(January 30, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From Montreal - Over-the-counter earwax softeners may cause inflammation of the external ear canal or even hearing loss, according to researchers studying the effects on an animal model. The researchers evaluated the effects of earwax softeners on 20 chinchillas with ruptured ear drums. Reduced hearing, severe inflammation, and lesions to the nerve cells were all observed. Health Canada is aware of the findings and is investigating.

From Atlanta - Complications from taking over-the-counter cold and cough medicines accounted for over 7,000 visits to US emergency rooms. Researchers evaluated the adverse event rates attributed to medications in patients presenting to 63 US emergency rooms.  Taking cold or cough medicines accounted for nearly 6% of all medication related visits, most of which occurred from unsupervised ingestions.

And finally, from Germany - Rooting for your favorite soccer team may be bad for your health. Researchers looked at the rate of serious heart condition, including heart attack and cardiac arrest, on the days that Germany played soccer matches in the 2006 World Cup. They found nearly a 3 fold higher risk of cardiac events on days that Germany played versus days on which the team did not play.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.