Acetaminophen Won’t Help Arthritis Pain, Study Finds

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Acetaminophen — commonly known as Tylenol in the United States — isn’t an effective choice for relieving osteoarthritis pain in the hip or knee, or for improving joint function, a new study finds.

Although the drug rated slightly better than placebo in studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or diclofenac are better choices for short-term pain relief, the researchers said.

“Regardless of dose, the prescription drug diclofenac is the most effective drug among painkillers in terms of improving pain and function in osteoarthritis,” said lead researcher Dr. Sven Trelle. He’s co-director of clinical trials at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

However, even diclofenac comes with side effects.

“If you are thinking of using a painkiller for osteoarthritis, you should consider diclofenac,” Trelle said, but also keep in mind that like most NSAIDs the drug increases the risk for heart disease and death.

Tylenol manufacturer McNeil Consumer Healthcare took issue with the new study. “We disagree with the authors’ interpretation of this meta-analysis and believe acetaminophen remains an important pain relief option for millions of consumers, particularly those with certain conditions for which NSAIDs may not be appropriate — including cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, and renal [kidney] disease,” the company said in a prepared statement.

“The safety and efficacy profile of acetaminophen is supported by more than 150 studies over the past 50 years,” the company added.

The new report was published March 17 in The Lancet.

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of pain in older people. It can impair physical activity, and that increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and general poor health, the study authors said.

One expert said it’s “not surprising” that acetaminophen won’t help arthritis pain.

“Osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints, and acetaminophen is not meant for inflammation,” explained Dr. Shaheda Quraishi, a physiatrist at Northwell Health Pain Center in Great Neck, N.Y.

The current research included information from 74 trials published between 1980 and 2015. These trials included more than 58,000 patients. The studies compared how well various doses of acetaminophen and seven different NSAIDs relieved arthritis pain.

The researchers found that acetaminophen was slightly better than an inactive placebo. But they added that taken by itself, acetaminophen has no role in treating osteoarthritis, regardless of dose.

The maximum daily dose of diclofenac — a prescription pain reliever — was the most effective treatment for pain and disability, the new study showed. The researchers also found diclofenac was better than the maximum doses of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve) and celecoxib (Celebrex).

In addition to not helping with pain, one expert pointed out that acetaminophen can also be dangerous.

“Acetaminophen may not be as safe as most people would believe: it is known to be toxic to the liver, and acetaminophen overdose is a leading cause of liver transplantation,” said Dr. Nicholas Moore. He’s from the department of pharmacology at the University of Bordeaux in France. Moore is also the co-author of an accompanying journal editorial.

“NSAIDs are much more effective painkillers, and avoiding them puts patients at risk of overdosing with acetaminophen,” he said.

New painkillers are needed, but “narcotics are not a good choice,” Moore added. Prescription narcotic painkillers — drugs such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and Percocet — are not as effective as NSAIDs for inflammatory pain, he explained. And the risk of dependency or overdose with narcotics is considerable, he added.

“We should look also at older drugs that may have been discarded, and perhaps work more to understand the mechanism of action of acetaminophen to develop a new, more effective and less toxic drug of the same class, or develop new classes of painkillers,” Moore suggested.

More information

For more information on osteoarthritis, visit the Arthritis Foundation.

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Chocolate banana pancake recipe

 

Get your essential aminos on with these protein-packed brunch or post-workout meal.

 

What you'll need (makes 10 pikelet-size pancakes)

Pancakes

• 1 cup egg whites
• ½ cup vanilla whey protein powder
• 2 tbsp cottage cheese (if desired)
• ¼ cup buckwheat flakes or rolled oats
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp baking powder

Topping (optional)

• 1 tbsp chocolate protein powder
• Water or almond milk to mix
• Sliced banana (berries may be substituted)

 

What you'll do

Heat non-stick pan with spray oil. Place all ingredients in a bowl and combine using a hand blender (or place in a blender and blend until combined). Pour quarter of the batter into the hot pan and tip pan to coat. Using a spatula, push edges towards centre. Once set, flip and cook other side. Remove from pan and repeat with remaining batter. Serve with a smudge of chocolate topping and sliced banana or fresh berries of your choice.

Recipe: Adapted from Anna Sward’s pancakes

You might also like browsing more healthy recipes.

 

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Kidney Dialysis Might Not Extend Survival of Elderly

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Dialysis does not significantly improve survival for elderly kidney failure patients, a new study indicates.

The findings suggest that conservative care may be a reasonable option for some kidney failure patients over 80.

The researchers don’t say that dialysis treatment should not be given to anybody older than 80 or with severe co-occurring conditions. “But we show that the treatment is on average of little advantage regarding survival,” said study co-leader Dr. Wouter Verberne of St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.

The findings were published online March 17 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

“Our next task is to predict who benefits and who does not,” Verberne said in a journal news release. “Until we are able to give a better prediction of the results of dialysis treatment at high age, we can merely suggest that conservative management is an option which should honestly be discussed when [kidney failure] is approaching.”

Conservative therapy includes controlling fluid and electrolyte balance, treating anemia, and offering suitable comfort and end-of-life care.

In this study, researchers examined outcomes among older kidney failure patients in the Netherlands who received either dialysis (204 patients) or conservative care (107 patients). Among those over age 80, the investigators found no statistically significant difference in survival between dialysis and conservative care.

Overall, patients with other health problems died sooner than those without additional medical issues, the study authors reported.

Further research is needed to assess how different treatment options affect patients in other ways, such as quality of life and severity of symptoms, Verberne concluded in the news release.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more about kidney failure.

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No, You Shouldn’t Start Eating Avocado Seeds

Photo: Getty Images

If you’ve logged onto Facebook in the past few days, you may have seen a viral video demonstrating how you can prepare the seed of an avocado for consumption. The video claims the seed is the most nutrient-dense part of the fruit, and that by drying it, chopping it up into pieces, and blending it, you are left with a powder-like substance that you can mix into smoothies or use for baking, adding an extra nutritional boost to your diet. The video has gained more than 25 million fews since it was published on March 13.

So what’s the deal? Have we been missing out on a highly nutritious part of one of our favorite superfoods?

RELATED: 31 Superfood Secrets for a Long and Healthy Life

Not so much, says Health‘s contributing nutrition editor, Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD. “I’m a huge avocado fan. I eat them daily, and recommend them to my clients, but I have reservations about eating the seeds,” she says. “While there is some research about beneficial compounds in the seed, the safety of ingesting it hasn’t been established, so the risks versus benefits aren’t fully known.”

The research on avocado seed consumption is very limited. In the studies that do exist, scientists conclude that additional research needs to be done to determine whether it’s safe or beneficial to eat them. Additionally, the existing studies have focused on the potential benefits of avocado seed extracts, rather than the consumption of the seed itself, and they provide information only on lab testing, not on clinical data.

“There is a body of evidence exploring potential health benefits in extracts of the avocado seed, but these potential benefits versus risks of eating the avocado seed are not well fleshed out,” says Marisa Moore, RDN, MPH, an Atlanta-based nutritionist.

RELATED: 4 Ways to Make Avocado Toast

Even the California Avocado Commission writes on its website that it does not recommend the consumption of the avocado pit: “The seed of an avocado contains elements that are not intended for human consumption.”

The bottom line: Until more research is done to establish if the seeds are safe to eat, and how much and how often you should eat them, stick to eating the avocado’s creamy flesh. “It’s chock-full of good fat, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber,” says Sass.

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Recycled Water a Healthy Option for California, Study Suggests

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Increased use of recycled water would help drought-stricken California in many ways, including giving residents a potential health boost, new research shows.

“California’s current drought has inspired increased urgency for innovative drought solutions,” wrote Sharona Sokolow and her colleagues. Sokolow is from the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“Wise, effective action now can help make future reductions easier without compromising the economic, quality-of-life and health benefits provided by water,” the researchers added.

Their study compared the impact of two state water-conservation efforts. The first was banning landscape irrigation. The second was expanding “alternative” water sources — efforts such as water recycling or removing salt and minerals from nearby sea water (desalination).

Expanded use of recycled water appeared to have the greatest potential to reduce water and energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the study authors.

And there was a potential health bonus for Californians, too, with recycled water being used to maintain green spaces.

Recycling water would also cut air pollution and its associated respiratory problems. That’s because it would not require the energy-intensive methods used at desalination plants or to import water from elsewhere, the researchers concluded.

The findings were published in the March 17 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

More information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has more on water recycling.

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Breathalyzer-Locked Car Ignitions Are Saving Lives, Study Says

By Carole Tanzer Miller
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Ignition devices that prevent driving after drinking significantly reduce alcohol-related crash deaths, a new study finds.

Essentially in-car breathalyzers, the “ignition interlocks” led to a 15 percent decline in alcohol-related deaths in 18 states that required them for anyone convicted of drunken driving, the researchers found.

The estimated 915 lives saved from 2007 to 2013 is comparable to the lives saved by mandatory airbag laws and the 21-year-old drinking age, the study authors noted.

“The number of times that I have had to talk to a family and tell them that they lost their son or brother or daughter or sister to something so preventable as a drunk driving crash, it’s hard to count even in my short time of practice — that’s my motivation,” said study author Dr. Elinore Kaufman, a student in the health policy program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“Other states have proven [a mandatory interlock law] is feasible, and we’re contributing proof that it is effective,” said Kaufman. “There should be no remaining barrier for the remaining half of states to adopt it.”

J.T. Griffin, chief government affairs officer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), welcomed the findings. He said the study validates what MADD has been saying since 2006.

“We’ve been working to pass these laws, and we think you can get better than a 15 percent reduction” in alcohol-related crash deaths, he said. “But a 15 percent reduction is really good. If we could do it nationwide, it could save 1,500 lives a year. That’s a lot of people.”

Thirty percent of deadly car crashes in the United States are alcohol-related, claiming an estimated 11,000 lives every year, the study authors said.

To start a car equipped with an ignition interlock, you blow into the breathalyzer. If your blood alcohol count is over a set limit — usually 0.02 — the engine won’t start. Someone with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 is considered mildly impaired. Many people reach that level after just one drink.

The devices have previously been shown to curb repeat DWI offenses by between 50 percent and 90 percent, the researchers said. The new study is believed to be the first to examine whether ignition locks also reduce alcohol-related injuries and deaths.

It was published online March 17 in the American Journal of Public Health.

Twenty-five states now have mandatory interlock laws, and Pennsylvania and Maryland are poised to follow suit. Some other states require the technology only for repeat offenders or those with very high blood alcohol counts, while others leave the decision up to a judge, the researchers said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all states require alcohol ignition locks for DWI offenders. It is illegal nationwide to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

The study was based on an analysis of U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration death rates from 1999 to 2013. It compared crash deaths in 18 states that required everyone convicted of drunken driving to use the devices to 32 states that did not.

Most states with mandatory interlock laws saw significant declines in alcohol-related crash deaths in their law’s third year, according to the study.

Mandatory-interlock states had 4.7 alcohol-related crash deaths a year for every 100,000 people, on average, compared to 5.5 per 100,000 in states without the law, researchers said.

Public support for the devices — even among those who admit to driving under the influence — is strong, the researchers noted.

Griffin said convicted DWI offenders often continue to drive even if their license is suspended or revoked. Ignition locks are effective and practical, he added.

“With the interlock on board, they can’t drive drunk. It’s a win for the offender: They keep their license and can do the basic things they need to do,” Griffin said. “For us, as law-abiding citizens, they can’t drive drunk and hit us while out on the roads.”

Griffin said the challenge now is overcoming continued resistance from “angry factions” of the alcohol and hospitality industries and some judges who prefer more leeway to sentence offenders.

More information

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about how alcohol affects drivers.

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More Older Women Now Living With ‘Moderate’ Disability, Study Shows

By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Back in the 1980s, older U.S. women typically lived more years free of disabilities than their male peers did, but a new study shows that pattern appears to be changing.

For older men, the news is largely positive, researchers report: They’re not only living longer, but with fewer disabilities.

For women, the picture is different: They’ve made smaller gains than men have and, in some respects, they’ve taken a step backward.

Specifically, older U.S. women were more likely to be living with moderate disabilities in 2011, compared with 2004 — a reversal in the improvement seen since 1982.

The study defined moderate disabilities as problems with daily activities such as shopping, doing household chores or managing money. For men, the prevalence of those issues dropped between 1982 and 2004, then stayed largely unchanged.

Older women, on the other hand, saw their prevalence of moderate disability decline from almost 13 percent in 1982, to about 10 percent in 2004. But by 2011, that figure had risen to 14 percent, the investigators found.

The reasons for the trends are not clear, said study author Vicki Freedman, a researcher at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, in Ann Arbor.

On average, she said, women are at an economic disadvantage compared with men, and that could be one factor. “The next step is to better understand why this is happening,” Freedman said.

Another expert had a different theory.

Women’s higher rate of obesity in more recent decades could also be playing a role, said Barbara Resnick, chair of gerontology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. She is also a former president of the American Geriatrics Society.

U.S. men are heavier than they used to be, too. But, Resnick said, they also typically have more muscle mass and strength than women do, so they may be able to preserve more of their physical function as they grow older.

The findings are based on information from national health surveys of Americans aged 65 and up, conducted in 1982, 2004 and 2011.

Over those years, men started to gain on women in terms of life expectancy, and disability-free life: In 1982, a 65-year-old man could expect to live, on average, another 14 years; by 2011, that had increased to 19 years — with almost all of that extra time disability-free.

For the typical 65-year-old woman, life expectancy rose by only two years, from 18.5 to 20.5 years. And she could expect to live disability-free for one of those extra years, the researchers said.

The increase in older women’s level of moderate disability seems to be the main driver, Freedman’s team found. Rates of severe disability — requiring a nursing home or help at home with bathing, dressing and other basic needs — held steady for men and women between 2004 and 2011.

Women are at greater risk of debilitating conditions like arthritis, bone fractures and dementia. But it’s not clear whether that accounts for the recent increase in moderate disability among older women, according to Freedman.

Dr. Amy Kelley is an associate professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, in New York City. She cautioned that the increase in women’s moderate disability levels was seen over a short time period — from 2004 to 2011.

There could have been similar ups-and-downs between 1982 and 2004, Kelley pointed out.

That said, she applauded the study’s aim. “This is focusing on not just life expectancy, but the quality of people’s lives,” Kelley said.

And that, she added, needs more attention in everyday health care, too.

Americans who make it to age 65 typically have a lot of years left ahead, Kelley pointed out. “So how can we make that time high-quality?” she asked.

Resnick said it’s important for older adults to stay physically active — through a daily walk or light resistance exercise to keep muscles strong, for example.

Kelley agreed, saying older adults and their doctors need to think beyond controlling “numbers” — such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. “So you can ask your doctor, what should I be doing to keep up my capacity for daily activities?” she suggested.

But, Kelley added, it’s not up to older adults and their doctors alone.

“Communities need to make sure there are sidewalks that are safe for an older person with a cane,” she said. “They need to have community centers that offer opportunities for older [people] to be active.”

And “active” does not only mean exercise, Kelley said. Everyone benefits when older adults have chances to volunteer and otherwise stay involved in their community, she pointed out.

“Older adult have so much to offer,” Kelley said. “As a society, we should make sure the opportunities are available.”

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more on healthy aging.

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Is My Sex Life Normal?

Photo: Getty Images

Reality check: There is no “normal” when it comes to sexuality. What pleases you is what pleases you, period, including the frequency of sex. Although the average couple gets busy two or three times a week, this does not mean that more or less than that is abnormal. What matters is whether you’re both happy with your pattern.

RELATED: 19 Reasons You Don’t Want to Have Sex Anymore

Likewise, dressing up or playing out a fantasy is healthy—assuming both of you are excited to do it. If, however, your partner wants to try light bondage and you’re freaked out, then you shouldn’t feel obligated. Say, “I am open to trying things, but this upsets me, and I’m completely uncomfortable with it.” Then think of some other new adventures that will show you’re committed to having a satisfying bedroom life.

Gail Saltz, MD, is a psychiatrist and television commentator in New York City who specializes in health, sex, and relationships.

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5 Delicious Ways to Upgrade Your Scrambled Eggs

Think beyond basic scrambled: try these delicious variations for simply better breakfasts.

For each recipe below, beat 2 large eggs with a whisk just until well combined. For best results, cook them low and slow. Warm a nonstick skillet over low heat. Melt 1 Tbsp. butter or heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in the pan. In some recipes, you’ll cook the add-ins first; others call for adding the eggs first. Either way, once everything is in the pan, cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggs reach desired doneness. It can take several minutes, but the resulting silky texture makes it worth the wait. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

RELATED: The 20 Best Foods to Eat for Breakfast

 

RELATED: 5 Protein-Rich Breakfasts for People Who Hate Eggs

“Bagel” eggs

While eggs cook, add 1/2 to 1 oz. chopped smoked salmon and 1 Tbsp. each cream cheese and chives.

The Greek

Sauté 1/2 cup chopped spinach for 1 minute, then add eggs, 1/2 oz. crumbled feta and 1 Tbsp. fresh oregano.

“Pizza” eggs

While eggs cook, add 1 Tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 2 Tbsp. shredded mozzarella. Top with 1 Tbsp. sliced fresh basil.

RELATED: 14 Clever Cooking Hacks You Need to Try

Migas

Sauté 1 chopped scallion and 1 torn corn tortilla, then add eggs and 1 1/2 Tbsp. drained salsa. Cook, then sprinkle with cilantro.

Egg foo young

Sauté 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, 1 chopped scallion cup bean sprouts and ½ tsp. each minced ginger and garlic for 5 minutes; add eggs. Cook, then drizzle with 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil.

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Presidential Candidates Speak at 6th-8th Grade Level

THURSDAY, March 17, 2016 (HealthDay News) — If you think the rhetoric from this year’s presidential election has sunk to levels you’d hear on a school playground, you may be right.

A new analysis from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh finds that most of the 2016 presidential candidates have been using the vocabulary and grammar of middle school students when giving speeches on the campaign trail.

And in a finding that may not surprise many, Donald Trump scored lowest in both grammar and word use among contenders on both sides of the party aisle.

However, all five candidates included in the analysis — Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio (who since dropped out), Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have used simpler language as the campaign has progressed, the analysis found.

Trump and Clinton’s speeches have shown the greatest variation in vocabulary, which suggests they are more likely to tailor their speeches to particular audiences, the researchers surmised.

Trump’s grammar reached its highest level in his Iowa Caucus concession speech, but nosedived again during his Nevada Caucus victory address.

Overall, the speeches of the current presidential candidates had language scores that settled between 6th and 7th grade reading levels, while Trump was just below 6th grade.

“Assessing the readability of campaign speeches is a little tricky because most measures are geared to the written word, yet text is very different from the spoken word,” said analysis author Maxine Eskenazi, a principal systems scientist at Carnegie Mellon’s Language Technologies Institute. “When we speak, we usually use less structured language with shorter sentences.”

To assess the language skills of the 2016 presidential candidates, Eskenazi and graduate student Elliot Schumacher used a readability model that looks at how often words and grammatical constructs are used at each grade level.

Researchers also reached into the past with their analysis. Not surprisingly, they found that Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address scored highest for grammar, with a Grade 11 level.

Meanwhile, George W. Bush’s speeches had the lowest score, with a 5th grade level.

In terms of vocabulary, the speeches of Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama struck at least an 8th grade reading level, the study found.

The research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders outlines speech and language development.

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