People who take drugs to prevent acid reflux may have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, a new study finds. The study compared data on 2 groups of people. Nearly 26,000 had a vitamin B12 deficiency. The other 185,000 did not. About 12% of those with low vitamin B12 had taken drugs called proton pump inhibitors for more than 2 years. These are the most powerful drugs to prevent acid reflux. They include lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium) and omeprazole (Prilosec). Among those with normal vitamin B12 levels, only 7.2% took these drugs. That means the long-term users of the medicines had a 65% higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Risk was about 25% higher for people who took different anti-reflux drugs, known as H2 blockers. The study only shows a link between these drugs and low vitamin B12. It does not prove that one causes the other.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Rates of heart disease, strokes and limb amputations are down sharply among older adults with diabetes today, compared with the 1990s, a study finds. But now hypoglycemia (episodes of low blood sugar) is one of the top problems for this group. Researchers said doctors may need to adjust drug doses as people get older in order to prevent low blood sugar. The study included more than 72,000 adults age 60 or older. They were all patients of the same managed care system. Cases of heart and blood vessel disease increased with age, and with how long people had diabetes. Overall, though, heart problems were only about one-seventh as common as another study found in the 1990s. Dangerous levels of high blood sugar and amputations also declined. But in the new study, low blood sugar became a more common problem among those who had diabetes longer.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
There is no clear evidence that widespread, routine testing for dementia among people 65 and older is helpful in the long run.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A diet rich in added sugar is associated with an unhealthy diet. Using artificial sweeteners isn’t necessarily the answer, because these may heighten craving for sugary foods. For a healthier diet, gradually reduce added sweeteners.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
New guidelines may expand female candidates for these cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Connected health means sending health information collected at home to doctors and nurses so they can help their patients with high blood pressure and other common conditions to improve their health.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Walking for seven hours a week may help lower breast cancer risk. The more exercise women get, the lower their risk drops.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Currently, most diseases that are detectable by urine tests can be diagnosed earlier with blood tests. Since blood testing is more common in doctors’ offices now and urinalysis adds little new information, many doctors do not do it routinely.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) doesn’t apply to women on Medicare or to the vast majority of women currently covered by their employers.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Cosmetic techniques such as fractional laser resurfacing, neuromodulators, and dermal fillers can help improve the skin’s appearance by minimizing wrinkles and discoloration.
Content restricted. Requires subscription