Water immersion during the early stages of labor, which involves complete abdominal submersion in a bath or pool, reduced both maternal pain and the need for epidural and spinal analgesia, according to a recent Cochrane review of 11 clinical trials.
New findings that ultra-dilute homeopathic preparations could induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cell lines have energized the field of homeopathy, dashing critics’ oft-heard argument that homeopathy—if it works at all—is naught but a “placebo effect.”
Ginger is widely available, safe, inexpensive, and, it turns out, one of the best possible remedies for pregnancy-associated nausea. A new clinical trial involving nearly 70 women, shows that at a dose of 250 mg, four times daily, ginger is highly effective in controlling nausea and reducing vomiting.
A new, mineral-rich nutraceutical derived from a species of Irish marine algae has shown promise for improving joint function and reducing the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis.
Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy is widely recommended for preventing neural tube defects. New data indicate that it can also reduce the risk of cleft lip and congenital heart defects. At the other end of the age spectrum, folic acid in combination with vitamins B6 and B12 can reduce a woman’s risk of age-related macular degeneration.
A new prospective study of 512 women with early-stage breast cancer suggests that those with the low serum vitamin D levels were more likely to die of their cancers than those with sufficient D levels.
Hibiscus, a popular tea herb in many parts of the world, can markedly lower systolic blood pressure in type II diabetic people with mild hypertension, according to a recent clinical trial. On the other hand, black tea tends to increase systolic pressure.
Breast thermography is safe, radiation-free, relatively inexpensive, and it can detect early and possibly reversible metabolic and vascular changes associated with later growth of breast cancer. Though underutilized in the US, it is poised for a resurgence.
New studies are showing that, like cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis affects women differently than it does men. Women tend to have more severe pain, in more joints simultaneously, and the diseaes often has a far greater psychosocial impact. To better understand how joint disorders affect women and to identify strategies that can improve care, Holistic Primary Care is collaborating with Joyn, makers of the SheaFlex 70 joint health supplement, and Everydayhealth.com, one of the nation’s largest online health communities, on a first-of-its-kind survey of doctors and patients. We invite your participation!
Say the word “probiotic” and people think, “gastrointestinal health.” That’s natural, since probiotics are invaluable in the management of digestive system problems. But they are also helpful for other health challenges, including infections of the female urogenital tract, like bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and related problems.
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