Health Newstrack

Mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair

Study may impact guidelines for mitral valve surgery for severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — New findings showing mitral valve replacement may be more effective than mitral valve repair reported at AHA Scientific Sessions 2013 and in New England Journal of Medicine – The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN), whose Data and Clinical Coordinating Center is at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is reporting for the first time evidence on whether or not there is any significant difference between the two current surgical approaches to treat patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation — mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement.

SMS reminders about heart medication improved patient adherence

Texting heart medication reminders improved patient adherence – Getting reminder texts helped patients take their heart medicines (anti-platelet and cholesterol-lowering drugs) more regularly, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2013.

Metformin needs to interact with insulin to be effective – secret known

McMaster scientists unlock secrets of diabetes drug — How and why metformin needs to interact with insulin to be effective – About 120 million people around the world with Type 2 diabetes – and two million in Canada – take the drug metformin to control their disease. While doctors know metformin needs to interact with insulin to be effective, and that it can’t lower blood sugar on its own, no one has been able to explain how and why this happens.

One dose of HPV vaccine similar to three dose regimen

Fewer Doses of HPV Vaccine Result in Immune Response Similar to Three-Dose Regimen – Two doses of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, trademarked as Cervarix, resulted in similar serum antibody levels against two of the most carcinogenic types of HPV (16 and 18), compared to a standard three dose regimen.

Drug shortages to be solved in US says FDA

FDA takes two important actions on drug shortages — Strategic plan and proposed rule on early notification by manufacturers will help agency build on recent progress – US FDA is taking two actions to further enhance the agency’s ongoing efforts to prevent and resolve drug shortages, a significant public health threat that can delay, and in some cases even deny, critical care for patients.

Students with concussions may require a break from classroom

After a concussion, students may need gradual transition back to academics — American Academy of Pediatrics offers new guidance on ‘returning to learning’ after concussion – A concussion should not only take a student athlete off the playing field – it may also require a break from the classroom. In the clinical report, “Returning to Learning Following a Concussion,” released at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, the AAP offers guidance to pediatricians caring for children and adolescents after suffering a concussion.

Lower blood sugar good for brain

Lower Blood Sugars May Be Good for the Brain – Even for people within the normal range of blood sugar, lowering their blood sugar levels could be a promising strategy for preventing memory problems and cognitive decline as they age.

Avoid decorative and colored contact lenses this Halloween for eye safety

FDA warns against ‘illegal’ colored contact lenses for Halloween – Decorative and colored contact lenses are extremely popular during Halloween as they enhance the costume. But, be aware that these lenses carry a significant health risk. U.S. Food and Drug Administration is discouraging consumers from using decorative contact lenses.

Genetic changes cause low metabolic rate and obesity

Novel genetic mutations cause low metabolic rate and obesity — Researchers believe the gene could be a useful therapeutic target for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes – Gene changes can reduce basal metabolic rate – how the body burns calories, and thereby cause severe obesity, revealed by researchers from the University of Cambridge, UK. Researchers believe this gene could be a useful therapeutic target for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

HealthCare.gov would be better to buy insurance, says Obama

Here’s What’s Being Done to Make HealthCare.gov Better – On October 1, HealthCare.gov opened for business, offering Americans a new way to compare health insurance plans and enroll in coverage. Nearly 20 million people have visited the site, and Americans all over the country are signing up for affordable, high-quality health insurance.

Breast milk purchased online may contain bacteria

Study Shows Buying Breast Milk Online is Likely to Cause Illness in Infants – More than three-fourths of breast milk samples purchased over the Internet contained bacteria that can cause illness, and frequently exhibited signs of poor collection, storage or shipping practices.

A good night’s rest may literally clear the mind

Brain may flush out toxins during sleep — NIH-funded study suggests sleep clears brain of damaging molecules associated with neurodegeneration – Using mice, researchers showed for the first time that the space between brain cells may increase during sleep, allowing the brain to flush out toxins that build up during waking hours. These results suggest a new role for sleep in health and disease.