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 'findings'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:17:31 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174714&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F29%2F6100-patients-with-anxiety-report-what-treatments-work-best%2F We present these findings as just what they are – patient-reported data – to stimulate discussion and generate new insights for further research. Stay tuned for more and please let us know in the comments below if this was helpful or interesting for you. Please tweet, blog, or pass this along to anyone who can benefit or is interested in Anxiety. Thank you! (Source: The Collective Well) The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174714 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:59:43 +0100 5174714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159322&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F22%2F27-treatments-for-neck-pain-live-patient-study%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Neck pain affects 15% of Americans, according to a report by the American Pain Foundation. Interestingly, the same report mentions that less than 2% of the NIH research budget is dedicated to pain. At CureTogether, 2,180 people with neck pain came together to do their own research on the comparative effectiveness of 27 different treatments. Here are the current results of this ongoing study. Patients rate Myofascial release, Yoga, and Massage as the most effective treatments for their neck pain (see the top points on the chart above.) The treatments that help the least, at the bottom of the chart, are: Soft collar, Tempurpedic pillow, and Corticosteroid injections. As in many of our other studies, it is non-dru... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159322 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:19:17 +0100 5159322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139954&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F16%2Fneuropathy-study-results-800-people-rate-35-treatments%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. The scattering of points on this chart suggests that Neuropathy is a poorly understood condition. Why? Well, if it was well understood how to treat Neuropathy, the most effective treatments would also be the most popular, and there would be a nice straight line of points from the top right to the bottom left. Instead, there’s a wide scatter, with some patients finding unpopular solutions that are very effective. At CureTogether, 803 patients with Neuropathy came together to rate 35 treatments. Here are the current results of this ongoing study. Patients rate Cymbalta, Neurontin, TENS, and Capsaicin cream as making their Neuropathy worse, not better (see the red part of the chart above.) The treatments that h... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139954 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:23:09 +0100 5139954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118763&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F10%2Fpatients-say-fibromyalgia-drugs-make-things-worse-rest-is-best%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. The FDA has approved three drugs for Fibromyalgia, a condition of widespread pain and fatigue that affects 2-4% of the population. The three drugs are Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella. At CureTogether, 1,144 patients with Fibromyalgia came together to rate these drugs, among other treatments. We were surprised to find that patients rate Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella as making their Fibromyalgia worse, not better (see the red part of the chart above.) The treatments that help most, in the top right corner of the chart, are simple lifestyle changes: rest, heat, sleep, stress reduction. While this is just one study, it suggests that the relative cost (financial and physical pain) of administering FDA-approved Fibromyalg... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118763 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:45:39 +0100 5118763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096498&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F08%2F02%2F1000-patients-rate-54-treatments-for-endometriosis%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here.   Endometriosis was the second condition we started with at CureTogether. We’ve been reluctant to publish this study until now because it’s quite controversial. But with detailed participation from over 1,000 patients, we decided it was time. What’s the controversy? The #1 patient-rated treatment for Endometriosis is major surgery: hysterectomy. We heard from some very concerned endometriosis activists about this, who don’t want women to go out and electively undergo such a radical procedure without trying gentler approaches first. So take this as a caveat – we’re not advocating that you get a hysterectomy, we’re just reporting the results of a patient survey. – ... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096498 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:15:47 +0100 5096498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077828&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F29%2Furinary-tract-infection-antibiotics-or-cranberry-juice%2F An article came out this week in the New York Times reporting that antibiotics work better than cranberry juice at treating urinary tract infections. This finding came from a research study on 221 women published in The Archives of Internal Medicine. We decided to look and see what the 1,303 people at CureTogether with UTIs had to say about this. Here’s what we found: Our results agree with the study! Antibiotics rate as the #1 treatment for UTI, while cranberry juice rates near the bottom for effectiveness. Also, it’s worth noting that our study, while perhaps not as well controlled as the published study, was done at a tiny fraction of the cost, with more patients. And still came to the same conclusion. (Source: The Collective Well) The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077828 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:53:05 +0100 5077828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069584&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F26%2F9-most-effective-vulvodynia-treatments%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. A year ago, we published 7 surprisingly simple treatments for female pain. Vulvodynia (chronic vulvar/vaginal pain) was the first condition CureTogether started with back in 2008, because I live with it. I repeated the analysis today, and found 9 treatments that clearly stand out as most effective. This chart is based on 1,617 women with vulvodynia who answered 8,434 quantitative questions in CureTogether surveys. The top 9 most effective treatments for vulvodynia are: 1. Wear loose-fitting clothes 2. Physical therapy 3. Ice 4. No underwear 5. Trigger point therapy 6. Avoid sex (or just avoid penetration) 7. Clitoral distraction with vibrator or by hand 8. Myofascial release 9. Rinse with water after urination Anot... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069584 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:07:16 +0100 5069584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008384&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2F05%2Flower-back-pain-study%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Lower Back Pain is our 12th most popular condition community at CureTogether. 2,398 of you have contributed your experiences with 21 symptoms and 46 different treatments that worked well and didn’t work so well. We are proud to announce the current results of our Lower Back pain study, in the chart above. The top patient-reported treatments for Lower Back pain are: Yoga/stretching, Hot tubs, Hydrocodone, Massage, Aleve, and Improved posture. To navigate the graph above: The top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, and the top left quadrant shows treatments that not many people have tried but that have above-average effectiveness, so they may be options to think about (e.g. Hot tub,... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008384 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:49:01 +0100 5008384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975996&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F27%2Frls%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. If you’re having trouble sleeping because of a tingling, crawling feeling that gives you an irresistible urge to move your legs, this study may be interesting for you. At CureTogether, 1,292 people have joined our Restless Legs Syndrome study so far, contributing 1048 data points on treatments that worked and didn’t work for them. Here are the latest results. So what works best for patients with Restless Legs Syndrome? Standing up and walking around, Mirapex, Clonazepam, Neurontin, Requip, and Potassium supplements take top spots in patient reports. To navigate the graph above: The top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, and the top left quadrant shows treatments that not many pe... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975996 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 22:22:25 +0100 4975996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953063&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F21%2Fwhat-works-for-eczema-patient-study-results%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Itchy, dry, red, crusty, flaking skin. Roughly 10% of the population is affected by Eczema. At CureTogether, 952 people have joined our Eczema study so far, contributing 1034 data points on treatments that worked and didn’t work for them. Here are the latest results. So what works best for patients with Eczema? Triamcinolone, avoiding allergens, moisturizing frequently, Elocon, and avoiding sweating take top spots in patient reports. To navigate the graph above: The top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, and the top left quadrant shows treatments that not many people have tried but that have above-average effectiveness, so they may be options to think about (e.g. Triamcinolone, Eloco... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953063 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:11:03 +0100 4953063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911623&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F06%2F07%2Frheumatoid-arthritis-treatments%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. The daily pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1-2% of the world’s population, with women three times more affected than men. If you’re one of these people and have questions about how others are treating their symptoms, you’re not alone. At CureTogether, 151 people joined our Rheumatoid Arthritis study, contributing 1127 data points on treatments that worked and didn’t work for them. So what works best for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis? Prednisone, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), reducing stress, Celebrex, and Heat take top spots in patient reports. To navigate the graph above: The top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, and the top left quadrant shows treatments... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911623 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:08:41 +0100 4911623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780367&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F05%2F03%2F23-surprisingly-effective-treatments-for-depression-one-year-later%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. A year ago, we published one of our most popular findings – 6 surprisingly effective treatments for depression. I went ahead and repeated the analysis today, and now we have 23 treatments in the “surprisingly effective” category for depression. This chart is based on 4,956 people with depression who participated in CureTogether surveys, compared to 944 people last year. The top treatments are still exercise, sleep, and talking to others – they are popular and effective ways to feel better when you’re depressed. But here are 23 things you may not have tried that thousands of others say worked well for them: 1. Music therapy 2. Art therapy 3. Mindful meditation 4. Massage therapy 5. Grou... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780367 Tue, 03 May 2011 22:57:59 +0100 4780367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658439&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F30%2Ftop-15-treatments-for-mitral-valve-prolapse%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Heart palpitations, fatigue, anxiety, a feeling of dread, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping. For most people with Mitral Valve Prolapse, symptoms are mild, but often uncomfortable enough to want to do something about it. Fortunately, there are simple lifestyle changes that help, as well as medications. At CureTogether, 460 people have reported having MVP, and 227 of them have contributed 2,526 data points on their ratings of 37 treatment ideas. Here are the top 15 treatments for Mitral Valve Prolapse, as rated by people living with it: 1. Avoid caffeine 2. Air conditioning 3. Avoid alcohol 4. Drink lots of water 5. Diet changes 6. Meditation 7. Xanax 8. Avoid sugar 9. Beta blockers 10. Eat salt 11. Cognitive t... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658439 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:02:39 +0100 4658439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600637&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F16%2Fibs-what-really-works%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. If you’re like 15% of the population, you may be living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, whether you know its name or not. And if you do have this chronic bloating, uncomfortable bowel pain, you may be wondering what to do about it. Hundreds of people in the same boat have some ideas for you. At CureTogether, 2,341 people have reported having IBS, and 358 of them have contributed 2,936 data points on their ratings of 49 treatment ideas. So what works best for patients with IBS? Avoiding foods that cause flare-ups and reducing stress take top spots in patient reports. To navigate the graph above: The top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, and the top left quadrant shows treatments th... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600637 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:02:36 +0100 4600637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560400&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F03%2F07%2Finfertility-asthma-link-confirmed%2F It’s time to start repeating some of our earlier studies to see if they hold up with the larger dataset we’ve now gathered in collaboration with our nearly 25,000 marvelous members. The very first discovery we announced, back in September 2009, was an association between Infertility and Asthma. The 2009 finding was based on an analysis of 324 members, and revealed that members with Infertility were 1.9x more likely to report Asthma. We just re-ran the analysis (15 months later), with data from 3,735 members (11.5x larger sample!) and we discovered that… the association still holds.     The gritty details: within the 253 people reporting infertility, 51 (20%) reported having asthma (the remaining 202 out of 253 specifically said they did NOT have asthma). Wi... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560400 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:21:07 +0100 4560400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433161&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F02%2F03%2Fsurprising-new-data-what-really-helps-patients-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a puzzle. People with CFS live with incapacitating exhaustion, as well as a host of other unpleasant symptoms, and they often don’t know what to do to feel better. But I didn’t realize how much of a puzzle CFS really was until I saw this data (in the infographic above). It is such a poorly understood condition that the treatments reported to help most are predominantly lifestyle changes, while the medical treatments are predominantly reported to produce negative effects. This would suggest that medicine today doesn’t know how to effectively treat CFS. Here at CureTogether, 1,319 people have reported having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and 6,524 data points have been shared... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433161 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 17:18:19 +0100 4433161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331084&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F01%2F11%2Fmigraine-symptom-predicts-response-to-imitrex%2F Let the floodgates of discovery open. We’re starting to get enough data at CureTogether to segment people and predict personalized, differential treatment response risks based on symptoms. We are excited to report today that we have discovered a symptom-biomarker that predicts a 4.2x greater risk of having a negative reaction to Imitrex (Sumatriptan) for Migraine. CureTogether co-founder Daniel Reda gives a thorough analysis of the discovery below. – When we launched CureTogether in 2008, we believed that if we could simply ask thousands of people about the details of their experience with different health conditions; gather their responses in a structured, quantitative way; and apply the right algorithms to that data; important discoveries would emerge that could reduce needle... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331084 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:35:04 +0100 4331084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207363&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F11%2F29%2Fthe-single-best-treatment-for-the-common-cold%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. If you have an after-Thanksgiving cold, this post is for you. When it comes to our old friend the common cold, it turns out that the simplest remedy may be the best. At CureTogether, 139 people who have experienced the Common Cold have come together to share 1,079 data points about treatments they had tried and how well they worked or didn’t work. So what is the single best, winning treatment that patients have reported? You guessed it: SLEEP. To navigate the graph above, the top right quadrant shows the most popular and effective treatments, the top left quadrant shows treatments that not many people have tried but that have above-average effectiveness, so they may be options to think about (e.g. neti pot, Dayqui... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207363 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:31:42 +0100 4207363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987125&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2F20%2Fallergies-infographic%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Well, this is a surprise. In almost every single other infographic we’ve released, lifestyle changes have been at the top of the list of what works best, and drugs have been closer to the bottom. But the story is different for allergies, as you can see in the picture above. At CureTogether, 260 people with Allergies have come together to share 1,769 data points about treatments they had tried and how well they worked or didn’t work. So what are the winning treatments that patients have reported? From the infographic above: avoiding allergens, Benadryl, sinus irrigation, Claritin, and Zyrtec The top left quadrant shows treatments that not many people have tried but that have above-average effectiveness, so th... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987125 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:11:21 +0100 3987125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954328&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F09%2F09%2Fthe-winning-treatments-for-fibromyalgia-are-not-drugs%2F For the live-updated, interactive version of this infographic, click here. Imagine being a woman living every day in chronic pain and being super sensitive to pressure or touch on your body. For 2-4% of the population, Fibromyalgia is part of daily existence. The ratio of women to men affected is 9:1, and there is no current cure. At CureTogether, 376 people with Fibromyalgia have come together to share 1,567 data points about treatments they had tried and how well they worked or didn’t work. So what are the winning treatments that patients have reported? From the infographic above: rest, heat, relaxation, dietary changes, and Codeine The top left quadrant shows treatments that not many people have tried but that have above-average effectiveness, so presumably if more people tried th... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954328 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:08:56 +0100 3954328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3823006&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Fjust-released-%25e2%2580%2593-curetogether-guide-to-back-pain%2F . . You are a part of this. It’s a new kind of health book that puts real-world data before authority, and teaches you how to make better decisions for your health. Inside, you’ll find 7 insight-filled sections to help you navigate your way through Back Pain. Download your copy here, or read on for more details. . The Story Health books are usually written by experts who offer authoritative information about conditions, symptoms and treatments – people who usually don’t live with the condition themselves, but nevertheless tell you what you should do because they know best. This book is different. It’s based on the real-world experiences of patients. Our approach is not to tell you what to do, but to give you the hard data and the education to help you make your own decisions �... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3823006 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:41:45 +0100 3823006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753915&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F07%2F14%2Fjust-released-%25e2%2580%2593-curetogether-guide-to-back-pain%2F . . You are a part of this. It’s a new kind of health book that puts real-world data before authority, and teaches you how to make better decisions for your health. Inside, you’ll find 7 insight-filled sections to help you navigate your way through Back Pain. Download your copy here, or read on for more details. . The Story Health books are usually written by experts who offer authoritative information about conditions, symptoms and treatments – people who usually don’t live with the condition themselves, but nevertheless tell you what you should do because they know best. This book is different. It’s based on the real-world experiences of patients. Our approach is not to tell you what to do, but to give you the hard data and the education to help you make your own decisions �... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753915 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:41:45 +0100 3753915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690936&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2F23%2F7-surprisingly-simple-treatments-for-female-pain%2F For the interactive version of this infographic and some statistical geekery, click here. Women walking around with no underwear? No, this is not something from an adult site, it’s the treatment reported to be most effective in a live, online survey of 750 patients with vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain) at CureTogether. Yes, I also live with vulvodynia, like 18% of US women. And yes, I’ve definitely gone “free” on painful days – it’s not something a doctor ever told me, just something I found really helped. So what are the 7 surprisingly simple treatments that patients have reported? From the infographic above: no underwear, ice, physical therapy, “clitoral distraction”, rinsing with water after urination, going gluten-free, and doing Tai Ch... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690936 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:40:48 +0100 3690936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3599554&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F25%2Fmarijuana-better-than-chiropractic-for-back-pain%2F For the interactive version of this infographic and some statistical geekery, click here. When your back hurts, is your first thought, “Where’s the marijuana?” I’m guessing not. But Back Pain is the #2 condition at CureTogether, with 1188 people reporting their experiences, and this is their collective wisdom. If you look at the infographic above, the most popular and effective treatments reported are on the top right – hot packs, physical therapy, stretching, exercise, massage. The top left quadrant shows below-average usage, but above-average effectiveness, so presumably if more people tried these, they would be helped (marijuana, Oxycodone, yoga, and Pilates). Those in the lower-right quadrant have above-average usage but below-average effectiveness, so pre... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3599554 Tue, 25 May 2010 17:17:10 +0100 3599554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585701&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F20%2F9-most-effective-anxiety-treatments%2F For the interactive version of this infographic, click here. 1,303 people have spoken. Anxiety is the biggest community at CureTogether, and here’s what these brave people have to say. The top right square of the infographic above shows the most popular, most effective treatments for anxiety. Exercise, therapy, breathing, meditation, yoga, avoiding caffeine, relaxation, massage – the non-invasive, simple alternative answers seem to work very well. Drugs such as Alprazolam and Lorazepam were also reported as effective, but not as many people had tried them. If you have anxiety, does this agree with your experience? Where did this data come from? CureTogether members have been anonymously sharing symptoms and treatments for almost 2 years now. To thank everyone for their contri... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585701 Thu, 20 May 2010 21:24:54 +0100 3585701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560333&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F12%2Fdoes-masturbation-work-for-insomnia%2F For the interactive version of this infographic, click here. What? It’s true, folks. Masturbation is both popular and effective for treating insomnia. So say 849 patients who self-reported their Insomnia symptoms and treatments at CureTogether. It doesn’t seem either scientific or appropriate to go into a personal story here, so I’ll spare you the details. But it is interesting to note that for insomnia, some of the pharmaceutical options seem to be quite effective. We saw the opposite with Migraine and Depression, where natural alternatives beat drugs. Where did this data come from? CureTogether members have been anonymously sharing symptoms and treatments for almost 2 years now. To thank everyone for their contributions, we’re releasing this result back to the commu... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560333 Wed, 12 May 2010 20:33:56 +0100 3560333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538246&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2F05%2Flifestyle-changes-seem-to-work-best-for-migraine%2F Wow, what a response. Our depression infographic got so many tweets, blog posts, and comments that we decided to release another one. This one is on Migraine, the condition with the most listed treatments at CureTogether. We took your excellent advice and developed an interactive version so you can click to see what all the other, unlabeled dots are. Suffering from occasional migraines myself, I was interested to learn that sleep, darkness, and avoiding triggers like wine and MSG were reported to have the most positive effect. In terms of medications, my Tylenol bottle just doesn’t seem to cut it compared to Imitrex. Of course, I tend to just bite the bullet and wait the migraine out – no need to bother asking my doctor for a prescription. Where did this data come from? CureTog... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538246 Thu, 06 May 2010 03:49:56 +0100 3538246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499160&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2F6-surprising-depression-treatments%2F This is how it happened. When my amazing CureTogether co-founder Daniel Reda flipped his screen around to show me this infographic, my excitement at how beautiful it looked was quickly replaced by my curiosity for what it showed. I knew exercise, sleep, and therapy were popular and effective treatments for depression. But a few things surprised me. Fish oil, also popular, showed up as much less effective than I expected. And light therapy, which not many people have tried, was quite effective. Take a look at it for yourself and see if anything surprises you. Where did this data come from? CureTogether members have been sharing symptoms and treatments for almost 2 years now. For this infographic, information was anonymously analyzed from 944 people in our Depression community. To thank ever... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499160 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:39:52 +0100 3499160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471888&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2F15%2Fannouncing-the-curetogether-guide-to-depression%2F You are a part of this, too. Just like for Anxiety, this crowdsourced guide to depression is based on input from 1000 CureTogether members with Depression. Inside the book are insights about how to find out if you’re depressed, getting diagnosed, how to find a treatment that is most likely to work for you, running self-experiments, understanding cognitive bias in decision-making, and the latest discoveries from both patients and scientists around the world. The CureTogether Guide will help you navigate your way through Depression. Download your copy here. We hope it helps! (Source: The Collective Well) The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471888 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:47:40 +0100 3471888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403981&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F24%2Fjust-released-the-curetogether-guide-to-anxiety%2F . You are a part of this. It’s a new kind of health book that puts real-world data before authority, and teaches you how to make better decisions for your health. Inside, you’ll find 7 insight-filled sections to help you navigate your way through Anxiety. Download your copy here, or read on for the juicy details. . The Story Health books are usually written by experts who offer authoritative information about conditions, symptoms and treatments – people who usually don’t live with the condition themselves, but nevertheless tell you what you should do because they know best. This book is different. It’s based on the real-world experiences of patients. Our approach is not to tell you what to do, but to give you the hard data and the education to help you make yo... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403981 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:57:33 +0100 3403981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163870&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F11%2F13-new-discoveries-at-curetogether-2%2F Thousands of voices can create beautiful discoveries. (Photo: qthomasbower) . A huge thanks to the amazing CureTogether community! Sharing your health conditions, symptoms and treatments is leading to many new associations. Many of you have been asking for more personalized recommendations, like what treatment will work best for me given my set of symptoms? I’m excited to say this is in the works! Our query masters are knee-deep in stats right now to find answers for you. In the meantime, a gift – here are 13 more co-morbidities we found, with a significant 99% confidence interval. We hope this advances research into these conditions and sparks new questions and ideas. . Endometriosis – Infertility (757 people) . Eating Disorders – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (724... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163870 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:42:08 +0100 3163870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142667&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F01%2F04%2Ffibromyalgia-and-neuropathy-are-friends%2F Awesome awareness art by Kindreds Page . Chronic pain – not fun, extremely common, and very poorly understood. I recently learned that 10 million Americans are estimated to have fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, and up to 20 million Americans have neuropathy, a nerve disease that causes pain and numbness. (Statistics from the National Fibromyalgia Association and the Neuropathy Action Foundation). With enough patients coming together, progress can start to be made on these conditions that affect so many people in their everyday lives. Today’s announcement is that we found a strong association between Fibromyalgia and Neuropathy, which independent studies published in established journals also confirm. In graphical form: x .d CureTogether members who report Fibromyalgia a... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142667 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:14:58 +0100 3142667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111496&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Fdont-get-depleted-over-the-holidays-or-candidiasis-and-adrenal-fatigue-run-together%2F Running yourself ragged is easy this time of year. (Photo: smellyknee)                     . Does this look like you? Around the holidays we often stop listening to our bodies. Family cheer comes along with a good dose of stress, overeating, and not much exercise. For some people, this depletion of our bodies can increase susceptibility to yeast infection (candidiasis), or adrenal fatigue, or both. Today’s announcement is that we found a strong association between Candidiasis and Adrenal Fatigue. This is a new association that has not been extensively studied by traditional research. In graphical form: . CureTogether members who report Candidiasis are 4x more likely to report Adrenal Fatigue than members with no Candidiasis. This comes from a study of 750 people sharin... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111496 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:44:15 +0100 3111496 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100892&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F17%2Fdepression-sufferers-3x-more-likely-to-have-anxiety%2F . What if depression and anxiety could be seen as a color on your skin? (Photo: Photomish Dan)                     . This is our biggest study yet. Almost 1,000 people came together to report on their experience with depression and/or anxiety. Having post-partum depression myself after both of my girls were born, I got a taste of how devastating this condition can be. But add anxiety on top of it, and it’s a double hit to mood, functioning, and quality of life. Today’s announcement is that we found a strong association between Depression and Anxiety, which independent studies published in established journals also confirm. In graphical form: . . CureTogether members who report Depression are 3x more likely to report Anxiety than members with no Depression. This co... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100892 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:19:35 +0100 3100892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092783&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Feating-disorders-linked-to-distorted-body-image%2F Do you see yourself as you really are? (Credit: Luis Muñoz) Imagine looking in a mirror and hating what you see. You eat alone, you may alternately starve and binge, you feel horrible about yourself. You’re probably tired and depressed too, to top it all off. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, tens of millions of people in America alone are dealing with this every day. I have two daughters, and I often wonder why nutrition and positive body image are not part of basic education. But taking my Mom hat off and putting my Scientist hat back on, it turns out eating disorders and having an inaccurate or distorted body image are linked. Maybe this is not too surprising. It’s still important to talk about though. We found a strong association between Eating Disor... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092783 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:39:25 +0100 3092783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089393&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fbipolar-and-ocd-run-together%2F A playful placement of pills. (Credit: me and the sysop)               . “I’m using this with my cognitive therapist and it’s… amazing.” I got this email from Christopher, a CureTogether member with Bipolar Disorder: “I have never found a more useful “biofeedback” tool.  It has helped me enormously in understanding my Bipolar I condition… You’ve seriously changed my life.” Words like Christopher’s inspire us to keep doing the work we’re doing, and putting out discoveries like today’s. So here goes. We found a strong association between Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which independent studies published in established journals also confirm. In graphical form: . . People ... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089393 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:38:44 +0100 3089393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082465&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F11%2Fhigh-cholesterol-folks-6x-more-likely-to-be-insulin-resistant%2F OK, this is a seriously scary load of fat and sugar. (Photo: VirtualErn)               . It was sundae night at my house. My parents would set out bowls, ice cream, and an obscene number of toppings, from whipped cream and chocolate sauce to marshmallows and sprinkles. We all chowed down, then lolled about in a vague stupor. It didn’t happen that often, but it’s not something I ever want to repeat. My parents are both on medication for high cholesterol, and I just found out from my 23andMe genetic scan that I have an elevated risk of getting diabetes. So I exercise and watch what I eat every day. But I was surprised by today’s CureTogether research finding. I didn’t expect to learn that high cholesterol and insulin resistance (the first step on the way diab... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082465 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:13:28 +0100 3082465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079426&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F12%2F10%2Fvulvodynia-sufferers-8x-more-likely-to-have-interstitial-cystitis%2F 1 in 6 women have vaginal pain in their lives. (Photo: hyperscholar)                 . I lived with vulvodynia for 10 years. You’ve probably never heard of it, even though it’s so common. Basically chronic vaginal pain, to put it mildly. I never had interstitial cystitis, but it’s chronic bladder pain. These two kinds of pain tend to run together. We found a strong association between the two, which independent studies published this year also confirm. Here’s what we found… . . Women at CureTogether who report vulvodynia are eight times more likely to report interstitial cystitis than women with no vulvodynia. This comes from a study of 724 women sharing data online for the past year. For details on this finding and how it matches up with other... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079426 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:00:32 +0100 3079426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946995&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F10%2F30%2Fdepression-insomnia-link-reported-at-curetogether%2F CureTogether Data Finds Link Between Self-Reported Depression and Insomnia Patients at CureTogether (http://www.curetogether.com) who report depression are twice as likely to report insomnia than patients with no depression. This is among the first self-reported data that reproduces findings previously done in slow, expensive clinical research. It comes from an analysis of 761 patients, and is being released in conjunction with the TEDMED and BIL:PIL conferences this week – please see the chart, and details below. . Chart: Patients with depression are more likely to report insomnia than patients with no depression. From patient self-reported data at CureTogether. . Details of the CureTogether Finding Among 533 people reporting depression, 384 (72%) reported also having insomnia, and the... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946995 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:08:14 +0100 2946995 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2800519&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F09%2F15%2Fcrowdsourced-health-confirms-infertility-asthma-finding%2F CureTogether Data Reveals Link Between Self-Reported Infertility and Asthma ——————————————————————————————————————– Announced at Mayo Clinic Transforming Healthcare Conference on September 15: Patients at CureTogether who report infertility are 1.9x more likely to report having asthma than patients who don’t report infertility. This comes from an analysis of 324 patients. Within the 34 people reporting infertility, 13 (38%) reported having asthma (the remaining 21 out of 34 specifically said they did NOT have asthma). Within the 290 people reporting &#82... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2800519 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:26:28 +0100 2800519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741547&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36012&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBattleDiabetes%2F%7E3%2FiTldgohj_TM%2F What is the leading cause of blindness in the United States of America? Diabetes. Researchers are now stating that diabetes related vision loss can be prevented if the disease is treated in time. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. has reported that only 50 to 60 percent of people with diabetes get the recommended yearly eye exam. The effective treatments, including a dilated eye test, can reduce severe vision loss up to 94 percent. A persons risk for diabetic retinopathy increases with the length of time that they have had diabetes. It was once thought that diabetic retinopathy only affected diabetics who have had the disease for a long length of time. We now know that that is not the case. For some diabetics, retinopathy is one of the first signs of the disease. Diabetic retinopathy happ... Battle Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741547 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:33:15 +0100 2741547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464210&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Finspiration-and-free-stuff-for-national-headache-awareness-week%2F For all of you out there with headaches, this week is National Headache Awareness Week. Here are some inspiring campaigns going on (and free stuff!) to celebrate everyone living with tension headaches, chronic headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Wishing you a pain-free week! American Academy of Neurology Foundation The AANF has two websites to share for its “Buy a Brain” and BrainMatters campaigns: https://www.TheBrainMatters.org/buyabrain Buy a virtual brain online for as little as $5 through the American of Neurology Foundation in honor of a friend or family member. Your virtual brain will then float on the AAN Foundation’s wall of donations. Your donation will make a difference in the lives of people affected by a neurologic disorder because 100% of your gift... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464210 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:35:32 +0100 2464210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452768&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Ffirst-crowdsourced-book-on-migraine-released%2F We are excited to announce today the release of “Migraine Heroes: 271 People Share Their Experiences and Treatments.” . What’s Inside? 271 people share stories, symptoms, and resources Surprising data on co-morbid conditions Detailed comments on treatments by real patients . Please spread the word! Blog or tweet http://www.curetogether.org/MHeroes/ All proceeds from Migraine Heroes go to fund the migraine data community at CureTogether.org. . What People Are Saying “The best Observations of Daily Life (subjective, ‘real-world’) I’ve seen!” — Jen McCabe (@jensmccabe on Twitter) “Interesting crowdsourced clinical data.” — Chris Hogg (@cwhogg on Twitter) “The book is excellent! So many people suffer from this debilitating condition. The information i... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452768 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:34:24 +0100 2452768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441854&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2F26%2Fmigraine-study-69-of-patients-have-co-morbid-conditions%2F In the live, ongoing Migraine study at CureTogether, 271 people have so far been surveyed for having other, co-morbid conditions. 186 (69%) of the respondents reported having at least one other condition. A chart of conditions co-morbid with migraine is shown below (click on the chart for a larger view). We define a condition to be co-morbid with migraine if more than 5 people reported having both migraine and the condition. . .Click on the graph above to see a larger version. . Here is a list of the conditions found to be co-morbid with migraine in this survey, in order of prevalence. Anxiety (102 people) Depression (98) Back pain (85) Allergies (75) Insomnia (69) Common Cold (69) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (68) Acne (61) Vulvodynia (59) Acid Reflux (55) Bladder Infection (49) Endometriosi... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441854 Tue, 26 May 2009 18:04:09 +0100 2441854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365181&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F03%2F08%2Fendometriosis-survey-shows-high-comorbidity-rates%2F In the Endometriosis community at CureTogether, 137 women were surveyed for having other, co-morbid conditions. 76 (55%) of the respondents reported having at least one other condition. A chart of conditions co-morbid with endometriosis is shown below (click on the chart for a larger view). We define a condition to be co-morbid with endometriosis if more than 5 women reported having both endometriosis and the condition. . . Here is a list of the conditions found to be co-morbid with endometriosis in this survey, in order of prevalence. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (95 women) Migraine (86) Infertility (84) Interstitial Cystitis (79) Fibromyalgia (78) Eating Disorders (76) Acid Reflux (76) Aging (75) Candidiasis (75) Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (74) Anxiety (73) Back pain (73) Depression (73) B... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365181 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:32:08 +0100 2365181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365182&cid=t_104321_113_f&fid=38494&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcuretogether.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F03%2F04%2Ftop-10-conditions-at-curetogether-chronic-womens-health%2F What do the 10 most active conditions at CureTogether have in common? As you can see from the chart below, most of them are chronic conditions, and many affect more women than men.* To learn more about what these conditions are, read on below the chart. Vulvodynia saw a big surge in data around the release of the crowdsourced book, Vulvodynia Heroes, compiled by CureTogether with input from 190 women. This chart also only captures a representative portion of the data recorded by people with these conditions. So what are these conditions? While they are all common, some of them are not commonly known, so you may not have heard of them. Here’s a quick run-down: — Vulvodynia Affects: 16% of women at some point in their lives. That’s 48 million women in the US alone. What it... The Collective Well blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365182 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:27:11 +0100 2365182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056255&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FNSM2d3MaPlA%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,278,351946,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() When you get diabetes, it seems like you immediately hear about all the other things you are at risk for as well. That’s yet another reason why it can be such an emotional burden to get the disease. I hear about a lot of things because I choose to be educated about diabetes. You have take the knowledge and then move on from it. Use it if it helps you, but if it’s something you really can’t do anything about, deal with it as best you can. That’s the way I’d like you to deal with this news. Recent news suggests that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs in diabetics more than people without diabetes. 19% higher, to be exac... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056255 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:19:05 +0100 2056255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2019506&cid=t_104321_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fnutrient-nitrogen-dynamics-role-of.html TERMITES AND NITROGEN DYNAMICS New discoveries have resulted in a revolution of assumptions on nitrogen fixation.   Unlike the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle can’t be measured globally using satellite data.  It has been impossible to forecast nutrient dynamics in face of human disturbances.  We humans increasingly dominate nitrogen input throughout the world.Climate changes and human disturbances change the nitrogen dynamics, thus changing bacterial activity and composition TERMITES GIVE CLUE INTO RECYCLING NITROGEN Termites can digest a great deal of dead wood.  They are major pesta that  destroy man made structures.  Their talents are sought by humans to process biofuels.  Since wood is an unbalanced foodstuff and lacks nitrogen, there is no simple solution. Termites are succ... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2019506 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:23:00 +0100 2019506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1952312&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2FzYiU7duedzU%2F var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(420,280,257067,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}() According to BD Diabetes: “Doctors should not routinely give aspirin to people with diabetes to help guard against a heart attack or stroke, researchers conclude based on a study they conducted. While it was effective for those who had already developed heart disease or suffered a stroke, regular aspirin offered no benefit for patients with diabetes and a common circulatory problem, researchers said.” However, if you’ve already had a stroke or heart disease, aspirin remains an effective treatment. Tags: aspirin, Diabetes, diabetics, findings, heart-disease, prevention, Research, stroke, studyShare This (Source: Diabetes Notes) Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1952312 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:55:44 +0100 1952312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1625580&cid=t_104321_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F15%2Fask-the-right-questions-in-research-get-the-right-results%2F Epidemiologist David Michaels describes the problem with industry-funded research in today’s Washington Post. His point is one that needs emphasis — it’s not that companies interfere directly with the research they fund, it’s that they ensure the questions the research answers are biased in their favor: At first, it was widely assumed that the misleading results in manufacturer-sponsored studies of the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical products came from shoddy studies done by researchers who manipulated methods and data. Such scientific malpractice does happen, but close examination of the manufacturers’ studies showed that their quality was usually at least as good as, and often better than, studies that were not funded by drug companies. This discove... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1625580 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:59:05 +0100 1625580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1409705&cid=t_104321_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F04%2F30%2Fmore-on-infamous-paxil-study-329%2F In a rare behind-the-scenes disclosure (due to a lawsuit), the public is seeing for one of the first times the degree and depth some pharmaceutical companies will go to in order to publish positive results about their drug. Using the same peer-review process that is supposed to prevent abuses by researchers and drug companies and provide other professionals (and the public) with objective data. And the same peer-review process that is used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve medications as safe and effective. CL Psych provides us with a further analysis of Paxil study 329, one where apparently the researchers went to great lengths to find efficacy. Why the re-examination of this study? Because another study was just published in the International Jouranl of Risk an... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1409705 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:48:46 +0100 1409705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1165304&cid=t_104321_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F20%2Fwill-january-21st-be-the-%25e2%2580%259cmost-depressing-day-of-the-year%2F Dr. Cliff Arnall based his findings that January 21st will be the most depressing day on a special formula that he developed, which takes into account 3 factors; the weather, failed new years resolutions and consumer debt from holiday spending. However, a writer over at the Time website has findings of his own. Bill Tancer, a columnist at Time, believes that in order to get a better estimation of what the most depressing day is we only have to look to search engine behavior. Tancer’s logic is thus; In the digital age we’re likely to turn to search engines just as often as we would confide in friends and medical professionals to gauge our psychological state. If we think we’re suffering from a real bout of the blues or a mental crisis, we’re likely to Google the sympto... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1165304 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:36:20 +0100 1165304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146282&cid=t_104321_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F11%2Fmedicating-people-because-its-easier-than-talking-to-them%2F As we reported last week (as did others), antipsychotics are not really a good treatment option for aggressive behavior, based upon the findings from a recently published study in the journal Lancet. Which begs the question: When were they ever? Sadly, antipsychotics are not the first medications ever to be used to basically sedate people, so they would be more manageable to the individuals and organizations charged with their care. The use of psychiatric and other medications for control of behaviors, rather than treatment of diseases or disorders, has a long history. Time and time again, research shows that it’s the human relationship we share with one another that have a significant, perhaps the most significant impact, in how we feel. And how we feel has an impact on our treat... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146282 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:43:27 +0100 1146282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1134620&cid=t_104321_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F07%2Fgirls-with-low-self-esteem-more-likely-to-gain-weight%2F Teenage girls who place themselves low on their school social ladder were 69% more likely 2 years later to gain significant weight compared to their peers, according to a new study. The study is apparently the first to ask questions about social status before weight change, making a stronger case for linking the two. Previous research has largely only looked at only one issue at a given time. Lead researcher Adina Lemeshow of the Harvard School of Public Health said, ““We know that poor diet and exercise contribute to excess weight gain, but how girls feel about themselves, especially in relation to their peers, should be part of all prevention strategies.” For the study, 4,446 girls ages 12 to 19 whose mothers are participating in the Nurses Health Study II were given que... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1134620 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:59:28 +0100 1134620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1090590&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F199481945%2F Ok, so I have to admit that when I first started reading about this little tidbit of research I repeated aloud over and over and over again, “are you kidding?” My husband actually asked me “how many times are you going to say that?” My response… “seriously, are they kidding on this one?” Smoking is now being linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. It was a no brainer for me when I started to think it out. Smoking equals increased heart disease equals increased risk for diabetes. But was I right on? “Conversely, there are also possible non-causal explanations for this association. Smoking is often associated with other unhealthy behaviors that favor weight gain and/or diabetes, such as lack of physical activity, poor fruit and vegetabl... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1090590 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:55:39 +0100 1090590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828447&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F149188995%2F I have to do it this morning. I have been fighting the urge for over 2 weeks now. Every morning as I wade through all the new and updated diabetes information, I come across the most obvious, ridiculous almost “slap in your face” kind of findings. So I am going to share a few with you this very fine morning. Now don’t laugh too hard! To think that our tax dollars and private investors fund such research is mind blowing… Staying active — getting regular physical exercise, helps prevent and control diabetes, advises a U.S. expert. Researchers have found new evidence that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children. In a laboratory study of commonly consumed carbonated bevera... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828447 Wed, 29 Aug 2007 01:26:20 +0100 828447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825592&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F149188995%2F I have to do it this morning. I have been fighting the urge for over 2 weeks now. Every morning as I wade through all the new and updated diabetes information, I come across the most obvious, ridiculous almost “slap in your face” kind of findings. So I am going to share a few with you this very fine morning. Now don’t laugh too hard! To think that our tax dollars and private investors fund such research is mind blowing… Staying active — getting regular physical exercise, helps prevent and control diabetes, advises a U.S. expert. Researchers have found new evidence that soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may contribute to the development of diabetes, particularly in children. In a laboratory study of commonly consumed carbonated bevera... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825592 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:54:34 +0100 825592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825597&cid=t_104321_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F146512548%2F Sub-standard housing more than doubles diabetes risk, a team of U.S. researchers found, but they are not exactly sure why. Are you kidding me? Does anyone else think that the results of this study are self explanatory? Sub-standard housing usually means government assisted or “section 8″ housing, right? Well, the persons that qualify for this assistance have economical challenges that others do not have. Understand this, in no way am I passing judgment or “putting” anyone down. Heck, my kids public school is Title One, but why would scientists be puzzled at the findings of something so obvious. Low income areas are also linked to higher blood pressure, higher cholesterol, more heart attacks and obesity. Healthy food is expensive and pre-packaged or less nutritious c... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825597 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:57:45 +0100 825597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=760478&cid=t_104321_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F26%2Fa-link-between-cholesterol-and-cancer-and-its-not-what-you%2F Filed under: DrugsHaving low cholesterol will improve your chances against heart disease and other heart problems, but it appears that very low cholesterol has a bad side too -- it's been linked to cancer, according to a new study.The findings come out of a study that was measuring the amount of damage that statins--a type of cholesterol medication that includes the brand names Lipitor, Pravachol and Zocor--had on other organs in the body, including the liver. However, if you're on statins, there's no need to worry just yet. It's thought the risk is fairly minimal and researchers will have to investigate further to determine more information.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cardio Blog) The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=760478 Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 760478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=485338&cid=t_104321_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F20%2Felectromagnetic-field-didnt-cause-australia-cancer-cluster%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Research, Environment, Daily newsAn independent report revealed recently that women employed at the Toowong site of ABC's former Brisbane studios in Australia were six times more likely to develop breast cancer than other women.The site has been vacated. And the hunt is on -- for the cause of this unusually high rate of the disease.No luck yet -- but new findings, while not definitive on what has caused this cluster, do indicate exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is not a factor -- because the low frequency fields at the site were typical of other workplaces and residences, without any such cancer cluster.Further testing will take place in an attempt to solve this on-going mystery, chronicled in the posts that follow.ABC journalists walk out over cancer cl... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=485338 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 485338