Other
'Full-body' CT scans: Are they worth the cost in money and radiation exposure?
There has been an increasing trend in some countries for the use of ‘full-body’ CT scans as check-ups to screen for possible disease. However, such scans can be very expensive and can also result in unnecessary exposure to radiation. Dr Paul Allan and Jerry Williams review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of ‘full-body’ CT scans.
(Image - © istockphoto.com) Read…
Sleep apnoea and road accidents
Sleep apnoea is a significantly under-diagnosed condition which causes symptoms of sleepiness and difficulty in concentrating. It can also cause drivers to fall asleep at the wheel. Prof Neil Douglas provides an overview of the link between sleep apnoea and road traffic accidents. Read…
Euthanasia today
Euthanasia is increasingly associated with doctor-assisted death and presents a major ethical and legal challenge. Should a doctor seek to prolong life at all costs or should a doctor assist to end suffering if requested by a patient? Would a system of doctor-assisted death put unacceptable pressure on doctors or make patients feel pressured into ending their lives prematurely? Dr Lorna Campbell and Rev Dr Ken Boyd provide an overview of this emotive ethical area. Read…
Mercury: answering some of the current controversies about it (update)
In recent years there has been increasing concern about mercury and its potential toxicity to humans. Concerns have focussed primarily on the safety of eating fish containing mercury and the possible risk to children, as a result of receiving childhood vaccines containing mercury. In this article Dr David Wood and Prof Alison Jones review the evidence and aim to answer some of the current controversies about mercury. (Image - © istockphoto.com) Read…
Coffee is good for the liver
Considerable mainstream media attention focuses on lifestyle benefits of consuming different foods or beverages. While there is often little scientific evidence to support such reported benefits, Dr Norma McAvoy and Prof Peter Hayes review the evidence underpinning recent media coverage which was suggested that coffee consumption is good for the liver and is associated with a reduced risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Read…
