Traumatic Brain Injury Linked to Premature Death Medicine in the News – May 2014

Traumatic Brain Injury Linked to Premature Death
An important study has identified that a proportion of TBI patients will have a premature death, primarily associated with injuries, assaults, and suicide.JAMA Psychiatry, January 2014

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Head Trauma Extends to the Soccer Field and Contact Sports
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head, is more commonly found in young former soccer players, the strongest indication yet that the condition is not limited to athletes who played sports known for violent collisions, like football and boxing. New York Times, Boston University School of Medicine, February 2014
Physical Therapy is Beneficial in Knee Osteoarthritis
Several randomized studies have suggested that thrice-weekly exercise focused on quadriceps strengthening is a useful adjunct for osteoarthritis patients. NEJM Journal Watch, April 2014
Calcium Supplementation
Randomized controlled studies have shown that calcium supplementation significantly reduced the risk of hip fracture and breast cancer, with no significant associations observed in the risk of cardiovascular events. Family Practice News, April 2014
Coffee Can Reduce Weight
Studies have shown that caffeine, with the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and the increase of energy expenditure, has been associated with reduced body mass index. Family Practice News, Mayo Clinic, April 2014
Diet Drinks Linked to Cardiovascular Events in Women
Drinking two or more diet drinks a day was associated with a 29% increased risk of an incidental cardiovascular event and a 26% increased risk of all causes of death in an observational study of over 60,000 postmenopausal American women. Medscape, March 2014
Linked to Low Testosterone: Heart Disease, Diabetes Type II, & Metabolic Syndrome
Recent studies suggest that low testosterone levels have been associated with increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes type 2, metabolic syndrome, and increased mortality.The American Society of Anti-Aging Medicine 
More on the Danger of a Low Testosterone Level
Low testosterone in men is associated with excess abdominal fat, loss of insulin sensitivity, atherosclerosis and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease; this study found that men treated with testosterone showed across the broad improvements as indicated by reduced blood pressure, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and C-reactive protein, reduced measures of liver damage, and increased HDL. Life Extension, May 2014 
Non-Pharmacologic Therapies Can Improve Functioning for Chronic Pain Patients
The non-pharmacological therapies used for chronic pain include psychotherapies as cognitive-behavioral therapy; hypnosis; biofeedback; relaxation techniques; family and group psychotherapy; physical therapy, such as exercise therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; occupational therapy; and acupuncture. Consultant 360, April
Lower Vitamin D Levels Linked with Depression
Besides its classical function of bone metabolism regulation, randomized control trials have shown hypovitaminosis D is associated with depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, November 20013 
Spironolactone for Heart Failure Does Not Improve Clinical Outcome
In patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction, treatment with spironolactone did not significantly reduce the incidence of the primary composite outcome of death from cardiovascular causes, aborted cardiac arrest, or hospitalization.The New England Journal of Medicine, April 2014
Beneficial Actions of Pregnenolone in Cognitive Functions, Depression and Anxiety
Pregnenolone, considered neuro-protective, enhances cognitive functions; low levels have been correlated to depression and anxiety, as well as fatigue and decreased energy. The Original Internist, March 2014 
Higher Vitamin C Levels Linked to Lower Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Vitamin C depletion (<38micromoles/l) is associated with cardiovascular diseases and could increase intra-cerebral hemorrhage risk, according to American Academy of Neurology’s 66th Annual Meeting. Life Extension, May 2014
Ultrasound Point-of-Care in Medical Education
Clinical studies have shown that ultrasound can be superior to physical exam as a diagnostic tool.The New England Journal of Medicine, March 2014
Cinnamon Helps Liver Disease
Cinnamon improves liver enzymes and other factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It also reduces glucose, total cholesterol, insulin resistance, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein, according to Nutrition Research journal. Life Extension, May 2014 
Phospholipids Associated with Memory Decline
Study analyses have shown that plasma phospholipids identify antecedent memory impairment, or preclinical Alzheimer disease in older adults.Nature Medicine, 2014

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