Nuvelo Inc.'s experimental blood clot dissolver restores function in patients with blocked catheters faster than existing therapy, the company said on Saturday.
Dad Cites Boy's Antidepressants in Deaths
Authorities say three years ago, Christopher Pittman, then 12, shot his grandparents as they slept because they had scolded him for fighting. But Christopher's father, Joe Pittman, thinks his son killed because his sense of right and wrong was clouded by the anti-depressant Zoloft.
Ala. Joins Calif. on Medical Marijuana
Alabama, which has some of the nation's toughest drug laws, has become an unlikely ally of California on medical marijuana use.
In a legal brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments Monday on California's medical marijuana law, Alabama Attorney General Troy King said states, not the federal government, should have the right to decide drug-control policies.
Woman Arrested in Bizarre Flu Shot Case
A woman who gave what she said were flu shots to more than two dozen people, then fled when asked for information about her credentials, was arrested Saturday, police said.
Seniors Need Extra Help Weathering Winter
If you're an older adult, the New York-Presbyterian Hospital has these tips on how you can have a safe and healthy winter:
- Get a flu shot if it's available in your area. Flu season runs from mid-October to mid-March. Flu can be fatal to older adults.
- Ask your doctor about a vaccine that protects against pneumonia.
- Check the lighting in your home. Make sure there are no major lighting contrasts from one room to another, because older people have difficulty adjusting to changes in light. High contrasts in lighting can increase the risk of slips and falls. Use night lights. Tape extension cords to the floor so they're not loose.
- Check your rugs and make sure they're not wrinkled or torn, which could pose a tripping hazard. Place padding or special tape under rugs to prevent them from sliding.
- Place anti-slip mats inside and outside your bathtub. Grab bars inside the tub are a good idea. Always check the temperature of the water before you get into the tub.
- Keep exercising -- indoors if possible. But avoid strenuous exercise such as shoveling snow.
- Maintain a healthy diet and drink at least four or five glasses of water a day.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are working. If you live in your own house, rather than an apartment, you should also have carbon monoxide alarms.
- Wear proper footwear. Comfortable shoes with anti-slip soles will help you get around on icy streets.
- You should have a programmable phone with emergency numbers entered. A personal emergency response system is a good idea. These devices, worn around the neck or on a bracelet, let you summon help. Wear the device all the time.
Health Tip: Buying Athletic Shoes
On your way to the shoe store for new athletic shoes? Here are some buying tips, courtesy of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine:
- Select a shoe that's built for the specific sport in which you're participating.
- Go to a store that specializes in athletic shoes and has a good reputation in your community.
- Bring with you a list of past and present injuries. And don't forget your old shoes, to use for comparison.
- Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes. Measurements should include sitting, standing, heel-to-toe, heel-to-ball, and width.
- Wear the socks you plan to use, and don't forget your inserts or orthotics.
Steps to Steer Clear of Colds and Flu
When it comes to gifts, it's better to give than to receive. But, in the case of colds and flu, you don't want to give or get them during the holidays.
"Avoiding spreading colds or influenza this season is going to be particularly important, in light of the recent flu vaccine shortage," Dr. Jeff Desmond, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a prepared statement.
"Both the common cold and influenza are spread by respiratory droplets -- sneezing, coughing, or hand contact with another person after touching nose or mouth secretions. Both of them are viral illnesses and both are caused by several types of viruses," Desmond said.
Flu season tends to run from November into early March, with the peak period from late December into January. Colds can be passed around at any time of year, but they tend to spread faster and more widely in late fall and early winter, he noted.
No matter whether it's a cold or flu going around, you should do everything you can to avoid spreading or catching it.
"Stay home if you feel ill, cover your nose or mouth while you're coughing or sneezing, wash your hands frequently, and avoid contact between your hands and your face or eyes. If you can't always get to a sink to wash your hands with soap and water, use an antibacterial gel, which can kill viruses," Desmond advised.
Eating healthy foods, getting plenty of sleep, and regular physical activity can all help your immune system fight off cold and flu bugs.
Remember that holiday and work-related stress can weaken your immune system.
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