Early scans for back pain add cost but offer little benefit for seniors
Older adults with new back pain usually end up getting a CT scan or MRI. That’s often a waste of time and money and has little or no effect on the outcome, according to a new study from the University of Washington.
The results contradict current guidelines from the American College of Radiology. The guidelines say that it’s “appropriate” for doctors to order early MRIs for people ages 70 and older with new-onset back pain, and many doctors do just that.
The study followed more than 5,200 men and women over the age of 65 who saw a primary care physician for a new bout of back pain. More than 1,500 o...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - March 20, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Howard LeWine, M.D. Tags: Back Pain Source Type: news
Will aspirin reduce your cancer risk? Depends on your DNA, study says
For most people, a regular dose of aspirin, Advil, Aleve or certain other over-the-counter painkillers can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by about one-third. But for some people, these same pills make colorectal cancer more likely. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - March 17, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Naproxen plus acid blocking drug shows promise in preventing bladder cancer
Researchers combined the NSAID naproxen with the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole and found it reduced the incidence of bladder cancer in rats. The anti-inflammatory class of drugs NSAIDs have shown great promise in preventing cancers including colon, esophagus and skin. However, they can increase the risks of heart attacks, ulcers and rare but potentially life-threatening bleeds. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - March 11, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news
Naproxen plus acid-blocking drug shows promise in preventing bladder cancer
(University of Michigan Health System) Researchers used the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, a commonly used acid inhibitor, in combination with naproxen and found it was effective at preventing bladder cancer in an animal model. (Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer)
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - March 11, 2015 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Naproxen plus acid blocking drug shows promise in preventing bladder cancer
(University of Michigan Health System) Researchers used the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole, a commonly used acid inhibitor, in combination with naproxen and found it was effective at preventing bladder cancer in an animal model. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - March 11, 2015 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Revolutionary Way to Be Healthy #8: Minimize Symptom Suppression
So, the guy says to his doctor, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." And the doctor says to the guy, "Then don't do that."
OK, it's silly, old-fashioned humor (attributed alternately to Henny Youngman and to the 1920s vaudeville duo Smith and Dale). But you know what's even sillier, and arguably more old-fashioned? The exchanges that happen in many real-life doctors' offices today.
Too often, in response to all sorts of health complaints, we're likely to be given the same pat advice: "Take this drug. Carry on as usual, and then come back when it gets worse."
The result? According to a 2013 Mayo Clinic report, about 70 perce...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - February 7, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Report highlights the dangers of opioid painkillers
Whenever I read or write about the overuse of so-called opioid painkillers it is with mixed feelings. As a lifelong back-pain patient who once depended on them for pain relief, I appreciate the challenge posed by opioids to people in pain and their doctors. People in agonizing pain want it to stop, but opioids are often a poor long-term solution. Doctors want to help their patients, so they may prescribe opioids for extended periods despite well-founded reservations.
At the same time, the epidemic of abuse of these painkillers has led to numerous deaths. Like many Americans, I know people whose lives were destroyed—who e...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - January 15, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Daniel Pendick Tags: Addiction Drugs and Supplements Pain Management hydrocodone opioids oxycodone Source Type: news
Neuroimaging Offers Insights into Efficacy of Pain Meds
(MedPage Today) -- Functional MRI detected responses to naproxen sodium in patients with hand osteoarthritis. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)
Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics - January 5, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: news
Over-the-counter painkillers may cut skin cancer risk
Drugs like Advil, Motrin and Aleve could offer protection but also come with some risks of their own (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - December 19, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Does fixed-dose sumatriptan/naproxen for migraine save costs?
(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)
Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News - October 27, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
Assured Brand Naproxen Sodium Tablets, by Contract Packaging...
On October 22, the FDA announced that 11,640 boxes of Assured brand Naproxen Sodium tablets, by Contract Packaging Resources Inc., are recalled due to packaging mix-up. In light of this news,...(PRWeb October 24, 2014)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/10/prweb12273750.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)
Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals - October 24, 2014 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Assured Brand Naproxen Sodium Tablets Recalled
(Source: WebMD Health)
Source: WebMD Health - October 23, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Naproxen Recalled Because of Ibuprofen Mix-Up (FREE)
By the Editors
Nearly 12,000 boxes of Assured … (Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)
Source: Physician's First Watch current issue - October 23, 2014 Category: Primary Care Source Type: news
Assured Brand Naproxen Sodium Tablets by Contract Packaging Resources, Inc.: Recall - Packaging Mix-Up
Risk of allergic reactions, from mild irritation or hives to serious reactions such as anaphylaxis that may be life-threatening. (Source: FDA MedWatch)
Source: FDA MedWatch - October 22, 2014 Category: American Health Source Type: news
