Women with high-risk pregnancies are often prescribed bed-rest because it is thought to prevent premature birth, hypertension, miscarriage and other complications a pregnant woman may face. However, new studies published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology suggest that evidence is inadequate to recommend bed-rest to these women, and in fact it may cause harm. This [...]
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Despite a 2009 advisory from a federal advisory panel that women under age 50 avoid routine screening mammography unless discussed with her medical caregiver, a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that younger women continued to get screening mammograms at the same rate in 2010 as before the panel report. [...]
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Children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may face more challenges ahead. Authors of a new study, published in the journal Pediatrics claim that the men in their study who had ADHD as children were twice as likely to become obese in middle age, even if symptoms of ADHD are no longer present. They [...]
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According to reports by the CDC, 2012 saw the worst whooping cough outbreak since 1959, with 18,000 cases of the disease by July. And a new study shows that the newer acellular vaccines may be to blame, at least to some extent. Researchers found that the older, “whole-cell” whooping cough vaccine was more protective than [...]
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A report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) presents some startling new statistics about the prevalence of various mental disorders among American youth. Overall, researchers from the CDC found that anywhere from 13 to 20 percent of children living in the US experience some type of mental disorder in a year. This new report [...]
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Watching your waistline? A new report suggests that smoking weed might be for you. Despite munchie myths, it was found that the BMI of the pot smoking community reflects a reduced prevalence of obesity. The study reported in the American Journal of Medicine sought to better understand the effects of marijuana on insulin levels in [...]
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A new report from a branch of the CDC shows that the rate of hypertension (HT) in the U.S. rose slightly but significantly over the course of the years 2005 through 2009. The data were obtained from most states’ health departments as well as the federal health center. It has been estimated that hypertension affects one-third of [...]
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Most adults will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. It is the fifth most common reason for primary care office visits and medical expenditures for low back pain have been increasing since 1997. Spinal injection therapy is one treatment option for low back pain, but recent studies indicate that there [...]
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Scientists at Oregon Health and Science University have successfully created human embryonic cells using cloning technology. The goal of this development is to one day use these cells to produce replacement tissues or organs to treat disease due to the fact that embryonic stem cells can be developed into any type of cell in the [...]
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Josh Bloom in Medical Progress Today
The pharmaceutical industry does many wonderful things, yet most people regard it as one step below head lice on the food chain.
This week, Merck, with some questionable help from the FDA, gave more ammunition to industry critics, who typically maintain that the industry contributes little innovation, and is simply concerned with profits.