The American journal of the medical sciences
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Persistent hiccups (singultus) is a rare but severely disabling disorder. The causes of persistent hiccups are numerous, as are the treatment options. ⋯ Traditional acupuncture has not been previously reported as a modality for the treatment of persistent hiccups in the English medical literature. We describe 2 patients with persistent hiccups refractory to conventional treatments that were treated successfully using acupuncture.
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Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in the United States. Despite much research on specific carcinogens, the cause of many cancers remains unclear. The identification of novel causative agents offers the potential for cancer prevention. ⋯ The reduced insulin levels seen with physical activity, weight loss, and a high fiber diet may account for decreased cancer risk. The role of newer drugs that restore sensitivity to insulin, thereby reducing hyperinsulinemia, is an exciting potential area of cancer prevention. In this review, we discuss the potential role of insulin as a tumor growth factor.