Millions of Americans take aspirin daily to prevent blood clots, heart attack and stroke. But are they taking too much?

A recent study by researchers at the University of Kentucky suggests that a 325 mg dose of adult aspirin is not more effective than an 81 mg dose of baby aspirin but carries a higher risk for bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract.

A review of the published data found no benefit to higher doses of aspirin and cited the dangers of bleeding as a reason for patients to take the lowest effective dose. According to Dr. Steve Steinhubl, one of the study’s authors, there is almost no one who needs to take more than 81 mg of aspirin a day but cautions patients to check with their doctors to be sure.

UK Study: Baby Aspirin Better for Your Health

Botox, made popular by aging celebrities to make forehead lines disappear has become so commonly used that Botox injections are available nearly everywhere. But Botox may now have a place in the treatment of pain and spascticity of muscles in stroke patients.

The conclusion of a study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, showed that repeated treatments with Botox (botulinum toxin type A) over the course of one year, reduced pain intensity, pain frequency and decreased spasticity in upper limbs following stroke.

“In the clinical setting, limb stiffness and pain are the most commonly reported symptoms of spasticity following a stroke, and relief of spasticity-related pain is a priority treatment goal for many patients,” said Allison Brashear, M.D., professor and chairman of neurology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and head of the spasticity clinic at Wake Forest Baptist.

Study Shows Repeated Treatment With Botox® Decreases Pain And Intensity Of Spasticity Following A Stroke

Diabetes causes poor circulation and reduced ability to fight infection. Because of reduced sensation in the feet, many will develop diabetic foot ulcers leading to possible amputation. As infectious organisms become more drug-resistand, traditional treatment with antibiotics becomes less effective.

Doctors at the University of Wisconsin Scool of Medicine and Public Health think there might be a better way to treat diabetic ulcers, and the cure might be right in your own kitchen.

The answer? Honey. In a double-blind study, doctors will treat patients with diabetic foot ulcers by giving half topical honey and the other half a wound care gel that has been made to look and smell like honey. The patients will be followed to ascertain the effectiveness of each type of treatment.

Honey has properties that may make it very effective in treating these types of wounds.

Since honey fights bacteria in numerous ways, it is essentially immune to resistance. Honey’s acidic pH, low water content (which effectively dehydrates bacteria), and the hydrogen peroxide secreted by its naturally-occurring enzymes make it ideal for combating organisms that have developed resistance to standard antibiotics.

If the honey proves effective, patients would still need to be followed by a doctor during treatment. Wounds would require the sterile removal of dead skin and bacteria and precautions regarding weight-bearing and walking need to be monitored.

UW study tests topical honey as a treatment for diabetic ulcers

A survey of caregivers revealed some unflattering and inaccurate sterotypes about seniors. For instance, almost 40 percent stated that seniors feel “grouchy”, when most seniors say they are seldom angry.

Some other stereotypes discovered in the study by the University of Alberta, Edmonton Canada:

* 25% of seniors are in institutions – in fact, only 5% of all seniors require long term care

* a large number of seniors can’t care for themselves

* seniors are not adaptable to change

* all Alzheimers patients are incontinent

Lead author Tiana Rust said the study showed education about aging is needed to dispel these stereotypes.

“It’s important that people learn more about what it is to be an older adult and also to know what Alzheimer’s and dementia are about. It is important to recognize that older adults are a very heterogenous group, ranging from very vital and capable to those in the last stages of dementia. They fall all along the continuum.”

The study results are published in the latest issue of Educational Gerontology.