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07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

Rheumatic Disease Research: News You Can Use From EULAR 2022

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On June 1–4, EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) held its annual congress to present the latest developments in rheumatology care. Held both virtually and on-site in Copenhagen, EULAR presented panels focused on advancements and discoveries about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).“The EULAR Congress is comprised of an extensive network of innovative minds working toward illustrating the latest scientific breakthroughs in clinical, translational, and basic sciences, discussing what is new in dedicated sessions, presenting data on how to treat rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, giving view to the transfer of results from bench to bedside, showing the practical aspects of our specialty in specific workshop discussions, offering debates, and, in essence, displaying the future of rheumatology,” said Dr. Annamaria Iagnocco, MD, EULAR's president, in her opening…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

‘Nordic’ Walking Improves Mobility in Heart Disease Patients

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Modified ski poles designed for walking on sidewalks, not schussing down snowy mountains, may be a great way for heart disease patients improve their mobility and their ability to manage routine daily tasks.Exercise has many well-established heart benefits, including lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. For heart disease patients, regular exercise can also help improve blood flow, prevent heart attacks, and promote what’s known as cardiorespiratory fitness — or how easily the circulatory system supplies muscles with oxygen.What’s less clear, however, is the exact type of exercise that can best help heart disease patients improve their functional mobility so it’s easier for them to navigate daily life.How the Study Was ConductedFor a recent study, researchers set out to answer this question by testing…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

Flu Vaccine Tied to Lower Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

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A flu vaccine may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease among older adults, even if they don’t get inoculated annually, a new study suggests.The study focused on 1.87 million adults age 65 and older who had no history of dementia. Half received at least one flu vaccine over a four-year period, and half did not. During the study period, those who received the vaccine were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.“We found that flu vaccination in older adults reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease for several years,” said the lead study author Avram Bukhbinder, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, in a statement.Researchers also found that the protective effect of inoculations appeared to increase in step with the total number of annual flu shots people…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

9 Essential Safety Tips for Fireworks Season

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Although we all know it’s not safe to play with fire, many of us can’t resist the appeal of setting off fireworks and sparklers at our family celebrations around the Fourth of July.Almost two-thirds of parents of school-age children have fireworks at family celebrations, and so do roughly two in five parents of toddlers and preschoolers, according to a C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health conducted in 2022.There are plenty of good reasons we should leave fireworks to the professionals. Fireworks-related injuries and deaths have surged in recent years, sending about 15,600 people to the emergency room and causing 18 deaths in 2020 alone, according to a draft annual report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).Two-thirds of the injuries and deaths happened in the month around July…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

What the Loss of Abortion Rights Could Mean for LGBTQ+ Healthcare and Civil Liberties

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Everyday Health spoke to Wayne Turner, a senior attorney in the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), to discuss what’s at stake for LGBTQ+ healthcare and civil liberties following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Turner is a long-time advocate for consumer health protections. Prior to his legal career, Turner was a cofounder of ACT UP (Aids Coalition to Unleash Power) in Washington, DC, a group that advanced research and policy to support people living with HIV/AIDS.Everyday Health: What does the overturning of Roe mean for LGBTQ+ healthcare, especially with an eye toward trans healthcare and HIV care?Wayne Turner: Certainly, the court striking down Roe has invalidated or is putting into question the other decisions that recognized the right to bodily autonomy, the right to medical decision-making, and the right to…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

Why ‘Healthy Coke’ Isn’t Good for You — Plus 7 Sparkling Water Combos That Are

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When an influencer on TikTok claimed to have a healthier alternative to Coke, the internet was all ears. Amanda Jones has racked up 6.4 million views since she disclosed the recipe to her fans on the video-sharing social media site on June 6.“You're going to think I’m insane," she says while mixing up the drink, a combination of balsamic vinegar, guava-flavored La Croix seltzer, and ice. “I swear to God it tastes like a Coke, and it's healthy and good for you,” she adds.Those statements have been hotly debated, however. In the wake of Jones’ viral video, plenty of people have tried the drink combo with less than rave reviews. But even if it doesn’t taste exactly like cola, is this combo actually good for you? Nutrition experts weigh in,…

07Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

FDA Finds Viagra and Cialis in Some Honey-Based Products

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It’s time to check your honey.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found unlisted traces of tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra) in multiple honey-based consumer products. The agency issued warnings to four companies for adding the prescription erectile dysfunction drugs to honey supplements intended for sexual enhancement. Selling products marketed as food with active drug ingredients is against federal law.“These undeclared ingredients may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels,” said the FDA in a press release.People with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol often take nitrates to treat their conditions. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) issued a joint statement advising that patients taking nitrates shouldn’t be given…

06Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

FDA Approves New Treatment for People With Plaque Psoriasis

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zoryve (roflumilast) cream 0.3 percent for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, including intertriginous areas (where skin rubs against other skin) in people 12 years of age and older, according to a press release issued by Arcutis, the manufacturer of the drug. Once-daily Zoryve is the first and only approved topical phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, the first and only FDA-approved steroid-free cream in its class.PDE4 inhibitors suppress the immune system by reducing the action of an overactive enzyme (phosphodiesterase 4), thereby reducing inflammation.“It is always great to have another topical option to treat psoriasis, so this approval is exciting,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. Zoryve will be a good choice for those patients who prefer…

06Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

Childhood Abuse Can Lead to Physical and Mental Problems Decades Later

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Childhood abuse can cast a long shadow. Young victims of physical abuse are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety in later life, and are more likely to develop diabetes, cancer, migraines, arthritis, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study in the September 2022 issue of Aging and Health Research.This latest research contributes to an already well-established body of evidence, per the U.S. Children's Bureau, demonstrating that childhood maltreatment can lead to a multitude of long-term physical and behavioral consequences.“Sadly, our findings suggest that the traumatic experience of childhood physical abuse can influence both physical and mental health many decades later,” said the lead study author, Anna Buhrmann, a research assistant at the Institute of Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto…

06Mar 2023 by Janice Holland

Banana Boat Sunscreen Recalled for Traces of a Carcinogen

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The parent company of Banana Boat issued a voluntary nationwide recall of a popular sunscreen on Friday, July 29. Traces of the carcinogen benzene were found in three lots of Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 during an internal audit, according to Edgewell Personal Care, which owns the Banana Boat brand.The company said that while benzene is not an ingredient in any of its products, the chemical was discovered in the propellant that sprays the product from the can.What Is Benzene?According to the CDC, the chemical benzene is found in oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke, as well as naturally formed in forest fires and volcanoes. Long-term exposure to benzene in the air can cause cancer in humans, according to the agency.An independent health assessment says exposure to…