Dr. Howard Smith Reports

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Q0cF8rNJvN0

Those compounded creams and gels you buy to rub on your aching muscles and joints may be worthless to you for relieving pain.  They are worth gold to the hucksters who manufacture and market them to the tune of at least 6 million dollars a day.

Pain specialists at Johns Hopkins and the Walter Reed Hospital studied nearly 400 subjects with 3 types of pain: 1. neurogenic pain such as that due to diabetes or shingles; 2. nociceptive pain due to tissue injuries or burns, or 3. mixed pain.  Half the patients in each pain category received a topical product with active ingredients tailored to the type of pain under treatment including anesthetics, NSAID analgesics, sedatives, antidepressants, anti-seizure meds, and muscle relaxers.  The others were given a mediction-free placebo.  Neither the scientists nor the subjects knew which agent they were rubbing in.

Each subject dutifully rubbed on the products 3 times a day for 6 months.  When the code was broken, the expensive topical pain creams produced no significant relief for any type of pain in any location on the body when compared with the inactive cream.

The bottom line: save your money!  Now I’m not saying that the placebo effect isn’t powerful.  I am saying that, if rubbing on a cream or gel makes you feel better, go for a cheaper one and one that don;t contain medicinal incredients like lidocaine that can induce skin allergy.

#paincreams #paingels #anesthetics #analgesics #NSAID #antiseizure drugs #healthnews #healthtips

Robert E. Brutcher, Connie Kurihara, Mark C. Bicket, Parvaneh Moussavian-Yousefi, David E. Reece, Lisa M. Solomon, Scott R. Griffith, David E. Jamison, Steven P. Cohen. Compounded Topical Pain Creams to Treat Localized Chronic Pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.7326/M18-2736

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/Q0cF8rNJvN0

Those compounded creams and gels you buy to rub on your aching muscles and joints may be worthless to you for relieving pain.  They are worth gold to the hucksters who manufacture and market them to the tune of at least 6 million dollars a day.

Pain specialists at Johns Hopkins and the Walter Reed Hospital studied nearly 400 subjects with 3 types of pain: 1. neurogenic pain such as that due to diabetes or shingles; 2. nociceptive pain due to tissue injuries or burns, or 3. mixed pain.  Half the patients in each pain category received a topical product with active ingredients tailored to the type of pain under treatment including anesthetics, NSAID analgesics, sedatives, antidepressants, anti-seizure meds, and muscle relaxers.  The others were given a mediction-free placebo.  Neither the scientists nor the subjects knew which agent they were rubbing in.

Each subject dutifully rubbed on the products 3 times a day for 6 months.  When the code was broken, the expensive topical pain creams produced no significant relief for any type of pain in any location on the body when compared with the inactive cream.

The bottom line: save your money!  Now I’m not saying that the placebo effect isn’t powerful.  I am saying that, if rubbing on a cream or gel makes you feel better, go for a cheaper one and one that don;t contain medicinal incredients like lidocaine that can induce skin allergy.

#paincreams #paingels #anesthetics #analgesics #NSAID #antiseizure drugs #healthnews #healthtips

Robert E. Brutcher, Connie Kurihara, Mark C. Bicket, Parvaneh Moussavian-Yousefi, David E. Reece, Lisa M. Solomon, Scott R. Griffith, David E. Jamison, Steven P. Cohen. Compounded Topical Pain Creams to Treat Localized Chronic Pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.7326/M18-2736

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/anJEys3Soc8

I’ve presented many studies proving that fruits and vegetables in your diet will keep you strong, fit, and physically healthy.  Now, new data from Great Britain’s University of Leeds shows that these key dietary components also boost your mental capacities.

The researchers studied some 40,000 persons and report that those consuming more fruits and vegetables report better mental health and higher life satisfaction than matched controls.  They also lament that the majority of UK citizens still fail to eat at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies a day. 

I’d hasten to say that most Americans don’t hit that target either.  If you do want to feel wonderful in mind as well as in body, fill your meals with fruit and vegetables.

#mind #body #fruits #vegetables #goodfeelings #healthnews #healthtips

Neel Ocean, Peter Howley, Jonathan Ensor. Lettuce be happy: A longitudinal UK study on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and well-being. Social Science & Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.12.017

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/anJEys3Soc8

I’ve presented many studies proving that fruits and vegetables in your diet will keep you strong, fit, and physically healthy.  Now, new data from Great Britain’s University of Leeds shows that these key dietary components also boost your mental capacities.

The researchers studied some 40,000 persons and report that those consuming more fruits and vegetables report better mental health and higher life satisfaction than matched controls.  They also lament that the majority of UK citizens still fail to eat at least 5 portions of fruits and veggies a day. 

I’d hasten to say that most Americans don’t hit that target either.  If you do want to feel wonderful in mind as well as in body, fill your meals with fruit and vegetables.

#mind #body #fruits #vegetables #goodfeelings #healthnews #healthtips

Neel Ocean, Peter Howley, Jonathan Ensor. Lettuce be happy: A longitudinal UK study on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and well-being. Social Science & Medicine, 2019; DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.12.017

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/CA0GVw_xvUI

No one likes the prospect of surgery.  If you’ve been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and your doctors have recommended removal, a new study suggests that an operation may not be necessary for every cyst.

Ovarian cysts are little balloon-like bumps that arise on the surface of the ovaries.  They are discovered with ultrasound scans when abdominal pain or bloating occurs.  The ultrasounds can determine if the cysts appear harmless or likely cancerous.

Many doctors recommend that any ovarian cyst be removed due to a risk of cancer developing or the cyst causing an ovary to twist.  A new multi-national study just published in The Lancet Oncology instead recommends watchful waiting and regular ultrasound imaging for those cysts that do appear benign.

Their study of almost 2,000 women with cysts suggests that surgery for every cyst may have more risks than benefits.  Twenty percent of ovarian cysts disappear on their own and cancer or ovarian twisting only occurred in less than one-half of one percent of women. On the other hand, the risk of complications from surgical removal ranged from between 3 to 15%.

Ovarian cysts may be followed without surgery, but you must commit to careful followup with regular ultrasound or scan imaging.  Should there be any question of a suspicious lesion, immediate surgery is then a must.

#Ovariancyst #ultrasound #ovariantorsion #healthnews #healthtip

Imperial College London. "Ovarian cysts should be 'watched' rather than removed, study suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 February 2019. .

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/CA0GVw_xvUI

No one likes the prospect of surgery.  If you’ve been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and your doctors have recommended removal, a new study suggests that an operation may not be necessary for every cyst.

Ovarian cysts are little balloon-like bumps that arise on the surface of the ovaries.  They are discovered with ultrasound scans when abdominal pain or bloating occurs.  The ultrasounds can determine if the cysts appear harmless or likely cancerous.

Many doctors recommend that any ovarian cyst be removed due to a risk of cancer developing or the cyst causing an ovary to twist.  A new multi-national study just published in The Lancet Oncology instead recommends watchful waiting and regular ultrasound imaging for those cysts that do appear benign.

Their study of almost 2,000 women with cysts suggests that surgery for every cyst may have more risks than benefits.  Twenty percent of ovarian cysts disappear on their own and cancer or ovarian twisting only occurred in less than one-half of one percent of women. On the other hand, the risk of complications from surgical removal ranged from between 3 to 15%.

Ovarian cysts may be followed without surgery, but you must commit to careful followup with regular ultrasound or scan imaging.  Should there be any question of a suspicious lesion, immediate surgery is then a must.

#Ovariancyst #ultrasound #ovariantorsion #healthnews #healthtip

Imperial College London. "Ovarian cysts should be 'watched' rather than removed, study suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 February 2019. .

Howard G. Smith, MD, PENTA Medical Network, reports from NYC with the Health News Roundup for the SECOND week of FEBRUARY, 2019.

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BMHHclF3DPo

This is Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy. Besides that, there are two stories about Health Crap You Should Scrap: some non-prescription meds that you should avoid. There is no solid evidence that they work, and they can be harmful.

Here are the headlines:
Ovarian Cysts Need Not Be Removed
Fruits and Veggies Buff Your Mind As Well As Your Muscles
HEALTH CRAP: Pain Creams Are a Waste of Money
Your Golf Swing May Kill Your Back
E-Cigarette Flavorings Are Toxic
Teen Boozing Can Drive Brain Damage
Third-Hand Smoke Chemicals Stick To Your Kids
Desserts Can Help You Eat Healthy
Smaller Take Out Boxes Will Right-Size Fast Food Meals
HEALTH CRAP: L-Norvaline May Be Bodybuilders’ Enemy
Tonsils and Adenoids Don’t Shrink With Age
Don’t Clamp That Umbilical Cord Right Away
Exercise Trains Your Fat To Be Healthy
TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS: Our Earth Is Becoming Greener

For more information, you’ll find all the references for the stories and a copy of show notes on Dr. Smith's website at: https://www.drhowardsmith.com/feb-2019-2nd-week-health-news

Howard G. Smith, MD, PENTA Medical Network, reports from NYC with the Health News Roundup for the SECOND week of FEBRUARY, 2019.

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/BMHHclF3DPo

This is Health News You Should Use, the latest medical discoveries that you can use in a practical way to keep yourself and your family healthy. Besides that, there are two stories about Health Crap You Should Scrap: some non-prescription meds that you should avoid. There is no solid evidence that they work, and they can be harmful.

Here are the headlines:
Ovarian Cysts Need Not Be Removed
Fruits and Veggies Buff Your Mind As Well As Your Muscles
HEALTH CRAP: Pain Creams Are a Waste of Money
Your Golf Swing May Kill Your Back
E-Cigarette Flavorings Are Toxic
Teen Boozing Can Drive Brain Damage
Third-Hand Smoke Chemicals Stick To Your Kids
Desserts Can Help You Eat Healthy
Smaller Take Out Boxes Will Right-Size Fast Food Meals
HEALTH CRAP: L-Norvaline May Be Bodybuilders’ Enemy
Tonsils and Adenoids Don’t Shrink With Age
Don’t Clamp That Umbilical Cord Right Away
Exercise Trains Your Fat To Be Healthy
TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS: Our Earth Is Becoming Greener

For more information, you’ll find all the references for the stories and a copy of show notes on Dr. Smith's website at: https://www.drhowardsmith.com/feb-2019-2nd-week-health-news

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/_dGkTXmj3Y0

Good news is good for your soul, and here’s a feel-good saga from my favorite good news website, goodnewsnetwork.org.  

Twelve years ago during cool weather John Sumner, saw a pathetic seagull with an obviously broken leg attempting to land and get food.  He and his dog had come to the beach for a walk, and John offered the seagull some of his pet’s dog biscuits.

When John and his dog returned to the beach for their daily walk, and the seagull that he named Chirpy began to seek them out and continued to enjoy the dog biscuits as his leg healed.

Over the past 12 years, with the onset of cooler weather in September, Chirpy the seagull returns from nesting to visit John on the beach every day.  The bird, thought to be about 20 years old now and easily spotted due to his crooked leg, immediately flies over to John and only to John as soon as the man appears on the beach.  And yes, John continues to feed Chirpy his favorite snack, those dog biscuits.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/seagull-has-been-visiting-the-man-who-saved-him-almost-every-day-for-the-last-12-years/

Vidcast: https://youtu.be/_dGkTXmj3Y0

Good news is good for your soul, and here’s a feel-good saga from my favorite good news website, goodnewsnetwork.org.  

Twelve years ago during cool weather John Sumner, saw a pathetic seagull with an obviously broken leg attempting to land and get food.  He and his dog had come to the beach for a walk, and John offered the seagull some of his pet’s dog biscuits.

When John and his dog returned to the beach for their daily walk, and the seagull that he named Chirpy began to seek them out and continued to enjoy the dog biscuits as his leg healed.

Over the past 12 years, with the onset of cooler weather in September, Chirpy the seagull returns from nesting to visit John on the beach every day.  The bird, thought to be about 20 years old now and easily spotted due to his crooked leg, immediately flies over to John and only to John as soon as the man appears on the beach.  And yes, John continues to feed Chirpy his favorite snack, those dog biscuits.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/seagull-has-been-visiting-the-man-who-saved-him-almost-every-day-for-the-last-12-years/