Testing blood sugar at home may not help people with type 2 diabetes, a study suggests. The study included 184 people who had just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They were divided randomly into two groups. One group was told to test blood glucose eight times each week. The other group was told not to test. Every three months, they received a blood test known as hemoglobin A1c in the doctor’s office. This is a way to measure long-term blood sugar control. The two groups had similar A1c levels. Also, people who did the home tests were more likely to become depressed than people who did not. The study was published April 17 in the British Medical Journal.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A long-term study of children with ADHD concluded that the most beneficial treatment involved medication, either alone or with behavioral therapy, but the effectiveness of medication begins to fade after about two years.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
An analysis of hospital-based programs to assist smokers in quitting found that only those that followed inpatient treatment with continued counseling and support after discharge were successful.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A study of patients taking an injectable, long-acting form of an antipsychotic medication found that within six months of starting treatment, most patients had switched back to the oral form of the drug.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Nearly half of Americans are thriving, according to a new “well-being” index. But most of the rest are struggling. About 4% are suffering, with problems meeting their basic needs. The numbers are based on a Gallup survey of more than 100,000 people. They were asked about their lives and how well they are meeting their needs. People who are thriving mostly have higher incomes, more education and better health. The Associated Press wrote about the index April 30.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Children should be tested for heart problems before being treated with drugs such as Ritalin, the American Heart Association (AHA) says. The new guidance applies to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Drugs used to treat ADHD can increase blood pressure. They also can speed up the heart. In someone with a heart condition, this could cause the heart to stop. The AHA says kids should have an exam and an electrocardiogram before drugs are prescribed. The Associated Press wrote about the statement April 22. It was published in the journal Circulation.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults have pain in a typical day, a telephone survey indicates. Nearly 4,000 randomly selected people were called. They were asked about what they did the day before and when they had pain. Blue-collar workers and people with lower incomes and education reported more pain. Nearly 1 in 8 people said they had work-related disabilities. They accounted for nearly half of the moderate to severe pain of all people surveyed. Pain also was linked to certain activities. They included sports, lawn and garden work, and providing medical and other care for adults. HealthDay News reported on the survey May 1. It was published in the journal Lancet.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
What is a dystonic reaction to a drug?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
People who seek treatment for alcohol dependence sometimes attempt to drink in moderation rather than abstain altogether. The success of this approach largely depends on whether the patient has already established a high degree of dependence.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Data from a longitudinal study in New Zealand suggest that people with an alcohol dependency may be more likely to develop major depression.
Content restricted. Requires subscription