Thoughts on studies

Ever wonder why a particular study is done? Where the ideas come from and how researchers get their funding? I do wonder sometimes.

I understand the interest and the need to understand the basis of certain disorders, but some are just so obvious. One of the stories today, Panic attacks associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death in older women. Am I the only one who isn’t surprised? If you have a panic attack, your heart races like mad, your body reacts in ways that trigger that fight or flight response (big time!) and you either want to curl up in bed and hide forever or you want to die. Another story, High blood pressure may be due to excess weight in half of overweight adults from last week, also made me wonder if I should even pick it for my news picks.

Many studies I read are very interesting and provide good food for thought, but other ones really make me wonder why they’re being done and if they are really helpful or just high-level make-work projects. What can I say? I’m a wee bit on the cynical side.

News for Today:
Common prostate cancer treatment could lead to metastasis: study
Health Canada issues alerts for unauthorized arthritis, joint treatments
Loud classrooms hurting students: audiologists
Driven people may avoid Alzheimer's
M. D. Anderson-Prevention poll finds women can do more to prevent cancer...but aren't
Panic attacks associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and death in older women
Combination of medication and psychotherapy appears most effective for treatment of depressed teens
ACP and APS issue comprehensive guidelines for treating low-back pain
New treatment for stroke works up to a day after symptoms start