Two ways to avoid using drugs in the New Year: Lowering high blood pressure is a family affair and a nerve stimulator relieves the pain of IBS. Plus a bonus — 21 drugs that increase the risk of falls and subsequent hip fractures in seniors. Check the list!
High Blood Pressure – Hypertension
What’s more effective than medicine for high blood pressure? Family support and local, non-physician health workers (NPHW) working together lowered blood pressure more successfully than the present medical strategies, according to new research.
In the trial, NPHW worked with the families of patients to incorporate lifestyle changes and treatment into daily lives. Nearly 1,400 people in Colombia and Malaysia were followed for a year and experienced twice the reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure, than those with typical medical care.
A community-based comprehensive intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk in hypertension (HOPE 4): a cluster-randomised controlled trial – The Lancet – Sept 2, 2019
IBS and Nerve Stimulator
The FDA approved a medical device that reduces abdominal pain. It was approved for patients ages 11-18. A small electrical nerve stimulator is placed behind the child’s ear. It stimulates brain areas that process pain.
In a test group of only 50, about half used the IBM-Stim device and half used a fake device. All 50 were also given the usual medical treatment including pain medications. Pain was measured for three weeks and the device showed greater improvement in all measures of pain: worst abdominal pain, usual pain and pain frequency and severity duration scores. The device outperformed the placebo device in each week of the three weeks.
Stimulation Device for Pediatric IBS Pain Wins FDA Nod – MedPage Today June 7, 2019
Two Prescriptions = Hip Fracture
21 commonly prescribed drugs are known to increase risk for falls resulting in bone fractures among seniors because they can cause one or more of the following: sedation, loss of balance, dizziness, visual disturbance, muscle weakening, and hypotension (low blood pressure). This study attempted to gauge how using two or more of the drugs on the list increases the risk for fractures.
Association of Receiving Multiple, Concurrent Fracture-Associated Drugs With Hip Fracture Risk JAMA Geriatrics, Nov 13, 2019
