Healthwise    October 2010  

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 127.

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 127

BETTER USE FOR BETA BLOCKERS

Beta blockers are a common medication for blood pressure and certain heart problems. Now recent research has shown that they can slow down the spread of breast cancer and may also fight other forms of cancer.

A study at the Nottingham University Hospital is planning on undertaking further research after their initial study showed that women taking beta blockers were 57% less likely than other sufferers to see their cancer spread.

BENEFITS FROM SALTY WATER

The condition of “frozen shoulder”, when a shoulder cannot be used properly due to pain or injury, may be eased by an injection of salty water and steroids.

The condition affects up to three million people in the UK. The new procedure, developed by doctors at a Toronto hospital in Canada, is known as hydrodilation. A long acting anaesthetic and steroid is first injected into the joint, then a saline solution is injected to stretch the joint from the inside to improve movement.

So far, results show 94% of people in the trial benefitted from the treatment.

OLIVE OIL – SOMETHING TO GET YOUR TEETH INTO!

Olive oil mouthwashes are the latest in new developments to help protect our teeth.

Researchers in Switzerland say olive oil has an antioxidant effect that helps to mop up damaging free radicals. They are not recommending it is used on its own but are working on developing a mouthwash that will incorporate olive oil in a diluted form with other beneficial ingredients.

DON’T MIX YOUR MEDICATIONS

Many people take aspirin and also ibuprofen at the same time, assuming they have different effects and will bring increased benefits and relief against pain.

Now the British Society of Gastroenterology has confirmed that these popular medicines should never be taken together as they can actually cancel each other’s beneficial properties.

When taken together, they compete for the same enzyme in the blood platelets and can prevent each other from having proper effect.

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

Cancer gene identified
Scientists in Scotland have found a gene that helps spread breast cancer around the body

Dangers of weekend admittance
Patients are more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital at the weekend than during the week

Hearing drop
Roller coasters and fast funfair rides can damage the eardrums

More good news about red wine
Now an ingredient of red wine has been identified as a "wonder drug"

Barking up a good line of research
Bark from the pine tree is being tested as a treatment for heart failure