In November 2012 the FDA approved a new treatment for people with rheumatoid arthritis called tofacitinib (Xeljanz). Unlike previous biologic treatments, the new drug is a pill, not an injection, and it targets another type of inflammatory molecule.
Vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc, and copper appear to discourage the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Vitamin B supplements might reduce the risk of developing AMD. It’s best to get the vitamins and antioxidants from food.
Frequent and long-term use of pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may be a risk factor for hearing loss. Researchers say the drugs may damage the cochlea, the snail-shaped hearing mechanism in the inner ear.
Parents’ resistance to the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for their daughters has increased over time, surveys suggest. And there’s been a big jump in the number who cite safety concerns with the vaccine. The HPV vaccine protects against virus types that cause most cases of cervical cancer. It also prevents some cases of genital warts. The study was based on two national surveys. Parents’ answers on the 2010 survey showed about 25% of teen girls had received all 3 doses of the HPV vaccine. That was up from 16% in 2008. But the percentage of parents who said they did not intend to get the vaccine for their daughters increased from 40% to 44%. Some said that it wasn’t needed or that their daughters were not sexually active. About 16% cited safety concerns, up from 4.5% in 2008. That puzzled researchers, who said the vaccine is very safe and side effects are mild.
I have a relatively rare lung condition called “organizing pneumonia”. I understand the treatment will be large doses of corticosteroids. How are they administered for this condition?
Researchers have raised doubts about whether hormone replacement therapy increases women’s risk of breast cancer. A large study, the Women’s Health Initiative, found such a risk for women who used estrogen plus progesterone. After that study was published in 2002, use of hormones dropped dramatically. Breast cancer rates also fell. Some experts thought the decline in hormone treatment was the reason. But the new study disagrees. The authors took another look at data from this study and two others. They found that the drop in breast cancer rates started in the late 1990s and ended after 2003. They concluded that the evidence is not strong enough to say hormone treatment causes breast cancer. An editorial published with the study agreed. The author said today’s lower doses of hormones should be compared with placebo (fake) pills in a new study.
A follow-up MRI doesn’t help evaluate results after treatment for sciatica, a new study finds. Sciatica is caused by pinching, irritation or damage in the sciatic nerve. Symptoms include pain or weakness in the lower back or leg. Most people feel better in a couple of months. Others need surgery to get relief. Doctors often order an MRI to show if there’s a bulging (herniated) disk pressing on or irritating the nerve. The new study included nearly 300 people with sciatica. All of them showed signs of a bulging disk on an MRI scan. They received surgery or more conservative treatments, such as exercise. After a year, they were given follow-up MRIs. About 85% of people reported that their treatment was successful. But researchers couldn’t tell from the MRIs who had good results and who didn’t.
My 8-month-old has seborrhea on her eyelids; they are very red and itchy. Is there anything I can put on her eyelids that will not hurt her eyes?