But compared to other central venous catheters (CVCs), these commonly-used catheters (known as PICCs) more than double the risk of dangerous blood clots — especially among patients who are critically ill or who have cancer, according to a new University of Michigan Health System study published in The Lancet. …
What if you had the ability to heal your body just by changing how you think and feel? I know it sounds radical, coming from a doctor. When people are doing everything “right”—eating veggies, avoiding red meat and processed foods, exercising, sleeping well and so forth—we should expect them to live long, prosperous lives and die of old age while peacefully slumbering, right? So why is it that so many health nuts are sicker than other people who pig out, guzzle beer and park in front of the TV…
The cholesterol-lowering agent red yeast rice, an alternative treatment method for patients that can't tolerate statin drugs, doesn't work any better when a plant-derived compound called sterol is added to it, according to a new study.  “I expected to see a synergistic effect with red yeast rice, and I was shocked to see no effects whatsoever,” the study's lead author Dr. David Becker said. Statin drugs like Lipitor are the first-line option for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, or “bad cholesterol,” for patients at risk for heart disease, said Becker, a cardiologist with Temple Health Systems in Philadelphia. But while 15 million Americans take statin drugs, according to IMS Health, “10 to 20 percent of people can't tolerate statins and stop them,” said Becker, because of bothersome side effects, like muscle pain. Some of those people turn to red yeast rice, which is made by culturing yeast on the grain, and contains a statin-like compound that slows the body from making its own cholesterol. Red yeast rice supplements usually cost about $20 for a bottle of between 100 and 200 600-milligram tablets. Previous studies found that phytosterols, plant-derived steroids found in vegetable oil, lower LDL levels when used alone. Outside of dietary sources like margarine, phytosterol supplements are available in drug stores for about $20 for 200 900-milligram tablets. The study included 220 people with high LDL, averaging around 150 milligrams per deciliter, who had discontinued or declined statins prescribed by their doctor. (For people without heart disease risk factors, national U.S. guidelines recommend levels below 130.) They all took 1,800 milligrams of red yeast rice twice per day. Half of the group also took two 450-milligram tablets of phytosterols twice daily, while others took a placebo, for one year. Half of the participants attended meetings with doctors, dietitians and exercise physiologists for three months and was told to exercise and eat a Mediterranean diet for the rest of the year. The other half did not have special diet or exercise instructions. There was no difference in LDL cholesterol between the phytosterol or placebo groups at three months, six months or one year, according to the study published in the American Heart Journal. “There was absolutely no effect of phytosterols in any manner across the board,” Becker said. Though the diet and exercise group members seemed to have a head start at lowering their LDL, at the end of the study both groups had arrived at the same average of about 110 milligrams per deciliter. SEVERAL LIMITATIONS The trial had several limitations, according to Dr. Jeffrey Shanes, a cardiologist at Loyola-Gottlieb Memorial and Elmhurst Memorial Hospitals in Melrose Park, Illinois. About 30 percent of study participants dropped out of the trial after being screened and put in a treatment group, Shanes, who was not involved in the study, said. The statin-like compound in red yeast rice can cause the same muscle pain as synthetic statins for some patients, he said. Red yeast rice contains some sterols of its own, so it's possible that adding more sterols didn't appear to lower LDL any further because they were already in play, Shanes said. Becker would recommend diet and exercise before red yeast rice, he said. Batches subject to poor quality control may contain a potentially fatal liver-damaging byproduct of yeast fermentation, for example. And it may also increase the risk of muscle injury when combined with other cholesterol drugs. “Under no circumstances should people be going to Walgreens and getting red yeast rice because of the potential drug interactions, because every batch is different,” Shanes said.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/17/combined-supplements-no-better-for-cholesterol/
In order to play a tough KGB agent on the FX series The Americans, Keri Russell worked out with Avital Zeisler, a Krav Maga instructor who moonlights as a hand-to-hand combat consultant.  “Working out [this way] makes you feel fierce,” says Keri. “I tend to be very internal—getting on the subway and keeping my eyes down. But I would leave those workouts looking people in the eye, like, ''Sup,” she says with bravado.  For each of Zeisler's moves, do three sets of 12 reps. MORE: The 25 Fittest Female Celebrities 1. Striking Squats Get into a squat with your elbows bent, hands open at cheekbone level, and palms facing in. As you stand up from the squat, strike with your left hand and then immediately strike with your right. Return to start. That's one rep. MORE: 5 Ways to Ease Sore Muscles 2. Elbow Striking Abs Do one crunch, with your elbows bent and hands on either side of your face, palms facing in. At the top of the move, bring your left forearm out and across your body until your left elbow is slightly past the center line of your chin. Return to start. That's one rep. Repeat with your right arm. 3. Lunging Defensive Knees With your hands raised to cheekbone level, lunge back with your right leg until your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Shift your weight forward as you bring your right leg forward, leading with your knee. Return to start. That's one rep. Repeat with your left leg. MORE: The 7 Best Butt Exercises 4. Self-Defense Pushup Do a pushup, then lower your body so you're lying on your stomach. Roll over, and in one movement, bend your knees, lift your hips, and kick your left leg in front of you, leading with your heel. Return to start. That's one rep. Switch sides and repeat. MORE: 7 Workouts for Hot Arms 5. 360 Kick Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands at cheekbone level, palms facing in. Leading with the heel, kick your right leg to the front, then side, then back (touch your foot to the floor between kicks). Return to start and do a jumping jack. That's one rep. Repeat with your left leg.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/17/keri-russell-gets-in-fighting-shape/
The Food and Drug Administration has approved Johnson & Johnson's drug Simponi for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory disease affecting the colon. Simponi is already approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Like RA, ulcerative colitis is an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own organs. In the case of ulcerative colitis, inflammation can lead to open sores or ulcers in the lining of the colon, causing stomach pain, gastrointestinal bleeding and diarrhea. The most common side effects of Simponi in clinical trials of patients with ulcerative colitis were upper respiratory infection and redness at the site in which the drug is injected. Patients treated with Simponi, known also as golimumab, are at increased risk of developing serious infections, reactivation of Hepatitis B infection, heart failure and certain nervous system disorders. The drug is marketed by J&J's Janssen Ortho Biotech unit.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/16/fda-approves-new-drug-to-treat-ulcerative-colitis/
Malignant skin cancers develop in different areas of the head and neck in men and women. The reason may simply be because men are often the drivers of a car, while women are more often the passengers, according to a study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Up to 20 percent of aggressive skin cancers called melanomas occur on the head and neck, which are exposed to greater amounts of ultraviolet radiation than other parts of the body. But few studies have compared gender differences in the distribution of these cancers, the researchers said. The study analyzed 279 head-and-neck melanomas diagnosed in 121 men and 158 women in their early 70s from the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, between 2004 and 2009. About half of the cancers were invasive, or had spread beyond the initial site. The data revealed two distinct patterns. In men, 57 percent of melanomas were located in the peripheral area of the head and neck, which included the scalp, forehead, temple, ears and neck, while 43 percent developed on the eyelids, nose, cheeks, chin and mouth, or the central area. In women, 79 percent of melanomas developed in the central area and 21 percent in the peripheral area. Peripheral cancers were more common on the left side in men and on the right side in women, and tended to be invasive, researchers said. Men spend more time driving than women and are often the principal driver, researchers said, which may explain the asymmetrical distribution of melanomas. The peripheral area is particularly exposed to UV radiation while traveling in a car, although longer hair on women appears to provide some protection, they said. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/15/skin-cancer-strikes-men-differently/
When cells suffer too much DNA damage, they are usually forced to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. However, cancer cells often ignore these signals, flourishing even after chemotherapy drugs have ravaged their DNA. A new finding from MIT researchers may offer a way to overcome that resistance: The team has identified a key protein involved in an alternative death pathway known as programmed necrosis. …
The ability of cells to move and change shape is significant in many biological processes. White blood corpuscles gather at "hotspots" like infections and inflammations. Stem cells in the embryo move off in different directions to make the organs of the body. One unwanted movement is the movement of tumour cells, which lead to cancer metastasis…
With summer approaching, you might spend time preparing for swimsuit season. Rather than dreading this time of year, here are some tips to begin to practice appreciating your body so you can enjoy the sun. 1.   Accept your weight. You may think the more you fight your weight, the more you’ll succeed in losing weight. This simply isn’t true. Accepting doesn’t mean not taking steps towards changing your weight, it means not letting your weight hold you back from your life. If you’re waiting until you lose weight to apply for jobs or start online dating, your weight is going to weigh you down. Do what you care about now. 2.   Go on a weight-talk diet. It’s tempting to ask your friends if you’ve lost weight, ask them about what they’re doing to lose weight, or discuss together who you think needs to lose weight. There is way more to talk about than weight. When the topic comes up, practice moving the topic to something more fun! 3.   Only visit your scale once a week. Weight fluctuates within six pounds on any given day depending of what you’ve had to eat and drink. Rather than checking your weight compulsively and worrying you gained weight after you ate a big meal, only weigh yourself once a week and make it at a set time, like 8 a.m. Monday mornings. 4.   Go shopping.   If you are in between sizes and your clothes are uncomfortably snug, you will constantly remember you’ve gained weight and eat to cope with this negative feeling. I’ve seen a lot of clients feel better and eat better by wearing clothes that fit. Buying clothes your size is not giving up, it’s being practical. 5. If you compare, be fair. It’s weirdly tempting to compare yourself to the thinnest person you see or a celebrity you admire. Yet, this is so unfair and sets you up to feel inferior and obsess further. Rather than compare yourself to someone remarkably thin or fit, compare yourself to every eighth person you see. Better yet, don’t compare. When you notice you’re judging yourself in comparison to someone else, remind yourself that’s a judgment and let go. 6. Eat regular meals. Many people who struggle with obsessing around food get caught in this cycle: Overeat --> limit what they eat to make up for the indulgence --> feel hungry --> overeat. Rather than get caught in this cycle of feeling too full then feeling too hungry, eat three meals and two snacks. If you ate too much for breakfast, eat a normal lunch; this will prevent you from skimping on lunch and splurging on dinner. 7. Relax your face when you look in the mirror. One of the ways to improve your body image and stop engaging in negative thoughts about your appearance is to relax your face and body when you look in the mirror. There’s a facial feedback loop and the facial expressions we make solidify how we feel. Research on Botox shows people whose facial muscles are paralyzed experience less intense emotions. One way to relax your face is to ever so slightly lift the upper corners of your lips. If you don’t want your daughter to learn to grimace in front of the mirror, become a role model for self-acceptance.Jennifer Taitz & is a licensed clinical psychologist based in New York City. She is the author of End Emotional Eating: Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Cope with Difficult Emotions and Develop Healthy Relationship to Food. Visit her website drjennytaitz.com to learn more.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/14/7-tips-to-stop-your-summer-weight-obsession/
As a doctor, I receive questions every day varying from heart health to infertility. Today, I received a question from a man who wanted to know what alternative therapies were out there for arthritis. Dr. Manny, I suffer from arthritis, and my symptoms get worse during the winter.  What can I do to manage the stiffness besides taking medication? - Marvin Many arthritis sufferers use what is known as complementary and alternative practices to manage their symptoms. Patients turn to these alternatives for many reasons. It may be because conventional medical treatment isn’t giving them the relief they need. Also, they may be concerned about the side effects associated with drug therapy, or they may feel that alternative therapies are safer because they are “natural.” Whatever the reason, many patients are finding additional relief by incorporating these five practices into their arthritis management regimen: Regular exercise The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) recommends that arthritis sufferers use these three types of exercise: 1. Range-of-motion exercises such as dancing to help maintain normal joint movement, relieve stiffness, and increase flexibility. 2. Strengthening exercises such as weight training to help keep or increase muscle strength. 3. Aerobic or endurance exercises such as bicycle riding to improve cardiovascular fitness, help control weight, and improve overall function. Weight control is important because extra weight puts extra pressure on many joints. A healthy diet Since there are over 100 known types of arthritis, there is no single diet that will help everyone. However, the Arthritis Foundation has established the following guidelines to assist patients in maintaining a diet that will help manage their symptoms: 1. Eat a variety of foods, and avoid those that can interact with your medications. 2. Use fat and cholesterol in moderation. 3. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products. 4. Use sugar and salt in moderation. 5. Drink alcohol in moderation. 6. Take in the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. Dietary supplements The American College of Rheumatology has noted that there is some evidence that ginger and willow bark extract may relieve pain. These remedies, however, may contain chemicals that are similar to those found in naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil), which can cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines. They also may interfere with blood clotting and cause fluid retention, which may be problematic for people with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. 1.) Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine supplements are sold separately or in combination, and are recommended for pain relief when used in conjunction with other pain medication. Although their effectiveness is unproven, the college says they “appear to be relatively safe, and may be worth considering for people who have severe pain despite conventional treatments.” 2.) Fish oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to relieve pain and joint tenderness. It may take several months before a patient sees results. Side effects include gastrointestinal distress and breath odor. Manage stress Stress is a normal part of life; but for arthritis sufferers, there are additional stress factors like increased dependence on family members and changes in appearance due to joint deformities or the side effects of drugs. The Arthritis Foundation says that controlling stress is imperative for arthritis patients because “when you feel stressed, your body’s muscles become tense. This muscle tension can increase your pain and fatigue and may limit your abilities, which can make you feel helpless.” Stress can lead to depression, which can touch off a cycle of stress, pain, fatigue, and limited/lost abilities. Managing stress can break that cycle. Hot and cold applications The Mayo Clinic makes the following recommendations: “Heat will help ease your pain, relax tense, painful muscles and increase the regional flow of blood. One of the easiest and most effective ways to apply heat is to take a hot shower or bath for 15 minutes. Other options include using a hot pack, an electric heat pad set on its lowest setting or a radiant heat lamp with a 250-watt reflector heat bulb to warm specific muscles and joints. If your skin has poor sensation or if you have poor circulation, don't use heat treatment. Cold may dull the sensation of pain. Cold also has a numbing effect and decreases muscle spasms. Don't use cold treatments if you have poor circulation or numbness. Techniques may include using cold packs, soaking the affected joints in cold water and ice massage.” Patients should always exercise caution when considering any other alternative therapies. Before beginning any alternative or complementary therapy, talk with your doctor to see if it is right for your particular situation, and ask about possible side effects and harmful interactions, especially if are taking any additional medications for other conditions.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/10/alternative-therapies-for-arthritis/