Behind The Medical Headlines aims to provide the public and health professionals with equitable access to authoritative and independent commentaries from leading medical experts on articles or news items which appear in the media in an attempt to reduce the confusion which can often arise from conflicting, incomplete or misleading media reports of medical areas. Published articles cover a diverse range of areas and are intended to provide a longer term overview rather than an instant response.
Latest articles
New treatments for type 2 diabetes
Controlling blood glucose in type 2 diabetes remains challenging. All existing drugs have significant limitations and side effects, with some causing weight gain and thereby exacerbating the condition. Dr Katarina Kos and Professor John PH Wilding look at new groups of drugs on the market and under development, and discuss their potential in the management of type 2 diabetes. Read…
Alternatives to antidepressants: a review of the non-pharmacological management of depression
In recent years there has been a growth in interest in non-pharmacological treatments for depression from patients, professionals and government, with concern about the rising use of antidepressants alongside questions about antidepressant efficacy and a stronger evidence base for some non-pharmacological interventions. Consultant psychiatrist Eleanor Halloran looks at the available options. Read…
Positron emission tomography (PET): when to scan
The past five years have seen a large investment in positron emission tomography and computerised tomography equipment in the UK. Most scans are performed on oncology patients, and there are clear recommendations for their use in non-small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and colorectal carcinoma. A lack of evidence currently exists on other tumour types. Mr Graeme Couper, Consultant Surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, explains the most common uses of this technology. Read…
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition in the UK. In this article Dr Andrew Kelso and Dr Richard Davenport outline the different categories of this disease and their treatment options. Read…
Neuropsychiatric features of Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative condition that damages central nervous system pathways. In addition to the well-recognised motor features of the disease, patients commonly experience non-motor symptoms including neuropsychiatric complications. These symptoms may precede motor symptoms and have a very significant impact on quality of life for patients and their carers. In this companion article to their earlier article on advances in the treatment of the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, Dr Christopher Turnbull and Dr Paul Fitzsimmons provide an overview of the more common neuropsychiatric features of Parkinson’s disease. Read…
