All articles tagged with #overuse
Health experts warn that Benadryl's main ingredient, diphenhydramine, is outdated and overused, with potential risks including sedation, cognitive decline, heart problems, and dangerous interactions, especially when used long-term or in excess. They recommend better education on its use and consider safer alternatives like Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec, while the FDA has not yet restricted the drug.
New research warns that overuse of CT scans in the US could cause over 103,000 new cancer cases in the future, highlighting concerns about unnecessary scans driven by reassurance-seeking and routine use, especially in children and healthy individuals. Experts emphasize the importance of limiting low-value scans, reducing radiation doses, and following strict guidelines to minimize risks while ensuring necessary diagnostics.
Antibiotics are powerful drugs that can save lives when used appropriately, but their overuse and misuse contribute to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, a global public health threat. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can harm the body by killing beneficial bacteria and promoting the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. It can also disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially leading to metabolic disorders and autoimmune diseases. To address this issue, experts recommend having open conversations with doctors about the necessity of antibiotics, asking for the shortest course of treatment, and considering probiotics to mitigate side effects.
A report by the Lown Institute claims that 1 in 5 stents placed in Medicare recipients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were considered "overuse." The report suggests that hospitals performed over 229,000 unnecessary stent placements, costing Medicare up to $2.4 billion from 2019 to 2021. Cardiologists have criticized the report, arguing that the definition of overuse is flawed and ignores appropriate use criteria and clinical information. They emphasize the importance of considering individual patient factors and symptoms when determining the need for stent placement. The report has sparked discussions about the appropriateness of stent use and the need for improved assessment methods.
A ProPublica investigation has revealed that thousands of patients may be undergoing invasive vascular procedures too soon or unnecessarily, putting them at risk of complications such as amputation or death. The investigation focused on the use of a controversial procedure called atherectomy, which is being performed on patients with mild symptoms like leg pain while walking, instead of starting with less invasive treatments like medication and exercise. Medicare continues to pay doctors who exhibit this behavior millions of dollars a year, despite warnings from researchers. The investigation highlights a thriving industry of strip-mall clinics and outpatient vascular centers that exploit elderly patients for Medicare payouts.
Australia's overuse of antibiotics is driving the rise of drug-resistant infections, including those that are resistant to last resort treatments. A government report revealed that over one-third of the population had at least one antibiotic prescription in 2022, contributing to the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance. Drug-resistant infections kill hundreds of Australians each year, and Australia ranks seventh-highest in the developed world for antimicrobial prescribing rates. The report attributed the high prescribing to a lack of improvement in appropriateness of prescribing in hospitals. It emphasized the need to change the culture of overprescribing antibiotics and highlighted the importance of good hygiene practices. The World Health Organization estimates that antimicrobial resistance could lead to up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.
New research suggests that giving antibiotics to patients with common respiratory viral infections may not improve their survival rates and could contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The study involved over 2,100 patients in a Norwegian hospital between 2017 and 2021. Of those who received antibiotics, they were twice as likely to die within 30 days than those who did not receive antibiotics. The study's lead author called for doctors to "dare to not give antibiotics, instead of doubting and giving antibiotics just in case." A clinical trial is needed to determine whether patients with common respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics. Meanwhile, European patient and consumer groups have called on the European Medicines Agency to tackle shortages of widely used antibiotics in the region.
Antibiotics given to patients hospitalized with acute viral infections may not improve survival, according to new research. The study investigated the impact of antibiotic use on survival in over 2,100 patients in a Norwegian hospital between 2017 and 2021 and found that giving antibiotics to people with common respiratory infections was unlikely to lower the risk of death within 30 days. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has helped microbes become resistant to many treatments, a development scientists consider one of the greatest threats to global health. A clinical trial is necessary to determine whether patients admitted to hospital with common respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics.
Antibiotics given to patients hospitalized with acute viral infections may not improve survival, according to new research. The study investigated the impact of antibiotic use on survival in over 2,100 patients in a Norwegian hospital between 2017 and 2021 and found that giving antibiotics to people with common respiratory infections was unlikely to lower the risk of death within 30 days. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has helped microbes become resistant to many treatments, a development scientists consider one of the greatest threats to global health. A clinical trial is necessary to determine whether patients admitted to hospital with common respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics.
Antibiotics given to patients with acute viral infections may not improve survival, according to new research. The study found that giving antibiotics to patients with common respiratory infections was unlikely to lower the risk of death within 30 days. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has helped microbes become resistant to many treatments, a development scientists consider one of the greatest threats to global health. A clinical trial is necessary to determine whether patients admitted to hospital with common respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics.