ArthritisDigest2013
Cabbage patch to aid knee osteoarthritis pain: trial begins
Scientists in Germany are recruiting participants for a trial that aims to establish if cabbage can ease joint pain. They’re looking for 81 adults with knee osteoarthritis who have pain at least 50% of the time.
Cabbage, shredded and mixed with warm water to form a poultice, will be compared with diclofenac gel, an anti-inflammatory commonly used to ease joint pain. Volunteers will have to use it overnight for four weeks. Continue reading
Herbal cannabis to treat arthritis? Not recommended.
The suitability of using herbal cannabis to treat arthritis and related conditions is under scrutiny due to the results of a Canadian report.
A group of researchers looked at the dosing, administration, efficacy and risks of herbal cannabis in pain management in people with arthritis in the 20 US states where it is legal. Continue reading
Vitamin D has important role in promoting healthy immune system
Older people who are deficient in vitamin D tend to have compromised immune function, says research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
While the association between vitamin D and bone health is well known, until now little research has looked at its impact on the immune system.
So scientists looked at 957 Irish adults who were older than 60 years and measured their vitamin D levels and inflammation markers (linked to rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease). Continue reading
Acupuncture Awareness Week: 3rd – 7th March 2014
Today heralds the first day of Acupuncture Awareness Week and the chance to get better informed about the ancient practice of traditional acupuncture. With 2.3 million acupuncture treatments carried out each year, acupuncture is one of the most popular complementary therapies practised in the UK today. But many people only discover acupuncture as a last resort despite its widely recognised health benefits. Continue reading
Blood pressure medication associated with falls in older people
Medication to treat high blood pressure in older people appears to be associated with an increased risk of serious injury from falling, such as a hip fracture or head injury, especially in older people who have been injured in previous falls, says a study in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Scientists looked at the association between blood pressure medication use and experiencing a serious injury from a fall in 4,961 people older than 70 years with high blood pressure. Among the patients, 14.1% took no blood pressure medication, 54.6% had moderate exposure to blood pressure medication and 31.3% had high exposure. Continue reading
