Browse Integrative Medicine Articles by Topic

A Cutting Edge Question

This randomized controlled study compared surgery vs nocturnal wrist splints in 176 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Aspirin: Good for the Heart, Better for the Pain

Although several other studies have examined the relationship between analgesic use and blood pressure, this report from the Nurses Health Study is the first prospective look at all 3 classes of over-the-counter analgesics.

Pharmacology Update:Ezetimibe (Zetia — Schering): A New Cholesterol-Lowering Medication

The FDA has approved Ezetimibe, the first drug in a new class of cholesterol-lowering medications.

Clinical Briefs

Effects of Losartan on Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Isolated Systolic Hypertension and LVH; Increase in Nocturnal Blood Pressure and Progression to Microalbuminuria in Type 1 Diabetes; HRT, Lipid, and Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Postmenopausal Women

IOM to study alternative, complementary medicine

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and 16 Federal cosponsors have unveiled plans for an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study of the scientific and policy implications of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the American public.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Brief Review for the Primary Care Physician

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic polyarticular form of inflammatory arthritis of unclear etiology. It primarily involves the synovial joints and is commonly symmetric in presentation.

Needle (or Laser) the Knee for Relief from Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain?

Synopsis: In people with chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis, needle and laser acupuncture fared no better than sham laser acupuncture for a variety of parameters at 12 weeks and 1 year.

Yoga and Vasomotor Symptoms: Does a Meditative Movement Practice Improve Menopausal Symptoms?

Synopsis: In a randomized controlled trial, the implementation of a regular yoga practice was not shown to significantly improve vasomotor symptom frequency or bother at 6 and 12 weeks. However, it was associated with a significant improvement in Insomnia Severity Index.

Diagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease

In August 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 300,000 cases of Lyme disease (LD) are diagnosed each year and that the 30,000 reported cases is 2008 are a gross underestimation.

Dietary Fat Correlates with CAD Risk

Synopsis: A prospective, population-based study in middle-aged and older men found that polyunsaturated fatty acid intake correlated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease events.