Many treatment choices for leg pain
Fatty blockages in the leg arteries can cause pain in the thigh or calf muscle that occurs when walking and disappears with rest.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Month: March 2013
Ask the doctor: Can glucosamine and chondroitin help osteoarthritis?
Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary supplements advertised to ease osteoarthritis pain and maintain cartilage. Large trials show that they offer little benefit for treating osteoarthritis, except perhaps in people with moderate to severe pain.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Is acupuncture for you?
The latest research shows that acupuncture, a traditional Chinese healing practice, is worth a try for chronic pain. Acupuncture is safe and painless if performed by a trained practitioner, but insurance usually does not cover it.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Promising news about heart failure
Serelaxin, a new drug derived from hormones that cause muscle relaxation, appears to reduce the symptoms of heart failure, organ damage from poor blood flow, and heart failure deaths.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
In the journals: Vision loss keeps older women at home
People with vision loss, particularly women, are more likely to restrict their social activities out of a fear of falling.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Testosterone therapy: Is it for women?
Testosterone therapy is not currently FDA-approved to treat low libido in women. Experts say there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend this therapy for women.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Tests to evaluate risk of heart attack
Diabetes increases the risk of developing heart disease. Among people with diabetes, a variety of imaging tests can be used to estimate the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Building a better stent
Researchers continue to try new ways to prevent stents from clogging with cells from the artery wall or from attracting blood clots. Their goal is to develop a stent that can be used in any person to prevent a heart attack.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
On call: Shingles vaccination
The Zostavax vaccine is safe for use by healthy adults to prevent shingles, a painful condition caused by previous infection with the chicken pox virus. It also helps prevents persistent shingles pain, known as post-herpetic neuralgia.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Ask the doctors: What can I do about varicose veins?
Varicose veins are not dangerous, but can cause legs to ache. Treatment options include compression stockings, lifestyle changes, surgical removal of the veins, and sealing them off from the circulation.
Content restricted. Requires subscription