Sunscreen capsules and pills do not work in protecting consumers against the harmful effects of sun exposure, warned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb himself issued the warning against the products, calling out companies that are misleading consumers by claiming that sunscreen capsules protect people against sunburn. Sunscreen Capsules Don’t Work,...
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Short bursts of intense exercise are a HIIT, even with less active people
Participants find high-intensity interval exercise as enjoyable as a traditional exercise IMAGE: MATTHEW STORK IS A PH.D. CANDIDATE IN THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND EXERCISE SCIENCES AT UBC'S OKANAGAN CAMPUS. While we know high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is time-efficient and good for our health, researchers are still curious to determine if less active users are willing...
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Do you get diabetes from eating too much sugar?
There is a widespread belief that sugar is the sole cause of diabetes. After all, the disease is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes was first identified through the sweet smell of urine, and it later became apparent that sweet, sugary urine signified a high level of blood sugar. Over time, diabetes treatment has swung...
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9 Exciting Facts About Medical Robots
Do you remember how Anakin Skywalker was seriously burnt and lost his legs in the third episode of Star Wars, The Revenge of the Sith? And do you also remember how robot surgeons did the best they could to save him? In the very near future, similarly amazing robots might come to healthcare to save our lives,...
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New once-a-month drug offers hope to millions with severe migraines (and it will be available next week)
The injected medication Aimovig is due to be available within the next week Unlike other migraine drugs, it does not cause side effects like weight gain Side effects can be worse than migraines, with up to 86% stopping treatment A study participant went from 27 migraines a month to two since January Some are concerned Aimovig...
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Injections for knee osteoarthritis — ‘subtle but significant’ impact of revisions in clinical practice guidelines
Recent updates in evidence-based recommendations have led to changes in the use of steroid and hyaluronic acid injection for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, reports a study in the May 16, 2018 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in partnership in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. Although guideline revisions...
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Single-tablet HIV treatment shows better outcomes over multi-tablet regimen
HIV patients on a single-tablet daily regimen had better treatment retention and viral suppression than patients taking multiple pills, in a study by a Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center researcher and his colleagues. The results were published in the Feb. 25, 2018, issue of AIDS Care. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, weakens the human...
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‘BioSimilar’ drug approved to treat certain types of anemia
(HealthDay)—Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first “biosimilar” to the anemia drugs Epogen and Procrit. A biosimilar, derived from a living organism, has been proven to be “highly similar” to a product that’s already been approved by the FDA. It’s also been shown to have no...
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The guidelines on low back pain are clear—drugs and surgery should be the last resort
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is becoming more common as our population ages. Most people who have an episode of low back pain recover within six weeks, but two-thirds still have pain after three months. By 12 months, pain may linger but is usually less intense. Still, recurrence is common and in a small number...
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New medicare perk: diabetes prevention
(HealthDay)—Millions of U.S. seniors can now take part in a Medicare program designed to prevent prediabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. Almost half of Americans 65 and older have prediabetes, and many don’t know it. In addition to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes puts people at risk of heart disease and...