Ligament study targets smoking
Cigarette smoking impairs recruitment of cells to injured knee ligaments, impairing healing, according to a mouse study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. About 20 million ligament injuries are reported in the U.S. annually, and knee injuries are the most common, especially in competitive and recreational sports. Though this research involved knees, it probably applies to all ligaments.
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Little change in hysterectomy rates
Baby Boomer women still have hysterectomies at nearly the same rate that women did 25 years ago, despite development of less drastic medical and surgical alternatives, a new report finds. In 2005, more than 181,000 hysterectomies were done in the United States for two common uterine problems: fibroid tumors and heavy bleeding. But both conditions can often be treated with newer, less-invasive approaches, according to the report commissioned by the National Women’s Health Resource Center.
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Soy builds better bones
Genistein, a natural phytoestrogen derived from soy products, worked better than placebo pills at building bone-mineral density in a two-year study of older, postmenopausal Italian women. After two years, those taking the soy product had better bone-mineral density than those taking a placebo. Genistein is found abundantly in soybean products. Experts hope it can build bone without the adverse side effects associated with hormone replacement.
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Ways to halve drug costs
Pill splitting not only saves money for patients but also for insurance companies and employers, a study of the University of Michigan’s own health-benefit plan shows. In pill splitting, patients cut larger-dose tablets in half to double the amount of smaller-dose pills they receive in a single prescription. Because drug companies and pharmacies don’t usually double the price of medications as the dose doubles, that can mean lower per-pill drug costs and fewer drugstore co-pays for consumers.
