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Neanderthal spine study sheds light on back pain and related ailments in humans

Reference: Independent: Vishwam Sankaran 

Supplements warning: The ‘calming' herbal supplement linked to ‘severe liver damage'

Claims over the health benefits of supplements vary largely, but evidence that they protect against disease is scarce. Researchers have long stressed that supplements are beneficial to health when a diet fails to address all nutritional needs. But recent studies have thrown the safety of the tablets into question. One herbal supplement, which is touted for its ability to reduce anxiety, could lead to severe liver damage when taken at the incorrect dose.

Kava is a root native to the South Pacific islands that is traditionally served as a tea, but it can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

The effects of herbal remedies have been likened to those of alcohol, helping the brain feel calm, relaxed and happy.

In fact, a study published in the journal Trials suggested kava could be used as an alternative treatment to medication prescribed for people with generalised anxiety disorder.

Earlier research published in the journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology showed that taking kava significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety in people with the condition, compared to those taking a placebo.

Use of the supplement also extends to pain relief, seizure prevention and muscle relaxation.

Taking higher doses of kava for a prolonged period, however, has been linked to serious liver damage, explains Everyday Health.

In fact, both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have previously issued a warning notifying consumers of the health risks.

The NIH states: "Kava-containing dietary supplements may be associated with severe liver injury.

The FDA (has also) reported that kava-containing products have been associated with liver-related injuries."

Most specifically, the herb has been linked to cirrhosis - liver scarring - hepatitis (liver irritations) and liver failure, which lead to death in a few patients.

The DFA has also previously received reports of healthy young women who required liver transplantation.

WebMD explains that confusion still exists around how much of the supplement is safe to take.

The kava root

The health body explains: "If your doctor gives you the okay, use the smallest possible dose.

"Don't take it for longer than three months, and avoid drinking alcohol while you're using it."

While the supplements are able to ease signs of anxiety, some research suggests that making certain lifestyle changes could be equally beneficial to reduce stress.

General anxiety disorder, which affects five percent of the UK population, typically causes tension, irritability, difficulty concentrating, heart palpitations and chest tightness.

Thanks to their high selenium content, brazil nuts could help reduce inflammation, which is often heightened in patients with the disorder.

Some fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, contain levels of omega-3 high enough to promote good mental health.

One small study showed that people eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids had lower levels of anxiety, compared to those who didn't. 

Reference: Daily Express: Solen Le Net 

Hope for chronic cough sufferers with results of global drug trials

PA Archive Hope for chronic cough sufferers with results of global drug trials (PA) - PA Archive

People who suffer from chronic cough may be offered new hope thanks to a drug that can ease the symptom.

Researchers suggest the medication called gefapixant has the potential to have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of sufferers.

Chronic coughing is defined as lasting more than eight weeks, and is thought to affect between 4% and 10% of the UK population, some of whom cough thousands a time a day over many years.

Although many patients improve with treatment of associated conditions such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease and nasal disease, many do not.

As well as the often distressing cough, the condition can cause abdominal pain, urinary incontinence in women, as well as anxiety, depression and difficulty sleeping.

The new study reports on the world’s first late stage clinical trials which have shown that the drug can ease the symptom of chronic cough with few side effects.

Principal researcher Jacky Smith, professor of respiratory medicine at The University of Manchester, said: “These global trials have confirmed that this drug has exciting potential for patients who suffer from chronic cough, an often distressing condition.

“Effective treatments for cough are a significant unmet clinical need and no new therapies have been approved in over 50 years.

“Billions of pounds are spent annually on over-the-counter cough and cold medicines despite a lack of evidence to support their efficacy, concerns about the potential for abuse and risk of harm in overdose.”

Retired journalist Nick Peake, from Warrington, who was a television director at ITV and the BBC, has been suffering from chronic cough for 25 years.

He said: “Coughing has blighted my life – every day without fail I cough for the first two hours, soon after I wake up often every 30 seconds. It wears me out.”

He added: “The coughing interferes with conversations, sometimes it stops me singing which I love to do.

“It’s embarrassing when I’m with people – I find myself apologising a lot, and I have no control over it.

“So I’m often in despair about it and it can make me miserable.

“How my wife has put up with it all this time I don’t know.

“It’s been going on for so long and I’m thoroughly fed up with it, and desperate for a cure to be found.”

Two clinical trials that lasted 52 weeks- called Cough 1 and Cough 2 – recruited 2,044 people from 17 countries who had been suffering from chronic cough for an average of 11 years.

In the Cough 1 trial, 730 people were given either a 45mg dose of gefapixant, 15mg or a placebo and in the Cough 2 trial, 1,314 patients were given either a  45mg dose of gefapixant, 15mg or a placebo.

The study published in The Lancet found that the larger dose of the drug demonstrated an 18.5% reduction in how often people coughed in 24 hours in Cough 1 in versus the placebo, and a 14.6% reduction in Cough 2.

In both studies the drug resulted in a reduction in coughing for up to six months, the research suggests.

The 15mg dose did not demonstrate a significant reduction in cough frequency versus the placebo.

The drug, which is being developed in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company MSD, who funded the trials, was initially developed as a painkiller, until the researchers discovered it had a significant impact on chronic cough.

Professor Smith added: “We can’t say this drug is a cure for chronic cough, but it can and often does reduce the frequency of coughing substantially.

“Now these phase 3 trials have been successful, we feel this is a major step towards this treatment becoming available for our patients with chronic cough.

“That could make a big difference to patients who often struggle with this condition which can make such a big impact on their lives.” 

Reference: Independent: Nina Massey

People with anorexia can experience dramatic recovery on treatment plan – study

An “exciting” approach to treating people with anorexia has led to a dramatic increase in the number who recover, UK experts have found.

Peter Byrne A new study has found that a combination of inpatient and outpatient treatment can lead to a dramatic rise in recovery for anorexia (Peter Byrne/PA)

Some 70% of patients on the treatment plan got back to a good weight and did not binge or purge, compared to less than 5% of those receiving standard NHS-led care.

Dr Agnes Ayton, author of a new study and chair of the eating disorders faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, is so impressed with the results that she and other experts are now calling for the NHS to adopt the model.

Integrated enhanced cognitive behavioural (I-CBTE) therapy originated in Italy and involves a planned 13-week admission to hospital followed by seven weeks of day treatment plus further outpatient treatment. In total, patients undergo treatment for 40 weeks.

As well as a focus on nutrition to help people gain weight, I-CBTE tackles thought processes using psychology.

Sessions may examine what processes are maintaining a person’s eating problem, such as addressing shape and eating, and can  look at improving the ability to deal with stress and mood changes, as well as creating a plan for future setbacks.

NHS data shows there were 5,941 admissions (among all ages) from April to October 2021 for anorexia, but there are additional long waits for treatment.

For the new study, covering admissions to 15 UK eating disorders units from 2017 and 2020, data was collected for 212 patients with severe anorexia.

Patients were typically aged 29 and were very underweight, with a typical body mass index of 14.4.

At discharge, the 34 patients receiving I-CBTE typically had a BMI of 19 (within the healthy range) compared to an underweight BMI of 16 for those who had a short inpatient admission and 17 given other standard care.

After one year, 70% of patients receiving I-CBTE had maintained their weight and were not bingeing or purging, compared with less than 5% receiving usual care or who had had a short admission.

Only 14% of those in the I-CBTE group needed to be readmitted, compared to 62% receiving standard care commissioned by the NHS.

The research, by psychiatrists at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, has yet to be peer-reviewed but builds on 20 years of experience from Oxford and Italy.

Dr Ayton told the PA news agency that, at present, people can be discharged before they reach a healthy weight and they often relapse.

“This translates into quite an unplanned care pathway, where people are admitted in a crisis and then they get discharged before they they are well enough to be discharged,” she said.

“With I-CBTE, the idea is that we a work as a multidisciplinary team, everyone is trained in the model.

“The patient knows what is going to happen and how much time they will need to spend in hospital. And I think that reduces the anxiety of the patient.”

She said her team had been surprised by their findings, adding: “Obviously we were hoping that we would have good results but when we saw them we were actually very excited.”

She added: “The positive results were beyond our expectations.

“This treatment model offers hope to those who have suffered with anorexia nervosa for many years.

“This important replication of previous work in Italy in real life NHS settings shows that the treatment model is robust and could potentially transform the lives of people with severe anorexia nervosa.”

Former patient Lorna Collins, aged 40, developed anorexia following a traumatic brain injury.

“I was admitted to hospital multiple times. Each time, I was discharged underweight and without proper follow-up care,” she said.

“After relocating to Buckinghamshire, I was referred to the Oxford team. The treatment I received was unlike anything I had experienced before. It saved my life. An eating disorder is no longer part of my identity. I am in full recovery. I am living proof that this approach can work.” 

Reference: By Jane Kirby, PA Health Editor