Month: June 2013

Weight-loss surgery can help to control diabetes better than diet and exercise alone in people with mild to moderate obesity, a new study finds. The study focused on 120 people with diabetes. They were about 50 to 70 pounds overweight. Weight-loss surgery usually is used for people who are at least 100 pounds overweight. Less obese people also may qualify if they have weight-related conditions, such as diabetes. The new study randomly divided people into 2 groups. Both groups got an intensive diet and exercise program. One group also received gastric bypass surgery. In the next year, people in the surgery group lost an average of almost 60 pounds. In the non-surgery group, weight loss averaged 17 pounds. About 75% of the surgery group and 30% of the other group reduced blood sugar levels to normal or near normal. About 6% had serious problems as a result of surgery.

Actor Michael Douglas startled many this week by appearing to say that his throat cancer was caused by oral sex. The Guardian, a British newspaper, published the interview with Douglas June 3. When asked about his cancer, he said, “without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), which actually comes from cunnilingus.” Later, his spokesman said Douglas only meant that oral sex was one of the causes of his cancer. Douglas also has a history of smoking and heavy drinking. In the past, he has attributed his throat cancer to those causes. But HPV also can cause throat cancer. Those caused by smoking and alcohol have declined in the last 20 years. Those caused by HPV have increased. The virus is now the leading cause or oropharyngeal cancer.

Taking high doses of common pain relievers for a long time may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke up to one-third, a review of research finds. The study focused on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and generics) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve and generics). Diclofenac, another NSAID, is popular in Europe. Rofecoxib (Vioxx) was taken off the market in 2004 because of an increased heart attack risk. Other coxibs, including celecoxib (Celebrex), are still sold. Experts still debate whether other NSAIDs carry the same risk as Vioxx. The new research review combined results of 639 studies. People in these studies were randomly assigned to take an NSAID or a placebo (fake pill). Taking high-dose diclofenac or a coxib increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes and related death by about one-third.