More evidence on exercise
Last week, we discussed the evidence on using exercise to treat depression. This week, there is a new review on the benefits of exercise – this time to treat heart disease. The review – written by...
View ArticleCranberry juice for urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in U.S. adults, accounting for about 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year. It’s a long-standing adage that...
View ArticleCan eating garlic lower your blood pressure?
My grandmother, a health food fanatic long before it was popular, frequently munched on raw garlic “for medicinal purposes.” So I wasn’t surprised to see the results of a recent systematic review...
View ArticleMeditation: powerful medicine for depression
Approximately one in ten Americans suffer from depression, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and more than 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. There is...
View ArticleWhat we know about treating nausea during pregnancy
Feeling nauseous while pregnant can have a debilitating effect on your life – making it difficult to concentrate at work, care for other children and even perform ordinary tasks like taking out the...
View ArticleThe evidence on kangaroo care
An estimated 18 million babies worldwide are born each year with low birthweight – the vast majority of them in developing countries where comprehensive neonatal care is not available. So what’s the...
View ArticleAlternative treatments for eczema don’t work
Researchers estimate more than 31 million Americans suffer from eczema, an itchy skin rash that often includes redness, swelling and cracking of the skin. The most common treatments are moisturizers...
View ArticleAn update: New evidence on vitamins
For decades, health advocates have touted the benefits of vitamins. And it’s a concept that our busy society can easily get behind: Just take a few tablets each day to ward off disease and improve your...
View ArticleGardening as a treatment for dementia
Researchers believe nearly 4 million Americans over age 60 suffer from some form of dementia. Their symptoms may include memory loss, impaired judgment and reasoning, loss of communication skills,...
View ArticleThe evidence on video games and brain function
As the U.S. population continues to age, researchers warn us more people than ever before will grapple with neurological disease like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s...
View ArticleWhat we know about cardiac rehab
More than 600,000 Americans die each year from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Our medical system is full of treatments to slow the progression of...
View ArticleMore evidence challenges homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine based on the premise that “like cures like.” The idea is something that leads to disease symptoms in healthy people will cure similar symptoms in sick...
View ArticleEvidence gap: What we don’t know about health apps
Smart phones have changed our society in a myriad of ways, making it faster and easier to communicate with each other, conduct research, access entertainment, and navigate the world. The health care...
View ArticleAcupuncture for itchiness: An evidence-based solution
There are dozens of medical conditions that include itchiness as a symptom – including allergic reactions, viral rashes and nerve disorders and drug reactions. Most likely, you’ve felt itchiness at...
View ArticleHow effective is medical marijuana?
A total of 23 states and the District of Columbia allow the sale of marijuana for medical purposes. Despite these state laws, marijuana is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a...
View ArticleSeasonal depression: What we know
It’s the time of year when I start to feeling a little stir crazy. This week, the wind chill in my hometown on Ithaca, NY has kept me and the rest of my family indoors for the most part. I notice a...
View ArticleWhat We Know About Aging and Pain
Do you think that growing older involves experiencing more pain? You’re right. Research shows that older adults experience more frequent pain compared to their younger counterparts, and they are less...
View ArticleThe Evolving Evidence on Chiropractors for Low Back Pain
The majority of people experience low back pain at some point during their lives—and it can be a miserable experience. Research shows that low back pain is the most common cause of missed work days. To...
View ArticleNew Evidence Finds Dementia Treatments Fall Short
More than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and that number is expected to grow significantly as the U.S. population ages. For decades, doctors across the globe have been...
View ArticleMeditation Does Not Make You a Better Person
Many people think of meditation as a magic bullet that can improve our health, sharpen our focus, and make us better people overall. But in reality, the evidence on meditation is mixed. According to...
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