Addicts who avoid coping with stress succumb to cravings

WASHINGTON – People recovering from drug addiction who avoid coping with stress, succumb easily to more cravings, says a new study.

“Cravings are a strong predictor of relapse,” said H. Harrington Cleveland, associate professor of human development, Penn State University (PSU).
“The goal of this study is to predict the variation in substance craving in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Addicts who avoid coping with stress succumb to cravings.

Informal childcare cuts baby’s chances of being breastfed

WASHINGTON – Babies who are looked after by relatives, friends, and neighbours while their mothers are at work, are less likely to be breastfed, reveals a new study.

The study, which included 18,050 infants, applies to both full time and part time care, and all strata of society. The aim was to find out if childcare … Original article on : Informal childcare cuts baby’s chances of being breastfed.

Researchers recommend early and aggressive arthritis treatment

WASHINGTON – Researchers suggest that disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) should be used early and aggressively at the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

“Early therapy with combinations of conventional DMARDs has been shown to retard the radiologic progression of RA for a period of up to 5 years, but until now the effects of initial aggressive … Original article on : Researchers recommend early and aggressive arthritis treatment.

Abuse may raise risk of heart attack, stroke in migraine sufferers

WASHINGTON – Scientists have revealed that patients who suffer from acute migraine and have had childhood abuse experiences are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular (CV) disease.

Scientists found a linear relationship between the risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), MI, or all of these adverse outcomes and the total number of abuse types they …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Abuse may raise risk of heart attack, stroke in migraine sufferers.

High rates of STDs among older swingers

WASHINGTON – Swingers could be threatening the population with sexually-transmitted diseases, claim researchers.

And the oldest swingers in town appear to be the worst unsafe sex offenders, according to the study.

Swingers are straight couples that regularly swap sexual partners at organised gatherings and clubs and indulge in group-sex.

The researchers base their findings on the numbers …. Source article  : High rates of STDs among older swingers.

Pine bark extract naturally reduces hay fever symptoms

WASHINGTON – Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, substantially reduces the symptoms of hay fever, a new study has shown.

Hay fever is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways that causes itching, swelling, mucus production, hives and rashes.
Allergic rhinitis is often mistakenly believed to be a … Read more : Pine bark extract naturally reduces hay fever symptoms.

Hamilton undergoing surgery to have benign brain tumor removed

Hamilton having surgery to remove benign tumor
BOSTON – Olympic gold medal figure skater Scott Hamilton had successful surgery Wednesday to remove a benign brain tumor.
Hamilton’s publicist, Michael Sterling, said the 51-year-old skater was “doing very well” after surgery this morning at a Boston hospital and was expected to make a full recovery.
Doctors …. Source  : Hamilton undergoing surgery to have benign brain tumor removed.

Is your doc a rookie? Rule changes would spell it out, and give medical residents fewer hours

Rookie docs may get more oversight, shorter shifts

CHICAGO – Rookie doctors will get shorter shifts and closer supervision if proposed work changes for medical residents are enacted.
The goal is promoting patient safety and reducing medical errors.
The draft regulations from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education affect sometimes sleep-deprived new doctors although critics say the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Is your doc a rookie? Rule changes would spell it out, and give medical residents fewer hours.

Study: Stem cell transplants hold promise for blindness caused by chemical burns

Stem cells reverse blindness caused by burns
LOS ANGELES – Italian doctors have restored sight to dozens of people blinded or injured by chemical burns using the patients’ own stem cells.
The treatment was successful in 82 out of 107 cases.
Researchers took stem cells from the patient’s healthy eye, grew them in the lab and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Study: Stem cell transplants hold promise for blindness caused by chemical burns.

CT scans pose risks, need more regulation to prevent overuse and radiation harm, experts urge

Experts: CT scans pose risks, need more regulation
Top imaging experts are urging new rules for CT scans, powerful medical tests that use far more radiation than ordinary X-rays.
Each year, 10 percent of the U.S. population gets a CT scan, and over time, too much radiation can raise the risk of cancer. The imaging … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : CT scans pose risks, need more regulation to prevent overuse and radiation harm, experts urge.