Systems medicine – the future approach to diseases

Copenhagen: Systems medicine is a new interdisciplinary research area which is gaining ground in medical science. Long story short the purpose of the research is to investigate the systems that form the foundation for the development of diseases. The research looks at the body as a whole and considers a large number of factors from biochemistry and reprofiling to influences from lifestyle and environment when trying to map out the entire pathological picture.

Epilepsy patients keen to know risks

Edinburgh: Young people with epilepsy want early information about the risk of sudden death that is associated with their condition, research shows. They want to be told about the risks soon after their diagnosis but not at the first consultation, the study found. Being informed about their risk does not create long-lasting anxiety in younger people, contrary to doctors’ fears. It is the first time epilepsy patients have been asked in such detail for their views on the subject. Researchers say their findings will help to inform best practice in counselling patients.

Psychologists to help Dr Google

Manchester: Psychologists are to improve online health information on lung cancer after research showed that family members are more likely to search online to encourage loved ones to seek help. This is one of the outcomes from research by PhD student Julia Mueller. Julia Mueller said: “People displaying symptoms of lung cancer often don’t seek medical diagnosis for several months, which can affect their recovery or even their survival. Online health information could be a key factor influencing their decision to seek medical help. This study explored whether those with suspected lung cancer researched symptoms online prior to diagnosis and if this impacted on help-seeking behaviour.”

How to avoid bogus health information on the web

Sheffield University. UK: Health is one of the biggest topics searched for on the web, yet despite its importance a large portion of this information is inaccurate, anecdotal or biased.