U.S. drug regulators are considering whether to dial back warnings about increased heart-attack risk for the pain reliever naproxen. But an advisory panel voted this week against the idea. Naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve and others) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Others in this group include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others) and the prescription drug celecoxib (Celebrex). They relieve pain and inflammation and reduce fevers. But in the last 10 years evidence has built up that these drugs also may increase the risk of heart attack. The drug labels carry warnings about this risk. But a research analysis published last year suggested there was a lower risk of heart problems with naproxen than with other NSAIDs. So the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it would consider a label change for naproxen.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A long-running study from Canada has added to the debate about the value of screening mammograms. After 25 years, death rates were equal between groups that did and did not get regular mammograms. The study included nearly 90,000 women. Their ages ranged from 40 to 59 when the study began. They were randomly assigned to receive mammograms or not. Those who got the tests received a mammogram each year for 5 years. All of the women 50 and older also received annual breast exams by trained nurses. So did the women in their 40s who got mammograms. The younger no-mammogram group received a single exam at the start of the study. During the next 25 years, 3,250 women in the mammogram group and 3,133 in the no-mammogram group developed breast cancer. About 500 women in each group died of breast cancer. The journal BMJ published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it February 11.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
I often feel like I have a lump of mucus in my throat. In the morning I spit some of it up, but the sensation doesn't go away. What can I do about it?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Spring vegetables taste great and provide important nutritional benefits that aren’t found in a pill bottle. Dietitians recommend taking advantage of spinach, asparagus, cherries, strawberries, and sugar snap peas.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Obstruction of the airways-and snoring-is more likely when people sleep on their back.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Using proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Taking the drugs may require a check of B12 levels or a B12 supplement.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Not all drugs in a class are affected by grapefruit juice. So simply switching to another type within that class may enable people to enjoy a drink of grapefruit juice.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
The FDA is considering removing trans fats from its list of ingredients “generally regarded as safe.” If this ruling is made final, companies will have to prove that trans fats are safe if they want to continue to put them in their products.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Yoga has mental and physical benefits for people of all ages, especially seniors. It is a series of postures and breathing techniques that include an element of awareness.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
It appears that using a small bedside air pump and mask that keep the airways open with continuous positive airway pressure can lower average daily blood pressure by a few points.
Content restricted. Requires subscription