This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium – with a strong health/medical slant. This week…

1. with the northern winter approaching, salon.com ran this fine piece about the common cold [1]. I think you’ll learn something from it.

2. the BMJ reported that compared with placebo, chondroitin and/or glucosamine had no effect on the pain and pathology of osteoarthritis [2]. As an owner of arthritic fingers, I say ‘Damn!’.

3. the journal Gut told us that low dose aspirin significantly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer [3]. As an aspirin-taking owner of a bowel, I say ‘Yay!’.

4. Science Friday put up this ab fab vid of Caledonian Crows using twigs as tools [4]. Ain’t evolution inspiring.

5. the Heart Foundation ran two new TV advertisements – about heeding the signs of heart attack, and calling 000 [5]. Hopefully they’ll save lives.

6. planetgreen.com told us of ‘Tips for Freezing Fresh Produce’ [6]. It’s nice to know how to do it properly – and safely.

7. gizmodo ran an article titled ‘Chasing the Perfect Cup of Coffee with Science’ [7]. Amazing! Me? I’m all for the article’s last line: ‘…in the end, the only question that should matter is, "does it taste good?”’.

8. in fact today and tomorrow, darling Emily’s appearing at the 5th annual Wave Rock Weekender in Western Australia [8]. Break a leg, Em. xxx

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

farmdoc's blog post number 125

If you offered me a free, no strings attached lottery ticket with a 30% chance of winning, would I accept the offer? You betcha. And if you had a medical problem and I offered you a risk-free treatment with a 30% chance of substantial improvement, would you accept my offer? I reckon you would. In medicine, every treatment has potential downsides – e.g. postoperative complications, medication side-effects. Their frequency, varying between often and rare, is always finite. However a placebo is not only totally safe, it’s beneficial for 30% of people. Though placebos should, and would, not be used in life-threatening situations, they can reduce cancer symptoms. I’ve previously mentioned evidence-based medicine, i.e. medical treatment proven effective by controlled experiments. But effective treatment is frequently risky, so why not try a placebo first. If it works, then good; and if not then the proven but risky treatment can be used. For many medical conditions, all that’s needed is watchful expectancy whilst Mother Nature and Father Time do their job. When it’s difficult for treaters to advise no treatment and for patients not to require any, it’s a good time for a placebo. Finally, whilst placebos are totally safe, fascinatingly placebo tablet takers report side-effects – which demonstrates the mind’s power. The human body continues to amaze me. Anyway, enough; I’m off to get my free lottery ticket.