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Could statins also protect against dementia?
Conclusion This study using a large, older age, Asian population finds an association between statin use and reduced risk of developing dementia over an average five years of follow-up. The main limitation of this study is that it can demonstrate an association, but it cannot definitely prove cause and effect. The study has adjusted for a number of measured confounders, but this may not fully account for these or other factors (such as lifestyle habits) that may be involved in the relationship.  Also, while the research has used what can be expected to be a fairly reliable research database, there is also the possibility...
Source: NHS News Feed - April 14, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Neurology Source Type: news

Millions of adults skip medications due to their high cost
Medications can do wonderful things, from fighting infection to preventing stroke and warding off depression. But medications don’t work if they aren’t taken. Some people don’t take their medications as prescribed because they forget, or are bothered by side effects. A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics shines the light on another reason: some people can’t pay for their medications. The survey, by NCHS researchers Robin A. Cohen and Maria A. Villarroel, found that about 8% of adult Americans don’t take their medicines as prescribed because they can’t afford them. I...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - January 30, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Howard LeWine, M.D. Tags: Drugs and Supplements medication costs Source Type: news

In Times of Uncertainty, Keep Calm and Get Covered
It's no secret that the Affordable Care Act, President Obama's signature healthcare legislation, is facing an uncertain future. The incoming administration has pledged to repeal the law and offer an alternative in its place. But this uncertain future should not keep you from taking advantage of what is available to you and your loved ones today. Thursday is the deadline to ensure coverage under the ACA when the calendar turns to 2017. This goes for both uninsured Americans seeking coverage and those who need to re-enroll. Missing the deadline doesn't mean you're out; it just means you won't have coverage Jan. 1. The final...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - December 13, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Prescription sleeping pills linked to Alzheimer's risk
Conclusion This case control study has suggested that long-term use of benzodiazepines (over six months) may be linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease in older people. These findings are reported to be similar to other previous studies, but add weight to these by showing that risk increases with increasing length of exposure to the drugs, and with those benzodiazepines that remain in the body for longer. The strengths of this study include that it could establish when people started taking benzodiazepines and when they had their diagnosis using medical insurance records, rather than having to ask people to ...
Source: NHS News Feed - September 10, 2014 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Mental health Source Type: news

Fit middle-aged men have lower cancer risk
Conclusion This study shows that cardiovascular fitness is likely to reduce men's chances of developing lung and colorectal cancer, and appears to boost survival from cancer or cardiovascular disease in those diagnosed after the age of 65. This was based on comparing the top 40% of fittest men with the 20% least fit. The study focused on fitness and took account of major risk factors for cancer, such as smoking and blood pressure. However, it left out one important risk factor: diet. What people eat and drink is known to affect cancer risk. The fittest group may also have been the healthiest in terms of eating well and ...
Source: NHS News Feed - March 27, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Lifestyle/exercise Source Type: news

Daily diet of fresh fruit linked to lower diabetes risk
Conclusion The study findings – that eating fresh fruit every day does not raise the risk of diabetes, and may reduce it – are reassuring and in line with dietary advice in the UK. It's also helpful to see evidence that people who already have diabetes are likely to benefit from fresh fruit as well, because there has not been much research into fruit-eating for people with diabetes. However, it's a step too far to say that fresh fruit prevents diabetes or diabetes complications. Fresh fruit is just one part of a healthy diet, and diet is just one of the things that may affect someone's risk of getting diabetes. This ty...
Source: NHS News Feed - April 12, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Diabetes Food/diet Source Type: news