MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'alternative medicine'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:52:53 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174824&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fdreaming-about-cancer%2F I sleep with a dog. Well, actually, I sleep with two dogs and a husband. So you would think that when Sister and I spent several days at her cottage this past week, just the two of us, I would relish the opportunity to sleep sprawled out and alone on a comfy queen-size bed. I will admit that I was kind of looking forward to it, so I was deeply disappointed when I found it difficult to fall asleep. Sleep is my thing, so it was surprising that sleeping without my companions didn’t provide the enjoyment I was expecting, especially in the peaceful atmosphere of Northern Ontario cottage country. The fact that I tossed and turned for long periods of time before falling asleep all three nights and had a horrible dream about cancer was very perplexing. I haven’t dreamed about having cancer ev... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174824 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:34:38 +0100 5174824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158977&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FuWUbQhdO2ls%2F Yesterday, Healthcare IT News reported that a study due out later this month found that the addition of social media tools to online health programs seemed to positively influence the effectiveness of the programs. The study, which is being published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, found that “adding an interactive online community to an Internet-based walking program significantly decreased the number of participants who dropped out.” This is just the latest in eHealth innovations – from mobile health apps to electronic medical records and so, so, so much more – leaving the medical community wondering how eHealth will fare moving forward. How do you feel about health-related social networking? Would you join an online health program? What concerns – privacy, quality... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158977 Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:15:49 +0100 5158977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159655&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbattle-breast-cancer-with-the-best-research-medicine-and-doctors%2F In my family there are a number of people who are interested in and who have pursued alternative medicine. Sister knows a lot about it, and I have an aunt who has devoted her career and most of her life to exploring health food and alternative medicine and treatments. For my part, I research it extensively. While I am not professing to be an expert or even extremely knowledgeable, I am wary of any claims to curing or successfully treating cancer outside of conventional medicine. These methods are best considered as complementary treatments, and there may be excellent benefits to pursue healthful options during conventional treatment, but not by foregoing tried-and-true Western medicine. With regards to invasive breast cancer, I just do not know anyone who has been truly cured or successful... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159655 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:11:25 +0100 5159655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139577&cid=t_104354_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2FlohPRTZ791o%2Freligion_versus_alternative_medicine.php Many have been the times that I've pointed out that many forms of "alternative" medicine are in reality based far more on mystical, religious, or "spiritual" beliefs than on any science. Indeed, one amusing event that provided me the opening to launch into one of my characteristic (and fun) Orac-ian outbursts occurred a couple of years ago, when the U.S. Catholic bishops declared that reiki is not compatible with Catholic teachings and shouldn't be offered in Catholic hospitals. Then, earlier this year, the fundamentalists weighed in, when a preacher from the Poconos named Kevin Garman declared reiki to be a "sin." Of course, from their respective religious viewpoints, both the U.S. bishops and Garman were correct in a way. Reiki is, after all, faith healing. The difference between reiki a... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139577 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 05:01:00 +0100 5139577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159028&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4704%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Duniversity-of-westminster-shuts-down-naturopathy-nutritional-therapy-but-keeps-acupuncture-and-herbal-medicine There’s been no official announcement, but four more of Westminster’s courses in junk medicine have quietly closed. For entry in 2011 they offer University of Westminster (W50) qualification Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture (B343) 3FT Hon BSc Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture with Foundation (B341) 4FT/5FT Hon BSc/MSci Complementary Medicine (B255) 3FT Hon BSc Complementary Medicine (B301) 4FT Hon MHSci Complementary Medicine: Naturopathy (B391) 3FT Hon BSc Herbal Medicine (B342) 3FT Hon BSc Herbal Medicine with Foundation Year (B340) 4FT/5FT Hon BSc/MSci Nutritional Therapy (B400) 3FT Hon BSc   But for entry in 2012 University of Westminster (W50) qualification Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture&... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159028 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:43:52 +0100 5159028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107522&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fconsumer-reports-promotes-alternative-medicine-with-questionable-research%2F2011.08.07 Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve intermittently read Consumer Reports, relying on it for guidance in all manner of purchase decisions. CR has been known for rigorous testing of all manner of consumer products and the rating of various services, arriving at its rankings through a systematic testing method that, while not necessarily bulletproof, has been far more organized and consistent than most other ranking systems. True, I haven’t always agreed with CR’s rankings of products and services about which I know a lot, but at the very least CR has often made me think about how much of my assessments are based on objective measures and how much on subjective measures. Until now. I just saw something yesterday on the CR website that has made me wonder just how scientific CR’s testing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107522 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 18:00:43 +0100 5107522 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069466&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fkacp3b2MFJc%2F The sky is the limit it seems when it comes to mobile health. Proving once again the myriad possibilities for that smartphone apps present to every facet of the health sector, Orca MD — a company dedicated to producing apps aimed at educating patients and helping them find the most effective treatment for their ailments — just released two new patient education apps – these focusing on cosmetic procedures. The new apps (FaceDecide & BreastDecide) come in addition to their six existing Orthopedic patient education apps — including an orthopedic app called ShoulderDecide, which was recently reviewed by iMedicalApps.com. While these latest apps are obviously less focused on chronic medical conditions than the original six, they do call attention to just how great the ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069466 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:05:56 +0100 5069466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968489&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffda-approved-drugs-are-not-always-effective-the-benefits-of-alternative-medicine%2F2011.06.25 On Saturday, while thousands of Boston Bruins fans gathered at Government Center to celebrate the team’s recent Stanley Cup victory, a hundred or so true die-hards met a few blocks away at a Massachusetts General Hospital conference to talk about complementary and alternative medicine for psychiatric disorders. While I hated to miss the Bruins parade, I’m glad I attended the MGH conference. I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic about so-called natural therapies for one simple reason: they don’t have to go through the same rigorous testing in clinical trials that medications do. At the same time, I realize that FDA-approved drugs don’t work for everyone. One in three adults with major depression, for example, can’t completely improve their mood and other symptoms even after trying... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968489 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:00:31 +0100 4968489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159032&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4562%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dhalf-baked-nonsense-in-the-atlantic Jump to follow-up Reply to David Katz. The Atlantic is an American magazine founded (as The Atlantic Monthly) in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. It is a literary and cultural magazine with a very distinguished history. Its contributors include Mark Twain and Martin Luther King. So it was pretty exciting to be asked to write something for it, even with a 12 hour deadline. Sadly though, in recent years, the coverage of science in The Atlantic has been less than good The inimitable David Gorski has explained the problem in Blatant pro-alternative medicine propaganda in The Atlantic. The immediate cause of the kerfuffle was the publication of an article, The Triumph of New-Age Medicine. It was written by a journalist, David Freedman. It is very long and really not very good. It has been decon... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159032 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:38:18 +0100 5159032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159033&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4541%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dfreedom-of-information-reveals-some-unusual-testimonials-for-the-university-of-westminster-when-will-professor-geoffrey-petts-do-something-about-it Jump to follow-up Universities, like most businesses, cite glowing testimonials from grateful students, I doubt whether universities are any more honest than anyone else in their choice of what to publish. When I asked to see any letters that had been sent to the university, I was sent only one and extracts from it appear in the last post on Westminster. More dangerous nonsense from the University of Westminster: when will Professor Geoffrey Petts do something about it? But I knew (don’t ask how) that there had been more than that, and a slightly widened FOIA request produced some interesting results (though I’m aware of other letters that were not supplied -not good). As always, the information came with the caveat "Copyright in our response to your request belongs to ... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159033 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:50:30 +0100 5159033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852854&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpress-release-contains-ridiculous-health-claim-of-the-week%2F2011.05.23 Every once in a while, a press release comes along that’s worth mocking publically. Here’s one of them. In honor of National Mental Health Month, one PR flack pitched Philip Stein watches. In the flack’s words: “The highlighted element of the watch is the brand’s exclusive wellness technology that helps wearers improve sleep and reduce stress. The watch is embedded with a metal disk that emits natural frequencies into the body wearer and in turn, affects the wearer’s energy field. It’s called ‘Natural Frequency Technology’ and is a new patented technology studies suggest help to improve sleep quality and reduces stress.” Really. That’s what the flack said. Right off the bat, he’s gone from mental health issues to sleep... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852854 Mon, 23 May 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4852854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820856&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhats-inside-osama-bin-ladens-medicine-cabinet%2F2011.05.12 NBC News obtained from sources in Pakistan a list of drugs found in Osama bin Laden’s medicine cabinet, after Navy SEALs left the scene of the raid and Pakistan officials took over the compound. The list shows that bin Laden was a fairly typical–almost American–consumer of over-the-counter medications. There was nothing to indicate he needed dialysis or had diabetes or Marfan syndrome. He did have secondary osetoporosis, according to physicians who examined photos of him over time. (That’s an actual job, by the way, for physicians who’d want a career drawing up profiles about the health of world leaders or terrorists and feeding that information to intelligence analysts.) Bin Laden stocked pain relievers for kids living at the compound, some home remedies for ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820856 Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4820856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789495&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FD6pzjwl-BEw%2F I don’t smoke pot. (It just makes me sleepy. Plus, I’m 35 weeks pregnant, so it’s probably not the best time to be taking up weed as a hobby.) But when it comes to marijuana, I’ve always adopted kind of a live-and-let-live mentality. Oh, I know full well that it’s illegal in all but 15 U.S. states, but like a lot of people I know (and Willie Nelson, who I don’t know), I don’t think pot should be illegal in any of them. I even know someone who knows someone who knows someone who’s related to someone who may be (or may not be ) a full-time, professional ganja dealer to rich people who like to have their drug of choice delivered to them directly and regularly in a civilized manner. And near where my husband and I own a weekend country home, ther... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789495 Wed, 04 May 2011 21:00:40 +0100 4789495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753689&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdr-steve-novella-defends-science-and-reason-on-the-dr-oz-show%2F2011.04.26 I must say I was a bit shocked two weeks ago when I was contacted by a producer for The Dr. Oz Show inviting me on to discuss alternative medicine. We have been quite critical of Dr. Mehmet Oz over his promotion of dubious medical treatments and practitioners, and I wondered if they were aware of the extent of our criticism (they were, it turns out). Despite the many cautions I received from friends and colleagues (along with support as well) – I am always willing to engage those with whom I disagree. I knew it was a risk going into a forum completely controlled by someone who does not appear to look kindly upon my point of view, but a risk worth taking. I could only hope I was given the opportunity to make my case (and that it would survive the editing process). The Process Of course, e... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753689 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:36:35 +0100 4753689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753892&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FUhmai0T1jiM%2F Consider today’s new 40 Days of Giveaways your own personal relaxation station. If you’re late to this spring fling: Blisstree is rewarding you for giving up your vices in favor of healthier habits. Each weekday from now until May 3, we’ll give away a different prize to one reader just for becoming our Facebook fan. And today’s prize is all about relaxation, restoration, and rejuvenation. We’re giving away one (1) Heavenly Acupressure Mat (worth $50) to one reader who simply “Likes” Blisstree on Facebook. Time to say see ya to stress. Heavenly Acupressure Mats are an easy and affordable way to enjoy the benefits of acupressure in the comfort of your own home. Each mat is made from 100% cotton, and has a total of 8,820 pain-relieving contact points that stimulate your skin... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753892 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:00:52 +0100 4753892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744817&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysicians-against-dr-ozs-misinformation-a-battle-they-cannot-win%2F2011.04.23 A handful of physicians are collaborating to take Mehmet Oz, MD, to task on what they’re calling outlandish claims and bad medical advice. Their suggestion is to no longer pay attention to that man behind the curtain. David H. Gorski, MD, PhD, at the blog Science-Based Medicine went after Dr. Oz for hosting segments about faith healing and consulting psychics. Dr. Gorski pulls no punches, saying, “Dr. Oz has in some ways imitated Oprah and in some ways gone her one better (one worse, really) in promoting the Oprah-fication of medicine. And this season has been a particularly bad one for science-based medicine on The Dr. Oz Show.” (Dr. Mehmet Oz may be using his “Degree in Thinkology” to come up with some of his show topics.) Val Jones, MD, the woman behind the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744817 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4744817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734096&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-why-is-fraud-legal%2F2011.04.21 Imagine hearing a commercial on the radio: Send us money, and we won’t send you anything in return. No one would do that, right? How about this: Send us your money and we’ll send you an empty box. Better? Not much. Now how is that different from: Send us money and we’ll send you stuff we’ll call medicine that we claim will help you, but there’s no actual active ingredients in it at all. I don’t think there’s one bit of difference. Wouldn’t you agree that that commercial is fraud, pure and simple? The problem is that the general public doesn’t understand that the word “homeopathic” means “diluted beyond the point where it contains any active ingredients.” I’ve recently heard commercials for homeopathic vertigo treatments, eye drops for allergies, irritable bowel,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734096 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:00:16 +0100 4734096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734434&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FibXzn1ApJCk%2F Our hormones control almost every aspect of our daily lives, from our reproductive functions and our appearance to our sleep, and even the way we store and burn fat. No matter how a hormonal imbalance manifests itself on the outside, the internal reality remains the same – any and all hormonal imbalances lead to difficulty losing weight and an increased risk of obesity. Unfortunately, the most common imbalances cannot be solved by dieting alone. In fact, they can prevent successful fat loss, even when great diet and exercise plans are in place. Most of us experience the very subtle symptoms of a hormonal imbalance every day. These are things like feeling tired after eating, having difficulty falling asleep, or waking up each night between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Or maybe you notice that you do... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734434 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:00:35 +0100 4734434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159036&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4308%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dthe-a-to-z-of-the-wellbeing-industry-from-angelic-reiki-to-patient-centred-care This is a slightly-modified version of the article that appeared in BMJ blogs yesterday, but with more links to original sources, and a picture. There are already some comments in the BMJ. The original article, diplomatically, did not link directly to UCL’s Grand Challenge of Human Wellbeing, a well-meaning initiative which, I suspect, will not prove to be value for money when it comes to practical action. Neither, when referring to the bad effects of disempowerment on human wellbeing (as elucidated by, among others, UCL’s Michael Marmot), did I mention the several ways in which staff have been disempowered and rendered voiceless at UCL during the last five years. Although these actions have undoubtedly had a bad effect on the wellbeing of UCL’s staff, it seemed a litlle... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159036 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:29:37 +0100 5159036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4714743&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcomplementary-and-alternative-medicine-can-be-a-regressive-force-against-true-science%2F2011.04.14 Science is a philosophy, a technology, and an institution. It is a human endeavor- our collective attempt to understand the world around us,  not something that exists solely in the abstract. All of these aspects of science have been progressing over the past decades and centuries, as we refine our concepts of what science is and how it works, as we develop better techniques, and organize and police scientific activities more effectively. The practice of science is not relentlessly progressive, however, and there are many regressive forces causing pockets of backsliding, and even aggressive campaigns against scientific progress. So-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one such regressive force. It seeks to undermine the concepts, execution, and institutions of medical sc... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4714743 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:00:08 +0100 4714743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704654&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwarning-dr-mehmet-oz-is-not-a-trustworthy-source-of-health-information%2F2011.04.12 When I was in medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Mehmet Oz had the reputation of being a competent and caring cardiothoracic surgeon whose research interest was reducing preoperative stress. I remember hearing about a music study of his in which soothing melodies reduced blood pressure and heart rates in patients preparing for heart surgery. I felt pleased that a surgeon was leading the charge in improving patients’ O.R. experiences, and had no inkling that 15 years later Dr. Oz would be America’s chief snake oil salesman. I have been slow to criticize Dr. Oz on my blog because of a sense of loyalty to my medical school, however yesterday he crossed the line when things got personal – a friend of mine was negatively impacted by h... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704654 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 21:00:23 +0100 4704654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696637&cid=t_104354_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FiE7n_E9lXCg%2F The amazing animated version of Tim Minchin's amazing 9 minute beat poem, Storm, can now be seen on the web. Right here even! (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696637 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:24:59 +0100 4696637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684324&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdont-believe-the-hype-acupuncture-and-alternative-medicine-is-not-so-popular%2F2011.04.05 Everybody’s Doing It One argument that often comes up when skeptics and proponents of so-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) debate is the question of the popularity of various CAM practices. Advocates of CAM often claim these practices are widely used and growing rapidly in popularity. Obviously, CAM proponents have an interest in characterizing their practices as widely accepted and utilized. Even though the popularity of an idea is not a reliable indication of whether or not it is true, most people are inclined to accept that if a lot of people believe in something there must be at least some truth to it. The evidence against this idea is overwhelming, but it is a deeply intuitive, intransigent notion that can only rarely be dislodged. It might therefore be useful to g... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684324 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:00:21 +0100 4684324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684629&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FVN99_RVjr1Y%2F Me: Alex, I’ll take “Mystery Illnesses” for $1,000 please. Alex Trebek: This elusive condition consists of chronic headaches, fatigue, insomnia, weakness, chemical sensitivities, irritability, gas, bloating,  intolerance to heavy exercise, and requires excessive rest. Me: What is…chronic fatigue? Alex: No, I’m sorry, chronic fatigue is incorrect. Janice? Janice: What is…hormonal imbalance? Alex: Sorry no, that’s also incorrect. Oh wait, I’m just now getting word that answer may be partially correct. But not entirely. Ted, would you like to attempt to answer? Ted: Uh, what is…actually, I’m sorry, I have no idea. And so goes the game of my life. In reality, it’s not nearly as fun or glamorous as a game show, but it’s definitely as challenging. My stor... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684629 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:16:01 +0100 4684629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159038&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4239%26utm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Da-thoroughly-dangerous-charity-yestolife-promotes-nonsense-cancer-treatments Conclusion The information supplied by YesToLife is more likely to kill you than to cure you. The next time you see somebody collecting for a "cancer charity" be very careful before you give them money. Follow-up (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159038 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:42:45 +0100 5159038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622283&cid=t_104354_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fsix-science-selections-4.html Map mashup reveals world’s top science cities – Combining citation data with Google Maps reveals the cities where science prospers, and those where it doesn't. 9 arguments for (against) herbal remedies – About 40% of pharmaceuticals have a herbal origin but that doesn't mean natural is all good. Here's 9 arguments often posited in support of herbal over pharma. The first one: They’re natural. (So what? Strychnine is natural.), Read on for the other 8. The long-distance shimmer – The secret to controlling an NMR spectrometer is not to let your mind wander. The mind can play tricks on even an experienced spectroscopist…Chris Blake explains the loneliness of the long-distance shimmer. Simple salt removal to get fresh water – Simple... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622283 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:00:00 +0100 4622283 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565861&cid=t_104354_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F09%2Fmulti-author-medical-blogs-at-the-end-it-is-all-about-credibility%2F Recently, Bertalan Mesko (Berci on Twitter) was asking his twitter followers whether they had a favorite Web 2.0 story.  Berci needed examples for his yearly “Internet in Medicine course” at the university of Debrecen. Doctor Ves (drVes) and Berci discussed various examples of blogs that had grown in a way: a blog that branched from blog [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565861 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:15:29 +0100 4565861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560269&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbig-herbas-research-deficit-why-it-isnt-about-the-money%2F2011.03.08 This is a guest post from Erik Davis of Skeptic North. ********** Bankers, Buyouts & Billionaires: Why Big Herba’s Research Deficit Isn’t About The Money It’s a scene from the blogosphere that’s become all too familiar. A skeptic challenges a natural health product for the lack of an evidentiary base. A proponent of that product responds that the skeptic has made a logical error — an absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, and in such a scenario it’s not unreasonable to rely on patient reporting and traditional uses as a guide. The skeptic chimes back with a dissertation on the limits of anecdotal evidence and arguments from antiquity — especially when the corresponding pharma products have a data trail supporting their safety and efficacy. The pr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560269 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 22:00:09 +0100 4560269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540565&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-science-should-override-celebrity%2F2011.03.02 Dr. Barron Lerner has written a book about breast cancer: “The Breast Cancer Wars: Hope, Fear, and the Pursuit of a Cure in Twentieth-Century America.” And he’s written a book about celebrity patients: “When Illness Goes Public: Celebrity Patients and How We Look at Medicine.” He wed the two topics in a blog post on the New York Times health blog entitled “Suzanne Somers, Cancer Expert.” Excerpts: “Earlier this week, NBC’s “Dateline” devoted an entire hour on Sunday evening to allow the actress Suzanne Somers to express her rather unconventional beliefs about cancer. It is not the first time a major media outlet has given air time to Ms. Somers, whose journey into the medical realm has been featured on a variety of news prog... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540565 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:00:58 +0100 4540565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532484&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fe5CHsVD06SA%2F We don’t need a rocket scientist to tell us that being near family and friends lessens pain, but you may be able to spare your boyfriend the sight of your goopy nose and sweatpants, without going it alone: New studies suggest that photos of your loved ones may be as good as the real thing, acting as painkillers during times of suffering. The phenomenon was first brought to light in 2009 by psychologist Sarah Master, whose study showed that photos could provide the same pain relief as people. Female patients were administered slight, controlled pain while either holding a stranger’s hand, their boyfriend’s hand, or looking at a photo (either of their boyfriend or a stranger). While strangers had minimal impact on their perception of pain, the women reported the same pain r... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532484 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:43:11 +0100 4532484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517170&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-dietary-supplements-are-used-as-medicines%2F2011.02.24 I was surprised to get this e-mail from a reader: Surely, Dr. Hall, the public mania for nutritional supplements is baseless. All the alleged nutrients in supplements are contained in the food we eat. And what governmental agency has oversight responsibility regarding the production of these so-call nutritional supplements? Even if one believes that such pills have value, how can the consumer be assured that the product actually contains what the label signifies? I have yet to find a comment on this subject on your otherwise informative website. My co-bloggers and I have addressed these issues repeatedly.Peter Lipson covered DSHEA (The Diet Supplement Health and Education Act) nicely. It’s all been said before, but perhaps it needs to be said again — and maybe by writing this post... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517170 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:00:56 +0100 4517170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512538&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FPe_J9k5iuyQ%2F Even if your drugs are worth their money, new research suggests that the placebo effect is worth at least as much. A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that a patient’s thoughts and beliefs can make or break a medicine, even if it’s been clinically tested and approved. From the BBC, here’s a summary of the tests that were administered to measure the effects of drugs vs. mindset: Heat was applied to the legs of 22 patients, who were asked to report the level of pain on a scale of one to 100. They were also attached to an intravenous drip so drugs could be administered secretly. The initial average pain rating was 66. Patients were then given a potent painkiller, remifentanil, without their knowledge and the pain score went down to 55. They were t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512538 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:43:37 +0100 4512538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512539&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FURbROMenEQM%2F Bad news, allergy sufferers — your torture time is about to be seem even more interminable, and climate change is to blame. “A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows a link between warming temperatures and a longer ragweed pollen season,” according to TIME. As if there weren’t already enough reasons to be bummed out about global warming. But before you start building yourself a hermetically-sealed bubble to keep out that nasty pollen, try one of these ten allergy home remedies that are all available over the counter, if not in your very own kitchen. (As always, consult with a health care practitioner before embarking on any new herbal regimen.) Sure, seeing a doc may defeat the purpose of exploring at-home allergy remedies, but you co... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512539 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:41:32 +0100 4512539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507485&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FT5wS26E3xi0%2F Therese Borchard This is author Therese Borchard’s debut post for Blisstree, and we’re happy to announce that she’ll be blogging for us on a weekly basis about all kinds of mental health, depression, and therapy issues. Have a question for Therese? Leave it in our comments section, below. I admit it: I am one skeptical chick when it comes to health solutions, because I read so many self-help books a week that my bookshelves can no longer hold their weight. I’ve spent close to $40,000 on therapy, outpatient treatment programs, and psych visits. I’ve also explored almost every single alternative health treatment on the market today, from acupuncture to expensive Chinese herbs. I spend an incredible amount of time each day pursuing good emotional and physical hea... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507485 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:30:28 +0100 4507485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495205&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-pseudo-homeopathic-remedy%2F2011.02.18 Never in a million years would I have dreamed I would be able to say this, but I actually recommended a homeopathic remedy today. To briefly review, for anyone who may be under the mistaken impression that homeopathic remedies actually do anything – they don’t. Here’s why in a nutshell: Homeopathy is an unscientific and absurd pseudoscience, which persists today as an accepted form of complementary medicine, despite there never having been any reliable scientific evidence that it works. So what on earth possessed me to seriously recommend it? I’ll tell you. I saw a beautiful little four-month-old today whose mother thinks he might be teething. Everyone thinks their four-month-olds are teething because they start getting more drooly as their hand-mouth coordination improves, a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495205 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:00:01 +0100 4495205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489673&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftreating-the-common-cold%2F2011.02.17 For the last week I have had a cold. I usually get one each winter. I have two kids in school and they bring home a lot of viruses. I also work in a hospital, which tends (for some reason) to have lots of sick people. Although this year I think I caught my cold while traveling.  I’m almost over it now, but it’s certainly a miserable interlude to my normal routine. One thing we can say for certain about the common cold — it’s common. It is therefore no surprise that there are lots of cold remedies, folk remedies, pharmaceuticals, and “alternative” treatments. Finding a “cure for the common cold” has also become a journalistic cliche — reporters will jump on any chance to claim that some new research may one day lead to a cure for the common cold. Just about any re... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489673 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:00:17 +0100 4489673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489687&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4117 Jump to follow-up The long-awaited government decision concerning statutory regulation of herbalists, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture came out today. Get the Department of Health (DH) report [pdf] It is not good news. They have opted for statutory regulation by the Health Professions Council (HPC). This is much what was recommended by the disgraceful Pittilo report, about which I wrote a commentary in the Times, and here, A very bad report: gamma minus for the vice-chancellor, and here. The DH report is merely an analysis of responses to the consultation, but the MHRA says "The Health Professions Council (HPC) has now been asked to establish a statutory register for practitioners supplying unlicensed herbal medicines. The proposal is, following cre... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489687 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:04:09 +0100 4489687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477795&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fnew-low-for-sma.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477795 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:30:00 +0100 4477795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477796&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fshould-doctors-check-daily-horoscopes.html (Posted on the Singgapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477796 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:30:00 +0100 4477796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455406&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FpE68wjIFOEI%2F Not only are dogs furry and (usually) friendly best pals, but they also may be a new secret prevention weapon in the battle against colon cancer. According to a new study published last week in the medical journal Gut, an eight-year-old Labrador retriever trained in scent detention was able to sniff out colon cancer in breath and stool samples. In the study, the pooch sniffed samples five at a time and was instructed to sit in front of the one that had cancer. She correctly distinguished between cancerous and benign polyps 33 out of 36 times in breath samples. When given watery stool samples to smell, the dog was accurate in 37 out of 38 tests. The canine cop was also able to ID early-stage cancer, detecting polyps from malignancies, which unfortunately, a colonoscopy can’t do. Just ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455406 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:19:55 +0100 4455406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450450&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FD1nB8p6ZclE%2F photo: Thinkstock There’s this disturbing story about a woman who took her multivitamin and it came out the other end looking exactly as it did when it was in the bottle. (No, this not a personal story about me wrapped up in a fake urban legend.) However, I admit that for years, whenever I stopped in a GNC or took a stroll down vitamin row at my local drugstore, I’d become so paralyzed with confusion and anxiety, I worried that I might be using up vital nutrients. I’d stare at the calcium chews and think: “there’s osteoarthritis in my family.” During flu season I wondered if I should geek myself up with vitamin C and zinc. I invested hope in the purported wonders of B-12 when I felt run down and lethargic. Then I’d usually leave the pharmacy empty-handed. Well, except... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450450 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:01:12 +0100 4450450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450302&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D4066 The Science Museum is a wonderful place. As a child it seemed magical. So all the more disappointing to find that it houses an exhibition that promotes quackery. The exhibition is uncritical and sometimes downright dangerous.  It does not teach you anything about science, it teaches anti-science and uncritical thinking. It was not originally like this. Most of the objects in the exhibition were originally part of Henry Wellcome’s Wellcome Museum of Medical History, based at 183 Euston Road. It was moved on permanent loan to the Science Museum in 1977 where it was known as The Wellcome Museum of the History of Medicine. > Recently the Wellcome-Trust sponsored exhibition was the subject of a blog post at Purely a figment of your imagination, written by Alex D... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450302 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:06:50 +0100 4450302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445797&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FeIsknPHxr8M%2F By Glenna Crooks. This is the week many of us will consider – or finally make – Valentine’s Day purchases. Some of us will consider chocolate. Maybe more of us should. I wondered about that as I saw some disparate bits of data over the weekend. An article on Valentine’s Day spending was informative: couples will spend just under $70 on each other and we’ll spend, on average, $5 on pets, $6 on friends, $5 on teachers and $3.50 on co-workers. What will we be buying? In all, about $12.B in treats for the day: $3.5B on jewelry, $1.6B on clothing, $3.4B on dinner, $1.7B on flowers, $1.5B on candy (of which $285M will be on chocolate) and $1.1B on greeting cards. I get interested in items like this when I hear that we ‘can’t afford health care.’ I’ve noticed over the years how ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445797 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:48:38 +0100 4445797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445827&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Flipstick-on-pig-4.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445827 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100 4445827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405957&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FLIutwp9L_3k%2F I’ve had such positive health experiences with acupuncture over the years, that it makes me sad when I hear people dismiss the idea that this ancient Chinese practice actually has powerful healing properties. After all, you skeptics, Eastern medicine has been around a lot longer than Western medicine. (And I’ve been able to manage my genetic skin disease called Hailey-Hailey, thanks in large part to regular acupuncture treatments.) So I asked my acupuncturist, Anne Mok, Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and co-owner of Cornerstone Healing in New York City, to debunk these ten common myths about acupuncture and your health: 1. The needles are so damn long! Actually, acupuncture needles have different thicknesses and lengths. Most needles are inserted into the skin less... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405957 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 17:32:44 +0100 4405957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405806&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Flipstick-on-pig-3.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405806 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:40:00 +0100 4405806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394692&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fstrategies-for-survival-after-breast-cancer%2F Once we are diagnosed with breast cancer, there is a plan for treatment. Once we survive the treatment, there really isn’t a plan for our continued survival. We are not sent home with a warranty and no one assures us that the cancer won’t spread or come back. So a plan for continued health and survival isn’t a bad idea. This month, I committed to making my health a priority starting with my routine visit to my oncologist. From there, my plan is to follow up with annual tests and a colonoscopy. Next month I plan to go to my eye doctor and the dentist. In addition, my new plan needs to include my commitment to more exercise, and of course, better eating habits. However, my main focus is to find additional support through alternative medicine, perhaps herbal supplements, and massage the... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394692 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:43:08 +0100 4394692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382759&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fn4nr7ZdVKdM%2F Blogger Concetta Tomaino who participated in the December 1st Event is truly a disruptive woman as described in the post below.  By Hope Ditto. We’re used to our Disruptive Women bloggers being on the cutting edge in their fields and doing amazing things every day. We’re used to them saving lives, fighting for those without a voice and revolutionizing the world around us. Still, it’s not every day that a major motion picture being featured at the world-famous Sundance Film Festival is directly connected to their work. Not that we’re bragging, but we feel pretty fortunate to call Dr. Concetta Tomaino, D.A., MT-BC, LCAT, one of our own these days. Besides having her work featured in The Music Never Stopped (and having Julia Ormond, the actress playing the music therapist in the m... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382759 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:01:15 +0100 4382759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394514&cid=t_104354_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Feven-more-science-news-2.html Science news snippets from the net meanderings of David Bradley Fighting malaria without DDT = FAIL – Review suggests DDT essential in fight against malaria, despite claims for green approaches. A new research paper exposes allegedly false claims and misrepresentations of science by United Nations environmental organizations to stop successful uses of DDT and other public health insecticides in malaria programs. Adverse drug reactions are not an argument against modern medicine – The number of preventable adverse events from medical treatments is far too high. And even the idiosyncratic events — freak accidents, basically — mean we must always consider the rare but possible harms of the therapies we use. But as Harriet Hall has pointed out, we cannot look at d... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394514 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:00:05 +0100 4394514 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4326918&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Flipstick-on-pig-2.html Reading this letter to the ST Forum...TCM practitioners not exempted from duty to provide proper medical careWE REFER to Dr Ong Siew Chey's letter on Thursday ('Certifying TCM practitioners: It opened Pandora's box'). Although Western medicine is the mainstream health-care service in Singapore, traditional medicine services such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remain popular and are increasingly gaining public acceptance.The Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act was enacted to safeguard patients' interests and safety, and to ensure an acceptable standard of TCM practice is maintained.Singapore does not have double standards regarding medical practice. Every professional group has different qualifications, training requirements and scope of practice. TCM practitioners, by vir... Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4326918 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4326918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318360&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Flipstick-on-pig.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318360 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0100 4318360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314005&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fon-the-value-of-open-mindedness%2F2011.01.05 Three recent sto­ries lead me to my open­ing topic for the year: The value of open-mindedness. This char­ac­ter­is­tic — a state of recep­tive­ness to new ideas — affects how we per­ceive and process infor­ma­tion. It’s a qual­ity I look for in my doc­tors, and which I admire espe­cially in older people. Piece #1 — On the brain’s matu­rity, flex­i­bil­ity and “cog­ni­tive fitness” For the first piece, I’ll note a Dec 31 op-ed piece that appeared in the New York Times: This Year, Change Your Mind, by Dr. Oliver Sacks, the neu­rol­o­gist and author. In this thought­ful essay, he con­sid­ers the adult brain’s “mys­te­ri­ous and extra­or­di­nary” power to adapt and grow: “I have seen hun­dreds of patients with var­i­ous deficits &#8212... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314005 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:00:57 +0100 4314005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294632&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvaginal-steam-baths-a-medical-opinion%2F2010.12.27 A spa in California is offering vaginal steam baths, in which spa-goers squat or sit on open stools over a tub of hot steam, as a cure-all for menstrual, digestion, and mood disorders: The V-Steam: Inspired by an ancient ritual practiced for many years in Korea. The steam from the herbal tea rises and absorbs into your skin & orifice. This steaming treatment stimulates the production of hormones to maintain uterine health, aids regular menstrual cycles, helps correct digestive disorders while soothing the nervous system. The natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties are said to help maintain internal health as well as keeping your skin looking young. (30 min: $50. Series of 6: $180.) It’s a douche, folks. A $50 douche made with mugwort and 13 other herbs and having a fancy Korea... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294632 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:00:53 +0100 4294632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285202&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fchinese-bloodletting-forbidden-in-california%2F2010.12.23 In November 2010, the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) finally decided to act responsibly and forbid the prevalent practice of Chinese bloodletting by licensed acupuncturists. The practice became a concern for the DCA when allegations of unsanitary bloodletting at a California (CA) acupuncture school surfaced. The incident allegedly occurred during a “doctoral” course for licensed practitioners. The instructor was reportedly demonstrating advanced needling and bloodletting techniques. During the process, he took an arrow-like lancing instrument that is called a “three-edged needle” (三棱针), sharpened it with sandpaper, cleaned it with alcohol, and then asked a student-volunteer to roll a towel around his neck. The instructor then cleaned the student’s temporal ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285202 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:00:17 +0100 4285202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265742&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fintegrative-medicine-as-the-butt-of-a-hoax%2F2010.12.16 In 1996, Alan Sokal got a bogus paper published in the journal Social Text. It was a parody full of meaningless statements in the jargon of postmodern philosophy and cultural studies. The editors couldn’t tell the difference between Sokal’s nonsense and the usual articles they publish. Now a British professor of medical education, Dr. John McLachlan, has perpetrated a similar hoax on supporters of so-called “integrative” medicine. He reports his prank in an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). After receiving an invitation to submit papers to an International Conference on Integrative Medicine, he invented a ridiculous story about a new form of reflexology and acupuncture with points represented by a homunculus map on the buttocks. He claimed to have done studies showing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265742 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:20 +0100 4265742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4245305&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Facupuncture-via-skymall%2F2010.12.09 The worst part of flying is the takeoff and landing. Not that I am nervous about those parts of the trip, it is that I am all electronic. Once I have to turn off my electronic devices, all I am left with is my own thoughts or what is in the seat pocket in front of me. Since there is nothing to be gained from quiet introspection, I am stuck with either the in-flight magazine or SkyMall. I usually choose the latter. SkyMall, for those of you who do not fly, is a collection of catalogs bound in one volume. I have occasionally purchased products found in SkyMall and thumb through it with mild interest. This time one product caught my eye, the Aculife home acupuncture/acupressure device. I had never noticed the “health”-related products in SkyMall before, usually looking for electro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4245305 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:00:28 +0100 4245305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241726&cid=t_104354_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FaOUYvL71fJc%2F Since Count Volta first started mixing electrolyte solutions, redox reactions have driven human devices thanks to their storage of chemical energy. From small cells, it was just a matter of time before lazy and lethargic Americans, sick of manually cranking their cars demanded starter engines, and of course the humble car battery. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241726 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:40:05 +0100 4241726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237963&cid=t_104354_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fwhat-managers-can-learn-from-gentle-art.html At the Dr Batra Positive Health Awards held recently in Mumbai, Mr Rajv Bajaj, CEO of Bajaj Auto commented that he had learnt a lot about managing his very successful company by studying homeopathy. I was very intrigued and requested him to elaborate. This is the email he sent me, which I’d like to share. These are very original ideas which can provide a lot of food for thought ! “ 1. Ideation: Individualisation & brands. One of the fundamental principles of homoeopathy is individualisation. We are not what we have in common, but what we have in uncommon with others. In disease terms, it’s our strange, rare, & peculiar symptoms that make us the unique individuals that we are. The good homoeopath seeks to glean that & then choose the one remedy that's that individual's ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237963 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:13:00 +0100 4237963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225523&cid=t_104354_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F0EENI4C2nG4%2F photo: Thinkstock Check out this post about the health benefits of cupuncture by Deborah Huso on AOL Health. While plenty of people who receive acupuncture for the relief of chronic pain swear by its effectiveness, the western medical community has long remained skeptical of this increasingly popular alternative treatment. More and more research studies, however, are confirming the idea that acupuncture has its place in western medicine. The latest, a study out of the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, suggests that acupuncture transforms the way the brain processes pain. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers led by Dr. Nina Theysohn from the University Hospital’s department of diagnostic and interventional radiology and neuroradiology were able to obser... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225523 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:02:11 +0100 4225523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225355&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fmy-foot.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225355 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:20:00 +0100 4225355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219773&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fsense-and-sensitivities.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219773 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:10:00 +0100 4219773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207318&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fcaveat-emptor.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207318 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:30:00 +0100 4207318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197068&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-low-can-oprah-winfrey-go-promoting-faith-healer-john-of-god-to-the-masses%2F2010.11.23 Several of the bloggers on Science-Based Medicine have been — shall we say? — rather critical of Oprah Winfrey. The reason, of course, is quite obvious. Oprah is so famous that if you mention her first name nearly everyone will know exactly of whom you speak. For the last quarter century, Oprah’s daytime TV talk show has been a ratings juggernaut, leading to the building of a media behemoth and making her one of the richest and most famous women in the world. Unfortunately, part of Oprah’s equation for success has involved the promotion of quackery and New Age woo, so much so that last year I lamented about the Oprah-fication of medicine, which scored me a writing gig in the Toronto Star. Whether it be promoting bio-identical hormones, The Secret (complete with a testimonial ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197068 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4197068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4186984&cid=t_104354_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fcomplementary-and-alternative-medicine-for-ms%2F I have seen it somewhere that about 50 percent of people living with multiple sclerosis use disease modifying drugs (DMD) to combat their MS. The National MS society, however, estimates that 75 percent of us use what are deemed “complementary and alternative medicine” to cope with both our MS and its symptoms. The range of treatments/therapies/interventions which fall under the complementary and alternative medicine header are vast. From alteration in diet to removal of mercury amalgam fillings, people with MS are open to trying quite the array of possible solutions to the problems thrown at us by MS. Thomas Jefferson’s old quote always comes to mind. MS complementary and alternative medicine is something to go ahead and try if “it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg”. When... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4186984 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:06:12 +0100 4186984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179322&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhomeopathy-fibromyalgia-a-woo-magnet%2F2010.11.18 Over the weekend, my wife and I happened to be in the pharmacy section of our local Target store. We happened to be looking for one of our favorite cold remedies, because both of us have been suffering from rather annoying colds, which have plagued both of us for the last week or two. As we perused the Cold and Flu section of the pharmacy, we were struck at how much shelf space was taken up by Airborne (which was “invented by a schoolteacher.“) Nearly three years ago Airborne had to settle a case brought against it alleging false advertising to the tune of $23 million. Despite that, Airborne is still being sold, and there are even a whole bunch of knock-off products copying it. Then, as we continued to look for our favored cold remedy, we noted that, sitting right next to the extensive... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179322 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:00:11 +0100 4179322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4167972&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3675 Jump to follow-up The mainstream media eventually catch up with bloggers. BBC1 TV (Wales) produced an excellent TV programme that exposed the enormous degree validation scam run by the University of Wales. It also exposed the uselessness of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Both these things have been written about repeatedly here for some years. It was good to see them getting wider publicity. Watch the video of the BBC programme, "Week In Week Out – University Challenged." “The programme examines how pop stars and evangelical Christians are running colleges offering courses validated by the University of Wales.” (I make a brief appearance, talking about validation of degrees in Chinese Medicine). In October 2008 I posted Another worthless validation: the Un... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4167972 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:45:22 +0100 4167972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155234&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fimmunizations-nccam-fails-to-provide-responsible-information%2F2010.11.11 If you go to the website of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), you’ll find that one of its self-identified roles is to “provide information about CAM.” NCCAM Director Josephine Briggs is proud to assert that the website fulfills this expectation. As many readers will recall, three of your bloggers visited the NCCAM last April, after having received an invitation from Dr. Briggs. We differed from her in our opinion of the website: One of our suggestions was that the NCCAM could do a better job providing American citizens with useful and accurate information about “CAM.” We cited, among several examples, the website offering little response to the dangerous problem of widespread misinformation about childhood immunizations. As Dr. Novella subseq... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155234 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:00:51 +0100 4155234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139236&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhigh-cholesterol-and-red-yeast-rice-supplements%2F2010.11.05 People are always on the search for “natural” ways to stay healthy and reduce cholesterol. Chinese red yeast rice supplements have been touted as a natural, safer way to lower cholesterol compared to statin medications. The yeast that grows on a particular type of rice contains a family of substances called monocolins, which lower cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver in the same manner as prescription statin drugs. Some studies have shown as much as a 15 percent drop in cholesterol. All of this sounds good until you dig a little deeper. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that different brands of red yeast rice supplements have dramatic variation in le... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139236 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4139236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118955&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3632 Jump to follow-up The Prince of Wales’ Foundation for Integrated Health shut down amidst scandal in April 2010. In July, we heard that a new “College of Medicine” was to arise from its ashes. It seemed clear from the people involved that the name “College of Medicine” would be deceptive. Now the College of Medicine has materialised, and it is clear that one’s worst fears were well justified. At first sight, it looks entirely plausible and well-meaning. Below the logo one reads “There is a new force in medicine. A force that brings patients, doctors, nurses and other health professionals together, instead of separating them into tribes.” "That force is the new College of Medicine. Uniquely, it brings doctors and other health professiona... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118955 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 15:41:37 +0100 4118955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119007&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Floss-4.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119007 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:30:00 +0100 4119007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4525093&cid=t_104354_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-alternative-therapy%2F5-steps-to-a-new-life-with-adhd-natural-remedies.php Based on Western medicine, ADD is attributable to a deficiency of the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. Although there’s absolutely nothing improper with linking the dysfunction to a lack of neurotransmitters, it might be nearsighted to focus on treating the situation with stimulant medicine as a substitute of looking for the basis of the deficiency. At the biological stage, all neurotransmitters are product of amino acids, the essential building protein blocks. At hand are twenty sorts of amino acids that fall into 2 groups: important amino acids, which the body cannot manufacture, as well as non-important amino acids, that the body makes from proteins and other amino acids. Eating amino acid supplements to extend neurotransmitter production – a method also... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4525093 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4525093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086266&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fprenatal-vitamins-are-they-necessary-sufficient-safe%2F2010.10.20 What is in a prenatal vitamin? Why do most doctors recommend them? Is there any evidence taking them is worthwhile? I decided recently that I would read through the ingredients of these vitamins, often touted as “essential vitamins and nutrients, crucial for the healthy development of your baby.” Hmmm. Does that mean eating traces of polyvinyl alcohol every day is beneficial? The fine print ingredients of such brands as “One A Day”, “Centrum Materna”, “Rite Aid” and even the prescription only “Prenate Elite” are a confusing mess of milligrams, international units, RDA’s, and chemicals. As the makers of Centrum explain, “It is very challenging to formulate vitamins and minerals without the use of non-medicinal ingredients which serve to keep the product stable and to... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086266 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:00:27 +0100 4086266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086236&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Facupuncture-wounds-therapy-leads-to-dozens-of-deaths%2F photo: Thinkstock A new post on AOL Health today revealed that over 80 people have died over the last 45 years as a result of poorly sterilized or misplaced acupuncture needles. While most of the deaths happened in Asia, and 80 deaths over 40 years isn’t too terrifying, this is still a creepy statistic. And remember the study that suggested that most of the benefits of acupuncture are in your mind? Could the risk associated with acupuncture outweigh the benefits? If you’ve had acupuncture treatments, do you think they worked? Let us know in the comments if you think the risk is worth the reward. via AOL Health Post from: BlissTree Acupuncture Wounds: Therapy Leads to Dozens of Deaths (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086236 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:21:49 +0100 4086236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082002&cid=t_104354_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2Fri1FxWB61WE%2Fselective_pressures_and_the_evolution_of_2.php The Lorne Trottier Symposium is over, and it went quite well. Amazingly, even though I had to follow Michael Shermer's talk, people told me I didn't suck, which made me feel better. Oh, there was this issue of a guy who wanted to tout Royal Rife and his machine. He wouldn't have irritated me so much for doing that. What did irritate me was that he went on and on and on and wouldn't yield the microphone, to the point where I tried to interrupt him to ask him if he had a question and then ended up being perhaps too dismissive of his question. On the other hand, even Michael Shermer told him, "You're done." (Maybe I'll tell the tale later this week. In any case, my day was so packed yesterday and I didn't get back to the hotel until midnight, meaning, well, no new material today. Fortunately,... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082002 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:30:00 +0100 4082002 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077246&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-have-low-t%2F2010.10.17 If you google “low testosterone” you’ll see lots of ads for testosterone replacement. Some are from pharmaceutical companies that sell testosterone, others from obvious snake-oil salesmen. Both types of ads list vague sets of symptoms, encourage you to believe that they are pathologic, and want to sell you something to make you better. For example, the pharmaceutical company Solvay gives you a handy guide for speaking to your doctor, and a quiz to see if you have “low T.” The quiz asks some questions that may be useful, but also asks very general questions about your sense of well being. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077246 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:00:01 +0100 4077246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074068&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funscientific-medicine-what%25e2%2580%2599s-the-harm%2F2010.10.14 Any promoter of science-based medicine often faces the question: “What’s the harm?” What is the harm if people try treatment modalities that are not based upon good science, that are anecdotal, or provide only a placebo benefit? There are generally two premises to this question. The first is that most “alternative” placebo interventions are directly harmless. The second is that direct harm is the only type worth considering. Both of these premises are wrong. The pages of Science Based Medicine (SBM) are filled with accounts of direct harm from unscientific treatments: Argyria from colloidal silver, death from chelation therapy, infection or other complications from acupuncture, burns from ear candleing, stroke from chiropractic neck manipulation — the list goes on. ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074068 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:00:50 +0100 4074068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060596&cid=t_104354_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F3HnRT2dRJig%2F Yes, that's right, a Life in the Fast Lane doctor seems to suggest that homeopathy might help a patient... Can it be true? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060596 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:36 +0100 4060596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053299&cid=t_104354_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fc_1LtB7Xa18%2F This article contains satire... With age comes an increased risk of serious life threatening diseases. Many of these illnesses eventuate in fatality, and a great expenditure to sustain the lives of individuals living with chronic disease. With public health targets placing increased pressure on clinicians to reduce morbidity and mortality for many diseases...one alternative stands out above all others. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053299 Sat, 09 Oct 2010 06:58:47 +0100 4053299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040565&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-the-mayo-clinic-book-of-home-remedies%2F2010.10.07 I write a lot of critical articles. It’s nice to be able to write a positive one for a change. I received a prepublication proof of The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies: What to Do for the Most Common Health Problems. It is due to be released on October 26 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Since “quackademic” medicine is infiltrating our best institutions and organizations, I wasn’t sure I could trust even the prestigious Mayo Clinic. I was expecting some questionable recommendations for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, but I found nothing in the book that I could seriously object to. It is organized alphabetically, starting with acne and airplane ear and progressing through bedbugs, boils and bronchitis, dandruff, depression and diabetes to warts, w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040565 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:00:43 +0100 4040565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018186&cid=t_104354_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FdXCXI378uMY%2F Known as unscientific, dangerous, potentially deadly, quackery, and other less than flattering but accurate terms, but it seems that science's attempts to dilute the false positive claims homeopathy makes only seems to make it stronger. Attempting to definitively demonstrate the functionality of the homeopathic principles, a new sustainability initiative has been launched by the Total Strategic Homeopathic Institute for Technology (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018186 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:00:12 +0100 4018186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993975&cid=t_104354_105_f&fid=39181&url=http%3A%2F%2Fangrydr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Ftaste-for-your-own-medicine.html (Posted on the Singapore MD blog) (Source: Angry Doctor) Angry Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993975 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:00:00 +0100 3993975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972888&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Falternative-medicine-how-non-traditional-methods-cured-me%2F photo via Lemondrop We thought our readers would enjoy Wendy Shanker’s post on Lemondrop about how alternative medicine helped her manage her rare autoimmune disease. You know you would be so much healthier if you would just eat some kale? I know I would. But every time I go into the health food store craving a smoothie I look at the menu and think: “I should get the kale/beet/carrot/celery special. That would be so beneficial for my system!” Then I walk out of there with the peanut butter/banana special instead. I’ll order it with soy instead of dairy to rationalize that I’m doing a good thing for myself. But why didn’t I get the kale? Shouldn’t my brain’s long-term desire for wellness outweigh my sweet tooth’s demand for instant gra... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972888 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:30:57 +0100 3972888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3959926&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcoffee-grounds-to-combat-cellulite%2F2010.09.11 Last week a popular TV talk show featuring a bunch of doctors (I’m not naming names) discussed how coffee grounds can improve cellulite. They explained how rubbing coffee grounds into your skin imparts caffeine into the cellulite thereby improving the circulation and drawing the toxins out. This is a great tip, except that rubbing coffee grounds on your skin does not impart any caffeine into it, and there are no toxins in cellulite. Cellulite is a normal secondary sex characteristic of women. It is the result of thin connective tissue in women’s skin. Massaging the cellulite (with coffee, tea, grapes, cream cheese, or chocolate frosting) pushes the fat back into the skin, temporarly improving the appearance. There is no science behind using coffee to treat this normal condition. Scient... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3959926 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:00:26 +0100 3959926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954261&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwho-partners-with-traditional-healers-in-africa%2F2010.09.09 There’s an AIDS epidemic in Africa, and efforts to fight it are hampered by the endemic social problems of that continent. Chief among them are the lack of sufficient modern health resources, the spread of destructive rumors and myths about HIV/AIDS, and even the persistence of HIV denial in Africa (although this last factor is better than in the past). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance are teaming up with the Traditional Health Practitioners Association of Zambia (THPAZ) to address the first problem –- the lack of health services. Most Zambians use traditional healers for primary healthcare. The WHO has therefore decided to utilize traditional healers in the fight against AIDS. There are interesting pros and cons to this policy, but it mus... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954261 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:00:20 +0100 3954261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942797&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3423 Conclusion At the moment, it appears that the renaming of the RLHH is empty re-branding. No doubt UCLH Trust see homeopathy as something that brings shame on a modern medical service. But to remove the name while retaining the nonsense is simply dishonest. Let’s hope that the name change will be followed by real changes in the sort of medicine practised, Changes to real medicine, one hopes. Other blogs on this topic Gimpyblog was first, with Farewell to the RLHH, hello to the RLHIM Quackometer posted An Obituary: Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, 1849-2010 Follow-up (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942797 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:01:34 +0100 3942797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3915093&cid=t_104354_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Flibraries-doctors-patients-and.html In an ideal world, doctors would be able spend as much time with the patient as he needed. They would understand the patient's personal beliefs and preferences; empathise with his worries and concerns; educate and inform the patient about his treatment option; and draw up a treatment plan which the patient was happy with.Sadly, in real life, the only kind of people who are going to get this type of care today are billionaires who own their own hospitals. Today, most doctors are just too busy to be able to even talk to their patients for an uninterrupted ten minutes ! When they are young, they are rushing from clinic to clinic , trying to grow their practise . When they are senior, they have so many patients who have lined up to see them, that they just cannot devote the time needed.As a re... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3915093 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:28:00 +0100 3915093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911707&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3385 Systems biology is all the rage, No surprise then, to see the University of Westminster advertising a job for a systems biologist in the The Department of Molecular and Applied Biosciences. Well, no surprise there -until you read the small print. Much has been wriiten here about the University of Westminster, which remains the biggest provider of junk sciencne degrees in the UK, despite having closed two of them. Senior Lecturer in Systems Biology University of Westminster – Department of Molecular and Applied Biosciences, School of Life Sciences Cavendish Site Salary £37,886 – £50,751 (Inc. LWA) The Department of Molecular and Applied Biosciences wishes to appoint a Senior Lecturer in Systems Biology. The post-holder will teach on the undergraduate and pos... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911707 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:52:20 +0100 3911707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885344&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-selectiveness-of-science-denialism%2F2010.08.19 Statement #1: The holocaust never happened. Hitler loved Jews and respected Jewish culture. The photographic evidence of the camps, including the bodies and atrocities, were all fakes designed by the State of Israel to generate international sympathy. Statement #2: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective treatment for numerous medical conditions. Acupuncture has been around for centuries and is widely practiced in China and elsewhere. Science has proven its efficacy in controlled experiments. With any luck, that first statement should generate dozens of hits from watchdog groups berating me for spreading the vile lie of Holocaust denial. The second statement, or words perilously close to that effect, has appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, a previously-prestigious ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885344 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:00:13 +0100 3885344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872552&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpatients-are-avoiding-healthcare-because-of-costs%2F2010.08.16 One in five Americans didn’t seek medical care for a recent illness or injury, often because of the cost, according to a survey of adults polled by a healthcare consulting firm, and the number of people who saw a doctor fell as well. Four out of 10 adults said the cost was the main reason not to seek care, a trend that be driven by unemployment and health insurance costs, said a survey by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. They surveyed more than 4,000 adults. Also, 79 percent of respondents sought medical attention from a doctor or other health care professional in 2010, down from 85 percent in 2009. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872552 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3872552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868743&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3339 Jump to follow-up Having recently been fired from Ofquack, the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). I found I was missing the constant dribble of double-speak, Then, as luck would have it, a friend emailed me to draw my attention to a lucrative job at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.  On August 11th I put out a tweet, just in case any of my friends were interested. How to save money. NHS Scorland (Tayside) advertises for homeopathic doctor http://bit.ly/9Ou9Yo Pathetic #fail After the story appeared in the Daily Express it occurred to me that I should apply. It seems that NHS Scotland Tayside) is determined to look idiotic in the eyes of the world.  They advertised for a homeopathic doctor,  The upper level of salary, £68,000 for two sessions a week, is a... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868743 Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:12:59 +0100 3868743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808672&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3263 Jump to follow-up Suggested twitter tag: #buckgate Number 19 Buckingham Street, London WC2N 6EF.is to be the home of the proposed "College of Medicine" that has arisen from the ashes of the late unlamented Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (their last accounts can be seen at Quackometer). Naturally one must ask if the "College of Medicine" will propagate the same sort of barmy ideas as the Prince’s Foundation used to do,  A visit to Companies House shows the auguries are not good 19 Buckingham Street For one thing, the name College of Medicine has existed only since May 2010.  The company was registered originally 19th November 2009 as The College of Integrated Health, but after a teleconference on 5th May 2010 it changed... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808672 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:09:09 +0100 3808672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780358&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-case-of-the-winkler-county-whistleblowing-nurses%2F2010.07.22 I can’t speak for anyone else who blogs here at Science-Based Medicine, but there’s one thing I like to emphasize to people who complain that we exist only to “bash ‘alternative’ medicine.” We don’t. We exist to champion medicine based on science against all manner of dubious practices. Part of that mandate involves understanding and accepting that science-based medicine (SBM) is not perfect. It is not some sort of panacea. Rather, it has many shortcomings and all too often does not live up to its promise. Our argument is merely that, similar to Winston Churchill’s invocation of the famous saying that “democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried,” science-based medicine is the worst form of medicine except for all the others tha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780358 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:59 +0100 3780358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764269&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F18%2Fchallenges-of-enriched-environment-significantly-curb-cancer-growth-in-mice%2F Living in an environment rich with physical, mental and social stimulation – a setting that causes mild stress – appears by itself to curb cancer growth in mice, according to a new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764269 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:32:50 +0100 3764269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746932&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Falternative-medicine-vs-conventional-cancer-treatment%2F Driving back from visiting my family outside Toronto yesterday, I listened to an interview with Suzanne Somers. She survived breast cancer and has gone on to become a self-styled expert in health and wellness. I like this woman — she is funny, pretty, and interesting to listen to. What I don’t like is that she is espousing cancer treatment outside the medical community. She is somewhat antagonistic towards medical research and uses her own experts and studies. I think we all need to have an open mind about alternative treatments, but I also believe we need to focus on what is working and saving lives when it comes to cancer. Although Ms. Somers gives positive testimony regarding the treatments she pushes, she cannot point to the countless number of hours of research or the thousands of... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746932 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:45:41 +0100 3746932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746658&cid=t_104354_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2Fc8rpEHRmixU%2Fhealth_fascism_in_australia_the_anti-vac.php Although The Amazing Meeting is now over, my vacation is not, at least not yet. My wife and I decided to take an extra couple of days off before winging our way home tomorrow. Originally I had planned on posting "reruns" for a couple of days, but something popped up that I felt obligated to comment on. I knew this was coming, thanks to the inimitable Australian skeptic and promoter of science-based medicine Dr. Rachie, with whom I shared the podium both for the Science-Based Medicine Workshop and on a panel on Saturday at TAM. She told me that something would be coming on Monday (Australian time, and, as Dr. Rachie put it, Australians live in the future), and it sure did. (As an aside, I also learned from industry insiders that Jenny McCarthy has actually taped the pilot for her new Oprah-... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746658 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3746658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737041&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Facupuncture-cme-offered-by-harvard-medical-school%2F2010.07.08 Some universities have more cachet than others. On the West Coast it’s Stanford that has the reputation as the best. Then there’s Oxford, Yale, and MIT. I would wager that in most people’s minds the creme de la creme is Harvard, where you find the best of the best. If Harvard is involved, a project gains an extra gobbet of credibility. Brigham and Women’s Hospital also has similar reputation in U.S. as one the hospitals associated with only Harvard and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) — premier university, premier hospital, premier journal. So if Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are offering continuing medical education (CME) for acupuncture, there must be something to it, right? A course called “Structural Acupuncture for Physic... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737041 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:00:14 +0100 3737041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721765&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdebunking-homeopathy-cartoon-style%2F2010.07.02 Here’s a wonderful cartoon primer by Darryl Cunningham on the fundamentals of homeopathic “medicine”: To see the entire 19-page cartoon strip, click here. Well worth the read, especially for anyone who might be considering homeopathic treatment. This author also put together a nice explication of the Wakefield Autism Vaccine Fraud. *This blog post was originally published at Movin' Meat* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721765 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100 3721765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718400&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F%25e2%2580%259cnaturopathic-oncology-a-new-specialty-of-pseudoscience%2F2010.07.01 On “wholistic” medicine If there’s one aspect of so-called “alternative medicine” and “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) is that its practitioners tout as being a huge advantage over what they often refer to sneeringly as “conventional” or “scientific” medicine is that–or so its practitioners claim–alt-med treats the “whole patient,” that it’s “wholistic” in a way that the evil reductionist “Western” science-based medicine can’t be. Supposedly, we reductionistic, unimaginative physicians only focus on disease and ignore the “whole patient.” Of course, to me this claim is belied by the hectoring to which my own primary care physician has subjected me about my horrible diet and lack of exercise on pretty much every visit I’ve had wi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718400 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:53 +0100 3718400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695572&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-movie-promotes-energy-medicine%2F2010.06.24 It’s boring to try to ferret out reliable health information from dry medical journals. It’s easier and more fun to watch a movie. A new movie promises to change the way you think about your health. To bring you breakthroughs that will transform your understanding of how to get well and stay well. To share the discoveries of leading researchers and health practitioners about miracle cures that traditional medicine can’t explain. If this makes your baloney detector light up, good for you! The Living Matrix: A Film on the New Science of Healing is an atrociously bad movie that falls squarely in the tradition of What the Bleep Do We Know? In his book Nonsense on Stilts, Massimo Pigliucci characterized the “Bleep” movie as “one of the most spectacular examples of a horribly tangled... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695572 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00:37 +0100 3695572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687100&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fherbal-remedy-for-uti-if-youre-a-lab-rat-maybe%2F2010.06.22 A patient came into the office the other day carrying a small clipping from a reputable women’s health newsletter touting new research on an herbal remedy for urinary tract infection. Having recurrent bladder infections, my patient naturally was wondering if this was something she should try. The article was entitled “Herbal Remedy Effective for Urinary Tract Infections” and began with this startling revelation: The common herbal extract forskolin can greatly reduce urinary tract infections and could potentially help antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause most bladder infections.  But the article advised that the “popular” remedy was not FDA approved for this indication, so you should “ask your doctor.” (more…) *This blog post was... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687100 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3687100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625499&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpain-relief-study-has-potential-with-a-spin%2F2010.06.03 The development of drugs and other treatments for specific symptoms or conditions relies heavily on either serendipity (the chance finding of a beneficial effect) or on an understanding of underlying mechanisms. In pain, for example, there are limited ways in which we can block pain signals –- such as activating opiate receptors, or inhibiting prostaglandins. There are only so many ways in which you can interact with these systems. The discovery of a novel mechanism of modulating pain is therefore most welcome, and has the potential of leading to entirely new treatments that may have a better side effect profile than existing treatments and also have an additive clinical effect. A recent study by Nana Goldman et. al., published in Nature Neuroscience, adds to our understanding of pain re... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625499 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:53 +0100 3625499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599434&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3095 Conclusion Holism in medicine is an open ended and exquisitely complex understanding of human biology that over time has lead to spectacular improvements in the length and quality of life of patients with cancer. This approach encourages us to consider the transcendental as much as the cell and molecular biology of the human organism. Alternative versions of “holistic medicine” that offer claims of miracle cures for cancer by impossible dietary regimens, homeopathy or metaphysical manipulation of non-existent energy fields, are cruel and fraudulent acts that deserve to be criminalized. Such “alternative” versions of holism are arid and closed belief systems, locked in a time warp, incapable of making progress yet quick to deny progress in the field of scientific medicine. Fo... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599434 Tue, 25 May 2010 21:16:07 +0100 3599434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3588842&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F5-supplement-prescription-interactions-you-want-to-avoid-from-our-hunky-naturopath%2F All you supplement-takers and prescription-users, listen up: We’re all for tapping into your inner mixologist, but keep it to the cocktails. Blisstree’s resident hot naturopathic doctor, John Dempster, gave us the heads up about some dangerous supplement-prescription drug mixes that you may want to avoid. Check out the top five risky mixtures: 1. Milk Thistle and Birth Control Pills Milk Thistle, a powerful liver tonifier and popular detox supplement, may actually flush external hormones through the body along with last night’s cocktail. It has the potential to increase the clearance of external hormones – like the trusty Pill. While the risk is small, it still exists. Thus, a quick reminder for those self-prescribing liver cleanses to consult with a health care profess... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3588842 Fri, 21 May 2010 15:09:52 +0100 3588842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585562&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F5-supplement-prescription-interactions-you-want-to-avoid-from-our-hunky-naturopath%2F All you supplement-takers and prescription-users, listen up: We’re all for tapping into your inner mixologist, but keep it to the cocktails. Blisstree’s resident hot naturopath, Dr. John Dempster, gave us the heads up about some dangerous supplement-prescription drug mixes that you should probably avoid. Check out the top five risky mixtures: 1. Milk Thistle and Birth Control Pills Milk Thistle, a powerful liver tonifier and popular detox supplement, may actually flush external hormones through the body along with last night’s cocktail.  has the potential to increase the clearance of external hormones – like the trusty Pill. While the risk is small, it still exists. Thus  a quick reminder for those self-prescribing liver cleanses to consult with a healthcare profe... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585562 Fri, 21 May 2010 15:09:52 +0100 3585562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581608&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fscience-media-misinterprets-new-acupuncture-studies%2F2010.05.20 Two recent acupuncture studies have received some media attention, both purporting to show positive effects. Both studies are also not clinical efficacy trials, so cannot be used to support any claims for efficacy for acupuncture –- although that is how they are often being presented in the media. These and other studies show the dire need for more trained science journalists or science blogging –- they only make sense when put into a proper context. No media coverage I read bothered to do this. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581608 Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3581608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3563972&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3050 This study, of almost 500,000 people in ten European countries, found barely any relationship between intake of fruit and vegetables and cancer risk. This may be disappointing, but it can only harm patients to ignore the evidence when, as in this case, it exists. There are plenty of reasons to eat well, but apparently avoiding cancer is not one of them. It seems to be a bit more complicated than that. Dr Daniel says "IM in the UK is still clouded by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) detractors owing to an important misunderstanding: IM is not CAM.".  I beg to differ. The content of the course is about alternative as you can get. It included teachers who have advocated the Q-link pendant to "protect" you from evil radio waves. It is not long since Ben Gol... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3563972 Thu, 13 May 2010 20:49:38 +0100 3563972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538230&cid=t_104354_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fivf-and-alternative-medicine-best-of.html Many IVF patients these days use acupuncture and will often ask me whether it's fine to do so or not . I advise patients to explore additional alternative medicines options such as yoga as well. Some of my patients think that the fact I am advising this stuff means I must be a quack. Others are happy that I have an open mind and am willing to explore alternatives with them.I never want my patients to feel they have left any stone unturned. The truth is that many patients will explore alternative medicine without telling their doctor. I prefer taking a proactive approach, so they know I am on their side, and that they do not need to hide anything from me !I am quite happy with this approach if the intervention is simple , harmless and inexpensive. I then feel that it's worth trying, even if... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538230 Thu, 06 May 2010 10:01:00 +0100 3538230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538086&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FvNov0jTyzfM%2F Yin versus Yang. East versus West. Technology versus theology. Two Fox topics I covered within a single week were at seemingly opposite ends of the healthcare spectrum. Both were moving. Both made a meaningful difference in peoples lives. Which was better? I was confused…until I started writing the last paragraph of this blog. Bill Carlson is a 60 year old man that I met online about a year ago during the weekly Fox chat with viewers. “Shellback,” his screen name, signed in every few weeks with progress updates on his recovery from a heart transplant…and then always commented on the wonderful care he received at the University of Minnesota. Since April is National Donate Life Month, I invited him to be a guest on Tuesday, April 20. His story was a medical miracle. Bill’s congesti... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538086 Thu, 06 May 2010 10:00:17 +0100 3538086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529781&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F-E9F5R-sVuw%2F By Glenna Crooks. Full disclosure – I’ve practiced yoga fairly consistently for decades. It’s been good for me. In grad school it helped me stay focused – and calmer – through killer statistics classes. Later, it was a way to unwind at the end of a workday. Still later, it saved me from surgery to correct fairly severe scoliosis. It’s not cured the deformity but I’m virtually pain free most of the time – no small feat for one who spends 18-24 hours on flights and 8 hours standing to facilitate meetings. More disclosure – I am certified to teach, though I don’t. The same erratic travel schedule that prevents attending classes on a regular basis precludes committing to teaching them. I trained to be able to practice on the road. It was a good investment of my time and fun... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529781 Tue, 04 May 2010 13:45:13 +0100 3529781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460167&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2923 There is something very offensive about the idea that a ‘bachelor of science’ degree can be awarded by a university, as a prize for memorising gobbledygook. Once the contents of the ‘degrees’ has been exposed to public ridicule, many universities have stopped doing it. All (or nearly all) of these pseudo-degrees have closed at the University of Salford, the University of Central Lancashire, Robert Gordon University, the University of Buckingham, and even at the University of Westminster (the worst offender), one course has closed (with rumours of more to follow). I’ve already written about the course in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University of Salford (Chinese medicine -acupuncture gobbledygook revealed) and at the University of Westminster: see... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460167 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:51:20 +0100 3460167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440745&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Ffight-your-allergies-au-naturel%2F Spring allergies blow. This may be one of the loveliest times of year, but let’s face it – some of us are just plain miserable. Stuffy nose, dry cough, itchy eyes – your face feels like a punching bag. Sound familiar? Instead of spending your paycheck on over-the-counter meds, check out these natural remedies courtesy of The Huffington Post that may actually let you enjoy smelling the flowers this season. Eat This When you feel a flare-up coming on, avoid foods that build up mucus like raw and cold foods  (sushi), dairy products (ice cream), corn (even corn syrup), simple sugars, grains (wheat, rye, or barley), boozing, and smoking. Instead, try whole grains like quinoa, amaranth, and brown rice. Many fruits contain bromelain, a natural antihistamine, so eat pineapples, papayas, cra... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440745 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:34:28 +0100 3440745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3395084&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8428 They call it Bullshit. Here’s the Youtube series (via Dr Anony) from the Malaysian Medical Resources Penn and Teller on Alternative Medicine (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3395084 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3395084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359194&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FSLZQnFeyiPw%2Falternative-medicine-practitioners Shortly after my diagnosis, I applied for and received scholarship funds to pay for alternative medicine treatments. Living in the Bay Area, choices were endless: Chinese Medicine, nutritional therapy, energy healing. People wanted to shove coffee up my ass, go on juice fasts, float in water, and select an animal totem. They wanted me to take herbs I couldn’t pronounce, obtained at hole in the wall pharmacies, with surprisingly significant clinical studies backing them up. They used dirty words like sleep and meditation too. Alternative medicine is just as much of an industry as standard cancer care with its own pit falls, winners, and losers. It’s one more arena of cancer care that I’ve had to get savvy about navigating. Walking into an alternative medicine practitioner’s offi... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359194 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:05:09 +0100 3359194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294543&cid=t_104354_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F21%2Fworrying-wordpress-shut-down-a-blog-of-a-student-critizing-the-naturopath-christopher-maloney%2F Last Thursday PZ Myers, author of the very successful science blog Pharyngula tweeted that Christopher Maloney was a quack” (see first tweet below). Prior to that tweet I’d never heard of Christopher Maloney. I used to be rather indifferent about homeopaths and other people practicing CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine), thinking that it might help some [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294543 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:59:19 +0100 3294543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291902&cid=t_104354_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FsUYFIjIkyPw%2F Ear candling can cause serious injuries, even when used according to the manufacturer’s directions, says a press release issued by the FDA. The release warns the general public and healthcare professionals that there have been reports of “burns, perforated eardrums and blockage of the ear canal which required outpatient surgery from the use of ear candles.” (FDA) Ear candling falls under the realm of alternative medicine and the concern is not a slam against alternative therapies and treatments; not all alternative medicine is harmful. There are many procedures that could help someone feel better, but ear candling isn’t  one of them, says the FDA and Health Canada. Health Canada issued a warning in 2006 that is similar to the FDA’s. In 1996, Health Canada surveye... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291902 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:31:54 +0100 3291902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3276041&cid=t_104354_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F15%2Flibbys-hope-to-present-at-nocc-6th-annual-womens-health-expo-rejuvenate-finding-balance%2F On March 20, 2010, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (Maryland Chapter) will hold its 6th Annual Women’s Health Expo entitled, REJUVENATE Finding Balance (NOCC Rejuvenate), at the Sheraton Annapolis Hotel. … On behalf of Libby’s H*O*P*E*™, I will conduct a seminar as part of Session II entitled, A Patient Advocate’s Perspective on the Importance of [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3276041 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:53:26 +0100 3276041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208317&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Faspen-holds-potweed-competition%2F If you grow or use medical marijuana, here is a conference that may be the place for you and an event for you: the Western Slope Cannabis Crown is up for grabs.  And, there’s even a People’s Choice award that will be given to the most popular of cannabis. The April 17 and 18 event isn’t the first of its kind, it’s patterned after Amsterdam’s Cannabis Cup but it’s not all just fun and games. The serious side to the competition and the conference itself is education and providing an outlet for medicinal marijuana growers be able to showcase the best marijuana strains to the people who will sell or use them. The event also will include speakers and information about medicinal marijuana, and is open to the general public. So, how exactly will the judges tel... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208317 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:13:13 +0100 3208317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3145909&cid=t_104354_83_f&fid=34690&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Finsolence%2F%7E3%2FblwoGQEPES0%2Fone_possible_reason_why_barbara_loe_fish.php After yesterday's post about how anti-vaccine grande dame Barbara Loe Fisher is suing Dr. Paul Offit, almost certainly in order to harass and intimidate him into silence, there was something that still bugs me, and that's the issue of jurisdiction. The defendants live in three different states: Paul Offit in Pennsylvania, Amy Wallace in California, and Condé Nast in New York. For instance, get a load of this tortuous justification for suing in Virginia, straight from Loe Fisher's complaint: 8. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants under Va. Code § 8.01- 328.1(A)(4) because they have caused tortious injury to the Plaintiffin Virginia, engage in regular business and a persistent course ofconduct in this Commonwealth, and derive substantial revenue from goods used or consume... Respectful Insolence blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3145909 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3145909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3133572&cid=t_104354_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fmassage-therapy-versus-massages%2F I have the greatest respect for trained professional massage therapists and their ability to use their hands to manipulate your muscles into relaxation. Of course, there’s a big difference between a therapeutic massage and a relaxing spa massage, but both have their place. It’s interesting though, because just at the corner of my new home is a “Massage” place. You know, the kind with the neon lights that just say “Massage” and curtained windows. Something tells me that if I want a relaxation massage, a massage parlor isn’t quite the place to go – for me. Massage therapists, the real ones, are trained in specialized techniques, depending on the type of massage they do. For therapeutic massages, training in the United States can vary between 50... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3133572 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:05:39 +0100 3133572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3118877&cid=t_104354_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2544   Snow on December 18th                             Roaring fire Lindy contributes acute comments regularly here.  She is also an accomplished musician.  She has kindly allowed me to post here four of her re-written carols. Adam lay ybounden  |  Hark the Herald  |  Holly and the Ivy  |  Merry Gentlemen Adam lay ybounden The Middle English dialect is not easy to follow, so the original is reproduced in the right hand column.  The original, sung by choir of King’s College Chapel, is on YouTube. Atoms lay y’bounden In primordial soup; Six billion years did pass A’fore they coul... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3118877 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:40:12 +0100 3118877