British Medical Journal health news articles

Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis
Giving antibiotics to patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a safe and viable alternative to surgery, say experts in a study published in BMJ.

HPV vaccine reduces subsequent cervical disease in women
HPV vaccination does not reduce progression to cervical disease in women, but vaccinated women had less frequent subsequent cervical disease. Women who are diagnosed with pre-cancerous cervical conditions after receiving the HPV vaccine can still benefit from a considerably reduced risk of reoccurring disease.

Regular pap tests boost chances of cure from cervical cancer
Women who undergo Pap tests have higher survival rates of cervical cancer. Women can boost their chances of surviving cervical cancer substantially through regular cervical screening, claims a research paper published in BMJ.

Specific antipsychotic drugs increase risk in elderly dementia patients
Nursing home residents over the age of 65 who take certain antipsychotic medication for dementia are at an increased risk of death, suggests a research paper published in BMJ. Haloperidol had double the risk of mortality amongst other drugs for the condition, say researchers.

Heartburn and acid reflex medicines increase hip fracture risk
Post-menopausal women are 35% more likely to suffer hip fracture if they take indigestion drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a figure which increases to 50% if they are also current or former smokers.

Antidepressants use in pregnancy may risk newborn with high blood pressure
Use of anti-depressants during pregnancy is risky for new borns to have persistent pulmonary hypertension - high blood pressure in the lungs, revealed by researchers.

Surgeons age linked to safe health care
Surgeons aged between 35 and 50 years provide the safest care compared with their younger or older colleagues. The findings raise concerns about ongoing training and motivation of surgeons during their careers.

Memory, mental aging, cognitive decline can begin as early as age 45
The brain's capacity for memory, reasoning and comprehension skills (cognitive function) can start to deteriorate from age 45. But, previous research suggests that cognitive decline does not begin before the age of 60, but this view is not universally accepted.

Low risk pregnant women can opt for home birth
A new study reveals that women with low risk pregnancies should be able to choose where they give birth. Although it shows that first-time mums who opt for a home birth are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes, the overall risk is low in all birth settings.

High fiber diet reduces colorectal cancer risk
Eating a diet high in fibre, particularly from cereal and whole grains, is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. Intake of dietary fibre and whole grains is known to help protect against cardiovascular disease, but its association with colorectal cancer risk is less clear. And, although the idea that dietary fibre reduces the risk of colorectal cancer has been around for nearly 40 years.

Polycystic ovary syndrome linked to pregnancy complications
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to have problems with pregnancy regardless of whether they are undergoing fertility treatment, claims new research published on bmj.com today.

Vitamin A supplements can save children
Researchers have strongly recommended vitamin A supplementation for children under 5 in areas at risk of vitamin A deficiency. Children in low and middle income countries should be given vitamin A supplements to prevent death and illness, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.

Unplanned babies are slower to develop
Children born after unplanned pregnancies tend to have a more limited vocabulary and poorer non-verbal and spatial abilities; however this is almost entirely explained by their disadvantaged circumstances, according to a new study. The same study reported no adverse effects of infertility treatment on the children.

Fast food customers cut calories after US food labeling system
Around a sixth of fast food customers used calorie information and, on average, bought food with lower calories since the introduction of a labelling system in the US, says a new study published.

Children who sleep less are more likely to be overweight
Young children who do not get enough sleep are at increased risk of becoming overweight, even after taking account of lifestyle factors, finds a study published on bmj. Sleep is an important determinant of future body composition in young children. Researchers recommend that appropriate sleep habits should be encouraged in all children as a public health measure, and call for more studies to determine whether more sleep or better sleeping patterns impact favourably on body weight and other health outcomes.

Increasing daily calcium will not reduce fracture risk in later life
While moderate amounts of calcium (around 700 mg a day) are vital for maintaining healthy bones, there is no need to start increasing calcium intake in order to reduce the risk of fractures or osteoporosis in later life, finds a paper published in bmj.

Tai chi helps improve mental health and prevent falls in elderly
T'ai chi has particular health benefits for older people, including helping to prevent falls and improving mental wellbeing, reveals a review published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Distressed young drivers take risks on road
Young adults who take risks when driving are more likely to experience psychological distress, including mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, reveals research published ahead of print in Injury Prevention.

Thyroid drug Levothyroxine linked to fractures in older adults
Many older adults may be taking "excessive" doses of drugs for thyroid problems which can lead to an increased risk of fractures, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

Heart attacks are more serious if they occur at certain times of the day
People who have a heart attack are likely to be more seriously affected if the attack happens in the morning, reveals research published ahead of print in Heart journal.

Risk of blood clots from oral contraceptive pill
Researchers revealed that the combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone carries a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than do formulations containing levonorgestrel.

Infants with persistent crying likely to have behavior problems in childhood
Infants who have problems with persistent crying, sleeping and/or feeding - known as regulatory problems - are far more likely to become children with significant behavioural problems, reveals research published ahead of print in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Diabetes drug rosiglitazone linked to heart problems
A new study published on bmj adds to mounting evidence that rosiglitazone - a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes - is associated with an increased risk of major heart problems.

Walking 3000 steps every day reduces diabetes risk
Simply taking more steps every day not only helps ward off obesity but also reduces the risk of diabetes, finds a study published in BMJ UK.

Doctors on Facebook may be compromising doctor patient relationship
Doctors with a profile on the social networking site Facebook may be compromising the doctor-patient relationship, because they don't deploy sufficient privacy settings, indicates research published online in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

Recurrent miscarriage raises heart attack risk
Recurrent miscarriage increases a woman's chance of having a heart attack fivefold in later life, indicates research published online in the journal Heart.

Binge drinking may increase heart disease risk
Belfast's binge drinking culture could be behind the country's high rates of heart disease, according to a paper published on bmj.com today.

Having severe acne may increase depression and suicide risk
Individuals who suffer from severe acne are at an increased risk of attempting suicide, revealed by researchers in a paper published in BMJ.

Exercise reduces frequency and severity of colds
People who are physically fit and active have fewer and milder colds, indicates research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Mandatory curbs on food salt content 20 times effective
Imposing statutory limits on the salt content of processed foods could be 20 times more effective than voluntary curbs by industry, finds research published online in the journal Heart.

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