By Jon Johnson Reviewed by Karen Gill, MD Skeeter syndrome refers to a significant allergic reaction to mosquito bites. Although most people will have some form of reaction to a mosquito bite, it is usually just an annoyance. However, people with skeeter syndrome are very sensitive to these bites and may develop a fever. The common symptoms of a mosquito...
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Smoking may impair body’s blood pressure autocorrect system
PENN STATE HERSHEY, Pa. — Smokers may be at a higher risk for developing hypertension, and an overactive response to normal drops in blood pressure may help explain why, according to researchers. “The human body has a buffering system that continuously monitors and maintains a healthy blood pressure,” said Lawrence Sinoway, director of the Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute. “If blood pressure drops, a response called...
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Cooking vegetables: healthier with extra virgin olive oil
Mediterranean diet for better health UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA Cooking vegetables in the sofrito (sauté) with extra virgin olive oil favours the absorption and release of bioactive compounds of its traditional ingredients (garlic, onion and tomato), according to the study conducted by a research team of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences at the University of Barcelona (UB), from the Physiopathology of...
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How to get the jiggle out: 3 exercises to tone your upper arms
by Len Canter, Healthday Reporter Toning them can be a challenge, but the “triceps extension” and variations of this key strength training move make up the core of an effective training routine. For the basic triceps extension, lie flat on a mat with knees bent and hip-width apart or on a weight bench with feet...
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Entrectinib gets edge over crizotinib against ROS1+ lung cancer
by Garth Sundem, CU Anschutz Medical Campus Crizotinib and entrectinib are both active against ROS1+ non-small cell lung cancer. But which is best? The answer seems easy: Just compare the drugs’ clinical trial results. However, not all trials are created equal, and these differences in trial designs can lead to irrelevant comparisons—like comparing athletes’ running times without noting that one ran a kilometer while...
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Waterfall illusion: When you see still objects move—and what it tells you about your brain
by Niia Nikolova, Nick Wade, The Conversation Humans are fascinated by visual illusions, which occur when there is a mismatch between the pattern of light that falls on the retina, and what we perceive. Before books, films, and the internet allowed illusions to be shared widely, people were captivated by illusions in nature. Indeed, it is here that...
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Clinical calculator could spare breast cancer patients five years of unnecessary hormone therapy
by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust New research confirms that an algorithm, called CTS5, can accurately identify patients who are at a significantly low risk of their breast cancer returning at a later stage. In doing so it means some patients may need to take hormone therapy for five years, rather than 10, something...
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Life isn’t over: how best to communicate with people living with dementia
Science and technology news When Sandie Read was diagnosed with dementia at 57, she felt a mixture of fear, anxiety and depression. Fifteen years later and not only is she offering support to fellow sufferers but she’s also working with researchers to improve the way people communicate and interact with those living with the condition....
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The Critical Element in Billing Medicare for Telemedicine
Betsy Nicoletti, MS The Coding Expert Answers Your Questions Editor’s Note: Betsy Nicoletti, MS, a nationally recognized coding expert, will take your coding questions via email and provide guidance on how to code properly to maximize reimbursement. Have a question about coding? Send it here. In this column, Nicoletti answers some questions received in the past few...
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Enzalutamide improves survival for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE After 3 years, 80% of men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer who received enzalutamide along with testosterone suppression were alive compared to 72% of men who received standard care. Chicago – Enzalutamide, an oral androgen receptor inhibitor, can improve outcomes for men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), according to a large study presented by Christopher Sweeney, MBBS of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Lank Center for...