Light therapy is typically prescribed to treat seasonal affective disorder, but there are risks for certain people. Researchers are looking at making adjustments to the timing and duration of the therapy to try to reduce this risk.
New U.S. rules will require sunscreens to be tested against both types of rays from the sun. Revised labels will offer a standard way to compare products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the changes June 14. Changes will take effect in one year. They have been in development for more than 30 years. Now products must be tested for protection against ultraviolet A and B rays. UVA rays cause wrinkles. UVB rays cause sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. Sunscreens now carry a sun protection factor (SPF) rating to show how well they protect against UVB. Some products claim “broad spectrum” protection against both UVA and UVB rays. New rules require certain tests before making this claim. The SPF level must be 15 or higher for both types of rays. Products that don’t meet this standard must carry a warning. Numbers above SPF 50 are not allowed.
Cognitive behavioral therapy may be an effective treatment option for people with seasonal affective disorder who do not respond to light therapy.
People with major depression who have not responded sufficiently to treatment with medications may benefit from transcranial magnetic stimulation.
A study of treatments for anxiety disorders in children showed that medication and cognitive behavioral therapy were both effective, and that the combination of the two was even more so.
Doctors should prescribe drugs to their patients less often, and with more care, a new report proposes. And they should favor medicines that are time-tested and known to be safe, the report says. The report is from the Center for Patient Safety Research and Practice. The center is based at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Medicines can cause side effects. They also can cause problems when they interact with each other. Often, other treatments can help as much as drugs, or more, the report says. These might include exercise, physical therapy or diet changes. The report urges doctors to practice conservative prescribing. This means they should think carefully about side effects and alternatives before prescribing a drug. They are urged to be especially cautious about new drugs. And they should explain to patients why this approach might be better for their health.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a review of related research concludes. And the benefit is greatest if babies receive breast milk only, the study found. The new study combined the results of 18 previous studies. All of them looked at any links between breastfeeding and a baby’s risk of SIDS. Researchers also adjusted their numbers to account for other factors that affect SIDS risk. These include smoking and infant sleep position. They concluded that breastfeeding a baby for any length of time reduced SIDS risk by 45%. The risk was 73% lower for babies who received only breast milk. The journal Pediatrics published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it June 13.
I have a tingling feeling in my mouth and on my tongue. I’ve been to a dentist, allergist, dermatologist and general doctor, but no one can pinpoint anything. What could it be?
U.S. drug regulators warned June 9 about muscle damage from the highest dose of a popular cholesterol medicine. The warning came from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It applies to the 80-milligram dose of simvasatin (Zocor). This is one of a group of drugs called statins. They lower LDL cholesterol. People taking the 80-milligram dose have an increased risk of muscle problems, the FDA said. They may feel pain, tenderness or weakness. In extreme cases, kidney damage may occur. About 12% of people taking this drug take the 80-milligram dose, the Associated Press said. Only people who have been taking this dose for more than a year without problems should continue taking it, the FDA said. New patients should start on a lower dose.
My lymphocyte count is 52 percent. My white blood cell count is 5,400. Do I need to worry?