Data researchers connect diet to changes in the microbiome
“Should I be taking a probiotic?” is a question that Maggie Stanislawski, PhD, assistant professor in the University of Colorado Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI), gets asked often. The answer is complicated. Every person’s gut microbiome is unique, and many probiotic supplements sold in grocery stores may not effectively bolster gut health for everyone, she […]
COX-2 Inhibitor Added to Levonorgestrel Improved Emergency Contraception Efficacy
Taking the oral cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor piroxicam in combination with levonorgestrel improved emergency contraception efficacy versus levonorgestrel alone, with no additional adverse events, a randomized controlled trial showed. Piroxicam 40 mg combined with levonorgestrel 1.5 mg prevented 94.7% of expected pregnancies compared with 63.4% with levonorgestrel plus placebo (P<0.0001), reported Raymond Hang Wun Li, MD, […]
Opinion | ‘Not Going to Change a Hardened Racist’: What We Heard This Week
“Taking some dippy course is not going to change a hardened racist.” — Marilyn Singleton, MD, a Los Angeles-based anesthesiologist, discussing implicit bias training as part of continuing medical education course work. “It would be very helpful to be able to tell my patient ‘lay off of the sugary sodas, but if you need a […]
How Long It Takes Your Body To Readjust After Years On Birth Control
Mindful Media via Getty Images Experts share what to expect when you stop taking the pill, remove your IUD or quit another form of birth control after taking it for a long time. Millions of people use birth control to prevent pregnancy, manage painful periods, regulate hormones and reduce the risk of some cancers. But […]
Treating childhood ADHD with stimulant meds not associated with increased substance use later in life, study finds
Children taking a prescription stimulant to manage symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not have more substance use or substance use disorder (SUD) as adolescents or young adults, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Published today in JAMA Psychiatry, the study may provide some […]
Breast Cancer Drugs May Weaken Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs
CHICAGO — Anti-obesity medications may not work quite as well in women taking certain breast cancer drugs, a researcher reported here. Among 99 breast cancer survivors, those taking aromatase inhibitors (AI) lost 42% less weight after a year of taking an anti-obesity medication than women not on AIs, said Sima Fansa, MD, of the Mayo […]
Multivitamin improves memory in older adults, study finds
Taking a daily multivitamin supplement can slow age-related memory decline, finds a large study led by researchers at Columbia University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard. “Cognitive aging is a top health concern for older adults, and this study suggests that there may be a simple, inexpensive way to help older adults slow down memory decline,” […]
How Can Primary Care Be Improved in the U.S.?
WASHINGTON — Are you taking Fridays off at your medical practice? If so, you’re not alone, said Ishani Ganguli, MD, a primary care physician at Harvard Medical School in Boston, at a primary care forum here Thursday. “We see this 20% dip [in office visits on Fridays] — specialist visits more than primary care visits,” […]
Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia: Taking vitamin D supplements may help ward off dementia, according to a new, large-scale study.
Taking vitamin D supplements may help ward off dementia, according to a new, large-scale study. Researchers at the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Canada and the University of Exeter in the UK explored the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in more than 12,388 participants of the US National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, […]
Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain, Not Full Agonist Opioids, New VA Guidance Says
Buprenorphine, rather than a full agonist opioid, should be used for patients taking daily opioids for chronic pain, given its lower risk for overdose or misuse, new guidelines from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) recommended. But “the guideline development group does not recommend use of opioid analgesics in the […]