Sooner Is Usually Better for Gallbladder Surgery

THURSDAY, Oct. 31, 2019 -- If someone is hospitalized for a painful gallbladder attack, new research suggests that surgery probably shouldn't wait.

Doctors may typically hold off on operating until gallbladder inflammation has gone down and antibiotics have started working on an infection. But the study found that waiting more than 72 hours for surgery led to a higher rate of complications and longer hospital stays.

Many Common Meds Could Alter Your Microbiome

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23, 2019 -- Some widely used drugs alter the population of microbes in the gut, and a number raise the risk of antibiotic resistance, a new Dutch study shows.

The gut microbiome includes at least 1,000 species of bacteria and is influenced by a number of different factors, including medication. Research suggests that changes in the gut microbiome are associated with obesity, diabetes, liver diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Tainted Fecal Transplant Killed One Patient -- More Vigilance Needed

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30, 2019 -- Fecal transplants can bring the promise of an improved microbiome in ill patients, but a new report suggests they are not risk-free.

In a fecal transplant, donated fecal matter is processed and put into capsules for patients to swallow. Once in the gut, the capsules dissolve, releasing new, healthy bacteria into the gut.

Colon Cancer Rates Rising Among the Young in Wealthy Nations

THURSDAY, Sept. 5, 2019 -- Colon cancer rates among young adults are on the rise in the United States, Canada and seven other wealthy nations, even though rates among older adults are down or stable, a new study finds.

The researchers analyzed data for 36 countries and found that over the past 10 years, colon cancer rates among people under age 50 were stable in 14 countries, fell in three (Italy, Austria and Lithuania), and rose in 19 countries.

Surgery Helps Tough-to-Treat Acid Reflux

THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2019 -- For people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that doesn't respond to the usual treatments, a complex surgery may help, a new study finds.

In carefully selected patients, the surgery provided much more relief than two different types of medication treatment -- 67% for surgery compared to 28% for "active" drug treatment and 12% for the "control" (placebo) drug treatment.

High-Fiber Diet Tied to Lower Heart Risk in Diabetes Patients

FRIDAY, Oct. 4, 2019 -- A fiber-rich diet appears to help people with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes in multiple ways, lowering their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, a new study suggests.

High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes raise the risk for heart disease, and diet may help keep it at bay, researchers say.