FemiClear review: Genital herpes and yeast infection treatment
Women Need Better Treatments For Bacterial Vaginosis
BALTIMORE, May 2, 2024: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) affects about one-quarter of reproductive-age women and is linked to adverse health outcomes, such as increased HIV risk. Yet for decades, BV treatment in the United States has largely relied on antibiotics, and BV recurrence is common following antibiotic therapy.
Now, two European clinical trials have shown limited success with a different type of medication used to treat BV called dequalinium chloride (DQC). DQC—an antiseptic—has been in use for several decades in countries throughout Europe as an alternative treatment for BV. It is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a commentary published May 2 in JAMA Network Open, researchers from the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) within the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) have called for more robust clinical trials in the United States to confirm if DQC is as good or better than existing BV treatments.
"For women suffering from BV, there is a critical need for more effective treatments," said corresponding author Rebecca Brotman, PhD, MPH, a researcher at IGS and UMSOM Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health. "We need more robust clinical trials to fill in the knowledge gaps of what we know about DQC from the European studies."
In the commentary, the authors discuss three main knowledge gaps from the European trials.
"First, we know that vaginal microbiota may vary regionally and the DQC clinical trials so far have only been conducted in Europe," said first author Kayla Carter, PhD, MPH, a postdoc in the Brotman Lab at IGS. "In addition, the trials did not last longer than five weeks, so we don't know long-term outcomes after DQC treatment; and, finally, there's very limited data on its use and its safety during pregnancy."
DQC works differently than current treatments because it is an antiseptic with antibacterial and antifungal activity, rather than an antibiotic. It also is an intravaginal tablet, not an oral treatment. The antibiotic treatments currently available to U.S. Women are metronidazole and clindamycin as first-line medications, with alternatives of secnidazole and tinidazole. While these treatments are generally effective in the short term, as many as 50 percent of women will have a BV recurrence by six months after treatment.
"We've seen a growing investment in innovative BV treatments in recent years, including live biotherapeutics and vaginal microbiome transplants, but those are still in relatively early stages of development," said Dr. Brotman. "In the meantime, the European trials indicate that DQC could be a viable, well-tolerated alternative BV treatment. That's why it deserves further investigation with well-funded clinical trials."
Susan Tuddenham, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine also contributed to this commentary.
About the Institute for Genome Sciences
The Institute for Genome Sciences' (IGS) has been part of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) since 2007. IGS scientists work in diverse areas, applying genomics and systems biology approaches to better understand health issues in premature infants, women, and transgender people; to improve vaccine development; to study evolutionary biology; and to understand cancer, parasitic, fungal, and infectious diseases, as well as identifying the underpinnings of aging, brain development, addiction, and mental health. IGS also remains at the forefront of high-throughput genomic technologies and bioinformatics analyses through its core facility, Maryland Genomics which provides researchers around the world with cutting-edge, collaborative, and cost-effective sequencing and analysis.
About the University of Maryland School of Medicine
Now in its third century, the University of Maryland School of Medicine was chartered in 1807 as the first public medical school in the United States. It continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world -- with 46 academic departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and a faculty of more than 3,000 physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals, including members of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences, and a distinguished two-time winner of the Albert E. Lasker Award in Medical Research. With an operating budget of more than $1.2 billion, the School of Medicine works closely in partnership with the University of Maryland Medical Center and Medical System to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care for nearly 2 million patients each year. The School of Medicine has more than $500 million in extramural funding, with most of its academic departments highly ranked among all medical schools in the nation in research funding. As one of the seven professional schools that make up the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, the School of Medicine has a total population of nearly 9,000 faculty and staff, including 2,500 students, trainees, residents, and fellows. The School of Medicine, which ranks as the 8th highest among public medical schools in research productivity (according to the Association of American Medical Colleges profile) is an innovator in translational medicine, with 606 active patents and 52 start-up companies. In the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Medical Schools, published in 2023, the UM School of Medicine is ranked #10 among the 92 public medical schools in the U.S., and in the top 16 percent (#32) of all 192 public and private U.S. Medical schools. The School of Medicine works locally, nationally, and globally, with research and treatment facilities in 36 countries around the world. Visit medschool.Umaryland.Edu
JournalJAMA Network Open
Method of ResearchCommentary/editorial
Subject of ResearchPeople
Article TitleWomen Need Better Treatments for Bacterial Vaginosis
Article Publication Date2-May-2024
COI StatementDr. Brotman reported receiving donation of STI testing kits from Hologic for a research study outside of the submitted work. Dr. Tuddenham reported receiving royalties from UptoDate outside of the submitted work and participating in research supported by in-kind donation of STI test kits to her institution through Hologic.
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! Are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! By contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
Natural Remedies For High Blood Pressure
Herbs, supplements, a healthy eating pattern, and a few yoga exercises constitute the natural remedies for lowering high blood pressure.
Natural remedies are sometimes sufficient to prevent and control high blood pressure in people with family history of the condition or in people who have the risk factors. Here are some natural remedies for high blood pressure.Advertisement
Nutritional changes to lower high blood pressure1. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet - Researches have shown that DASH diet can reduce the risk of developing as well as lowering an already elevated blood pressure. DASH diet plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods and includes whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts too. This diet plan advises low intake of fats, red meats, sweets and sugared beverages.
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DASH diet is particularly effective if you are overweight or obese. A Medical University of South Carolina study found that obesity may raise blood pressure through oxidative stress and DASH diet is effective in decreasing blood pressure by enhancing antioxidant capacity in obese people with hypertension. The researchers also found that blood pressure did not change significantly in lean people with normal blood pressure.Advertisement
Another study from Australia suggested that the best diet to delay the onset of high blood pressure and high blood glucose related to age is one low in calories and saturated fats, and high in whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.2. Reduce Salt/ Sodium Intake. Choose foods that are lower in salt and sodium content. The National Institute of Health recommends consumption of less that 2.4 g (2,400 mg) of sodium per day. It is equivalent to one teaspoon of table salt per day. Reducing sodium intake will work better if you increase consumption of potassium. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fried foods.
3. Drink plenty of fluids daily. Drink water equivalent to 50 percent of your body weight in ounce. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, drink 70 ounce of water every day.
4. Go easy on alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Limit your alcohol intake to one drink if you are a woman and two drinks if you are a man.
Supplements to lower high blood pressure
Some supplements may help decrease hypertension. Although supplements can be taken in the form of pills or capsules, its best you take them in your diet as foods. Always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your blood pressure treatment.
Supplements that help control high blood pressure include:
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – ALA can be obtained from foods such as flaxseeds, walnuts, soybean, and dark green leafy vegetables.
Omega-3 fatty acids – Food sources for omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, sardines, cod (14 ounces of fish per week), cod liver oil (3 teaspoons per day), walnut, and tofu.
Co-enzyme Q10 – Food sources for co-enzyme Q10 are not well documented. However, it is available from foods such as fish, organ meats viz. Liver, kidney and heart, and whole grain germs.
Herbs and home remedies for lowering high blood pressure
Apart from herbs such as arjuna bark, olive leaf extract, and hawthorn, the following natural remedies also help lower high blood pressure.
1. Cocoa
Surprisingly, hot cocoa has been found to prevent and control high blood pressure. A study from Institute of Human Nutrition and Food Science, Christian Albrechts University, Germany, found that polyphenols in cocoa exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activity. But they also indicated that bio-availability of cocoa polyphenols from dietary intake is very low. [6] So if you plan to get these polyphenols from chocolate, take into account its high energy content.
Alternatively, if you go by a Harvard research, drinking 5 cups of cocoa every day can help you control high blood pressure. This is because flavanols in cocoa stimulate your body's production of nitric oxide that boosts blood flow to heart, brain and other organs.
2. Garlic
Garlic, best known for its anti-cholesterol properties, also helps lower high blood pressure if taken over time. The recommended dose is 1-2 capsules to be taken twice a day, if you can't take raw garlic cloves because of its pungent taste and smell. Garlic eases the spasm in the arteries, slows the pulse and modifies heart rhythm besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and flatulence. Consult your doctor before using garlic as blood pressure treatment.
3. Rauwolfia
Rauwolfia serpentina, also called Indian snakeroot or sarpagandha, contains alkaloids that are used to treat high blood pressure. Rauwolfia alkaloids work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. They act on the heart and blood vessels and thus lower high blood pressure.
Oral dosage for adults is 50-100 mg of Rauwolfia tablets per day. However, rauwolfia will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid using rauwolfia to control their blood pressure.
4. Yoga and breathing exercises to control high blood pressure
Relaxation techniques such as yoga with breathing exercises can help you relax and reduce your stress levels and consequently lower high blood pressure. Consult your doctor before beginning on any yoga or breathing techniques.Shavasana (the corpse pose) and sukhasana (the easy pose) are two yogasanas that help control high blood pressure.
Shavasana:
Lie down face up on the yoga mat in a warm room.
Place your feet about 20 inches apart and loosen (relax) the ankles and toes so that they point outwards.
Place the hands palm up about 10 inches away from the body.
Ensure that your shoulder blades are pulled down and the small of your back is relaxed into the floor.
Completely relax the body so that eventually you'll forget its there.
Focus on your breath. Breathe normally. Notice the subtle movements of breathing.
Feel yourself in tune with the rhythms of the body. Detach yourself from your thoughts. Let go.
Come out of shavasana very slowly so as to keep base with the tranquil and relaxed feelings inside of you.
Sukhasana:
It is a classic seated posture that will help you relax.
Sit on the yoga mat, fold the legs in toward your body, crossing the shins and placing each foot beneath the opposite knee.
Leave a comfortable gap between the feet and the pelvis.
Place your hands in your lap palm up. You may also lay your hands on your knees palm down.
Firm your shoulders but don't overarch your lower back.
Sit in this position for as long as you are comfortable.
Breathe normally. Focus on your breathing till you relax.
Remember to alternate the cross of the legs.
Reach out to people. Nurture love and affection. Laugh as much as you can. Laughter is the best medicine. It is a good relaxation therapy. All these natural remedies can help you reduce stress and lower your high blood pressure.
Natural Remedies For Hay Fever
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