Having problems with message search?
The next time you have a troublesome cough, remember this first article. And realize this article isn't saying that codeine (Rx) doesn't work, just OTC cough syrups.
No evidence Over-the-counter cough syrups work
Jan 9, 2006, By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
Over-the-counter cough medicines do little good and may harm children. Adults are better off using older nonprescription antihistamines and decongestants to stop the flow of mucus that causes the cough, the American College of Chest Physicians said in its latest guidelines.
"Cough is the number one reason why patients seek medical attention," said Dr. Richard Irwin of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. "There is no clinical evidence that over-the-counter cough expectorants or suppressants actually relieve cough," Irwin added.
"There is considerable evidence that older type antihistamines help to reduce cough, so, unless there are contraindications to using these medicines, why not take something that has been proven to work?"
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, showed that children usually recovered quickly
Click Here For The Complete Story=>
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2006-01-09T220348Z_01_KWA979346_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-COUGH-DC.XML
Do you know anybody walking around wearing magnets or copper bracelets to heal their aches and pains. Ibuprophen might be a better investment.
Health bracelets are a 'waste of money'
THE mystical draw of magnetic therapy has seen world leaders from Cleopatra to Bill Clinton convinced of its healing power. But despite such longstanding popularity with the rich and powerful, new research has led to warnings from the United States that the "alternative" treatment has no proven benefits and simply targets vulnerable people looking for pain relief.
THE mystical draw of magnetic therapy has seen world leaders from Cleopatra to Bill Clinton convinced of its healing power. But despite such longstanding popularity with the rich and powerful, new research has led to warnings from the United States that the "alternative" treatment has no proven benefits and simply targets vulnerable people looking for pain relief.
The report by American doctors concluded that the rapidly expanding commercial industry selling static magnet therapies is exploiting the people who buy and believe in the products.
Billions of dollars are spent annually on "static" magnetic bracelets, insoles, wrist and knee bands, back and neck braces, and even pillows and mattresses in the hope they will cure anything from back pain to migraines.
In Britain, Princes William and Harry have been seen wearing copper bracelets, which often have magnetic properties and have become something of a fashion statement. The Silence of the Lambs actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is a known to be a believer in magnetic therapy, which dates from ancient times.
But Professor Leonard Finegold, of Drexel University in Philadelphia, who led the research said: "There is a billion-to-one chance that I am wrong. There is simply no evidence that this therapy works. These products cost huge amounts of money, and it would be just as effective to strap a fridge magnet to your wrist."
"Sometimes people feel pain relief if you tell them a bracelet has magnets in when it does not. It is a placebo effect. If people really must buy a magnet they should buy the cheapest as it will cause the least financial pain."
Magnetic bracelets are often pitched as a cure for pain from osteoarthritis, or as a means of warding off the condition. Last year, $4.8 billion was spent on magnets for pain relief.
Click Here For The Complete Story=>
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=21182006Beer Drinkers 'Eating More Junk.'
Beer drinkers are more likely to buy unhealthy food such as chips and ready meals than people who prefer wine, a study suggests.
A Danish team studying 3.5 million supermarket transactions found wine buyers bought more olives, fruit and vegetables. Beer drinkers meanwhile chose fattier, meatier options, the study said.
According to the research team, at the National Institute of Public Research in Copenhagen, wine buyers also bought more poultry, cooking oil and low-fat cheese than beer buyers.
Beer lovers were attracted to cold cuts, chips, pork, butter, margarine, sausages, lamb and soft drinks.
The team suggested the food factor (rather than the choice of alcohol) may explain why wine appears to have a beneficial impact on health.
Click Here For The Complete Story=>
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4629560.stm
The above is not meant to be medical advice. Please read the attached Disclaimer, Etc.
If you know anyone you think would like to receive "DrRehertsAlerts," CLICK HERE to send me their email address and I'll add them to the list.
Best wishes, Dr. Rehert
Offline 
Send Email