A study published in British Medical Journal (BMJ) looked at 7195 permanent residents living in 60 residential aged-care facilities in Australia.
Over a two year period, they provided residents in half the facilities (30 facilities) with additional milk, yoghurt, and cheese. The residents in the remaining 30 facilities who served as controls had their usual menus.
The study found that the additional calcium in diet is beneficial.
Improving calcium and protein intakes reduced the risk of falls and fractures that commonly occur in aged care residents.
References: Effect of dietary sources of calcium and protein on hip fractures and falls in older adults in residential care: cluster randomised controlled trial BMJ 2021; 375 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2364 (Published 21 October 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;375:n2364
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
We still don’t know a lot about cancers, how they start, when they start and what keeps them going.
We already know that some of the changes seen more often in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues can help to devise anti-cancer treatments. Examples include Herceptin for Breast cancer, Olaparib for Ovarian cancer.
But there is a lot a do if we were to cure or control cancers.
A recently published study by the Cambridge team is quite exciting. It probably would lead to more similar studies and ultimately better and more effective cancer treatments.
The study analysed all the genetic material from cancers (“whole genome”) and found “genetic finger prints” in various cancers . Targeting these changes could help to diagnose and treat cancers more effectively.
A word of caution: it usually makes many years for the new discoveries to lead to better treatments. Clinical trials often take years to start, recruit and analyse results.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light
Once we come out of this COVID pandemic, everyone’s attention needs to be focused on the obesity pandemic.
During the COVID pandemic, lot of people started to focus on their physical fitness. People invested in Home Exercise equipment and in wearable technology such as Fitness monitors.
Even before this pandemic, lot of people have started using Fitness monitors.
Are they any good?
A recent study published in British Medical Journal (BMJ) looked the effectiveness of physical activity monitors.
The study authors looked at more than 120 trials involving more than 16 700 participants.
Most of studies they looked at were either European (31%) or North American (40%). Most of these studies included healthy participants (47%), although some included overweight participants (17%).
They found Fitness monitors are generally safe and help to increase physical activity.
Whether the Fitness monitors will help overweight people to lose weight permanently over long term needs further investigation.
References:
Effectiveness of physical activity monitors in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068047 (Published 26 January 2022)Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:e068047
Gov.UK. Physical activity: applying All Our Health Office for Health Improvement & Disparities Guidance. Physical activity: applying All Our Health. Updated 16 October 2019
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
The drug Baricitinib is not a brand new drug. It is normally used to treat a type of joint problem called rheumatoid arthritis. Now, this drug has been found to be very beneficial in patients suffering from severe COVID.
The drug was evaluated as part of the renowned RECOVERY trial.
RECOVERY ( Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy) trial is led by investigators in U.K.
The trial found that Baricitinib reduces the risk of death by around one fifth in patients with severe covid-19.
On the other hand, Some bad news about a drug who was thought to be promising before. Questions have been raised about the actual benefit , if any, from a previously approved drug called Molnupiravir.
Overall, at present, we have lot more drugs to tackle COVID in addition to the Vaccines.
References
BMJ. Covid-19: Anti-inflammatory treatment baricitinib reduces deaths in patients admitted to hospital, finds trial BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o573 (Published 03 March 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o573
Guardian. Arthritis drug could help save Covid patients – study Rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib can reduce risk of death from severe Covid by about a fifth Nicola Davis Science correspondent @NicolaKSDavis Thu 3 Mar 2022 18.07 GMT
BMJ. Molnupiravir’s authorisation was premature BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o443 (Published 03 March 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o443
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
The team investigated brain changes in 785 UK Biobank participants (aged 51–81).
The team compared Brain scans before COVID infection and Brain scans after infection.
They found that people with COVID subsequently had “brain shrinkage” and reduced “brain function” particularly relating to parts of brain dealing with emotions smell and long-term memory
It is not known whether these brain changes are temporary and reversible after a while or whether these changes are permanent.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, partic
Many people report that they have seen many of their friends and family and work colleagues have caught the COVID virus during the recent wave.
Why did so many vaccinated people catch the infection?
It’s because of two reasons. (1) the vaccines are not 100% effective and (2) there is substantial reduction in vaccines effectiveness over time.
A large U.K. study looked at vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease caused by the omicron and delta variants in England.
Frighteningly, No effect against the omicron variant was noted from 20 weeks after two Astra Zeneca vaccine doses, and the effectiveness of two Pfizer vaccine was only marginally better with 8.8% protection at 25 or more weeks after two Vaccine doses.
Vaccine effectiveness improved to about 65% protection at 2 to 4 weeks after a third Pfizer booster but this was not long lasting and the effectiveness decreased to about before decreasing to 44% at 10 or more weeks after Vaccination.
In summary, Vaccination with two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine provided limited protection against symptomatic disease caused by the omicron variant.
A third booster with Pfizer or Moderna vaccine substantially increased the protection, but even that protection gradually decreased over time.
This study, published in the Prestigious NEJM journal, was Funded by the U.K. Health Security Agency and hence highly reliable.
One has to hope that any new variants do not bypass the vaccine protection and cause much more severe disease than omicron!
Nature magazine. Iketani, S., Liu, L., Guo, Y. et al. Antibody evasion properties of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages. Nature (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04594-4 ( substantial loss in neutralizing activity against omicron variant)
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, partic
Yes, the COVID vaccines struggle to boost the immunity against COVID in people who have a defective or suppressed immune system.
A recent study published in BMJ looked at all relevant publications and confirms this. Cancer patients and patients who have received organ transplants are at risk of inadequate protection from the vaccines.
It is important that people who have low immunity get boosters as recommended by the guidelines ( third or fourth dose).
References
BMJ. Efficacy of covid-19 vaccines in immunocompromised patients: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068632 (Published 02 March 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:e068632
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Diclofenac is sometimes overlooked as a pain killer before people go on to stronger morphine-like prescription pain killers.
A study published in BMJ suggests that Diclofenac tablets take by mouth is effective for pain due to arthritis.
Overall, Diclofenac, taken by mouth, seem to be effective and generally safer than Opiod drugs. But caution is needed particularly in elderly people with multiple other medical problems.
Interestingly, Diclofenac Cream applied over the skin and Joints seem to be particularly effective for Knee arthritis pain.
Applying the cream also overcomes the problem of Diclofenac side effects, since very little of Diclofenac reaches other parts of the body.
The authors recommend Diclofenac Skin Cream as first line pharmacological treatment for knee osteoarthritis.
References
BMJ. Effectiveness and safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioid treatment for knee and hip osteoarthritis: network meta-analysis BMJ 2021; 375 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2321 (Published 12 October 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;375:n2321
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
They assessed the “smartness” by using an online test. The study involved 600 aerospace engineers ( rocket scientists) and 148 neurosurgeons ( brain surgeons).
This online test known as “Cognitron’s Great British Intelligence Test” measured distinct aspects of cognition, spanning planning and reasoning, working memory, attention, and emotion processing abilities.
The brain surgeons had higher scores than the rocket scientists in semantic problem solving. The rocket scientists got higher scores in mental manipulation and attention.
With many other sections of the tests, the brain surgeons and rocket scientists did not do a lot better than the general population !
The study concludes that both neurosurgeons and aerospace engineers are unnecessarily placed on a pedestal with common phrases such as “It’s not rocket science” and “It’s not brain surgery”.
This study does NOT prove the experts do not know much more than general public.
The study does NOT mean that “social media rants” and “conspiracy theories” are somehow right !
Would you let a lay person operate on your brain ?
Technical and Scientific Expertise is still valuable !
References
“It’s not rocket science” and “It’s not brain surgery”—“It’s a walk in the park”: prospective comparative study BMJ 2021; 375 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-067883 (Published 13 December 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;375:e067883
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Penninkilampi R, Eslick GD. Perineal talc use and ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology. 2018;29(1):41-49. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000000745
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is purely for information only and do check the the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you.
The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not necessarily endorsed by any organisation the author is associated with and views are not substitute for professional advice.
Most people assume that nutritional supplements are always beneficial. But it is not always the case.
Paradoxically, the people, who may need the supplements because they don’t have a healthy diet, are the often ones who do not take the supplements !
But people, who usually do not need various supplements, because they are health conscious and have a good healthy diet, are often the ones who take the supplements unnecessarily !
Sometimes Supplements can be harmful. Hence, the need for clinical trials to assess the benefits and risks of various supplements.
So it is interesting to read a trial in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) which looked at Vitamin D and marine derived omega 3 fatty acids supplements. The study looked the effect of these two supplements in preventing Autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune disease is a type of disease where body’s own immune system misfires and causes inflammation in self-tissues.
Autoimmune diseases, are often chronic conditions and cause considerable misery.
The study published in BMJ looked at Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune thyroid disease, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, and all other new onset autoimmune diseases.
This well conducted study used a dummy pill and hence the results are usually expected to be quite reliable.
About 25 800 participants were enrolled in the study and were followed up for an average of about 5 years.
This large study from United States found that vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acid supplementation taken for five years reduces the risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Practically all interventions or even non-interventions can cause harm. For example, a doctor simply encouraging a patient to drink more water or recommending bed rest can be harmful in certain medical circumstances.
Many medical harms ( side effects and complications) are certainly not due to significant clinical negligence.
But in the small minority where harm is due to clinical negligence ( albeit un-intentional ), getting compensation is not straightforward.
It is a shame that not everyone who suffers medical harm is able to seek compensation.
Patients usually have to prove medical negligence to get compensation and only a small fraction of people do have the time, money and drive to pursue a negligence claim through legal process. It seems like a jack-pot where a few win big amounts while others receive nothing.
Folic acid supplementation and the complexities of blame. BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o144 (Published 20 January 2022)Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o144
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in any way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
BMJ. Associations between statins and adverse events in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: systematic review with pairwise, network, and dose-response meta-analyses BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1537 (Published 15 July 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1537
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Vitamins are absolutely essential nutrients and vitamin deficiency causes various illness.
But a high dose of vitamin, far too much than needed by the body, is also bad.
Everything in moderation is good. Even an abundance of a good thing is bad.
It is similar to food. Lack of food would cause starvation and even death in the extreme. But too much of food causes obesity and other health problems. Same principle applies to vitamins.
A Cochrane review looked at the ability of vitamins to prevent lung cancer. The review concluded that there is “no beneficial effect of supplements for the prevention of lung cancer and lung cancer mortality in healthy people”
Worryingly, the review also found that the following:
– Vitamin A supplements increase lung cancer incidence and mortality in smokers or persons exposed to asbestos”.
– Vitamin C increases lung cancer incidence in women.
– Vitamin E increases the risk of haemorrhagic strokes.
So if you are having a healthy balanced diet, be careful with vitamin supplements.
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are not, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
The variant seems to have “changed its coat”. The scientists worry that these changes ( mutations) can make it more transmissible and potentially evade vaccines.
U.K government has put six African countries on the Red List. All flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini are being suspended now.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition. Lot of people with IBS also have Anxiety problems.
So it was not known whether anxiety by itself causes the IBS.
A recent study suggests Anxiety and IBS coexist due to genetic abnormalities. Anxiety by itself does not seem to lead to someone developing IBS.
This large U.K. study involving 53,400 cases and 433,201 controls suggests that genes that alter brain–gut interactions may be responsible for IBS.
On the other hand, the overall likelihood of an individual developing IBS due to genes passed down the family seems low.
So with IBS, lot of things about it continue to remain a mystery. How IBS starts and how it progresses is still mostly unknown. Hopefully, future research will clarify things.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Breastfeeding is best for mother and baby. But for various reasons, it is not possible to breast feed. So Infant formulas (breast milk substitutes) are widely used.
These infant formulas are often modified in the hope of making them equivalent to breast milk.
The study worryingly suggests potential harm from infant formulas supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs).
Mimicking nature doesn’t always work !
Reference
BMJ. Effect of nutritionally modified infant formula on academic performance: linkage of seven dormant randomised controlled trials to national education data BMJ 2021; 375 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-065805 (Published 11 November 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;375:e065805
BMJ. Enriched formula milks and academic performance in later childhood BMJ 2021; 375 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2661 (Published 11 November 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;375:n2661
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Two new drugs, one from Pfizer and another from Merck promise to provide a new way to fight the virus in vulnerable people.
The oral pills from Pfizer is called Paxlovid. Paxlovid is a combination of two drugs. One drug is a new antiviral drug developed by Pfizer and is called PF-07321332. Another drug is called ritonavir, and ritonavir is already being used to treat HIV/Aids.
The Merck drug is known by the brand name Lagevrio [chemical name is molnupiravir]. This drug is approved by U.K. regulators and is ready to be used in the NHS. The Pfizer drug is yet to be evaluated by authorities for approval.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
A study in the BMJ open journal reports that “Higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer”
The authors further report that “the risk of prostate cancer was reduced by nearly 1% for each extra one cup of coffee per day”
But a word of caution!
Almost every week there are newspaper reports of studies exploring associations between “various food/drink” with “various cancers/diseases” and some of them conflicting and confusing.
So conclusions of most individual studies relating to food and drink need to be taken with a dose of healthy scepticism.
Jacobsen BK , Bjelke E , Kvåle G , et al . Coffee drinking, mortality, and cancer incidence: results from a Norwegian prospective study. J Natl Cancer Inst 1986;76:823–31.pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3457969
Nomura A , Heilbrun LK , Stemmermann GN . Prospective study of coffee consumption and the risk of cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1986;76:587–90.doi:10.1093/jnci/76.4.587 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3457196
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you.
The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not necessarily endorsed by any organisation the author is associated with and the authors views are not in way intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
Yes, according to a recent U.K. study which assessed the combination of Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines.
The well designed study found the combination to be safe. The study also found “the side effects of giving both vaccines together were generally well tolerated and acceptable”
There is a worry that Flu might cause severe problems this year compared to last year.
Everyone’s attention has been focused on COVID booster and many old people have not been thinking much about their yearly Flu shots.
It is important that elderly have the flu shots this year.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
A new antiviral pill for COVID is very promising. It may be used widely to control the infection in people suffering from early stages of illness.
But the pill does NOT seem to work very well in people with severe illness.
It is important to note that “Prevention is better than cure”. That’s why using COVID vaccines to prevent the disease in first place is a better option.
COVID Vaccines will continue to play the lead role in controlling the COVID pandemic.
The antiviral pill by the made by the company Merck is likely to become the first approved oral medication effective against coronavirus. But other companies, including Pfizer, are also developing new oral antiviral medications.
Dexamethasone and other steroid pills, which can help COVID illness, do NOT have direct antiviral activity.
Overall, this antiviral pill is another promising step towards complete normality.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
At the recent ESMO congress, new data was presented showing that upfront treatment with Abiraterone helps patients liver longer.
Hormone injections plus Chemotherapy is standard of care for new diagnosed advanced prostate cancer ( doublet treatment).
A French trial ( PEACE 1) explored the use of Abiraterone in this setting. The investigators found that a “triplet treatment” of Abiraterone + Chemotherapy + Hormone injections would make people live substantially.
This is likely to become standard of care in near future.
Another U.K. trial ( STAMPEDE) assessed Abiraterone in the High risk but less advanced prostate cancer. The study found that adding Abiraterone to the other treatments can improve survival of prostate patients.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Previously, the UK vaccine expert committee (JCVI) decided that would NOT advice COVID vaccines to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds because the “direct individual benefit” to their health was only marginal.
But the Chief Medical officers have decided the other way now. The UK Government is now offering 12-15 year olds COVID vaccination and believes that this is the way out of the pandemic.
This is a very finely balanced decision. Decision seem to have been made on “public health grounds” rather than “individual” benefit.
In England, children aged 12 to 15 will be offered one dose of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine ( one dose instead of the usual two doses so as to minimise risks).
Lot of Vaccines offered for many other childhood illnesses have much greater benefit than COVID vaccines.
A nice article in Guardian by a Paediatrician discusses the benefits and risks of COVID vaccines in the 12 to 15 year olds. Boys seem to be more at risk of Heart side effects compared to Girls.
It would be difficult decision for lot of parents with healthy children.
References
Guardian. As a paediatrician, I believe it’s right to vaccinate young people aged 12 to 15 Russell Viner There are no simple solutions to Covid, but children themselves will, on balance, benefit from being vaccinated. Russell Viner is a paediatrician and professor at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Tue 14 Sep 2021 14.31 BST
BMJ. Covid-19: Vaccinating children will help end pandemic, says minister BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2254 (Published 14 September 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n2254
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Immediately after a COVID infection, people can be very sick and in some people, hospitalisation and death can occur.
Even after recovering from a COVID infection, some people can have fatigue, breathlessness, muscle ache, brain fog and other symptoms which can persist for many months. This persistence of symptoms is known as long COVID.
Previously, it was feared that a high percentage of people may go on to develop long COVID. A previous estimate suggested that as many as 1 in 10 people may develop long COVID.
Now , an ONS survey suggests that far less people may develop longer COVID. It is mow estimated that 1 in 40 people may have long COVID after recovering from a COVID infection.
BMJ. Long covid clinics should be run as research hubs. BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1996 (Published 20 August 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1996
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Can the noisy traffic outside your home increase your risk of getting dementia ?
Possibly yes.
A study from Denmark looked at “exposure to road traffic and railway noise” and “risk of dementia” in later life.
They found “traffic noise” is associated with risk of dementia.
A word of caution though!
This study does NOT conclusively prove that noise caused dementia. In science, association does not prove causation.
It is known that some people with hearing loss are more likely to develop dementia in later life.
It is possible that people with hearing loss were NOT bothered with traffic noise and carried on living in places with traffic noise.
On the other hand, people with good hearing were bothered by traffic noise and moved away from areas with traffic noise to live in a quieter area with less traffic noise.
This natural human behaviour could have affected the results of this study from Denmark
So, it may appear, at first glance, that traffic noise caused dementia. But deeper examination shows that the results of Denmark study are not conclusive and more confirmatory studies are needed.
References
Residential exposure to transportation noise in Denmark and incidence of dementia: national cohort study BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1954 (Published 09 September 2021)Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1954
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Ivermectin tablets are used in human beings to treat a disease called onchocerciasis (river blindness) and various infections caused by parasites. It is also sometimes used for “difficult-to-treat’ scabies. Ivermectin is also used as skin cream for certain skin conditions.
Ivermectin tablets are used in veterinary medicine to treat various parasitic infections.
There is genuine scientific interest in evaluating Ivermectin as a COVID treatment. But the evidence is not good enough for widespread use outside the clinical trials.
Unfortunately, there is widespread promotion of ivermectin in certain countries and there is a significant risk that people may be harmed by this promotion. (Side effects: Ivermectin data sheet).
That’s why the FDA and European regulators have advised against the use of Ivermectin outside clinical trials.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
At present, this is a difficult question to give a straightforward answer.
For most of “middle to old age” people, the benefits of COVID vaccines are far greater than potential side effects from vaccines.
On the other hand, in case of 12-15 year olds, the benefits are marginally better than risks and individual circumstances need to be taken into account.
UK’s vaccine advisory body is called JCVI. ( Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ).
JCVI on Friday declined to recommend universal vaccination of all 12-15 year olds. This is because the chances of children becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 is very small. This needs to be balanced against a tiny risk of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart in young people due to the vaccines. It is a matter of weighing up disease versus vaccine.
But, this does not mean COVID vaccines are not being given to 12-15 year olds.
USA, France, Italy, Israel and Ireland are offering vaccines to this group.
In U.K., vulnerable children with heart and lung problems, blood disorders, diabetes and various other diseases are eligible for the COVID vaccine. Children living with extremely vulnerable adults are also eligible.
BMJ news. Covid-19: JCVI opts not to recommend universal vaccination of 12-15 year olds BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2180 (Published 03 September 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n2180
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
But until recently there has been hardly any direct clinical studies comparing different vaccines.
A recent study conducted in Belgium compared the Moderna and Pfizer COVID vaccines.
The study looked at antibody responses following vaccination in Health care workers. Antibody levels were measured prior to vaccination as well as 6 to 10 weeks after the second dose.
Higher antibody levels were observed in people vaccinated with Moderna vaccine compared with those vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine.
Future research is needed to see how these differences affect the general population.
Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are based on same technology (mRNA based vaccines).
If significant differences exist between between vaccines of same technology, then it is likely that differences would exist between vaccines of different technology (eg Pfizer vs Astra Zeneca).
The public health authorities would need to decide whether booster vaccinations should be done with a different vaccine.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Heavy Industrial air pollution can be harmful to health.
Can even a mild level of air pollution be harmful to health?
Yes !
A study published in BMJ reports that “outdoor air pollution is associated with increased risk of death even at low pollution levels below the current European and North American standards and WHO guideline values”.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Compared to other adults, teachers were NOT found to be at increased risk of severe COVID or at increased risk of hospital admission with COVID-19
References
BMJ Research. Risk of hospital admission with covid-19 among teachers compared with healthcare workers and other adults of working age in Scotland, March 2020 to July 2021: population based case-control study BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n2060 (Published 02 September 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n2060
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Bladder cancer surgery is a very tough operation and not everyone is medically fit to undergo the procedure.
Radiotherapy is an excellent alternative treatment to bladder surgery.
A potentially curative course of radiotherpy typically involves daily Radiotherpy given for many weeks. Typically in U.K, the radiotherpy is given either over 4 weeks or 6.5 weeks.
The 4-week course of Radiotherpy has been recently reported to be better by eminent U.K. oncologists in a paper published in the highly esteemed Lancet Oncology.
We had some reservations and our views were published in the American Journal specialising in Radiotherpy.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Two contrasting news about COVID vaccine and disease recently.
First, a New Zealand woman dies after COVID vaccine. Death was attributed to heart inflammation caused by the vaccine.
Second, a 40 year vaccine-sceptic dies of COVID disease and sadly, leaves behind a pregnant wife.
How to interpret this information?
Remember everyday life is full of risks. Almost nothing is risk free. People balance risks and benefits everyday for most things in life. The same approach should be used for COVID vaccines.
It is understandable that some people are worried about side effects of vaccines. These concerns are REAL There is still lot unknown about long term efficacy and side effects of COVID vaccines.
If you are worried about vaccines and yet to have the vaccine, do note that the available evidence indicates that it is in your interests to have the vaccine.
If you are a vaccine sceptic, do NOT believe everything that is said on social media. Sometimes people put wrong information on social media. Sometimes people post information that is out of context.
What to do?
Ignore information that is not directly relevant to COVID vaccines.
Do NOT mix politics with Vaccines.
Beware that social media can make you paranoid about COVID vaccines.
Read official information. Available scientific evidence now indicates that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine faroutweighs the risks for vast majority of adults.
In particular, if you are above 50 years, do consider having the vaccine as a matter of urgency without further delay.
This is because in England, the Schools and Universities are going to open this month. Data from Scotland shows that COVID cases will spike after schools and Universities open.
Be selfish and do what is right for you and your family. Do not worry about “loss of face” on social media because you have changed your mind about vaccines.
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is life long bowel disease. It consists of two types of diseases. One is called Crohn’s disease and another is called ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s disease is a type of bowel disease which causes inflammation of the whole digestive tract from mouth to the end of back passage.
Ulcerative Colitis is a bowel disease which causes inflammation of the large bowel and back passage only.
What exactly causes Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis is not fully understood.
Ultra-processed food means processed meat, cold breakfast cereal, various types of sauce, soft drinks, refined sweetened foods (eg, candy, chocolate, jam, jelly, brownies, pudding), chips, ice cream, commercially prepared pastries, biscuits, fruit drinks, sweetened foods and soft drinks.
References
Association of ultra-processed food intake with risk of inflammatory bowel disease: prospective cohort study BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1554 (Published 15 July 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1554
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
People who are using their brain regularly with stimulating jobs are better off than people who are doing mind numbing jobs when it comes to dementia later in life.
So if your are not using your brain that much in your job, perhaps you need a “brain Gym” outside your work !
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
A recent British study reports that nearly a third of middle-aged adults have at least two Health issues.
This is very a depressing statistic.
Lot of people seem to suffering from high blood pressure, mental ill-health and back problems.
It’s important that people take time to look after themselves even if work and life in general is stressful.
It is also important to note that COVID affects people with underlying health issues much more badly.
On the other hand, middle aged people who have health issues should not despair. They are not an exception and think of themselves as very unlucky.
They can see that lots of other people are also suffering. They should get on with their lives and make it better.
This may sound a bit odd at first glance. But some people do find it reassuring to know that lots of other people are also suffering with same health issues.
For example, Some of prostate cancers patients are relieved when they learn that hundreds of thousands of people are out there, living for many years, after a cancer diagnosis. They are not alone.
Cancer Research U.K. website says this: “An estimated 280,500 men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1991 and 2010 were alive in the UK at the end of 2010”
BMJ. Features of 20 133 UK patients in hospital with covid-19 using the ISARIC WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol: prospective observational cohort study BMJ 2020; 369 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1985 (Published 22 May 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;369:m1985
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
Normally Vaccines that are highly effective (for various other diseases) prevent most vaccinated people from getting the infection completely.
But that does not seem to be the case with COVID vaccines.
The COVID vaccines are highly successful in preventing severe COVID, hospitalisations and deaths. But they seem to be a bit less effective in preventing people from catching mild COVID infections.
So if a vaccinated person gets a mild COVID infection, can they pass it onto others?
This is an important fact for people with vulnerable family members and friends.
If you have mild symptoms, do get tested and be extremely careful when you are with your vulnerable family members ( elderly parents, grandparents etc).
You can pass COVID to them even if you do not have much symptoms.
As vaccines lose some effectiveness over a period of time, do NOT assume that double vaccination would protect your vulnerable family members.
A recent Public Health England report indicates that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people with COVID infection are equally infectious and capable of spreading to others.
A similar report was also published from USA recently.
The end is not in sight yet. Be careful when you are with vulnerable family members !
USA. BMJ. Covid-19: Delta infections threaten herd immunity vaccine strategyBMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1933 (Published 02 August 2021)Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1933
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
According to a recent large study which analysed ‘habitual coffee consumption in 398,646 UK Biobank participants aged 37–73 years’.
The study found that “High coffee consumption was associated with smaller total brain volumes and increased odds of dementia”.
In particular, consumption of >6 cups/day was associated with 53% higher odds of dementia compared to consumption of 1–2 cups/day.
A word of caution applies to all ‘food and disease’ association reports. Almost every week there are newspaper reports of studies exploring associations between “various food/drink” with “various diseases”. Some of them are conflicting and confusing with a positive study followed by a negative study !
This study report is no different in that respect.
A previous review published in 2017 concluded that ‘Drinking Coffee was often associated with Health benefits than harm for a range of health outcomes’.
The 2017 review in particular concluded that ‘Coffee consumption reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease’.
So how to make sense of these two conflicting study reports ?
A 2021 negative report versus a 2017 positive report.
One can look for quality of studies, pedigree of authors and further confirmatory studies .
But there are no easy answers.
Everything in moderation is perhaps the most sensible thing when it comes to Food and Drink.
BMJ Minerva. Calcification in arteries . . . and other stories BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1901 (Published 05 August 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1901
BMJ. Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes BMJ 2017; 359 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j5024 (Published 22 November 2017) Cite this as: BMJ 2017;359:j5024
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
Lot of Vaccinated people do get infected and the only good news is that “the vaccines offer strong protection against severe disease”
China fights to contain a new outbreak in Wuhan now. There is a possibility of further outbreaks elsewhere as well. That can create favourable conditions for new variants to emerge .
So don’t be surprised if new variants emerge in winter and COVID is still the headline news early next year !
BMJ News Covid-19: What new variants are emerging and how are they being investigated? BMJ 2021; 372 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n158 (Published 18 January 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;372:n158
Disclaimer: Please note – This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed, in any way, by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog likely represents some of the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and MAY CHANGE overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light.
The results of this study certainly indicates that booster vaccines are needed for the winter months to prevent another wave of deaths.
References
BMJ News. Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine’s efficacy declined from 96% to 84% four months after second dose, company reports BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1920 (Published 30 July 2021)Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1920
BMJ News. Covid-19: Millions could be offered booster vaccinations from September BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1686 (Published 02 July 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1686
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
How long does covid-19 immunity last? BMJ 2021; 373 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1605 (Published 30 June 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;373:n1605
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
As the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic , there is another pandemic that been going on for decades without any end in sight.
The other pandemic is obesity !
Obesity has caused far more deaths than the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vaccines promise to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a vaccine can sort the obesity pandemic ? It does not need to be rhetorical question or wishful thinking.
An article in Science magazine reports an association between obesity and a type of body immune cell called macrophages. This raises the possibility of using immunotherapy for obesity.
There is also another tantalising possibility. Behaviours, emotions and eating wrong type of food are often blamed for obesity. What if the entire scientific thinking about obesity is wrong?
In the past, another widespread condition used to be blamed on wrong food and stress. Stomach ulcers used to be very common and very distressing. Modern stressful life, emotions and wrong type of food were universally blamed for stomach ulcers. Then an Australian team proved stomach ulcers were due to an infection. Now stomach ulcers are routinely treated by antibiotics!
Obesity is common among the disadvantaged people in society. All types of infections are common in disadvantaged people. So it is not beyond the realms of plausiblity to hypothesise (suggest) that obesity could be caused by an infectious agent that affects food intake in some way, by possibly affecting sense of taste or smell of smell or feeling of fullness after eating (satiety).
If an infectious agent (e.g bacteria, virus or prion) is indeed found to be responsible for development of obesity, then the vaccines would provide a very easy way to prevent obesity.
Please note: The science magazine article on immunotherapy is based on excellent, high quality scientific work. But the possibility of an infection being responsible for obesity is merely a scientific hypothesis or scientific suggestion. It is based on a personal hunch. It is NOT based on any direct high quality scientific data at this stage !
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
BMJ. News Analysis. Covid-19: Should we be worried about reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA vaccines? BMJ 2021; 373 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1635 (Published 24 June 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;373:n1635
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
Cancer cells can float in a person’s blood. But finding them, in the past, used to be like “looking for a needle in a haystack”.
But new smart technology promises to detect these cancer cells easily and much early before a person develops symptoms. Detection of cancer cells at an early stage may be helpful for some patients.
A Californian company called Grail has developed a blood test which seems to have a high degree of accuracy for detection of multiple cancers.
Times newspaper reports that “The NHS will begin a pilot scheme of the test with 140,000 people this year. If that is successful it will be used for millions of patients by 2025”
A word of caution though.
Just because something could be diagnosed early does not always mean that it is a good thing.
The most important thing is whether the early diagnosis can lead to better cure rates and a better quality of life.
If a test detects a cancer early but has no meaningful effect on quantity or quality of life, then it is not a good thing.
For example. Up to 80% of men have prostate cancer which can now be detected by a simple blood test called PSA. There is a good reason why we are NOT using the simple PSA test in every 80 year old.
Most 80 year old men die WITH prostate cancer rather than DUE to prostate cancer.
So why diagnose a cancer that is not causing symptoms if it is not going to make person live longer !
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is not previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are not, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
It is unlikely to become mandatory in most western countries. It almost certainly would not become mandatory in USA, where Vaccination seems to become tangled with highly divisive politics.
But it is not an impossible scenario in European countries.
Also, it does not have to a direct government policy.
If the governments change the law to allow businesses to demand vaccination proof, then indirectly vaccination becomes mandatory for most people.
Private Businesses and Travel industry may decide to make vaccination mandatory for their employees and customers so as to avoid further disruption to their business.
In countries, such as Israel and U.K., where there is already high uptake of vaccination, a change in Law may not be needed at present.
But if the present surge in infections continue, and variants emerge, Governments may change their approach.
References
BMJ. Covid-19: Turkmenistan becomes first country to make vaccination mandatory for all adults BMJ 2021; 374 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1766 (Published 12 July 2021) Cite this as: BMJ 2021;374:n1766
Disclaimer: Please note- This blog is NOT medical advice. This blog is NOT a expert medical opinion on various topics. This blog is purely for information only and do check the sources where cited. Please DO consult your own doctor to discuss concerns and options relevant to you. The views expressed in this blog represent the author’s personal views held at the time of drafting the blog and may change overtime, particularly when new evidence comes to light. The blog is NOT previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any organisation that the author is associated with. The views expressed in this blog are NOT, in way whatsoever, intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
Dr S Sundar 