Health News

Pain And Nausea In Cancer Patients Reduced By Touch Therapy

Date: Jun-29-2012
Just one session of Jin Shin Jyutsu, an ancient form of touch therapy similar to acupuncture in philosophy achieved a considerable improvement in side effects of cancer treatment. Jennifer Bradley, a Jin Shin Jyutsu integrative practitioner from the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center presented the new study at the 2012 Markey Cancer Center Research Day...

Stem Cells From Muscular Dystrophy Patients Transplanted Into Mice

Date: Jun-29-2012
Scientists have managed to successfully transplant stem cells from patients with a rare form of muscular dystrophy into mice that suffered from the same form of dystrophy. A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that researchers have, for the first time, managed to turn fibroblast cells, i.e. common cells within connective tissue, from muscular dystrophy patients into stem cells and subsequently changed these cells into muscle precursor cells. After modifying the muscle precursor cells genetically, the researchers transplanted them into mice...

Warfarin Patients Who Have A Stroke - Outcomes With Anti-Clotting Agents

Date: Jun-29-2012
A study in the June 27 edition of JAMA reports that patients treated with warfarin (with an INR 1.7 or less) who had an acute ischemic stroke were not linked to a higher risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage when using intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) compared with patients who were not treated with warfarin as standard treatment...

Depressive Symptoms Alleviated With Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment

Date: Jun-29-2012
A new study has shown that providing treatment for Vitamin D deficiency considerably improves women's depression in moderate and even severe cases. The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston will present the report series supporting this theory on Saturday, 30th June, 2012. The clinically depressed women who participated in the study received treatment for their vitamin D deficiency without changing any of their antidepressant medication regimes or any other influential factors in their environment...

Moderate Drinking Superior To Abstaining In Quality Of Life Scores

Date: Jun-29-2012
Middle-aged people who consume alcohol in moderation appear to have better quality of life than those who abstain, say researchers. The study, which involved 5,404 Canadians aged 50+, found that those who drank in moderation - no more than 14 drinks per week with no more than three a day for women and four a day for men - had higher quality of life than those who abstained from alcohol. The researchers assessed health quality of life with the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3.) During the follow-up period, the researchers found that 31.4% of participants reduced their alcohol intake...

Vegetable-Rich Diet Keeps Pancreatitis Away

Date: Jun-29-2012
Individuals who consume a diet rich in vegetables are significantly less likely to develop acute pancreatitis, say researchers. The study, published online in the journal Gut, examined 80,000 adults in Sweden in order to determine if an imbalance in antioxidant levels, associated with dietary factors, increased the risk of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis refers to inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas releases hormones as well as digestive enzymes to break down food. However, these enzymes can sometimes activate inside the pancreas, and start to digest the gland itself...

Prolonged Standing During Pregnancy May Result In Stunted Fetal Growth

Date: Jun-29-2012
Standing for prolonged periods of time during pregnancy may restrict fetal growth, according to researchers. Earlier studies have suggested that working long hours may increase the risk of premature birth, birth defects, low birthweight, and stillbirth. The study, published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, examined 4,680 pregnant women from early pregnancy onwards. Study participants were surveyed on their work conditions as well as the physical demands of their jobs, including long working hours, lifting, night shifts, and long periods of standing or walking...

Second Line Diabetes Drug Linagliptin Effective

Date: Jun-29-2012
Although metformin is the most commonly prescribed initial drug treatment for diabetes, many patients stop responding to the drug. Now, researchers have found that a new drug, called linagliptin, could significantly benefit people with Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in The Lancet, found that patients who took linagliptin gained significantly less weight and were also less likely to suffer from cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. In 2008, it was estimated that diabetes affected almost 10% of the world's population (375 million people)...

Potentially Violent Sleep Disorder Linked To Smoking, Pesticides And Head Injury

Date: Jun-29-2012
REM behavior disorder, during which the sleeper does not have the typical lack of muscle tone during the REM (rapid eye movement) phase of sleep, and can act out dreams, sometimes violently, may be linked to smoking, head injuries or pesticides, researchers reported in the Journal Neurology. Some people with this sleeping disorder may kick out or punch while asleep, sometimes injuring their bed partner or themselves. The authors say that approximately 0.5% of all adults are affected by REM behavior disorder. Ronald B...

Rheumatoid Arthritis Biomarker Test Shows Promise

Date: Jun-29-2012
A new study led by researchers at the University of Alabama, reveals that a multi-biomarker blood test for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may help physicians track the progression of RA disease activity. The study is published online in Arthritis Care and Research. Jeffrey Curtis, M.D., associate professor in the division of clinical immunology and rheumatology and lead author of the study explained: "Previously, the disease activity of RA was assessed through clinical observation by a physician, noting the number of tender and swollen joints and assessing pain and functional abilities...