Medical News

RSS

GOP lawmakers draw comparisons between Medicare plan, FEHBP

GOP Lawmakers Tout Medicare Reform By Stretching A Comparison To The Health Benefits They Receive During the congressional recess, Rep. Ryan and other Republican lawmakers have been selling their proposal to restructure Medicare with what appears to be a poll-tested phrase: It will be similar to a system "just like" what members of Congress have.

3 May 2011

Busy brain cells can both contribute to and prevent Alzheimer's

Higher levels of cell chatter boost amyloid beta in the brain regions that Alzheimer's hits first, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report. Amyloid beta is the main ingredient of the plaque lesions that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's.

3 May 2011

New study: Text-heavy labels can reduce acetaminophen overdose

While well known for relieving everyday aches and pains, few realize that when misused, acetaminophen can lead to acute liver failure and even death, often due to accidental overdose by an uninformed consumer. A new small study looked at what's missing in consumer education about acetaminophen and how to overcome those gaps.

3 May 2011

Calcium and vitamin D intake before bone density test can reduce risk of osteoporosis

Has a bone density scan placed you at risk for osteoporosis, leading your doctor to prescribe a widely advertised bone-building medication? Not so fast! A University of Illinois study finds that an effective first course of action is increasing dietary calcium and vitamin D or taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

3 May 2011

Pelvic imaging using CT exams are not necessary for VTE diagnosis

A recent study shows that pelvic imaging using computed tomography examinations are not necessary for diagnosing patients with venous thromboembolism and eliminating this exam can significantly reduce a patient's exposure to excessive radiation dose.

3 May 2011

Romney discusses his state's overhaul at Republican event

Speaking at a "tea party" forum on Friday evening, former governor Mitt Romney, now a GOP presidential hopeful, offered "tepid" defenses of his state's health law and said that the Mass. overhaul was an "experiment" and some parts of it "didn't work."

3 May 2011

Tips on how to stay safe and heal emotionally after tornado attack

Although the threat of another tornado is gone for now, other potential dangers lurk in the storm's aftermath, said several University of Alabama at Birmingham experts. They recently offered tips on how to stay safe and heal emotionally in the days after the devastating April 27 storm.

3 May 2011

Study finds disparities in male, female patients for heart disease treatment at U.S. hospitals

A study released today by HealthGrades, the nation's leading, independent source of physician information and hospital quality ratings, found notable disparities in the treatment and outcomes of male and female patients at U.S. hospitals.

3 May 2011

AHA recommends Omega-3 EPA/DHA intake for individuals with elevated triglyceride levels

The American Heart Association recently issued its first ever statement on triglyceride management that includes recommendations for Omega-3 EPA/DHA intake.

3 May 2011

CTI to re-submit pixantrone NDA to FDA's Office of New Drugs for re-review

Cell Therapeutics, today announced that the Office of New Drugs of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after carefully reviewing the materials CTI submitted in support of its appeal, the reviews of the New Drug Application for pixantrone prepared by the FDA staff, the transcript of the March 22, 2010 Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee meeting and consulting with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Deputy Director of Clinical Science and the Office of Biostatistics, concluded that accelerated approval of pixantrone NDA 022481 may not necessarily be out of reach based on a single controlled clinical trial, provided two key matters can be satisfactorily resolved.

3 May 2011

Sparks continue to fly around GOP Medicare plan

News outlets offer varying takes on how voters and fellow Republicans are reacting to the GOP plan to transform Medicare.

3 May 2011

Santarus' budesonide MMX Phase III data in ulcerative colitis to be presented at DDW 2011

Santarus, Inc. today announced that the budesonide MMX Phase III clinical program will be featured in two oral presentations at the Digestive Disease Week Meeting being held at McCormick Place in Chicago on May 7-10, 2011.

3 May 2011

Desirudin more effective for VTE prevention in patients with renal impairment

Desirudin reduced major venous thromboembolism and post-operative bleeding compared with the standard of care, enoxaparin, in patients with poor kidney function undergoing orthopedic surgery, according to a poster presented at the Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology meeting.

3 May 2011

Retina Implant's second clinical trial initial findings presented at ARVO 2011

Retina Implant AG, a leading developer of subretinal implants for the visually impaired, today announced the presentation of initial findings from their second clinical trial.

3 May 2011

Exposure to perfluorocarbons may cause early menopause in women

Natural menopause cures are often sought by many women to lessen symptoms that occur during menopause, which can be a difficult time. Dr. Shoreh Ershadi, director of the ANTIAGING Institute of California, wants to bring to the attention of menopausal women that now there may be a link between early menopause, with the onset of menopause symptoms, and exposure to common PFCs, or perfluorocarbons.

3 May 2011

MRI can effectively determine patients with endometrial and cervical cancers

MRI can determine if a patient has endometrial versus cervical cancer even when a biopsy can't make that distinction, according to a new study. Determining the primary site of a tumor helps determine appropriate cancer treatment.

3 May 2011

Medicare unveils rules for hospital quality bonuses

The shift in payment strategy will reward hospitals for the quality, rather than the quantity, of care they provide. The change was set in motion by the health law.

3 May 2011

Belly fat predicts heart-disease risk better than BMI: Study

According to the latest study the fat around the belly is the chief culprit in the link between obesity and cardiovascular disease. This study raises the possibility that people can be overweight without significantly raising their heart risk, so long as they carry the extra fat in places other than their belly. In fact, a few extra pounds may even lower the risk of death from heart disease, researchers found.

3 May 2011

Poor asthma training among GP’s: Report

According to figures revealed by authorities, a lack of training for GPs in how to treat asthma is putting sufferers' lives at risk. Asthma UK says a survey found that 47 per cent of GPs admit their own knowledge about the condition could be better. Emergency hospital admissions for asthma cost the NHS over £60m a year, yet the charity maintains 75 per cent of admissions are avoidable. It estimates at least £45m could be saved if GPs were better informed and care was better managed.

3 May 2011

Paulig Eye Surgery Center provides non-invasive alternative to keratoconus patients

The Paulig Eye Surgery Centre announces today that it has acquired advanced technology for performing Keraflex KXL, a new, non-invasive, non-surgical treatment for keratoconus. Surgeons at the Paulig Eye Surgery Centre will immediately begin treating patients using Avedro, Inc's Keraflex and KXL Systems.

3 May 2011