Flu Archives

American physicians prescribe placebos on occasion

American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice. – In the first study examining American physicians’ use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st Century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice researchers report in the January issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Thyroid treatment no quick fix for weight loss in children

Most experts agree thyroid function tests are generally unnecessary in an overweight child if he/she has normal linear growth and no other symptoms of hypothyroidism. The results of this study support this. – Children treated for hypothyroidism aren’t likely to drop pounds with treatment for the condition says a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study is the first to examine the link between hypothyroidism treatment and weight loss in pediatric patients.

Obese pregnant women give birth to heavier babies

New study suggests that maternal body composition at or near conception has important implications for offspring?s obesity, and obesity during conception phase may set the stage for offspring?s obesity risk. – The number of overweight and obese Americans continues to grow rapidly. Today, 50 percent of adults are overweight and up to 20 percent are obese. While the number of overweight/obese children is at an all time high, the steady increase of overweight infants ? individuals under 11 months old ? is alarming.

Impact of Gastroesophageal reflux disease on survival

In this population-based study, reflux symptoms were not associated with worse survival. The vast majority of heartburn sufferers can be reassured of the benign nature of their condition. – Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often known as acid reflux, is a common problem that has been associated with cancers, asthma, recurrent aspiration and pulmonary fibrosis. A new study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology examines whether GERD sufferers may have shorter lifespans than those without the disease.

Children’s sleep duration can influence their weight, behavior

Children?s sleep duration differs according to the time of day, week, and year, and can influence their weight, behavior, revealed in a study published in the January 1 issue of the journal SLEEP. – The duration of a child’s sleep can vary, depending on the time of day, week and year. Further, children who don’t get enough nightly sleep are more likely to be overweight and have behavioral problems.

Happily married women are less stressful

Here’s a novel idea for unwinding after a stressful day at the office: Find a happy marriage. That’s the suggestion from a new UCLA study that tracked levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, among 30 Los Angeles married couples. – Happily married women are less stressful with better mental health, revealed by UCLA researchers. They tracked levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, among 30 Los Angeles married couples.

Three more H5N1 bird flu deaths in Egypt

Egyptian officials announced two new deaths from H5N1 avian influenza in women from the Nile Delta, along with what appears to be a third death involving a 50-year-old woman. – Two new deaths from H5N1 avian influenza in women from the Nile Delta reported by Egyptian officials, and a third death involving a 50-year-old woman whose infection was previously confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Medical myths even doctors believe

In a study entitled ?Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe? published in the Christmas issue of the British Medical Journal, Indiana University School of Medicine researchers explored seven commonly held medical beliefs. – Indiana University School of Medicine researchers explored seven commonly held medical beliefs. The study entitled “Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe” is published in the Christmas issue of the British Medical Journal.

Chest pain – common sign of heart attack for women

Several recent reports have found that women are more likely to have other symptoms of a heart attack but chest pain is the most common sign of heart attack for most women. – Chest pain or discomfort has long been regarded as the most common early warning sign of a heart attack for both men and women. However, several recent reports have found that women are more likely to have other symptoms of a heart attack. A new study looked at the available evidence and concluded that chest pain is the most common sign of heart attack for most women.

8 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Peshawar, Pakistan

The World Health Organization warned Monday that countries should be on alert for bird flu because it is again on the move, with Pakistan reporting South Asia’s first human infections and Myanmar logging its first human case. – The Ministry of Health in Pakistan has informed WHO of 8 suspected human cases of H5N1 avian influenza infection in the Peshawar area of the country. These cases were detected following a series of culling operations in response to outbreaks of H5N1 in poultry. One of the cases has now recovered and a further two suspected cases have since died.

Late developmental growth may risk depression

Children with low weight during infancy or slight developmental delays may be at greater risk for developing depression.
– Psychiatrists remain divided as to how to define and classify the mood and anxiety disorders, the most common mental disorders. Committees across the globe are currently pondering how best to carve nature at its anxious joints for the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V), the “gold standard” reference book for psychiatrists.

Most ancient case of tuberculosis found

Professor John Kappelman of The University of Texas at Austin reveals the most ancient evidence of the tuberculosis disease has been found in a 500,000-year-old human fossil from Turkey.
– Although most scientists believe tuberculosis emerged only several thousand years ago, new research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals the most ancient evidence of the disease has been found in a 500,000-year-old human fossil from Turkey.