Arizona Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

Exercise Decreases Breast Cancer Risk (5.15.13)

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:57:16 -0700

Researchers have found that exercise increases estrogen that is beneficial and that this in turn may lower your risk of breast cancer. One more reason to exercise. Exercise Ups 'Good' Estrogen, Cuts Breast Cancer Odds

Dialysis Infections Drop Over 30% When Following CDC Guidelines (5.14.13)

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:44:24 -0700

CDC data indicate that facilities utilizing their Dialysis Bloodstream Infection Prevention protocol can achieve a 32% reduction in bloodstream infections. Following CDC Protocols Cuts Dialysis Bloodstream Infections in Half

Medicare Releases Previously Unpublished Hospital Charges (5.8.13)

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:00:27 -0700

Medicare has published 100 of the most common hospital charges. Soon they will also provide physician charges as well. Medicare Provider Charge Data

Valproate Anti-Seizure Medication Should Not be Used During Pregnancy for Migraine Headaches (5.6.13)

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:09:13 -0700

(Depacon, Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER, Depakene and Stavzor)
According to the FDA Valproate anti-seizure drugs (Depacon, Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER, Depakene and Stavzor) should not be used by pregnant women for migraine headaches. This is based on recent study data showing that intrauterine exposure to these drugs can result in decreased IQ scores in children.
For additional information, go to: Valproate Anti-Seizure Products: Drug Safety Communication - Contraindicated for Pregnant Women for Prevention of Migraine Headaches

Valproate (aka, Valproic Acid, Depakote, Depacon) Linked to Autism (4.25.13)

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:17:43 -0700

Children whose mothers take Valproate during pregnancy have a significantly increased risk of autism. Studies show there is as much as a five-fold increased risk of having a child with some form of autism if Valproate is used during pregnancy. According to the American Academy of Neurology, women who are considering pregnancy in the near future or are pregnant should avoid Valproate. Prenatal Valproate Exposure and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Childhood Autism

Autism Tied to Valproate in Pregnancy

Giraffe OmniBed and Giraffe Incubators May Delete Stored Data Upon Powering Up (4.24.13)

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:10:52 -0700

The FDA has issued a recall of the Giraffe Incubator and Giraffe OmniBed incubators after learning that they have occasionally deleted stored data by overwriting it with new data when powering up after a power failure.
For additional information, go to: GE Healthcare, Giraffe OmniBed and Giraffe Incubator: Class I Recall - Device May Randomly Delete Stored Information When Powered On

Valproate (Anti-Epilepsy Medication) Linked to Autism (4.24.13)

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:50:09 -0700

Valproate is used as an antiepileptic and to prevent migraines. Recent data indicate that Valproate taken during pregnancy is linked to autism in offspring. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/803034

Cymbalta Found Effective in Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy (4.3.13)

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:04:09 -0700

Several recent studies have demonstrated that Cymbalta can reduce pain experienced from neuropathy secondary to chemotherapy. More than 50% of the study participants had some relief of neuropathy symptoms after five weeks of Cymbalta. Study Shows Duloxetine Reduces Pain from Chemotherapy

Vitamin D Associated with Better Lung Function (4.1.13)

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 09:51:40 -0700

According to recent study data, individuals with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood serum, fared much better in lung function tests. Vitamin D Levels Tied to Lung Health

Conservative Knee Injury Treatment Results in Same Outcome as Surgery (3.25.13)

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:31:28 -0700

According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, individuals suffering a meniscal tear faired as well with physical therapy as those who underwent surgery. Study: No advantage to knee surgery vs. therapy

High-Fat Diary May Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence (3.20.13)

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:58:58 -0700

This recent study associated the increased estrogen in the high-fat dairy as the link to increasing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. According to the study, low-fat dairy contained less estrogen than high-fat. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780893

ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Robotic Surgery Not Best Choice for Hysterectomy (3.20.13)

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:51:36 -0700

According to ACOG, robotic surgery for hysterectomies is no longer considered the best, least-invasive procedure. Laparoscopic and conventional (vaginally) are more cost-effective and may have less complications and risks than robotic. Adequate training to provide required skill-set for robotic surgery seems to be the core issue with robotic surgery. Statement on Robotic Surgery by ACOG President James T. Breeden, MD

Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy Increases Risk of Cardiac Complications (3.15.13)

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:58:32 -0700

Clearly the benefits of radiation therapy outweigh the risks. However, recent studies indicate that women who underwent radiation therapy for breast cancer experienced a higher incidence of cardiac ischemia. Radiation for Breast Ca Takes Toll on Heart

Fatal Heart Arrhythmias Linked to Azithromycin (3.12.13)

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:59:08 -0700

The FDA has issued a warning that Azithromycin (i.e., Zithromax, Zmax) increases the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Azithromycin (Zithromax or Zmax) and the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythms

Endurance Athletes Have Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation (3.11.13)

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:03:54 -0700

Recent studies have shown that endurance athletes tend to suffer more cardiac arrhythmias. Researchers believe that this is due to sustained, intense exercise. Arrhythmia/Electrophysiology