Health | Page 1109 of 1374 | SpiritIndia.com

Macular Degeneration :: Laser Treatment Does Not Prevent Vision Loss for People with Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration

An extensive NIH-supported study has found that low-intensity laser treatment, thought to be possibly beneficial in slowing or preventing the loss of vision from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is ineffective in preventing complications of AMD or loss of vision. This is the major conclusion of the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial (CAPT), a research study of more than 1,000 people that will be published in the November 2006 issue of the journal Ophthalmology. The study was supported by grants from the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Health :: Arsenic poisoning during infancy due to contaminated milk powder

Long-term consequences of arsenic poisoning during infancy is due to contaminated milk powder, a study published in Environmental Health by Miwako Dakeishi, Katsuyuki Murata and Philippe Grandjean. Arsenic toxicity is a global health problem affecting many millions of people.

Heart Disease :: New Heart Health Strategy to fight heart disease in Canada

“Cardiovascular disease remains our country’s biggest killer,” said Minister Clement. “Canada’s new government is following through on our promise to develop a heart health strategy. The strategy developed will ensure crucial information on prevention and treatment is available quickly and effectively to all provinces and territories. A new Heart Health Strategy will save lives.”

Schizophrenia :: Music therapy may ease symptoms of schizophrenia

Music therapy many help to ease the depression, anxiety and emotional withdrawal symptoms of schizophrenia, British scientists said. Music therapy may provide a means of improving mental health among people with schizophrenia, but its effects in acute psychoses have not been explored. To examine the feasibility of a randomised trial of music therapy for inpatients with schizophrenia, and explore its effects on mental health, study was conducted by Dr Mike Crawford, Department of Psychological Medicine, Claybrook Centre.

Breast Cancer :: Australian Government funds new breast cancer drugs Aromasin, exemestane & Femara, letrozole

The Commonwealth Government will add two drugs for the treatment of breast cancer to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). From 1 December, exemestane (Aromasin?) and letrozole (Femara?) will be listed for the treatment of hormone-dependent early breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

Incontinence :: Magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor not effective in the control of urinary incontinence

Magnetic stimulation of the pelvic floor found not effective in the control of urinary incontinence. A study was conducted to determine the safety and effectiveness of non-invasive static magnetic stimulation (SMS) of the pelvic floor compared to placebo in the treatment of women aged 60 years and over with urinary incontinence in Australia.

Smoking :: Smokers to face new graphic warnings on tobacco products

Smokers will soon be confronted with a new set of graphic warnings on their cigarette packets, with seven gruesome pictures to be added to those already on display. From today, tobacco manufacturers can introduce a second set of seven images on cigarette packs, and all cigarette packs must be printed with this second set by 1 March 2007.

Parkinson’s Disease :: Patients face tough treatment ‘Balancing Act’

Last week, in one of TV ad Actor Michael J. Fox appeared with his disturbingly uncontrolled movements. And, his opponents in the stem-cell debate accused him of either acting or purposefully not taking his medications, in an effort to gain sympathy, quoted by news agencies worldwide. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to Parkinson’s experts. In fact, Fox’s disordered movement — a condition called dyskinesia — was mainly due to his taking medication to help control his Parkinson’s, they said.

Sinusitis :: New, minimally invasive surgery to treat sinusitis

If drug therapy can’t open blocked sinuses, sufferers now have a novel option. Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons have taken a page from the book of cardiology in performing a new, outpatient procedure to alleviate acute or chronic symptoms of sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinus cavities usually due to an infection.

Arthritis :: Botox can treat Knee Pain

Mayo Clinic seeks adults who are age 40 or older and have knee pain that has not responded to medicines, exercise or physical therapy for a research study. The purpose of this research study is to find out what effects (good and bad) the botulinum toxin (Botox) has on patients with knee arthritis. Eligible participants will have been diagnosed with knee arthritis that can be confirmed by x-ray.