shrinkage for the group that played crossword puzzles.
TREATMENTPeople on Blood Pressure Meds May Be Less Likely to Develop Dementia: New research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia analyzed data from clinical trials involving over 28,000 people to determine if people using high blood pressure drugs had a reduced risk of dementia compared to those who did not use these drugs. They found people with a sustained reduction in blood pressure thanks to medication were about 13% less likely to get dementia.
Breast Cancer: 3 Weeks of Radiation May Be Just as Effective as 6 Weeks in Early Stages: According to the researchers in a new study, three weeks of radiation treatment is just as effective as six weeks for people with early-stage breast cancer. The findings could lead to patients only needing three weeks of radiation therapy after a lumpectomy, as opposed to the current treatment standard of four to six weeks.
AFib Treatment: Why Ablation May Be More Dangerous for Women: One of the common treatments for atrial fibrillation (AFib) is catheter ablation. Now, a recent study published in the journal Heart, has found that this procedure could be more dangerous for women than men. There appear to be possible gender differences with specific adverse events which may be attributable to differences in size and anatomy. However, this could also be related to differences in how atrial fibrillation diagnosis and management is approached in women vs. men.”
Multiple Studies Suggest Eliquis for Afib Can Reduce Stroke, Bleeding Risks Better Than Alternatives:New research finds that the prescription medication Apixaban (Eliquis) may provide better protection from stroke and bleeding events than rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for people living with atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD). Annals of Internal Medicine
Ablation Surgery May Be More Effective for AFib Than Drugs: A new study suggests ablation surgery may be more effective as a first-step strategy for atrial fibrillation (AFib) than using medication. They say the results include both short-term and long-term benefits. This latest research is in line with medical professionals moving away from medications to treat AFib.
Immunotherapy Drug Opdivo Shows Promise in Treating Advanced Skin Cancer: A studyTrusted Source published in Cancer reports that the immunotherapy drug Opdivo was effective against an advanced form of skin cancer in a clinical trial involving older adults. For the study, 24 participants received 3mg/kg of nivolumab intravenously every two weeks until they experienced cancer progression, developed unacceptable toxicity, or received 12 months of treatment. Participants had a median age of 74. The results of the trial reported that 14 participants benefitted from the treatment and one person discontinued the therapy because of toxicity. The drug boosted the immune system response against cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.Immunotherapy is showing promise in treating a variety of cancers.
Weight Loss Surgery: New Guidelines Are Released, Expanding Eligibility: The first new guidelines for weight loss surgery in more than three decades were announced by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). The new evidence-based clinical guidelines from two of the field’s leading authorities recommend expanding patient eligibility and endorsing metabolic surgery for people with type 2 diabetes, starting at a body mass index (BMI) of 30.The organizations published theASMBS/IFSO Guidelines on Indications for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery – 2022 in the journals Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases(SOARD) and Obesity Surgery.
New Guidelines Recommend These Weight Loss Drugs For People With Obesity: New guidance from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommends that people with obesity use prescription weight-loss drugs, in addition to lifestyle changes like exercise and diet, to meet their weight-loss goals. The guidelines, which published in the journal Gastroenterology were developed due to advancements recently made in how obesity is treated.
People With Breast Cancer Who Respond Well to Chemotherapy May Not Need Surgery:The resultsTrusted Source of a phase 2 clinical trial published in Lancet Oncology reported that people whose cancer was completely eradicated through chemotherapy, known as “exceptional responders,” had a low chance of cancer recurrence and could even avoid surgery.
How Strict Abortion Laws are Delaying Cancer Treatment: Up to 1 in 1,000 pregnant women receive a cancer diagnosis each year in the United States, reports the ACS. Patients in states with anti-abortion laws may face challenges accessing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other treatments that can negatively affect fetal development and potentially cause miscarriage. Multiple organizations including the American Cancer Society have issued statements urging lawmakers to protect cancer care access for pregnant patients.
Nightmares: Researchers Say 'Pleasant Sounds' and Other Therapies Can Reduce Them: Researchers in Switzerland recently published a study in the journal Current Biology in which they combined Imagery Rehearsal therapy (IRT) with targeted memory reactivation (TMR). Those who had listened to the sound during waking IRT experienced fewer nightmares per week. They also had more dreams with positive emotions like joy.
Cardiovascular Events Similar With Evening or Morning Dose of BP Meds: Patients with hypertension who took their antihypertensive medication in the evening or in the morning had similar rates of cardiovascular events over the following 5 years, in the much-anticipated TIME trial. The trial, which contradicts several previous studies suggesting that evening dosing may be better, was presented today at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2022
Urinary Tract Infections: A New Antibiotic May Be on the Way to Treat UTIs: Officials are reporting that the antibiotic gepotidacin is performing so well in trials that it might be available sooner than expected to help treat urinary tract infections. If approved, gepotidacin would be the first new antibiotic developed for treating UTIs in more than 20 years. It would also be available at least a year ahead of the estimated study completion date.
CDC Releases New Opioid Guidelines: What to Know: The US Centers for Disease Control has updated its guidelines for clinicians in prescribing opioids – the first update since 2016. These guidelinesTrusted Source come from the organization as 12 recommendations for clinicians in prescribing opioids for acute, subacute, and chronic pain and address some of the shortcomings of the 2016 recommendations.
Amoxicillin Shortage: Some Forms of this Common Antibiotic in Short Supply: A post-COVID-19 surge in upper respiratory infections may be driving demand for the liquid form of the antibiotic amoxicillin, prompting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an alert about supply shortages.
Cholesterol, Diabetes Drugs May Lessen Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Regular use of medications for cholesterol and type 2 diabetes might lessen the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Tirzepatide Lowers Weight Across All Groups With Obesity: These new analyses from SURMOUNT-1 show that "regardless of BMI, regardless of age, regardless of number of obesity-related complications, there was a clear dose-related weight loss that was pretty consistent across groups." "The absolute levels of these weight losses are higher than we've seen thus far with [anti-obesity] medications." Medscape
Focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor highly effective after 5 years: A scalpel-free, high-tech form of brain surgery pioneered at UVA Health offers long-term relief for patients with essential tremor, a common movement disorder, a five-year review shows. The study offers important insights into the durability of the benefits of focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor. Five years after treatment, clinical trial participants continued to their treated tremors reduced by more than 70%, the researchers report. There were no progressive or delayed complications. Journal of Neurosurgery.
New Drug Baxdrostat May Help Fight Treatment-Resistant Hypertension: In the phase II trial, the drug called baxdrostat reduced hypertension in patients whose condition was not fixed by other forms of treatment. The drug is designed to block the production of aldosterone – a key hormonal contributor to hypertension – by blocking the enzyme that creates it. The New England Journal of Medicine,
Four-Drug Combo Gets BP Down in One Step: QUARTET-USA: Use of a combination antihypertensive product containing quarter doses of four different drugs could be an effective strategy to get patients to target blood pressures in one step, a new study suggests. The study, QUARTET-USA, showed a reduction in blood pressure of almost 5 mm Hg more than the comparator of one antihypertensive agent at standard dose over the 12-week follow up period in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. The QUARTET-USA study was presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2022
Triglyceride Lowering Fails to Show CV Benefit in Large Fibrate Trial: Despite a 25% reduction in triglycerides (TGs) along with similar reductions in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and remnant cholesterol, a novel agent failed to provide any protection in a multinational trial against a composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes. The trial, called PROMINENT, was presented at the American Heart Association scientific sessions.
Type 1 Diabetes: The Benefits and Limitations of a Pancreas Transplant: According to a paper published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism up to 90% of people who received a pancreas transplant enjoy freedom from insulin therapy and the need for close glucose monitoring. There are drawbacks to the transplants, including the need for a person to take immunosuppressants for the rest of their life.
Oral ENT-01 safe, significantly improves constipation in persons with Parkinson disease: A randomized controlled trial of 150 persons with Parkinson disease has found that (oral squalamine phosphate) ENT-01 is safe for up to 25 days of treatment and significantly improves constipation and possibly neurological symptoms. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine
Morning blue light treatment improves sleep in patients with PTSD: People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced better sleep, a reduction in the severity of PTSD symptoms and more effective treatments after exposure to blue light therapy, according to a new study recently published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
OTHER
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: This Common Herbicide May Raise Your Risk The study, published in Nature on October 20Trusted Source, suggests that a specific herbicide, propyzamide, may increase inflammation in the large and small intestines and increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Propyzamide is commonly used in agriculture to kill weeds.
These Brands of Dry Shampoo are Being Recalled Over Cancer-Causing Chemical: On October 18, New Jersey-based Unilever announced a voluntary recall of multiple dry shampoo brands including Dove, Nexxus and Suave, that are manufactured by the business conglomerate. The reason is that these products could expose consumers to a carcinogenic substance called benzene.
For People Over 65, Dementia Prevalence Has Dropped By Nearly a Third: New research from the RAND Corporation finds the prevalence of dementia in the U.S. is declining in the over-65 age group; dropping from 12% of the population in 2000 to just over 8% in 2016.
'Lucid Dying': EEG Backs Near-Death Experience During CPR: Brain wave recordings obtained during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) offer support to near-death experiences subjectively reported by some people who survive cardiac arrest, according to a novel new study. Only 53 of the 567 IHCA patients survived (9.3%). Among the 28 (52.8%) IHCA survivors who completed interviews, 11 (39.3%) reported unique, lucid experiences during resuscitation. These experiences included a perception of separation from one's body, observing events without pain or distress, and an awareness and meaningful evaluation of life, including of their actions, intentions, and thoughts toward others. American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2022 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/983675
