British Medical Journal health news articles
HPV vaccine's hypersensitivity reactions are rareHypersensitivity reactions to the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV, Gardasil) are uncommon and most schoolgirls can tolerate subsequent doses, finds the first evaluation of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine published on bmj.com.
Whooping cough booster for parents of newbornsA booster vaccination for parents of new babies and other household members may be the most effective way of preventing the fatal form of whooping cough in young infants, say a group of paediatric intensive care doctors on bmj.com today.
Fiber, antispasmodics and peppermint oil to treat IBSFibre, antispasmodics and peppermint oil are all effective therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and should become first-line treatments, according to a study on bmj.com.
Eating fast may make you overweight and obeseThe combination of eating quickly and eating until full trebles the risk of being overweight, according to a study published on bmj.com - site of British Medical Journal, UK.
Sickness absence can predict employee mortalityMajor diagnoses for medically certified absences were associated with increased mortality, with the exception of musculoskeletal disease. Data on sickness absence diagnoses may provide useful information to identify groups with increased health risk and a need for targeted interventions.
Antipsychotic drugs increase stroke riskAll antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of stroke, and the risk might be higher in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics than those receiving typical antipsychotics.
Alexander technique offers long-term relief for back painAlexander technique lessons in combination with an exercise programme offer long-term effective treatment for chronic back pain, according to a study published on BMJ.com.
Poor coordination in childhood linked to obesity in later lifePoor physical control and coordination in childhood are linked to an increased risk of obesity in later life, suggests a study published on BMJ.com today.
Malaria cases rising in UKOver the past 20 years, cases of imported falciparum malaria in the UK have significantly increased due to rise in the numbers of UK residents travelling to malaria endemic areas, combined with a failure to use prevention measures.
Heart screening for athletes would save livesHeart screening for athletes before competition should be mandatory. The findings show that a pre-participation screening programme, which involves checking the activity of the heart during exercise, would detect more athletes at risk of sudden cardiac death and save lives, say the authors.
Non earlobe body piercing raises complicationsOne in ten adults in England have had a piercing somewhere other than their ear lobe, with a quarter experiencing complications, and one in 100 piercings resulting in a hospital admission.
Mediterranean diet reduces type 2 diabetes riskPeople who follows mediterranean diet, are having less risk to suffering from type 2 disease, revealed by researchers. The Mediterreanean diet is rich in olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish, but low in meat, dairy products and alcohol. The study published on bmj.com.
Oral HRT doubles risk of blood clotsHormone replacement therapy (HRT) given in skin patches may cause fewer blood clots than HRT given orally, revealed by researchers in British Medical Journal, UK. Women who take the oral form of HRT more than double their risk of developing a blood clot.
Drug resistant tuberculosis rising in UKThe incidence of tuberculosis in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been on the increase with more than 8000 cases reported in 2006. In addition, resistance to antituberculosis drugs has been increasing globally.
Genotyping DNA may reduce unnecessary treatment for blood disorder in pregnancyA new test for identifying a mismatch between the blood of a pregnant woman and her baby is accurate, feasible, and could substantially reduce unnecessary treatment, finds a study published on bmj.com.
Parents contribute to breech delivery in offspringA baby is twice as likely to be born bottom first if either or both the parents were themselves breech deliveries, according to a study published ahead of print on bmj.com. The results suggest genes are a contributing factor.
Acupuncture during IVF improves pregnancy chancesAcupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation cycle (IVF), revealed by US researchers. Acupuncture given within one day of IVF proved beneficial.
Vitamin B12, folate deficiency raises dementia riskFolate deficiency is associated with a tripling in the risk of developing dementia among elderly people, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
Sugary soft drinks linked to gout in menConsumption of sugar sweetened soft drinks and fructose is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout in men. Gout is a joint disease which causes extreme pain and swelling. It is most common in men aged 40 and older. It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood (hyperuricaemia) which leads to uric acid crystals collecting around the joints.
Climate change a threat to human healthClimate change will have a huge impact on human health and bold environmental policy decisions are needed now to protect the world's population, according to the author of an article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Aspirin resistance increases heart attack, stroke riskBeing resistant to aspirin makes patients four times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or even die from a pre-existing heart condition, according to a study published in British Medical Journal, UK. The study relates to patients who are prescribed aspirin long term as a way of preventing clots from forming in the blood.
Calcium supplements may increase heart attacks in postmenopausal womenCalcium is an important component of bone, and a sufficient intake of calcium is needed for bone homoeostasis. Calcium supplements can reduce the risk of fractures in elderly women, but high calcium intakes or calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in healthy postmenopausal women.
Weight loss caused by chewing gum - BMJSevere weight loss was detected in patients due to chronic diarrhea after eating chewing gum and sweets because of excess sorbitol intake, a widely used sweetener in "sugar-free" products. Sorbitol has laxative properties and is poorly absorbed by the small intestine.
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