17.09.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Pain Management: Controlling Your Life
A new meta-analysis (a study combining lots of studies together) published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) indicates that the supplements Glucosamine & Chondroitin may not be clinically effective. It involved looking at pain levels and imaging data (“radiographic joint space”) from 3803 people with knee or hip osteoarthritis who were followed 22 months or more. Either the supplements were compared to a control group (placebo) or each other. After statistical analysis of all the data, the results did not show any clinically significant benefits of using these supplements.
According to the article, principle researcher Dr. Peter Juni, M.D., Division Head of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland stated, “None of the two supplements we evaluated appeared to have any clinically relevant benefit in terms of pain relief that could be detected by patients with knee or hip arthritis.”
Now, there are limitations to this analysis, different doses of these supplements, different qualities and forms of these supplements, etc so I would still strongly recommend you talking to your pharmacist, primary care physician, and any other care providers about these or any or supplements. Either way, according to the article, Dr. Andrew Sherman, M.D., Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine notes, “Since there appears to be no negative consequence to taking these supplements (except cost) there appears to be no harm in doing so.”
Final Thoughts:
I know many people out there swear by these supplements, both in and out of the health care field so the choice is ultimately yours. To me, the take-home message here is (1) be careful and (2) be educated about supplementation. Always be informed.
Until the next Glucosamine & Chondroitin study…
Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=643238
Original study (pdf) available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c4675.full.pdf
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
19.08.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Pain Management: Controlling Your Life, Stress Management: Maintaining Balance
An intriguing article discusses a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine that indicates the practice of Tai Chi may improve symptoms of Fibromyalgia (a global pain condition that may include significant symptoms of fatigue).
According to the article, 66 people with Fibromyalgia were divided into two groups. One group did hour-long sessions of Tai Chi twice a week for 12 weeks while the other had twice-weekly wellness education classes followed by gentle stretching.
The Tai Chi group experienced “decreased pain and increased ability to do daily tasks without pain; less fatigue, depression and anxiety; and an overall better quality of life. Furthermore, they reported better sleep quality and improved physical conditioning.”
Although the article stated that the study had no definitive answer as to exactly how Tai Chi had generated these improvements, principle investigator Chenchen Wang, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Tufts Medical Center, Boston noted, “the physical component of Tai Chi can improve aerobic capacity, strength and muscle function. But in my opinion, the most important part is mental. You see lots of patients improve their depression and become good friends with each other.”
These results are very promising and yet another indication of the value of non-pharmacological techniques and practices to help increase well-being and quality of life.
Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=642242
Study abstract available at: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0912611
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
04.08.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Reinforcing Relationships, Stress Management: Maintaining Balance
Although it is not new evidence that therapy can be effective for children and adolescence, a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that single-episode (30min) talk therapy sessions for kids in the ER for violent injuries can drastically reduce future incidents of violence.
The article reports that the original study centered around a program called SafERteens which “involved more than 700 kids aged 14 to 18 who had visited an emergency department in Flint, Mich., from noon and 11 p.m. any day of the week between September 2006 and September 2009.”
Results showed that “after three months, participants in the therapist arm showed a 70 percent to 76 percent reduction in violence, including peer aggression, compared with the controls.” Most strikingly, the article points out that that the authors (headed by Maureen A. Walton, Ph.D., research associate professor, department of psychiatry, Addiction Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor) concluded “for every 10 kids seen, a single 30-minute intervention would prevent one violent episode in the future.”
I think this is an extremely significant conclusion indicating the effectiveness of psychotherapy in our society to reduce teen violence and alcohol abuse. Furthermore, although it may cost at cost to the hospitals etc, it is likely that it may reduce cost in the long run as a result of overall teen violence.
Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=641797
Original study available at: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/304/5/527
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
12.07.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Stress Management: Maintaining Balance, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
A recent article summarizes a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicating that overall picture of cardiac care has improved overtime in the U.S. This included factors ranging from people becoming more aware of heart attack symptoms, quicker visits to the ER/Hospital, better pharmaceutical care, hospital procedure outcomes, less mortality.
According to the article, Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a cardiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted, “These findings show the substantial efforts to provide physicians and hospitals with detailed feedback on performance coupled with targeted quality improvement efforts are producing measurable and meaningful benefits to cardiovascular disease patients.”
Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=641040
Original study located at: http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/short/56/4/254 (Journal Access Needed)
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
03.06.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Stress Management: Maintaining Balance, What is Biofeedback?
A new study out of Indiana University indicates that certain breathing exercises done regularly can “reduce [athletes'] need for oxygen [and] helps boost performance during endurance sports such as cycling and swimming.”
The researchers “found that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) significantly reduced the amount of oxygen required by breathing muscles during exercise, making more oxygen available for other muscles.”
The article stated that IMT, “Involves the use of a hand-held device that creates resistance while inhaling, requiring a person to make greater use of inspiratory muscles.”
“After six weeks of IMT training, inspiratory muscles required about 1 percent less oxygen during low-intensity exercise and 3 percent to 4 percent less oxygen during high-intensity exercise.”
Although the study involves a relatively small sample size of 16 male cyclists, it is very exciting to see such research that involves breathing associated with biofeedback, sports psychology, and physiological training and rehabilitation. It’s a great start!!
Article available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=639730
Study abstract available at: http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/ViewAbstract.aspx?sKey=3ac12429-3e7f-481e-96de-3fc67b36ea2f&cKey=fa65fab0-325a-4cf1-8f4e-e884fae4dd41&mKey={24A58842-A6E4-47C5-889B-B8D603BBBA25}
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
01.06.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The Heaviness of Weight Management, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
Although children, adolescents, and sedentary behavior has been a hot topic these days, a new 20 year study indicates that being young (young adults) without exercise can have negative long term effects when it comes to hypertension.
According to the article, “4,618 men and women between 18 and 30 years old were recruited for a long-term study of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Study volunteers completed a treadmill test and a physical activity questionnaire when the study began. In addition, their overall health was assessed at six follow-up appointments over 20 years.”
The article also noted, “If people moved more and were able to increase their fitness level, the researchers estimate that about 34 percent of hypertension cases could be prevented.”
Lead researcher, Dr. Mercedes Carnethon, Ph.D., assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago stated, “Those who were the least physically fit, as determined by the amount of time on a treadmill and self-report, were more likely to develop hypertension.”
Article available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=639705
Original Study Abstract at: http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/HYPERTENSIONAHA.109.147603v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Mercedes+Carnethon%2C+Ph.D&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
07.05.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, Pain Management: Controlling Your Life
A new study indicates that (1) obesity alone can increase the risk of having fibromyalgia and (2) also having a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle can make this risk even greater. The study followed 15,990 women after 11 years who initially did not have fibromyagia or physical problems.
Concerning weight, the article stated, “Being overweight — with a BMI [Body Mass Index] of 25 or higher — was a strong independent risk factor, with the heavier women having a 60 percent to 70 percent higher risk of developing the condition compared to the healthy weight women.”
Regarding exercise, the article emphasized its importance. According to the article, principle researcher Paul Mork, of Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway noted, “Women who reported exercising four times per week [or more] had a 29 percent lower risk of fibromyalgia compared with inactive women. Those who exercised two to three times a week were about 11 percent less likely to get fibromyalgia.”
Article available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98189.html
An abstract/summary from the original study is also available at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123268508/abstract
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
29.04.2010
The Darkness of Depression, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
A recent news release from the American Physiological Society indicates that people taking a certain type of anti-depressant called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) [for example, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa] may actually have a second benefit of reducing potential heart problems.
According to the article, the researchers noted that the medication “may help protect cardiovascular health by slowing the clumping of blood platelets, thus reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries and blood clots that can cause heart attack and stroke.”
Article available at: http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638424
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
28.04.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that Vitamin E may help improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (otherwise known common liver disease). As reported by the article, the principle researcher Dr. Arun J. Sanyal, M.D. stated, “This clearly shows that Vitamin E is effective for treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis who don’t have active diabetes.”
According to the article, patients were given 800 IU of Vitamin E daily, and “a significant rate of improvement in markers of the disease, such as inflammation, was seen in 43 percent of those getting vitamin E, compared to 19 percent of those getting placebo.”
The article is available at : http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638542
As always, please check with your primary care physician or other health care provider before making any decisions about your health.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
22.04.2010
Headaches: A Big Pain in the Neck, Pain Management: Controlling Your Life, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
A new migraine drug shows promise for some patients. According to the article, “Telcagepant relieves pain in a similar way to the drugs known as triptans that are used to treat migraines. But it doesn’t cause blood vessels to constrict, a troublesome side effect for people with heart disease.” The drug is still under testing. Article available at http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=638322. A summary of the study discussed in the Healthday article is also available at http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2810%2960323-6/abstract#.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
20.04.2010
The War with Cancer
At the recent annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, John Hopkins University researchers reported that a new type of PSA (Prostate-Specific Androgen) test may help predict which types of prostate cancers are more aggressive than others; helping patients determine the urgency of treatment.
Robert W. Veltri, Ph.D, principle researcher and associate professor of urology and oncology at Hopkins stated, “What we have shown is that using the Prostate Health Index and tissue DNA measurement is informative in separating out patients whose cancers are likely to progress vs. those that are not likely to progress.”
Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_97772.html.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
15.04.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The Heaviness of Weight Management, The Wounded Heart: Heart Disease and You
In the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Toronto, a study suggested that the potential heart healthy benefits of light drinking are eliminated if you drink and smoke. For non-smokers, they found that drinking 3-14 approximate glasses of wine lowered the risk of stroke about 37% as compared to non-drinkers. They did not specify red or white (although many studies point to red wine as being more effective). However, the study showed that these benefits were not found in the participants who also smoked.
Now, I would NOT recommend running out to the liquor store and starting to drink 3-14 glasses of red wine per week (if you don’t smoke) so you can reduce your stroke risk. Also, one of the authors notes in other research, “the protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption was seen among both smokers and nonsmokers.”
Therefore, (and as always) please make sure you talk to your primary care physician or other health care provider(s) about the contents of this blog or the article/study it refers to before making any decisions about your health. Article available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_97536.html.
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
06.04.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The War with Cancer
A recent University of Toronto study indicates that, “for every one-percent increase in colonoscopy use, the risk of death from colon cancer dropped three percent.” Although not fun, it shows that keeping up on prevention procedures such as this are very important. Available at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_97237.html
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net
30.03.2010
Lifestyle Coaching: Changing Your Path, The Ball and Chain of Anxiety
A new video discussing current research on reducing anxiety with exercise. Similar to depression, it is noted that just “getting out” and going for a walk, getting out of the house, doing things, etc. can be helpful. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/videos/news/treating_anxiety_033010.html. I’ve also included the original Archives of Internal Medicine article for those interested: Anxiety and Exercise Journal Article 03 10
Dr. Schwartz
San Diego Psychologist
www.integrative-health.net