In the journals: Studies find a link between hot flashes and cardiovascular risk
Three large studies showed an association between hot flashes and increased risk of heart disease or stroke.
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Month: April 2010
Multivitamins and prostate cancer: A new worry?
A study sparked concern about a possible link between multivitamins and an increased risk of prostate cancer, but the evidence is unclear and further study is needed.
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Atrial fibrillation, angioplasty drugs approved
Two new medications have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, one for people with atrial fibrillation and one that works to fight the formation of clots.
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Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome prevents people from getting the sleep they need. The cause is unknown but may be linked to low levels of dopamine. Certain medications may ease the symptoms, allowing for improved sleep.
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The powerful placebo
In a randomized clinical trial, volunteers are given either a medication or a placebo without knowing which one they are receiving. Sometimes, those who receive the placebo report that it makes them feel better, which is called the placebo effect.
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By the way, doctor: Should I supplement my diet with Ambrotose?
What do you know about the health supplement Ambrotose? I looked it up on the Internet, where it’s described as an “advanced glyconutrient.”
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In the News: Heart failure risk prompts warning labels on diabetes drugs
The FDA has ordered a warning label be put on the diabetes drugs Avandia and Actos due to evidence from studies that the medications may increase the risk of heart attack or death from cardiovascular disease.
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In Brief
Brief reports on a potential alternative to warfarin, the added harm of cholesterol in fried foods, reducing stroke risk, and comparing higher doses of a statin with a combination drug.
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Pain relief balancing act
Frequent use of pain relievers can irritate the stomach, digestive tract, or possibly the heart and blood vessels. For people with heart disease, a study suggests that regular use of naproxen will not harm the heart.
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Anti-inflammatory drugs, the prostate, and the bladder
Two studies of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia who took NSAIDs found conflicting results: one group were more likely to suffer from acute urinary retention, while another showed a reduced risk of BPH symptoms.
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