Hope For Blood Cancer Patients

Having two cousins with multiple myeloma (one passed away) makes me pay special attention to any advances toward improving her survival.

In a study published December 4, 2010, researchers found that treating multiple myeloma patients early with a type of bisphosphonate called zoledronic acid improved survival. It also bolstered bone health and the risk of fracture and bone pain, common to the disease.

Of the 1,960 multiple myeloma participants, about half were treated with zoledronic acid in combination with either intensive or non-intensive chemotherapy. Even though chemotherapy intensity did not appear to affect fatality or survival outcomes, those taking zoledronic acid in proper dosages had notably higher survival rates.

New Drug Brings Hope To Heart Patients

Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) researchers have found a new drug, anacetrapid, that raised good cholesterol (HDL) by 138% and also cut bad cholesterol significantly, according to Dr. Christopher Cannon, cardiologist and senior investigator.

In a study of 1,623 participants over an 18-month period, it was determined that "up until this point there have been very few drugs available to treat low levels of good cholesterol, and this new drug is 4 to 10 times more effective in raising good cholesterol compared to current therapies".

Additionally, the drug appears to be well-tolerated by patients and is not associated with the dangerous blood pressure changes in other similar-type medications.

Finally, those in the study who took the new drug rather than the placebo were significantly less likely to need angioplasty or bypass surgery.

This drug has a long way to go but it is a welcome sign for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Radiation, Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer

In a December 7, 2010, news release Dr. Lauren Cassell, chief of breast surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City announced that a three-nation study on localized breast cancer revealed that:

1. The drug tamoxifen greatly reduced the risk of the recurrence of localized cancer and decreased the risk of new cancer in the other breast by more than 65%;

2. Radiation after surgery greatly reduced the risk of invasive cancer in the same breast.

Cataract Symptoms

If you:

1. Are seeing double

2. Are becoming more sensitive to glaring light

3. Are seeing a halo surrounding a light

4. Have vision that appears cloudy or blurry )see as if you eye is covered with a film)

5. Are having trouble seeing in the dark

6. Are not seeing colors sharply

7. Are having difficulty differentiating shapes and colors in a background,

then you should visit your eye doctor about cataracts.

Treat Menopause Before It Grabs You

If you're a woman in your forties and maybe in your late thirties, you might want to think ahead about menopause. Dr. Karen Deighan, chair of obstetrics/gynecology at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, encourages these patients to be proactive about their health by taking appropriate steps to minimize the side effects of menopause before it arrives.

She suggests:

1. Exercising to prevent the 5-10 pound weight gain.

2. Do your kegels to strengthen the pelvic floor.

3. Do weight-bearing exercises to keep bones strong.

4. Exercise the brain with word puzzles.

5. Get enough sleep to be mentally alert and to keep libido high.

6. Treat vaginal dryness.

7. Get your annual check-up.

8. Protect your teeth.

9. Eat your fruit and veggies and bypass processed food.

10. Take 1,000 - 1,200 milligrams of calcium.

Measure Blood Pressure With Affordable Solar-Powered Device

Research recently published in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association announced that a new, accurate, easy-to-use, solar-powered device used to measure blood pressure "may help slow the worldwide increase in cardiovascular disease by providing affordable and reliable blood pressure testing in low income countries."

The device is being tested in Uganda and Zambia, Africa. 97% of the healthcare professionals there favored the device over traditional methods, especially for testing systolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart contracts). They hope that soon the device will be equally as precise for diastolic blood pressure (pressure when the heart relaxes).

Gout, Sugar-Sweetened Soft Drinks and Caffeine

Gout, the most common inflammatory arthritis in the U.S., is a very painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid. Uric acid crystals become deposited on the cartilage of joints, tendons and other surrounding tissue, especially the feet.

Gout rates are climbing not only because it is being diagnosed earlier but also because people are living longer and because diuretic therapies are typically prescribed for high blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

There are good medications that can potentially prevent gout attacks. Even so, attacks are common.

Researchers have tied gout attacks to consuming alcohol, red meat, and certain seafoods. Now they are also beginning to link them to sweetened beverages and caffeine.