Take Zinc Within 24 Hours to Treat Common Cold

Posted on April 2, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Zinc supplements are used by many people in the North American to prevent and treat common cold.  However, few large scale studies have proved its efficacy. 

A new analysis published February 16 in the Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews seemed to provide the much needed evidence.  The analysis found that zinc reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people if the person takes zinc within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. 

The researchers searched multiple databases and reviewed all the clinical trials that looked at the efficacy of zinc to prevent and treat common cold.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Others | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Take Zinc Within 24 Hours to Treat Common Cold

How to Prevent Common Cancers?

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

The incidence and burden of cancer is huge.  Nearly 12.7 million of people are diagnosed of cancer every day and 7.6 million die from cancer.  The global cancer epidemic is set to continue rising, with the number of worldwide cancer cases expected to double over the next 20-40 years. 

A new report, published American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCF) by indicated that about a third of some of the most common forms of cancer could be prevented through healthy diet, physical fitness and limiting alcohol intake.  

The reported indicated that by adopting a healthy lifestyle, 38 percent of breast cancers, 47% of stomach cancers and 45% of colon cancer can be prevented. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Breast cancer, Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Renal Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Docetaxel (Taxotere) is Effective in Heavily Pretreated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

It is well-established that nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a chemo-responsive disease.  Despite improved outcome with chemo-radiation (platimum-based chemotherapy with radiation), treatment failure continue to be a problem in patients with locally advanced Stage III/IV disease. 

Now, a new study published in the Annals of Oncology suggested that nasopharyngeal cancer patients who have failed platinum-based chemotherapy (such as oxaliplatin-Eloxatin) have another treatment option. 

Thirty patients with confirmed metastatic or recurrent NPC who have failed at least one line of palliative chemotherapy regimen were given weekly docetaxel every 28 days and were evaluated for responses. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Nasopharyngeal Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Docetaxel (Taxotere) is Effective in Heavily Pretreated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Alcohol Drinking and Colorectal Cancer

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Alcohol consumption is one of the most important known risk factors for human cancers and potentially one of the largest avoidable factors.  It has been estimated that 5.2% of all cancers in men and 1.7% of all cancers in women in 2002 were attributable to alcohol drinking worldwide in 2002.  Intake of alcohol is causally related to cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, female breast and colorectum.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that alcohol consumption is related to colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is unclear what level of alcohol consumption constitutes an increase risk of developing colorectal cancer. 

A study published in the Annals of Oncology addressed this question by looking at prior studies that evaluated the relationship between frequency of alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Colorectal cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Alcohol Drinking and Colorectal Cancer

Dietary Pattern and Breast Cancer

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Evidence is mounting that healthy dietary patterns might be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. 

Using data from prospective Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study that involved 20,967 women and followed for 14.1 years, researchers analyzed 124 foods and beverages to identify dietary patterns and estimated their association with breast cancer risk and by tumor type. 

Researchers found that high consumption of fruit and salad was associated with a reduced risk with breast cancer. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Breast cancer, Cancer | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Dietary Pattern and Breast Cancer

Optimistic Resulted in Better Outcomes in Heart Disease Patients

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

We always say that a person’s beliefs about their disease have an impact on recovery, but few studies have showed positive emotions or optimisms can result in better outcomes. 

Now a study published in the February issue of Arch intern Med showed that optimistic patients do indeed liver longer. 

The investigators asked 2,818 patients (mean age, 62 years) with significant obstructive coronary artery disease who had just undergone coronary angiography about their expectations for recovery while patients were still in the hospital.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Cardiovascular disease, Heart failure | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Optimistic Resulted in Better Outcomes in Heart Disease Patients

Male Pattern Baldness – An Early Sign for Prostate Cancer?

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is a common disorder affecting almost 50% of men throughout their lifetime.  

Androgenic alopecia is caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens, which causes the hair follicles to shrink. This shortens their lifespan and prevents the scalp from producing hair normally. 

Androgens have also been shown to play a role in the development of prostate cancer.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Prostate cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fish Oil Prevents Weight and Muscle Loss in Cancer Patients

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Cancer patients who are taking chemotherapy are always worried about muscle wasting (cachexia) and weight loss.  Now, a small study suggests that supplementation with fish oil might prevent muscle wasting (cachexia) and weight loss. 

In the study, investigators randomized 40 newly diagnose NSCLC patients to receive either fish oil (EPA 2.2 g/day) or standard care (no intervention; n=24) while undergoing first-line chemotherapy for 10 weeks. 

The investigator found that about 69% of the patients who took fish oil gained or maintained muscle mass. In comparison, only 29% of patients in the control group maintained muscle mass.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Medicine, Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fish Oil Prevents Weight and Muscle Loss in Cancer Patients

Effects of Linzhi on the Immune Functions in patients with Advanced Cancer

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

Preclinical studies have established that Linzhi or Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLPS) fractions have potent immuno-stimulating effects and anti-tumor activity.   However, it is unclear whether these effects also appear in humans in vivo.  

A study published in the Journal of Immunological Investigations indicated that GLPS extracted from Lingzhi could increase the immune function of advance-stage cancer patients.  

Thirty-four patients with advanced- stage cancer were given the 1800mg of GLPS (Ganopoly), three times daily orally before meals for 12 weeks.  After 12 weeks of treatment, patients were assessed on their immune function.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Effects of Linzhi on the Immune Functions in patients with Advanced Cancer

The Who, When, How to Take and Store PRADAXA (dabigatran)

Posted on March 6, 2011 by wngai
Print pagePDF pageEmail page

What is PRADAXA?
PRADAXA is a medicine used to prevent stroke and blood clots in people who have a atrial fibrillation. 

How to take PRADAXA?

  • PRADAXA should be taken orally, twice daily, with or without food. 
  • Swallow PRADAXA capsules whole. Do not break, chew, or empty the pellets from the capsule.
  • If you miss a dose of PRADAXA, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses of PRADAXA at the same time.

Who should not take PRADAXA?

If you have the following problems, you might not be suitable to take PRADAXA.  Tell you doctors if you: 

  • have types of abnormal bleeding
  • have kidney problems
  • have liver problems
  • history of serious reaction to PRADAXA
  • have ever had bleeding problems
  • are taking other medication (aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), heparin, clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), ketoconazole, cyclosporine, itraconazole and tacrolimus) that might increase your risk of bleeding
  • have ever had stomach ulcers
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PRADAXA will harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PRADAXA passes into your
  • breast milk.
  • Are going to have surgery or dental procedure 

Continue reading →

Posted in Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular disease, Stroke | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Who, When, How to Take and Store PRADAXA (dabigatran)