Healthwise    July 2010  

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 124.

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'More Healthwise' 

NEWS AND VIEWS
FROM THE WORLD OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH

We should all be delighted at the advances now being made by scientists, researchers and the medical profession. For 2010 we will continue to highlight some of the latest developments in health and medicine. 

Healthwise 124

New hope for cancer sufferers

Trials at London’s Institute of Cancer Research have shown that a new drug Reolysin magnifies the effects of radiotherapy with quite dramatic results.

Reolysis is based on a harmless virus which is carried by most humans but not associated with any disease. The new tests showed tumours shrinking or prevented from growing further after the patients were injected with reovirus and then treated with radiotherapy. One patient had a large tumour in a salivary gland shrunk enough for it to be surgically removed and another who was close to death with a serious form of skin cancer was still alive 17 months after starting treatment.

Researchers are now looking at the effects of the treatment on newly-diagnosed cancers. It will be some years before reolysin will be commercially available.

Magnificent magnesium!

Magnesium supplements have been shown to help with migraines.

Magnesium is critical to many bodily functions including heart, bones and muscles. It helps regulate blood-sugar levels, a common migraine trigger, and also affects the production and regulation of serotonin.

Recent research indicates people who suffer migraines may have lower magnesium levels than normal, and increasing magnesium intake may help to prevent migraines. However, people with health problems and especially kidney problems should talk to their doctors before buying magnesium supplements.

Support stockings to combat DVT

Warnings have been issued for people to buy support stockings to counteract DVT in the correct size for their legs.

Air travellers especially are most at risk from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and recommendations are to move around as much as possible on a long flight and also to wear support stockings.

However, these compression stockings come in different sizes and it is important to measure the circumference of your calf at the widest point and also the length of your leg from heel to knee and to purchase the stocking in the correct size. Support stockings usually come in around eight different sizes.

Treatment prolongs life of prostate cancer sufferers

A new medicine has been developed that can prolong the life of people suffering from advanced prostate cancer by around four months, one month longer than chemotherapy.

The treatment, Provenge, has been fully tested and works by encouraging the body’s immune system to fight tumours. It is now available for patients in America but it is not yet available in the UK.

Theme park rides can damage hearing

For grandparents taking youngsters to theme parks, be aware of the roller coasters. Research from the Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan have round that today’s fast rides can cause damage to the ear drums.

The speed of suddenly dropping can bring on barotraumas, a condition that can lead to hearing loss. The damage can be particularly acute if the head is turned to one side during the drop. Barotrauma is a temporary condition and hearing should be restored some hours later.

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION

They're nuts!
If you want to lower your cholesterol level eat nuts

Hope for cancer sufferers
Promising ongoing trials are being carried out at the London Institute of Cancer Research

Even more benefits from that cuppa
Green tea is already hailed as a top health drink and now it seems, there are even more benefits to it..

Helpful purple grapes
Further evidence of the benefits of drinking purple grape juice