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Results for search "Alternative Medicine: Misc.".

16 Sep

Fall COVID Outlook and Advice from Dr. Nicholas Turner of Duke University

Should you get the latest COVID vaccine? Do you still need to test if you've got cold-like symptoms? If you test positive, how long are you contagious in 2024? Dr. Nicholas Turner, Assistant Professor in the division of Infectious Diseases at Duke University has the answers.

Health News Results - 63

Reiki May Help Ease the Pain of Cancer Treatment

The ancient Japanese practice of reiki "energy healing" might help some cancer patients deal with the pain that can come with infusion therapies, new research shows.

"Outpatients receiving reiki during infusion reported clinically significant improvements in all symptoms, high levels of satisfaction and a qualitatively positive healing experience," reported a team led by

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 13, 2024
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  • Yoga Helps Women Deal With the Mental Stress of Cancer

    A cancer diagnosis can bring overwhelming stress and depression to women, but new research suggests yoga can help ease that emotional toll.

    “A wellness intervention that integrates yoga and psychological tools may strengthen the connections among the mind, body and spirit, leading to a better and more meaningful quality of life,” said study senior author

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 25, 2024
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  • 'Self-Medicating' Gorillas Are Leading People to New Medicines

    Humans could learn a few medical tips from their gorilla cousins, a new study says.

    Four plants used by wild gorillas in Gabon have antibacterial and antioxidant properties, researcher reported Sept. 11 in the journal PLOS One.

    Wild great apes often self-medicate, consuming medicinal pla...

    'Mindful Breathing' Might Ease Cancer-Related Pain, Anxiety

    A meditation technique called mindful breathing can help cancer patients manage their pain and anxiety, a new study finds.

    Cancer patients who engaged in 20 minutes of mindful breathing experienced a greater reduction in pain than those who weren’t taught the tech...

    Chinese Botanical Medicine Eases a Cancer Treatment Side Effect

    An experimental drug based on ancient Chinese herbal medicine can help ease the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cancer patients, the results of a small new trial results suggest.

    A small group of 24 patients experienced fewer GI side ...

    Fish Oil Might Help Keep Cholesterol in Check

    People with a genetic predisposition for high cholesterol can lower their levels by taking fish oil supplements, a new study shows.

    The results indicate that lifestyle can be a powerful influence on artery-clogging cholesterol, even if a person’s genetics tend...

    Botanicals Like Turmeric, Green Tea Are Harming Americans' Livers

    Botanicals like turmeric, green tea and black cohosh may seem benign, but their overuse is being increasingly linked to liver injury.

    New research suggests that 7% of U.S. adults are using at least one of the six leading botanicals, the equivalent of 15.6 million people.

    Many are ending up in hospitals for liver toxicity, researchers report.

    Because there's almost no regulat...

    Americans' Interest in Microdosing Psychedelics Is Growing

    A study based on online Google searches suggests surging U.S. interest in microdosing psychedelics, such as psilocybin, as rules around the use of such drugs begin to relax.

    But the safety of these drugs isn't entirely clear, said study lead author Dr. Kevin Yang.

    "As public interest in using psychedelics and cannabis for health g...

    Diets Heavy in Ultra-processed Foods Linked to Earlier Death: Study

    People who eat more ultra-processed foods are more likely to suffer an early death, particularly from heart disease or diabetes, a new study warns.

    Older adults who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed foods are about 10% more likely to die than those w...

    Acupuncture Can Ease Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment

    Acupuncture can help breast cancer patients deal with the hot flashes that often accompany hormone therapy, a new clinical trial says.

    Nearly 2 in 3 women who got acupuncture during hormone therapy reported fewer and less intense hot flashes, results show.

    Hormone therapy blocks...

    Study Finds Multivitamins Won't Help You Live Longer

    A full third of American adults take multivitamins, despite prior studies suggesting they do little to boost health.

    Now, a study involving almost 400,000 people finds zero benefit from multivitamin use in helping folks live longer.

    Among people "without a histo...

    Wild Chimpanzees May Practice Natural Medicine

    They aren't exactly ready to open a jungle clinic, but new research suggests wild chimpanzees are practicing a kind of medicine.

    Fifty-one chimps living in two communities in Uganda appear to select edible plants specifically for their medicinal qualities, reports a team led by Elodie Freymann of the University of Oxford ...

    More Sickened After Eating Diamond Shruumz Bars, Cones and Gummies

    The number of people severely sickened after consuming mushroom edibles sold as Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones or Gummies has risen, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

    As of Monday, "a total of 12 illnesses have been reported from eight states," the FDA noted in an

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 12, 2024
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  • Biden Administration Pushes for Rule Wiping Medical Debt From Credit Reports

    In an effort to keep medical debt from destroying credit scores, the Biden administration announced Tuesday that it is moving ahead with a proposal that would remove health care bills from consideration in credit checks.

    Along with making it easier for folks to rent an apartment, get a mortgage or buy a car, the proposed rule would prevent lenders from repossessing medical devices like wh...

    Many Americans Are Using Marijuana to Manage Health Issues

    One in six patients serviced by a major California health care system said they used marijuana regularly, with many citing health reasons for doing so, a new study finds.

    In most cases, doctors may not know that weed is part of a patient's daily life.

    "Patients may not tell their primary care providers about their cannabis use, and their doctors may not ask about it,"said study auth...

    A Matcha Mouthwash Might Fight Gum Disease

    Matcha green tea has the potential to keep gum disease at bay, a new study finds.

    Lab experiments show that matcha can inhibit the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the main bacterial culprits behind gum disease.

    Among a small group of 45 people with gum disease, those who used matcha mouth...

    Yoga Can Help Heart Failure Patients Stay Strong

    Yoga can help improve the long-term health of people with heart failure, a new study has found.

    "Patients who practiced yoga on top of taking their medications felt better, were able to do more, and had stronger hearts than those who only took drugs for their heart f...

    What Is 'Mindful Reading' and Can It Help Your Brain?

    Ever immersed yourself in a book and lost all sense of the time and place you're currently in?

    That's how reading can meld with mindfulness, one neuropsychologist explains.

    The experience can bring real mental health benefits, said

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • March 29, 2024
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  • Seniors, FDA Has 5 Medication Tips to Keep You Safe

    When settling into your senior years, you need to be especially careful when taking medicines, herbal remedies and supplements, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

    That's because older adults are likely to use more prescription and over-the-counter medications, which increases the risk of harmful side effects and drug interactions, the FDA said in a

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • February 19, 2024
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  • Acupuncture May Lower Stroke Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

    Acupuncture may protect people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from stroke, new research suggests.

    The study indicates that a course of acupuncture treatment may lower blood levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines that are linked to heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in people with RA.

    "Inflammation is a consistent and independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in...

    Could Medical Marijuana Be Bad for Heart Patients?

    Medical marijuana might help ease chronic pain, but it also slightly increases a patient's risk of a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm, a new study says.

    Patients treated with medical cannabis had a nearly 1% increased risk of being diagnosed with a heart rhythm problem that required monitoring and possible treatment, results show.

    The risk was more than double that of chronic pain pa...

    Strike a Pose: Yoga Helps Heart Failure Patients

    Heart failure can make everyday activities and exercise tough to carry out, but yoga might be a beneficial add-on to standard care.

    A new study from India finds this ancient practice improves quality of life and cardio functioning.

    "Our patients observed improvement in systolic blood pressure and heart rate compared to patients who were on medication without yoga,"said lead stu...

    Ginger May Ease Inflammation of Autoimmune Diseases

    Ginger supplements may help those with certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, control inflammation.

    New research has added evidence to support the impact of ginger on white blood cell function, particularly a type of cell called a neutrophil.

    The researchers were particularly interested in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, also called NETos...

    Using a CBD Product? Be Sure to Tell Your Doctor

    Cannabinoid products may interfere with some prescription medications, so people who use them should add these to the list of supplements they tell their doctors about.

    This interference could have serious health consequences, according to Penn State Health, which offered some additional advice as legal medical and recreational cannabis becomes more common.

    "Whether it's recreationa...

    Do Fish Oil Supplements Really Boost Your Health?

    Stroll past the supplements in any drugstore and you'll find broad claims about fish oil helping everything from heart and brain health, to joints, eyes and immune systems. But you just might be wasting your money, according to a new study.

    "We know from recent large, randomized trials that fish oil supplements do not prevent heart disease in the general population, but yet they are one o...

    Stressed? Depressed? Mindfulness Training Could Offer Long-Term Relief

    The centuries-old practice of mindfulness is having a moment in present times, and a new study finds the therapy can improve mental health for at least six months.

    Analyzing the results of 13 prior studies, U.K. researchers concluded that in-person, teacher-led mindfulness courses were tied to reduced stress and anxiety.

    Mindfulness "was the seventh step of the Noble Eightfold...

    Taking Ketone Supplements to Boost Sports Performance Could Backfire

    Athletes using ketone supplements to boost their performance may be kidding themselves, researchers say.

    The literature on the benefit of ketone supplements is mixed. Some studies have shown the supplements improve performance, but others say they have no effect or even worsen performance.

    Natural ketones fuel the brain and muscles. A ketogenic diet of very low carbs and high fat c...

    Mind-Body Effects of Qigong Might Help Ease Cancer-Related Fatigue

    When the late Brown University researcher Catherine Kerr had cancer, she benefited from an ancient Chinese practice known as qigong and began looking into its impact on others.

    Now, her colleagues are building on Kerr's work, studying how practicing qigong affects a person's perception of fatigue in...

    Depression Treatments: Medications, Lifestyle Changes & More

    Depression is a debilitating condition that can leave its millions of sufferers in despair.

    Globally, an estimated 5% of adults suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization.

    Luckily, there are a variety of depression treatments that can help manage and ease symptoms. Thes...

    Young Men Are Using Banned 'SARM' Supplements to Bulk Up, With Harmful Results

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is once again warning consumers to avoid muscle-building "supplements" that are anything but a safe alternative to steroids.

    In an advisory sent out last week, the agency said it continues to ...

    CBD for Anxiety: Can It Help?

    Anxiety disorder can make it hard to navigate life, but lately CBD has been touted as a natural treatment for the nerve-wracking condition.

    You can buy CBD almost anywhere -- gas stations, spas, farmers markets and grocery stores. It comes in many forms -- from gummies to tablets to tinctures to lozenges and patches.

    But is CBD good for anxiety?

    Here, experts share their thou...

    Natural Sleep Aids: Get to Sleep Fast Without a Prescription

    You toss, you turn, you can't fall asleep.

    Certainly, there are sleep medications that can be prescribed by a doctor. And with some investment of time, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is considered to be an effective option.

    Yet, there are also a lot of healthy s...

    Herbal Remedies & You: 6 Tips to Safeguard Your Health

    Not all prescription drugs and dietary herbal supplements work well together.

    It's important to be aware of possible drug/supplement interactions that could be harmful, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

    The ...

    Herbals, Yoga, Ginkgo: What Alternative Treatments Help Fight Heart Failure?

    It's tempting to follow the latest trend when it comes to health care, but for patients who live with heart failure, some alternative treatments could have serious consequences.

    To address the issue, the American Heart Association (AHA) has published a new scientific statement covering a wide range of alternative therapies and their impact on heart failure. It also offers guidance for he...

    Acupuncture Might Ease Back Pain During Pregnancy

    Many women experience back pain during pregnancy and a new study review suggests an ancient treatment can help.

    Acupuncture provided significant relief of lower back and pelvic pain, according to an analysis of 10 trials from various parts of the world. The findings were published Nov. 21 in BMJ Open.

    "Acupuncture significantly improved pain, functional status, and quality ...

    Is Mind-Altering Ayahuasca Safe? No, But Folks Who Try It May Not Care

    Ayahuasca, a powerful psychoactive drug derived from a South American plant, is a traditional Amazonian-based medicine and an increasingly popular hallucinogenic brew used by devotees worldwide.

    But what is the ayahuasca experience really like?

    An

  • Alan Mozes HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 17, 2022
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  • Mindfulness Program Equals Antidepressants in Easing Anxiety Disorders

    A new study harnesses the power of mindfulness to help overanxious people calm themselves -- and the benefit may equal the use of an antidepressant, according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

    Olga Cannistraro said practicing mindfulness certainly helped her. "There was something excessive about the way I responded to my environment," she explaine...

    6 'Heart-Healthy' Supplements Flop in Cholesterol Study

    Folks taking dietary supplements intended to help their heart health are just wasting their money, a new clinical trial suggests.

    Six supplements widely promoted as heart-healthy -- fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols and red yeast rice -- didn't do a thing to lower "bad"low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or improve heart health, researchers found.

    "Compared t...

    Single Dose of Psychedelic Curbs Depression, But Study Raises Concerns

    A single psychedelic trip with psilocybin -- the mind-altering component of magic mushrooms -- appears to lift the fog of major depression in some hard-to-treat patients, a new clinical trial reports.

    A 25-milligram dose of a synthetic psilocybin compound called COMP360 caused a "rapid and durable response" in more than a third of patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression, sa...

    Yoga, Mindfulness Could Be Powerful Tools to Manage Blood Sugar

    Yoga, meditation and other mindfulness practices may help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar -- nearly to the degree that standard medications like metformin do, a new analysis suggests.

    That does not mean people should swap their medication for

  • Amy Norton HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 5, 2022
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  • Sleep Experts Warn Against Giving Melatonin to Children

    Use of the over-the-counter sleep aid melatonin is increasing among young people, and calls to poison control centers and visits to the emergency room are also on the rise.

    This is mostly because young children and teens are accidentally ingesting more of the supplement than is safe, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    In response, the American Academ...

    Wife of California Congressman Died After Using Herbal Remedy for Diabetes, Weight Loss

    Lori McClintock, the wife of Northern California congressman Tom McClintock, died late last year after taking white mulberry leaf, a herb used to treat diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol, a recently released report shows.

    The cause of death listed in the report was dehydration due to

  • By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 25, 2022
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  • Need Advice on Medical Pot for Cancer Care? Don't Ask Local Dispensary

    Cancer patients who use cannabis to relieve pain and improve appetite may be getting bad advice from dispensary staff, a new study suggests.

    Doctors usually offer only spotty advice about pot to their patients and, although well-intentioned, st...

    Dietary Supplements: Are You Throwing Money Away?

    Most Americans swear by dietary supplements, with nearly 3 of 4 people taking some type of supplement on a daily basis, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll has revealed.

    But many have a mistaken belief in the effectiveness of these supplements, which for the most part don't help folks live longer or healthier live...

    Alternative Medicine Popular Among Seniors, But Most Don't Tell Their Doctors About It

    Lots of older folks are turning to alternative medicine to help them with the pains of aging -- but they don't necessarily think that's any of their doctor's business.

    About 40% of older adults use at least one alternative medicine practice to help w...

    What's in Your CBD Product?  Labels Often Mislead

    Customers buying creams, patches or lotions containing cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce pain or inflammation may get much more or much less than they expected.

    Topical CBD products are gaining popularity in the United States, and the authors of a new ...

    Mindfulness Can Help Ease Pain, and Scientists Think They Know How

    For thousands of years, people have used meditation to help diminish their pain -- but how the process works has always seemed rather mysterious.

    Today, advanced brain scan technology has revealed how this ancient practice alters brain function and provides pain relief to its practiti...

    Lots of 'THC-Free' CBD Products Contain THC: Study

    You might be getting a little unwanted something extra when you buy a CBD product at your local grocers or supplements store, a new study warns.

    About 60% of CBD products tested in the lab also contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in pot that causes intoxication, researchers report in the journal

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • June 24, 2022
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  • Acupuncture Might Ease Tension Headaches

    Tension headaches can make you feel like a vice is squeezing your entire head, and if you're among the millions prone to these crushing headaches, a new study brings some welcome news.

    Acupuncture may help prevent tension

    Vitamins, Supplements Useless for Most People: Expert Panel

    Millions of people pop vitamins and supplements every day in hopes of staving off heart disease and cancer, but a new report finds the evidence to support that strategy is largely lacking.

    While there is some research showing that a daily multivitamin may slightly reduce cancer risk, the bigger pictur...

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