Immune System

According to research appearing in the October, 2006 issue of the American Journal of Medicine (2006;119;937-942),  post-menopausal women who exercised regularly for at least one year had a lower incidence of colds than those who did not. The subjects were 115 postmenopausal women who were sedentary and either obese or overweight. They were divided into […]

The practice adds to our medical costs According to research published in the journal, Pediatrics (2003;111:231-236), 1,600,000 people visited the emergency room in 1988 for treatment of the common cold. Colds are caused by viruses, and will get better on their own without medical care. In spite of that, a survey of nearly 200 families

In a double-blind, placebo controlled study, appearing in the journal Pediatrics, (May 2003;111(5):e574-e579), the efficacy of herbal ear drops were tested in 171 children with ear pain due to middle ear infection. The children were between the ages of five and 18. They were given herbal ear drops (five drops, three times daily) containing allium

A study of HIV infected women in Tanzaniashows that a taking a multivitamin daily may slow the progression of HIV. This is the result from research performed by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Muhimbili University College of Health Services in Dar es Salaam. The study results appear in the July 1, 2004issue

According to research published in the British Medical Journal (February 10, 2001; 322: 336-342),waiting a few days to see whether symptoms of an ear infection improve before beginning a course of antibiotics appears to be a practical way to reduce the use of antibiotics. This may help prevent the overuse of the drugs, and thus

According to research appearing in the British journal, Epidemiology and Infection (2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40), there may be a connection between the flu and vitamin D deficiency. The article cites R. Edgar Hope-Simpson, who noticed the seasonality of influenza epidemics, and the possible relation to solar radiation. The researchers propose that the seasonal connection between vitamin D

When antibiotics were developed in the middle of the 20th century, they were hailed as “miracle drugs”. Life-threatening infections were suddenly able to be brought quickly under control. In the period of time that ensued, antibiotics were overused. They were used for the common cold and for viral infection. While it is desirable to get

Fatigue and Body Pain may be Linked to Chronic Sinusitis Research published in Archives of Internal Medicine (2003;163:1832-1836.) and performed by scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center, shows a link between fatigue, unexplained pain and chronic sinusitis. A study conducted at Harvard had shown that fatigue and pain scores of sinusitis patients were similar or

A meta analysis of the use of Echinacea for upper respiratory tract infections appeared in Pharmacotherapy[20(6):690-697]. The reviewers looked at studies found in the Medline data base. For the most part, the reviewers were critical of the methodology of the studies—they were all flawed in some way. However, they did conclude that some evidence exists

According to the British Medical Journal, (February 17, 2001; 322: 390-395) it is a good thing when a baby gets a cold. Colds and minor infections seem to help the immune system to develop and help to prevent asthma and allergies latter in life. The finding supports a theory that an immune system that has