Diabetes Could Raise Your Risk of Head and Neck Cancer by 50%

diabetes and neck cancer riskDiabetes could increase your risk of head and neck cancer by 50% according to a newly published retrospective cohort study carried out in Taiwan. The research, published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology looked at data from 89,089 patients with diabetes and found that compared to closely matched people without diabetes they were 47% more likely to develop head and neck cancer. Read more

Can Neck Problems Cause Tinnitus?

tinnitus and neck pain problemsTinnitus is typically blamed on listening to loud music or working in a noisy environment (such as construction) without adequate ear protection but for some people tinnitus is a result of neck problems. Now, a group of physicians investigating cervicogenic somatic tinnitus are looking to find out if physical therapy could offer patients with neck-related tinnitus some relief. Read more

Trouble Sleeping with Neck Pain? Try These Five Foods That Can Help You Sleep

sleeping with chronic neck pain foods to help you sleepChronic neck pain can leave you sleep deprived as you toss and turn all night trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. For some, this nightly battle with sleep can lead to some serious anxiety about going to bed at all, so if you’ve got secondary insomnia due to chronic neck pain maybe it’s time for a little natural help with drifting off. Read more

Multiple Sclerosis and Cervical Spinal Stenosis – Does Neck Surgery Help?

cervical spinal stenosis mutliple sclerosis myelopathyDifferentiating multiple sclerosis and cervical symptoms of spinal stenosis can be challenging and new research suggests that for patients with both conditions preoperative MRI results may not offer a clear indication of the likely success of spine surgery. Typically, people with cervical spinal stenosis can be given a pretty good idea of the benefits they could see after neck surgery, but evaluating patients with concurrent MS and cervical stenosis causing myelopathy appears to offer little indication of its usefulness. Read more

Drug-Free Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis is Possible, New Study Says

abatacept orencia drug free remission in rheumatoid arthritis

If taken early enough, abatacept (Orencia) could help RA patients go into remission drug-free.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition for which patients typically need to take medications long-term, if not indefinitely. This joint disease causes symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, fever, and may be a cause of neck pain, back pain, and a loss of mobility and flexibility. A range of medications are available for managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but there is currently no cure. Many of these treatments involve suppressing the immune system as it is this that is erroneously attacking the body and causing symptoms. Read more