British health officials warn of additional burden on healthcare services over the holiday season as it is predicted that the coronavirus vaccines will have little effect on reducing hospital admissions over the next three months. In a letter sent Nov. 4 to the U.K.’s healthcare staff, chief medical officers for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland said that the effects of … Continue reading UK officials warn vaccination will do little to reduce winter coronavirus cases
UK begins mass vaccination program with Pfizer, starting with the elderly and healthcare workers
On Dec. 8, 2020, the United Kingdom became the first country in the West to begin its distribution of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, beginning with a 90-year-old woman, whose injection was aired on the country’s major news stations. The first dose was given less than a week after British authorities granted an emergency-use authorization for the two-dose vaccine developed … Continue reading UK begins mass vaccination program with Pfizer, starting with the elderly and healthcare workers
Doctors warn side effects from COVID-19 vaccine “won’t be a walk in the park”
Fevers, sweats, migraines and muscle aches that last for days – these are just some of the symptoms reported by various ‘Phase 3’ trial participants who volunteered for the vaccine trials run by Pfizer, Moderna and others. Though AstraZeneca noted in its preliminary results that its vaccine (which uses the more traditional adenovirus vector) seemed to produce … Continue reading Doctors warn side effects from COVID-19 vaccine “won’t be a walk in the park”
Study: Taking common drugs linked to impaired microbiome health and increased risk of obesity and intestinal infections
Researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen and Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands have found that 18 common drug categories can negatively impact the gut microbiome, the total population of microbes present in the gut and their collective genetic material. Many of these drugs, such as the diabetes drug metformin and the antidepressant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can disrupt … Continue reading Study: Taking common drugs linked to impaired microbiome health and increased risk of obesity and intestinal infections
Researchers develop coronavirus vaccine that is INHALED through the nose or mouth… be careful where you BREATHE
Vaccine researchers are studying the effectiveness of a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine that can be delivered intranasally (through the nose) or through the mouth. The researchers said there is evidence that this type of vaccine can better protect people against the virus. They also believe that a nasal or inhaled vaccine will be easier to distribute around the world. Most … Continue reading Researchers develop coronavirus vaccine that is INHALED through the nose or mouth… be careful where you BREATHE
Study: Doctors are PRESSURED to recommend opioids when asked much later in the day
Numerous factors influence the opioid crisis in healthcare, including the lack of holistic treatments for pain relief in mainstream medicine. But the authors of a recent article on opioid use found another startling factor that might be adding to the opioid crisis: the increasing rate of opioid prescribing. Hannah Neprash, an assistant professor at the University … Continue reading Study: Doctors are PRESSURED to recommend opioids when asked much later in the day
Drugs can turn your gut microbiome against you – and even kill you
People respond differently to medical treatments. Certain medications may be effective for some, while others may find that they need large doses to see some improvements. But increasing the quantity of a certain drug you’re taking may lead to serious consequences, like in the case of the Parkinson’s drug, levodopa (L-dopa). Gut microbes and L-dopa L-dopa is a replacement … Continue reading Drugs can turn your gut microbiome against you – and even kill you
Study: Over-the-counter drugs can increase your risk of developing dementia
Anticholinergic drugs are prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of conditions. These range from inflammatory lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea and brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine, which serves as the chief neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system. This part … Continue reading Study: Over-the-counter drugs can increase your risk of developing dementia
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria may be hiding in some leafy greens, warn researchers
A study presented at the American Society for Microbiology conference has warned that plant foods can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or superbugs. In particular, hard-to-wash vegetables such as lettuce may be hiding these microorganisms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20 percent of the two million annual superbug infections are linked to agriculture. However, this estimate only accounts for … Continue reading Antibiotic-resistant bacteria may be hiding in some leafy greens, warn researchers
Do antidepressants really work? Danish study says otherwise
It remains unclear whether antidepressants are an effective treatment for depression in adults, according to a recent review. Published in BMJ Open, it revealed that previous clinical trials and existing studies do not provide conclusive evidence that antidepressants can treat symptoms of depression better than alternative treatments. Depression: Types, symptoms and causes Depression is one of the most common … Continue reading Do antidepressants really work? Danish study says otherwise
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 