Written by Thu Tran, MD,FACOG
December 17, 2016
Pain Relievers and Hearing Loss
A study from Harvard, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, showed an increased risk of hearing loss in patients who used pain relievers on a long term basis. Those who used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Ibuprofen two or more times a week for six years reported a 10% increased incidence of hearing loss compared to those using these medications twice or more a week for one year. Those who took Tylenol twice or more a week for six years reported a 9% more incidence of hearing loss.
The lead researcher, Dr. Brian Lin, wanted to make the public aware of this risk, although he cautioned that those who need these medications should not stop taking them. The study consisted of 55,850 women over six years.
Lean Muscle Mass and Better Grip Strength Lower Incidence of Urinary Incontinence
A study from the University of California, San Francisco, of 1,475 elderly women with bladder incontinence or overactive bladder, reported a lower incidence of bladder incontinence in women with a greater drop of body mass index (BMI), those with increased lean body muscle mass, or those with a drop of fat mass.
The researchers concluded that, by having a normal Body Mass Index and an increase in muscle strength, elderly women can reduce their incidence of bladder incontinence.
Strong Social Network Linked to Lower Recurrent Risk and Longer Survival in Breast Cancer Patients
Researchers from Kaiser Permanent of Northern California Division of Research in Oakland reported a higher risk of death from breast cancer in patients with few social connections. The study of 9,267 women with breast cancer was recently published in Cancer. The benefit of social links was strongest in those who did not have advanced cancers.
The exact cause of why social networks may help protect women with breast cancer is not known. The researchers, however, believe physicians should be aware of their patients’ social support networks, as increased connections appear to help patients live longer and more heathy lives.
Thromboembolism Absolute Risk low in Women with type 1 and type 2 Diabetes
A study from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, published in Diabetes Care, reported an overall low risk of thromboembolism in women with diabetes who used hormone contraceptions including birth control pills, Intrauterine devices (IUD), and subdermal contraceptives (under the skin).
The highest risk of thromboembolism (venous thrombosis or blood clotting, stroke and myocardial infarction) was found in the contraceptive patch, and the lowest was found in IUD and subdermal users. Progestin-only injectable contraceptives were also found to have a higher risk of thromboembolism than IUDs.
Dr. Sarah O’Brien, the lead researcher, concluded that IUD and subdermal contraceptives are excellent options for diabetic patients to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
Optimism Leads to a Longer Life
A new study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health linked optimism in women to a longer life. The study was published online in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Dr. Eric Kim, the co-lead author of the study, stated that optimism has been shown to be associated with healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms with life challenges. Optimism, Kim stated, may affect our biological systems.
In this Nurses’ Health Study of 70,000 women, from 2004 to 2012, the top 25% of optimistic women had a nearly 30% lower risk of dying from any disease cited in the study compared to the least optimistic women (the bottom quartile).
The researchers believe interventions in boosting optimism might be an innovative way to bring better health.
Tags: