Keep abreast of what your patients are currently seeing in the media with our round-up of popular news stories, available from WHF as abstracts with links to the full-text articles.

From the week of July 21, 2008:

Viagra Helpful to Women on Antidepressants, Study Finds

More than 6 million American women suffer from depression, with antidepressant medications being the most commonly prescribed treatment. Sexual problems such as lack of arousal and difficulty achieving orgasm are common side effects of antidepressants, affecting roughly 30-70% of men and women who take them. Researchers looking for an antidote to the sexual side effects of antidepressants recently tested the use of the male impotence drug Viagra on a group of 98 women with an average age of 37. All of the women were taking antidepressants and reported decreased sexual performance. The study, funded by a grant from Viagra-maker Pfizer, found the 72% of women that took Viagra 1 to 2 hours before having sex reported an improvement in their sexual performance, while only 27% of women taking a placebo reported the same effect. The women’s testosterone levels appeared to impact the drug’s efficacy, which is also the case with Viagra in male subjects. Although researchers do not expect Viagra use among women to become as prevalent as it is among men, they do expect a surge in its use in women. With the widespread availability of Viagra, many women are expected to go to their partners to obtain Viagra, rather than to their own doctors.

Read the full story on latimes.com

Sunscreen Safety Is Called Into Question

The Environmental Working Group recently published a report on their investigation of nearly 1000 sunscreen products. It states that 4 out of 5 products testes either offer inadequate sun protection or contain ingredients that may pose a health risk to users. The report has consumers questioning years of dermatologists’ advice to apply sunscreen liberally before sun exposure. One of the main ingredients in question is oxybenzone, an active ingredient in many popular brands of sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group cites research that oxybenzone may pose a health risk, and advises consumers to use titanium or zinc-based products instead. Such products tend to be unpopular with consumers due to the white residue they often leave behind. However, many dermatologists argue that the report lacks scientific rigor, and uses an arbitrary rating system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an analysis of oxybenzone this month that stated oxybenzone has not been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. The CDC’s report goes on to emphasize the importance of using sunscreen to protect against sunscreen and skin cancer. The general consensus of dermatologists appears to be that the benefits of sunscreen far outweigh any possible risks that sunscreen use may pose. Sunscreen, however, is not the only method that should be used for protecting against sunburn and skin cancer. Protective clothing and hats can greatly reduce sun exposure. Doctors also recommend staying inside during the hottest part of the day if possible, as well as finding shady areas when outside.

Read the full story on nytimes.com

Health 'Facts' You Only Thought You Knew

Proactive health care is on the rise in the US, from teeth whitening to eating foods high in antioxidants. Many people adhere to health advice they have heard from friends, family, or the media, without ever researching the validity of these so-called “health facts.” Looking at the medical research behind many of these accepted truths, many health precautions people take are based more on myth than on fact.

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day is a particularly popular adage. However, scientific research shows that the human body fulfills its need for liquids in a variety of ways, not just from water. Fruits, vegetables, juice, and even caffeinated coffee and tea hydrate the body. The best ways to determine the body’s need for liquids are thirst and urine color, which should be clear.

Cleaning your ears with cotton swabs is another mistaken piece of advice. Swabs can push wax further into the ear, rather than remove it. Earwax can be removed with the aid of wax softening drops, or through professional cleaning at a doctor’s office.

The itchy rash resulting from contact with poison ivy has long been thought to be contagious from person to person, or from one patch of skin to another on the same person. However, the rash cannot spread to new areas or to other people once the plant’s resin has been washed off the skin. The appearance of the rash spreading is simply caused by a sequential development of the rash. Furthermore, over-the-counter anti-itch medications do not relieve poison ivy rashes; rather, a topical or oral steroid is the best treatment.

Colon cleansing, or colonics, is practiced by some to remove toxins from the body. Drinking water would be a more effective option, the bowel is self-cleaning and colonics can cause damage to the bowel or rectum.

The myth that shaving makes hair grow back faster and coarser also has no scientific basis, in fact, this myth was debunked in a study 80 years ago. If hair appears darker or coarser when it first appears it is only because the hair has not yet been exposed to sunlight, chemicals, and the everyday wear and tear that will lighten and smoothen it out.

Patients often put off taking painkillers until they are in dire need of relief. Many are afraid or becoming dependent on pain relievers, or shy away from taking unnecessary medications. However, pain medications provide the greatest relief is taken at the first onset of symptoms, and may lose effectiveness if taken after the pain has become overwhelming. In some cases, taking painkillers proactively may be the best treatment.

Read the full story on nytimes.com

Varicose, Spider Veins May Be Inevitable for Some

Unsightly varicose and spider veins are generally thought of as a cosmetic concern. However, the condition can lead to serious health problems and, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, may require surgical intervention. Varicose and spider veins are much more prevalent in women than men, and can be caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, high-heeled shoes, age, heat, and obesity. Some people are more predisposed than others to develop the condition. Certain measures can be taken to help prevent the development of varicose and spider veins, such as: keeping active, which boosts blood circulation in the legs, maintaining a healthy body weight, changing positions every 30 minutes to promote blood flow, flexing the calf muscles when sitting for long stretches of time, avoiding clothing that restricts circulation in the waist, legs, and groin area, and refraining from subjecting legs to prolonged excessive heat. Varicose and spider veins can lead to fatigue, night cramps, leg swelling, and itching. If such veins do develop, a dermasurgeon (a surgeon specializing in skin conditions) can offer a number of treatment options. Almost 300,000 procedures were performed on varicose and spider veins in 2005 by dermasurgeons in the US.

Read the full story on healthday.com