November 2007
News Archive
News articles from November 2007
Public warned of dangerous Chinese medicines (30/11/2007)
Some Chinese herbal medicines that can cause serious kidney damage have been found on sale in the UK. The UK's drug safety watchdog is warning people against taking four types of Chinese herbal preparations, and to see a doctor if they have already taken them...
Blood transfusions after heart surgery may do more harm than good (29/11/2007)
Many heart surgery patients are given blood transfusions while they are recovering from their operation. Doctors have thought this might help prevent serious complications after surgery, such as a heart attack or a stroke. But a new study suggests that, for these patients, blood transfusions may do more harm than good...
Hospital treatment harms 1 in 10 patients (29/11/2007)
Errors, infections and other problems mean that 1 in 10 inpatients come to harm during their stay in an NHS hospital, according to new research. If you're admitted to hospital, there are steps you can take to lower the risk of problems...
Are city women at more risk of breast cancer? (28/11/2007)
Women living in London have denser tissue in their breasts, compared to women living in the countryside, a new study has found. Dense breast tissue increases a woman's chances of getting breast cancer, so women living in cities might have a higher risk of this disease, the researchers say...
Patients missing out on treatment for genital herpes (22/11/2007)
It's an embarrassing subject for many people, but myths about genital herpes are common. One in 5 people wrongly believe you can catch the virus from lavatory seats and many patients don't know there are treatments that can help with the symptoms, a new survey has shown. Even doctors have gaps in their knowledge about this common viral infection...
Arthritis drug withdrawn due to links with liver problems (21/11/2007)
Lumiracoxib, a drug used to treat arthritis, has been withdrawn in the UK because of safety concerns...
Hearing problems are common in people over 55 (20/11/2007)
More than one in 10 people aged over 55 have a hearing problem that disrupts their life, according to a new study. If you notice you're having trouble hearing things, you should see your GP. A hearing aid can get rid of the frustrations that are common if you can't hear things clearly...
Pedometers aid healthy walking (20/11/2007)
Using a pedometer to measure how much you walk can increase the amount of walking you do and reduce the risk of dying from a stroke, a big new study shows. The best results were for people who were given a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day, and who used a diary to record their daily total...
Drugs for obesity lead to small weight losses (16/11/2007)
People who take a drug treatment for obesity lose just a small amount of extra weight compared with people who rely on diet and exercise instead of pills, a big review of the research has found. Most people who take one of these drugs are still obese or very overweight one to four years later...
Latest research on medicines for ADHD (15/11/2007)
You may have seen recent news reports saying that medicines for the condition attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) don't work as well as doctors once thought, and may stunt children's growth. But have the reports got it right? We look at the latest research on treatments for ADHD. If you have a child with ADHD, this information can help you discuss treatment options with your doctor...
Bird flu in the UK: what you need to know (15/11/2007)
As government vets work to control an outbreak of bird flu in the UK, we answer the most common questions about the virus...
Jury still out on beta-carotene for forgetfulness (12/11/2007)
Taking beta-carotene supplements for many years could play a small part in helping older men delay a decline in their memory, a new study says. But beta-carotene can be harmful for some people, such as smokers...
Should you be tested for chlamydia? (09/11/2007)
Young men as well as women should be tested for chlamydia, doctors say. The sexually transmitted infection often has no symptoms, so you may not realise you have it. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause long-term health problems. So it's important for young men as well as women to have the test...
Should all children have the chickenpox vaccine? (08/11/2007)
Vaccinating all young children against chickenpox is the only way to prevent serious complications and deaths from this illness, according to a new study...
Does weight affect a woman's cancer risk? (08/11/2007)
Being overweight or obese increases a woman's chance of getting cancer of the womb almost threefold and also raises the risk of breast cancer, according to a new study...
St. John's wort interferes with epilepsy drugs (07/11/2007)
St John's wort, a popular herbal remedy for depression, can stop epilepsy drugs from working properly, the UK's drug safety watchdog has warned...
Caesarean births riskier than natural deliveries (05/11/2007)
Women who choose to have their baby by caesarean section increase the risk of serious illness and even death for both themselves and their babies, a large study from Latin America has found. However, for women whose baby is in the feet-down position (breech), a caesarean delivery is the safer option...
Healthy lifestyle cuts cancer risk (02/11/2007)
One in three cancers in the UK could be prevented if everyone followed a healthy diet, kept to a healthy weight and exercised regularly, a new report says...
Hygiene basics may beat MRSA (01/11/2007)
Cleaning commonly used objects, such as stethoscopes, computers and door handles, and making sure medical staff wash their hands, could be the best ways of beating hospital superbugs, an expert says...
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
